Cicero agreed to the request of the Sicilians, not just because Sicily was where he started his career, and the Sicilians saw him as their patron, but more importantly, he needed this opportunity to make a name for himself and establish his authority in the Roman legal world, so his name would be on the lips of the Roman populace.
Coincidentally, the defense lawyer hired by Valerius was the Roman Elder Hotenius, who had been the most famous lawyer in Rome for the past decade. He was known for his graceful demeanor and eloquent speech and had close ties with Sula. He even delivered the eulogy at Sula's funeral, maintaining an important position within the Senate.
The difficulty of winning this lawsuit was obvious, but it only fueled Cicero's determination.
Through his relentless efforts, he gathered substantial evidence of Valerius' crimes.
