Marcus Tullius Cicero born in Arpinum.
He was a Roman politician, orator, advocate, author, philosopher, political theorist, linguist and translator.

Cicero was the offspring of a wealthy Equestrian family, which gave him the opportunity for a first class education. He was a precocious student who traveled throughout Greece and Asia Minor, studying with various rhetoricians and philosophers. He, along with his friend Atticus, was initiated into the Eleusinian mysteries. This experience had a profound influence on his thinking.

Cicero became acquainted with the art of war as well as with pursuits of the mind. He served under Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo and Lucius Cornelius Sulla during the Social War (90-88 BC).

Several years thereafter, he became a lawyer and participated in many famous cases. Several of the most notable—Pro Roscio Amerino, In Verrem, In Catillinam, Pro Milone—are available to us today.

Cicero entered the Cursus Honorum (course of public offices) as quaestor (an office having to do with money and public accounting) in Sicily in 75 BC where he acquitted himself honestly, honorably and effectively. He eventually rose to the office of consul, during which time he stifled the conspiracy headed by Lucius Sergius Catillina. Because he was the first in his family to achieve the highest republican office and senatorial rank, Cicero was known as a homo novus (new man).

Cicero was a committed Republican, opposing Caesar and Antony during the civil wars. He sided against the Caesarian party by standing with the Optimate faction, the Senate and Pompey during the civil war. Caesar forgave him his opposition. Later, after Caesar’s death, Cicero opposed the Caesarian party, especially Antony, its leader, and delivered 14 speeches against him known as Philippics (referencing Demosthenes’ vituperative speeches against Phillip of Macedon). Antony was not as forgiving as Caesar and had Cicero proscribed. Cicero was murdered in his litter in 43 BC and his hands were nailed to the temple doors in the Forum Romanum. Cicero’s brother Quintus perished during the proscriptions as well.

REFERENCES
Appian. The Civil Wars. Trans. John Carter. Penguin Books. London. 1996.

Plutarch. Plutarch’s Lives Volume 1. The Dryden Translation. Ed. Arthur Hugh Clough. The Modern Library, Random House, Inc. New York. 1992. Page 530.