Marcus Tullius Cicero

Marcus Tullius Cicero

Western Civilization HIST 2311

Fall 2016

Dr. John Jacobsen

13 October 2016

Derrick Terran Robinson

Email: drob1404@outlook.com

Marcus Tullius Cicero was born on 6 January 106 B.C. on the country estate of the grandfather in Arpinum, Rome. His father was called Marcus Tullius Cicero who was a wealthy landowner. Cicero’s mother was known as Helvetia with a younger brother called Quintus. At a very young age, Cicero’s began studying writings he found in father’s library. Cicero and his brother Quintus showed interest in public speaking and philosophy. When Cicero was around eight years, his father became aware of their interest and decided to take them to Rome, where the best education offered at the time (Forsyth 17). He was one of Roman’s great orators, writer of letters, verses and philosophy work, rhetoric, and politics that significantly affected European thoughts. The following will cover the life of Cicero in his political life, his philosophical work, and his legal justice activities. In addition, the paper highlights his life as a consul and a constitutionalist brought about by his interest in philosophy and his exposure to the best education.

Cicero as a Philosopher

Marcus Tullius Cicero’s life was linked to the fall of the Roman Republic. He was one of the major actors in political life. Cicero’s writings give a significant source of information about his life as a Roman philosopher, orator, politician, lawyer, political theorist, consul, and constitutionalist. His writings help us understand him and the philosophical studies of his time (Cicero and Grant 58). The philosophical study was an important aspect of Cicero’s life. It was more valuable and placed it above politics. The only time when Cicero wrote down his philosophical work in his lifetime was when he was forced not to involve himself in political events.

Marcus Cicero was one of the greatest philosophers in the ancient period. Although today, he is not considered an exceptional thinker because his work is viewed to be unreal and derivative. His writings were well received and widely read in the 19th century (Cicero and Grant 58). All his life, Cicero was considered to be an active and good orator, an excellent politician and a wise lawyer. He became an excellent speaker and author because of the effort he put into his studies. When his fellow student would spend their time engaged in leisurely, activities, he would devote his time for literary pursuits and constant study (Everett, 34).

Cicero as a Lawyer and Orator

After training in Greek language and rhetoric, Cicero took classes in law studies. Cicero enhanced his studies by attending the forum and court, where he would listen to advocates such as Antonius and Crassus. He joined the military campaign of Pompeius Strabo at the age of 18, which exposed Cicero to all the experience he required as a soldier (Cicero and Grant 100). However, Cicero did not like being a soldier and eventually left the military and later began a career in Law where he increased his study of philosophy, rhetoric, and jurisprudence of Rhodes and Asia Minor. He became friends with Pomponius Atticus and the two of them exchange many letters that also influenced Cicero.  Being involved in legal issues could lead Cicero to political success due to many advantages. For instance, being a lawyer could give him much experience in giving public speeches, an ideal quality that any political a Cicero made his first appearance as an advocate.