Book description
Lawyer, philosopher, statesman and defender of Rome's Republic, Cicero
was a master of eloquence, and his pure literary and oratorical style
and strict sense of morality have been a powerful influence on European
literature and thought for over two thousand years in matters of
politics, philosophy, and faith. This selection demonstrates the
diversity of his writings, and includes letters to friends and statesmen
on Roman life and politics; the vitriolic Second Philippic Against
Antony; and his two most famous philosophical treatises, On Duties and
On Old Age - a celebration of his own declining years. Written at a time
of brutal political and social change, Cicero's lucid ethical writings
formed the foundation of the Western liberal tradition in political and
moral thought that continues to this day.
Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 bc), Roman orator and statesman, was
born at Arpinium of a wealthy local family. Having been educated in
Rome, by 70 bc he had established himself as a leading barrister and
was beginning a successful political career. Cicero received honors
usually reserved only for the Roman aristocracy and was one of the
greatest Roman orators.
Michael Grant has been successively Chancellor's Medallist and
Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, Professor of Humanity at
Edinburgh University, first Vice-chancellor of Khartoum University,
President and Vice-chancellor of Queen's University, Belfast and
President of the Classical Association.
