Book description
Amid the corruption and power struggles of the collapse of the Roman
Republic, Cicero (106-43BC) produced some of the most stirring and
eloquent speeches in history. A statesman and lawyer, he was one of the
only outsiders to penetrate the aristocratic circles that controlled the
Roman state, and became renowned for his speaking to the Assembly,
Senate and courtrooms. Whether fighting corruption, quashing the
Catiline conspiracy, defending the poet Archias or railing against Mark
Antony in the Philippics - the magnificent arguments in defence of
liberty which led to his banishment and death - Cicero's speeches are
oratory masterpieces, vividly evocative of the cut and thrust of Roman
political life.
Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) was born at Arpinium to a wealthy
local family. By 70 BC he had established himself as the leading
barrister in Rome, and begun his political career. His ambition was
such that he was able to receive honours usually only given to members
of the Roman aristocracy.
Michael Grant has successively been 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 the Queen's University, Belfast and
President of the Classical Association.
