Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, and writer who vainly tried to uphold republican principles in the final civil wars that destroyed the Roman Republic. His writings include books of rhetoric, orations, philosophical and political treatises, and letters. He is remembered in modern times as the greatest Roman orator and the innovator of what became known as Ciceronian rhetoric.

Marcus Tullius Cicero was born to a wealthy family and received a quality education. After he served in the military, Cicero studied Roman law. He went on to be elected to each of Rome’s principal offices, becoming the youngest citizen to attain the highest rank of consul without coming from a political family.

Cicero remained loyal to the Roman Republic during his career. He viewed the informal alliance known as the First Triumvirate to be in direct opposition to the principles of the republic and authority of the Senate. By refusing to join this alliance, Cicero left himself vulnerable to attacks from his political enemies. This became an issue for
Cicero when he came under fire for speaking out against the political figure and tribune Publius Clodius. 

When Clodius was elected as a tribune, he introduced a bill that revoked the citizenship of anyone who killed a Roman citizen without granting them a trial. This was designed to strike at Cicero for his role in putting down an uprising known as the Catalonian rebellion. With no allies remaining to protect him from Clodius’ attacks, Cicero fled Rome and become an exile. After a year and a half, however, he was allowed to return back to Rome as a result of Pompey’s intervention following Clodius’ term as tribune.

When Cicero returned to Rome, he was forced to stay out of politics, so he turned to writing. He wrote many works relating to philosophy, such as On the Republic, On Invention, and On the Orator. He established himself as a prolific Roman author. He also made many speeches and wrote letters that have been preserved, allowing the modern world to gain knowledge of the politics and culture of Cicero’s era. 
Cicero’s fate was sealed when he began speaking out against Mark Antony, who rose to power following Julius Caesar’s assassination. Once Cicero denounced Antony, he was declared a public enemy and was executed in 43 BC.

St. Augustine would credit Cicero's "Hortensius" as being an inspiration. Unfortunately, this text has been lost. His speeches offer a unique insight into Roman life, often decrying the immorality and corruption he felt permeated the ruling classes. Most of his nine hundred letters have been preserved. He is considered one of the most gifted philosophers of the Roman age.

“Life is nothing without friendship.”
― Cicero

“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”
― Cicero

“The closer the collapse of the Empire, the crazier its laws are.”
― Cicero

“The causes of events are ever more interesting than the events themselves.”
― Cicero

“Memory is the treasury and guardian of all things.”
― Cicero