Cicero

Cicero is one of the greatest statesmen, intellectuals, philosophers and politicians of classical antiquity. He was born in 106 B.C. just prior to the birth of Julius Caesar. Cicero grew up rich. During this time, wealthy families usually played a role in politics, but not Cicero's. He had an elite education in Rome where he studied philosophy and rhetoric. He also studied in Athens and Rhodes. He became a lawyer, garnering his first fame there and was elected to the Senate in 76 B.C. In 63 B.C. he was elected to a consulship. During his consulship, he achieved fame in uncovering and thwarting what was known as the "conspiracy of Catiline." He ardently defended the governmental structure of the Roman republic and decried the dictatorship of Caesar. His influence vanished, however, when Caesar took control. He was happy when Caesar was assassinated and came back into public life...