Cicero

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

MARCUS TULLIUS, the greatest Roman orator; born in Arpinum 106 b. c. His family was of equestrian rank and his father, though living in retirement, was a friend of some of the chief public men. He received the best education available, studied philosophy and law, became familiar with Greek literature, and acquired some military knowledge from serving a campaign in the Marsic war. At the age of 25 he came forward as a pleader, and having CICERO undertaken the defense of Sextus Roscius, who was accused of parricide, procured his acquittal. He visited Greece 79 b. C., conversed with the philosophers of all the schools, and profited by the instruction of the masters of oratory. Here he formed that close friendship with Atticus of which his letters furnish such interesting evidence. He also made a tour in Asia Minor and remained some time at Rhodes, where he visited the most distinguished orators and took part in their exercises. On his return to Rome his displays of eloquence proved the value of his Grecian instruction, and he became one of the most distinguished orators in the forum. In 75 B. c. he was appointed quæstor of Sicily, and behaved with such justice that the Sicilians gratefully remembered him and requested that he would conduct their suit against their governor Verres. He appeared against this powerful robber, and the crimes of Verres were painted in the liveliest colors in his immortal speeches. Seven of the Verrine orations are preserved, but only two of them were delivered, and Verres went into voluntary exile. After this suit Cicero was elected to the office of ædile, 70 b. c., became prætor in 67, and consul in 63. It was now that he succeeded in defeating the conspiracy of