Cicero

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A prominent Roman statesman and orator who played a key role in the transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire through his influential speeches and philosophical writings.

Quotes

"To be ignorant of the past is to be forever a child."

Cicero

"The higher we are placed, the more humbly we should walk."

Cicero

"The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living."

Cicero

"A room without books is like a body without a soul."

Cicero

"Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by doubling our joys and dividing our grief."

Cicero

"The safety of the people shall be the highest law."

Cicero

"While there's life, there's hope."

Cicero

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Facts

Nationality

Roman

Profession

Philosopher

Born

106 BC

Died

43 BC

Biography

Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman statesman, orator, lawyer, and philosopher who lived during the tumultuous period of the late Roman Republic. Born in 106 BC in Arpinum, Cicero rose to prominence as one of Rome's greatest speakers and legal minds. He studied philosophy in Athens and law in Rome, becoming known for his exceptional skills in rhetoric and debate.

Cicero served as consul in 63 BC and played a crucial role in thwarting a conspiracy to overthrow the Roman government. He was a staunch defender of the Roman republic and constitutional principles, often speaking out against the tyranny and corruption of his political rivals. Cicero's philosophical works, including "On the Republic" and "On the Laws," continue to influence political thought and rhetoric to this day. Despite his efforts to uphold the republic, Cicero eventually fell out of favor with the powerful triumvirate of Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus. He was later executed on the orders of Mark Antony in 43 BC during the proscriptions that followed Caesar's assassination. Cicero's legacy as a defender of the Roman republic and champion of liberty has endured through the centuries, making him one of the most celebrated figures in Roman history.