Cicero

Hello, my name is Marcus Tullius Cicero, and I am known for being one of ancient Rome’s greatest speakers and writers. My story begins in a small town called Arpinum, not far from the great city of Rome. I was born there on January 3rd, 106 BCE. From a very young age, I loved books and learning more than anything. My family saw how much I enjoyed studying, so they sent me to Rome to receive the best education possible. Surrounded by the busy streets and grand buildings of the city, I studied law, philosophy, and the art of public speaking. Even as a boy, I knew that words had incredible power. I dreamed that one day I would use my voice to do great things for the people of Rome.

As I grew older, I became a lawyer and an orator, which is a special name for a public speaker. To become the best I could be, I traveled to Greece around 79 BCE to study with the most famous teachers of philosophy and speaking. When I returned to Rome, I put my skills to work in the Roman Forum. The Forum was the busy heart of the city, a place filled with markets, temples, and government buildings where people gathered to discuss important matters. It was there that I learned to give powerful speeches to defend people who had been treated unfairly. I wanted to be a voice for those who could not speak for themselves, and my goal was always to use my words to fight for justice.

My work as a lawyer and speaker led me into a life of politics. In the Roman Republic, leaders were not born into power; they were elected by the citizens of Rome. I worked hard for many years, holding different government jobs and earning the trust of the people. In 63 BCE, I was filled with pride when I was elected consul. This was the most important and respected job in all of Rome. As consul, it was my duty to lead the government and, most importantly, to protect the city and its people from any danger, both inside and outside our walls.

The year I served as consul, 63 BCE, turned out to be one of the most important of my life. I discovered a secret and dangerous plot to overthrow the government. A man named Catiline, who was angry about losing an election, gathered a group of followers to try and take control of Rome by force. This was known as the Catilinarian Conspiracy. I knew I had to act quickly to save our city. I went before the Senate, the group of leaders who helped govern Rome, and gave a series of famous speeches. In these speeches, I exposed Catiline’s entire plan and warned everyone of the danger. My words were so powerful that they stopped the plot before it could succeed. The people of Rome were so grateful that they gave me the special title 'Pater Patriae,' which means 'Father of the Fatherland.'

Even though I had saved the Republic, life in Roman politics was often very difficult and full of conflict. Some powerful men saw me as a rival and an enemy. In 58 BCE, they used their influence to have me exiled, which meant I was forced to leave Rome and live far away. It was a very sad time for me, as I loved my city more than anything. But the people of Rome did not forget me. They protested and demanded my return, and just a year later, I was able to come back home. Later, our Republic was torn apart by a civil war between two great generals, Julius Caesar and Pompey. It was a troubling time for everyone who loved Rome and its laws.

After Julius Caesar’s death in 44 BCE, I returned to politics one last time. I believed another powerful man, Mark Antony, was a threat to freedom, and I spoke out against him with all my strength. This was dangerous work. I lived to be 63 years old. Though my life ended, my words did not. My speeches, letters, and books on philosophy were carefully saved, and they have been read by people for thousands of years. Through my writing, people today can learn about life in ancient Rome and about the lasting importance of justice, freedom, and good government.