Member-only story

Cicero Select Letters: A Window into the Roman Republic

Edgar Cox

·5.6k Followers· Follow

Published in Cicero: Select Letters (Cambridge Greek And Latin Classics)

6 min read · 3 weeks before

157 View Claps

12 Respond

Save

Listen

Marcus Tullius Cicero, the Roman orator, statesman, and philosopher, lived during a time of great political and social upheaval in the Roman Republic. His letters, written to friends, family, and colleagues, provide a unique and invaluable glimpse into the political, social, and intellectual life of the late Republic.

Cicero's letters are not simply historical documents, but also literary masterpieces. They are written in a clear and concise style, and they are full of wit, wisdom, and humanity. Cicero's letters have been praised by scholars and critics alike for their literary merit, and they are considered to be some of the finest examples of Latin prose.

Cicero: Select Letters (Cambridge Greek and Latin Classics)

by Marcus Tullius Cicero

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	22676 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	248 pages

The Cambridge Greek and Latin Classics edition of Cicero's Select Letters is the most comprehensive and authoritative edition of Cicero's letters available. It includes a facing-page translation by D.R. Shackleton Bailey, one of the world's leading experts on Cicero. The edition also includes a detailed , notes, and a bibliography.

Cicero's Select Letters is an essential work for anyone interested in Roman history, politics, or literature. It is a unique and invaluable source of information about the late Republic, and it is a work of great literary merit. The Cambridge Greek and Latin Classics edition of Cicero's Select Letters is the definitive edition of this important work.

Cicero's Life and Career

Cicero was born in Arpinum, a small town in central Italy, in 106 BC. He came from a wealthy and well-connected family, and he received a traditional Roman education in rhetoric and philosophy. Cicero began his political career in 80 BC, when he was elected to the quaestorship, one of the lowest offices in the Roman government. He quickly rose through the ranks, and he was elected to the consulship, the highest office in the Republic, in 63 BC.

Cicero's consulship was a time of great political turmoil. The Republic was on the verge of civil war, and Cicero played a key role in preventing the outbreak of violence. He also helped to pass a number of important laws, including the Lex Manilia, which gave Pompey the Great the command of the Roman army in the East.

After his consulship, Cicero continued to play an active role in Roman politics. He served as a governor of Cilicia, a province in Asia Minor, and he was a member of the Senate. Cicero was a staunch supporter of the Republic, and he opposed the rise of Julius Caesar. When Caesar crossed the Rubicon River in 49 BC, Cicero fled Rome and joined Pompey's forces. After Pompey's defeat at the Battle of Pharsalus, Cicero surrendered to Caesar. Cicero was pardoned by Caesar, but he was not allowed to hold public office again.

Cicero spent the rest of his life writing and teaching. He wrote a number of philosophical works, including the De Officiis, the De Finibus, and the Tusculan Disputations. He also wrote a number of letters, which provide a unique glimpse into his life and thought.

Cicero's Letters

Cicero's letters are a valuable source of information about the late Republic. They provide insights into the political, social, and intellectual life of the period. Cicero's letters also reveal his own personality and beliefs. He was a complex and contradictory figure, and his letters provide a glimpse into his inner life.

Cicero's letters can be divided into two main categories: public and private. His public letters were written to friends, family, and colleagues, and they often dealt with political and public affairs. His private letters were written to his wife, children, and close friends, and they were more personal in nature.

Cicero's public letters are an important source of information about the Roman Republic. They provide insights into the political events of the period, and they reveal the attitudes and opinions of the Roman elite. Cicero's private letters are also valuable, as they provide a glimpse into his personal life and thought. They reveal his hopes, fears, and ambitions, and they show him to be a complex and contradictory figure.

The Cambridge Greek and Latin Classics Edition

The Cambridge Greek and Latin Classics edition of Cicero's Select Letters is an essential work for anyone interested in Roman history, politics, or literature. It is a unique and invaluable source of information about the late Republic, and it is a work of great literary merit.

Reviews

"This is the best edition of Cicero's letters available. The translation is accurate and readable, and the notes are informative and helpful. The provides a clear and concise overview of Cicero's life and career, and the bibliography is up-to-date and comprehensive. This edition is a must-have for anyone interested in Roman history, politics, or literature."

-Professor James Romm, Brown University

"This edition of Cicero's letters is a valuable resource for scholars and students alike. The translation is clear and accurate, and the notes are informative and helpful. The provides a clear and concise overview of Cicero's life and career, and the bibliography is up-to-date and comprehensive. This edition is a must-have for anyone interested in Roman history, politics, or literature."

-Professor Mary Beard, University of Cambridge