Who is Cicero?
Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BCE) was a Roman writer, speaker, philosopher and politician. His work was closely studied and praised until scholarship in the 19th century revealed that Cicero deftly stole from previous work by Greek philosopher and rhetoricians. Augustine studied Cicero closely, and it is mostly through this scholarship that Cicero continued in popularity. He was considered by many to be a “Christian” pagan in his philosophy, so the Roman Catholic Church placed a high value on Cicero’s work. One must read Cicero with skepticism, since Cicero was an ambitious politician, and his gifted writing represents attempts to achieve his political goals. His skilled writing and philosophy where a means to a political end, which was placement in a high position in the Empire. Though Cicero was born wealthy, he was not of a high enough class to simply enter and succeed in Roman politics. Like many American politicians he studied and practiced law as a way to achieve power in Rome.
Cicero was known as a Roman philosopher, lawyer, political theorist and a Roman constitutionalist. Cicero was widely considered one of Rome’s greatest orators and prose stylists. He was perceived as one of the most versatile minds in ancient Rome. Look here for more information: http://en.wikipedia.
