The Life of Cicero

The author does a commendable job of capturing the complexities of Cicero’s character, highlighting his brilliance as a speaker and thinker, as well as his flaws and personal struggles. Trollope also effectively explores the political and social context in which Cicero operated, providing readers with valuable insights into the turbulent times in which he lived.

One of the strengths of the book is Trollope’s engaging writing style, which makes the subject matter accessible to readers of all levels of familiarity with Roman history. The author’s passion for his subject is evident throughout the book, and his enthusiasm is contagious.

Overall, “The Life of Cicero” is a well-crafted and informative biography that will appeal to anyone with an interest in ancient Rome, politics, or the life of an extraordinary individual. Trollope’s skillful storytelling and deep understanding of his subject make this book a valuable addition to any library.

Book Description:

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43BC) was an orator, statesman, philosopher and prolific correspondent, who rose as a ‘new man’ in Rome in the turbulent last years of its republican government. Anthony Trollope, best known as a novelist, admired Cicero greatly and wrote this biography late in life in order to argue his virtues against authors who had granted him literary greatness but questioned his strength as a politician and as a man. He takes a personal approach, affording us an insight into his own mind and times as well as those of his subject.

Volume I covers the period (up to the year 57BC) of Cicero’s education, his rise through the courts and offices of state to the Consulship, and his exile.

Please note that footnotes – predominantly bibliographical citations and Latin quotations – are omitted unless explicitly referred to in the main text; the appendices, which consist mainly of more substantial extracts from other works, are likewise omitted.

Summary by Philippa