Marcus Tullius Cicero

Date of Birth: January 3, 106 BCE

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: December 7, 43 BCE

Biography

Marcus Tullius Cicero, born on January 3, 106 BCE, in Arpinum, a small town southeast of Rome, was a Roman statesman, orator, lawyer, and philosopher. Cicero is widely regarded as one of Rome’s greatest orators and prose stylists. His extensive writings include treatises on rhetoric, philosophy, and politics, and he played a pivotal role in the politics of the late Roman Republic. Cicero’s career saw him rise to the highest office in the Roman Republic, serving as consul in 63 BCE. He is best known for his speeches against Catiline, who he exposed as a conspirator seeking to overthrow the Republic. Despite his efforts to uphold the Republic, Cicero fell victim to the political turmoil of his time and was executed on December 7, 43 BCE, by the forces of the Second Triumvirate.

5 Interesting Facts about Marcus Tullius Cicero

1. Cicero was an accomplished orator and is often considered one of the greatest speakers in Roman history.

2. He was exiled from Rome in 58 BCE due to his opposition to the political machinations of Publius Clodius Pulcher.

3. Cicero’s writings significantly influenced the development of European literature and philosophy.

4. He was a contemporary and correspondent of Julius Caesar, although their relationship was often strained.

5. Cicero’s hands and head were famously displayed on the Rostra in the Roman Forum after his execution.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Marcus Tullius Cicero

1. “A room without books is like a body without a soul.”

2. “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all the others.”

3. “The authority of those who teach is often an obstacle to those who want to learn.”

4. “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”

5. “The more laws, the less justice.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While exact figures on Cicero’s net worth are not available due to the historical and economic context of ancient Rome, he was considered quite wealthy by Roman standards, owning several estates and properties.

Children

Cicero had two children with his first wife, Terentia: a daughter named Tullia (79 BCE – 45 BCE) and a son named Marcus Tullius Cicero Minor (65 BCE – after 27 BCE). Tullia was dearly loved by Cicero, and her death in 45 BCE was a great source of sorrow for him. His son, Marcus, followed in his father’s footsteps and pursued a career in politics and military service.