Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring
Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) was one of the most influential figures in late republican Rome, a period of great social, political, and cultural upheaval that led to the transition from republic to empire. Cicero was a statesman who held the highest political office, the consulship, and later experienced politically motivated exile. His career was rooted in his ongoing success as an orator: his speeches were famous during his lifetime and, along with his rhetorical treatises, shaped the practice and theory of public speaking for centuries to come. His ideas influenced early church fathers, Renaissance humanists, and Enlightenment thinkers, and his dramatic death captivated his contemporaries, who saw it as symbolizing the end of the republic and eloquence.
In this Very Short Introduction, Yelena Baraz offers a concise and integrated account of Cicero's life and achievements, placing him within the political and intellectual contexts of his era. It demonstrates that throughout all his pursuits, Cicero viewed himself as a mediating figure: between theory and practice, philosophy and politics, Greek and Roman, and among different political interest groups. Baraz analyzes each area of Cicero's activity on its own terms while showing how overarching ideas and priorities permeate what might seem like separate endeavors.
ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press includes hundreds of titles across almost every subject area. These compact books are the perfect way to quickly get ahead in a new subject. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspectives, innovative ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly accessible.
Pages: 160, Dimensions: 11.2x11.2cm
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