-
born into a rich equestrian family
-
Becomes a friend of Titus Pomponius Atticus
-
-
-
Also studies philosophy, taught by Philo
-
Roscius was falsely accused of parricide (trying to kill father)
Controversial as the main accuser is Chrysoganus, a friend of the dictator, Sulla -
Spends two years studying philosophy in Greece, alongside his friend, Atticus
-
Marries Terentia
-
He will serve this the following year
-
He is now a senator
-
He builds up support among the senatorial nobility and equestrians
-
Verres had extorted money, took bribes, and illegally confiscated property
Cicero prepares a brilliant case and Verres flees into exile before his judgement is heard -
Will serve it in 68 Bc
-
He aligns himself the 'moderate' populares and becomes a supporter of Pompey
He makes an important political speech in favour of a law that gave Pompey command of the armies sent to fight Mithridates of Parthia -
-
Cicero repays the optimates by speaking against and defeating Rullus' Land Bill proposed by Caesar and Crassus
Catiline organises a conspiracy to launch and armed take-over of Rome, Catiline attempts to have Cicero murdered by the plan fails. Cicero gathers evidence and makes a case against Catiline and the conspirators
Cicero persuades the senate to pass a law authorising him to take all necessary measure to protect Rome - the 'Ultimate Decree'
Cicero is hailed Pater Patriae and brags about it -
Tries to form an alliance with Pompey, who is fighting in the East
-
The crime is sacrilege at a woman-only festival presided over by Caesar's wife - the Bona Dea case.
During the speech, Cicero accused Clodius of incest with his sister. Caesar refuses to give evidence against Clodius and Crassus openly bribes the jury to acquit him
Clodius swears undying hatred of Cicero and tries his hardest to build a case for Cicero illegally executing the conspirators -
Pompey, Julius Caesar, and Crassus try to win Cicero's favour but he refuses
He becomes isolated and scared that the Triumvirs would use terror to enforce their will
However, due to his 'friendship' with Pompey, he keeps quiet and hopes they all fall apart soon -
Cicero opposes the Campanian Land Law that distributes public land to ex-soldiers and the urban poor
Clodius manages to get himself adopted by a plebian family and becomes People's Tribune -
Cicero refuses offer of a place on Caesar's staff. Caesar and Crassus order Clodius to deal with Cicero.
Clodius uses his powers as a People's Tribune to impose exile on anyone who illegally executed people without a trial
Clodius then passed another law declaring Cicero guilty of the illegal executions and he is officially exiled from Rome -
He is helped financially by Atticus
His property is seized and his houses are destroyed by Clodius
In 57, Milo, a supporter of Pompey, decides to attack Clodius
Milo passes a law through the assembly recalling Cicero
Pompey publicly supports Cicero at this point
Cicero returns home to great public acclaim -
Pompey was growing increasingly weary of the Triumvirate
Cicero's efforts failed when the Triumvirs came together at the Conference at Luca
Cicero was told to support the renewal of the Triumvirate or else!
Cicero had to change his tune and publicly recanted his opinions in favour of the Triumvirate and their actions
Cicero then, ashamed and embarrassed, distanced himself from active politics -
Two of the people he had to support were Vatinius and Gabinius
-
Caesar and Pompey had fallen out and Crassus was killed in a war with the Parthians
-
Cicero tried to defend Milo but Pompey packed the courtroom full of soldiers and intimidated Cicero into silence. Milo went into exile
Pompey was made sole consul -
Cicero and Caesar still stay fairly friendly even though he aligns himself with Pompey more
The majority of the senate want to prosecute him as soon as his proconsulship ends for his crimes committed in 49
Caesar wants to stand in absentia as consul so he can't be prosecuted -
He doesn't want the post and preferred to stay in Rome where tensions between Pompey and Caesar were mounting up
-
However, he switched sides and forms an alliance with the Optimates and refuses to support Caesar's demand to be allowed to stand for the consulship in absentia
Cicero returns to Rome -
The senate drive the tribunes, Mark Antony and Cassius out of the city. They flee to Caesar in Gaul for protection
He decides to use his military strength to protect his position and leads troops across the Rubicon
The senate pass Ultimate Decree declaring Caesar and outlaw and kicking his supporters out of Rome
Cicero is approached by both Caesar and Pompey for support but he joins Pompey in Greece -
Caesar consolidates his power in Rome and is appointed Consul and Dictator
Caesar's army crosses over to Greece where Pompey attacks and loses at the Battle of Pharsalus
Cicero doesn't participate in the battle and quarrels with his brother Quintus over money and the belief that Cicero should have supported Caesar
Pompey flees to Egypt but is murdered
Cicero returns to Italy and hangs around Brundisium and waits for Caesar's return -
Caesar returns to Italy and meets up with Cicero at Brundisium and is very friendly and polite
Cicero returns to Rome and sits in the senate but remains silent
Caesar sails an army over to Africa to crush surviving Pompeian forces -
This battle sees the destruction of Pompeian army in Africa and suicide of Cato
Cicero writes a pamphlet in favour of Cato which annoys Caesar, who writes a reply -
Caesar defeats the remaining Pompeian forces and becomes Master of the Roman world
-
Cicero didn't know about the plot but is pleased because he thinks this will mean a return to the Republic
-
Cicero and Octavian are friendly and offers to protect him against Antony
Decimus Brutus is appointed governor of Cisalpine and Transalpine Gaul but Antony forces a law that strips him of his command and gives it to himself -
Antony falls out with Marcus Brutus and Cassius as he offers them minor provinces
-
He plots against Mark Antony, and it is strengthened when Hirtius & Pansa are elected consuls for 43 BC
Marcus Brutus & Cassius leave for the East, gaining control of Syria and Macedonia -
This doesn't last
-
Antony was accused of being an unprincipled adventurer 'who shared Caesar's traitorous ambitions but lacked that great criminal's self-restraint'
-
Thousands rally to Octavian after he uses his name and influence to Caesar's soldiers
-
Antony moves with his troops to take on Decimus Brutus near Mutina
-
Decimus Brutus is besieged in Mutina by Antony
Cicero accuses Antony of trying to establish a dictatorship -
Marcus Brutus and Cassius are forced out
There is a power vacuum and Mark Antony becomes the leading man in Rome
Caesar's will leaves millions to be distributed among the plebs and names Octavian as his heir
Mark Antony abolished the dictatorship and declares and amnesty for Caesar's murderers and lets them go to their provinces -
Cicero praises Octavian and his army is authorised by the senate to go to Decimus Brutus' aid
Hirtius & Pansa raise armies to take on Antony -
But his soldiers should be paid and pensions guaranteed
Cicero urges the senate to reject this
Hirtius & Pansa continue to recruit volunteers, so does Octavian -
Antony retreats to South France
Antony contacts and makes deals with various Roman commanders and governors in Gaul and Spain
He ends up commanding 22 legions -
The troops led by Decimus Brutus defect to Antony and he is murdered
-
He responds by marching on Rome and occupying it
-
-
The triumvirs draw up a list of enemies and proscribe them. Cicero is on the list, at Antony's insistence
-
His head is cut off and displayed on the speaker's platform (rostrum) in the Forum at Rome
-
Octavian ensures that a law is passed annulling the sentence of outlaw on Antony
