Chronologically ordered notes of the life and times of Cicero. These notes cover the hierarchy of Roman Society, the early life of Cicero, his political career and family life, along with notable events and laws passed at the time, such as the Catiline Conspiracy and the fall of Julius Caesar.
I f...
Had had the right to pass laws and have Tribunes by the end of the early Republic
Lost land after military service
o Caused many to migrate to Rome
Economy was under strain to uphold population
Equestrians
Increasingly powerful middle class
Originated from cavalry
o More wealth and above the legions – could own a horse
Cicero was Equestrian
Made money from trade
o Slaves, spices, silks, woods and animals
Businessmen and bankers
o Lent money on interest
Tax collectors
Roman Politics – The Cursus Honorum
Consuls
Always two elected annually
Held imperium (control of Rome’s armies)
Prevented autocracy
Both consuls took turns monthly
Political year started in January
Highest winner took the Curule chair first
Praetors
6 rising to 8 under Sulla
Annual office
Responsible for judiciary and courts after their year in the office
Right to govern in a province
Had title of propraetor and kept imperium in their province
Needed to return to province to tax population to pay off debts from bribes
o Corrupt system
Aediles
Elected annually
Responsible for infrastructure of Rome
4 in total
Water systems
Entertainment – parties to win over population for elections
, o Julius Caesar made 200 gladiators dress in silver and fight to the death
Responsible for the food supply
Quaestors
20 in total
Had to be 30 years’ old
Annual election
Minimum wealth qualification
Administrative function
o Public records
o Worked in the Temple of Saturn
Some stayed in Rome, some were posted to provinces
Dictator
Ancient office not used extensively
Only voted in for 6 months during a crisis
Tribunes
Represented the Plebeians
10 elected annually
Raised laws to the assemblies
Could veto
The Senate
Numbered 600 during period due to Sulla’s conservatism
Managed foreign policy
Controlled expenditures
Made up by a majority of Patricians
Automatic right to enter the senate if you had been a Quaestor
o Prior magistrates make for a good advisory
Worked with Tribunes to get laws passed
In theory the senate was an advisory body, in reality it governed
1. Cicero’s background and early years
From Appinum but had property in Rome on the Esqualine hill (unfashionable)
Had Greek tutors
o Developed his skills in rhetoric
Wealthy equestrian background
Hard to find the 400,000 ses to qualify for Quaestorship
Entered the law courts instead of the army
Had no experience of Roman politics and no ancestors of magisterial importance
Father had connections with Scarius the Princeps Senatus
Cicero modelled his own career on Lucius Licinius Crassus’ consul in 95BC
Cicero frequented the courts and understood how they worked
Served briefly in the general staff of Pompey’s father during the social war
,Sextus Roscius 80BC
Cicero’s first success in the civil courts Quaestio de Sacariis
Defended Sextus Roscius who had been accused of patricide
o Faced a brutal death
Accuser Erucius was confident Cicero would fail
o Attitude changed after mention of Chrysogonous
Cicero accused Chrysogonus, Magnus and Capito from benefitting from the murder
o Cui Bono?
o Roscius had no motive
Cicero’s argument
Roscius had no motive and was away from Rome at the time of the murder
o He did have connections with the Metilla however
Magnus and Capito were more likely suspects
o Magnus was in Rome
Messenger travelled to Amenia to inform Capito of the murder not Roscius
Chrysogonous bought farms cheaply at auction
o Valued at 6million but bought at 2000
o Used case as a ploy against public outcry
Cicero provided an argument based on probability rather than proof
o People wanted the restoration of law and order after proscriptions
Cicero’s use of rhetoric made the case appear true
Capito refused to hand over the slaves at witnesses to the victim’s death
Cicero exposed the guilt of Chrysogonus and publicly challenged the proscriptions
o Separated the crimes of Chrysogonus from the regime and Sulla’s reforms
Outcome
Roscius was acquitted
Cicero called to take on more cases
o Helped increase wealthy clientel
Cicero absolved Sulla of any involvement
Indirectly criticised Rome’s leading politicians and the proscriptions
Chrysogonus disappeared
Sulla could not react as he had established the new courts
o Had to let them function
Cicero left for Asia in 77BC to improve rhetoric technique
o Learnt to speak slower, improving his health
Marriage to Terentia
Provided dowry of 400,000 sesterces – enough to enter the senate
Marriage was essential for politics
Had credible connections
o Sister in law was a vestal virgin
Had given enough proof of his ability as an orator
Enjoyed considerable independence
Still kept her private property
, Acted as a hostess during parties
Important for Cicero to establish a stable family life
o Would look good to clients
Aware of open house policy
2. The Start of Cicero’s Political Career
Cicero presented the case of Roscius as a blow for liberty against a tyrant
Went East with his brother Quintus 77BC
o Practised voice control, declamation and theory
Cicero as Quaestor – 75BC
Served in Western Sicily from 75BC
o Served under governor Sextus Peducaeus helping with administration
Had automatic access to the senate as Quaestor
Sicily became Rome’s most important provider in cereals
o Political advantage for Cicero
Acted as a financial adviser
o Calculated the price and quantity of grain bought
o Increased the supply of grain to Rome
o Decreased the dependence on publicani
Returned to Rome 74BC
Crassus had improved his position in Rome through the exercise of patronage
o Fire brigade
o Very rich, used money to influence the senate by supplying them with property
Return of Pompey threatened Crassus
73-71BC Spartacus revolt
o Defeated by Crassus who had them crucified along the Apian Way
Pompey dealt with small slave revolt in the north
o Took most of the glory
o Given a triumph while Crassus walked behind him
Both Pompey and Crassus served as consuls in 71BC
How noteworthy was Cicero’s quaestorship in Sicily?
Rome
Increased grain supply
o Improved relations with Sicily
Pacifies Roman mob through a political solution
Another reliable patron for Sicilians
o Can benefit from Roman rule
Curbs political and provincial unrest
Quaestorship bought automatic membership to the senate
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