J. L. Strachan-Davidson

Brilliant exposition of the life of Cicero paralleled with the story of the last 60 years of the Roman Republic. Using Cicero’s letters and other sources (e.g. Plutarch), shows how Cicero’s politics depended upon his origins and the state of public affairs at the time. Cicero wanted a harmony of the orders, but it came too late to save a Republic that neither he nor most Romans thought would ever end (even when Caesar was in power—his old supporters turned on him when they realized his true goals). Gives us a portrait of Pompey, not as dangerous as he seemed to the Senate (and endlessly indecisive), and of Caesar, far more dangerous than the Senate imagined (desiring good government, but willing to sacrifice anything along the way; in the end, “his head was turned” by the power). Cicero is a true patriot, always hoping for the best for his country, but is vain, and, before the final year and a half of his life, is often wavering and whiny when trying to figure out how best to work for it. Wonderful conclusion, showing that the Republic still had a chance after Caesar’s death, and comparing Cicero with Caesar and Cato (seeing him basically as a combo of the two—a loyal AND practical statesman).… (mais)