INTRODUCTION MAR LIFE OF CICERO ARCUS TULLIUS CICERO was born near Arpinum, January 3, 106 B.C. His family was of equestrian rank; his father, whose name the orator bore, was a man of literary tastes, but his grandfather was a Roman of the old school, opposed to new ideas in studies and in politics. No trustworthy information about Cicero's boyhood has been preserved, though Plutarch tells stories of his precocity, not in themselves improbable. He was early brought to Rome with his brother Quintus that they might enjoy the educational opportunities of the capital. Crassus, the distinguished orator, was their adviser, and suggested both the studies which would be most beneficial and the teachers under whom the boys might best pursue them. Quintus Aelius, a Latin rhetorician, and a Greek poet by the name of Archias inspired the young student with an enthusiastic love for liberal studies. At the age of sixteen he assumed the toga virilis, continued his literary pursuits eagerly, and began to frequent the forum in order to hear the great orators of the day. He read, memorized, wrote; translated Greek into Latin, and Latin into Greek; made summaries of speeches, lec 9 |