Tell me a bio of Cicero.

Include key facts about their life, career, achievements, and impact.

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Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BCE) was a renowned Roman statesman, orator, lawyer, and philosopher. He is considered one of the greatest figures in Roman history and a key figure in the development of Western philosophy.

**Early Life and Education**

Cicero was born in Arpinum, a small town in central Italy, to a wealthy family. His father, Marcus Tullius Cicero, was a member of the equestrian class, and his mother, Helvia, was from a noble family. Cicero received a traditional Roman education, studying rhetoric, law, and philosophy. He later traveled to Greece to study under prominent philosophers and orators.

**Career**

Cicero's career was marked by his exceptional oratory skills, which earned him the nickname "The Greatest Orator of Rome." He began his career as a lawyer, defending clients in high-profile cases. In 63 BCE, he was elected consul, the highest office in Rome, and played a crucial role in preventing a conspiracy led by Catiline, a rival politician.

**Achievements**

Cicero's achievements include:

1. **Defending the Roman Republic**: Cicero's oratory skills and leadership helped to defend the Roman Republic against internal threats and external enemies.
2. **Authoring influential works**: Cicero wrote numerous treatises on philosophy, politics, and oratory, including "De Republica" (On the Republic), "De Officiis" (On Duties), and "De Oratore" (On the Orator).
3. **Promoting Stoicism**: Cicero was a key figure in introducing Stoicism to Rome, a philosophical school that emphasized reason, self-control, and indifference to external events.
4. **Influencing Western philosophy**: Cicero's writings had a significant impact on Western philosophy, influencing thinkers such as Thomas Aquinas and John Locke.

**Impact**

Cicero's impact on Roman history and Western philosophy is immense. He:

1. **Shaped Roman politics**: Cicero's oratory skills and leadership helped to shape Roman politics, influencing the development of the Roman Republic.
2. **Influenced Western philosophy**: Cicero's writings on Stoicism and other philosophical topics had a lasting impact on Western philosophy.
3. **Established the importance of rhetoric**: Cicero's emphasis on the importance of rhetoric in politics and law helped to establish it as a key aspect of Western education.
4. **Provided a model for statesmen**: Cicero's career and writings provided a model for statesmen and politicians throughout history, emphasizing the importance of integrity, wisdom, and eloquence.

**Personal Life**

Cicero was married to Terentia, a wealthy and influential woman, and had a daughter, Tullia. He was known for his wit, humor, and love of literature and philosophy. Cicero's personal life was marked by tragedy, including the death of his daughter and his exile from Rome.

**Assassination**

Cicero was assassinated on December 7, 43 BCE, during the reign of Mark Antony, a rival politician. His head and hands were displayed in the Roman Forum as a warning to others who opposed the regime.

In conclusion, Cicero was a remarkable figure in Roman history, known for his exceptional oratory skills, his leadership in defending the Roman Republic, and his influential writings on philosophy and politics. His impact on Western philosophy and politics continues to be felt today.
Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BCE) was a renowned Roman statesman, orator, lawyer, and philosopher who played a crucial role in shaping Roman history and leaving an enduring legacy in Western philosophy and politics.

**Early Life**

Born into a wealthy equestrian family in Arpinum, Italy, Cicero was the younger son of Marcus Tullius Cicero and Helvia. His family was not from Rome, but they were influential enough to obtain Roman citizenship. Cicero's early life was marked by a strong emphasis on education, and he studied rhetoric and philosophy in Rome and later in Greece.

**Career**

Cicero's remarkable career spanned over three decades. He began as a lawyer in Rome, quickly earning a reputation for his exceptional oratory skills and his ability to navigate complex Roman politics. In 63 BCE, he was appointed as the consul, the highest office in Rome, at a time when the Roman Republic was facing a severe crisis. As consul, Cicero successfully exiled Catiline, a rival politician who had launched a plot to overthrow the government.

Throughout his career, Cicero held various offices, including governor of Cilicia (51-50 BCE) and augur (pontifex), a prestigious position that involved interpreting omens and rituals. He was also a key figure in the Roman Senate, where he advocated for moderation and the rule of law.

**Achievements**

Cicero's achievements are numerous:

1. **Orator and Lawyer**: He is widely regarded as one of the greatest orators in Roman history, known for his elegant style, persuasive arguments, and mastery of rhetoric.
2. **Statesman**: Cicero played a crucial role in shaping Roman politics, often serving as a mediator between rival factions.
3. **Writer**: Cicero was a prolific writer, producing over 80 speeches, essays, and letters that survive to this day. His works include "De Oratore" (On the Orator), "De Republica" (On the Republic), and "Epistulae ad Familiares" (Letters to Friends and Family).
4. **Philosopher**: Cicero's philosophical works, such as "De Finibus Bonorum et Malorum" (On the Extremes of Good and Evil) and "De Natura Deorum" (On the Nature of the Gods), demonstrate his interest in Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Platonism.

**Impact**

Cicero's impact on Western philosophy and politics is immense:

1. **Shaping Roman Politics**: His orations and writings influenced Roman politics, shaping the course of Roman history and inspiring subsequent generations of politicians.
2. **Western Philosophy**: Cicero's philosophical works synthesized various Greek philosophical schools, introducing their ideas to a Latin-speaking audience and influencing subsequent Western philosophical thought.
3. **Rhetoric and Oratory**: His mastery of rhetoric and oratory has inspired generations of writers, politicians, and thinkers, including Renaissance humanists and Enlightenment thinkers.
4. **Legacy**: Cicero's legacy extends beyond the Roman Republic to modern times. He has influenced American and British politicians, as well as philosophers and thinkers, including Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Locke.

**Assassination**

Cicero was assassinated on December 7, 43 BCE, during the tumultuous years that followed Julius Caesar's assassination. Mark Antony and the Second Triumvirate ordered his execution, which marked the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire under Augustus.

In conclusion, Cicero's remarkable life, career, and achievements have left an indelible mark on Western philosophy and politics. His orations, writings, and legacy continue to inspire and influence thinkers, politicians, and writers to this day.