Cicero-early Life

Question 1

His family’s social and political status

Answer 1

Father was well connected member of equestrian order

Plebeian but not trade

Question 2

Born

Answer 2

03/01/106

Arpinum

Question 3

First achievement as lawyer

Answer 3

80bc
Trial of Roscio
Defending against a friend of Sulla's
Danger of being put on Sulla's proscription list
Won the case

Question 4

Educated in what

Answer 4

Rhetoric/Latin/Greek law/rhetoric/ philosophy

Question 5

First achievement as politician

Answer 5

76Bc
Quaestor at youngest legal age(30)
-had no patronage or money

Question 6

First wife

Answer 6

Terentia

77BC-47Bc

Question 7

Second wife

Answer 7

Publilia

Marries and divorces in 46Bc

Question 8

How did he get the money to become a senator

Answer 8

Married Terentia

Question 9

Why (apart from social class and money) was Cicero’s senatorial accept ion impressive

Answer 9

He was a “new man” -first from his family

Question 10

Educated where

Answer 10

Rome- rhetoric/philosophy

Rhodes more advanced courses of these

Question 11

Why did Cicero go to Sicily

Answer 11

Obligatory year of government service

Question 12

why was it especially impressive that Cicero become successfull

Answer 12

The politics of the late republic did not allow success to come easily to men who were excluded by birth and resources from the cliques of great and rich families which, in shifting combinations, traditionally dominated the senate and the state.

Question 13

Cicero’s switching of sides (late on)

Answer 13

When he was young the danger to the republic came from the right: the dictatorship of Sulla had favored the aristocracy against the middle classes. Cicero therefore stood on the left. Later ow however the threat came from Caesar who aimed to stop the free operations of consuls, senate and other republic institutions.

Question 14

Cicero’s view on the gods and man

Answer 14

“It is by helping others that man approaches closest to divinity”

Question 15

languages he spoke

Answer 15

latin and Greek

considered cultured

Question 16

Obstacles

Answer 16

from the equities and not aristocrats
novus homo- not a famous family
no patronage

Question 17

date of Pro Roscio

Answer 17

80BC

Question 18

Pro Roscio who was she speaking in front of

Answer 18

Th senate (those he wished to join)

Question 19

Pro Roscio, who was he speaking against

Answer 19

one of Sulla’s close supporters

had to be careful not to criticise Sulla directly

Question 20

Sulla’s reforms

Answer 20

took away the rights of the Tribunes (passing laws without them going through the senate)
installed proscription lists

Question 21

Rule of Sulla

Answer 21

82-79

Question 22

Pro Roscio, Cicero praises Sulla

Answer 22

“The Roman people triumphed under the skillful command of the brilliant and successful Sulla”

Question 23

Pro Roscio, Cicero makes sure he is not criticising Sulla

Answer 23

“all these offences were committed without Sulla knowing about them”