, 1862-01-30
sketch Of cicero.

Era, at Arplnuf0, q LAun city. n CaIelul Suu-
cation was bestowed upon him at the house OF
his uncle, Caius AcusO. Archius was his carly
instructor whom Cicero subsequently made the
subject Of one of bis first orations When Vi.
cero assumed the garb OF manhood, he attached
himself to the society Of Ruintus Martius Aae-
volo the Ahgur, whose friendship be seems Pc
culiarly to have valued. He then applied him.
self to literary studies for considerable length
OF time. He Afterwards, as usual for young men
70 do ia those days, mad campaign under the
father Of Pompey, and also one under Syiia. At
the couclusi u this period he ardenty devoted
himself to the study Of his profession. L
When he had attained his twenty-sixth year,
his FIRST oratioh was pronounced in the presence
Of four judges appointed by the prietor, and with
the celebrated Hortensiusior his opponent The
next year he made his first essay at a public
trial in the case Of Roseius Of Amelia against
freed slave Of Syla. Soon after he quilted Rome
and travelled abroad for two years. He then re-
turned to Rome, where at the age Of thirty he
obtained the questorship. The province Of
Sicily was placed under the government Of CT
cerO, where he displayed much prudence and
sagacity At the age Of thirty-seven be became
sede. Previous to this, however, bis eloquenee
was finely displayed in the prosecution against
YeTes, pretor Of Sicily, for governing that
island with cruelty and injustice. At the expi-
ration Of the time necessary to ontervene between
the adship and the pr'etorship, Cicero was
elected to the latter Office. He was now in full
view Of tho consulship, the object Of bis ambi-
tion, which Office in the two years succeeding
the prsetorship, he was occupied in soliciting as
candidate lie was successful, and was chosen
consul During this period be distinguished
himself by detecting and exposing the conspiracy
Of Cali inc agIinst Rome. However he made
thany enemies, and when, on retiring from Office,
lie began, as was customary, to harangue, the
people, detailing bis public services TO the tri.
buns, Metalius interrupted him, and commanded
him to be silent. But Cicero, nothing daunted,
exclaimed in loud voice that he had saved
Rome and the Romans This bringing to mind
the conspiracy Of Catiline, PrOdueeda revulsiOn
Of feeling among the pOpulaee, who carried him
home in triumph. But Cicero unfortunately bad
made many powerful enemies, one Of whom,
Claudids, bold, bad man, being elected to the
tribunvship, obtained the passage Of a law exil-
ing Cicero and conhscatng his property. b
Cicero accordingly withdrew from. Rome and
T tiel t. Si:ily, which he had fofrnerly gov
eriied but here the Roman proctor sent him
word that he must depart He then retired 10
Greece where he met more friendly treatment
Shortly afterwards his friends at Rome again
3 me mo the ascendant, and, aftef a long nd
stormy interval, effected his recall Ills return
was perfect triumph. Cicero himself saysthat
all Italy brought him back upon their shoulders.
For several years after his return be occupied
himself with the affairs Of his clients, but after
wards being called to the government Of the
province Of Ciliaia he distinguished himself by
some lmtary successes against the wild lmtives.
When the civil war between Caesar and Pompey
broke out, Cicero Joined the side Of the latter.
After the battle Of Pharalia, which vas the final
To Italy, where be received a sale conduct, sent
by Caesar, then in Egypt H. then awaited the
arrival Of Caesar at BFundusiuin, and was very
kindly received by that general He returned
u Rome, where he resided tl after the assassin
alton Of Caesar when, disliking Mark AntOny's
government, he retired TO Greece. by the sOlici-
tati0ns Of his friends be was induced TO re-enter
Rome, where he urrayed himself IN determined
opposition TO Antony. Consequently, that gem
eral became his enemy, and whrn the sacred
triumvirate was formed, he determined to put
Cicero to death. When the news Of this resolve
reached CicerO, be attempted to escape to 6rreco
but storm having turned him back, be coasied
alung the shore, stopping continually and spend
ing the night on land While sleeping ia one Of
bis villas party Of soldiers in questOf him, ar
rived Ia the neighborhoOd. Ills attendants
learning this, hurried him towards the shore,
but before they conld reach the vessel they were
oyertnNcn by the soldiers. Perceiying his atton-
dants preparing to defend him, Cicero COM
manded them TO st down the litter AMI make no
resistance. When the pursuing party aP-
proacllrd, survsying them with calm and serene
look, he stretched out his neck, bidding them to
accomplish their purpose. He was instantly be-
headed, and his bead ana hands were carried To-
Rome and liked upon the rOslTum At the tin .
Of his death Cicero was almost sixty-iour years
Of age.