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75 AD
CICERO
106…43 B。C。
by Plutarch
translated by John Dryden
CICERO
IT is generally said； that Helvia； the mother of Cicero； was both
well…born and lived a fair life； but of his father nothing is reported
but in extremes。 For whilst some would have him the son of a fuller；
and educated in that trade； others carry back the origin of his family
to Tullus Attius； an illustrious king of the Volscians； who waged
war not without honour against the Romans。 However； he who first of
that house was surnamed Cicero seems to have been a person worthy to
be remembered； since those who succeeded him not only did not
reject； but were fond of that name； though vulgarly made a matter of
reproach。 For the Latins call a vetch Cicer； and a nick or dent at the
tip of his nose； which resembled the opening in a vetch； gave him
the surname of Cicero。
Cicero； whose story I am writing； is said to have replied with
spirit to some of his friends； who recommended him to lay aside or
change the name when he first stood for office and engaged in
politics； that he would make it his endeavour to render the name of
Cicero more glorious than that of the Scauri and Catuli。 And when he
was quaestor in Sicily； and was making an offering of silver plate
to the gods； and had inscribed his two names； Marcus and Tullius；
instead of the third； he jestingly told the artificer to engrave the
figure of a vetch by them。 Thus much is told us about his name。
Of his birth it is reported that his mother was delivered； without
pain or labour； on the third of the new Calends； the same day on which
now the magistrates of Rome pray and sacrifice for the emperor。 It
is said also； that a vision appeared to his nurse； and foretold the
child she then suckled should afterwards become a great benefit to the
Roman states。 To such presages； which might in general be thought mere
fancies and idle talk； he himself ere long gave the credit of true
prophecies。 For as soon as he was of an age to begin to have
lessons； he became so distinguished for his talent； and got such a
name and reputation among the boys； that their fathers would often
visit the school that they might see young Cicero； and might be able
to say that they themselves had witnessed the quickness and
readiness in learning for which he was renowned。 And the more rude
among them used to be angry with their children； to see them； as
they walked together； receiving Cicero with respect into the middle
place。 And being； as Plato would have the scholar…like and
philosophical temper； eager for every kind of learning； and indisposed
to no description of knowledge or instruction； he showed； however； a
more peculiar propensity to poetry； and there is a poem now extant
made by him when a boy； in tetrameter verse； called Pontius Glaucus。
And afterwards； when he applied himself more curiously to these
accomplishments； he had the name of being not only the best orator；
but also the best poet of Rome。 And the glory of his rhetoric still
remains； notwithstanding the many new modes in speaking since his
time； but his verses are forgotten and out of all repute； so many
ingenious poets have followed him。
Leaving his juvenile studies； he became an auditor of Philo the
Academic； whom the Romans； above all the other scholars of
Clitomachus； admired for his eloquence and loved for his character。 He
also sought the company of the Mucii； who were eminent statesmen and
leaders in the senate； and acquired from them a knowledge of the laws。
For some short time he served in arms under Sylla； in the Marsian war。
But perceiving the commonwealth running into factions； and from
faction all things tending to an absolute monarchy； he betook
himself to a retired and contemplative life； and conversing with the
learned Greeks； devoted himself to study； till Sylla had obtained
the government； and the commonwealth was in some kind of settlement。
At this time； Chrysogonus； Sylla's emancipated slave； having laid an
information about an estate belonging to one who was said to have been
put to death by proscription； had bought it himself for two thousand
drachmas。 And when Roscius； the son and heir of the dead；
complained； and demonstrated the estate to be worth two hundred and
fifty talents； Sylla took it angrily to have his actions questioned；
and preferred a process against Roscius for the of his father；
Chrysogonus managing the evidence。 None of the advocates durst
assist him； but； fearing the cruelty of Sylla； avoided the cause。
The young man； being thus deserted； came for refuge to Cicero。
Cicero's friends encouraged him； saying he was not likely ever to have
a fairer and more honourable introduction to public life； he therefore
undertook the defence； carried the cause； and got much renown for it。
But fearing Sylla； he travelled into Greece； and gave it out that he
did so for the benefit of his health。 And indeed he was lean and
meagre； and had such a weakness in his stomach that he could take
nothing but a spare and thin diet； and that not till late in the
evening。 His voice was loud and good； but so harsh and unmanaged
that in vehemence and heat of speaking he always raised it to so
high a tone that there seemed to be reason to fear about his health。
When he came to Athens he was a hearer of Antiochus of Ascalon； with
whose fluency and elegance of diction he was much taken； although he
did not approve of his innovations in doctrine。 For Antiochus had
now fallen off from the New Academy； as they call it； and forsaken the
sect of Carneades； whether that he was moved by the argument of
manifestness and the senses； or； as some say； had been led by feelings
of rivalry and opposition to the followers of Clitomachus and Philo to
change his opinions； and in most things to embrace the doctrine of the
Stoics。 But Cicero rather affected and adhered to the doctrines of the
New Academy； and purposed with himself； if he should be disappointed
of any employment in the commonwealth； to retire hither from
pleading and political affairs； and to pass his life with quiet in the
study of philosophy。
But after he had received the news of Sylla's death； and his body；
strengthened again by exercise； was come to a vigorous habit； his
voice managed and rendered sweet and full to the ear and pretty well
brought into keeping with his general constitution； his friends at
Rome earnestly soliciting him by letters； and Antiochus also urging
him to return to public affairs； he again prepared for use his
orator's instrument of rhetoric； and summoned into action his
political faculties； diligently exercising himself in declamations and
attending the most celebrated rhetoricians of the time。 He sailed from
Athens for Asia and Rhodes。 Amongst the Asian masters； he conversed
with Xenocles of Adramyttium； Dionysius of Magnesia； and Menippus of
Caria； at Rhodes； he studied oratory with Apollonius； the son of
Molon； and philosophy with Posidonius。 Apollonius； we are told； not
understanding Latin； requested Cicero to declaim in Greek。 He complied
willingly； thinking that his faults would thus be better pointed out
to him。 And after he finished； all his other hearers were
astonished； and contended who should praise him most； but
Apollonius； who had shown no signs of excitement whilst he was hearing
him； so also now； when it was over； sate musing for some
considerable time； without any remark。 And when Cicero was discomposed
at this； he said； 〃You have my praise and admiration； Cicero； and
Greece my pity and commiseration； since those arts and that
eloquence which are the only glories that remain to her； will now be
transferred by you to Rome。〃
And now when Cicero； full of expectation； was again bent upon
political affairs； a certain oracle blunted the edge of his
inclination for consulting the god of Delphi how he should attain most
glory； the Pythoness answered； by making his own genius and not the
opinion of the people the guide of his life； and therefore at first he
passed his time in Rome cautiously； and was very backward in
pretending to public offices； so that he was at that time in little
esteem； and had got the names； so readily given by low and ignorant
people in Rome； of Greek and Scholar。 But when his own desire of
fame and the eagerness of his father and relations had made him take
in earnest to pleading； he made no slow or gentle advance to the first
place； but shone out in full lustre at once； and far surpassed all the
advocates of the bar。 At fir