The Tools that Shaped Cicero's Political Ideologies

Essay by evdawgUniversity, Bachelor'sB+, November 2003

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Marcus Tullius Cicero was born at Arpinum in the Volscian Hills on January 3, 106 B.C. . Cicero's mother Helvia, was a noble and his father was a farmer who was greatly devoted to reading. Cicero's family had relations with the poplares, as did the family of Gaius Marius of Arpinum whom Cicero regarded as a national hero in his earliest poems . In 90 B.C Cicero would assume the white toga of manhood and education would consume the next ten years of his life . Cicero held the offices of quaestor of Sicily in 75 B.C., aedile in 69 B.C., praetor in 66 B.C. and Consul in 63 B.C. Cicero's life, political ideologies, and political success up until his consulship is the concern of this paper. In order to understand why Cicero was able to become a prominent politician in Rome, one must identify what influenced and shaped his intellect and beliefs.

Thus, through exploring the influences of Gaius Marius upon Cicero, identifying Cicero's education in Stoicism and Law, and through exploring the oratory power of Cicero, an understanding of what influenced his political views and why he was able to rise to consulship can be established.

Gaius Marius, as mentioned, was from Arpinum and was elected into the Consul from 107 - 100 B.C. At the time of Cicero's birth, Marius was able to become a part of the ring of noble families within Rome and was also able to monopolize the high offices of the State . Cicero would spend his life witnessing Marius's struggle for power. Marius represented aristocracy and the people while his opponent Sulla, represented the power of an aristocratic Senate .

Marius would be the first Roman with the notion of professionalizing the army and allowing the landless fight in the army .