INTRODUCTION.

Marcus Tullius Cicero stands first among th prose writers in Roman literature, and as an orato ranks second only to Demosthenes. Being for tunate enough to be born of wealthy parents, h was able to secure the best educational advantage the country afforded. At an early age he appeare to possess talents which gave promise of makin him famous. His father, therefore, moved from Arpinum, where Cicero was born, and took u his residence in Rome, in order that his son migh receive the best education possible. Here Cicer studied the Greek writers under the poet Archia who inspired him with that literary taste whic made him so distinguished among the men of h time. Later on, under Scævola, the augur, an after his death under his kinsman, the pontifex Cicero laid the foundation of a profound know edge of legal principles which attributed greatl to his success in the defence of accused persons.

It was the custom among the Romans for youn men upon reaching manhood to spend a portio of their lives in military service. To comply wit this custom Cicero served one campaign und Sulla, after which he devoted himself to thos pursuits which were more congenial to his studiou

nature, and gave himself up to the teac Philo, the Academician.

Cicero's first public oration was "The of Roscius," in which he achieved a success, and secured his client's acquitta charge of having murdered his father, in the fact that the trial took place before a judge, and in the face of the opposition o who was then dictator.

This signal triumph, though it gained young orator great distinction and renown, theless brought down upon himself the ang resentment of Sulla.

Thereupon Cicero, on the plea of ill heal Rome, and established himself at Athens, he studied under Molo, and others, with a view to perfecting himself in the art of de tion. Here he applied himself so assidu and made such rapid progress, that his inst one day, on hearing him declaim, expressed self as concerned for the fate of Greece, lest should rob her of all that was left to suppo claim to distinction, viz., the glory of he quence and erudition.

Returning to Rome upon the death of after an absence of about two years, C

obtained the office of Ouenator

him to a seat in the Senate, and five years later conducted his celebrated impeachment of the prætor Veres, causing him to withdraw into exile without awaiting the result of a trial.

The impeachment of Veres was followed very shortly by the oration in support of the Manilian law. The Manilian law, so-called, because pro posed by the tribune Caius Manilius, provided for the extension of the command of Pompey in the East. Power like this was quite inconsistent with the republican institutions of Rome, and the pro posed passage of such a law therefore naturally gave rise to much opposition. Cicero by the magi of his eloquence convinced the law-makers, and the Manilian law was enrolled on the statute books.

Three years later Cicero was elected Consul In this office he distinguished himself chiefly by his suppression of the famous Catalinian con spiracy. So well did he conduct the investiga tion which led to the detection and punishmen of the conspirators that he called forth the enco miums of all classes of people, and won for him self the title "Parens patriæ.”

Through the influence of Cæsar and Clodius both of whom he had offended, Cicero was com pelled to fly from Rome.

A little over a year later, the people having

wearied of the extravagances of those w in power, longed to have him back. accordingly recalled, and the Senate de vote of thanks to those of the Italian cit disregarding a former decree, had been the orator and offered him shelter and pro

Shortly after his return his enemy Cloc killed by T. Annius Milo. Milo, who was date for the Consulship, was strenuously by Clodius. The two leaders having chance, together with their followers, eng a brawl, which resulted in the death of C Milo was tried on a charge of assault and cide, and Cicero undertook his defence. case he was unsuccessful. His failure h attributed to the fact that the trial was the presence of armed troops, who were t protect the court from mob violence, and presence so dismayed and terrified the orat he spoke with much less force and fluenc was his custom.

The two years following he spent in Cil Pro-Consul. His government of this pr was highly meritorious, and his course of co was such that he gained for himself the c mentary title of "Imperator."

On his return to Rome Cicero found that