Explore every episode of the podcast Life of Cicero, Vol. I

Meditations of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus is a profound collection of reflections from one of history's most revered philosophical leaders. This timeless work delves into themes of self-discipline, resilience, and the pursuit of virtue, offering insights into the human condition that remain relevant today. Marcus Aurelius emphasizes the importance of inner strength and rational thought in the face of life's challenges, encouraging readers to cultivate a sense of peace through mindfulness and ethical living. The enduring wisdom found in these meditations serves as a guiding light for anyone seeking to navigate the complexities of existence with grace and purpose.

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43BC) was an orator, statesman, philosopher and prolific correspondent, who rose as a ‘new man’ in Rome in the turbulent last years of its republican government. Anthony Trollope, best known as a novelist, admired Cicero greatly and wrote this biography late in life in order to argue his virtues against authors who had granted him literary greatness but questioned his strength as a politician and as a man. He takes a personal approach, affording us an insight into his own mind and times as well as those of his subject.Volume I covers the period (up to the year 57BC) of Cicero’s education, his rise through the courts and offices of state to the Consulship, and his exile.Please note that footnotes - predominantly bibliographical citations and Latin quotations - are omitted unless explicitly referred to in the main text; the appendices, which consist mainly of more substantial extracts from other works, are likewise omitted. (Summary by Philippa)Volume II can be found here.

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43BC) was an orator, statesman, philosopher and prolific correspondent, who rose as a ‘new man’ in Rome in the turbulent last years of its republican government. Anthony Trollope, best known as a novelist, admired Cicero greatly and wrote this biography late in life in order to argue his virtues against authors who had granted him literary greatness but questioned his strength as a politician and as a man. He takes a personal approach, affording us an insight into his own mind and times as well as those of his subject.Volume I covers the period (up to the year 57BC) of Cicero’s education, his rise through the courts and offices of state to the Consulship, and his exile.Please note that footnotes - predominantly bibliographical citations and Latin quotations - are omitted unless explicitly referred to in the main text; the appendices, which consist mainly of more substantial extracts from other works, are likewise omitted. (Summary by Philippa)Volume II can be found here.