Cicero: The Life and Times of Rome's Greatest Politician

Anthony Everitt writes very accessible Roman history; his book on Augustus was very readable, and offers many opportunities for further study by anyone interested in following through on the themes raised in the book. Cicero is a fascinating character by anyone's standards; he pops up in all the Roman historical novels set in the late Republic, and everyone seems to have their own take on what he would have been like. So it is good to be able to get some historical non-fiction perspective on this intriguing man. Extricating Cicero's life, and his personal politics, from the broader (unresolved) discussion on the end of the Roman Republic is quite a challenge in itself, so I was eager to see how the author approached the life and times of Cicero.Beginning with a prologue word picture of Caesar's assassination in 44 BC, the first chapter then outlines briefly and very clearly the political status of Rome at the time of Cicero's youth. The burgeoning political class struggles, the growing problem of land and wealth distribution, the unwieldy and increasingly violent political differences, and the external threats that built up towards the end of the Republic are well, though quickly, reviewed here. And then we are in to Cicero's life itself. Around and through Cicero's life move many other well-known figures of Roman history - Sulla, Crassus, Pompey, Caesar, Catilina. Cicero also seems to have retained close ties with his family and friends, and we are lucky to have so much of his correspondence, including letters with his friend Atticus, and his writings on his cases and Senatorial involvement.Cicero seems to have firmly believed in the Republic, and that the glory of the past years of that institution could be recovered and reclaimed, if only the optimates and the populares would find common ground (without really taking much notice of the new class of men rising from the equites). He dedicated much of his public life to that end, or so he felt. He does not seem, realistically, to have taken into account some of the `new' men who moved into the political and military arena, particularly those who banded together to thwart him in many of his endeavours: Caesar, Pompey, Crassus, even Clodius. Perhaps in that respect at least, Cicero's `glory days' lay firmly in the past of Rome, a past that was quickly being lost forever.The continual ebbing and flowing in late Republican Rome of political groupings, cemented by familial alliances, makes for fascinating and engrossing reading. Cicero's strength, and his ultimate and final weakness, was his inability to accept that the Republic as he believed in it could be gone; his ultimate aim was always "to restore traditional political values" and for this he lived, and died.A wonderful book, beautifully written and so readable that I found it hard to put it down; Cicero's life and times are treated empathetically and compassionately. To finish the book is to feel that you have come to the end of a great story told of a great man. Totally recommended.

Arrived from the USA well before the estimated date of 27th December. In fact it arrived about a week before Christmas, which was a real bonus as it was a present for my son and I hadn't been able to locate a copyin the UK. Although not brand new in appearance it was in excellent condition with an intact dust jacket abd nice and clean. The recipient was very pleased and started reading it immediately.

I didn't expect to like this as much as I did. It is well written and easy to access. The author knows his subject and has a very easy style. A good into to Cicero.

Great condition and delivered on time. I've really enjoyed this book, which is a very accessible biography of one of the greatest and interesting of Rome's history.

OK but hoping for better.

A must read for anyone remotely interested in how Ancient History is still relevant today, and how little we have learned from the past.

A great book. Well written and not too academic so that even non academics will enjoy this one. If you are interested in the fall of the republic then you will find this very interesting.

Extremely small font which strains your eyes