 "A Wonderful Look at Rome's Greatest Statesman" | 2009-11-04 |
| - Reviewed By codycarlson |
Anthony Everitt's biography "Cicero: The Life and Times of Rome's Greatest Politician" is a a fine and penetrating look into the life of the Roman statesman. Everitt mines classical works with a master's skill in order to provide a portrait not only of the man, but also of a society pushed to the brink, a civilization teetering on the abyss.
Everitt presents Rome in all its grandeur and horror, its nobility and its depravity, its culture and its decadence. Examining the fundamental issues of the day such as land reform and a restless military culture, Everitt offers Cicero as a man struggling against history. Cicero is shown desperately trying to preserve the Roman Constitution against abuses by dynamic and charismatic soldier/politicians. The temptation to draw parallels with Rome of Cicero's day and the current political problems of the USA is irresistible, if ultimately futile. History, after all, is not a grab bag in which you can pick analogies to suit any argument. Each situation is different and unique. While the failure of the Roman Republic may yet be emulated by America, the USA's fall would be triggered by its own unique challenges. Having said that, however, there is still much current politicians and citizens could learn from the failure of Cicero and his compatriots to maintain their honored Constitution. And one must ALWAYS be wary of the new, dynamic, charismatic figure on the political stage.
Cicero's relationships are key in Everitt's analysis. His friendship with Atticus, his relationships with his brother, son, nephew and wives are all thoroughly examined, many through letters written to and by Cicero. But the complex dynamics of his political dealings are the most intriguing. Through Cicero's conservative eyes we see the great figures of the day as they play out the great tragedy: Crassus, Brutus, Pompey, Octavian, and of course, Caesar. The Machiavellian scheming behind the scenes makes for fascinating reading, and again makes one wonder if this is how deals are struck in Washington today.
In all, this is a wonderful biography and an important tool for examining the age. The 2nd President of the United States, John Adams, frequently cited Cicero as his political and philosophical hero. Along with David McCullough's biography of that president, Everitt's Cicero should be required reading in all American schools.
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| "Superb" | 2009-11-04 |
| - Reviewed By User: A19JH6VPUN3A4R |
| Cicero by Anthony Everitt is one of those rare biographies that combines in depth history and research with wonderful writing and editing and is a distinct pleasure to read. In this biography of Marcus Tullius Cicero, Everitt crafts a well written account of the great Roman orator and also manages to weave in seamlessly the necessary background information and other important characters such as Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Octavianus. Everitt is particularly adept at providing just the right amount of background knowledge on the political structure of the Roman Republic to maximize the context of the biography without straying too far from the subject of the biography himself. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading about Roman history or biographies in general. |
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 "Cicero: A Shallow Summarization" | 2009-08-26 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2KIU60B9SJ1UU |
| I bought this book after devouring the "Masters of Rome" series by Colleen McCullough. I had hope for a more in depth, factual, biography of a figure that lived through many of the same events as McCullough covered. What I got instead was a cliff notes summary of the events of the man's life, with ridiculously few of biographical details, and far less information than the historical novels of McCullough. In fact, with a few exceptions, "Cicero" could have been written using McCullough's books as the SOLE SOURCE. I am not implying any plagiarism or anything of the kind, merely noting that a set of books marketed as historical fiction contain just as much useful information as a purportedly more serious and in depth work. I've yet to read other bios of Cicero yet, but skip this one. |
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 "Rippled reflection of our own times" | 2009-06-19 |
| - Reviewed By elliottbignell |
Reading this book, one is struck by an odd sense of recognition. When one looks into the face of classical Rome and Greece, one sees our own concerns of republics and democracy and is tempted to see ourselves. At the same time, Pagan Rome is not modern Europe. Gladiatorial contests, augury, the disapproval of affection or excessive mourning for a lost wife, the burying alive of vestal virgins who disqualified themselves from the role - all these things convey an entirely contrary impression of a quite alien people. This tension makes Rome an endless source of fascination, and it comes across strongly in Everitt's imagery.
The book is light and easy reading. I found it a real pleasure, while at the same time gaining much to shed light on the perspective and events of Cicero's life. Cicero was until fairly recently so familiar in the English-speaking world that he merited the nickname "Tully". With the decline of Latin his familiarity has faded, which is a pity. Not speaking Latin, I cannot hear his oratory in his own voice, and I am sure that I am the poorer for it. This book does not go into Cicero's deliveries in detail, although it does discuss the school of oratory from which his style developed and the context in which his speeches had such an effect. His Philippics ultimately may have cost him his life. It is sometimes hard to see why Cicero has achieved such reputation among modern scholars, but these Philippics, delivered late in life when some iron had entered his spine, may be the key. They cost his life, perhaps, but not his reputation, as Octavian, having failed to bargain successfully with Anthony for Cicero's life, generously ensured that his name would live on. It is Antony whom history has consigned to the recycle bin.
There are unexpected insights into the personalities of the Caesars to be had in this book. Octavian's generosity surprised me somewhat, but more so Julius Caesar's appealing charm and taste for clemency. Clemency was clearly a tool of statecraft for him, but no less admirable for that. The Caesars represented the populist tendency in Rome and used their popularity with their soldiers to advance themselves. Cicero, though an outsider, represented the Senate. Ostensibly a democratic body, it was elitist and exclusivist with regard to the common people. One finds oneself in the odd position of having some sympathy for the populist dictator over the elitist democrats. This is a dangerous urge to this day, as the drive to overturn democracy in favour of a Dictator appealing to the bread-and-circuses needs of the people bears the name of fascism. The Roman Senate ultimately did us no favours with their pride and class sensitivities.
Cicero himself, possibly the most gifted orator in history, was a man of uncompromising Republican principle but with some flaws. His physical courage was not great, although to his credit he knew this. He met his end without flinching, for which Rome and posterity have lauded him. He learned to compromise his Republican principles later in life out of necessity. As an advocate, he was prepared to say whatever was necessary to defend a case, which seems a contradiction until you realise that unrestrained advocacy is also a principle in the correct context. The death of the even more rigid Cato, and the ineffectiveness and selective applicability of his rigidity, taught Cicero to do what is necessary to preserve as much of his principles as was possible. The death of his daughter, which appears almost to have destroyed him, left a stronger and more courageous man in its wake. Ultimately, he failed in his quest to preserve the constitution of Rome, but his effort and influence was unique in all of history.
This book is easy reading but has provoked a storm of contradictory musings. Especially if you have not read much of the history of the end of the Roman Republic, I recommend starting here. |
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| "great book on Cicero..." | 2009-06-19 |
| - Reviewed By User: A11TO37M4C4I6C |
| Everitt has created the best book to be written on Cicero--the man and his times--in quite a while. |
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| "Outstanding Study of Major Republican Roman Figures" | 2009-05-30 |
| - Reviewed By ronindr |
While arguably not the deepest investigation into the age and character of Cicero, the book is geared toward a wide audience that includes people new to the subject as well as people who are serious students of Republican history.
First and foremost this is a history book that follows true the life of Cicero and all his relations. The Republican world comes richly to life as we follow his career in the law courts and politics of ancient Rome. Along the way we meet his allies and enemies, and Everitt does a commendable job of introducing the wide cast of amazing characters as Cicero handles the positive and negative consequences of their complex interactions.
His political rise is covered in rich detail as are some of his major law cases, which I find fascinating. Fragments of his Letters are included, but the book is certainly short on his philosophies, so you may want to look elsewhere if this is your interest.
The book includes some helpful features such as a chronology, schematics of the Forum and Senate House, and a pair of good maps. A very enjoyable read, I highly recommend. |
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