Cicero, copy of Roman bust by
Bertel Thorvaldsen 1799-1800.
Marcus Tullio Cicero (106-43 B.C.) was one of the most influential political leaders in that powerful generation of Romans born around 100 B.C. along with his lifelong friend and sometime enemy Julius Caesar and his other great friend Pompey. But whatever power he exerted as a politician, it pales in comparison to his influence as a public speaker, a philosopher, and letter writer. His books have been read for two thousand years. And his collection of his letters is the most influential letters ever written in Western Civilization.
