Novus Homo
As a Novus Homo, Cicero’s hopes of entering the senate and participating in Roman politics were greatly reduced. Cicero was born into a family of wealthy knights, talented in the art of war. However, Cicero was more politically minded and hoped to advance within the senate, which was made particularly difficult due to his equestrian status. Nigel Rodgers, a highly deemed author and historian states that, “None of his ancestors has held office in Rome, so his rise to the consulship made him a novus homo, a “new” or self made man.” (Rodgers, 2012) Despite the difficulties he faced, Cicero worked hard and excelled in law and oration, becoming noticed by members of the senate and realising how important his abilities could be in furthering his novus homo status, as Nigel Rodgers, a well published author with a degree in history, certified that, “… Cicero himself, recognised how important oratory was in furthering the political career of a novus homo…” (Rodgers, 2012)
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Entering the senate due to his talents, Cicero had high hopes of climbing the cursus honorum - the ladder of office in Rome - to eventually reach the consulship. Knowing that this would not be easy to undertake due to the elite and exclusive behaviour of the senate, as shown by roman historian and politician in 86-35BC, Sallust who asserts that “… most of the nobles were consumed with jealousy and thought the office in a way prostituted if a "new man," however excellent, should obtain it.” (Sallust, cited in Thayer, 2002). This is supported by Rose Williams, a latin teacher and well published author who agrees that, “In July 65BC, he asked Atticus’ help in running for consul, since he had the giant handicap of being a novus homo.” (Williams, 2004)
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But Cicero’s talents compensated for his poor birth, allowing him the opportunity to develop many friendships and amicitia. These friendships that Cicero forged also included an advantageous marriage to Terentia, a wealthy patrician woman whose status assisted in further boosting Cicero’s career and allowed him the opportunity to reach the Consulship.
How did Cicero's marriage help him in his consulship? Click here for more information!
Sources
Crawford, J. W., 1984. M. Tullius Cicero: The Lost and Unpublished Orations. Gottingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht.
Goodman, M., 2012. The Roman World. New York: Routledge.
Rodgers, N., 2012. The Rise and Fall of Ancient Rome. Leicestershire: Anness Publishing Limited.
Syme, R., 1939. The Roman Revolution. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Smith, R., 1966. Cicero the Statesman. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Thayer, B., 2013. Sallust The War With Catiline. [Online] Available at: http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Sallust/Bellum_Catilinae*.html [Accessed 29 April 2014].
Williams, R., 2004. Cicero the Patriot. Illionois: Bolchazy-Caraucci Publishers Incorporated.
Goodman, M., 2012. The Roman World. New York: Routledge.
Rodgers, N., 2012. The Rise and Fall of Ancient Rome. Leicestershire: Anness Publishing Limited.
Syme, R., 1939. The Roman Revolution. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Smith, R., 1966. Cicero the Statesman. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Thayer, B., 2013. Sallust The War With Catiline. [Online] Available at: http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Sallust/Bellum_Catilinae*.html [Accessed 29 April 2014].
Williams, R., 2004. Cicero the Patriot. Illionois: Bolchazy-Caraucci Publishers Incorporated.