Political Career
Cicero’s political career became evident in his speeches which expanded his political influence, and allowed him access to the senate and rising success in the cursus honorum. In the early days of his leadership, Cicero counted on the support of the masses and populares to gain him his support within the senate. Catherine Steel, a professor in Classics majoring in Roman Republic history agrees that, “First, as we have seen, Cicero was ever aware of he need to create a personal support group to compensate for his lack of ancestral ties…” (Steel, 2013) However, the public support he received did allow for him to rise to power, as shown in Cicero’s ‘On the Agrarian Law’, “I am the very first new man that you have elected as consul in a very long time, almost within our living memory. With me as a leader, you have broken open that position which the nobiles used to hold under lock and key.” (Cicero, cited in Tempest, 2011).
After what event did Cicero's political career begin? Find out here!
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Due to his strong law cases in his early career through his orations, in 76BC Cicero secured the quaestorship, and had therefore earned a place in the senate for himself and future generations for life. Not satisfied with staying on the lower rungs of the political rankings, Cicero was elected for the aedileship in 69 BC, and the praetorship in 67 BC. Cicero had high hopes for his political career, as shown by Gian Biago Conte, an Italian classicist and professor of Latin literature, who certifies that, “Cicero’s answer was that a political life brought: rank, prestige, splendour at home, a reputation and esteem abroad…” (Biago, 1999). Throughout this time, Cicero used political friendships he had made throughout his rise in office to secure the ultimate prize of consulship - which he did achieve in 63 BC due to senatorial support, as they other potential candidates were not ideal choices for the job.
Learn about the Cursus Honorum that Cicero climbed!
Start at 7.44!
Sources
Conte, G. B., 1999. Latin Literature: A History. Maryland: John Hopkins University Press.
Steel, C., 2013. The Cambridge Companion to Cicero. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Tempest, K., 2011. Cicero Politics and Persuasion in Ancient Rome. New York: Continuum International Publishing.
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, 2014. The Life of Marcus Tullius Cicero: An Introduction. [Online] Available at: http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/verres/verrescicero.html [Accessed 30 April 2014].
Steel, C., 2013. The Cambridge Companion to Cicero. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Tempest, K., 2011. Cicero Politics and Persuasion in Ancient Rome. New York: Continuum International Publishing.
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, 2014. The Life of Marcus Tullius Cicero: An Introduction. [Online] Available at: http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/verres/verrescicero.html [Accessed 30 April 2014].