Cicero
Redner, Staatsmann, Philosoph
📘 About This Book
Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 v.Chr.) war eine der bedeutendsten Persönlichkeiten der Antike. Wilfried Stroh, emeritierter Professor für Klassische Philologie an der LMU München und international renommierter Cicero-Experte, hat hier einen kompakten, aber in der Aspektauswahl sehr umfassenden Überblick über Leben und Werk des Juristen, Redners, Politikers und Philosophen vorgelegt, der trotz der Kürze des Werks der Vielgestaltigkeit Ciceros und seiner Schriften gerecht wird. Der Schwerpunkt, den Stroh in dieser gelungenen Kurzbiografie herausgearbeitet hat, liegt auf Ciceros sein ganzes Leben währender Beschäftigung mit der griechischen Philosophie und der daraus resultierenden wichtigen Rolle, die er für die lateinische Literaturgeschichte und Sprache spielt - nicht umsonst hat Plinius d.Ä. ihn als "Vater der lateinischen Literatur" bezeichnet. Deutlich wird dieser Schwerpunkt v.a. bei der Auseinandersetzung mit Ciceros Werken aus seinen beiden vorletzten Lebensjahren, ab den "Academici libri". Absolut empfehlens- und überdies preiswert, neben A. Everitt: "Cicero" (BA 7/03). (1)
📖 Summary
Wilfried Stroh presents a compact yet comprehensive overview of the life and legacy of Marcus Tullius Cicero, one of antiquity's most influential figures. Spanning just over one hundred pages, the book manages to capture the remarkable versatility of Cicero as a jurist, orator, politician, and philosopher who lived from 106 to 43 BC. Rather than merely offering a chronological recounting of historical events, Stroh places a distinct emphasis on Cicero's lifelong engagement with Greek philosophy and the profound impact this intellectual pursuit had on his literary output. The author highlights how Cicero played a pivotal role in shaping Latin literature and the Latin language itself, bridging Greek thought with the Roman world in a way that left an indelible mark on Western civilization. The text respects the complexity of Cicero's writings, acknowledging that his multifaceted career defies simplistic categorizations. Readers are guided through the various dimensions of Cicero's public and intellectual life, observing how his oratorical mastery and philosophical inquiries were deeply intertwined. Despite its concise length, the volume avoids superficiality, providing a well-rounded and scholarly introduction to a towering historical persona whose influence extended far beyond his own lifetime, earning praise from classical figures like Pliny and continuing to resonate through the centuries.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Provides a comprehensive overview despite its short length
Written by an internationally recognized expert in classical philology
Successfully highlights Cicero's philosophical contributions alongside his political career
Captures the true versatility and complexity of Cicero's writings
⚠️ Cons
May be too brief for readers seeking an exhaustive deep dive into Roman history
Focuses heavily on philosophy and literature at the potential expense of detailed political narratives
❓ FAQ
Who wrote the book Cicero? +
The book was written by Wilfried Stroh, an emeritus professor of classical philology and a renowned Cicero expert.
When was this book published? +
It was published in 2008.
How many pages does the book contain? +
The book contains 132 pages.
What is the main focus of Stroh's biography? +
The primary focus is Cicero's lifelong engagement with Greek philosophy and his resulting impact on Latin literature and language.
What aspects of Cicero's life are covered in the work? +
The book covers his roles as a jurist, orator, politician, and philosopher, capturing the full multifaceted nature of his career.
