Cicero's Works: Rhetoric, Politics, Philosophy, and More

Cicero's Works

Treaties of Rhetoric

Cicero wrote The Speaker, a three-book work featuring Licinius Crassus and Mark Antony, renowned speakers of the 2nd century BC. Through these characters and two others, Cicero explains the qualities of a good orator. The book proposes that all speeches should be divided into distinct parts:

• Exordium: The introduction of the topic, where the speaker aims to gain public sympathy.
• Exposition or Narration: Presentation of the facts relevant to the speech.
• Argumentation: The speaker provides arguments to justify their intervention or attack the opponent.
• Conclusion or Peroration: A final summary where the speaker reiterates their main points and seeks to persuade the audience.

Cicero also wrote several dialogues, notably Brutus. This dialogue between Cicero, Brutus, and Atticus reconstructs the history of Roman eloquence.

Politico-Philosophical Treaties

Regarding political treaties, The Republic is a six-book work discussing the best form of government, which Cicero believed to be the republic. Complementing this is The Laws, which explores the practical application of the theories outlined in The Republic.

Cicero also wrote philosophical and moral treatises. While not entirely original, he disseminated Greek philosophical ideas in Rome and created much of Latin philosophical terminology. His works include On Duties, a treatise on moral philosophy dedicated to his son Marcus; On Old Age, a dialogue arguing against the fear of aging; and On Friendship, which explores the concept of friendship through intellectual conversations.

Epistles

Cicero maintained extensive correspondence, much of which has been preserved. These epistles offer insights into his personality, family, and social life, as they were written without a specific literary intention. His correspondence with his friend Atticus, Marcus Junius Brutus, and family members, particularly his wife Terentia and brother Quintus, are notable.

Poetry and Other Works

Cicero also wrote poetry, though with less success than other genres. In his later years, he dedicated himself to translating Greek poets. He was, therefore, more than just a politician; he was a prolific writer.

Oratory

Oratory, the practical art of discourse, consists of five parts:

• Inventio: Gathering relevant topics for the speech.
• Dispositio: Organizing these topics effectively.
• Elocutio: Selecting persuasive vocabulary.
• Memoria: Memorizing the speech content.
• Actio: Delivering the speech with appropriate gestures, tone of voice, and staging.