Born in 106 BC, Marcus Tullius Cicero was the member of a well connected and well to do family. His cognomen, a personal surname, is derived from the Latin word for chickpea. It is suggested that this name may have been chosen as a result of his family's prosperity arising from the cultivation of chickpeas. His name suggests that despite being one the wealthiest men of his time he viewed himself he carried himself with humility. Educated in Latin and Greek, Cicero would rise to the highest ranks of Roman society, playing an important role as a Roman statesman in the final decades of the Roman Republic. Today he is remembered chiefly for his writings which give us great insight into both his time and his philosophy. Contained within this volume are some of his most important writings on oration, religion, and philosophy. Following the translations of C. D. Yonge, Walter Miller, and E. S. Shuckburgh, "Selected Works" will provide the student of ancient Rome a key insight into the life and time of one of its most important figures.
