Roman life in the days of Cicero

This volume paints a lively picture of everyday Roman society during the first half of the first century B.C., using the speeches and letters of the great orator as a guide. It follows a young boy’s passage from his naming ceremony and protective bulla to the rigorous education that prepared him for citizenship and military service. Along the way the reader learns how families, mothers, and religious rites shaped the values of modesty, duty, and piety.

Beyond childhood, the book sketches the careers of students, magistrates, and provincial governors, and briefly touches the turbulent politics that brought figures such as Caesar, Pompey, Cato, and Antony to prominence. Illustrated scenes aim to recreate the look of statues, streets, and forums, giving listeners a visual sense of the world described. The result is a concise, illustrated tour of Roman life that feels both scholarly and accessible.