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Cicero and the End of the Roman Republic
Histories of the late Republic and biographies of Cicero have
previously tended to treat political and cultural developments as
essentially separate. In Cicero and the End of the Roman Republic,
Thomas Wiedemann takes a fresh approach, looking at Cicero's literary
works in the context of his public life, and of contemporary political
and social issues.
Wiedemann explores Cicero's role in the
creation of a new and effective ‘Roman' cultural identity demanded by
the process of Italian unification and the consequent collapse of the
old Republican party system.
previously tended to treat political and cultural developments as
essentially separate. In Cicero and the End of the Roman Republic,
Thomas Wiedemann takes a fresh approach, looking at Cicero's literary
works in the context of his public life, and of contemporary political
and social issues.
Wiedemann explores Cicero's role in the
creation of a new and effective ‘Roman' cultural identity demanded by
the process of Italian unification and the consequent collapse of the
old Republican party system.
- GenresNonfiction
92 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1994
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August 5, 2016
Self-sabotaging fear of uncovering my own ignorance aside, this was a decent addition to this series of fact-based classical books; though I enjoyed Augustan Rome a little more, that might be due to my own period-based preferences. The short chapters helped, since they allow for retaining information and provide obvious points for breaking and allowing the brain to absorb it before moving on – since quite a large span of change is covered (and Cicero lived through a lot!), I think this was a well-advised structural choice.
I did notice, however that it seemed to oscillate between more basic aspects of the period and the more technical, but I think I can understand why – it allows for everyone to have the same basic information on which understanding of the complexities can be built, but it does mean that those already familiar with the period may find statements of the obvious, and in some places repetitions. I also found that some minor players seem to appear and take roles in events without much information despite this, but this perception could be the result of gaps in my own knowledge where these figures are new to me (and may be overlooked in some narratives given the enduring fame of Cicero, Caesar, Pompey etc.). The book as a whole is still useful and informative, though, whether used for learning or revision, and delivers the impartially factual account of the period that this series is known for.
I did notice, however that it seemed to oscillate between more basic aspects of the period and the more technical, but I think I can understand why – it allows for everyone to have the same basic information on which understanding of the complexities can be built, but it does mean that those already familiar with the period may find statements of the obvious, and in some places repetitions. I also found that some minor players seem to appear and take roles in events without much information despite this, but this perception could be the result of gaps in my own knowledge where these figures are new to me (and may be overlooked in some narratives given the enduring fame of Cicero, Caesar, Pompey etc.). The book as a whole is still useful and informative, though, whether used for learning or revision, and delivers the impartially factual account of the period that this series is known for.
Displaying 1 of 1 review