The Life of Cicero, Vol. II


Read by Philippa

(4.8 stars; 18 reviews)

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43BC) was an orator, statesman, philosopher and prolific correspondent, who rose as a ‘new man’ in Rome in the turbulent last years of its republican government. Anthony Trollope, best known as a novelist, admired Cicero greatly and wrote this biography late in life in order to argue his virtues against authors who had granted him literary greatness but questioned his strength as a politician and as a man. He takes a personal approach, affording us an insight into his own mind and times as well as those of his subject.

This second volume of two covers his last years, BC 57-43 and the personal and political upheavals that surrounded them: the civil war between Caesar and Pompey, the death of his daughter Tullia, Caesar's dictatorship and assassination, Cicero's antagonism against Antony in the Philippics and his final struggle for the republic. Having used Cicero's letters and speeches to guide his biography, Trollope treats his other works (what he terms 'moral essays', and works on philosophy and rhetoric), and his religious beliefs, in separate chapters at the end of this volume, to which is also appended his own translation of Cicero's 'Dream of Scipio' from the De re publica.
(Summary by Philippa) (11 hr 58 min)

Chapters

Chapter 1 - His Return from Exile, Part 1 31:24 Read by Philippa
Chapter 1 - His Return from Exile, Part 2 32:17 Read by Philippa
Chapter 2 - Cicero, aetat. 52, 53 and 54 43:19 Read by Philippa
Chapter 3 - Milo 35:02 Read by Philippa
Chapter 4 - Cilicia, Part 1 36:52 Read by Philippa
Chapter 4 - Cilicia, Part 2 30:53 Read by Philippa
Chapter 5 - The War between Caesar and Pompey 41:01 Read by Philippa
Chapter 6 - After the Battle 42:14 Read by Philippa
Chapter 7 - Marcellus, Ligarius and Deiotarus, Part 1 25:34 Read by Philippa
Chapter 7 - Marcellus, Ligarius and Deiotarus, Part 2 28:19 Read by Philippa
Chapter 8 - Caesar’s Death, Part 1 23:07 Read by Philippa
Chapter 8 - Caesar’s Death, Part 2 28:14 Read by Philippa
Chapter 9 - The Philippics, Part 1 40:56 Read by Philippa
Chapter 9 - The Philippics, Part 2 40:59 Read by Philippa
Chapter 10 - Cicero’s Death 41:13 Read by Philippa
Chapter 11 - Cicero’s Rhetoric, Part 1 37:03 Read by Philippa
Chapter 11 - Cicero’s Rhetoric, Part 2 29:15 Read by Philippa
Chapter 12 - Cicero’s Philosophy, Part 1 30:08 Read by Philippa
Chapter 12 - Cicero’s Philosophy, Part 2 30:00 Read by Philippa
Chapter 13 - Cicero’s Moral Essays 35:31 Read by Philippa
Chapter 14 - Cicero’s Religion 23:30 Read by Philippa
Appendix - Scipio's Dream 11:38 Read by Philippa

Reviews

Thank you Philippa


(5 stars)

Excellent book, fascinating man, and professional narration.

great narration!


(5 stars)

the narrator sounds exactly like Keira Knightly. perfect elocution, stresses on words, the rhythm and pacing. one of the best narrations I've heard so far. the book is great as well! trollipe was definitely influenced by Theodor mommsen.

Brilliant Read


(5 stars)

Amazing piece of pure history with high intellectual engagement.