The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind Cicero: Roman Oratory
Feb 4, 2025
In a deep dive into Cicero's legacy, the discussion reveals why he's celebrated as a master orator and philosopher. Discover Cicero's commitment to the Republic and his bold confrontation of the Catilinarian Conspiracy. Explore how he defends the liberal arts as vital for Roman honor, and his moral inquiries in 'On Duties.' The talk also highlights his views on natural law, the essence of a good person, and the moral responsibilities of rulers. Ultimately, it paints a portrait of a thinker concerned with ethics, reputation, and the common good.
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The Catilinarian Rise
- Cicero rose to prominence by exposing Catiline's conspiracy and defending the Republic.
- His speeches against Catiline made him famous as Rome's defender of Republican institutions.
Greece Meets Rome
- Cicero transplanted Greek culture into Roman life by translating and adapting ideas into Latin.
- He helped create a Greco-Roman culture that later mixed with Jewish culture to form the West.
The First Catalinian Address
- Rocklin reads Cicero's opening line to Catiline: a famous rhetorical question confronting treachery.
- The First Catalinian speech serves as a classic model of public moral denunciation.
