Cicero: A Very Short Introduction

by Yelena Baraz

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BCE) was one of the most influential figures in late republican Rome, a moment of great social, political, and cultural unrest that would lead to the transition from republic to empire. Cicero was a statesman who held the highest political office, the consulship, and then suffered politically motivated exile. His career was grounded in his continued success as an his speeches were famous during his lifetime and, together with his rhetorical treatises, shaped the practice and theory of public speaking for centuries to come. His ideas influenced early church fathers, Renaissance humanists, and Enlightenment thinkers and his dramatic death captured imagination of his contemporaries, who saw it as standing for the death of the republic and eloquence.

In this Very Short Introduction, Yelena Baraz presents a concise and integrated account of Cicero's life and accomplishments, locating him within the political and intellectual contexts of his time. It shows that in all his pursuits Cicero saw himself as a mediating between theory and practice, philosophy and politics, Greek and Roman, and among political interest groups. Baraz tackles each area of Cicero's activity on its own terms while showing how overarching ideas and priorities permeate the apparently separate endeavors.

160 pages, Paperback

Published January 22, 2026

Reviews

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly what it says on the cover: a quick, readable, and surprisingly thorough introduction to the life and work of Cicero that would be ideal for guided study in the classroom and/or paired with readings from Cicero’s speeches, letter, and philosophical writings as well as contemporary (or near-contemporary) accounts like Sallust and Plutarch. Ends slightly abruptly but agreeably sympathetic to Cicero and does a very good job of explaining the social and political context of his life.

[Elsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful short summary of Cicero’s life and some of his works. I haven’t delved as deeply into Cicero as I should have since I was a Hellenist and not a Latinist when I studied classics back in uni. But this was a good way to start my journey and as a lawyer I really should know more Cicero. Worth the read it you want a starting point!