Cicero — Inside the Classic

A Modern Ancient World

Collins's introductory remarks are worth pausing over. He argues that the 'habits of life, the ways of thinking' of Romans in Cicero's time were 'wonderfully like our own.' This is not mere rhetoric; it shapes how he presents Cicero's political career. He draws parallels between Roman consulships and modern leaders, suggesting that the 'political jealousies and rivalries' have 'repeated themselves again and again.' For a first-time reader, this lens is crucial: Collins is not writing a dry chronicle but a portrait designed to feel immediate. He even compares the gap between Caesar and Napoleon to that between the Plantagenets and Georges, emphasizing that Cicero's era is, in key respects, closer to us than the medieval period.

The Orator in Action

Midway through the excerpts, Collins presents a lengthy passage from Cicero's defense of Caelius. Here, the biographer steps aside and lets the orator speak. Cicero's target is Clodia, a wealthy woman using her influence against his client. The tone is scathing and theatrical: Cicero mocks her 'curled and scented youths' as 'stout men-at-arms' hiding in a bath, comparing the scene to a 'Trojan horse.' He contrasts the 'air of a court of justice' with the 'banquet-hall,' and warns that the 'broad glare of sunshine is harder to face than the glitter of the lamps.' This excerpt reveals Cicero's skill at turning a legal case into a performance, using sarcasm and vivid imagery to undermine the prosecution's credibility.

Collins's Editorial Hand

Collins does not simply quote Cicero; he frames the speech with his own commentary. Before the excerpt, he explains the case: a young man accused by the son of a man he had prosecuted, with 'a bad woman's wealth and influence' arrayed against him. After the speech, Collins notes that the 'satellites of Clodia could scarcely have felt comfortable' and that Cicero concluded with an 'apology for his client's faults' and a 'point of sensational rhetoric.' This editorial framing guides the reader to appreciate the rhetorical strategy and the social dynamics at play. Collins also acknowledges his sources—Forsyth's 'Life of Cicero' and Long's volumes—and takes responsibility for the translations, signaling that he is curating the material for an English audience.

Reading the Biography's Structure

The table of contents reveals a clear arc: after early life and education, Collins moves through Cicero's public career—the impeachment of Verres, the consulship and Catiline, exile and return, then his relationships with Caesar and Antony. Later chapters shift to character, correspondence, essays on 'Old Age' and 'Friendship,' philosophy, and religion. This structure suggests that Collins aims to cover both the public man and the private thinker. The excerpts show that he weaves translated orations and letters into the narrative, using them as primary evidence. For a first reading, it is helpful to note that Collins often lets Cicero speak at length, then steps back to interpret. The biography is as much a showcase of Cicero's own words as it is a life story.

As you read, pay attention to how Collins balances narrative summary with extended quotations. His translations aim to preserve Cicero's rhetorical force, and his commentary often highlights the theatrical elements of Roman politics. The book is part of the 'Ancient Classics for English Readers' series, which explains its accessible tone. Rather than a comprehensive scholarly study, it is an introduction that emphasizes what Collins calls the 'modern' quality of Cicero's world. Let the excerpts guide you: when Collins quotes a speech, imagine the courtroom setting and the audience Cicero was playing to.

Reading how Collins frames Cicero’s courtroom jabs as “terribly modern” reminded me of sitting with my grandfather, who loved nothing more than a well-turned insult. That same warmth surfaced in Sweden — Reading Companion, where a quiet chapter on winter light felt less like exposition and more like a shared secret. Both books make distant voices feel like familiar company.