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Marcus Tullius Cicero

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106.BC-43.BC) was an orator and statesman of Rome, and is generally considered the greatest Latin prose stylist. Cicero was surprised when Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44BC. However, Cicero and Mark Anthony, (Caesar’s subordinate), became the two leading men in Rome. Caesar’s heir, Octavian, later arrived in Rome and Cicero planned to play him against Anthony. Cicero’s plan failed and Mark Anthony and Octavian later joined Lepidus to form the Triumvirate for the Constitution of the Republic. Cicero had fallen foul of them and was numbered amongst the many enemies of the state who would suffer persecution. Cicero was beheaded by pursuers in 43BC and his head and hands were displayed in the Forum Romanum. Mark Anthony’s wife, Fulvia, is said to have taken Cicero’s head, pulled out the tongue and jabbed it with her hair-pin, taking final revenge against Cicero’s gifts of speech.