December 7 - The Death of Cicero: How Rome Lost Its Greatest Voice
God's Justice Prevails Beyond Evil's Temporary Triumph
This is the day Marcus Tullius Cicero, renowned Roman statesman, philosopher, and orator, was assassinated in 43 BC.
In today's lesson, we will witness how one of history's greatest orators faced death with dignity while standing for truth. Through the lens of ancient Rome's political turmoil, we'll explore how God's justice prevails even when evil seems triumphant. What eternal truths can we learn from a man who chose principles over security?
"Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away." - Psalm 37:1-2 (NIV)
This Date in History
Blood dripped from the severed hands and head of Marcus Tullius Cicero as they were nailed to the Speaker's Platform in the Roman Forum - the very place where his brilliant oratory had once held crowds spellbound. The gruesome display, orchestrated by Mark Antony's wife Fulvia, sent shockwaves through Rome. The voice that had defended the Republic for decades had been permanently silenced.
The political turmoil that led to Cicero's death had begun years earlier when Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon River in 49 BC, igniting civil war. Cicero, though privately supporting Pompey and the Senate, tried to remain neutral and broker peace. After Caesar's victory, he withdrew from public life, focusing on writing philosophical works. Caesar's assassination in 44 BC thrust him back into politics. The Republic now faced a power struggle between Mark Antony, Caesar's former right-hand man, and Octavian, Caesar's adopted heir and great-nephew.
Cicero saw an opportunity to restore the Republic by playing these rivals against each other. He threw his support behind the young Octavian while launching a series of devastating verbal attacks against Antony. These speeches, known as the Philippics, showcased Cicero's rhetorical brilliance while systematically destroying Antony's reputation. He accused Antony of being a drunk, a debaucher, and most damaging of all, an enemy of the Republic who sought to become a tyrant like Caesar.
The gamble proved fatal. Rather than destroying each other as Cicero hoped, Antony and Octavian reconciled, joining with Marcus Lepidus to form the Second Triumvirate. Their alliance was sealed with a blood pact - each man could condemn his enemies to death. Antony demanded Cicero's name top the list. Cicero's few remaining allies, including his former protégé Brutus, were either dead, in exile, or powerless to help.
The execution order was carried out by a death squad led by Herennius, a centurion, and Popilius Laenas, a military tribune who ironically had once been successfully defended by Cicero in court. Learning of the approaching soldiers, Cicero attempted to escape by sea, but rough waters forced his party to land. His loyal servants tried to convince him to flee again, but exhausted and resigned to his fate, Cicero refused. When the soldiers found him near his villa in Formiae, he was resting in his litter. Upon hearing their footsteps, Cicero calmly pushed aside the curtains and extended his neck to receive the executioner's blade. Laenas, despite owing his life to Cicero's earlier defense, delivered the fatal blow.
After the assassination, Rome's fate was sealed. The Republic Cicero had championed crumbled as power concentrated in the hands of the Triumvirs. Octavian eventually outmaneuvered his partners, becoming Emperor Augustus and establishing the Roman Empire. The freedoms and constitutional government Cicero died defending gradually eroded. Yet his writings on law, philosophy, and rhetoric survived, profoundly influencing Western thought for centuries. His final act of courage, facing death with philosophical calm, became legendary - a last testament to the principles he had lived by.
Historical Context
Rome's political landscape in the first century BC was marked by increasing instability as the Republic's traditional governing systems struggled to manage an expanding empire. The rise of powerful military commanders who commanded the loyalty of their troops began to overshadow the authority of the Senate and other civilian institutions. This shift fundamentally challenged the balanced power structure that had sustained the Republic for centuries.
Social and economic factors intensified these political tensions. A growing divide between wealthy aristocrats and common citizens created social unrest. The influx of wealth and slaves from conquered territories transformed Roman society, concentrating power in the hands of a few wealthy families while displacing traditional small farmers. These changes contributed to increasing political violence and the erosion of traditional Republican values.
The practice of proscription - the public identification and execution of political enemies - had become a terrifying political weapon first introduced by Sulla in 82 BC. This practice allowed powerful figures to eliminate opponents while legally seizing their property, creating a climate of fear and opportunism. The proscriptions that claimed Cicero's life were particularly extensive, eventually claiming an estimated 300 senators and 2,000 equites (knights).
The intellectual climate of Rome was heavily influenced by Greek philosophy and rhetoric, areas in which Cicero excelled. His writings not only preserved much of ancient Greek philosophy for future generations but also adapted these ideas to Roman culture and law. Cicero's works became foundational texts for future generations of political thinkers, particularly his ideas about natural law and constitutional government.
Did You Know?
When Cicero's head was displayed in the Forum, Fulvia (Mark Antony's wife) reportedly took the pins from her hair to repeatedly stab his tongue
Today’s Reflection
The sight of Cicero's severed head and hands displayed in the Roman Forum appeared to mark the definitive triumph of wickedness over justice. His assassins, men who had betrayed both principles and benefactor, seemed victorious. Those who witnessed this gruesome spectacle might have wondered, as many do today, why evil appears to prosper while the righteous suffer.
Such thoughts mirror the spiritual struggle captured in Psalm 94:3 (NIV), which asks, "How long, Lord, will the wicked, how long will the wicked be jubilant?" This cry resonates across generations, from ancient Rome to our modern era. Today, we witness scandals that expose high-ranking officials exploiting power for personal gain, leaders eroding the integrity of justice systems, and politicians growing wealthy from insider trading and kickbacks, while others seek to subjugate or deny natural rights. These modern forms of corruption often seem to echo the triumph of Rome's Second Triumvirate—a coalition built on betrayal and ambition, silencing voices of accountability like Cicero's. The apparent success of such individuals or systems may tempt us to despair, much like those who stood in the Forum that day.
But history tells a different story. While Cicero's assassins achieved their immediate goal, their triumph proved temporary. Mark Antony, who ordered the execution, eventually fell to his own hubris and ended his life in disgrace. The very constitutional system Cicero died defending, though ultimately transformed, influenced governments for centuries to come. His writings on justice, law, and civic virtue outlived his executioners and continue to shape political thought today.
The same holds true in modern times. Corruption may seem rampant, but history consistently reveals the fragility of evil systems. Scandals erupt, exposing hidden crimes; tyrants fall when their power crumbles; and movements for justice rise even in the darkest times. Consider how, in recent years, whistleblowers and investigative efforts have brought injustices to light, holding even the most powerful accountable. These moments echo Psalm 37:1-2 (NIV): "Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away." The psalm reminds us that the success of the wicked is as temporary as spring grass—vibrant for a season but ultimately fleeting.
Ecclesiastes 8:12-13 (NIV) adds further perspective: "Although a wicked person who commits a hundred crimes may live a long time, I know that it will go better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him. Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow." Even when evil seems entrenched, God's justice operates on a higher plane, promising ultimate accountability. The fleeting victories of corruption contrast with the enduring legacy of those who stand for truth.
The challenge for us lies not in denying the reality of evil's temporary victories but in remaining steadfast in our commitment to righteousness despite them. When corruption seems to thrive—whether in global systems or in the halls of political power—we must hold to the truth that God's justice is not bound by human timelines. The frustration of seeing the wicked flourish can blind us to the seeds of renewal God is planting. Just as Cicero's principles outlived his enemies, our work for justice and righteousness will endure when it is rooted in God's eternal truth.
Practical Application
When confronted with apparent victories of corruption or injustice in our own lives, resist the urge to compromise principles for temporary advantage. Instead, document instances of wrongdoing carefully, maintain integrity in your own actions, and focus energy on building lasting positive change within your sphere of influence. Consider journaling about times when you've seen justice eventually prevail, even after initial setbacks, to strengthen your faith in God's ultimate sovereignty.
Closing Prayer
Sovereign Lord, when we witness the temporary triumph of injustice, strengthen our resolve to stand firm in righteousness. Help us remember that Your justice prevails beyond our earthly timeline. Grant us wisdom to recognize the fleeting nature of evil's victories and courage to maintain our integrity even when doing so comes at great cost. May we find comfort in knowing that You work all things according to Your perfect will, even when we cannot see it. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Supplementary Study
"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun."
These verses encourage believers to maintain faith in God's justice, even when evil seems to prosper, much like Cicero's ultimate vindication by history.
"For evildoers will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found."
This passage reminds us of the temporary nature of evil's triumph, as demonstrated by the eventual fall of those who orchestrated Cicero's death.
"Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous."
This scripture reinforces how maintaining integrity, as Cicero did, holds more value than compromising principles for temporary gain.
Final Thoughts
The assassination of Cicero represents more than just a tragic historical event. It stands as a timeless reminder that although evil may seem to triumph in the moment, God's justice operates on an eternal timeline. While Cicero's enemies celebrated their temporary victory, history has vindicated his principles and preserved his legacy, while those who orchestrated his death fell into disgrace. This serves as an enduring encouragement for believers facing similar challenges today.
Community Engagement
Share your thoughts or use these questions to get the conversation started.
What aspects of Cicero's final moments most inspire or challenge you?
How do you maintain faith in God's justice when facing situations where evil seems to prosper?
What modern parallels do you see to the ethical challenges Cicero faced?
How can we apply the wisdom of Psalm 37 to our response to injustice today?
Bonus - Did You Know?
Cicero wrote over 800 letters in his lifetime, providing historians with an unprecedented window into Roman political and social life
Cicero's slave Tiro invented a system of shorthand to record his master's speeches, which became the basis for medieval abbreviated writing
Though born to a wealthy family, Cicero was considered a "new man" (novus homo) in Roman politics because none of his ancestors had held high office
Cicero's brother Quintus served as one of Julius Caesar's legates in Gaul before siding with Pompey in the civil war
Despite his political rivalry with Julius Caesar, Cicero's eloquent speech convinced Caesar to pardon Marcus Marcellus
Additional Resources
Cicero: Life and Times of Rome's Greatest Politician - Anthony Everitt
Cicero: The Life and Legacy of the Roman Republic's Most Famous Orator - Adrian Goldsworthy
The Roman Republic: A Very Short Introduction - David M. Gwynn
The Last Generation of the Roman Republic - Erich S. Gruen
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In tomorrow's lesson, we'll explore how a single moment of hesitation turned a normal evening into an unforgettable tragedy. Through this sobering historical event, we'll examine our own responsibility to speak truth clearly when lives hang in the balance.
The greatness of Rome began and it became a Republic and the greatness of Rome began to end when it lost the Republic.