Cicero's Tusculan Disputations, Book 1

Marcus Tullius Cicero (January 3, 106 BC - December 7, 43 BC) was a Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher, writer, and Academic skeptic who attempted to defend optimal values during the political upheavals that led to the foundation of the Roman Empire. His voluminous publications include rhetorical, philosophical, and political treatises. He is regarded as one of Rome's best orators and prose stylists, as well as the creator of "Ciceronian rhetoric." Cicero received his education in both Rome and Greece. He was born into a wealthy Roman equestrian family and served as consul in 63 BC. His impact on the Latin language was enormous. He composed more than three-quarters of the existing Latin literature known to have existed during his lifetime, and succeeding prose has been said to be either a reaction against or a return to his style, not only in Latin but in European languages up to the nineteenth century.