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Did Cicero Cause Rome's Downfall? 'Lawless Republic' Book Review & Analysis


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Lawless Republic: The Rise of Cicero and the Decline of Rome by Josiah Osgood is a non-fiction historical account published in January 2025 available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gv26lR

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The book explores the career of Cicero as a trial lawyer in the late Roman Republic, from his early court cases to his role in political conspiracies and the civil war. It examines Cicero’s rise to prominence as an orator, his mastery of rhetoric, and his skill in crafting narratives to sway juries. The book also delves into the political and social context of the time, including the relentless pursuit of wealth and power, the breakdown of the rule of law, and the rise of political violence. It highlights the irony of how Rome's greatest lawyer's career coincided with the decline of the Republic.

Key elements include:

  • Analysis of Cicero's famous cases, such as the defense of Sextus Roscius and his prosecution of Verres.
  • Exploration of the Roman legal system, including the role of witnesses, arguments of probability [15], and rhetorical techniques.
  • Examination of the use of stereotypes in Cicero's arguments.
  • Insight into the political turmoil of the late Roman Republic, including the Catiline conspiracy, the rivalry between Cicero and Clodius, and the murder of Clodius by Milo.
  • Consideration of the relationship between law, violence, and democracy.

#LawlessRepublic #JosiahOsgood #Cicero #RomanRepublic #AncientRome #LegalHistory #PoliticalHistory #Oratory #Rhetoric #TrueCrime #LawAndViolence #HistoricalAnalysis

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