The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero.

CICERO, Marcus Tullius.

Item Number: 55021

London: Henry G. Bohn, 1956.

Finely bound set of the Orations of Cicero, one of the most influential figures in the history of modern language. Octavo, 8 volumes. Bound in contemporary three-quarters green morocco, gilt titles to the spine, all edges marbled. In near fine condition.

Roman philosopher, politician, lawyer, orator, political theorist, consul, and constitutionalist. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the Roman equestrian order, and is considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists. His influence on the Latin language was so immense that the subsequent history of prose in, not only Latin but European languages up to the 19th century, was said to be either a reaction against or a return to his style. According to Michael Grant, "the influence of Cicero upon the history of European literature and ideas greatly exceeds that of any other prose writer in any language". Cicero introduced the Romans to the chief schools of Greek philosophy and created a Latin philosophical vocabulary distinguishing himself as a translator and philosopher.