Originally published on January 27, 2025 (Episode 393)
Introduction
Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 BC) was a writer, philosopher, traveler, consul—and one of the last Romans to take the Republic seriously, even when it was past its expiration date.
But above all, Cicero was a lawyer. His legal practice shaped his philosophy, politics, and devotion to the Republic. In his new book, Josiah Osgood presents a biography of Cicero told through his most famous cases. From his first courtroom triumphs to the orations that shook Roman politics, Osgood shows how Cicero’s legal brilliance both defended—and destabilized—the Republic.
About the Guest
Josiah Osgood is Professor of Classics at Georgetown University and the author of six books on Roman history. A winner of the Rome Prize, his most recent work is Lawless Republic: The Rise of Cicero and the Decline of Rome (Basic Books, 2025).
For Further Investigation
Josiah Osgood, Lawless Republic: The Rise of Cicero and the Decline of Rome (Basic Books, 2025)
Cicero, Selected Political Speeches (Penguin Classics, 1977)
Anthony Everitt, Cicero: The Life and Times of Rome’s Greatest Politician (Random House, 2003)
Catherine Steel, Cicero, Rhetoric, and Empire (OUP, 2002)
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Listen & Discuss
Was Cicero Rome’s last statesman—or just the Republic’s most eloquent undertaker? Drop your verdict in the comments, and share this episode with your favorite armchair senator.
