An "Utter Fool"
62 BC - 56 BC
Bragging
Plutarch noted that "one could not attend the senate or any a public meeting...without having to listen to endless stories of Catilina." Cicero also encouraged friends to write about both himself and his achievements. Cicero himself realised his own "certain foolish vanity" although it is likely that former magistrates would brag as this was expected (for example, Caesar and the Gallic Wars) and Cicero had no ancestors so had to develop mos maiorum.
Cicero's pro-consul speech was vetoed by Nepos, Pompey's brother-in-law and tribune. He may have done this as he was overlooked in Cicero's dealings with Catilina, however, Nepos himself said that "someone who had punished others without a hearing should not be given a right to speak himself."
Cicero's pro-consul speech was vetoed by Nepos, Pompey's brother-in-law and tribune. He may have done this as he was overlooked in Cicero's dealings with Catilina, however, Nepos himself said that "someone who had punished others without a hearing should not be given a right to speak himself."
Cicero's Letter to Pompey, Summer 62 BC
Cicero had a very high opinion of Pompey as he feels that he saved the Republic by defeating Mithridates. In the letter, Cicero attempted to persuade Pompey into an alliance to increase both of their political power; also, it would mean that Pompey could have provided a military arm for Cicero as well as increasing concordia ordinum as Pompey was Populares. However, Pompey only gave "slight expression of his affection" as he had opposed Rullus' land reform bill which he needed to provide land for his soldiers to settle on.
The Bona Dea Scandal, Winter 62 BC
A young aristocrat, Clodius, entered Caesar's home during the annual festival of the Good Goddess in order to meet up with Pompeia (Caesar's wife) whom he was allegedly having an affair with. Cicero can be seen as a fool as he appeared in court and provided a false piece of evidence against Clodius (ie. claiming that he had seen Clodius in Rome rather than as he claimed as being in Interamna) at Terentia's insistence as she believed that Cicero was having an affair with Clodius' sister, Clodia, who was accused of, according to Catullus, "loitering at the crossroads and in the back streets ready to toss off the magnanimous sons of Rome". It was furthermore foolish because Crassus bribed the jury to gain Clodius acquittal which then damaged Cicero's reputation as he was on the losing-side at court. However, his testament can be seen as not acting foolishly as Cicero was protecting the religious ceremny of the Good Goddess so he was protecting the well-being of the Republic and showing a traditional, or Optimates, view of the events.