Cicero's Finest Hour (44 to 43 B.C.E.)

Summary by Krater

This video details the political maneuvers of Cicero following Julius Caesar's assassination, highlighting his alliance with Octavian and his opposition to Mark Antony through speeches like the Philippics.

From the video

Answers: What role did Cicero play in Roman politics after the assassination of Julius Caesar?

• Roman Republic politics
• Assassination of Julius Caesar
• Rise of Octavian
• Mark Antony and Cicero conflict
• The Second Triumvirate
• Roman civil war
• Proscriptions of 43 BC

What it concludes

• Octavian hesitated to take action initially after Caesar's death due to political uncertainty in Rome.
• Cicero decided to stay in Rome and fight in the Senate to avert another civil war, a decision called his most courageous.
• Antony's plan to damage Octavian's reputation by withholding Caesar's funds backfired when Octavian raised money himself and won public support.
• Cicero rallied the Senate against Antony, ultimately leading to Antony being declared an enemy of the republic.
• The Second Triumvirate instituted brutal proscriptions that eliminated a third of the Senate and wealthy citizens to seize their wealth.
• Cicero was captured and killed by Antony's soldiers on December 7, 43 BC, marking the tragic end of his political career.