81. Cicero’s Agonizing Decision

The March of History goes back in time to Italy in the spring of 49 BC, where Marcus Tullius Cicero still sits around his country villas agonizing over what action he should take in this civil war. Cicero's natural loyalty lies with Pompey and the Optimates who he feels have the moral right on their side. And yet, Cicero is furious with Pompey for his failures around the Rubicon crossing and his abandonment of Rome and Italy—and even more terrified of Pompey's plans to imitate Sulla if he wins the civil war. Yet, at the same time, Cicero wholly disapproves of Julius Caesar having crossed the Rubicon; he distrusts Caesar's intentions regarding the Republic, and he is scandalized by the disreputable men Caesar has following him around. Eventually, though, Cicero must make a decision. This episode takes us through all of Cicero's thoughts and feelings and agony—via his personal letters—as he comes to that decision.

Meanwhile, as Cicero is suffering, a young Marc Antony is having the time of his life, having been given control of Italy by Julius Caesar. Antony is no one's shrinking violet, and he is soon parading around Italy with his famous actress mistress and hooking up a team of lions to his chariot.

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Show Summary:

The March of History is a biographical history podcast on Julius Caesar and the fall of the Roman Republic. Not only does it cover Julius Caesar's life in depth, it also explores the intricate world of ancient Rome and all of the key players of the late Roman Republic including Cicero, Pompey, Crassus, Cato, Clodius, Mark Antony, Brutus, a young Augustus (Octavius), Marius, Sulla and (though not Roman) Cleopatra.