Page:Cicero And The Fall Of The Roman Republic.djvu/29

88 B.C.] from Scævola the augur, the greatest lawyer of his time. "My father," writes Cicero, "immediately after I had put on the dress of manhood, introduced me to him, instructing me that, so far as I found it possible and was permitted to do so, I should remain continually at his side. And so I committed to memory many of his wise discourses and pithy sayings, and strove to learn from his wisdom." After the death of the augur (probably in the year 87) Cicero attended on his cousin and namesake Scævola the pontifex maximus, "whom above all others of our nation I venture to call the most eminent in talent and in justice." From these men Cicero, though he never professed the science of jurisprudence, gained such a practical knowledge of the laws of his country, that he was well equipped for the duties of an advocate.

The year of Sulla's first consulship (88 B.C.) marks the close of the Social War and the beginning of the yet more fatal Civil War which was its consequence. Now for the first time Roman armies were ranged against one another on the battle-field; the leaders of the beaten party were executed by public authority and their heads exposed on the Rostra as those of enemies of the State. This year saw the first victory of Sulla, the next year the return of Marius. Both made havoc amongst the most brilliant orators of Rome. Sulpicius Rufus, Antonius, Catulus, and Caius Julius (whom Cicero brings together, along with Crassus, as the personages of his dialogue De Oratore) had all perished before quiet