Volume 19, 2007 - Brown University

Cicero’s Popularity Struggle: Through
the Moralizing Lens of Plutarch
Stephanie Bernhard
“It must be borne in mind that my design is not to write histories, but lives,” the
Greek biographer Plutarch writes in the introduction to his biography of Alexander
the Great (Alexander, 1). Whereas a historian might attempt to paint a broad,
objective picture of a conflict, a trend, or an era, Plutarch focuses instead on the
moral character and “natural dispositions” of the individuals who initiate or
become enmeshed in historical events (Demosthenes, 3). In doing so, he leaves
the background story blurry. When portraying the life of the orator and consul
Cicero, for example, Plutarch neglects to describe Cicero’s sprint up the cursus
honorum and barely touches upon the role Cicero plays in promoting Octavian’s
rise to power. He writes that “moral good. . .has a power to attract towards itself.
It is no sooner seen than it rouses the spectator to action, and yet it does not form
his character by mere imitation, but by promoting the understanding of virtuous
deeds it provides him with a dominating purpose” (Pericles, 2) Only traits that
incite such action, Plutarch argues, deserve attention in a biography. The opportunity
to turn Cicero’s dynamic career as a statesman into a moral lesson interests
Plutarch more than an analysis of his ability as a great orator or his
extraordinary rise to power as a novus homo. In his biography of Cicero, Plutarch
focuses most of his attention on small-scale anecdotes in order to emphasize
Cicero’s moral struggle to adhere to his values even in the face of unpopularity.
Plutarch stresses the importance of Cicero’s disdain for popularity and
attempt to lead a righteous political life from the moment he begins his description
of Cicero’s career. He writes in the introduction to his life of Timoleon that
his goal is to “select from [great mens’] actions all that is noblest and worthiest
to know. . ..what more effective means to one’s moral improvement” (Timoleon,
1)? By introducing Cicero’s recurring demon quickly, Plutarch prepares the
reader to view Cicero’s life in the context of his moral struggle with the desire
for popularity. In order to set the tone for Cicero’s career in terms of popularity,
he tells the story of Cicero consulting an oracle to learn how to succeed as a
politician. According to Plutarch, the priestess tells Cicero that “his guide in life
should be, not popular opinion, but his own nature” (Cicero, 5). From the very
outset of his career, therefore, Cicero knows he must strive to be true to his own
nature—though, as Plutarch shows, this goal will forever challenge him because
of his great desire for praise.
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