Honourable colleagues,
There is a certain essay by Cicero called “The Second Philippic” which was written to expose the power of the state against freedom of speech and freedom of thought—and the power of one man, Marc Antony. It is a brilliant proclamation and shows Cicero at his best and bravest. It was delivered in the Roman Senate, and Cicero paid for writing it with his life. His hands were cut off and taken to Marc Antony, as proof that Cicero would never write again.
Cicero lived in a dangerous time.
