Quintus Tullius Cicero facts for kids
Quintus Tullius Cicero (born 102 BC – died 43 BC) was an important Roman leader and military commander. He was the younger brother of the famous Roman speaker and writer, Cicero. Quintus came from a wealthy family of landowners in a town called Arpinum, which was about 100 kilometers southeast of Rome.
Quintus's wealthy father made sure he and his brother received a good education. They studied in Rome, Athens, and probably Rhodes between 79 and 77 BC.
Around 70 BC, Quintus married Pomponia, who was the sister of his brother's friend, Atticus. Their marriage was difficult, and they often argued. They divorced in late 45 BC. Quintus and Pomponia had a son in 66 BC, also named Quintus Tullius Cicero.
Life and Career
Quintus held several important political jobs in Rome. He was an aedile in 66 BC. An aedile was a Roman official who managed public buildings, games, and markets. Later, he became a praetor in 62 BC. A praetor was a high-ranking judge and military commander.
After being a praetor, Quintus served as a propraetor (a type of governor) of the Province of Asia for three years, from 61 to 59 BC.
He also served as a military officer, called a legatus, under Julius Caesar during the Gallic Wars. He even went with Caesar on his second trip to Britain in 54 BC. During a revolt led by Ambiorix, Quintus's camp was attacked, but he and his soldiers bravely defended it.
Later, Quintus served under his brother Marcus when Marcus was governor in Cilicia in 51 BC. During the Roman Republican civil wars, Quintus supported Pompey, who was Caesar's rival. However, Caesar later pardoned him.
Final Years
Rome faced another civil war during the time of the Second Triumvirate. Quintus, his son, and his brother Marcus were all declared enemies of the state, meaning they were marked for arrest or death.
Quintus tried to escape from Tusculum with his brother. He went back home to get money for their journey. His son hid his father and refused to tell where he was, even when he was questioned harshly. When Quintus heard this, he gave himself up to try and save his son. Sadly, Quintus, his son, and his famous brother were all killed in 43 BC.
Personality and Family
Julius Caesar described Quintus as a brave soldier and a great military leader. He was known for being able to inspire his troops. During a tough battle in the Gallic Wars, he helped his army turn a losing situation into a victory. Caesar praised him and his men highly for their actions.
Quintus had a strong and sometimes quick-tempered personality. He was known for being very honest, which was unusual for governors of provinces at that time, as many would try to get rich. He was also a well-educated man who loved reading Greek plays and even wrote some himself.
His relationship with his brother Marcus was mostly loving. Marcus often acted like the "older and wiser" brother, giving Quintus advice. Even though they had a period of disagreement during Caesar's rule, their many letters show how close they were.
Writings
Quintus was also a writer. During the Gallic Wars, he wrote four plays in the Greek style. Three of them were called Troas, Erigones, and Electra. Unfortunately, all of these plays are now lost.
He also wrote several poems about Caesar's second trip to Britannia. Three letters he wrote to his assistant, Tiro, still exist today, as does a fourth letter to his brother. A long letter called Commentariolum Petitionis (which means Handbook on electioneering) has also survived. This letter is a guide to how politics worked in Cicero's time.
