CIC: Overview

Image: drawing of Marcus Tullius Cicero Cicero: Life and Times Overview

Marcus Tullius Cicero was one of the most important writers, both when he was alive, and because of what was preserved of his writing. The Latin we learn now is largely based on the writings of Cicero: his style was so exact and his writings so well preserved that a solid understanding of Latin grammar and vocabulary can be extracted just from his collect works. Who was this man? What is it about his writing that has endured through time?

 Download: Study Guide

Please download the Cicero: Life and Times Study Guide Links to an external site.. The study guide follows the module in order and should be viewed at first as a note-taking document, then later, as a review file.

Additionally, please download and begin reading the Translation of The Dream of Scipio Links to an external site.. This will be our main resource in gathering basic information about the structure, form and function of Cicero's writing. Be sure to contact your instructor for any additional help with the content.

Essential Questions

  1. What is a clause of fear and how is it used?
  2. When does a relative clause use the subjunctive mood?
  3. What is a relative clause of purpose?
  4. What is a relative clause of characteristic?
  5. Who was Marcus Tullius Cicero?
  6. What kind of philosophy did Cicero write?

Key Terms

  1. Subjunctive Mood - a mood used to describe possibility, and also frequently used in dependent clauses
  2. Independent Clause - this type of clause can be used alone to form a complete sentence, but can also be used with other clauses
  3. Dependent Clause - this type of clause requires another clause to form a complete sentence - also known as a subordinate clause
  4. Clause of Fear - a clause introduced by the word ut, which can express an undesired outcome.
  5. Relative Clause - a clause used to add information about a particular noun, called the antecedent, which is introduced by a relative pronoun
  6. Antecedent - a noun which is being referred to
  7. Relative Clause of Purpose - a type of relative clause which explains the purpose of a particular noun or noun phrase
  8. Relative Clause of Characteristic - a type of relative clause which describes the type of person/thing a particular noun is

ALL RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.