Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 B.C.) is one of the most influential statesmen in history, relied upon by the Romans of his day, political philosophers like John Locke, Enlightenment thinkers like Rousseau, and America’s Founding Fathers. While “De re publica,” or The Republic, is his most well known work, his letters were also preserved.Cicero’s letters include informal correspondences to friends, as well as long-winding thoughts about political topics that could pass as their own treatises. Nothing escapes Cicero’s attention, indicating the extent to which Cicero kept up with events and how frequently he put his thoughts down on paper.The period covered by the letters of Cicero is one of the most important periods not just for Rome but for the history of the world, covered by one of the most knowledgeable authorities at the time. The letters cover the death of Caesar the year before, all the way up until Cicero himself is hunted down by the forces of Mark Antony and Octavian and put to death. By looking at his letters to family, friends, and public figures, readers can get in the mind of the Republic’s most famous politician.In this edition of Cicero's letters, Charles River Editors has included pictures of Cicero and the famous Romans mentioned in the letters, along with original commentary.