Monday, January 18, A.D. 2010

Glendon Covers Cicero

Some months ago, I praised Mary Ann Glendon for her courage and wisdom regarding Notre Dame’s ill advised honoring of the president in “A Profile in Glendon.” This past week, I read an article by Glendon in First Things where she examines Cicero’s life, from which, she suggests, the young and ambitious (her law students at Harvard, for example) may draw lessons for today. As I said before, her students are incredibly blessed to have such a soul guiding them, especially in this day and age. She is our very own contemporary American Hypatia.

I encourage you to read “Cicero Superstar,” and I am thrilled that professors at Harvard outside classical studies have the sense to promote the great men of antiquity as role models and advisors for their students. There is hope, yet, for Western civilization.

I have been a fan of Cicero since I read “Somnium Scipionis” from De re publica. Some of the Verrine Orations were awesome, too. Just a few months ago, I had the pleasure to walk through the Forum and behold the Rostra. I paused for a moment in memory of Marcus Tullius Cicero, as the wicked Antony had him killed and then barbarously displayed his head and hands on the Rostra. The history of the world is full of such injustice.

Posted by Joseph on Monday, January 18, A.D. 2010
Philosophy | Ethics • Politics • (0) Comments