Cicero during the Civil War (unfinished)

What were the Pros for Cicero joining Pompey?

(amicitia) Cicero owed Pompey for getting the orator recalled from exile in 57 BC

What were the Cons for Cicero joining Pompey?

Pompey by retreating East had left Rome, Italy, and the SPQR unguarded

What were the Pros for Pompey joining Caesar?

Caesar had control of Rome and Italy by early 49 BC (dominatio)

What were the cons for Cicero joining Caesar?

Cicero and Caesar had different political agendas (optimate v popularis)

Who did Cicero decide to join in the Civil War? Where did he go and when?

Cicero left Italy in June 49 to join Pompey and the optimates in Greece.

What aspects of the optimates’ plans concerned Cicero?

A call for proscriptions

Where and when was Pompey defeated? Where was Cicero?

Pompey was defeated at Pharsalus in August 48. Cicero was in Western Greece.

What did Cicero do after Pompey’s defeat?

He decided to accept Caesar’s supremacy. He returned to Italy in October 48, landing in Brundisium.

Who arrested Cicero on his arrival in Brundisium?

Mark Antony, Caesar’s Master of Horse.

When did Caesar pardon Cicero?

September 47 BC