Written 75 A.C.E. Translated by John
Dryden
IT is generally said, that Helvia, the mother of Cicero, was both
well-born and lived a fair life; but of his father nothing is reported
but in extremes. For whilst some would have him the son of a
fuller, and educated in that trade, others carry back the origin of his
family to Tullus Attius, anillustrious king of the Volscians, who waged
war not without honour against the Romans. However, he who first of that
house was surnamed Cicero seems to have been a person worthy to be
remembered; since those who succeeded him not only did not reject, but
were fond of that name, though vulgarly made a matter of reproach. For
the Latins call a vetch Cicer, and a nick or dent at the tip of his
nose, which resembled the opening in a vetch, gave him the surname of
Cicero.
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