Cicero

Naomi Alderman returns with her series that explores the minds of the greatest thinkers in history. From political theorists to scientists to inventors, authors and artists. Our world is based on their ideas and innovations. How did they do their work, what did they struggle with, where did they find their dedication, creativity and inspiration?

Cicero was the Roman Republic's supreme orator. He used speeches and writing to attack enemies, to define what counted as legitimate power, and force questions of law and legitimacy out into the open. He became the renowned advocate and lawyer that everyone wanted to defend their case as he won the vast majority of his high-profile battles in the legal arena. Largely in part to his incredibly provocative style - but what was it about the brain of Cicero that made him capable of that? He also transformed how the language of Latin was used to produce argument and philosophical thinking. He is our model today for how democracy relies on provocation, where one is willing to say the unsayable and where no one is beyond criticism.

Special thanks to Katherine Tempest, lecturer in Roman history at the University of Leicester.

Produced by BBC Studios in partnership with The Open University.

Presenter: Naomi Alderman
Production Co-ordinator: Amelia Paul
Researcher: Sasha Edye-Lindner
Series Producer: Anishka Sharma
Executive Producer: Paul Smith
Mix Engineer: Nigel Appleton
Production Manager: Jo Kyle