The Estimation of the Noble Romans in Divers Ages

By David Trumbull COPYRIGHT, 2006

THE AGES AND THE MEN
MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO, 106-43 B.C.
Classical Age
Our representative writer is Plutarch

A learned man and a lover of his country.

Some long time after, Caesar [Octavian], I have been told, visiting one of his daughter's sons, found him with a book of Cicero's in his hand. The boy for fear endeavored to hide it under his gown; which Caesar [Octavian] perceiving, took it from him, and turning over a great part of the book standing, gave it him again, and said, "My child, this was a learned man, and a lover of his country.
The Christian Middle Ages
Our representative writer is Dante		 Dante places Cicero in Limbo with the other virtuous pagans.
    Inferno, Canto 4.
Cicero's Dream of Scipio was an inspiration for the Comedia in general and for the Paradiso in particular.
Rennaisance
Our representative writer is Shakespeare		 Has few --and not especially important-- lines in Julius Caesar.