Lawless Republic

A wonderful and insightful account of Cicero’s career in the courts, which at the same time is highly revealing about the breakdown of Rome’s Republican system. Highly recommended – Adrian Goldsworthy, author of ROME AND PERSIAThe last bloody decades of the Roman Republic offer a veritable catalogue of crime. Josiah Osgood examines this rich material with the insight of a skilled historian and the keen scrutiny of a true crime detective. Even Cicero does not emerge unscathed. The result is a fresh look at one of history’s most compelling eras, more relevant to Americans today than ever before – Steven Saylor, author of DOMINUSJosiah Osgood draws us deep into Cicero’s methods and psyche as he rose to some of the greatest challenges a lawyer has ever faced. A razor-sharp analysis of the most fraught yet fascinating time in Rome’s history – Daisy Dunn, author of THE MISSING THREADLawless Republic reads like a novel, but it is written with the learning and skill of a scholar. Rarely have the life and times of Cicero been told with greater verve. Classicist and historian Josiah Osgood is at the height of his powers – Barry Strauss, author of THE WAR THAT MADE THE ROMAN EMPIREThis is a book that matters about a man who matters. A vivid, visceral and crucial read for our times – Bettany Hughes, author of THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT WORLDOsgood writes with such a sure hand, and has such a deft command of historical facts, as to make each stage of Rome’s growing disorder seem plausible, lamentable and disturbingly familiar – Wall Street JournalOne of those rare instances: a glimpse into ancient history whose relevance to the present is as sobering as it is striking … he navigates the period’s complexities with assurance, scholarship and a good eye for drama – Daily TelegraphTimely and essential reading … Osgood writes with precision and a light touch – Financial TimesThis lively account of the life and career of Rome’s greatest orator brims with murder, corruption and guile - and, if that isn’t enough to whet your appetite, Osgood also offers a discomfitingly prescient tale of how politics can poison the law beyond the reach of any antidote – Daily Telegraph, Books of the YearA compelling and fascinating account of Cicero’s role in the Republic’s collapse and its lessons for our time - and parallels in today’s politics – Bloomberg, Books of the Year

Josiah Osgood is professor of classics at Georgetown University and holds a PhD from Yale University. A winner of the Rome Prize, he is the author of six books on Roman history including Uncommon Wrath: How Caesar and Cato’s Deadly Rivalry Destroyed the Roman Republic. He lives in Washington, DC.