the philippics

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The Philippics by Marcus Tullius Cicero

The Philippics includes fourteen of Cicero’s impassioned speeches, mainly against Caesar’s trusted ally, Mark Antony. A Phillipic is an heated speech specifically given in order to criticize and denounce a particular political figure(s). Demosthenes delivered and coined the first Philippic against Phillip II of Macdeon. Cicero’s Phillipics were also referred to as the Antonian Orations.

Cicero, who supported the murder of Caesar by the likes of Brutus and Cassius, was unhappy that Mark Antony, Caesar’s ardent supported, was allowed to live. After Caesar’s death, Cicero and Antony were the most powerful political leaders in Rome. They were unapologetic rivals, and Cicero soon set out to discredit and bring down his nemesis. Cicero’s immense popularity among the public provided him protection for a while. Over two years, Cicero composed and gave fourteen derogatory speeches against Antony, surreptitiously entreating Octavian, the ruler of Rome, to also turn against his enemy.

Cicero’s plan eventually backfired. His constant condemnations of Antony did him in when Octavian and Antony became allies. Cicero, along with other sympathizers of Brutus and Cassius, was eventually pursued and arrested and sentenced to death. His head was put on display as a reminder to all of those who dared to against Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus. Cicero gave fourteen Phillipics, but Antony got the last word.

The fourteen speeches chronicle Cicero’s impassioned cries for the public to act upon their political unrest. They provide a fascinating look into ancient Greek politics.
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