Interestingly enough, Publilius probably started out as a slave from Syria and climbed up the ladders of the literary world by defeating his rival Decimus Laberius. Publilius Syrus (85 BC – 43 BC) was a Latin mime writer contemporary to Cicero, who was known for his collection of moral aphorisms in iambic and trochaic verse. 8) An angry man is again angry with himself when he returns to reason. Later on in his life, Sallust was instrumental in developing the landscaped pleasure gardens in the northwestern sector of Rome, better known as the Horti Sallustian (Gardens of Sallust). He was also a known partisan of Julius Caesar himself (and might have even commanded a legion), who always maintained his strict opposition to the old Roman aristocracy. Sallust or Gaius Sallustius Crispus (86 BC – 34 BC), was a Roman historian, politician, and the very first man from his provincial plebeian family to serve in the Roman senate. 7) Those most moved to tears by every word of a preacher are generally weak and a rascal when the feelings evaporate. In fact, from the historical perspective, it was his political maneuvers (rather than generalship) that had long-lasting effects on Rome and Europe as his critical role in going against the senate led to the eclipse of the Roman Republic and the emergence of the Roman Empire.

6) If you must break the law, do it to seize power: in all other cases observe it.Īnother interesting quote from Julius Caesar, this time dealing with a political scope. But he is mostly known for being the greatest Roman general of his time, who completed the conquest of Gaul and launched the first Roman invasion of Britain. Julius Caesar (100 BC – 44 BC), was a Roman statesman and notable author of Latin prose. 5) It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience. Apparently, Cicero’s last words to his captors were – “There is nothing proper about what you are doing, soldier, but do try to kill me properly.”. And since the quote talks about death, it should be noted that Cicero himself was killed at the orders of Mark Antony ( Marcus Antonius). 4) Advice in old age is foolish for what can be more absurd than to increase our provisions for the road the nearer we approach our journey’s end?Īnother jewel from Marcus Tullius Cicero. Hailing from a wealthy Roman equestrian family, Cicero was also a philosopher, politician, lawyer, political theorist, and constitutionalist, who introduced neologisms such as evidentia, humanitas, qualitas, quantitas, and essentia. Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 BC – 43 BC) is often considered one of the greatest Roman orators and prose stylists of his time. 3) If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need. He was responsible for ultimately defeating Hannibal Barca at the momentous Battle of Zama, in 202 BC. Scipio Africanus (236 BC – 183 BC), also known as Scipio Africanus the Elder, was arguably the greatest Roman general of his generation. 2) I’m never less at leisure than when at leisure, or less alone than when alone. In fact, his comedic works are among the rarer (and the earliest) surviving literary specimens from the so-called Old Latin period. Plautus or Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC – 184 BC), was a Roman playwright known as the originator of the Palliata comoedia genre. 1) If you have overcome your inclination and not been overcome by it, you have reason to rejoice. So please view this list as a subjective topic.

*Note – While these quotes were selected from a large pool, in NO WAY do we claim that they are the ‘best’ of all the quotes Romans had to offer. So without further ado, let us take a gander at 25 incredible Ancient Roman quotes you should know – uttered by the crème de la crème of ‘friends, Romans, and countrymen’. Beyond impressive architecture and grand military traditions, some eminent Romans also boasted fascinating philosophical notions.

Shoe conquer quotes