# Cicero: An Ancestor of Liberalism

**URL:** <https://www.libertarianism.org/podcasts/portraits-of-liberty/cicero-an-ancestor-of-liberalism>

**By** Paul Meany

**Published:** October 8, 2020

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In this episode we cover Marcus Tullius Cicero, the famed statesman, lawyer, orator, and above all a lover of liberty.

## Summary:

Today Cicero is often read only by classical scholars and reluctant students, which is a great shame because his life and philosophy reflect a sort of proto-liberalism that came to influence a wide variety of thinkers such as John Adams, John Locke, Adam Smith, Voltaire, and Montesquieu. His life and works have echoed throughout the western tradition of political philosophy.

### Music Credit:

Pennsylvania Rose by Kevin MacLeod  
Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4201-pennsylvania-rose](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4201-pennsylvania-rose)  
License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)  
  
Resignation by Kevin MacLeod  
Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4276-resignation](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4276-resignation)  
License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)  
  
Unanswered Questions by Kevin MacLeod  
Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4560-unanswered-questions](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4560-unanswered-questions)  
License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)  
  
Midday Dance by Kevin MacLeod  
Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4047-midday-dance](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4047-midday-dance)  
License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)  
  
Myst on the Moor by Kevin MacLeod  
Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4104-myst-on-the-moor](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4104-myst-on-the-moor)  
License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)  
  
Industrial Revolution by Kevin MacLeod  
Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3911-industrial-revolution](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3911-industrial-revolution)  
License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)  
  
Gnarled Situation by Kevin MacLeod  
Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3810-gnarled-situation](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3810-gnarled-situation)  
License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)  
  
On the Shore by Kevin MacLeod  
Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4167-on-the-shore](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4167-on-the-shore)  
License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)  
  
Immersed by Kevin MacLeod  
Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3900-immersed](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3900-immersed)  
License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)  
  
Finding Movement by Kevin MacLeod  
Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3754-finding-movement](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3754-finding-movement)  
License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)  
  
Isolated by Kevin MacLeod  
Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3930-isolated](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3930-isolated)  
License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)  
  
Heartwarming by Kevin MacLeod  
Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3864-heartwarming](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3864-heartwarming)  
License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)