He was twenty-six when he pleaded his first cause.

Sulla had then succeeded in crushing the Marian faction, and the Sullan proscriptions had taken place, and were nominally over.

Sulla had been declared Dictator, and had proclaimed that there should be no more selections for death.

The Republic was supposed to be restored.
"Recuperata republica * * * tum primum nos ad causas et privatas et publicas adire c[oe]pimus,"[44] "The Republic having been restored, I then first applied myself to pleadings, both private and public." Of Cicero's politics at that time we are enabled to form a fair judgment.

Marius had been his townsman; Sulla had been his captain.