With the great facts of the Roman Empire as they gradually formed themselves from the fall of Carthage, when the Empire began,[52] to the establishment of Augustus, when it was consummated, I do not pretend to deal, although by far the most momentous of them were crowded into the life of Cicero.

But in order that I may, if possible, show the condition of his mind toward the Republic--that I may explain what it was that he hoped and why he hoped it--I must go back and relate in a few words what it was that Marius and Sulla had done for Rome.
Of both these men all the doings with which history is greatly concerned were comprised within the early years of Cicero's life.

Marius, indeed, was nearly fifty years of age when his fellow-townsman was born, and had become a distinguished soldier, and, though born of humble parents, had pushed himself to the Consulate.

His quarrel with Sulla had probably commenced, springing from jealousy as to deeds done in the Jugurthine war.

But it is not matter of much moment, now that Marius had proved himself to be a good and hardy soldier, excepting in this, that, by making himself a soldier in early life, he enabled himself in his latter years to become the master of Rome.
Sulla, too, was born thirty-two years before Cicero--a patrician of the bluest blood--and having gone, as we say, into public life, and having been elected Quaestor, became a soldier by dint of office, as a man with us may become head of the Admiralty.