Chapter 4, Politics and Foreign Postings, Cicero Enters the Ring, 77-63 B.C. Summary and Analysis

Cicero quickly built his reputation starting in 77 B.C. with his campaign for Quaestor. He succeeded handily and was quickly given an administrative post in Sicily. He moved there for three years with his wife and, soon, his daughter. He managed his affairs ably and gained a reputation as a fair and competent administrator. All the while, Sulla was managing Rome more effectively than before and Pompey grew in prominence, so much so that Sulla began to feel threatened. Another general, Crassus (only a distant relative of Cicero's teacher) rose in power too, and developed tension with Pompey.

One of Sulla's reforms was to give jury membership to Senators, who often engaged in corrupt practices, such as acquitting friends...