Tiro and Cicero: A Look at the Relationship between a Freedman and his Patron
Cicero’s freedman Tiro is known for his devoted service to his former master and his role in compiling Cicero’s vast correspondence. This talk will examine what we know about Tiro and his life in Cicero’s household.
CMRS Colloquium
"Tiro and Cicero: A Look at the Relationship between a Freedman and his Patron"
Ann DeVito, CMRS Fellow, University of Saskatchewan
November 21 Thursday
Shannon Library, STM
talk at 4:30 pm
Cicero’s freedman Tiro is known for his devoted service to his former master and his role in compiling Cicero’s vast correspondence. Cicero and his family, for their part, had a great fondness and respect for Tiro, as shown in their letters to and about him. All the same, there are significant gaps in our knowledge of Tiro’s life, and the younger Pliny opens a window on a different aspect of Cicero’s and Tiro’s relationship when he mentions Cicero’s disappointment at being denied a kiss by Tiro. This talk will examine what we know about Tiro and his life in Cicero’s household, including what we might make of Pliny’s comment.