# Cicero — Leviathan character guide

> Cicero in Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0003-part-i-of-man

## Who they are

Roman orator and philosopher, cited for political and legal theories.

## In the story

### [Of Speech](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se/chapters/iv-of-speech)

Cited alongside Aristotle and Thomas as an example of a doctor whose authority is misused by those who value words without understanding.

### [Of Persons, Authors, and Things Personated](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se/chapters/xvi-of-persons-authors-and-things-personated)

Cited for his phrase 'Unus sustineo tres personas' to illustrate the concept of bearing multiple persons.

### [Of the Nutrition and Procreation of a Commonwealth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se/chapters/xxiv-of-the-nutrition-and-procreation-of-a-commonwealth)

Quoted to support the idea that all property depends on civil law.

### [Of Punishments and Rewards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se/chapters/xxviii-of-punishments-and-rewards)

Cited regarding the nature of exile, noting that Rome never ordained such punishment but considered it a refuge for men in danger.

### [XLVI: Of Darkness from Vain Philosophy and Fabulous Traditions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se/chapters/xlvi-of-darkness-from-vain-philosophy-and-fabulous-traditions)

Referenced as a heathen philosopher whose civil philosophy Hobbes distinguishes from later errors like extending law to thoughts.

### [Of the Benefit That Proceedeth from Such Darkness, and to Whom It Accrueth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se/chapters/xlvii-of-the-benefit-that-proceedeth-from-such-darkness-and-to-whom-it-accrueth)

Cited for his mention of Cassius's custom of asking 'cui bono' in criminal causes.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se/characters/cicero
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se/characters