It is the highest duty and greatest honor of any true Roman to serve his state and country.  Throughout my life, the preservation and prosperity of the res publica has been my driving goal.  Once more, at the height of my experience, I offer to you my services, which in the past Rome has valued upon many occasions. 

Through the art of words my career began and it is, I believe, in rhetoric and literature that my greatest powers reside.  In my youth I studied oratory with the masters and soon put my abilities to use in the Forum as an advocate, defending the just and prosecuting the wicked with style, wit and aplomb.  I have also demonstrated my mastery in philosophy, poetry, translation and forensic treatises, extending my verbal discipline across the spectrum of the spoken and written word. 

Quickly I decided upon a political career, and in the traditions of our forefathers I set out to climb the cursus honorum.  I held several offices, from aedile to consul, my crowning achievement.  In my consulship I faced and defeated the greatest threat our Republic had seen, a precursor perhaps to these troubled times--Sergius Catilina, whose bloody wish to usher a reign of terror and chaos into Rome might well have come to pass had I been less vigilant.  Clearly, in the execution of my duty, I proved my worth several times over to this our great Republic, and the conscripted fathers honored me with the title pater patriae--"Father of the Country."  Never was I more proud than to have received the respect and gratitude of the Senate and the Roman people. 

I do not think it necessary to recount the many positions I have held in which I served our most illustrious Rome, how as orator, advocate, Senator, consul, and philosopher I stood and stand still in the vanguard of Rome's defenders and glorifiers.  My deeds, my words, my reputation speak better for themselves than any speech oratory can craft.  It is as a proven son of Rome that I lay my achievements before you, and humbly offer my talents for the service of the res publica . 

In respect and deference, yours,