a	(All dates are BCE)
	80's:  Cicero completes his forensic education in Rome, studying philosophy, law and rhetoric with the foremost orators and statesmen.  He is considered something of a prodigy, having a remarkable intelligence.  His first speech, Pro Quinctio, is given in 81. 79:  He travels to Athens to further his studies in philosophy and oratory. Here he meets his lifelong friend Atticus.  Cicero also travels to Rhodes, where he studies oratory with Apollonius and philosophy with the Stoic Poseidonius.  Apollonius, after hearing Cicero speak, proclaims, "Certainly, Cicero, I congratulate you and I am amazed at you.  It is Greece and her fate that I am sorry for.  The only glories left to us were our culture and our eloquence.  Now I see that these too are going to be taken over in your person by Rome" (Plutarch, Cicero 4).