Cicero
was born in Arpinium to a fairly wealthy equestrian family. Although
they did not struggle financially, he was not given opportunities for
political power the same way that senator families did, without
earning it on his own. He decided to dedicate himself to being a
scholar and used this tool to climb up the social ladder. He was
proficient in both Latin and Greek philosophy, poetry and history.
His education was his biggest tool for advancement. In 45 BCE he was
living in a hut on the Palatine Hill. At this time, he was living
alone because he had recently divorced both his first wife Terentia
and his later wife Publilia. His appearance had begun to decline
since he was stuck in a major depression after his daughter died. He
had a scruffy beard and needed a shower.
Aelia
was a plebe woman who was born into a slave family. Despite Cicero,
she did not have any opportunities to work towards social
advancement. She worked along with her mother and father for a
wealthy Roman politician and his family. Daily she would walk down to
the Roman Forum to supply her owners with food, and to catch up on
what was happening in her community. Aelia had dark olive skin and
her hair was long and deep brown with a healthy shine. She was thin
and athletic and although she dressed in tattered clothing she was
extremely beautiful. This actually made her life more difficult
because on multiple occasions she had to fight off her owner's sexual
advances. Even though she lived a rough life, she considered that to
be her strength and she carried herself tall and proud.
