I would like to share an obscure gem that I have come across recently in my studies of the turbulent period of the late Roman Republic (the time of Marius, Sulla, Cinna, Pompeius, Cicero, and, of course, Julius Caesar). In many ways, this time in Roman history is eerily similar to what is happening in our society today: widespread moral decay, overindulgence in bodily pleasures, apathy and a growing internal divisiveness have lead to a rapid loss of liberties that were once taken for granted.

The little-known oration that I present here was made by certain Licinius Macer, a plebeian tribune (an elected representative of commoners), in 73 B.C. This short speech sent chills down my spine and even brought a tear to my eye a few times. This man, whoever he was in life, ABSOLUTELY understood freedom, and by what machinations it is taken away from the average people by the wicked ones in positions of power and influence. Any freedom-loving person should read this short text - it is absolutely incredible:

http://elfinspell.com/SallustMacer.html

As you can see, the points that Macer made are just as relevant today as they were 2,100 years ago, and all that is needed is a substitution a few names (I'll leave that task to your imagination). His rhetoric is definitely at par or above the well-known works of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Paine, etc. it terms of its "radicalism".

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