Marcus Tullius Tiro

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Marcus Tullius Tiro (c. 103 BC-4 BC) was first a slave, then a freedman of Cicero.

We do not know for sure the date of Tiro's birth. Jerome states that it was 103 BC, which would make him only a little younger than Cicero, but this is disputed, and he may have been born as late as 80 BC. It is possible that Tiro was born a slave in Cicero's household in Arpinum and came with his family to Rome. However we do not know for sure that he was a verna (homegrown slave). He was freed in 53 BC and accompanied Cicero to Cilicia during Cicero's governorship there, although he was occasionally separated from his patron due to poor health. Tiro served Cicero as a secretary, and also more and more as a confidant. He published Cicero's work after his death and wrote his biography. It is said that Tiro developed shorthand Tironian notes, but this has not been proven and may be a myth.

Tiro died in Puteoli in 4 BC.

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