When emperors became converts, the church, so lately a victim and a pleader for liberty, readily learned to persecute.
Cicero had a perfect mastery of all weapons wielded by a pleader in Rome.
He was urged to take up a pleader's profession; but, like Ovid, he found in letters and gallantry a more congenial pursuit.
In his early days he was famous as a pleader, and his knowledge of Roman law is reflected in parts of his writings.
As a pleader he attained neither high distinction nor very extensive practice, but he rapidly established a well-deserved reputation for sound knowledge, unwearied application and strict probity; and in 1766 he was elevated to the bench, when he assumed the title of Lord Hailes.