The old Romans would not allow any living man to be either praised or blamed on the stage.
XI. Cicero says that comedy is an imitation of life; a mirror of customs, an image of truth.
Since, as is mentioned in that book on the Commonwealth, not only did Æschines the Athenian, a man of the greatest eloquence, who, when a young man, had been an actor of tragedies, concern himself in public affairs, but the Athenians often sent Aristodemus, who was also a tragic actor, to Philip as an ambassador, to treat of the most important affairs of peace and war.
INTRODUCTION TO THE FIFTH BOOK,
BY THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATOR.
In this fifth book Cicero explains and enforces the duties of magistrates, and the importance of practical experience to all who undertake their important functions. Only a few fragments have survived the wreck of ages and descended to us.