Marcus Tullius Cicero

This work contains two of Cicero's most important political writings, "The Republic" and "The Laws". In "The Republic", or "On the Commonwealth", Cicero crafts a Socratic dialogue in six books on the subject of Roman politics. Cicero discusses the history of Roman politics and its constitution, the role of justice in government, the types of constitutions, the role of education, and the ideal citizen in a republic. In "The Laws" we find another Socratic...

Philip Freeman is the editor and translator of How to Win an Election: An Ancient Guide for Modern Politicians and How to Run a Country: An Ancient Guide for Modern Leaders (both Princeton). He is the author of many books, including Oh My Gods: A Modern Retelling of Greek and Roman Myths, Alexander the Great, and Julius Caesar (all Simon & Schuster). He holds the Orlando W. Qualley Chair of Classical Languages at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Timeless...

James M. May is professor of classics, the Kenneth O. Bjork Distinguished Professor, and former provost and dean at St. Olaf College. An award-winning teacher, he is a widely recognized expert on Cicero and classical rhetoric and has written and edited many books on these topics. He lives in Northfield, Minnesota. Timeless techniques of effective public speaking from ancient Rome's greatest orator All of us are faced countless times with the challenge...

A classic treatise of the philosophy of Stoicism, "Tusculan Disputations" are a series of books written by Cicero around 45 BC with the intent of popularizing philosophy in Ancient Rome. "Tusculan Disputations" consists of the following five books, which are presented here in their entirety: 1. On the Contempt of Death., 2. On Bearing Pain., 3. On Grief of Mind., 4. On Other Perturbations of the Mind., and 5. Whether Virtue Alone Be Sufficient for...

Benjamin Patrick Newton's translation of Cicero's On Duties is the most complete edition of a text that has been considered a source of moral authority throughout classical, medieval, and modern times. Marcus Tullius Cicero was a preeminent Roman statesman, orator, and philosopher who introduced philosophy into Rome, and through Rome, into Christendom and the modern world. On Duties was championed by important thinkers including Thomas Aquinas, Montesquieu,...

Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist who lived during the first century BC. Considered as one of the great minds of ancient Rome, Cicero was also a gifted orator and gave many famous speeches during his political career. In this book you will find Cicero's treatises on oration including, "The Orator", "A Dialogue Concerning Oratorical Partitions", and "Treatise on the Best...

Cicero's On the Republic and On the Laws are his major works of political philosophy. They offer his fullest treatment of fundamental political questions: Why should educated people have any concern for politics? Is the best form of government simple, or is it a combination of elements from such simple forms as monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy? Can politics be free of injustice? The two works also help us to think about natural law, which many...

The greatest orator of the late Roman Republic, Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 B.C.), influenced the course of European letters for centuries after his death. Through his writings, Renaissance and Enlightenment scholars encountered the riches of Classical rhetoric and philosophy. The elegance of his style, his skill and erudition, his worldly wisdom, and his profound humanity made Cicero a model for latter-day thinkers and keep his works ever relevant....

Cicero placed a high value on the importance of mastering the skill of rhetoric, which is the art of using language as a means to persuade. Such a skill was important especially in the practice of law and politics, of which he did both. In the "Treatise of Rhetorical Invention" Cicero outlines his theories on rhetoric in this early composition. In "Topics" we find an exposition of the tools that an orator may avail himself of in crafting a convincing...

Here is presented Cicero's theological exposition, "The Nature of the Gods," in which the ancient Roman philosopher reflects upon the philosophical questions of religion. He was, he says, "urged to them as a means of relief from the irksome political inactivity to which he was reduced by the supremacy in the state of Julius Cæsar, and he also hoped to find in them a distraction from the grief caused him by the death of his daughter Tullia." He felt,...