Cicero: On the Commonwealth and On the Laws

Marcus Tullius Cicero

Cambridge University Press, Dec 9, 1999 - History - 207 pages

Cicero's On the Commonwealth and On the Laws are his most important works of political philosophy. The present volume offers a scholarly reconstruction of the fragments of On the Commonwealth and a masterly translation of both dialogues, newly prepared by James E. G. Zetzel, Professor of Classics at Columbia University. The texts are supported by a helpful, concise introduction, notes and other aids; students in politics, philosophy, ancient history, law and classics will gain a new understanding of this seminal thinker thanks to Professor Zetzel's volume.

Contents

• Editors note: vi
• Introduction: vii
• Chronology: xxv
• Bibliography: xxix
• Text and Translation: xxxvi
• Synopsis: xlii
• On the Commonwealth: 1
• Book 2: 33
• Book 3: 59
• Book 4: 79
• Book 5: 87
• Book 6: 92
• Unplaced fragments: 103
• On the Laws: 105
• Book 2: 129
• Book 3: 157
• Fragments: 175
• Biographical notes: 176
• Index of fragments: 199
• General index: 201

Popular passages

Page 71 - ... nor can there be one law at Rome, and another at Athens — one now and another hereafter; but the same eternal, immutable law comprehends all nations, at all times, under one common master and governor of all — GOD.‎

Page xxviii - On the Nature of the Gods, On Divination, On Fate, On Old Age, On Friendship, On Glory, On Moral Duties, Topics; from September the first four Philippics.‎

Page 21 - ... behaviour of these, there arises [a government of one or a few], the cowardly and weak giving way and bowing down to the pride of wealth. But if the people would maintain their rights, they say that no form of government would be superior, either in liberty or happiness, for they themselves would be masters of the laws and the courts, of war and peace, of international agreements, and of every citizen's life and property; this government alone, they believe, can rightly be called a commonwealth,...‎

Page 75 - You have often heard that the city of Syracuse is the greatest of the Greek cities, and the most beautiful of all. It is so, O judges, as it is said to be; for it is so by its situation, which is strongly fortified, and which is on every side by which you can approach it, whether by sea or land, very beautiful to behold. And it has...‎

Page 121 - For even what we, by a misuse of the term, call the virtue of a tree or of a horse, is not a matter of opinion, but is based on Nature. And if that is true, honourable and dishonourable actions must also be distinguished by Nature. For if virtue in general is to be tested by opinion, then its several parts must also be so tested; who, therefore, would judge a man of prudence and, if I may say so, hard common...‎

Page vi - ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 1 his book was begun with the aid of a fellowship from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. I am grateful to the Foundation for its support.‎

Page xxxi - E. HECK, Die Bezeugung von Ciceros Schrift De re publica, Hildesheim 1966, 1 96 f.); so mit Recht LEBEK, VP, 50 f.‎

About the author

Born in Arpinum on January 3, 106 B.C., Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman orator, writer, and politician. In Rome, Cicero studied law, oratory, philosophy, and literature, before embarking on a political career. Banished from Rome in 59 B.C. for the execution of some members of the Catiline group, Cicero devoted himself to literature. Cicero was pardoned by Julius Caesar in 47 B.C., and returned to Rome to deliver his famous speeches, known as the "Philippics," urging the senate to declare war on Marc Antony. Cicero's chief works, written between 46 and 44 B.C., can be classified in the categories of philosophical works, letters, and speeches. The letters, edited by his secretary Tiro, showcase a unique writing style and charm. The most popular work of the period was De Officiis, a manual of ethics, in which Cicero espoused fundamental Christian values half a century before Christ. Cicero was murdered in Formiae, Italy, on December 4, 43 B.C., by Antony's soldiers after the triumvirate of Antony, Lepidus, and Octavius was formed.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Cicero: On the Commonwealth and On the Laws; Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought
• Author: Marcus Tullius Cicero
• Editor: James E. G. Zetzel
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1999
• ISBN: 0521459591, 9780521459594
• Length: 207 pages
• Subjects: History / Social History; Philosophy / Political; Political Science / Reference