Cicero’s Philosophy

Cicero was not only a great Roman politician, lawyer and orator: he also dealt extensively with philosophy, which he believed constituted the surest foundation for his commitment to civic affairs. Not limiting himself to the translation of previous philosophical thought, he critically addressed central theoretical questions, and thereby made a lasting impact on Roman intellectual life. This book offers a modern guide to interpretations of Cicero’s philosophical studies, one that ranges across his numerous philosophical works. Addressed to students and scholars of ancient philosophy, and to interested readers in the humanities more generally, the volume aims to break down the boundaries between the philosophical, literary and linguistic dimensions of Cicero’s highly influential oeuvre. **Stefano Maso** is a full professor in Ancient Philosophy at the University of Ca’ Foscari – Venice. Among his books are: __Grasp and Dissent: Cicero and Epicurean Philosophy__ (Brepols 2015); __Epicurus on Eidola: Peri Phuseos Book II. Update, Proposals, and Discussions__ (ed. with F. Masi, Hakkert 2015). He is co-editor of “Lexis. Poetica, retorica e comunicazione nella tradizione classica”.

Cicero was not only a great Roman politician, lawyer and orator: he also dealt extensively with philosophy, which he believed constituted the surest foundation for his commitment to civic affairs. Not limiting himself to the translation of previous philosophical thought, he critically addressed central theoretical questions, and thereby made a lasting impact on Roman intellectual life. This book offers a modern guide to interpretations of Cicero's philosophical studies, one that ranges across his numerous philosophical works. Addressed to students and scholars of ancient philosophy, and to interested readers in the humanities more generally, the volume aims to break down the boundaries between the philosophical, literary and linguistic dimensions of Cicero's highly influential oeuvre.

Stefano Maso is a full professor in Ancient Philosophy at the University of Ca' Foscari – Venice. Among his books are: Grasp and Dissent: Cicero and Epicurean Philosophy (Brepols 2015); Epicurus on Eidola: Peri Phuseos Book II. Update, Proposals, and Discussions (ed. with F. Masi, Hakkert 2015). He is co-editor of "Lexis. Poetica, retorica e comunicazione nella tradizione classica".

Preface 5 Contents 9 List of Abbreviations or Sigla 11 1 Cicero’s Philosophical Apprenticeship 15 2 Cicero’s Philosophical Employment 32 3 Contemporary Research on Cicero as a Philosopher 62 4 Problems in Cicero’s Philosophy 89 5 Cicero’s Philosophical Vocabulary 130 6 Epilogue 162 Bibliography 165 Index Rerum et Nominum Antiquorum 177 Index Nominum Recentiorum 181 Index Locorum 185