On the Commonwealth

Description:

Cicero's De re publica contains the fullest ancient account of the theory of the mixed constitution and the oldest extant narrative of early Roman history; it concludes with the Dream of Scipio, one of the most influential ancient visions of the afterlife. As a Platonic dialogue set in a Roman context, De re publica is in part an examination of Roman attitudes to Greek culture, in part a nostalgic evocation of an earlier and better Rome. The argument of the dialogue concerns the relationship between political theory and practice, and between social institutions and the individual citizen. This edition of most of the surviving portions of De re publica is the most detailed commentary ever to appear in English. It carefully explains Cicero's philosophical argument and its relationship to his account of early Rome, and thoroughly elucidates the language and style of the treatise. The introduction offers a new and provocative interpretation of Cicero's dialogue as a work both of literature and of political philosophy.

subjects: Early works to 1800,  Political science,  The State,  Politics and government,  Bobbio, Italy (Benedictine monastery),  Latin Manuscripts,  Conduct of life,  Facsimiles,  Amnesty,  Law,  Palimpsests,  Reference,  Government,  National,  Essays,  General,  Philosophy, ancient,  Political science, early works to 1800,  Rome, politics and government,  State, the,  État,  Ouvrages avant 1800,  Politique et gouvernement,  Early rome & the republic - history,  Ancient rome - social,  Cultural & political aspects,  General & miscellaneous political theory

People: Marcus Tullius Cicero,  Scipio Africanus (ca. 236-183 B.C),  P. Cornelius Scipio Aemilianus Africanus minor (185 or 184-129 B.C)

Places: Rome

Times: Early works to 1800,  265-30 B.C.