Synopses & Reviews
First published in 1880-1885, Joseph B. Mayor's influential three-volume edition of De Natura Deorum places Cicero's speculative theological dialogue in the context of his other writings and the arguments of the Epicureans, the Stoics, the Academics, and their predecessors. Equipped with detailed commentary and a substantial introduction to the history of the Greek philosophy, this edition remains a clear presentation of Cicero's complex philosophical project, an enquiry into the nature of the divine and its relationship to forms of human knowledge. Set within the home of the orator Caius Aurelius Catto, Cicero's wide-ranging work explores questions of divine providence, natural law, the creation of the world, and the worship of the Roman pantheon of gods. As Cicero strives to incorporate a rich inheritance of Greek metaphysics and natural philosophy within the Roman intellectual tradition, the book reveals the intellectual rigour and sceptical wit that characterise his thought.
Synopsis
First published between 1880 and 1885, Joseph B. Mayor's three-volume edition of De Natura Deorum places Cicero's speculative theological dialogue in the context of the arguments of the Epicureans, the Stoics, the Academics, and their predecessors. Equipped with a detailed commentary and a substantial introduction to the history of Greek philosophy, it remains a clear presentation of Cicero's complex philosophical project, an enquiry into the nature of the divine and its relationship to modes of human perception. Set within the home of the orator Caius Aurelius Cotta, Cicero's Book 1 balances the arguments of the Epicurean Velleius against the Academic Cotta as they debate whether the gods may in any way resemble the human form. A demonstration above all of Cicero's own intellectual rigour and sceptical wit, this volume showcases his careful evaluation of the inheritance of Greek natural philosophy within the Roman intellectual tradition.
Synopsis
A fully annotated edition of Book 1 of Cicero's speculative theological dialogue on the nature of divine creation.
Synopsis
The first volume of Joseph B. Mayor's 1880s edition of Cicero's De Natura Deorum contains a full introduction and commentary to this complex theological dialogue, staged between the Epicurean and Academic schools. Cicero's Book 1 presents arguments concerning the nature of divine creation and human perception of the gods.
Synopsis
A fully annotated edition of Book 2 of Cicero's theological dialogue, presenting the Stoic argument for divine providence.
Synopsis
Volume 2 of Joseph B. Mayor's influential 1880s edition of Cicero's De Natura Deorum contains the text of Cicero's Book 2 and a full commentary. Here the Stoic Balbus presents his arguments for the role of divine providence in ordering the universe, giving crucial insights into Stoic cosmology.
Synopsis
A fully annotated edition of Book 3 of Cicero's theological dialogue, debating the philosophical validity of the Roman pantheon.
Synopsis
Volume 3 of Joseph B. Mayor's influential 1880s edition of Cicero's De Natura Deorum contains the text of Cicero's Book 3 and a full commentary. Here, Cicero explores the topics of divination, worship, and mythology and asks whether the worship of deities is compatible with philosophical reason.
Synopsis
A fully annotated edition of Cicero's ambitious theological dialogue, set against the backdrop of the Stoic and Epicurean philosophical schools.
Synopsis
Joseph B. Mayor's edition of Cicero's De Natura Deorum (1880-1885) presents Cicero's fascinating theological dialogue with a full introduction and complete commentary. Set against the backdrop of the competing Roman schools of philosophy, Cicero's ambitious work explores the nature of both divine creation and human philosophical enquiry.
Table of Contents
Volume 1: Introduction; Text of Book I with critical notes; Mr. Swainson's collations of Book I; Commentary on Book I. Volume 2: Introduction; Text of Book II with critical notes; Commentary on Book II; Mr. Swainson's collations of Book II. Volume 3: Preface; Introduction; Addenda and corrigenda; Text of Book III; Collations of English MSS.; Commentary; Appendix; Index.