The writings of marcus tullius cicero constitute one of the most famous bodies of historical and philosophical work in all of classical antiquity. Cicero on divination hardcover david wardle oxford. He was a roman senator and consul chiefmagistrate who played a critical. It is an old opinion, derived as far back as from the heroic times, and confirmed by the unanimous consent of the roman people, and indeed of all nations, that there is a species of divination in existence among men, which the greeks call. Summary this is the first english commentary on ciceros on divination book i that is. The work was never meant by its author to be an attack on the state religion. In this new translation of, and commentary on, book onethe first in english for over 80 yearsdavid wardle guides. Some of these objections are general, or explicitly theoretical. An accurate translation makes clear cicero s use of religious terminology and philosophical argument in this important work. Book 1 book 1 clarendon ancient history series kindle edition by wardle, david. Summary this is the first english commentary on ciceros on divination book i that is fully accessible to the reader who knows no latin or greek. Trans and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
The defense of divination the science of predicting the future offered in book 1 is illustrated with many entertaining anecdotes that make the argument more accessible to a. Cicero, a roman statesman, lawyer, political theorist, philosopher, and roman constitutionalist, lived from 106 43 bc. A really splendid and helpful thing it is if only such a faculty. There is an ancient belief, handed down to us even from mythical times and firmly established by the general agreement of the roman people and of all nations, that divination of some kind exists among men. D wardle this is the first english commentary on cicero s on divination book i that is fully accessible to the reader who knows no latin or greek. In the two books ofde divinatione cicero considers beliefs concerning fate and the possibility of prediction. He states that in the beginning, romulus, the parent of this city, is said not only to have founded the city with auspices, but is also reported to. Cicero on divination book 1 edited by david wardle clarendon ancient history series. Clarendon press, 2006 literary collections 469 pages. Besides much else, his work conveys the turmoil of his time, and the part he played in a period that saw the rise and fall of julius caesar in a tottering republic. Finally, the former grew weary and said to her aunt. The annenberg cpbproject provided support for entering this text. A truly splendid and serviceable gift, if it only exists in reality. And this was an omen of what came to pass, for in a short time caecilia died and the girl married her aunts husband.
Some philosophers rejected it but many took upon themselves to systematize it into their philosophical system. We know more of marcus tullius cicero 10643 bce, lawyer, orator, politician and philosopher, than of any other roman. Vetus opinio est iam usque ab heroicis ducta temporibus, eaque et po. Download citation on jun 1, 2011, paul roche and others published cicero on divination.
Edited by david wardle clarendon ancient history series. Cicero on divination paperback david wardle oxford. David wardle provides a new translation, an introduction. D wardle this is the first english commentary on ciceros on divination book i that is fully accessible to the reader who knows no latin or greek. In this new translation of, and commentary on, book onethe first. An accurate translation makes clear ciceros use of religious terminology and philosophical argument in this important work. Cicero s brother, quintus, makes the case for divination. Speeches on behalf of marcus fonteius and marcus aemilius scaurus. This is evidenced in the expression made near the close of the work where cicero declares that divination has been destroyed and yet we must hold on to the gods.
He was a roman senator and consul chiefmagistrate who played a critical role in the transformation of the roman republic into. All people believe that signs exist which tell people the future. Tullius cicero, divination, divination book i, section 1. On the other hand, by comparing livys and ciceros text, people find many similarities. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Although you, my son marcus, having listened for a year to cratippus, and that at athens, ought to be well versed in the maxims and principles of philosophy, on account of the paramount. Certainly, my child, said caecilia, you may have my place.
Cicero the latin library the classics page the latin library the classics page. It takes the form of a dialogue whose interlocutors are cicero himself speaking mostly in book ii and his brother quintus. On divinationbook 1 wikisource, the free online library. This philosophical school proposed a type of skepticism algra et al. Who, when he was in his cradle being brought up in solonium, which is a. The defense of divination the science of predicting the future offered in book 1 is illustrated with many entertaining anecdotes that make the argument more accessible to a wider range of readers than many of ciceros other. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading cicero on divination. Ciceros brother, quintus, makes the case for divination. Book i deals with quintus apology of divination in line with his essentially stoic beliefs, while book ii contains cicero s refutation of. Quintus grounds belief in the efficacy of divina tion, on the one hand, in stoic doctrine and, on the other, in exempla he finds. In the first book, ciceros brother quintus offers a cautious defence.
657 1608 143 1083 847 717 1390 1381 1631 415 37 1582 140 1543 277 939 1138 406 542 315 1406 538 783 738 124 435 1053 704 710 909 1065 994