Book description
Towards the end of his life, Cicero turned away from his oratorical and
political career and looked instead to matters of philosophy and
religion. The dialogue The Nature of the Gods both explores his own
views on these subjects, as a monotheist and member of the Academic
School, and considers the opinion of other philosophical schools of the
Hellenistic age through the figures of Velleius the Epicurean and Balbus
the Stoic. Eloquent, clearly argued and surprisingly modern, it focuses
upon a series of fundamental religious questions including: is there a
God? If so, does he answer prayers, or intervene in human affairs? Does
he know the future? Does morality need the support of religion?
Profoundly influential on later thinkers, such as Saint Augustine and
Thomas Aquinas, this is a fascinating consideration of fundamental
issues of faith and philosophical thought.
Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC), Roman orator and statesman, was
born at Arpinum of a wealthy local family. By 70 BC he had established
himself as the leading barrister in Rome, and was elected praetor in
the year 66. Obtaining honours usually reserved for members of the
aristocracy, Cicero was an uncompromising politician, and the greatest
Roman orator.
Horace C. P. McGregor graduated from Brasenose College, Oxford, in
classics and philosophy. He entered the Home Office where he served
until his retirement in 1967. He died in 1993.
John M. Ross was a colleague of McGregor's, also with a degree in
classics and philosophy.
