Cicero: De Natura Deorum Book I De Natura Deorum

This edition of the Latin text, with accompanying commentary, of the first book of Cicero's essay, On the Nature of the Gods comprises an exposition and refutation of the theology of the Epicurean philosophical school as well as a history of ancient reflections on the gods. Prefaced to the dialogue is Cicero's general justification for writing on philosophy. In his introduction, Andrew Dyck analyzes the work in the context of Cicero's intellectual development and of ancient views of the deity.

Book 1 of De Natura Deorum exhibits in a nutshell Cicero's philosophical method, with the prior part stating the case for Epicurean theology, the latter (rather longer) part refuting it. Thus the reader observes Cicero at work in both constructive and skeptical modes as well as his art of characterizing speakers. Prefaced to the Book is Cicero's most elaborate justification of his philosophical writing. The Book thus makes an ideal starting point for the study of Cicero's philosophica or indeed of any philosophical writing in Latin, since it delineates the problems such a project raised in the minds of Roman readers and shows how Cicero thought they could be met. There is also a systematic and detailed doxography of ancient views about the deity, an important document in itself, presented from an Epicurean perspective. The volume's Introduction situates this text within Cicero's intellectual development and ancient reflection about the gods.

Introduction; M. Tvlli Ciceronis de Natvra Deorvm Liber I; Commentary; Appendix: prose rhythm.

Book I of On the Nature of the Gods comprises an exposition and refutation of the theology of the Epicurean philosophical school as well as a history of ancient reflections on the gods. This edition presents a Latin text, with an Introduction and accompanying commentary suitable for students.

Andrew R. Dyck is Professor of Classics at UCLA. He is the author of numerous books, including A Commentary on Cicero, De Officiis (1996; ISBN 0472107194).