Cicero

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how Cicero put together two rather important philosophical works within the realm of political philosophy: "On Commonwealth" and "On Law". It looks at how, though rarely regarded by modern Western philosophers as one of the most influential thinkers within the tradition, Cicero is nonetheless responsible for bringing the classical Greek perspective back into the Roman school of philosophy. It also examines how Cicero also was one of the first philosophers to introduce the notion of Natural Law into the equation of the ideal society--though he is rarely credited with this achievement.

From the Paper:

"At several points within On Commonwealth and On Law Cicero attempts to illustrate the early days of the Roman republic as being far closer to an in ideal society than the age from which he wrote. He appeals to the great leader, Marius, who was the first consul to arise out of the Republic as an individual leader. Out of the struggles of the Punic Wars, from which Rome created much of its early identity as a state in which anyone could live within, the Roman Republic, in reality, began to deteriorate with the naming of Marius as consul. The Punic Wars lasted over a century--between 264 BCE and 146 BCE--but by the time that Rome finally managed to utterly defeat its only major Mediterranean rival, the vast empire that had been accumulated could no longer be stably supported by the Republic as it had functioned until that point. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Cicero. 1929. On Commonwealth. New York: the Liberal Arts Press.
• Cicero. 1998. On Law. From "Ancient History Sourcebook." Book II, Number 6. Available: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/cicero-laws1.html.

More papers on Cicero:

• Analytical Essay # 129778 : "The Self-Serving Nature of Cicero"
• Analytical Essay # 125160 : "Cicero, Plato and Aristotle"
• Book Review # 99530 : "Marcus Tullius Cicero"
• Essay # 32831 : "Cicero's Writings on Friendship"

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