Cicero, The Laws

At our next Western Civilization meeting, we'll discuss the Roman statesman and philosopher Cicero, focusing on his views on law and natural justice. Cicero was one of Rome's leading orators and politicians, serving as consul in 63 BC and defending the Republic against the Catiline conspiracy; he was also a prolific philosophical writer whose ideas shaped Western political thought for centuries afterward, from the medieval Scholastics to the American founders. Please join us if you can. The suggested readings for this meeting are:

1. Cicero's On the Laws (De Legibus) — full text, and
2. The Incredible Life of Cicero, Rome's Greatest Orator & Last Senator (click here to view) — a biographical overview of Cicero's life and career.