On the Nature of the Gods. Academics

Cicero (Marcus Tullius, 106–43 BCE), a Roman lawyer, orator, politician and philosopher, is among the most well-documented figures of ancient Rome. He lived through a tumultuous period marked by the rise, dictatorship, and assassination of Julius Caesar, set against the backdrop of a crumbling republic.

His political speeches and extensive correspondence reveal the excitement, tension, and political manoeuvring of the time, alongside his significant role in these events. Of the approximately 106 speeches he delivered, 58 survive, albeit some only partially. These speeches were presented either before the Roman public or Senate when political, and before judges when judicial.

In the fourteenth century, Petrarch and other Italian humanists uncovered manuscripts containing over 900 letters. More than 800 of these were authored by Cicero, with nearly 100 addressed to him by others. The letters provide a striking insight into his personal life, especially as most were not intended for publication.

Beyond his speeches and letters, Cicero's surviving works include six complete rhetorical treatises and another in fragments. His philosophical contributions comprise seven major surviving compositions. There is also a collection of poetry, both original and translations from the Greek.

The Loeb Classical Library edition of Cicero spans twenty-nine volumes, providing a comprehensive look at his extensive works.