Cicero: De re publica: Selections (Cambridge Greek and Latin Classics) [Paperback]

Marcus Tullius Cicero (Author), James E. G. Zetzel (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 26, 1995 | ISBN-10: 052134896X | ISBN-13: 978-0521348966

This edition contains the Latin text of most of the surviving parts of Cicero's most elaborate philosophical dialogue, De re publica, together with a full commentary explaining the philosophical and historical argument, and elucidating the grammar and style. De re publica is a major document in the history of European political theory, and a masterpiece of Ciceronian style. This is the fullest commentary ever to appear in English.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Invaluable for students of Roman philosophy and political theory who read De Re Publica in Latin." Religious Studies Review

Language Notes

Text: Latin, English --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 284 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (May 26, 1995)
• Language: Latin
• ISBN-10: 052134896X
• ISBN-13: 978-0521348966
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #322,724 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Tiny, February 3, 2012

By 

G.M. - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Cicero: De re Publica (On the Republic) , De Legibus (On the Laws) (Loeb Classical Library No. 213) (Hardcover)

We all know the gravity of Cicero's work -- so this review pertains to the product that of which embodies the work. For the price we pay, I was surprised how small the book actually is -- I would say it's 'pocket-sized', in the sense of a pocket dictionary. It's light and appears cheaply made. I assumed that it was a larger book to add to one's library, and of fine quality paper and hardcover, but this unfortunately is not.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good text & commentary, November 13, 2008

By 

Aaron Lipka "A reader" (Charleston SC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cicero: De re publica: Selections (Cambridge Greek and Latin Classics) (Paperback)

Zetzel provides us with the Latin text of a significant portion of Cicero's partially preserved dialogue on the nature and the forms of government. His (Zetzel's) commentary, by far the bulk of this book, guides any Latin reader through Cicero's text and philosophy without giving away too much in translation. The niceties of the grammar are generally overlooked for comments on Cicero's style and political ideas. This would not make an ideal textbook, but a careful instructor can find much to illustate Cicero's Stoic approach to the ideal state.

In particular, Zetzel provides us with the Dream of Scipio- a very manageable Latin text from a student's perspective, but also loaded with pre-Christian ideas of the afterlife and the proper exercise of virtue. I ordered this book for the latter reason, but found myself drawn into reading the entire selection without regret. For that specialized audience of Latin readers who are interested in the Stoics, Cicero, and Roman political theory, this is a good bet.