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The Nature of the Gods (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

by Cicero (Author), P. G. Walsh (Translator) "There are many issues in philosophy which to this day have by no means been adequately resolved..." (more)
Key Phrases: consensu gentium, dramatic date, immortal gods, Lake Regillus (more...)
3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

Review
`The translation is both lively and accurate; the introduction is judicious and informative. The notes are especially strong on the identification of the many historical references in the work.' Phronesis

Product Description
Cicero's philosophical works are exciting renewed interest and more generous appreciation, in part because they provide vital evidence of the views of the (largely lost) Greek philosophers of the Hellenistic age, and partly because of the light they cast on the intellectual life of first-century Rome. The Nature of the Gods is a central document in this area, for it presents a detailed account of the theologies of the Epicureans and the Stoics, together with the critical objections to these doctrines raised by the Academic school.

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Product Details

  • Paperback: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (July 23, 1998)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0192825119
  • ISBN-13: 978-0192825117
  • Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.6 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #734,239 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
There are many issues in philosophy which to this day have by no means been adequately resolved. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
consensu gentium, dramatic date, immortal gods, natura deorum
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Lake Regillus
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Concordance | Text Stats
Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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Customer Reviews

7 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
3.6 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars "A Creative-Classic", December 31, 2001
By Johannes Platonicus (South Bend, Indiana) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)      
Cicero's "De Natura Deorum" is a work the great orator used to present his own position towards philosophy, the gods, and how they work in the universe and in the lives of individuals. Cicero presents his thesis by opening a dialogue between three distinguished philosophers from the major schools of the first century BC: namely the Stoics, Epicureans, and Academics. Velleius, in book one, expounds upon the general tenets of the Epicureans; in book two, Balbus the Stoic in turn attempts to refute the claims made by Velleius; and finally, in book three, Cotta takes the position of the Academics, which should be understood as Cicero's opinions himself. If judged correctly, Cicero's opinions are quite clear, but they should be left for the reader to discover on his own. As pure philosophy, this book obviously lacks merit; but as for creativity and sheer eloquence Cicero's work will make for an entertaining and insightful read, especially as an introductory to the philosophical maxims during the decay of the Roman Republic. Despite the works lack of philosophical ingenuity, its influence may possibly be greater than what is customarily maintained, since it is likely that "De Naturae Deorum" impacted Boethius in writing his "Consolation of Philosophy." First of all, both works address many of the same issues, and secondly in their literary style they both use prose and verse to convey meaning. Overall, this work will make for a comforting, and at times insightful read; this will be an essential addition to the classical library.
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21 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Theology without revelation --it will change your world view, October 30, 2001
By A Customer
If you're like me, you were brought up thinking the ancients understood God(s) in terms of their old polytheistic mythology. In fact quaint village myths didn't make it in the large cities. The idea of a single High God predated Christianity by centuries, and was in fact central to mainstream ancient philosophies / theologies you've probably heard of: Platonism, Stoicism, Epicureanism.

For us, religion and revelation are inseparable. Christianity, Islam, Bahai-ism, Mormonism are "revealed" religions, based on the God's direct revelation through his Son or Prophet -- Jesus, Mohamed, Bahaulla, Joseph Smith. The Greeks and Romans didn't have "revealed" religions. They had to work out their ideas of meaning and divinity without a solid, revealed, starting place. In a world without revealed religion, the ancient philosophers tried to figure out, What is God? Amazing.

If you're interested in how the ancients understood God, Cicero's book, The Nature of the Gods, is a great read. It's basically a synopsis of ancient philosophies / theologies. It will change your understanding of the history of western religious thought.

Listen to Cicero [106 - 43 BC], a non-Christian, describing God: "God dwells in the universe as its ruler and governor, and rules the stars in their courses, and the changing seasons, and all the varying sequences of nature, looking down on earth and sea, and protecting the life and goods of men."

And, "The divine power is to be found in a principle of reason which pervades the whole of nature."

I particularly like the easy to read translation in this Penguin Classics edition.

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14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars Poor Translation, November 21, 2004
By Lao Tzu "chow-dog" (Vancouver, BC Canada) - See all my reviews
I admire Cicero and and I like THE NATURE OF THE GODS, but I give it 2 stars because of the poor translation, which renders a lucid book intolerably boring. So, please throw away the PENGUIN edition and check out the same title by OXFORD WORLD'S CLASSCIS translated by P.G.Walsh. After you have compared the two editions, you will realize the weakness of J.M.Ross' translation.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Questions that still haven't gone away.
I began reading the Stoics to get background on St. Paul's evangelistic sermon in Athens (Acts 17), in which Stoics and Epicureans are among his partners in dialogue, but am... Read more
Published 10 months ago by David Marshall

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating!
Interesting book! Three public figures and Cicero himself, gather in Cotta's villa around 76 B.C. to discuss the nature of the gods. Gaius Velleius is an Epicurean. Read more
Published on June 3, 2006 by G. Stucco

5.0 out of 5 stars worth a read and a reread.
I picked this book up on a whim and read it in it's entirety in one evening, and promptly started over from the beginning. Read more
Published on June 22, 2001

1.0 out of 5 stars A Little Dry
I found the book informative while reading it, but also a bit confusing and a little dry, best used for a college course and not for recreational reading. Read more
Published on June 22, 2000 by maeilan

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