Treatises on Friendship and Old Age (eBook)

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BCE) was a Roman statesman, orator, and author who has become one of the most celebrated figures of ancient literature and rhetoric. Cicero's contributions to the development of Roman law, philosophy, and political theory were profound, influencing the intellectual tradition of the West for centuries. Educated in Rome and Greece, Cicero was as much a product of Greek thought as he was a Roman patriot, contributing a vast quantity of speeches, letters, and philosophical treatises. Among his myriad of works, 'Treatises on Friendship and Old Age' stands out as a reflective exposition on interpersonal relationships and the nature of growing old. The treatise is notable for its adoption of a conversational style that mimics Socratic dialogue, an illustration of Cicero's mastery of blending Greek philosophical tradition with Roman cultural norms. His prose is characterized by an eloquent and persuasive quality, which made him one of the greatest stylists of Latin literature. Through works like 'De Amicitia' and 'De Senectute' – as these treatises are known in Latin – Cicero not only imparted practical wisdom but also immortalized his belief in the Stoic ideals of virtue, duty, and reason. The themes of his writing, from politics to ethics, reflect the transitions and crises of the late Roman Republic, providing a lens for modern audiences into the complexity of public and private life in ancient times. Cicero's influence can be traced far beyond his lifetime, shaping the intellectual discourse of the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, and continuing to resonate in modern philosophical thought.