Cicero: On the Commonwealth and On the Laws

Revised throughout to take account of recent scholarship, this is the second edition of James E. G. Zetzel's readable translation of Cicero's major works of political philosophy, On the Commonwealth and On the Laws. With updated supporting materials, it is specifically designed for students in politics and philosophy, ancient history and classics.

---

Cicero's On the Commonwealth and On the Laws were his first and most substantial attempts to adapt Greek theories of political life to the circumstances of the Roman Republic. They represent Cicero's understanding of government and remain his most important works of political philosophy. On the Commonwealth survives only in part, and On the Laws was never completed. The new edition of this volume has been revised throughout to take account of recent scholarship, and features a new introduction, a new bibliography, a chronological table and a biographical index. James E. G. Zetzel offers a scholarly reconstruction of the fragments of On the Commonwealth and a masterly translation of both dialogues. The texts are further supported by notes and synopsis, designed to assist students in politics, philosophy, ancient history, law and classics.