Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface

Abbreviations

Introduction: Mansuetiores Musae

Part I: Orator
1. Genus Dialogorum Meorum
2. Cogitanti Mihi
3. Vetera Repetenti
4. Ratio Dicendi
5. Eloquentem Adhuc Neminem
6. Praepotens et Gloriosa Philosophia
7. Cycnea Vox

Part II: Statesman
8. Prequel and Sequel
9. The Lost Republic
10. Dialogue and Dissatisfaction
11. Optimus Status Civitatis
12. Rerum Publicarum Natura
13. Iuris Consensus
14. I Never Died, Said He

Conclusion: The Lost Republic

Appendix: Speeches and Trials

List of Works Cited

Index

About the Author

James E. G. Zetzel is the Anthon Professor Emeritus of the Latin Language and Literature at Columbia University and the author of numerous publications, including, most recently, Critics, Compilers, and Commentators: An Introduction to Roman Philology, 200 BCE-800 CE.

Reviews

Cicero's two 'Platonic' dialogues, De oratore and De re publica, represent the summa of his political and moral thought. Now they have found their ideal reader in James Zetzel, whose Lost Republic distills his decades of engagement with Cicero's writings. It is a brilliant work of immense learning, and a triumphant achievement.
*Robert A. Kaster, Princeton University*

The knowledge of Cicero's Rome that has gone into this book is extraordinary, but what is exciting is the idea for it. Zetzel reads Cicero's first two dialogs as complementary experiments in which vividly imagined Roman aristocrats of the not too distant past try to reckon with political institutions that are crucial to their way of life but slipping out of their hands.
*Peter White, University of Chicago*

A great book, and one that will quickly become essential reading for Classical scholars.
*Dr. Cliff Cunningham, Sun News Austin*

The Lost Republic will be required reading for all students and scholars who are interested not only in the dialogues themselves, but also in Cicero's compositional techniques, the late Roman Republic, its oratory and politics, as well as the relationship of Greek learning (and particularly philosophy) with Roman intellectual life of the era.
*James M. May, Religious Studies Review*

All readers will learn from Zetzel's insistence on probing the works with questions old and new... His book offers a signal contribution to our understanding of both these great Ciceronian dialogues.
*Bryn Mawr Classical Review *

James Zetzel's wonderful study of the relationship of Cicero's De oratore and De re publica. The book is a highly insightful read for specialists in the field, but Zetzel's engaging style also makes it a very good guide for those who want to start exploring these two Ciceronian works and their literary and intellectual context.
*Anke Walter, Greece & Rome *

'The Lost Republic' will be an indispensable companion for all readers of Cicero's De oratore and De re publica and a valuable resource for all those interested in the literary,political, and intellectual culture of the Roman Republic.
*Sean McConnell, GNOMON*