The Revival of Platonism in Cicero's Late Philosophy: Platonis aemulus and the Invention of Cicero - Softcover

Altman, William H. F.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1498527132 ISBN 13: 9781498527132

Publisher: Lexington Books, 2018

Synopsis

This book argues that Cicero deserves to be spoken of with more respect and to be studied with greater care. Using Plato’s influence on Cicero’s life and writings as a clue, Altman reveals the ineffable combination of qualities—courage, originality, intelligence, sparkling wit, subtlety, deep respect for his teacher, and deadly seriousness of purpose—that enabled Cicero not only to revive Platonism, but also to rival Plato himself.

About this title

About the Author:

William H. F. Altman teaches Latin and world history at E. C. Glass, a public high school in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Review:

This is a book fizzing with energy, and full of learning of many sorts, from which any discriminating reader stands to gain. (The Classical Review)

Altman’s essays, as he explores Cicero’s hidden and open Platonism, are as engaging and stimulating as one might imagine. Few if any contemporaries have read as widely and deeply in Cicero’s writings. With objectivity but no pretended scholarly detachment, he brings his immense erudition to his personal engagement of Cicero. He finds himself in awe at Cicero’s integrity and achievement as a thinker, writer and political leader. We and our modern republics, he rightly concludes, are much in need of a properly understood Cicero. (Walter Nicgorski, University of Notre Dame)

About this edition

• Publisher: Lexington Books
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1498527132
• ISBN 13: 9781498527132
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 331