On Living and Dying Well

'They might as well take the sun from the heavens when they take friendship from life! The immortal gods have given us nothing better or more enjoyable than friendship' In the first century BC, Marcus Tullius Cicero, orator, statesman, and defender of republican values, created these essays on such diverse topics as friendship, religion, death, fate and scientific inquiry. A pragmatist at heart, Cicero frequently wrote with a personal and ethical approach, drawing not from abstract reasoning but through careful observation of the world. The resulting works remind us of the importance of social ties, the questions of free will, and the justification of any creative endeavour. In Thomas Habinek's introduction to his witty, lively new translation, he explores the context in which Cicero was writing, and discusses the continued relevance of his no-nonsense essays to citizens, artists and writers today. This edition also contains a chronology, notes, maps and suggested further reading. Translated, introduced and with notes by Thomas Habinek

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC), Roman orator and statesman, was born at rural Arpinum (in the south of modern Italy) to a wealthy local family. He was taken to Rome for his education with the idea of a public career and, by the year 70 BC, he had established himself as the leading barrister in Rome. In the meantime, his political career was well under way and he was elected praetor in 66 BC. In addition to his speeches, Cicero produced a large number of works on the theory and practice of rhetoric, on religion, and on moral and political philosophy. He was put to death in 43 BC. Thomas Habinek is Professor of Classics at University of Southern California. His most recent books include The World of Roman Song: From Ritualized Speech to Social Order and Ancient Rhetoric and Oratory. He is an editor of the journal Classical Antiquity and editor of the book series Classics and Contemporary Thought.