Letters of Marcus Tullius Cicero with His Treatises on Friendship and Old Age; Letters of Pliny the Younger: The Five Foot Shelf of Classics, Vol. IX

by Marcus Tullius Cicero, Pliny, Charles William Eliot (Editor)

Translator names not noted E.S. Shuckburgh, William Melmoth, F.C.T. Bosanquet Originally published between 1909 and 1917 under the name "Harvard Classics," this stupendous 51-volume set-a collection of the greatest writings from literature, philosophy, history, and mythology-was assembled by American academic CHARLES WILLIAM ELIOT (1834-1926), Harvard University's longest-serving president. Also known as "Dr. Eliot's Five Foot Shelf," it represented Eliot's belief that a basic liberal education could be gleaned by reading from an anthology of works that could fit on five feet of bookshelf. Volume IX - three works by Roman philosopher MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO (106 BC-43 BC): the dialogue On Friendship, a timeless consideration of that happy state; the essay On Old Age, his reflections on aging and death; and his Letters, including his thoughts on matters both personal and political - the Letters of Roman lawyer PLINY THE YOUNGER (61-c. 112), which remain some of the most valuable firsthand documents we have of the period, particularly since he moved in politically important circles; the letters include his eyewitness account of the disastrous eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Genres: Classics, History, Nonfiction

444 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 113

About the author

Born 3 January 106 BC, Arpinum, Italy
Died 7 December 43 BC (aged 63), Formia, Italy

Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist. Cicero is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.

Alternate profiles:
Cicéron
Marco Tullio Cicerone


Note: All editions should have Marcus Tullius Cicero as primary author. Editions with another name on the cover should have that name added as secondary author.

Reviews

[Ixby Wuff]

Circero's two treatises, On Friendship and On Old Age, exemplify the pragmatism of the philosopher’s mind applied to the human condition. The Letters of the great orator and politician which follow, offer both personal insight and policy initiative. The Letters of Pliny the Younger were arranged by the author this collected correspondence offers a glimpse into the daily life of a Roman patrician.

[David Redden]

A collection of surprisingly accessible letters from eminent Romans at critical periods of Roman history. While you may know in theory that their covilization was very advanced compared to the dark ages that followed Rome's collapse, reading this variety of personal and political letters to and from these very interesting individuals provides an intimate glimpse into the complexities of Roman civilization and its similarities and differences with life today. Reading these letters made me think about how we must always be on guard against devolving into monarchy, and gave me a renewed appreciation how fragile human civilization can be.

[Bob]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It helped me understand the Roman Republic and the Empire as well as the nature of people in ancient times. Cicero was a little tedious, while Pliny was more modern in his expressions. Pliny's correspondence with The Emperor Trajan was most enlightening and included responses from Trajan.

[Barnaby]

Focusing on Cicero's writing: On Friendship. Interesting.

[Matt Thomas]

"On Old Age" is one of my new favorites of all time. I wish I had come across it sooner-- it has been in my library for years.