Acknowledgments
Introduction
Note on the Text and the Translation
Chronology of Cicero's Life
Outlines of On the Republic and On the Laws
On the Republic (with explanatory notes)
Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
Book 4
Book 5
Book 6
Fragments of Uncertain Location
On the Laws (with explanatory notes)
Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
Fragments
Selected Bibliography
Index of Personal Names
Index of Terms

"This is an excellent book. David Fott's scrupulously accurate and smoothly readable translation makes Cicero's precise use of terms available to the English reader. And of course these two works by Cicero are of the greatest value for our continuing inquiries into republican government."¿James H. Nichols, Claremont McKenna College

Cicero's On the Republic and On the Laws are his major works of political philosophy. They offer his fullest treatment of fundamental political questions: Why should educated people have any concern for politics? Is the best form of government simple, or is it a combination of elements from such simple forms as monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy? Can politics be free of injustice? The two works also help us to think about natural law, which many people have considered since ancient times to provide a foundation of unchanging, universal principles of justice.

On the Republic features a defense of politics against those who advocated abstinence from public affairs. It defends a mixed constitution, the actual arrangement of offices in the Roman Republic, against simple forms of government. The Republic also supplies material for students of Roman history-as does On the Laws. The Laws moreover presents the results of Cicero's reflections as to how the republic needed to change in order not only to survive but also to promote justice.

David Fott's vigorous yet elegant English translation is faithful to the originals. It is the first to appear since publication of the latest critical edition of the Latin texts. This book contains an introduction that both places Cicero in his historical context and explicates the timeless philosophical issues that he treats. The volume also provides a chronology of Cicero's life, outlines of the two works, and indexes of personal names and important terms.

David Fott is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He is the author of John Dewey: America's Philosopher of Democracy.