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

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

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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 *
Altmans essays, as he explores Ciceros hidden and open Platonism, are as engaging and stimulating as one might imagine. Few if any contemporaries have read as widely and deeply in Ciceros 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 Ciceros 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

Author Bio

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