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Quintus Curtius

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On The Nature Of The Gods Hardcover – August 24, 2023

by Marcus Tullius Cicero (Author), Quintus Curtius (Translator)

5.0 6 ratings

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This new, original translation of Cicero's On the Nature of the Gods is the first to appear in many years. Do the gods exist? Is there a divine order to the universe? And if there is, what is humanity's role in this grand conception? Does a divine power care about human affairs? These are just a few of the profound questions discussed in Cicero's philosophical masterpiece.

In dialogues that showcase the differing perspectives of the Stoic, Epicurean, and Academic schools, Cicero delves into a stunning variety of subjects, including human anatomy, theology, cosmology, astronomy, biology, and divination. The persistent themes of Cicero's vision are his insistence on a moral basis for human conduct, the existence of free will and human agency, and his soaring faith in the unique role reserved for the human race in the universe's destiny. It is no wonder that Voltaire called On the Nature of the Gods, along with Cicero's Tusculan Disputations, "[the] two most beautiful works ever composed by human wisdom."

Translator Quintus Curtius has returned to the original Latin text to produce a fresh, modern, illustrated English edition that breathes new life into a long-neglected classic of Western thought. The text is extensively annotated, and formatted using modern dialogue conventions for ease of reading. Also included are an explanatory introduction, topical content list, and a comprehensive index. Cicero's seminal work has much to tell us today, and with this translation has never been more accessible to the modern reader.

Print length

228 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Quintus Curtius
Publication date

August 24, 2023
Dimensions

6 x 0.69 x 9 inches
ISBN-13

979-8218269548
See all details

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Quintus Curtius is the finest translator of Cicero we have seen in many years, and he deserves credit for helping to launch the resurgence of interest in Cicero's philosophical works that is now thriving outside the ivory tower...[T]his new translation strikes an ideal balance between readable modern English and scrupulous fidelity to the tone of the Latin. The outstanding introduction and the many succinct notes that round it out make it a complete book in itself. I recommend it highly."

--Dr. Michael Fontaine, from his literary review in "The New Criterion," Vol. 42, No. 7 (March 2024), "A Deathless Dialogue"

From the Inside Flap

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 B.C.—43 B.C.) is considered one of the most influential writers in the Western tradition. Philosophy was for him a lifelong passion, and his treatises are a repository of precious knowledge from antiquity. On the Nature of the Gods is a philosophical dialogue exploring the divine nature from various perspectives. The persistent themes of Cicero's vision are his insistence on a moral basis for human conduct, the existence of free will, and his soaring faith in the unique role reserved for the human race in the universe's destiny.
It is no wonder that Voltaire called On the Nature of the Gods, along with Cicero's Tusculan Disputations, "[the] two most beautiful works ever composed by human wisdom." This is the first complete, original translation of On the Nature of the Gods to appear in many years. This translation—specifically designed for students and general readers—is extensively annotated, and formatted using modern dialogue conventions for ease of reading. Also included are illustrations, an explanatory introduction, and a comprehensive index. Cicero's seminal work has much to tell us today, and with this translation has never been more accessible.

From the Back Cover

Do the gods exist? If so, what is their nature? Is there a divine order to the universe? And if there is, what is humanity's role in this grand conception? Does a divine power care about human affairs? These are just a few of the profound questions discussed in Cicero's philosophical masterpiece On the Nature of the Gods. In dialogues that showcase the differing perspectives of the Stoic, Epicurean, and Academic schools, Cicero delves into a stunning variety of subjects, including human anatomy, theology, cosmology, astronomy, biology, and divination.
The persistent themes of Cicero's vision are his insistence on a moral basis for human conduct, the existence of free will, and his soaring faith in the unique role reserved for the human race in the universe's destiny. It is no wonder that Voltaire called On the Nature of the Gods, along with Cicero's Tusculan Disputations, "[the] two most beautiful works ever composed by human wisdom." This is the first complete, original translation of On the Nature of the Gods to appear in many years. Translator Quintus Curtius has returned to the original Latin text to produce a fresh, modern English edition that breathes new life into a long-neglected classic of Western thought. The text is extensively annotated, and formatted using modern dialogue conventions for ease of reading. Also included are an explanatory introduction and a comprehensive index. Cicero's seminal work has much to tell us today, and with this translation has never been more accessible to the modern reader.

About the Author

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106--43 B.C.) was a Roman statesman, orator, and philosopher. His treatises are considered some of the most influential writings in Western literature, and have exerted a profound influence on Renaissance, Enlightenment, and modern thought.
Quintus Curtius is the pen name of translator and writer George J. Thomas. After graduating from MIT in 1990, he served as an active duty officer in the US Marine Corps for a number of years. After leaving active service, he enrolled in law school and began practicing law in 1998. He lives in Overland Park, Kansas. Thomas has translated Cicero's "Tusculan Disputations," "On Moral Ends," "On Duties," and "Stoic Paradoxes," as well as the works of the Roman historian Sallust and the biographer Cornelius Nepos. His essay collections include "Digest," "Thirty-Seven," and "Pantheon." He can be found at

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CGYJDTNM
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Quintus Curtius (August 24, 2023)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 228 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8218269548
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.15 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.69 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #627,021 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #16,158 in Philosophy (Books)
- #149,114 in Religion & Spirituality (Books)

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5.0 6 ratings

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Quintus Curtius

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Quintus Curtius is the pen name of writer and translator George J. Thomas. After graduating from MIT in 1990, he served as an active duty officer in the US Marine Corps for a number of years. After leaving active service, he enrolled in law school and began practicing law in 1998. He lives in Overland Park, Kansas.

His innovative and groundbreaking translations include Cicero's "On the Nature of the Gods," "Tusculan Disputations," "On Moral Ends," "On Duties," "Stoic Paradoxes," Sallust's "The Conspiracy of Catiline and War of Jugurtha," and Cornelius Nepos's "Lives of the Great Commanders."

Curtius has also written extensively on moral philosophy, ethics, and historical subjects. His essay collections explore questions of character, leadership, and adversity. These books include "Thirty-Seven," "Digest," "Pantheon," and "Pathways." Using examples from history, personal experience, literature, and philosophy, these unique books have been described as "inexplicably inspiring."

He can be found at www.qcurtius.com.

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Hairy Crassman

Not only readable, but superior as well

Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2023

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The quality of this translation is unsurpassed. It's easily understandable, flows easily from paragraph to paragraph, and adheres faithfully to the original Latin text. There’s no doubt that this translator has a gift for putting Cicero into English, and every page makes this clear. The best living translator of Cicero, without a doubt. To give just one of many examples, I would point to the final sentence in book I, ch. 18, where Curtius adroitly conveys Cicero’s exact meaning in English: “That form, however, is not equivalent to a physical body, but is a quasi-corporeal form; it does not have real blood, but a veneer of blood.” A lesser translator would have stumbled over Cicero’s terms, but Curtius manages to nail down the meaning precisely by using "quasi" and "veneer." The subject matter of this book is fascinating, and concerns the relationship between the divine nature and mankind. But it really comes down to what it means to be a human being.

Some parts of the third book are as profound as anything I’ve ever read. Consider this from book III, ch. 36: "Their external gains, their vineyards, grain fields, olive gardens, their bounties of fruits and crops, and finally every benefit and success of their lives--they believe all these come from the gods. But no one ever attributed earned virtue to god."

But besides the quality of the work itself, what makes this book valuable, even unique, is the fact that it can be actually used in schools or in home study settings. There is a careful list of subjects, a good index, illustrations, and an introduction that puts the work in historical perspective.

Whether you are an atheist, a religious person, or just curious about the ancients thought about a divine power, this book is one you can draw on for years. Highly recommended.

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DocZ

Superb read. Highly recommended.

Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2023

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This book fills a critical need for an accurate, modern, and affordable edition of "On the Nature of the Gods." The language is fluid, smooth, and engaging, which makes for real comprehension. The footnotes explain every possible name or reference that would need explaining. This translation easily surpasses any previous attempts at rendering De Natura Deorum in English, and should become the standard, as far as I'm concerned. Far better than the Loeb edition. The message that this book leaves you with is: yes, life can be difficult and unfair, but we have to have faith and rely on ourselves. I can't think of a better message.

2 people found this helpful

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Erik Vining

Outstanding!

Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2023

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This is a great philosophic work. The translation by Quintus Curtius is easy to follow with many helpful footnotes. Cicero is worth your time to study. Check out his other translations.

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Mark V

Fantastic translation

Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2024

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Cicero’s eloquence is perhaps unmatched in the annals of human history. Here, he is covering perhaps the biggest question humanity will ever face. Thankfully, with the help of this fine translation — the casual reader now has access to his wisdom and thinking. Thoroughly recommend!

Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2017

Verified Purchase

very good

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