Whose Dream?
Welcome to "The Dream of Scipio," a wonderful section from Cicero's De re Publica. This story not only provides a glimpse into ancient ways of understanding the universe but also proves to be an occasion for readers to reflect on their own lives here in the lowest sphere. More than that, though, this is some of Cicero's liveliest writing, so jump on into the text!
A Note on the Translation:
All English translations on this site are my own; chapter numbers in parantheses are in relation to the larger text of De re Publica. I have provided options for each chapter to be viewed as side-by-side English and Latin text or either of those two languages in isolation. Along the way, there are some explanatory links embedded in the text. These are for the reader's benefit, since many might not be familiar with Scipio's surroundings. However, they are only included in the English versions of the text.
Browse by Chapter
This is the most basic way to sort through our tale. Looking for something specific? There are one-sentence synopses for each chapter for at-a-glance locating! New to the story? Chapter 1 is a great place to start!
Browse by Theme
While Scipio undergoes a whole host of experiences, there are a few recurring themes. Each of these should prove a fascinating read and could easily spill over into some ad hoc internet research!
Want to Learn More?
There is no shortage of resources for further learning out there. Here is a small collection to whet the palate and foster budding curiosity.