Academica

Lion's Mark Library edition.

Cicero’s *Academica* arrives at a moment when the relentless churn of information can leave us feeling adrift, questioning the very foundations of knowledge. Its patient exploration of doubt, skepticism, and the limits of human understanding offers a surprisingly relevant balm for our age. Rather than providing easy answers, Cicero invites us to embrace the discomfort of inquiry, a practice perhaps more vital now than ever before. This edition, meticulously revised and annotated by James S. Reid in 1874, provides a valuable guide through Cicero’s intricate arguments.

About the author: Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 BC) remains one of the most significant figures in Roman history, celebrated as a brilliant orator, statesman, and philosopher. Born in Arpinum, a town south of Rome, Cicero rose through the ranks of Roman politics, serving as a consul in 63 BC and playing a crucial role in suppressing the Catiline conspiracy. His career, however, was tragically cut short by the political machinations of Mark Antony, who had him declared an enemy of the state and executed in 43 BC. Cicero’s writings, encompassing speeches, letters, and philosophical treatises, offer invaluable insights into the late Roman Republic.

This edition includes:

• An original 283-word introduction by Lion's Mark Library, situating the work for the contemporary reader.
• A focused 228-word biography of the author and their context.
• Lion Library house typesetting and editorial standards.
• Source verified against the cleanest available public-domain text.

Lion Library republishes carefully chosen public-domain works in editions designed to be read, kept, and returned to.