Dreams in Cicero’s De Divinatione

Abstract

Abstract This paper proposes an explanation for the surprisingly extensive treatment of dreams in Cicero’s De divinatione. It suggests that Cicero saw an opportunity to become the first Roman author to write extensively on dreams. The paper rejects the notion that Cicero voices his personal opinion about (dream) divination, and suggests, rather, that he wished to provide for his readers a comprehensive debate of Stoic and Academic views on dreams. Finally, Cicero points to the value of this discussion when he implies that dreams have become a source of anxiety and that his account may relieve the reader of such apprehension.