Description

An engaging new translation of a timeless masterpiece about coping with the death of a loved one

In 45 BCE the Roman statesman Cicero fell to pieces when his beloved daughter Tullia died from complications of childbirth But from the depths of despair Cicero fought his way back In an effort to cope with his loss he wrote a consolation speechnot for others as had always been done but for himself And it worked Ciceros Consolation was something new in literature equal parts philosophy and motivational speech Drawing on the full range of Greek philosophy and Roman history Cicero convinced himself that death and loss are part of life and that if others have survived them we can too resilience endurance and fortitude are the way forward

Lost in antiquity Ciceros Consolation was recreated in the Renaissance from hints in Ciceros other writings and the Greek and Latin consolatory tradition The resulting masterpiecetranslated here for the first time in 250 yearsis infused throughout with Ciceros thought and spirit

Complete with an inviting introduction Michael Fontaines engaging translation makes this searching exploration of grief available to readers once again