Dubitanter unum quicque dicemus (inv. 2, 10). The shadow of Philo of Larissa in Cicero's De inventione

Authors

  • Matilde Oliva Università di Firenze

Abstract

The contribution examines the presence of Philo of Larissa in Cicero’s De inventione. By developing a comparison between inv. 1, 8 and inv. 2, 9-10, the article aims to demonstrate how the critique of Hermagoras of Temnos with which the first book of the treatise opens does not contradict the probabilistic (and Philonian) inspiration of the second preface. The hypothesis, in particular, is that the strong stance against the introduction of θέσεις into rhetorical doctrine by Hermagoras of Temnos conceals an interest in a topic on which Cicero was deeply reflecting, probably under the innovative influence of Philo of Larissa’s teachings. Philo may have been responsible for the same anti-Hermagorean polemic, and I believe that De inventione shares part of his philosophical outlook, though not yet his rhetorical theory.

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Author Biography

Matilde Oliva, Università di Firenze

Matilde Oliva è assegnista di ricerca e docente a contratto presso l’Università degli Studi di Firenze, dove ha conseguito il dottorato di ricerca in Scienze dell’Antichità e Archeologia (Dottorato “Pegaso” – XXXV ciclo) con un progetto finalizzato alla stesura di un nuovo commento, con introduzione 
e traduzione, delle Partitiones oratoriae di Cicerone. Attualmente si occupa del testo dei Satyrica di Petronio nei manoscritti del XV secolo e nelle prime edizioni a stampa. I suoi interessi di ricerca comprendono anche la teoria retorica latina dall’età repubblicana alla tarda antichità, con un focus particolare sulla produzione retorica, filosofica e oratoria di Cicerone.

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Published

2025-01-31

How to Cite

Oliva, M. (2025). Dubitanter unum quicque dicemus (inv. 2, 10). The shadow of Philo of Larissa in Cicero’s De inventione. Ciceroniana On Line, 8(2), 597–619. Retrieved from https://ojs.unito.it/index.php/COL/article/view/11648

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 2 (2024): “Lecturae Ciceronis I, 2024. Le De inuentione entre philosophie, droit et rhétorique” Proceedings edited by Charles GUÉRIN and Veronica REVELLO

Section

Papers

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