Hortensius (Cicero)

Hortensius or On Philosophy is a lost dialogue written by Marcus Tullius Cicero in the year 45 BC. The work had followed the conventional form of a protreptic, and taught that genuine human happiness is to be found by using and embracing philosophy. The dialogue is named after Cicero's friend, the speaker and politician Quintus Hortensius Hortalus. The two other discussants are Quintus Lutatius Catulus and Lucius Licinius Lucullus. This meeting takes place in Lucullus' villa. While the dialogue was extremely popular in the ancient world, the dialogue only survived into the sixth century AD. Today, it is extant in the fragments preserved by Martianus Capella, Servius, Nonius Marcellus, and Augustine of Hippo. Out of the four, Augustine preserved the largest portion of text, although the work is still considered lost.

Prior to and during the time of the composition, Cicero experienced many hardships.

Politically, Cicero was at odds with Gaius Julius Caesar, who had become both dictator and consul in 46 BC. This meant Caesar was functioning as a de facto king, much to Cicero's chagrin.

Personally, Cicero had completed his divorce with Terentia in 51 BC. It is theorized that in order to repay the dowry of Terentia, who came from a wealthy family, Cicero married Publilia, a rich young girl in his ward, sometime between 46 and 45 BC. However, his marriage to Publilia did not last long. In addition, Cicero's daughter, Tullia, whom he loved greatly, suddenly became ill and died during the month of February in the year of 45 BC.

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