How to Run a Country

Philip Freeman is the editor and translator of How to Win an Election: An Ancient Guide for Modern Politicians (Princeton) and the author of Oh My Gods: A Modern Retelling of Greek and Roman Myths, Alexander the Great, and Julius Caesar (all Simon & Schuster). He received his PhD from Harvard University and holds the Qualley Chair of Classical Languages at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

"Edited by Philip Freeman, How to Run a Country is a brief introduction to Cicero's political philosophy... [I]t contains--in English and Latin--fragments from Cicero's books and speeches, as well as letters to friends and colleagues... [Cicero's] views on war and immigration will strike many readers as modern and sane."--Richard King, Australian "[A] delightful little book."--John Wilson, Christianity Today "[Freeman's] book is a collection of tidbits, of course, but if it sends its readers on a journey into Cicero's world it will have achieved Freeman's main purpose: the creation of citizen-readers who are a little bit more thoughtful about politics than they were before."--Brett Evans, Inside Story "Freeman frees the material from its context, selecting excerpts whose content is thought provoking on its own terms, and which demonstrate Cicero's outlook as a thinker in general. Freeman's book is an entry-point, an introduction; while it is simply too short ... to provide much traction for students in a typical college course, I certainly hope it will be successful in introducing Cicero to a wider audience."--Joanna Kenty, Bryn Mawr Classical Review "Organized by topic and featuring lively new translations, the book also includes an introduction, head notes, a glossary, and suggestions for further reading. The result is an enlightening introduction to some of the most enduring political wisdom of all time."--World Book Industry

• Introduction vii How to Run a Country 1 *Natural Law 1 *Balance of Power 4 *Leadership 6 *Friends and Enemies 16 *Persuasion 24 *Compromise 30 *Money and Power 36 *Immigration 43 *War 46 *Corruption 49 *Tyranny 56 *Cicero's Epilogue: The Fallen State 66 Latin Texts 68 Passages Translated 115 Glossary 121 Further Reading 131