Dream of Scipio

The Dream of Scipio is a philosophical work by Cicero, written around 52 BCE as part of his larger work De re publica (On the Republic). It is not a standalone piece but rather the concluding section of the sixth book.1

The "dream" itself is a vision experienced by the Roman general Scipio Aemilianus, who lived from 185/184 to 129 BCE. In this vision, he is visited by his grandfather, Scipio Africanus the Elder, who discusses the nature of the universe, the afterlife, and the rewards of virtuous service to the state. The work emphasizes the importance of duty, justice, and the pursuit of glory for the good of Rome, suggesting that true happiness lies in serving one's country and that the soul is immortal. It reflects Roman ideals of civic virtue and the philosophical ideas of Plato and Stoicism.21