Hortensius

Hortensius title of a lost dialogue by Cicero ( (1) 5), composed in 45 BC after the death of the orator after whom it was named (see below). It was an introduction and an exhortation to the study of philosophy, which Cicero defended against Roman prejudices. It was based on the Protrepticus of Aristotle (of which only fragments survive). Reading it inspired St Augustine to seek the ‘wisdom’ of God (Confessions 3. 7).