# Book I: On the Contempt of Death explained — Tusculan Disputations

> Chapter companion for Tusculan Disputations by Cicero.

## What happens

Cicero, at Brutus's urging, resumes his philosophical studies and compiles a series of disputations. In this first book, he argues that death is not an evil, drawing on examples from Greek and Roman history, philosophy, and poetry. He contends that if the soul perishes with the body, there is no sensation after death and thus no pain; if the soul is immortal, death is a release to a better state. Cicero illustrates his points with stories of Socrates, Theramenes, Spartan warriors, and the philosopher Theodorus, all of whom faced death with indifference or courage. He also discusses the futility of funeral rites and the importance of living virtuously, concluding that a wise person does not fear death.

## Themes in this chapter

### Contempt of Death

Central theme of the chapter: Cicero argues that death is not an evil, using philosophical arguments and historical examples to show that it should be faced with indifference or courage.

### Philosophy as Medicine for the Soul

Cicero presents philosophy as a therapeutic practice that heals the mind from the fear of death and other perturbations, following the advice of Brutus.

### Roman Cultural Pride

Cicero asserts Roman superiority in moral character, military discipline, and oratory, while acknowledging Greek precedence in philosophy and the arts.

## Character check-ins

### Cicero

Author and narrator; resumes philosophical studies at Brutus's advice and delivers the first disputation on the contempt of death.

### Brutus

Cicero's dedicatee and advisor; his encouragement prompts Cicero to return to philosophy.

### Socrates

Cited as a model of contempt for death; his calm acceptance of his own execution and his remarks on burial are discussed.

### Theramenes

Mentioned alongside Socrates as a man of virtue and wisdom who faced death with dignity.

### Theodorus

Cyrenaic philosopher who showed indifference to death when threatened with crucifixion by Lysimachus.

### Epaminondas

Theban general and statesman, noted for his skill in playing the flute, illustrating Greek esteem for music.

## Key lines

> But what is there of evil in that opinion? For let the soul perish as the body: is there any pain, or indeed any feeling at all, in the body after death?

If the soul dies with the body, there is no sensation after death, so there can be no pain or evil.

_Cicero's core argument that death is not an evil because it involves no feeling._

> Go, stranger, tell the Spartans, here we lie, Who to support their laws durst boldly die.

Tell the Spartans, passerby, that we died obeying their laws.

_Simonides' epitaph for the Spartans at Thermopylae, used by Cicero to exemplify contempt for death._

> To Theodorus it makes no difference whether he rot in the air or underground.

Theodorus said it does not matter to him if his body decays above ground or below.

_Theodorus' indifference to the manner of his death, illustrating philosophical detachment._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tusculan_disputations_se/chapters/book-i-on-the-contempt-of-death
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tusculan_disputations_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tusculan_disputations_se/chapters