oratores

Oratores was a philosophical group active in the late Roman Republic, primarily associated with the orator and statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero. The term itself refers to those who practiced oratory, but in the context of Cicero's philosophical works, it denotes a group of individuals who engaged in philosophical discussion and debate, often drawing upon Stoic and Academic traditions. These discussions were frequently presented in a dialogue format within Cicero's writings, serving to explore various philosophical concepts and ethical dilemmas.

Cicero himself was a prominent figure among the oratores, and his prolific writings, such as "De Oratore" (On the Orator) and "De Finibus Bonorum et Malorum" (On the Ends of Good and Evil), provide valuable insights into their intellectual pursuits. The oratores were not a formal school with a rigid doctrine but rather a circle of educated Romans who valued eloquence, reason, and the application of philosophical principles to public life. Their discussions often focused on ethics, political philosophy, and the art of rhetoric, reflecting a desire to integrate philosophical wisdom with practical statesmanship.

The influence of the oratores extended beyond their immediate circle, contributing to the dissemination of Greek philosophical ideas in Rome. Cicero's efforts to translate and adapt Greek philosophical concepts into Latin made these ideas accessible to a wider Roman audience, shaping the intellectual landscape of the late Republic and early Empire. The emphasis on reasoned discourse and the pursuit of knowledge through dialogue remained a significant aspect of Roman intellectual life for centuries.