Do the gods exist? What are they like? Do they care about us? Three books presenting Epicurean, Stoic, and Academic arguments about the nature of the divine. Cicero's most sustained work of theology.
Start ReadingVelleius presents the Epicurean theology: the gods exist but take no interest in human affairs. They live in eternal pleasure between the worlds.
Balbus presents the Stoic theology: the universe itself is divine, governed by providence. Everything in nature reveals intelligent design.
Cotta (the Academic sceptic) demolishes both positions. He picks apart the Stoic argument from design and the Epicurean indifferent gods with devastating precision.