Abstract

Already in Cicero’s early treatise De inventione, the phrase civilis scientia, commonly translated as ‘political science’, appears in close relation to the art of eloquence. Cicero states that when eloquence serves the political orator, it must be considered as a part of political science. In this perspective, civilis scientia is characterized by a pragmatic function that will be expressed in Cicero’s mature treatise De oratore. This function is not limited to theoretical knowledge of politics, but takes on the character of a set of skills that are pragmatically functional to the governance of the res publica. The aim of this contribution is to frame the concept of civilis scientia within Cicero’s political thought, and to clarify its meaning, political function, and hegemonic-ideological connotation