L'immagine di Cicerone nell'incipit del Brutus

This paper suggests a new approach to the incipit of Brutus where the commemoration of Hortensius seems functional to rebuilding Cicero’s image on his coming back to Rome after his tragic experience in the war and his reconciliation with Caesar. This analysis stands with the interpretation of Brutus as an opportunity for Cicero to put himself on the line. His auctoritas, as the biographical elements hint at, is founded on the sapientia obtained through his philosophical, theoretical formation together with his political experience. It is for the good of the res publica to be rebuilt after the civil war regardless of the role Cicero will be asked to play.