Amm. Marcell. 15.5.23: una nuova ipotesi sul significato di un frammento attribuito all’Hortensius di Cicerone
Amm. Marcell. 15.5.23: a new hypothesis on the meaning of a fragment attributed to Cicero's Hortensius

Summary/Abstract: The excerpt from Ammianus Marcellinus, Res gestae 15.5.23, where the Roman historian reproduces one of Cicero’s sayings, without mentioning its reference, was considered by Alberto Grilli to belong to the dialogue Hortensius. Though the Italian philologist had identified in this excerpt a series of motives common to other fragments from this dialogue (as for example the varietas fortunae or the critical analysis of the false goods which are not in our power), his interpretation remained a singular one. Until now no other scholar had supported Grilli’s interpretation. The quarrel of interpretations regarding this passage will be the starting point of this article in which I will try to advance a new reading of the excerpt from Res gestae 15.5.23 (= Hort. fr. 63 Grilli). The new reading will be done from the perspective of the antique topos according to which for a philosopher varietas fortunae is not only a reason for criticizing the external goods (externa / τὰ ἐκτός), but also an occasion to test himself and to know his inner progress. In my opinion this topos, often present in the writings of ancient writers, was also present in Cicero’s Hortensius. Such a reading will offer new groundings for Grilli’s interpretation.

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