Cicero on the Legal and Moral Aspects of War and Peace

(ius gentium)" regulating the establishment of peace, the conclusion of peace treaties, the observance of the truce, as well as those norms that were related to the declaration and conduct of war, are examined in detail. Particular attention the article paid to the ideas of the Ancient Roman philosopher, politician, and rhetorician Cicero. Based on the analysis of Cicero’s treatises and dialogues "On the State," "On Duties," "On Laws" and others, the article revealed his assessment of the civil and conquering wars waged by Ancient Rome. The author justifi es that Cicero in his works puts forward the concept of "just war (bellum iustum)." At the same time, he puts into this concept not only a purely legal meaning ("legal war"), but also a moral meaning that requires an assessment of the reasons for waging war. Based on humanistic philosophical ideas, he describes the duties of a worthy citizen associated with war.