‘Conserere Sapientiam’, To Engage in Wisdom: The Rhetoric of Philosophical Debate and the Speech of Caecilius in Minucius Felix’s Octavius

Here I will elucidate both the rhetorical and philosophical significance of the introduction to Minucius Felix’s Octavius—in effect, to give voice to what Minucius Felix hoped to do in having Caecilius and Octavius conserere sapientiam (‘engage in wisdom’). I draw special attention to the introduction to the dialogue because (i) Minucius’ rhetorical care in establishing an appropriate otium (in other words, a locus amoenus) for his dialogue participants has been underappreciated (ii) because Caecilius’ arguments have, in general, been given short-shrift, and, (iii) because the view that the introductory parts should, instead, be read with suspicion has found a recent prominent voice in an influential recent article (Powell 2007).