149 Scipio’s Cosmic Trip

On this week’s Mosaic Ark, the ladies continued their discussion of “The Dream of Scipio,” that short, narrative work written by Cicero which served as an instructive parable about civic duty to the citizens of Rome. However mundane that purpose may have been, its descriptions of what Romans believed about the physical universe and religion are fascinating in their familiarity. Cicero used these images in his parable because his audience already understood what they were; his work described the physical universe and Earth’s place in it, a Supreme god, an afterlife, and the morals a man needed to get there. All of those things are what both scientists and Christians of today would easily recognize because they are an image of creation that they somewhat share with ancient pagans. Listen as we wrestle with the implications of this, and please give us your thoughts in the comments! —Streamed October 3, 2025