Cicero, who was both a senator and augur, investigates the nature of "res divinae" and "res humanae" (human affairs) in his treatise "De Natura Deorum" ("On the nature of the gods"). He makes no attempt to develop an internally consistent system in which the rituals of "res divinae" might be modified by “higher truths” of doctrine or revelation. He concludes that even if the nature and existence of the gods cannot be proved beyond doubt, it is wise and pragmatic to honour them by piously offering the time-hallowed rites. Rome's continued success might depend on it. Cicero's reasoning offers a stark contrast to later Judaeo-Christian definitions of religion as spiritual and godly in contrast — or opposition — to those things regarded as material and temporal.