 Hence, in terms of the structure of his speech, one of the chief points of theological doctrine that distinguishes the Stoic view from the Epicurean – namely that the gods are concerned with human wellbeing and actively promote it – becomes, in Balbus’ hands, the notion that this providential outlook has Rome not as its exclusive but certainly as its primary focus. On the face of it, this seems like a shrewd strategy: a Roman audience is, perhaps, more likely to be won over by an account that shows the gods as Rome’s best friend than by one that shuns any notion of divine favour.