Which term represents a key concept in Cicero's teachings regarding instruction?

The term "praeceptum" is a fundamental concept in Cicero's teachings, especially in the context of instruction and education. In Latin, "praeceptum" refers to a precept or instruction that serves as a guiding principle or rule for behavior. It embodies the essence of teaching and learning, highlighting the importance of imparting knowledge and moral guidance.

Cicero valued education as a means of fostering virtue and civic responsibility, and "praeceptum" encapsulates this idea by representing the authoritative advice or lessons that one must follow. This term illustrates the transmission of wisdom from teacher to student, an integral part of Cicero's philosophical outlook on the role of education in shaping virtuous citizens.

The other terms, while they may relate to instruction in various ways, do not capture the specific connotations and significance that "praeceptum" does in Cicero's discussions about teaching and moral guidance. For example, "dictatum" refers to something dictated, "mandatum" implies a command, and "notitia" relates to knowledge or awareness, but none of these convey the same sense of a guiding educational principle that "praeceptum" does.