Cicero's Letters

What was the context of Cicero's letter to Pompey from Rome in 62BC?

Pompey was returning home from his campaign in the East against Mithridates, who he defeated in 63BC.

What was the purpose of Cicero's letter to Pompey from Rome in 62BC?

It is an informative letter with a quite formal tone, but its purpose is to inform Pompey on the current state of affairs and to 'protect the republic'.

In his letter to Pompey from Rome in 62BC how does Cicero flatter Pompey?

"you have given us that strong hope of peace"- thanking Pompey for his service to the state/ keeping him informed of the feeling towards him in Rome/ flatters him/ wants to build up amicitiae

In his letter to Pompey from Rome in 62BC how does Cicero believe that his relationship with Pompey will be strengthened?

"the interests of the state will certainly create a mutual attachment and coalition between us."- he is justifying their continued relationship for the better of the state/ presenting himself as purely dedicated to the state, puts pressure on Pompey to be so also/ in fact he sees their relationship as a way in which Cicero can gain a further foot and power within Roman politics following his consulship/ sees himself as a genuine asset for the state/ he wants Pompey's protection following the Catilinerean conspiracy

In his letter to Pompey from Rome in 62BC how does Cicero express his upset with Pompey's apparent ignorance to the Catilinerean conspiracy?

"I did expect some congratulations in your letter on my achievements, both for the sake of the ties between us and that of the republic"- he cannot bare to think that Cicero's desire to be friends with Pompey is not mutual/ holds his achievements in high esteem and believes they deserve congratulation, even from the best general in Rome/ is playing up the importance of his actions to be on par with Pompey's defeat of Mithridates/ once again uses the republic as a reason for their relationship to be successful/ sees himself as an important figure within Roman politics now

In his letter to Pompey from Rome in 62BC who does Cicero use to compare Pompey and himself with?

"you- a man much greater than Africanus was... me- one who is not much inferior to Laelius"- Laelius was Scipio Africanus' right-hand man, so Cicero is implying that he sees himself as second to the most powerful man in Rome/ he could be of help to Pompey/ his achievements are worth celebrating/ flattering Pompey

What was the context of Cicero's letter to Atticus from Rome in June 59BC?

Caesar had forced through his land bills and Cicero had come to the attention of the triumvirs for his opposition of them. Clodius had been transferred to the plebeian class with the help of Caesar as Pontifex Maximus and the lex Vatinia, granting Caesar as extended 5 year governorship of Illyricum and Cisalpine Gaul, had been passed.

What was the purpose and tone of Cicero's letter to Atticus from Rome in June 59BC?

Cicero has a very defeated and downcast tone. He wishes to inform his friend Atticus about the state of affairs in Rome, and to warn him that Cicero may call for him to return to the city at any moment.

In his letter to Atticus from Rome in June 59BC how does Cicero display the situation in Rome?

"everyone groans over the situation, yet no one speaks against it."- the triumvirate are criticized openly behind closed doors, but in public, the people are too afraid of their power to criticize them

In his letter to Atticus from Rome in June 59BC how does Cicero display the hopeless feeling within Rome?

"there is now no hope of the magistrates, or indeed private citizens, ever being free"- cannot believe the way in which the Roman right libertas has been prevented

What was the context of Cicero's letter to Curio from Rome in 53BC?

Rome was plagued with political instability and gang violence following the breakdown of the first triumvirate.

What was the purpose and tone of Cicero's letter to Curio from Rome in 53BC?

It is an informal letter with the purpose of maintaining his amicitiae. He writes first about letter writing and how he has no subject to talk about but still wishes to keep contact with Curio. He then moves on to praise Curio and express his love for him.

In his letter to Curio from Rome in 53BC how does Cicero show the despair in Rome?

"I do not think there could be a good citizen who is able to laugh at this time."- Rome is overrun with gang violence and everybody fears for themselves

In his letter to Curio from Rome in 53BC what does Cicero say about writing of Rome's current state?

"I do not dare to write what I feel, and I do not wish to write what I don't feel."- they are unable to express their discontent freely/ the only views that are accepted are those that conform to the regime

What was the context of Cicero's letter to Caelius from Laodicea in April 50BC?

Cicero was serving as proconsular governor of Cilicia, writing to his friend Rufus who was an aedile in Rome.

What was the purpose and tone of Cicero's letter to Caelius from Laodicea in April 50BC?

It has an informal tone. Cicero first displays his anxiety towards the current political situation. Then, he writes in order to maintain his amicitia with Rufus, expressing his deepest concern in finding panthers for his aedileship. This is for the purpose of asking for Rufus to keep him up to date on the current political situation in return. He feels very isolated in Cilicia.

In his letter to Caelius from Laodicea in April 50BC how does Cicero display his anxiety for the current state of Rome?

"I fear great war hanging over us"- he can feel that the relationship between Caesar and the senate is faltering and that war is approaching

In his letter to Caelius from Laodicea in April 50BC how does Cicero show is concern for Rufus' aedileship?

"about the panthers; it is being carefully attended to"- he is trying his hardest to fulfil Caelius' wishes in order to maintain their amicitia/ he does this for the purpose of asking for information from Rome in return

What was the context of Cicero's letter to Caesar from Formiae in March 49BC?

Cicero was writing from his villa in Formiae following Caesar's invasion of Italy in January and Pompey fleeing from the city to Greece. This letter was also sent to Atticus and Cicero would be aware that it was not just Caesar that would see the letter.

What was the purpose and tone of Cicero's letter to Caesar from Formiae in March 49BC?

It is formal but amicable. He attempts to persuade Caesar to pursue peace negotiations with Pompey. He hopes that Caesar has requested him in Rome for him to be the negotiator. He presents himself as an arbiter of peace between Pompey and Caesar.

In his letter to Caesar from Formiae in March 49BC how does Cicero plead Caesar to pursue peace?

"you might want to pursue negotiations for peace and civic harmony"- appeals to Caesar for peace/ emphasis on peace throughout entire letter

In his letter to Caesar from Formiae in March 49BC how does Cicero present himself as the perfect negotiator?

"a friend of peace and of you both"- he is the ideal candidate to restore peace/ is looking for personal gain/ he has always pursued peace

In his letter to Caesar from Formiae in March 49BC who is the Lentulus that he refers to?

Consul in 57BC and a key person responsible alongside Pompey for recalling cicero from exile. He was a strong supporter of Pompey during the civil war. He and his troops had been captured by Caesar soon after he crossed the Rubicon. He was released soon afterwards as Caesar was following his policy of clemency.

What was the context of Cicero's letter to Atticus from Formiae in February 49BC?

Cicero was writing from his villa in Formiae following Caesar's invasion of Italy in January and Pompey fleeing from the city to Greece.

What was the purpose and tone of Cicero's letter to Atticus from Formiae in February 49BC?

He writes to express his extreme anxiety and distain for the actions of both Pompey and Caesar.

In his letter to Atticus from Formiae in February 49BC how does Cicero display Pompey's cowardice?

"he rejected all offers of peace; he made no preparations for war; he left Rome"- puts sole blame on Pompey for not accepting peace agreements/ sees him as cowardly for fleeing Rome

What was the context of Cicero's letter to Atticus from Formiae in March 49BC?

Cicero was writing from his villa in Formiae following Caesar's invasion of Italy in January and Pompey fleeing from the city to Greece.

What was the purpose and tone of Cicero's letter to Atticus from Formiae in March 49BC?

He writes to distract him from his morbid thoughts. He seeks advice from his friend on questions that have been on his mind in relation to the current political situation. They are questions on how he should act in the present situation.

What was the context of Cicero's letter to Atticus from Tusculum in August 45BC?

His daughter Tullia died in February 45 BC. By August, Cicero was still in deep mourning, having withdrawn from public life to his estate in Tusculum. With Caesar acting as Dictator and the Republic effectively dead, Cicero felt he had no meaningful role in public affairs.

What was the purpose and tone of Cicero's letter to Atticus from Tusculum in August 45BC?

It has a deeply personal, cynical, and apprehensive tone, reflecting his despair over the collapse of the Roman Republic and his reluctance to engage with Caesar's regime. The primary purpose was to discuss the political vacuum, his desire for seclusion, and to exchange news about Brutus and the general state of the Optimates. He seeks advice from Atticus on whether to return to Rome.

What was the context of Cicero's letter to Atticus from Lanuvium in April 44BC?

Cicero travelled to his villa at Lanuvium in April shortly after Julius Caesar's murder in March 44 BC.

What was the purpose and tone of Cicero's letter to Atticus from Lanuvium in April 44BC?

The letter served to urgently exchange political intelligence, express anxiety over the unfolding power vacuum, and criticize the conspirators' lack of post-assassination planning. The tone is anxious, critical, and intimate, blending deep concern for the Republic with gallows humour.

In his letter to Atticus from Lanuvium in April 44BC how does Cicero describe the situation following Caesar's assassination?

"freedom has been restored without a free state"- the tyrant Caesar has been killed, but the rest of his faction remain, such as Antony

What was the context of Cicero's letter to Trebonius from Rome in February 43BC?

Rome was in a state of civil war and intense political chaos following Julius Caesar's assassination. The Senate, guided by Cicero, declared Mark Antony an enemy of the state and dispatched an army, including Octavian, to break Antony's siege of Decimus Brutus at Mutina. Cicero had performed his 'Philippics' against Antony in the senate. Trebonius had actually died as governor in Asia, a month before this letter was written.

What was the purpose and tone of Cicero's letter to Trebonius from Rome in February 43BC?

At the beginning he is somewhat angry at Trebonius for not killing Antony as well as Caesar, yet praises him also. He pleads with Trebonius to ally himself with the republican cause

In his letter to Trebonius from Rome in February 43BC how does Cicero display his discontent for the situation that has been left to him?

"you have left more trouble for me with to deal with by myself, than the rest of the world put together"- sees it as his duty to restore the republic/ angry that the assassins didn't kill Antony also

In his letter to Trebonius from Rome in February 43BC what does Cicero say about Octavian?

He praises his decisiveness in conscripting Caesar's veterans and taking two of Antony's legions in order to stop Antony. He has "great hopes for his future."

What was the context of Cicero's letter to Plancus from Rome in March 43BC?

Plancus was the governor of Further Gaul and an ally of Antony who had sent letters to the senate with peace offerings. The letter was written during Antony's siege of Mutina.

What was the purpose and tone of Cicero's letter to Plancus from Rome in March 43BC?

Cicero sought to secure the loyalty of the governor of Further Gaul, encouraging him to act against Antony after the Senate rejected a peace proposal from Plancus.

In his letter to Plancus from Rome in March 43BC how does Cicero use Plancus' ranks of honour to try and persuade him?

"these will be regarded not as badges of honour, but as empty titles, unless you join yourself with the freedom of the Roman People and authority of the senate"- his achievements will be forgotten and replaced with feelings of betrayal to the state/ he is pleading to his personal ambition and fame

In his letter to Plancus from Rome in March 43BC how does Cicero describe how peace must be made?

"peace cannot be achieved by merely putting down your weapons"- surrendering and promising peace is not enough/ the senate do not trust Antony/ Plancus must join the senate against Antony