Cicero letters 49 atticus and caesar - catherine steele

Cicero’s Civil War Letters (49 BC) – Notes

Context

  • Written during the beginning of the Roman Civil War between Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great in 49 BC.

  • Cicero is politically uncertain and conflicted.

  • He:

    • Wants peace

    • Is not strongly anti-Caesar

    • But has longstanding obligations to Pompey.

Many Romans also wanted peace:

The vast majority of the Senate had supported a proposal that both Caesar and Pompey give up their armies.

However, negotiations failed and civil war began after Caesar invaded Italy.

1. Letter 9.11a (March 49 BC)

Type

  • A letter from Cicero to Caesar.

  • Sent publicly and then copied into a letter to Titus Pomponius Atticus.

Key Point

This letter is not private – it is meant for a public audience.

Cicero’s Position

Cicero presents himself as:

  • A supporter of peace

  • Someone willing to communicate with Caesar

  • But loyal to Pompey

Quote

Cicero presents himself “as an advocate of peace.”

Purpose

The letter aims to:

  • Show that Cicero supports peace negotiations

  • Protect his political reputation

  • Make clear that his obligations to Pompey remain

2. Letter 8.8 (February 49 BC)

Theme

Cicero criticises Pompey’s leadership and decisions.

Main Issue

Pompey abandons Italy and moves his army to the Eastern Mediterranean.

Why Pompey did this

Possible strategic reasons:

  • Pompey had strong political and military support in the East

  • His earlier victories there gave him access to resources and allies

Why Cicero disliked it

Many Romans felt Pompey was:

  • Running away

  • Leaving Italy open for Caesar

This allowed Caesar to:

  • Enter Rome

  • Gain important symbolic political control

Quote

Cicero expresses “his unhappiness about Pompey as a leader.”

3. Letter 9.4

Theme

A philosophical reflection on Cicero’s political dilemma.

Cicero asks himself:

  • Should he join Pompey?

  • Should he stay in Rome?

  • Should he support Caesar?

Method

He approaches the problem using philosophical argumentation.

This involves:

  • Presenting arguments for and against different positions

  • Treating the situation like a rhetorical exercise

Cicero’s Philosophy

Cicero followed Academic Skepticism, which argues:

  • Absolute truth may be impossible to know

  • Instead, people must choose the most plausible course of action

Quote

Cicero explores the problem “as a series of philosophical exercises… statements for which you can argue for and against.”

Significance

This letter shows:

  • Cicero using philosophy to deal with a real political crisis

  • His intellectual training shaping practical decision-making

Important Context: Fear of Sulla

Romans feared another dictatorship like that of Lucius Cornelius Sulla.

If Pompey won the civil war, people worried he might repeat Sulla’s proscriptions (political killings).

Quote:

There was fear Pompey might “re-Sullanise Rome.”

Overall Themes in the Letters

  1. Uncertainty

    • Cicero is unsure which side to support.

  2. Peace Advocacy

    • He consistently promotes peace over civil war.

  3. Loyalty vs Pragmatism

    • Personal loyalty to Pompey conflicts with political caution.

  4. Philosophy in Politics

    • Cicero uses philosophical reasoning to navigate the crisis.