Detailed notes on Cicero's Letters that you will need for your AQA classics exam. These notes contain useful quotes that you can use in your essay along with links to events in Rome at the time.
62 B.C.
After the Catilinarian Conspiracy
“Life everybody else I was delighted with your official dispatch”
“I have achieved things […] in view of our relationship and the national interest”
“the reaction to what I did to save our country has been universally favourable”
“I am confident […] let me join you as a political ally”
“you being much greater than Scipio Aemilianus, and myself not much inferior to Laelius!”
evidence for obsequious behaviour - 'I rely on you so completely';
reference to their political amisitia - 'join you as a friend as well as an ally';
reference to the Catilinarian Conspiracy ((CC) 63 BC) - 'I have done the right thing', 'national
interest', 'I have achieved things';
seeks approval of his Concordia Ordinum - 'soldier and statesmen'.
2. To Atticus, on his way to Epirus
July 59 B.C.
Reaction to Caesar’s consulship
“Only one man opens his mouth and speaks against them publicly and that is young
Curio.”
“there can be no hope of either private individuals or even state officials being free for
much longer.”
“on all sides there is nothing but utter despair.”
“The Campanian law ordains that candidates for official posts put themselves under a
curse if their election speeches make any mention of land being occupied on different
terms from those laid down by Caesar’s legislation.”
“I cannot bear to write any more about politics. I am disgusted with myself and find writing
about it extremely painful.”
“Caesar very generously proposes that I should join his staff.”
“offers to send me on a mission at state expense”
“I hate the idea of running away”
“I wish you were here – I long for you to be. Then I should not feel so short of advice and
consolation.”
Discussion of the political situation, and gerneral discontent with the
Triumvirate - 'anxious suspense', 'everyone groans at the political
situation', 'muzzled', 'oppression';
Fear of a dictatorship - 'free for much longer';
Discontent with how he's acted, lessening auctoritas and dignitas and his Concordia
Ordinum falling apart - 'I am disgusted with myself';
Evidence for his vacillating personality - 'I do not know what to do'; discussion of Caesar's
offers - 'join his staff' which he's 'keeping in reserve', 'mission at state expense'.
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