Letter 17 (pg 88) Flashcards
from
Cicero
to
Atticus
date
7 or 8 August 45Bc
major events before letter
Caesar installed as absolute ruler
Brutus was speaking in favour of Caesar
Caesar returned to Rome to celebrate a triumph (over many Romans)
Cicero’s disspointment in familly before letter
his brother’s son Quintus unsuccessfully denounced his father to the dictator. Cicero calls it “the greatest sorrow of my life”
Brutus is of such a high social class joining Caesar is proposterous
how foolish
Brutus claims Caesar has joined the optimates
Caesar is converted to the good party
Cicero reacts badly to Brutus’s comment on Caesar
Splendid news. But where is he going to find them? Unless he hangs himself
Briefly mentions his distaste about Quintus
“I was beggining to be afraid that Quintus was liked even by Brutus”
“unwilling to receive Quintus here”
Tone of letter
often sarcastic, conveys anger and contempt
Cicero is in a studious moment
“glued to my books”