To His Friends 2.18: To Atticus Flashcards
to
atticus
name
To His Friends 2.18: To Atticus
date
June 59 Bc
Context
- The first triumvirate has been formed, Caesar has asked Cicero to join the alliance yet Cicero has refused
- Caesar is consul with Biblus
Paragraph one
- Cicero speaks of how they are trapped and says people are afraid to act against the Trimvirate in fear of being killed or exiled.
- He argues that they should be more scared of losing their freedom
- The triumvirate is overpowering, taking all money and power
- Everyone complains of the situation, but only Curio is brave enough to speak out against them. He is met with applause and cheers
- Fufius (friend of triumvirate) comparatively is met with hisses
- No hope of ever being free
Paragraph two
- Despite this, conversation in private is now freer
people are beginning to become more angry than upset - Speaks of the Campanian Law which contains a clause imposing an oath which means you need to promise to not put a land law on the table that isn’t Caesars
- Writes of how everyone but Laternsis takes the oath without hesitiation. He was tryna be a tribune yet stops as he doesn’t want to be forced to sign an oath
- Writes of how he is diaristified with himself
- Speaks of how he was invited to join the first triumvirate
- Wishes atticus were there
key quotes: first triumvirate
we are held down on all sides’
‘make sure there is nothing left which anyone except themselves might be able to offer as a bribe!’
‘i am invited by Caesar in a very gentlemanly manner to join his staff and act as a legate’
‘there is great warmth of feeling for me’
key quotes: loss of libertas
‘ we do not object any more to the loss of our freedom, but we fear death and exile as greater evils, when really they are lesser ones’
‘with things as they are, there is now no hope of the magistrates, or indeed private citizens, of ever being free’
‘ Campaninan Law contains a clause imposing an oath to be taken by candidates in public meeting, that they will not suggest any tenure of public land other than that provided in Julian laws’
‘all others take the oath without hesistation. Laternsis is considered to have shown extraordinary virtue’
Key quotes: fear of the first triumvirate
‘ everyone groans over the situation yet no one speaks against it’
‘the only one to speak or openly offer opposition is young curio’
‘honest people give him a tremendous round of applause’
‘Fufius is pursued with shouts, jeers and hisses’
‘ despite this oppression, conversation at least in society and at dinner tables, is freer than it was. Indignation is beginning to overcome fear’
key quotes: feelings about himself
‘ i am dissatisfied with myself and cannot write without the greatest pain’
‘i hold my position… with less courage than i should like
key quotes: friendship with attics
‘i could wish, or rather ardently desire that you were here’
‘be ready to fly to me should i call for you’
