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Created by
Evie Parkinson

Cards (60)

  • Cicero to Pompey 5.7
    When was it written and what was the context of the year
    62 BCE
    Cicero had quelled Catilinarian conspiracy
    Pompey is returning from Rome, having acquired huge territories in the east
  • Cicero to Pompey 5.7
    What are the general themes
    - amicitia between Cicero and Pompey
    - appeal to a shared love of Rome
  • Cicero to Pompey 5.7
    Where was Cicero?
    Rome
  • Cicero to Pompey 5.7
    Key points
    - praises Pompey for having defeated pirates and Mithridates and assures how he always believed in him - forming amicitia
    - rejoices at Pompey's success (my extraordinary enthusiasm on your behalf)
    - criticises Pompey for not congratulating him enough (i did expect some congratulation in your letter on my achievements)
    - compares himself and Pompey to ancient great consuls (Laelius and Africanus)
    - Says their united love for Rome will bring them closer together
  • Cicero to Pompey 5.7
    Tone?
    formal
  • Cicero to Atticus 2.18
    When was it written and what was the context of the year?
    59 BCE
    - Caesar was consul and 1st triumvirate newly established
    - Cicero upset over Campanian Law (finally passed under Caesar during consulship and as triumvir in 59
    - Cicero had rejected invite to join triumvirate
    - Clodius running for tribune of plebs - rival of Cicero
  • Cicero to Atticus 2.18
    What are the general themes?
    - Disempowerment of the senate and people
    - Libertas
    - Struggle to match political ideals with practice
    - Cicero-Atticus relationship
  • Cicero to Atticus 2.18
    Where was Cicero?
    Rome
  • Cicero to Atticus 2.18
    Key points
    - Cicero in distress (I am dissatisfied with myself)
    - Cicero mourns the lack of libertas (no hope of the magistrates, or indeed private citizens, ever being free)
    - Cicero asked by Caesar to join triumvirate (I am invited by Caesar to join in a very gentlemanly manner)
  • Cicero to Atticus 2.18
    Tone

    Informal
  • Cicero to Atticus 2.18
    Language Technqiues?
    - repetition of verb in first person gives sense of openness
    - language is unambiguous and heartfelt
    - devoid of stylistic flourish
    - intimate informality shows Cicero's vulnerability
  • Cicero to Curio 2.4
    What was the year
    53 BCE
    - Cicero still under the shadow of first triumvirate
    - Crassus dead, Julia dead, no successful consular elections, violent mobs
    - freedom of speech is impossible due to political situations
  • Cicero to Curio 2.4
    What are the general themes?
    - art of letter writing
    - stifling of freedom of speech
  • Cicero to Curio 2.4
    Where was Cicero?
    Rome
  • Cicero to Curio 2.4
    Key points
    - Cicero trying to keep amicitia by writing to Curio (to demonstrate my love for you)
    - cicero emphasises lack of libertas (I do not dare to write what I feel, and I do not wish to write what I don't feel)
    - Cicero shows love of oratory and literature
  • Cicero to Curio 2.4
    Tone?
    Informal
  • Cicero to Curio 2.4
    Language Techniques?
    - Repetition of rhetorical questions
  • Cicero to Caelius 2.11
    When was it written and what was the context of the year?
    4 April 50 BCE
    - demands that Caesar return from Gaul
    - thought of civil War is nearing
  • Cicero to Caelius 2.11
    What are the general themes?
    - political principles (caesar will not exploit province for Caelius)
    - Cicero's need for political information from Rome
  • Cicero to Caelius 2.11
    Where was Cicero? Why? Where is Caelius?

    - Cicero in Cilicia as governor
    - Caelius in Rome and is asking for panthers for campaign for aedileship
  • Cicero to Caelius 2.11
    Key points
    - Cicero does't want to be in Cilicia and longs for Rome (as for the province, it bores me)
    - Flatters Caelius, strengthening amicitia and making sure he does his request (By the Gods, your aedileship is of great concern to me)
    (I get from you to be the most trustworthy information)
    - Cicero fears political situation in Rome (I fear great war hanging over us)
  • Cicero to Caelius 2.11
    Tone
    - Informal
  • Cicero to Caesar 9.11
    When was it written and what was the context of the year?
    19 March 49 BCE
    - Civil war
  • Cicero to Caesar 9.11
    What are the general themes?
    - cicero's aims for harmony
    - Cicero's neutrality
    - Cicero's relationship with Caesar and Pompey
  • Cicero to Caesar 9.11
    Where was Cicero?
    Formiae
  • Cicero to Caesar 9.11
    Key Points
    - Caesar had invited Cicero to Rome to meet him
    - Cicero intends for letter to be published
    - Cicero aims for putting republic first without blaming any one individual (I always advocated for peace at the first opportunity)
    - Cicero flatters Caesar (the war involved an infringement on your rights) but does stay neutral
    - Cicero appeals to common friends (our friend Furnius) - amicable
  • Cicero to Caesar 9.11
    Tone
    Amicable but formal
  • Cicero to Caesar 9.11
    Language Techniques
    - imperative and heartfelt (I beg and implore you with all my heart) - shows desperation
  • Cicero to Atticus 8.8
    When was it written and what was the context of the year?
    23 February 49 BCE
    - Civil war
  • Cicero to Atticus 8.8
    What are the general themes?
    - Cicero's moral drive
    - Cicero's dislike of both parties
    - Cicero's distress
  • Cicero to Atticus 8.8
    Where was Cicero?
    - Formiae
  • Cicero to Atticus 8.8
    Key points
    - Cicero upset with Pomey for leaving Italy (what a dishonourable and therefore miserable thing)
    - Cicero criticises Pompey (the light of honour flashed from Pompey's eyes)
    - Cicero shows his mental state (i am too distressed to write much more)
  • Cicero to Atticus 8.8
    Tone
    - informal
  • Cicero to Atticus 9.4
    When was it written and what was the context of the year?
    12 March 49
    - Civil War
  • Cicero to Atticus 9.4
    What are the general themes?
    - Cicero's philosophy of politics and idealism
    - Informal vs formal letter writing
    - Risk of correspondence
  • Cicero to Atticus 9.4
    Where was Cicero?
    - Formiae
  • Cicero to Atticus 9.4
    Key points
    - Cicero asks many philosophical questions, showing state of mind (should one stay in ones country if it is under oppressive rule?)
    - Cicero shows distressed state of mind (my present miserable thoughts)
    - unusual for Cicero, who usually remains set-in-stone in his opinions and values
    - Cicero questions if he should still fight for the republic and Rome, and we know that he does, all the way to Antony, and his death
  • Cicero to Atticus 9.4
    Tone?
    - informal
  • Cicero to Atticus 9.4
    Language Techniques
    - lots of rhetorical questions to show Cicero's confusion and distress
  • Cicero to Atticus 13.40
    When was it written and what was the context of the year?
    17th August 45 BCE
    - Caesar has won the civil war by this point