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Epistulae ad Familiares, V. xi.-xii.

if I think it necessary to do so I shall call upon the lady myself. But, for all that, I should like you to write to her yourself, and tell her not to think there is anything either so important, or so insignificant, as to seem to me either difficult, or beneath my dignity. Anything I may have to do in relation to your affairs I shall regard as a labour of love and an honour to myself. As to Dionysius, as you are my friend, wind up the business; whatever pledge you have given him, I shall redeem it. If, however, he proves himself a scoundrel (as he is), you will lead him captive in your triumph. Perdition seize the Dalmatians, who are worrying you! But, as you say, they will soon be taken, and so shed lustre on your exploits; for they have always been accounted a warlike race.

XII

Cicero to Lucceius^[1]

Antium, April or May, 56 B.C.

¹ Often, when I have attempted to discuss this topic with you face to face, I have been deterred by a sort of almost boorish bashfulness; but now that I am away from you I shall bring it all out with greater boldness; for a letter does not blush. I am fired by an extraordinary, but not—as I think—reprehensible eagerness to have my name rendered illustrious and renowned by no other pen than yours. And though

↑ L. Lucceius was now writing his history of Rome from the Marsic or Social war. He had had some experience of public life, having prosecuted Catiline in 64 for murders committed during the Sullan proscriptions, and having stood, though unsuccessfully, for the consulship with Caesar in 60. After that he seems to have devoted himself, as Sallust did, to history. He strongly supported Pompey in the Civil War, but must have been pardoned by Caesar, as we have a letter of his to Cicero (v. 14) dated 45 B.c.

Cicero evidently took much pains with this letter, which he describes to Atticus (Att. iv. 6, ad fin.) as being valde bella, "an exceedingly pretty letter." Anyhow, Lucceius promised to do what Cicero wanted.

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[1] L. Lucceius was now writing his history of Rome from the Marsic or Social war. He had had some experience of public life, having prosecuted Catiline in 64 for murders committed during the Sullan proscriptions, and having stood, though unsuccessfully, for the consulship with Caesar in 60. After that he seems to have devoted himself, as Sallust did, to history. He strongly supported Pompey in the Civil War, but must have been pardoned by Caesar, as we have a letter of his to Cicero (v. 14) dated 45 B.c.

Cicero evidently took much pains with this letter, which he describes to Atticus (Att. iv. 6, ad fin.) as being valde bella, "an exceedingly pretty letter." Anyhow, Lucceius promised to do what Cicero wanted.

[1]