567. Letters to Atticus, translated by Shackleton Bailey- Summary

567.  Letters to Atticus, translated by Shackleton Bailey. These letters are so fun to read.  It lends strength to the argument that Cicero may have been the most civilized man who ever lived.  The first letter is from 68 BC.  The last goes up to late 44 BC.  The letters can be approached from so many angles, it boggles the mind.  One can read for his wonderful style of writing.  He is delightful, serious, funny, fun loving, angry.  A wide range of moods.  Which makes sense when one realizes that these are letters to a dear friend and thus Cicero often opens up in ways he did not open up to others.  But do not be mislead.  Careful reading of the letters in my judgement indicates that Cicero did not share everything with Atticus.  His quips are so very clever that if one could commit them to memory he/she would add much bite, force, strength to any writing he/she undertakes.  Here is Cicero talking about how long it takes Varro to publish something:  “he has been running hard without advancing a foot”.  “My own conscience counts more with me than all the world’s talk.” - this he wrote when thinking about gossip concerning his stand on political issues.  “I reduced the outward show of grief; grief itself I could not reduce, and would not if I could.”  This he said in reply to those criticizing his grief over his daughter’s death. 

Clodius, a rich and arrogant politician, was on trial for serious charges.  Cicero served as witness for prosecution.  Cicero claims that Clodius gained acquittal via bribery of key judges.  The letter survives.  It is a gem of literary style.  It is fun to read.  The trial unfolds before one’s eyes.  It is a masterpiece.  Later Clodius taunted Cicero in a Senate meeting.  The interchange tells much of Senatorial give and take.  It also reveals how quick Cicero was on his feet.  It is awesome to think that someone could respond so readily.

Many letters survive which Cicero wrote during his exile.  These give new and fresh appreciation for him as man.  Concern for himself, his brother, his daughter and brother.  Embarrassment at his disaster.  But his powerful drive for politics are evident here- he becomes interested in his restoration almost from the moment he leaves Italy.

When he was governor of Cilicia in 50 BC, another side of the man surfaces.  He was so honest.  In fact if you read these, you will find a new side to Brutus who figures so large in Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Cicero faced major problems with Brutus who had loaned money to someone in Cicero’s province and was insisting on 48 % annual interest rate.  Not only illegal but immoral.   Cicero was shocked to say the least.  I have never thought that Cicero cared much for Brutus the man.

Jan 21, 49 BC Cicero wrote to Atticus when he heard of Caesar crossing the Rubicon River.  Even when he is stunned, shocked or scarred, he is so expressive.  Here we enter the exciting mind of Cicero as he swiftly obliterates any reason Caesar could have mustered for starting a civil war. 

Cicero loved nature too.  Gardens were a delight.  Statues rightly placed in a garden or a room brought so much joy.  In April 46 BC Atticus wanted to know whether he, Cicero, derived more please from the hills, the view or his walks by the sea.  Other such comments occur elsewhere.

It is clear from reading just a few letters that there was little which did not interest him.