May or June 43 BCE: To Brutus (at Dyrrachium) from Cicero (at Rome)
Even during a civil war the letters of recommendation do not stop
From Cicero to Brutus, greetings.
I have commended many men to you—and I must commend them. For loyal men and citizens are most inclined to follow your judgement, and all brave men are devoted to you and want to work hard for your approval, and everyone thinks that my influence has a great deal of weight with you.
But I commend Gaius Nasennius to you, a townsman from Suessa: there is nobody more hardworking. During the war in Crete when Metellus was general,1 he was the centurion of the eighth cohort, and afterwards he was busy with household matters. Now, influenced by the Republican faction and by your outstanding position, he wants your help in taking up some position of authority.
He is a brave man that I commend him to you, Brutus, and an honest person, and (if this has any relevance to the situation) he is rich too. I shall be most grateful to you if you treat him in a way that means he can thank me for your kindness.
Latin text of Cic. ad Brut. 1.8 | Glossary | Historia Civilis video overview of 44-43 BCE
Around 66-5 BCE.