11 November 44 BCE: To Atticus (at Rome) from Cicero (at Arpinum)
Cicero has a historical query—and would also like updates on the 'revolutionary situation' in Rome
I am waiting eagerly for your advice. I am afraid that I may be away when it is more honourable for me to be present; but I don’t dare to come rashly. I am hearing something different about Antony’s movements than what I wrote to you before. So please untangle it all, and write to me with what is known for certain.
About the rest, what more can I tell you? I am burning with enthusiasm for history (your encouragement has had an unbelievable effect on me), but it cannot be started or finished without your help. So we shall talk about it when we are together. For now, please write to let me know who the consuls were when Gaius Fannius, son of Marcus, was Tribune of the Plebs.1 I seem to recall hearing it was when Publius Africanus and Lucius Mummius were Censors.2 That then is my question.
Please give me clear and reliable updates about the revolutionary situation going on.3
Written on the 11th, at Arpinum.
Read Ad Atticum 16.13a in Latin here | Check the glossary here | Watch an overview of events from the Ides of March onwards here
Gaius Fannius is one of the speakers in Cicero’s On Friendship, which may have been in-progress at this point.
In 142 BCE. It’s uncertain whether Cicero is correct about this being when Gaius Fannius was Tribune, but the Consuls in 142 BCE were Lucius Caecilius Metellus Calvus and Quintus Fabius Maximus Servilianus.
Octavian had marched on Rome and occupied the Forum with his soldiers on the 10th.