Start of July 44 BCE: To Oppius (at Rome) from Cicero (at Anagnia)
Cicero reminisces about the civil war
While I was deliberating over my entire plan to leave (as our dear Atticus is aware), because many thoughts came to mind on both sides, your judgement and advice had a great weight in dispelling my hesitation. For you wrote plainly how you felt about it, and Atticus told me about your conversation with him. I have always judged highly your good sense in coming up with advice, and your honesty in giving it. I had thorough proof of this when, at the beginning of the civil war, I wrote to you asking for advice about what you thought I should do: whether I should go to Pompey, or remain in Italy. You urged me to consider my position; I understood from this what you thought, and I admired your honesty and your conscientiousness in giving advice, because although you thought your closest friend would prefer otherwise, you deemed my duty as more important to you than his wishes.1
For my part, I had special regard for you even before that time, and always knew that you felt the same towards me. When I went away and was in great danger, I remember that you protected and defended both me in my absence and my family in Italy.2 And after I returned, we have all those who usually notice such things as witnesses to the familiarity with which you have spent time with me, and how I have felt about you and praised you. But the weightiest judgement you made about my good faith and constancy was when, after the death of Caesar, you unreservedly gave me your friendship. If I do not confirm your judgement by showing you every possible kindness, and serving you in every way, I shall think myself less than human.
Please, my Oppius, maintain the love you have for me (although I write this more out of habit than because I think you need to be reminded), and look out for my interests; I have asked Atticus to inform you about them. Expect a fuller letter from me when I have managed to get a little free time. Take care of your health. Nothing you can do would make me more grateful than that.
Read Ad Familiares 11.29 in Latin here | Check the glossary here
Oppius’ ‘closest friend’ is Caesar. The letter from Oppius that Cicero mentions may be this joint letter from Oppius and Balbus, written in March 49 BCE.
When Cicero left for the Pompeian camp during the civil war.