Letters to friends, colleagues, and political allies. The collection reveals the human networks behind Roman politics — favours asked, debts acknowledged, alliances negotiated.
Start ReadingLetters to Lentulus Spinther, the consul who helped recall Cicero from exile. Political debts, factional manoeuvring, and sincere gratitude.
Letters to various correspondents in the mid-50s BC. Cicero navigates between the Triumvirs, defends former enemies, and manages his public image.
Letters from the late 50s. Cicero's governorship of Cilicia, his dealings with publicani, and his yearning to return to Rome.
Mixed correspondence from the period of political crisis. Letters to Curio, Caelius, and others as the Republic fractures.
Letters around the civil war (49 BC). Cicero writes to friends on both sides — agonised, diplomatic, and increasingly aware that the Republic is lost.
Letters from the civil war period. Correspondence with Caelius Rufus, who provides vivid intelligence from Rome while Cicero is away.
Letters to Trebatius Testa, the young jurist Cicero sent to Caesar's camp. Witty, affectionate, and full of legal in-jokes.
Letters to various correspondents during and after the civil war. Recommendations, requests, and the delicate business of surviving under Caesar.
Letters from Caesar's dictatorship (46-44 BC). Cicero writes philosophy, mourns Tullia, and maintains friendships that will soon become dangerous.
Letters from 44-43 BC. The assassination of Caesar, the rise of Antony, and Cicero's last great political campaign. The tone shifts from hope to urgency.
Letters to Brutus and the 'Liberators' (44-43 BC). Cicero tries to stiffen Republican resolve as Antony consolidates power.
Correspondence with Cassius, Cornificius, and others during the final Republican crisis. Strategy, intelligence, and barely concealed fear.
Official correspondence and diplomatic letters. Dispatches from governors, reports from the provinces, and Cicero's attempts to coordinate the anti-Antonian coalition.
Letters to Plancus, Lepidus, and other commanders whose loyalty is uncertain. Cicero flatters, cajoles, and warns. Most of them will betray him.
Letters to Trebonius, Cassius, and other scattered Republicans. The logistics of resistance and the personal bonds that sustained it.
The final collection. Miscellaneous letters, including some not certainly by Cicero. The correspondence ends; the proscriptions follow.