For Cicero (or anyone for that matter),
navigating through the political labyrinth reeked as it is with treacherous
opponents, two-faced hypocrites, deadly and venomous intrigues and
faction-shifting must seem an insurmountable task, especially when you are a
‘new man’. In this toxic yet exhilarating world, it was of course a precious
thing to have found for yourself a true, trustworthy and dependable companion.
Atticus is one such companion who had always stood by Cicero's side.
Titus Pomponius Atticus was born in 109 BC to
a non-political equestrian family and spent his early life at Rome. However,
the civil war between Marius and Sulla drove him to seek a refuge in Athens in
86 BC where he immersed himself in his study and where Cicero became his
acquaintance in 79 BC. He did not participate in politics, but was incredibly
wealthy due to the fortune he inherited from his father and uncle who left him
2,000,000 sesterces and 10,000,000 sesterces respectively. This sum he cleverly
expanded through judicious investments in real estate, so that he could fund
his love of books and letters. He also maintained a team of slaves trained as
copyists to copy ancient books and scrolls, and published many works including
that of Cicero. In addition, Atticus also managed the business affairs of
several distinguished political figures such as Cato and Hortensius, made loans
to individuals and towns, and even had his own band of gladiators. Cicero’s
brother, Quintus Cicero, was married to Atticus’ sister, Pomponia.
Upon his return to Rome in 65 BC, he abstained
from all overt participation in politics in the adherence of his epicurean
principle. Nonetheless, he was on intimate terms with members of all political parties.
“As for you, although you are a born politician, you don’t owe anybody anything”,
wrote an envious Cicero to Atticus in 55 BC when Cicero’s political career was
thrown into confusion by the arrival of the first triumvirate of Pompey, Caesar
and Crassus. Cicero was at that time in great debt to many personages, whereas
Atticus was a politician not tied to anyone. Indeed, it is this lack of
ideological concerns or obligations which serves to assist Atticus in his many
political endeavors behind the scene. No man could have been more clever to
avoid the treachery of politics while attempting to exert influence on it.
One of the great legacies this intimate
relationship between Cicero and Atticus has passed down to us is their vast
amount of correspondences. During ups
and downs of Cicero’s career, Atticus, who was away in Greece, was always kept abreast
of what went on in Rome, from the intrigues of powerful men like Caesar, Pompey
or Crassus, to the everyday turmoil and crises like gang wars between Clodius
and Milo, and lastly the fall of the Republic. Moreover, Cicero often expressed
his cares, concerns and wants in his letters, and even sought domestic,
literary, financial and even political advice from his prudent friend, who was
not even involved in politics! These
correspondences thus provide a priceless primary source of information of the
events occurring at that time and allow historians to piece together and put
the entire historical occurrence into its context. It is also through these
correspondences that we are able to get a glimpse into the nature of friendship
between these two figures. Indeed, there is no doubt both men valued this
friendship highly and were always ready to afford each other assistance when
the other was in dire situation, for instance, when Cicero was forced to flee
Italy in 49 BC, Atticus generously granted him 250,000 sesterces. Another
instance is when Atticus gave Cicero loans when he faced financial difficulties.
This is recorded in Cicero’s letter to Atticus in 57 BC which I look upon as my own), as of your
advice for collecting and restoring to a sound state the fragments that
remain.” In turn, Atticus found it beneficial to act as Cicero’s financial
agent, as Cicero’s letters of recommendation written for Atticus to the governors
of provinces assisted the latter greatly.
Thus, it can be said that this is one of the
most well-known and well recorded friendship of the ancient world. The amount
of correspondences going on between Atticus and Cicero basically gave us a
highly valuable insight into not just the nature of their friendship, but also
into the nature of the Roman society in general.
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