Cicero Flashcards
Should have killed Antony
All the while he was building up his power and ensuring that he kept control. He provided land for Caesar’s veterans and sent Lepidus of to Spain. He is said to have forged documents from Caesar. He arranged to have the province of the two Gauls in order to keep an eye on Italy when he left to be a governor. He also kept control of the legions in Macedonia. It was becoming clear to Cicero among others that Brutus and Cassius had made a mistake in not getting rid of Antony when they killed Caesar
His opinion of Cleopatra in a letter
I do not wish to be unfair to the graecula. she is clever beyond words, no denying it. …And of her fabled treasure: although her aids had promised a purely literary acknowledgment of my merits, I came and went empty handed. … I will not even touch upon her I fathomable impertinence. She seemed intent upon challenging my unwanted undeserved reputation for caustic humour, while I was at pains to be most gracious, even condescending towards her. …This to a citizen of Rome! This to a guest in her house! This to a distinguished statesman! And from a woman! She is, by the way, a beauty in no way, shape, manner, or form. Her figure is anything other than voluptuous, and her face is marred not merely by the inbred Ptolomy hooked nose, but by a strong chin and hard features which detract from the sweetness and gentleness we prize in our women
