Marcus Tullius Cicero→Unknown|c. -50 AD|Cicero|Human translated
I HAVE long been very intimate with L. Genucilius Curvus, who is a very excellent man and of an exceedingly grateful disposition. I recommend him to you without reserve, and introduce him to you, in the first place, that you may give him facilities generally in all his affairs, so far as your honour and position will allow — and, indeed, that will be in everything, for he will never ask anything of you in- consistent with his own character, or, indeed, with yours. ' Thermus was propraetor in Asia B.C. 52-50. He was a strong Optimate, and we find him in arms for Pompey in B.C. 49 (Cses. B. C. i. 12). Caesar calls him praetor in B.C. 49, but that is probably a loose expression for prceio7-ius. This and the rest of the letters for this year are formal letters of introduction or recommendation. Their chief interest is the light they throw upon the financial position and dealings of a province. Cicero prided himself upon the composition of such letters, but it will be remembered that he warned his friends that they were not to be taken too seriously unless he gave special indications to that effect. K XIII, 53, 56 TO Q. MINUCIUS THERMUS 93 But in a sf)ecial manner also I commend to your protection his business concerns in Hellespontus : first, to enable him to maintain the privilege in regard to land-holding, which the state of Parium gave him by decree, and which he has always maintained without dispute ; and, in the second place, that you should, in case of his being involved in a suit with a Hellespontian, refer it to that diocese/ However, I do not think that, having recommended him with the utmost earnestness to you in general, I need go into particular cases affecting him. The upshot is this : whatever attention, kindness, or mark of honour you bestow on Genucilius, I shall consider that you have bestowed on me and my interests.
LIII. Scr. in Cilicia a.u.c. 703. CICERO THERMO PROPR. SAL.
L. Genucilio Curvo iampridem utor familiarissime, optimo viro et homine gratissimo. Eum tibi penitus commendo atque trado: primum, ut omnibus in rebus ei commodes, quoad fides tua dignitasque patietur; patietur autem in omnibus, nihil enim abs te umquam, quod sit alienum tuis aut etiam suis moribus, postulabit; praecipue autem tibi commendo negotia eius, quae sunt in Hellesponto, primum, ut obtineat id iuris in agris, quod ei Pariana civitas decrevit et dedit et quod semper obtinuit sine ulla controversia, deinde, si quid habebit cum aliquo Hellespontio controversiae, ut in illam dio§xhsin reiicias. Sed non mihi videor, quum tibi totum hominem diligentissime commendarim, singulas ad te eius causas perscribere debere. Summa illa est: quidquid officii, beneficii, honoris in Genucilium contuleris, id te existimabo in me ipsum atque in rem meam contulisse.
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I HAVE long been very intimate with L. Genucilius Curvus, who is a very excellent man and of an exceedingly grateful disposition. I recommend him to you without reserve, and introduce him to you, in the first place, that you may give him facilities generally in all his affairs, so far as your honour and position will allow — and, indeed, that will be in everything, for he will never ask anything of you in- consistent with his own character, or, indeed, with yours. ' Thermus was propraetor in Asia B.C. 52-50. He was a strong Optimate, and we find him in arms for Pompey in B.C. 49 (Cses. B. C. i. 12). Caesar calls him praetor in B.C. 49, but that is probably a loose expression for prceio7-ius. This and the rest of the letters for this year are formal letters of introduction or recommendation. Their chief interest is the light they throw upon the financial position and dealings of a province. Cicero prided himself upon the composition of such letters, but it will be remembered that he warned his friends that they were not to be taken too seriously unless he gave special indications to that effect. K XIII, 53, 56 TO Q. MINUCIUS THERMUS 93 But in a sf)ecial manner also I commend to your protection his business concerns in Hellespontus : first, to enable him to maintain the privilege in regard to land-holding, which the state of Parium gave him by decree, and which he has always maintained without dispute ; and, in the second place, that you should, in case of his being involved in a suit with a Hellespontian, refer it to that diocese/ However, I do not think that, having recommended him with the utmost earnestness to you in general, I need go into particular cases affecting him. The upshot is this : whatever attention, kindness, or mark of honour you bestow on Genucilius, I shall consider that you have bestowed on me and my interests.
Latin / Greek Original
LIII. Scr. in Cilicia a.u.c. 703. CICERO THERMO PROPR. SAL.
L. Genucilio Curvo iampridem utor familiarissime, optimo viro et homine gratissimo. Eum tibi penitus commendo atque trado: primum, ut omnibus in rebus ei commodes, quoad fides tua dignitasque patietur; patietur autem in omnibus, nihil enim abs te umquam, quod sit alienum tuis aut etiam suis moribus, postulabit; praecipue autem tibi commendo negotia eius, quae sunt in Hellesponto, primum, ut obtineat id iuris in agris, quod ei Pariana civitas decrevit et dedit et quod semper obtinuit sine ulla controversia, deinde, si quid habebit cum aliquo Hellespontio controversiae, ut in illam dio§xhsin reiicias. Sed non mihi videor, quum tibi totum hominem diligentissime commendarim, singulas ad te eius causas perscribere debere. Summa illa est: quidquid officii, beneficii, honoris in Genucilium contuleris, id te existimabo in me ipsum atque in rem meam contulisse.