Marcus Tullius Cicero→Unknown|c. -50 AD|Cicero|Human translated
BITHYNIA AND PONTUS) ClLICIA 1 AM very intimate and in constant communication with P. Terentius Hispo, who is engaged in the collection of the pasture-dues as deputy-manager, "and many important services, equally advantageous to us both, have been interchanged between us. It is of capital importance to his reputation to settle the contracts with the remaining states. I don't forget that we tried to do that at Ephesus, but were quite unable to get the assent of the Ephesians. But since, as is the general opinion, and, as I understand, you have secured as well by your singular uprightness, as by your kindness and gentleness, that the slightest expression of your wish meets with the readiest consent of the Greeks to any object you have in view, I beg you with more than common ' What Cicero means by calling Bithynia a ' ' theatre " is explained by reference to vol. i., p. 85. ■^ On the public pastures the inhabitants fed cattle, paying a fixed sum (scriptura) for the privilege. In Asia this scriptura was collected by companies oi publicani, who payed a fixed sum to the treasury, and then covenanted with each state as to the amount payable. The head of such a company (consisting of equites) was called magtsier, the local agent pro magistro, on the analogy oi pro consule, pro pratore, etc. F xiii, 65, 9 TO P. FURIUS CRASSIPES 99 earnestness, for the sake of my credit, to determine that Hispo shall gain this distinction.' I may add that I am closely connected with the partners in the pasture company, not only because that company as a body is my client, but also because I am very intimate with most of the individual partners. By acting thus you will not only have assisted my friend Hispo in consequence of a recommendation of mine, and given the company still greater confidence in me, but you will yourself also receive the most ample reward from the regard of this most gratefully disposed man, as well as the thanks of the partners, who are men of the highest position, and you will have done me personally a very great kindness. Pray be assured that in your whole province and the whole sphere of your government there is nothing that you can do that could gratify me more.
LXV. Scr. in Cilicia exeunte anno u.c. 703. M. CICERO S. D. P. SILIO PROPR.
Cum P. Terentio Hispone, qui operas in scriptura pro magistro dat, mihi summa familiaritas consuetudoque est, multaque et magna inter nos officia paria et mutua intercedunt: eius summa existimatio agitur in eo, ut pactiones cum civitatibus reliquis conficiat. Non me praeterit nos eam rem Ephesi expertos esse neque ab Ephesiis ullo modo impetrare potuisse; sed, quoniam, quemadmodum omnes existimant et ego intelligo, tua quum summa integritate, tum singulari humanitate et mansuetudine consecutus es, ut libentissimis Graecis nutu, quod velis, consequare, peto a te in maiorem modum, ut honoris mei causa hac laude Hisponem affici velis. Praeterea cum sociis scripturae mihi summa necessitudo est, non solum ob eam causam, quod ea societas universa in mea fide est, sed etiam quod plerisque sociis utor familiarissime. Ita et Hisponem meum per me ornaris et societatem mihi coniunctiorem feceris tuque ipse et ex huius observantia, gratissimi hominis, et ex sociorum gratia, hominum amplissimorum, maximum fructum capies et me summo beneficio affeceris. Sic enim velim existimes, in tota tua provincia omnique isto imperio nihil esse, quod mihi gratius facere possis.
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BITHYNIA AND PONTUS) ClLICIA 1 AM very intimate and in constant communication with P. Terentius Hispo, who is engaged in the collection of the pasture-dues as deputy-manager, "and many important services, equally advantageous to us both, have been interchanged between us. It is of capital importance to his reputation to settle the contracts with the remaining states. I don't forget that we tried to do that at Ephesus, but were quite unable to get the assent of the Ephesians. But since, as is the general opinion, and, as I understand, you have secured as well by your singular uprightness, as by your kindness and gentleness, that the slightest expression of your wish meets with the readiest consent of the Greeks to any object you have in view, I beg you with more than common ' What Cicero means by calling Bithynia a ' ' theatre " is explained by reference to vol. i., p. 85. ■^ On the public pastures the inhabitants fed cattle, paying a fixed sum (scriptura) for the privilege. In Asia this scriptura was collected by companies oi publicani, who payed a fixed sum to the treasury, and then covenanted with each state as to the amount payable. The head of such a company (consisting of equites) was called magtsier, the local agent pro magistro, on the analogy oi pro consule, pro pratore, etc. F xiii, 65, 9 TO P. FURIUS CRASSIPES 99 earnestness, for the sake of my credit, to determine that Hispo shall gain this distinction.' I may add that I am closely connected with the partners in the pasture company, not only because that company as a body is my client, but also because I am very intimate with most of the individual partners. By acting thus you will not only have assisted my friend Hispo in consequence of a recommendation of mine, and given the company still greater confidence in me, but you will yourself also receive the most ample reward from the regard of this most gratefully disposed man, as well as the thanks of the partners, who are men of the highest position, and you will have done me personally a very great kindness. Pray be assured that in your whole province and the whole sphere of your government there is nothing that you can do that could gratify me more.
Latin / Greek Original
LXV. Scr. in Cilicia exeunte anno u.c. 703. M. CICERO S. D. P. SILIO PROPR.
Cum P. Terentio Hispone, qui operas in scriptura pro magistro dat, mihi summa familiaritas consuetudoque est, multaque et magna inter nos officia paria et mutua intercedunt: eius summa existimatio agitur in eo, ut pactiones cum civitatibus reliquis conficiat. Non me praeterit nos eam rem Ephesi expertos esse neque ab Ephesiis ullo modo impetrare potuisse; sed, quoniam, quemadmodum omnes existimant et ego intelligo, tua quum summa integritate, tum singulari humanitate et mansuetudine consecutus es, ut libentissimis Graecis nutu, quod velis, consequare, peto a te in maiorem modum, ut honoris mei causa hac laude Hisponem affici velis. Praeterea cum sociis scripturae mihi summa necessitudo est, non solum ob eam causam, quod ea societas universa in mea fide est, sed etiam quod plerisque sociis utor familiarissime. Ita et Hisponem meum per me ornaris et societatem mihi coniunctiorem feceris tuque ipse et ex huius observantia, gratissimi hominis, et ex sociorum gratia, hominum amplissimorum, maximum fructum capies et me summo beneficio affeceris. Sic enim velim existimes, in tota tua provincia omnique isto imperio nihil esse, quod mihi gratius facere possis.