Cicero: Letters of January to April 43 BC - M. M. Willcock

This edition contains the thirty-three letters which survive
from those exchanged between Cicero and his correspondents
between the beginning of January and the end of April, 43 B.C.
This was a key period of Roman history, when the forces of the
Senate, supported by the precocious young Octavian, faced Mark
Antony in north Italy, leading to the battle of Mutina (Modena)
in April, and the defeat of Antony. The period has the dramatic
quality of a tragedy, especially considering the events of the
following months. Cicero, now aged sixty-three, is deeply
involved in all the political actions, and in touch with most of
the protagonists in the confused scenario. Cicero's Letters are
normally read, if at all, in selection. Continuous reading of all
that survives from a given period is far more interesting, and
puts the reader in close contact with the feelings and
experiences of those who were living at the time.
translation and commentary.