Question for people who like ancient roman history

[ManBearPig]

where the hell were Ciceros letters found? I cant find this information anywhere.

and another thing...where are the letters now?

 

[rudeguy]

In the hooker's diary.

 

[ManBearPig]

hm, im finding some more out. part, at least, were found by a guy named Petrarch.

 

[ruu]

Yes, Petrarch, in the Chapter Library of Verona:

Looks really long and boring

 

[CycloWizard]

Letters? He was an orator, not an author.

I know a lot about Roman history, but nothing like this. I would put this more under archaeology. *shrug*

 

[ManBearPig]

Originally posted by: ruu
Yes, Petrarch, in the Chapter Library of Verona:

Looks really long and boring

he only found one collection. i found a bit more info thats vague and unorganized on some other people. what i dont get is how such a major find (finds) go unexplained (irregardless of when they were found).

thanks for the help people

 

[ManBearPig]

and another thing...where are the letters now?

 

[ManBearPig]

bump

 

[ruu]

"It is said that one of Cicero's freedmen kept and published these letters after Cicero's execution by Marc Antony's men in 43 B.C. The letters came to be widely copied during the Imperial period and, that copies were eventually discovered by Petrach in the 14th Century."

So the originals are gone but the words have stayed alive?

I got that from a book review on Amazon.com, so its reliability is questionable.

Your best bet is probably to read the editor/author's forward in a compilation volume; with older or more classical works, the editors and publishers will put in a tidbit or two about how and where they got their hands on the original or what their source was.

 

[dainthomas]

I'm currently reading Everitt's book on him. I enjoy reading about all the other great men he associated with (Pompey, Caesar, Antony etc.) However while certainly brilliant, Cicero really seems like a pretty boring guy.

 

[ManBearPig]

Originally posted by: dainthomas
I'm currently reading Everitt's book on him. I enjoy reading about all the other great men he associated with (Pompey, Caesar, Antony etc.) However while certainly brilliant, Cicero really seems like a pretty boring guy.

You should check out Rawsons book. Its typically considered better. I will probably read the other one later, but I hear that a lot of it is eerily similar to Rawsons (which would make sense since it probably draws on the letters, but hopefully he doesnt analyze things the exact same way she does).

I like him because i see a bit of myself in him...he does seem pretty boring haha (i guess i'm saying i am too ).

 

[zinfamous]

Petrarch is awesome.