Primary-source dossier
The excerpts below are reproduced from the Ictis Anthology — a working paper produced during research for the project. Some of the results were spun off into New Perspectives on the Ictis of Pytheas of Massalia.
Letter XV: “Cicero to Atticus, Greeting” (Rome 27th July, 54 B.C.)
(Source: Internet Archive scan (letterstoatticus01ciceuoft))
“From my brother Quintus’ letters I suspect he is now in Britain, and I am very anxious to know how he is getting on. One point I have certainly gained: Caesar has given many strong proofs which assure me of his esteem and affection. Please pay my compliments to Dionysius, and beg and urge him to come as soon as possible and undertake the instruction of my son and of myself too.”
Letter XVII [XVIII] “Cicero to Atticus, Greeting” (Rome, 1st Oct, 54 B.C.)
(Source: Internet Archive scan (letterstoatticus01ciceuoft))
“Here is the other news. From my brother’s letters I hear that Caesar shows signs of extraordinary affection for me, and this is confirmed by a very cordial letter from Caesar himself. The result of the war in Britain is looked forward to with anxiety. For it is proved that the approach to the island is guarded with astonishing masses of rock, and it has been ascertained too that there is not a scrap of silver in the island, nor any hope of booty except from slaves1; but I don’t fancy you will find any with literary or musical talents among them.”
Letter XVIII “Cicero to Atticus, Greeting” (Rome, Oct 54 B.C.)
(Source: Internet Archive scan (letterstoatticus01ciceuoft))
“On the 24th of October I received a letter from my brother Quintus and from Caesar, dated from the nearest point on the coast of Britain on the 25th of September. Britain is settled, hostages taken, no booty, but a tribute imposed2; and they are bringing back the army from the place. Q. Pilius was just on his way to Caesar.”
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“Etiam illud iam cognitum est, neque argenti scripulum esse iillum in ilia insula neque ullam sjjem praedae nisi ex mancipiis”
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The emphasis on not taking booty here conforms to Cicero’s earlier speculations “… that there is not a scrap of silver in the island, nor any hope of booty except from slaves”.
Bibliography and editions
Critical editions and further reading
- Latin / English. E. O. Winstedt, Cicero: Letters to Atticus, vol. II (Loeb, 1919), letters of 54 BC. Internet Archive: Winstedt, Letters to Atticus II.
- Online text. Attalus, Cicero correspondence with source references. Open reference.
Rights boundary. Ancient texts and public-domain images are not relicensed by Kassiteros. Modern editions and translations retain their own rights. Only Kassiteros-authored commentary and original project metadata are intended to fall under the project’s CC BY 4.0 policy.
Why this source matters
Cicero’s private letters are a contemporary control on Caesar’s British expedition. Their sceptical comments about British booty and precious metals illuminate what educated Romans thought might be gained from the island while events were still unfolding.