Letter coll=F:book=11:letter=27 Letter XCI: ad familiares 11.27
Tusculum, Aug. 23-30, 44 B.C.
C. Matius Calvena, to whom this is written, was probably a little younger than Cicero; cf. 2 n.; Ep. XCII.5n. In recognition of his accomplishments Cicero calls him doctissimus (Ep. XXVIII. 2 and this letter, 8). Later in life Matius wrote a book upon gastronomy (Columella, 12.4.2). He belonged to that group of men who attached themselves closely to the fortunes of Caesar, but not, like many of his comrades, with the hope of personal gain. He followed Caesar out of pure friendship and admiration. When Caesar was killed, therefore, he found no common point of sympathy either with those who rejoiced in the death of a tyrant, as did Cicero, or with those who used Caesar's name to conjure with, as did Antony. His grief at Caesar's death and his superintendence of the public games in his name called forth unfriendly criticism from Cicero. The sorrow of Matius upon hearing this fact was disclosed to Cicero by their common friend Trebatius (cf. Ep. XXI. introd. note), who had made the acquaintance of Matius nine years before in Gaul (cf. Ep. XXVIII. 2), and led to the writing of this letter.
[sect. 1]
nihil sibi longius fuisse : i.e. nothing was more desired by him. This is the meaning of the phrase when followed by quam ut or quam dum, but when followed by quam with the infin. it means nothing is more tiresome. Cf. Antibarbarus s. v. longus.
querelam tuam: cf. introd. note.
