The recommendation of Marcus Orfius to his brother Quintus is found in Cicero's Epistulae ad Quintum Fratrem (Book II, Letter 13, Section 3). [1, 2]

At the time (54 BC), Quintus was serving as a legate under Julius Caesar in Gaul, and Orfius was a military tribune in that army. [1, 2, 3]

The Latin Text

The letter, highlighting the lack of other messengers and urging attention for M. Orfius, a Roman knight from Atella, requests that Quintus reward the military tribune's service. The full Latin text can be found in the referenced documents. [1, 2, 3]

The English Translation

Cicero explains that in the absence of other couriers, he is sending M. Orfius, a Roman knight. He recommends Orfius highly, noting his status as a patron of Atella and describing him as an influential, respectable man. Cicero urges Quintus to treat this military tribune well, predicting that Orfius will be both grateful and attentive. [1, 2]

If you need help exploring other letters from this collection or translating specific passages from Cicero's correspondence with Quintus, let me know!

L'AI può commettere errori, quindi verifica le risposte 

what is good sentence in lat eng?

A highly memorable and impactful sentence from this recommendation is the core phrase Cicero uses to praise Orfius's character and status.

The Sentence

Latin:

"Marcus Orfius... est honestus homo et in suis rebus vehemens."

English:

"Marcus Orfius... is an honorable man and energetic in his affairs."

Why This Sentence is Great

• High Utility: It provides a timeless, elegant blueprint for recommending someone's character and work ethic.
• Key Vocabulary: It introduces honestus (meaning respectable, honorable, or distinguished) and vehemens (meaning active, vigorous, or energetic).
• Grammar Insight: It beautifully demonstrates how Latin pairs simple adjectives to build a strong, professional compliment.

If you are writing a recommendation or a speech, let me know if you want to adapt this phrase for someone else or if you need the exact full Latin quote from the letter!

and wider context?

The wider context of this recommendation is rooted in a critical moment of Roman history—the Gallic Wars (54 BC)—and highlights Cicero’s calculated efforts to build a political alliance with Julius Caesar.

1. The Political Backdrop: Cozying Up to Caesar

In 54 BC, Julius Caesar was sweeping through Gaul and launching his historic expeditions to Britain. Cicero, who had previously been exiled by Caesar’s political faction, recognized that Caesar was becoming the most powerful man in Rome. [1]

To protect his own political standing, Cicero used his younger brother, Quintus Tullius Cicero (who was serving as a top military general, or legate, under Caesar in Gaul), as a bridge to curry favor with the future dictator. [1]

2. The Patronage System (Amicitia)

In ancient Rome, networking and political survival relied heavily on amicitia (political friendship) and patronage.

• By recommending a high-status Roman knight like Marcus Orfius, Cicero was participating in a massive job-placement network.
• Providing competent officers to Caesar’s army made Cicero look useful to Caesar.
• In return, Orfius would become politically indebted to Cicero.

3. The Atmosphere of the Letter

The letter itself (Ad Quintum Fratrem II, 13) opens with Cicero expressing his deep joy. He tells Quintus that he just received letters from him and a personal note from Caesar, which was "filled full of courteous, earnest, and pleasant expressions". [1]

Cicero is essentially ecstatic that his plan to get into Caesar's good graces is working. It is in this exact mood of optimism and cooperation that Cicero slips in the recommendation for Orfius, knowing that Quintus and Caesar are in a position to grant promotions and military honors. [1]

Would you like to explore how Quintus’s time in Gaul turned out, or examine other letters Cicero sent to the Gallic front?