In his correspondence with his secretary and confidant Tiro, the "strong measures" Marcus Tullius Cicerohints at regarding the debtor Flaminius Flamma involve squeezing or wrenching the money out of him via financial pressure. [1, 2]

The user's query references Fam. XV 2, but the text regarding Flamma actually appears in Book XVI (Ad Familiares 16.24). This letter was written later, around mid-November 44 BCE. [1, 2]

The Latin Text and Context

In Ad Familiares 16.24.1, Cicero writes to Tiro concerning urgent outstanding debts: [1]

"Offilio et Aurelio utique satis fiat. a Flamma, si non potes omne, partem aliquam velim extorqueas, in primisque ut expedita sit pensio Kal. Ian." [1]

English Translation and Meaning

"At all events, let Offilius and Aurelius be satisfied. From Flamma, if you cannot wrench the whole, I should like you to extort some part, and above all see to it that the payment due on the Kalends of January is unencumbered." [1]

Breakdown of the "Strong Measures"

• The Verb Extorqueas: Cicero uses the strong verb extorquere (literally "to twist out," "wrench away," or "extort"). While this is colorful financial metaphors rather than physical violence, it indicates that Tiro should use aggressive, unyielding legal and social pressure to demand the debt. [1, 2, 3]
• The Urgency: Flamma owed money that Cicero desperately needed to satisfy his own creditors (Offilius and Aurelius) by January 1st. Because Cicero's cash flow was tight, he authorizes Tiro to accept partial payment (partem aliquam) as long as Flamma is squeezed for everything he can immediately produce.[1, 2]

Would you like to examine more of Cicero's letters regarding his financial difficulties in 44 BCE, or look closer at Tiro's role as his financial administrator? [1]