In his vast surviving correspondence, Cicero wrote multiple letters concerning Lucius Mescinius Rufus, who served faithfully as his quaestor during his proconsulship in Cilicia (51–50 BCE). [1, 2, 3]

The specific letters cited represent a mix of personal updates, professional adjustments regarding provincial finances, and formal legal intervention letters written on behalf of Mescinius. [1, 2]

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🏛️ Letters of Recommendation on Behalf of Mescinius

(Note: The prompt references "Fam. V 26, 28", but in the canonical text of the Epistulae ad Familiares, Book V stops at letter 23. These crucial recommendation letters on behalf of Mescinius are actually found in Book XIII, letters 26 and 28). [1, 2]

In 46 BCE, Mescinius faced legal disputes over an inheritance left to him in Achaea (Greece) by his relative, Marcus Mindius. Cicero wrote directly to the governor of Achaea—the famous jurist Servius Sulpicius Rufus—pleading Mescinius' case and asking for a legal remittance known as reiectio Romam (transferring the trial back to Rome). [1, 2]

Epistulae ad Familiares XIII.26 (Excerpt) [1]

• Latin:

  "L. Mescinius ea mecum necessitudine coniunctus est, quod mihi quaestor fuit... Nunc igitur a te peto... ut omnia eius negotia, quae sunt in Achaia, hilari et prompto animo tueare... illud te vehementer etiam atque etiam rogo, ut... eos adversarios Romam reieceris."

  [1, 2, 3]
• English Translation:

  "Lucius Mescinius is connected to me by the close tie of having been my quaestor... Now, therefore, I ask of you... that you protect all his business affairs in Achaea with a cheerful and prompt spirit... I earnestly request of you, again and again, that you remit his adversaries to Rome."

  [1, 2]

Epistulae ad Familiares XIII.28 (Excerpt) [1]

• Latin:

  "Sunt duo quae te nominatim rogo: primum ut, si quid satis dandum erit, amplius eo nomine non petatur..."

• English Translation:

  "There are two things I specifically ask of you: first, that if any security has to be given, no further claim on that account shall be made..."

  [1]

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📝 The Core Letters to Mescinius: Fam. V.19–21

These are direct, intimate letters written by Cicero to Mescinius during the stressful onset and aftermath of Caesar's Civil War. [1, 2]

1. Epistulae ad Familiares V.19 (April 49 BCE)

Written right after Cicero returned from his province. He thanks Mescinius for his independent judgment, political updates, and unmatched loyalty. [, 2, 3]

• Latin:

  "Cum tua mihi summa voluntas erga me... cottidie magis perspecta sit... tam enim vehemens fuisset tui desiderium... ut nihil possit accedere."

• English Translation:

  "Though I never doubted your great affection for me, yet I learn it better every day of my life... For your longing to see me was so intense... that nothing could be added to it."

  []

2. Epistulae ad Familiares V.20 (January 49 BCE)

This highly technical letter addresses the settlement of provincial accounts from Cilicia. Mescinius was worried about discrepancies, and Cicero assures him that his secretary, Tiro, made no intentional errors to harm Mescinius' financial reputation. [, 2, 3]

• Latin:

  "In meo curando... Marcus Tullius scriba meus... nihil scientem fecisse, quod esset contra aut commodum aut existimationem tuam."

• English Translation:

  "In balancing my accounts... my secretary Marcus Tullius... did not knowingly do anything adverse to your interest or your reputation."

  []

3. Epistulae ad Familiares V.21 (April 46 BCE)

A philosophical and melancholy letter following the Republican defeat. Cicero consoles Mescinius, observing that under Caesar's dictatorship, the political outcome would have been equally grim regardless of who won the war. [1, 2, 3]

• Latin:

  "Gratissimae mihi tuae litterae fuerunt... quoniam uterque eorum qui contenderunt pariter eam capere voluit... eundem exitum habitura fuisse."

• English Translation:

  "Your letter was most welcome to me... since both of those who fought equally desired absolute power... the outcome would have amounted to pretty much the same."

  [1, 2, 3]

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🏛️ Mentions in the Letters to Atticus: Ad Atticum IV.3 & IV.4

The letters Ad Atticum IV.3 and IV.4 were written much earlier (57–56 BCE), long before Mescinius served under Cicero. They primarily detail the political violence of Clodius, the destruction of Cicero's house, and the employment of slave copyists (librarioli). [1, 2, 3, 4]

Mescinius is not explicitly mentioned as a focal character in these two letters, as his relationship with Cicero didn't solidify until their shared tenure in Cilicia starting in 51 BCE. Instead, Cicero's dynamic with Mescinius is fully preserved across Epistulae ad Familiares Books V and XIII. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

If you are tracking down a specific text variation or historical event involving Mescinius during those years, let me know! I can look into the exact financial accounting laws or provide a deeper structural translation of his legal defense.