Marcus Tullius Cicero describes Marcus Mindius Marcellus as Julius Caesar's friend in his classical Latin texts. [1, 2]

The Context

In his Letters to Atticus (specifically Book 12, Letter 12), Cicero mentions Mindius Marcellus alongside Attius the paint-seller. The passage centers around the death of Publius Sulla, whose property was being auctioned off. Cicero notes that while people worried Caesar would be upset by a slump in auction prices, Mindius Marcellus was overjoyed to lose a rival bidder. [1, 2]

Key Sourcing Information

• The Author: Cicero (Marcus Tullius Cicero).
• The Latin/English Source: The bilingual Loeb Classical Library collections of Cicero's letters.
• Historical Role: Marcus Mindius Marcellus was an equestrian partisan who later served as a naval admiral under Octavian (Augustus) during the Sicilian War. [1, 2, 3, 4]

If you are looking for specific linguistic translations or more information on the Mindia family gens, let me know! I can provide the exact Latin text from the letter or break down Mindius's later military achievementsunder Octavian. [1]

L'AI può commettere errori, quindi verifica le risposte 

can you quote the passage in lat eng?

Marcus Mindius Marcellus is mentioned in Cicero’s Letters to Atticus (Book 12, Letter 12, Section 1), written in March 45 BC from Astura following the death of Publius Sulla, a rival in Caesar's property auctions. Cicero ironically notes that Mindius and a paint-seller, Attius, are relieved by the removal of their competitor, Sulla, in this private letter. [1, 2]

does he use amicus?

No, Cicero does not use the word amicus (friend) to describe Marcus Mindius Marcellus. [1, 2]

The Actual Latin Text

In Letters to Atticus 12.12.2, the specific line written by Cicero reads: [1, 2]

“Caesarem putabant moleste laturum, verentem ne hasta refrixisset; Mindius Marcellus et Attius pigmentarius valde gaudebant se adversarium perdidisse.” [1]

The Literal English Translation

"People thought Caesar would be annoyed, fearing that his auction [the spear] would go cold; Mindius Marcellus and Attius the paint-seller were absolutely delighted that they had lost a rival [adversarium]." [1, 2]

Why the Misconception Exists

Cicero does not call Mindius an amicus of Caesar here; he actually frames him strictly as a financial rival (adversarius) to the deceased Publius Sulla at Caesar's property auctions. [1]

However, modern historical commentaries and biographical dictionaries often label Mindius as "Julius Caesar's friend" or "partisan" because:

1. Political Allegiance: Mindius was a known equestrian supporter of the Caesarian faction.
2. The Auction Context: Only people embedded within Caesar's inner political and financial circles were major bidders at these highly sensitive, state-sponsored auctions of confiscated properties.
3. Later Actions: Mindius went on to serve as a high-ranking naval commander for Caesar's adopted son and heir, Octavian (Augustus).

If you are tracking down a specific source that explicitly uses the exact phrase "friend of Julius Caesar" for Mindius, it is likely a modern historian's summary or a footnote in a Loeb Classical Library edition explaining Mindius's political background, rather than Cicero's original Latin text.

Would you like to explore Mindius Marcellus's naval career under Octavian, or do you need help cross-referencing other Caesarian partisans mentioned in Cicero's letters?