# Ancient Historians on History 1.24-27

Greek and Roman Historians, Ancient Historians on History, Lines 1.24-1.27. Latin.

Canonical: https://interlinea.aeterna-institute.org/library/latin/greek-and-roman-historians/ancient-historians-on-history/1.24

Cicero (106 - 43 B.C.)
For who is ignorant that it is the first law of history not to dare to say anything false? Not to dare to withold the truth? To avoid while writing the suspicion of currying favor? Of indulging animosity? Obviously, these foundations are known to everyone, and also that its edifice consists of events and speeches. The reckoning of events needs temporal order and the description of the sites. Furthermore, since the deliberations, then the deeds and after that the results are awaited, history requires that indication be made of what deliberations are approved by the writer and, as the to the actions themselves, that the writer point out not only what was done or said but also the manner in which it was accomplished. When the result is discussed, history requires that all the causes be explained whether they arise from accident, wisdom, or rashness. History requires of the participants themselves not only an account of their deeds but also of the life and character of each man who excels in fame and name. ( De Oratore 2.15)
* * *
I am inflamed with an inconceivably ardent desire, and one, as I think, of which I have no reason to be ashamed, that in a history written by you my name should be conspicuous and frequently mentioned with praise. And though you have often shewn me that you meant to do so, yet I hope you will pardon my impatience. For the style of your composition, though I had always entertained the highest expectations of it, has yet surpassed my hopes, and has taken such a hold upon me, or rather has so fired my imagination, that I was eager to have my achievements as quickly as possible put on record in your history. For it is not only the thought of being spoken of by future ages that makes me snatch at what seems a hope of immortality, but it is also the desire of fully enjoying in my lifetime an authoritative expression of your judgment, or a token of your kindness for me, or the charm of your genius. * * * I am quite aware, however, what little modesty I display, first, in imposing on you so heavy a burden (for your engagements may well prevent your compliance with my request), and in the second place, in asking you to shew me off to advantage. What if those transactions are not in your judgment so very deserving of commendation? Yet, after all, a man who has once passed the borderline of modesty had better put a bold face on it and be frankly impudent. And so I again and again ask you outright, both to praise those actions of mine in warmer terms than you perhaps feel, and in that respect to neglect the laws of history. I ask you, too, in regard to the personal predilection, on which you wrote in a certain introductory chapter in the most gratifying and explicit terms--and by which you show that you were as incapable of being diverted as Xenophon's Hercules by Pleasure--not to go against it, but to yield to your affection for me a little more than truth shall justify. (Letter to Lucceius - Ad Fam. 5.12)

---

Greek and Roman Historians, Ancient Historians on History. Text: The Latin Library (thelatinlibrary.com), used with permission. Changes: HTML markup removed and the text divided into reading sections by Interlinea.
License: Used with permission (https://www.thelatinlibrary.com/about.html). Source: http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/historians/hoh.html.