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Atreus (Accius)

Accius's Atreus

also: Atreus, the play

The tragedy Atreus by Lucius Accius, source of the tyrant's notorious line oderint dum metuant ("let them hate, so long as they fear"). Cicero quotes the line in Philippic 1 to warn Antony against ruling by fear.

Reading notes

On Duties §1.97 when Atreus says those words, applause breaks out
Atreus, the tyrant of Accius's tragedy, speaks the line ``let them hate, so long as they fear'' (oderint dum metuant). Cicero's point is that what is improper in a just character (Aeacus, Minos) suits the role of a cruel one, and the audience approves the fit.
First Philippic §34 oderint, dum metuant
"Let them hate, so long as they fear" - the tyrant's motto from Accius's tragedy Atreus, which Cicero turns against Antony as the road to ruin rather than glory.
Tusculan Disputations §5.52 that precept of Atreus applies to him: \textit{let them so prepare themselves in life that they know not how to be conquered.}
A line from the tragedy Atreus, generally assigned to the Roman poet Accius. The maxim of unbreakable resolve is used to illustrate the wise man's virtue, which is always free and unconquered.