Cicero to T. Titius the legate, written from Rome at the end of 52 BC or the beginning of 51 BC (the manuscripts: Scr. Romae vel ex. a. 702 vel in. a. 703). T. Titius is serving as a legatus on Pompey’s grain commission — the cura annonae which Pompey had been voted in 57 BC and was still discharging through subordinates — with responsibility for places of delivery and schedules of shipment. The subject is the same C. Avianius Flaccus whom Cicero had commended to Pompey himself for the three preceding years (triennium, dum Pompeius isti negotio praefuit): a grain-shipper or publicanus-class merchant whose business turned on which port he was directed to and on when his cargoes had to be in.

The letter is a renewal, not a new request, and Cicero says so frankly. He has already spoken with Titius in person — and been answered humanissime — and has already written at length; the present letter exists because Avianius wants the recommendation repeated, and Cicero apologises in advance for what might look like distrust of Titius’ constantia (his reliability in keeping a promise). The closing formula — ut Avianius, quoniam se a me amari putat, me a te amari sciat (“so that, since Avianius thinks himself loved by me, he may know himself loved by you”) — is one of the most polished turns in Book 13: it makes Titius’ favour to Avianius double as a favour to Cicero, and lets Cicero close on a note of triangulated affection rather than on a specific request.