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THE LOEB CLASSICAL LIBRARY

FOUNDED BY JAMES LOEB, LL.D.

EDITED BY
fT. E. PAGE, C.H., LITT.D.

tE. CAPPS, PH.D., IX.D. tW. H. D. ROUSE, Lirr.D.

L. A. POST, L.H.D. E. H. WARIIINGTON, m.a., f.b.hist.soc.

LETTERS TO ATTICUS
III

CICERO

LETTERS TO ATTICUS

WITH AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION BY
E. (). WINSTEDT, M.A.

OF MAGDALKN COLLEGE, OXFORD

IN THREE VOLUMES
JII

fl-

i H

■~~

jr%

.i^S.

LONDON

WILLIAM HEINEMANN LTD

CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS

HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESS

MCMLXl

I/, 5

First printed 1918
Reprinted 1925, 1945, 1953, 1961

'^^t:^%y OF T^5ii^

Printed in Great Britain

CONTENTS

Introduction Page vii

Letters to Atticus Book XII 1

Letters to Atticus Book XIII 109

Letters to Atticus Book XIV 217

Letters to Atticus Book XV 293

Letters to Atticus Book XVI 369

Chronological Order of the Letters * 445

Index of Names ' 449

INTRODUCTION

The letters contained in this volume begin with one
written just after Caesar's final victory over the
remains of the Pomjieian party at Thapsus in April,
46 B.C., and cover three of the last four years of
Cicero's life. When they open, Cicero was enjoying
a restful interval after the ti'oublous times of the
Civil War. He had made his peace with Caesar and
reconciled himself to a life of retirement and literary
activity. In the Senate he never spoke except to
deliver a speech pleading for the return from exile
of his friend Marcellus ; and his only other public
appearance was to advocate the cause of another
friend, Ligarius. In both he was successful ; and,
indeed, so he seems also to have been in private
appeals to Caesar on behalf of friends. But their
relations were never intimate,^ and Cicero appears
always to have felt ill at ease in Caesar's society,-
disliking and fearing him as a possible tyrant or at
least an anomaly in a Republican state. He evidently
felt, too, some natural qualms at being too much of
a turn-coat, as he dissuaded his son from joining
Caesar's expedition to Spain at the end of the year
on tliat ground, and persuaded him to go to Athens
to study instead.^ No doubt he considered that
it was more consonant with the dignity which he
was always claiming for himself to take no part in
public affairs at all than to play a secondary part
where he had once been first. Consequently lie spent
the year 46 peacefully engaged in writing and in his
1 XIV. 1 aud 2. 2 XIII. 52. 3 xn. 7.

vii

INTRODUCTION

private affairs ; and even of those we hear Httle, as
lie was at Rome the greater part of the time.
Somewhat under protest lie wrote, apparently at
the suggestion of the Caesarian party/ with most
of whom he was on good terms, a work on Cato,
which satisfied neither friend nor foe, as Brutus
thought it necessary to write another himself, and
Caesar composed an Anli-Cato. Of his other writings,
two rhetorical works, the Brntus and the Orator,
and one jjliilosophical, the Paradoxa, fall in this
year. In the early part of it he divorced Terentia,
and at the end of it married his rich and youthful
ward Publilia ; but he soon separated from her. The
unhappy marriage between his daughter Tullia and
her profligate husband, Dolabella, was dissolved at
much the same time, but she only survived for a few
months. Her death, which occurred in February,
45 B.C., seems to have prostrated Cicero with grief,
and a long series of daily letters, from March to
August of that year, are largely filled with reitera-
tions of his grief and projects for the erection of a
shrine in her honour. They are interesting for the
light they cast on Atticus' treatment of Cicero when
he was unstrung and excited. Atticus evidently
disapproved entirely of the project; but from
Cicero's answers one infers that he kept on humour-
ing him and at the same time delaying action on his
part by continual suggestions of a fresh site for the
shrine, knowing that Cicero's ardour would cool and
the scheme drop througliT'ws^ did.

Much is said, too, in these letters about the
literary work to which Cicero turned with more
eagerness than ever to assuage his grief; and the
output was enormous. A book on consolation in

» xii. 4.
viii

INTRODUCTION

times of sorrow, a general introduction to the philo-
sophical works Avhich followed, the De Finibus, the
Academica — rewritten three times ^ — and a small
rhetorical treatise, the Partitiones Oratoriae, were
published during the year, while the Tusculanae Dis-
putaitones, the De Naiura Deorum and the De Senectute
were projected and begun. Certainly Cicero was
right in saying that he had no lack of words ! '

Of political affairs little is said ; indeed, in Caesar's
absence there was not much to say. But there are
occasional sneers at the honours paid to him ^ and at
his projected extension of Rome.^ For the latter
part of the year, after Caesar's return from Spain,
there are no letters in this collection except two
amusing letters in December, one describing a con-
versation with his nephew, who was trying to make
peace with his relatives after a violent quarrel,^
and the other Cicero's entertainment of Caesar at
Puteoh."

Not long afterwards came the murder of Caesar,
at which Cicero to his regret was not present, though
he was in Rome and hastened to the Capitol to lend
his support to the murderers. He found, however,
the cold Brutus hard to stir into action, and after
Antony's speech at the funeral he thought it wiser
to retire from Rome. The letters written at the
time are full of rejoicing at the death of a man,
towards whom he never seems to have felt any
attraction, in spite of the kindness he had received
at his hands. But he soon realised the hopelessness
of the Republican cause, which lacked both a leader
and a following. He himself regained something

1 XIII. 1.3 and 16. « xn. 52.

" XII. 45; XIII. 27 and 44. * xiii. 35.
^ xiu. 42. « XIII. 52.

IN'l'UODUCTION

of his old position, and we find him not only con-
sulted by Brutus and the rest of his party, but
|)olitely addressed by Antony in a note, askin<^ his
permission to recall Cicero's old enemy Clodius.^
Cicero, taking the request as a demand, returned an
equally polite note of assent;^ but what he thouglit
of the request and of Antony is shown by a letter
sent to Atticus simultaneously.^ For a while there
are occasional bursts of hope in a revival of the old
constitution, for instance when Dolabella threw
down the column erected in the forum in honour of
Caesar;* but despair at the inactivity of Brutus
and his friends and at Antony's growing influence
and the respect shown for Caesar's enactment after
his death prevail ; and Cicero contemplated crossing
to Greece to visit his son and escape from the war he
foresaw. Octavian's arrival and opposition to An ton v
did not comfort him much, in spite of attentions
paid to himself by the future emperor, as he mis-
trusted Octavian's youth, his abilities and his in-
tentions. But, when just on the point of sailing,
news reached him that there was a chance of Antony
giving way and peace with something of the old
conditions being restored ; and he hurried back to
Rome to take his part in its restoration.^ There
he found little chance of peace, but, once returned,
he recovered sufficient courage to take the lead in the
Senate and deliver his first Philippic against Antony.
After that there are only a few letters written
towards the end of the "Visiitt. In them he still ex-
presses great mistrust for Octavian, who was con-
tinually appealing to liim for his support;^ and, in
spite of his renewed entry into public aflfairs, one

1 XIV. 1.3a. 2 XIV. 13b. =• xrv. 1.3.
•♦ xiv. 15. * XVI. 7.

INTRODUCTION

is rather surprised to find that he was still working
at his philosophical treatises, writing the De Officiis
to dedicate to his son/ and even eager to turn to
history at the suggestion of Atticus.^ Such is the
last glimpse we get of him in the Letters to Alticns.
Shortly afterwards he returned to Rome, and for
some six months led the senatorial party in its
opposition to Antony ; but, when Octavian too
turned against tiie party and the struggle became
hopeless, he retired to Tusculum, where he lived
until he was proscribed by the Triumvirs early in
December. Then he contemplated Hight to Greece,
but was killed at Astura before he had succeeded
in leaving Italy.

I must again acknowledge my indebtedness in
preparing the translation to Tyrrell's edition of the
Letters and to Shuckburgh's translation, from both
of which I have "conveyed" many a phrase. The
text is as usual based on the Teubner edition, and
textual notes have been mainly confined to passages
where a reading not found in that edition was
adopted. In those notes the following abbreviations
are used : —

M=the Codex Mediceus 49, 18, written in the year
1389 A.D., and now preserved in the Laurentian
Librar}' at Florence. M^ denotes the reading of
the first hand, and M'^ that of a reviser.

A = the reading of M when supported by that of
the Codex Urbinas 322, a MS. of the fifteenth
century, preserved in the Vatican Library.

0= Codex 1, 0, 34 in the University Library at Tin-in,
written in the fifteenth century. 0' denotes the
reading of the first hand, and ()'- that of a reviser.

1 xvi. 11. ■' XVI. 13b.

INTRODUCTION

C'=the marginal readings in Cratander's edition of
1528, drawn from a MS. which is lost.

Z = the readings of the lost Codex Tornaesianus.
Z'', '/J, Z\ the readings of the same MS. when
attested only by Bosius, Lambinus, or Turnebus
respectively.

L(marg.) = readings in the margin of Lambinus'
second edition.

Ttd. =the editio Petri Vidori (Venice, 1534-37),

CICERO'S LETTERS

TO ATTICUS

BOOK XII

VOL. rn.

M. TULLI CICERONIS

EPISTULARUM AD ATTICUM

LIBER DUODECIMUS

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Undecimo die, postquam a te discesseram, hoc

Arpinali litterularum exaravi egrediens e villa ante lucem,
rf /y/iQ ^^"^^ ^^ ^^^ cogitabam in Anagnino, postero auteni

in TusculanOj ibi unum diem ; v Kalend. igitur ad
constitutum. Atque utinam continuo ad complexum
meae Tulliae, ad osculum Atticae possim currere I
Quod quidem ipsum scribe, quaeso, ad me, ut, dum
consisto in Tusculano, sciam, quid garriat, sin rusti-
catur, quid scribat ad te ; eique interea aut scribes
salutem aut nuntiabis itemque Piliae. Et tamen,
etsi continuo congressuri sumus, scribes ad me, si
quid habebis.

Cum complicarem banc epistulaui, noctuabundus
ad me venit cum e})istuia tua tabellarius ; qua lecta
de Atticae febricula scilicet valde dolui. Reliqua,
quae exspectabam, ex tuis litteris cognovi omnia ;
sed, quod scribis " igniculum matutinum yepovriKov,"
yepovTLKWTepov est memoriola vacillare. Ego enim
mi Kal. Axio dederani, tibi iii, Quinto, quo die venis-
sem, id est v Kal. Hoc igitur habebis, novi nihil.
2

CICERO'S LETTERS

TO ATTICUS

BOOK XII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

On the eleventh day after parting from you I Arfinum,
have scribbled these few lines while leaving my Not . 23, b.c.
country house before daybreak. I am thinking of 46
stopping to-day at my place at Anagnia, to-morrow
at Tusculum and staying there one day. On the
26th then to our tryst; and I only wish I could
run straight to the embraces of my Tullia and the
lips of Attica. What those little lips are prattling,
please write and let me know, while I am at Tuscu-
lum, or, if she is in the country, what she is writing
to you : and in the meantime pay my respects by
letter or in person to her, and to Pilia too. And
all the same, though we are to meet at once, write
to me, if you have anything to say.

As I was folding up this letter, a messenger came
in the night to me with a letter of yours, and on
reading it I was naturally very sorry to hear of
Attica's slight attack of fever. Everything else I
was wanting to hear, I learn from your letter. You
say it is a sign of old age to want a bit of fire in the
morning : it's a worse sign of old age to be a bit
weak in your memory. I had arranged for the 27th
with Axius, the 28th with you, and the 26th, the
day I arrive, with Quintus. So please count on

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Quid ergo opus erat epistula ? Quid, cum coram
sumus et garrimus, quicquid in buccam ? Est pro-
fecto quiddam Xiaxr], quae habet, etiamsi nihil sub-
est, collocutione ipsa suavitatem.

CICERO ATTICO SAI,.

Scr. Romae Hie rumores tamen Murcum perisse naufragio,

ante med. m. Asinium delatum vivum in manus militum, l navis
Apr. a. 708 delatas Uticani i-eflatu hoc, Pompeium non comparere
nee in Balearibus oniuino fuisse, ut Paciaecus adfir-
mat. Sed auctor nullius rei quisquam. Habes, quae,
dum tu abes, locuti sint. Ludi interea Praeneste.
Ibi Hirtius et isti omnes. Et quidein ludi dies viii.
Quae cenae, quae deliciae ! Res interea fortasse
transacta est. O miros homines ! At Balbus aedi-
ficat ; ri yap auT<3 fxeXn; Verum si quaeris, homuii
non recta, sed voluptaria quaerenti nonne ^c^aurai ?
Tu interea dormis. lam explicandum est irpopx-q/xa,
si quid acturus es. Si quaeris, quid putem, ego
fructum 1 puto. Sed quid multa ? lam te videbo,

^ ftuctum MSS. : peractuin Moser: confectuni Schiitzt:
eluctum Ellis.

1 Or, as Tj'rrell suggests, " There's tit for tat. I have no
news."

^ Statius Murcus, an officer in Caesar's army. He is men-
tioned again later in Fam. xii. ] 1, 1.

" i.e. soldiers of Pompey, Asinius Pollio being another
adherent of Caesar.
4

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 1-2

that : there is no new arrangement.^ What's the
use of writing then ? What's the use of our meeting
and chattering about everything tliat comes into
our heads? A bit of gossip is something after all,
and, even if there is nothing in our talk, the mere
fact of talking together has some charms.

CICKKO TO ATTICUS, OREETINO.

All the same there are reports here that Murcus- Rome, Ajjiil,
has been lost at sea, that Asinius reached shore alive b.c. 4G
to fall into the soldiers' ^ hands, that 50 ships have
been carried to Utica by this contrary wind, that
Pompey * is nowhere to be found and never has
been in the Bal cares, as Paciaecus declares. But
there is no definite authority for any of this. That
is what people have been saying while you are away.
Meanwhile there are the games at Praeneste. That's
where Hirtius and all that crew are; and there are
eight days of games ! Picture their dinners and
their extravagant goings on. Perhaps in the mean-
time the great question has been settled. What
people they are ! So Balbus is building : little he
recks. But, if j^ou ask me, is not life over and done
with, when a man begins to look for pleasure rather
than duty? In the meantime you slumber on. Now
is the time the problem must be solved, if you mean
to do anything. If you ask me what I think, I
think "Gather ye roses." ^ But what's the good of
going on ? I shall see you at once, and I hope you

* Cn. Pompeius, the eldest son of Pompey the Great.

* Fructum may be the first M'ord of some proverb ; but
probably the word is corrupt, as the sentiment seems rather
at variance with that expressed just above.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

et quidem, ut spero, de via recta ad me. Simul
enim et diem Tyrannioni constitueniusj et si quid
aliud.

Ill

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tns- Unum te puto minus blandum esse quam me, et,

culano /// gi uterque nostrum est aliquando adversus aliquem,
la. hin. a. . ^

'^Qg inter nos certe numquam sumus. Audi igitur me hoc

ayoT^reuVtos dicentem. Ne vivam, mi Attice, si mihi

non niodo Tusculanum, ubi ceteroqui sum libenter,

sed jxaKapuiv vTjcroi tanti sunt, ut sine te sim tot dies.

Quare obduretur hoc triduum, ut te quoque ponam

in eodem Tra^a; quod ita est profecto. Sed vehm

scire, liodiene statim de auctione, et quo die venias.

Ego me interea cum libellis ; ac moleste fero Vennoni

me historiam non habere. Sed tamen, ne nihil de re,

nomen illud, quod a Caesare, tres habet condiciones,

aut emptionem ab hasta (perdere malo, etsi praeter

ipsam turpitudinem hoc ipsum puto esse perdere)

aut delegationem a mancipe annua die (quis erit, cui

credam, aut quando iste Metonis annus veniet }) aut

* To read a book he had written, possibly on accents
Cf. Att. XII. 6.

2 Or, as Tyrrell and Shuckburgh, " whether you are
coming to-day or, if not, on what day you are coming." But
Cicero does not seem to have anticipated Atticus' arrival
before three da^'s.

' Probably a debt owed to Cicero by some proscribed
Pompeian.

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 2-3

will come straight from the road to me. For we
will arrange a day for Tyi'annio at the same time,*
and anything else there is to do.

Ill

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

You ai-e the only person I know less given to Tusctihtm.
flattery than myself, and, if we both fall into it June 11,
sometimes in the case of other people, certainly we B.C. 46
never use it to one another. So listen to what I
am saying with all sincerity. On my life, Atticus,
I don't count even the Isles of the Blest, let alone
my place at Tusculum— though in other respects
I'm comfortable enough there — worth so long a
separation from you. So let us harden our hearts
for these three days — assuming that you are affected
as I am, which I am sure is the case. But I should
like to know whether you are starting to-day ^ imme-
diately after the auction, and on what day you are
coming. In the meantime I am buried in my books,
and annoyed that I have not got Vennonius' history.
But, not to neglect business altogether, for that debt
that Caesar assigned to me ^ there are three means I
might use. I could buy the property at a public
auction ; but I would rather lose it — it comes to the
same thing in the end, besides the disgrace. I
might transfer my rights for a bond payable a year
hence by the buyer: but whom can I trust, and
when would that " year of Meton " * come .'' Or I

♦ Meton, an Athenian mathematician, of the beginning of
the 5th century B.C., discovered the solar cycle of 19 years.
" Meton's year" was proverbially used for an indefinitely
long period.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICEUO

Vettieni condicione semissem. 2/c€i//at igitur. Ac
vereor, ne iste iam auctionem nullam faciat, sed liidis
factis 'AtuVo) ^ subsidio currat, ne talis vir aXoyijOrj.
.Sed fxfXrjaH. Tu Atticam,, quaeso, cura et ei salutem
et Piliae TuUiae quoque verbis pluriinam.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- O gratas tuas mihi iucundasque litteras ! Quid
culano Id. quaeris ? restitutus est mihi dies festus. Angebar
lun. a. 708 enim, quod Tiro ivepfvOea-repov te sibi esse visum
dixerat. Addam igitur, ut censes, unum diem.

Sed de Catone Trp6/3kr]ixa 'Apxip-rj^eiov est. Non
adsequor, ut scribam, quod tui convivae non modo
libenter, sed etiam aequo animo legere possint ; quin
etiam, si a sententiis eius dictis, si ab omni voluntate
consiliisque, quae de re publica habuit, recedam ;
i/^tAwsque velim gravitatem constantiamque eius lau-
dare, hoc ipsum tamen istis odiosum aKovcrfxa sit. Sed
vere laudari ille vir non potest, nisi haec ornata sint,
quod ille ea, quae nunc sunt, et futura viderit, et, ne
fiei-ent, contenderit, et, facta ne videret, vitam reli-
querit. Horum quid est, quod Aledio probare possi-
raus? Sed cura, obsecro, ut valeas, eamque, quam
ad omnes res adhibes, in primis ad convalescendum
adhibe prudentiam.

1 'ATvncfi Popma : clypo M : Olympo m.

^ A banker (cf. Alt. x. 5) who proposed to take over the
debt, in return for present payment of half the sum owed.
8

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 3-4

might accept Vettienus' ^ proposal and take half
paid down. So look into the matter. The fact is I
am afraid Caesar may not hold any auction now, but,
as soon as his games are over, may run off to the aid
of his stammering friend,'- not to slight so im-
portant a person. But I will attend to the matter.
Pray take care of Attica and give her and Pilia and
Tullia my kindest greetings.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

How glad I was of your delightful letter ! Why, Tusculum,
it made my day a red-letter day after all. For I June 13,
was anxious because Tiro had said you looked to b.c. 46
him rather flushed. So I will stay another day, as
you suggest.

But about Cato, that would puzzle a Philadelphia
lawyer. I cannot manage to write anything that
your boon companions could read, I won't say with
pleasure, but even without annoyance. If I steer
clear of his utterances in the House and of his
entire political outlook and policy, and content
myself with simply eulogizing his unwavering con-
stancy, even that would be no pleasant hearing
for them. But he is a man who cannot properly be
eulogized, unless these points are fully treated, tliat
he foresaw the present state of affairs, and tried to
prevent it, and that he took his own life by prefer-
ence to seeing it come about. Can I win Aledius'
approval of any of that ? But pray be careful
of yourself and devote the common sense you de-
vote to other things, before all to recovering your
health.

* Balbus, if the reading is right.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
V

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tns- Quintus pater quartum vel potius millesimum nihil
culano in. m. gapit, qui laetetur Luperco filio et Static, ut cernat
duplici dedecore cumulatam domum. Addo etiaiii
Philotimum tertium. O stultitiam, nisi mea maior
esset, singularem ! quod autem os in banc rem Ipavov
a te ! Fac non ad " Buf/waav Kpi^vrjv," sed ad Heipi^vrjv
eum venisse, " ajXTrvevixa (re/xvbv 'AX<^£to5'' in te
" Kprjvrj," ut scribis, haurire, in tantis suis prae-
sertim angustiis. Ilot Tavra apa diroa-K-qipei; Sed ipse
viderit.

Cato me quidem delectat, sed etiam Bassum Luci-
lium sua.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- De Caelio tu quaeres, ut scribis ; ego nihil novi.

culano prid. Noscenda autem est natura, non facultas mode. De

y^Q ' ' Hortensio et Verginio tu, si quid dubitabis. Etsi,

quod magis placeat, ego quantum aspicio, non facile

inveneris. Cum Mustela, quem ad modum scribis,

cum venerit Crispus. Ad Avium scripsi, ut ea, quae

* A quotation from a verse of Ennius, Quintus pater quar-
tum fit consul, preserved in Aulus Gellius x. 1.

^ Caesar had restored the ancient priestly corporation of
10

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 5-5a

CICP:R0 to ATTICUS, GREETING.

"Quintus the elder for the fourth time " ^ or Tusculum,
rather for the thousandth time is a fool to rejoice July, b.c. 46
in his son's new office " and in Statius, that he may
see a double disgrace heaped on his house. I may
add Philotimus as a third disgrace. His folly would
be unparalleled, if my own had not been greater.
But what cheek of him to ask you for a contribution
towards it ! Even suppose he had not come to a
"fount athirst," but to a Pirene or "the hallowed
spot where Alpheus took breath," ' to think of his
drawing on you as his fountain, to use your word,
especially when he is in such straits ! Where will
such conduct end .'' But that is his own look out.

Myself I am delighted with my Cato : but then
Lucilius Bassus is delighted with his works too.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

About Caelius you must make enquiries, as you Tusculum,
say : I know nothing. But one must get to know May 31,
his character as well as his resources. If you have b.c. 45
any doubts about Hortensius and Verginius, look
into the matter : though, so far as I can see, you are
not likely to find anything that will suit better.
Deal with Mustela as you say, when Crispus has
arrived. I have written to Avius to tell Piso all he

Luperci and the celebration of the Lupercalia on the Palatine
hill on February 15.

' From Pindar, Nem. 1, 1, where it is used of the Arethusa
at Syracuse, which was popularly believed to be connected
with the river Alpheus in the Peloponneae.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

bene nosset de auro, Pisoni demonstraret. Tibi enini
sane adsentior, et istud nimium diu duci et omnia
nunc undique contrahenda. Te quidem nihil agere,
nihil cogitare aliud, nisi quod ad me pertineat, facile
perspiciOj meisque negotiis impediri cupiditateni tuam
ad me veniendi. Sed mecum esse te puto, non solum
quod meam rem agis, verum etiam quod videre
videor, quo modo agas. Neque enim ulla hora tui
mihi est opei'is ignota.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Tubulum praetorem video L. Metello, Q. Maximo

cuLano III consulibus. Nunc velim, P. Scaevola, pontifex maxi-

"" '^ mus, quibus consulibus tribunus pi. Equidem puto

lun. a. 70V . . ^ . .„ . 4. • t f •

proxnnis, Caepione et I ompeio; praetor enmi L. Furio,

Sex. Atilio. Dabis igitur tribunatum et, si poteris,
Tubulus quo crimine. Et vide, quaeso, L. Libo,
ille qui de Ser. (ialba, Censorinone et Manilio an
T. Qiiinctio, M'. Acilio consulibus tribunus pi. fiierit.
Conturbabat enim me [epitome Bruti Fanniana] ^ in
Bruti epitoma Fannianorum [scripsi] ^ quod erat in ex-
tremo, idque ego secutus hunc Fannium, qui scripsit
historiam, generum esse scripseram Laeli. Sed tu
me y€(i)fX€TpLKios refelleras, te autem nunc Brutus et
^ The words in brackets are deleted by most editors as glosses.

1 142 B.C. - 136 B.C.

* For taking a bribe, when presiding at a murder trial
(Cicero, de Fmibiis, 2, § 54).
12

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 5a-5b

knows about the gold : for I quite agree with you, I
have delayed too long already and must get in all
I can from every source. I quite realize that you
are doing nothing and thinking of nothing except
my concerns, and that your longing to come to me
is prevented by my business. But in my imagi-
nation you are with me, not only because you are
managing my affairs, but because I seem to see how
you are managing them, for I know what you are
doing in every single one of your working hours.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I see Tubulus was praetor in the consulship of Tusculum
L. Metellus and Q. Maximus.^ Now I should like June 11 or
to know when P. Scaevola the Pontifex Maximus 12 b.c. 45
was tribune. I think it was in the next year, under
Caepio and Pompey, as he was praetor under L. Furius
and Sex. Atilius.^ So please give me the date of
liis tribunate, and, if you can, the charge on which
Tubulus was tried.^ Pray look and see too whether
L. Libo, who brought in the bill about Ser. Galba,
was tribune in the consulship of Censorinus and
Manilius or in that of T. Quinctius and M'. Acilius.*
For I was confused by a passage at the end of
Brutus' epitome of Fannius' history. Following
that I made Fannius, the author of the history, son-
in-law of Laelius. But you refuted me by rule and
line ; now however Brutus and Fannius have refuted

* 150 or 149 B.C. Libo impeached Galba in 147 B.C. for
selling the liiisitani, who had surrendered on promise of free-
dom, as slaves.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Fannius. Ego tamen de bono auctore, Hortensio,
sic acceperam, ut apud Brutum est. Hunc igitur
locum expedies.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Ego misi Tironem Dolabellae obviam. Is ad me

culano prid. Idibus revertetur. Te exspectabo postridie. De

Id. lun. a. Tullia mea tibi antiquissimum esse video, idque ita

'^* ut sit, te vehementer rogo. Ergo ei in integro

omnia ; sic enim scribis. Mihi, etsi Kalendae vitan-

dae fuerunt Nicasionumque apx^Tvira fugienda confi-

ciendaeque tabulae, nihil tamen tanti, ut a te abes-

sem, fuit. Cum Romae essem et te iam iamque

visurum me putarem, cotidie tamen horae, quibus

exspectabam, longae videbantur. Scis me minime

esse blandum ; itaque minus aliquanto dico, quam

sentio.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- De Caelio vide, quaeso, ne quae lacuna sit in auro.

cula7io m. Ego ista non novi. Sed certe in collubo est detri-

interc. post, rnenti satis. Hue aurum si accedit — sed quid loquor.''

Tu videbis. Habes Hegesiae genus, quod Varro lau-

» Brutus, § 101.

2 IntereHt was payable on the 1st of the month.

' Before the alteration of the calendar made by Caesar in
the next year, two months, of 29 and 28 days respectively^,
were inserted between November and December, 46 B.C., to
set the calendar right.
14

LETTERS TO AITICUS XII. 5b-6

you. I had followed a good authority, Hortensius,
for my statement in Brulus} So please set the
matter straight.

I have sent Tiro to meet Dolabella. He will Tusculum,
return on the 13th. I shall expect you on the next June 12,
day. I see you are putting TuUia before every- b.c. 46
thing, and I earnestly beg you to do so. So her
dowry is untouched : for that is what you say. For
myself, though I had to avoid pay-day ,2 to keep oft'
the money-lenders' precious books, and make up my
accounts, there was nothing to compensate for my
absence from you. When I was at Rome and
expected to see you every minute, still the hours
I spent in expecting you every day seemed long.
You know I am nothing of a flatterer, and so I
rather understate my feelings.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

As to Caelius, please see that there is nothing Tusculum,
lacking in the gold. I know nothing about that, intercalary
But anyhow there is loss enough in the exchange, monlh,^ B.C.
If there is anything wrong with the gold on the top 4-6
of that — but what's the use of my talking? You
will see to it. There is a specimen of Hegesias'
style,* of which Varro approves. Now I come to

* Hegesias of Magnesia introduced the Asiatic school of
rhetoric. Abrupt breaks such as that in the last sentence
were one of its features.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

dat. Venio ad Tyrannionem. Ain tu ? verum hoc
fnit, sine me ? At ego quotiens, cum essem otiosus,
sine te tamen nolui ? Quo modo hoc ergo lues ? Uno
scilicet, si mihi librum miseris ; quod ut facias, etiam
atque etiam rogo. Etsi me non magis liber ipse de-
lectabit, quam tua admiratio delectavit. Amo enim
Travra (ftiXaB^/xova teque istam tam tenuem Oewpiav
tam valde admiratum esse gaudeo. Etsi tua quidem
sunt eius modi omnia. Scire enim vis ; quo uno ani-
mus alitur. Sed, quaeso, quid ex ista acuta et gravi
refertur ad tcAos ?

Sed longa oratio est, et tu occupatus es in meo
fortasse aliquo negotio. Et pro isto asso sole, quo
tu abusus es in nostro pratulo, a te nitidum solem
unctumque repetemus. Sed ad prima redeo. Librum,
si me amas, mitte. Tuus est enim profecto, quoniam
quidem est missus ad tc.

Via

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr in Tits- "Chremes, tantumne ab re tua est oti tibi," ul
culano m. etiam Oratorem legas ? Macte virtute ' Mihi qui-
interc. post, dem gratum, et erit gratius, si non modo in tuis
n. 708 libris, sed etiam in aliorum per librai-ios tuos " Aristo-

phanem " reposueris pro "Eupoli." Caesar autem

^ Atticus had read the book of Tyrannic, which was re-
ferred to in XII. 2.

^ Cicero refers to the introduction of Atticus in his Brutus
(24) in pr a ttUo propter riatonis statuam ; but his meeining is

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 6-6a

Tyrannic. Do you really mean it ? ^ How unfair,
without me ! Think how often, even when I had
plenty of time, I refused without you. How are
you going to atone for your crime then ? There
is only one way : you roust send me the book. I
earnestly entreat you to do so ; though the book
itself will not delight me more than your admiration
of it has. For I love everyone who loves learning
and I am glad you admired so strongly an essay on
so minute a point. But that is you all over. You
want knowledge, which is the only mental food.
But please tell me what there was in that acute and
grave treatise which contributed to your sumvium
bonum.

However Tm making a long story of it, and you
may be busy about some of my business. And in
return for that dry basking in the sun, in which you
revelled in my meadov/, I shall claim from you a
richer and a warmer glow.^ But to return to my
first point. If you love me, send me the book : for
it is yours of course, as it was sent to you.

Via

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

" What, so much leisure from your own affairs"^ Tusculuni,
that you have found time to read the Orator too. hilercal ary
Bravo ! I am pleased to hear it, and shall be still month, u.c.
more pleased if you will get your copyists to alter 46
Eupolis to Aristophanes * not only in your own copy
but in others too. Caesar seemed to me to be amused

not very clear. Probably he only means that he is expecting
to enjoj' Atticus' hospitality soon.

' Terence, Htaiit. 75.

* In the quotation from Aristophanes, Ach. 530, in Orat. 29.

MAliCUS TULLIUS CICERO

mihi irridere visus est " quaeso " illud tuum, quod
erat et eiinvh et urbanum. Ita porro te sine cura
esse iussit, ut mihi quidem dubitationem omnem
tolleret. Atticam doleo tarn diu ; sed, quoniam iam
sine horrore est, spero esse, ut volumus.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Quae desideras, omnia scripsi in codicillis eosque
culano m. Eroti dedi ; breviter, sed etiam plura, quam quaeris,
mterc. post, jj^ jjg ^jg Cicerone ; cuius quidem cogitationis initium
^' tu mihi attuUsti. Locutus sum cum eo Hberalissime ;

quod ex ipso velim, si modo tibi erit commodum,
sciscitere. Sed quid difFero ? Exposui te ad me
detulisse, et quid vellet et quid requireret. Velle
Hispaniam^ requirere liberalitatem. De liberalitate
dixi, quantum PubliHus, quantum flamen Lentulus
fiUo. De Hispania duo attuli, primum idem quod
tibi, me vereri vituperationem. Non satis esse, si
haec arma rehquissemus ? etiam contraria ? Deinde
fore ut angeretur, cum a fratre famiUaritate et omni
gratia vinceretur. Vellem magis hberaUtate uti mea
quam sua hbertate. Sed tamen permisi ; tibi enim
intellexeram non nimis dispUcere. Ego etiam atque
etiam cogitabo, teque, ut idem facias, rogo. Magna
res est ; simplex est manere, illud anceps. Verum
videbimus.

* There was a danger of Atticus' land at Buthrotum being
confiscated, as Caesar was thinking of planting a colony there.
18

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 6a-7

at your use of quaeso, as rather quaint and coekneyfied.
He bade you have no anxiety in such a way that
[ had no doubts left.^ I am sorry Attica's attack
lasts so long : but^ as she has lost her shivering fits
now, I hope it will be all right.

VII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I have scribbled a note with all you want on a Tusculum,
tablet, and given it to Eros — quite shortly, but intercalary
more than you ask for. In it I have spoken about month, b.c.
my son, of whose intentions you gave me the first 46
hint. I took a most liberal tone with him, and, if
you think it convenient, I should like you to ask
him about that. But why put it off .^ I pointed out
that you had told me what he wished to do and
what he wanted : " he wished to go to Sjiain, and
wanted a liberal allowance." As for the allowance,
I said I would give him as much as Publilius or
Lentulus the flamen gave their sons. Against Spain
I brought forward two arguments, the first, tlie one
I used to you, that I was afraid of adverse criticism :
" Was it not enough that we abandoned one side ?
Must we take the other?" The second that he
would be annoyed, if his cousin enjoyed Caesar's
intimacy and general goodwill more than he did.
I should prefer him to make use of my liberal offer
rather than of his liberty. However I gave him
permission ; for I saw you did not really dislike the
idea. I shall think the matter over carefully, and
I hope you will too. It is an important point : to
stay is sirnple, to go risky. But we sluill see.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
De Balbo et in codicillis scripseram et ita cogito,
simul ac redierit. Sin ille tardius, ego tamen tri-
duum, et, quod praeterii, Dolabella etiam mecum.

VIII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. tn Tus- De Cicerone multis res placet. Comes est idoneus.
. ' ■ Sed de prima pensione ante videamus. Adcst enim

a. 708 ^i^s, et ille currit. Scribe, quaeso, quid referat Celer

egisse Caesarem cum candidatis, utrum ipse in feni-
cularium an in Martium campum cogitet. Et scire
sane velim, numquid necesse sit comitiis esse Romae.
Nam et Piliae satis faciendum est et utique Atticae.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asturae Ne ego essem hie libenter atque id cotidie magis,
n Jna ^^^ ni esset ea causa, quam tibi superioribus litteris
scripsi. Nihil hac solitudine iucundius, nisi pau-
lum interpellasset Amyntae filius. *Q, a-n-ipavToXoyia^
djySoCs ! Cetera noli putare amabiliora fieri posse

a. 709

' Cicero wished to send him to Athens with L. Tullius
Montanus.

^ i.e. will he ajipoint the magistrates in Spain or let the
20

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 7-9

About Balbus I have written in the tablet, and I
think of doing as you say, as soon as he comes back.
If he is rather slow about it, still I shall be three
days there ; and, I forgot to say, Dolabella will be
with me too.

VIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

My plan for my son meets with general approval. Tuscubtm.
I have found a suitable companion.^ But let us first irUercalaiy
see to the payment of an instalment of Tullia's month, b.c.
dowry. The time is near and Dolabella is in a 4:6
hurry. Please write and tell me what Celer says
Caesar has settled about the candidates, whether he
thinks of going to the field of Fennel or the field of
Mars.2 I should much like to know too whether I
must come to Rome for the elections. For I must
do my duty by Pilia and anyhow by Attica.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I should be perfectly comfortable here and become Astura, July
more and more so every day, if it weren't for the 27, b.c. 45
reason I mentioned in my former letter. Nothing
could be pleasanter than this solitude, except for
the occasional interruptions of Amyntas* son.^ How
his chatter does bore one ! All the rest is more
charming than you can imagine, tlie villa, the shore,

elections at Rome take place ? The campus Fenicular'ms was
near Tai raco.

' i.e. L. Marcius Philippus, jestingly referred to as Philip,
king of Macedonia.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

villa, litore, prospectu maris, tumulis, his rebus omni-
bus. Sed neque haec digna longioribus litteris, nee
erat, quod scriberemj et somnus urgebat.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Astnrae Male mehercule de Athamante. Tuus autem dolor
y K. bexl. liumanus is quidem, sed magno opere moderandus.
Consolationum autem multae viae, sed ilia rectissima :
impetret ratio, quod dies impeti'atura est. Alexin
vero euremus, imaginem Tironis, quem aegrum Ro-
raam remisi, et, si quid habet collis iTTi^Tqfxiov, ad me
cum Tisameno^ transferamus. Tota domus vacat
superior, ut sols. Hoc puto valde ad rem pertinere.

CICERO ATTICO SAL,

Scr. in Tvs- Male de Seio. Sed omnia humana tolerabilia du-

culano m. cenda. Ipsi enim quid sumus, aut quam diu haec

tnlerc. jms . ^^^^^^^^-^ sumus? Ea videamus, quae ad nos magis
a. 70S

pertinent nee tamen multo, quid agamus de senatu.

Et, ut ne quid praeterniittam, Caesonius ad me litterus
misit Postumiam Sulpici domura ad se venisse. De
Pompei Magni filia tibi rescripsi nihil me hoc tem-
pore cogitare ; alteram vero illam, quam tu scribis,

* Tiaameno Z^, testaniento other MSS.
1'i

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 9-1 1

the sea view, the hillocks and everything. But they
don't deserve a longer letter, and I have nothing
else to say, and I'm very sleepy.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GIIEETING.

I am very sorry to hear about Athamas. But Asttira, Julji
your grief, though it is a kindly weakness, should be 28, b.c. 45
kept well in check. There are many roads to
consolation, but this is the straightest : let reason
bring about what time is sure to bring about. Let
us take care of Alexis, the living image of Tiro,
whom I have sent back to Rome ill, and, if there
is any epidemic on the hill,^ send him to my place
with Tisamenus. The whole of the upper story
is vacant as you know. This I think is an excellent
suggestion.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I am sorry to hear about Seius. But one has to Tuscnlum,
learn to put up with all human troubles. For what intercalary
are we ourselves and how long will they be bother- month, b.c.
ing us ? Let us look to a thing that is more in our 46
power, though not very much, — what we are to do
about the Senate. And, before I forget it, Caesonius
sent me word that Sulpicius' wife Postumia had
paid him a visit. As to Pompey's daughter I
answered you saying I was not thinking of her at
present. I suppose you know the other lady you

* Atticus' house was on the Quirinal hill.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

puto, nosti. Nihil vidi Ibedius. Sed adsiim. Coram
igitur.

Obsignata epistula accepi tuas. Atticae hilaritateni
libenter audio. Commotiunculis arvix-ird<T\w.

XII

CICEIIO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asttirae De dote tanto magis perpurga. Balbi regia con-

XVII K

. ■ dicio est delegandi. Quoquo modo confice. Turpe

est rem impeditam iacere. Insula Arpinas habere
potest germanam diroOiuia-iv ; sed vereor, ne minorem
Tifirjv habere videatur iKToiria-fio^. Est igitur animus
in hortis ; quos tamen inspiciam, cum venero.

De Epicuro, ut voles ; etsi /xedapfMoaofxaL in poste-
rum genus hoc personarum. Incredibile est, quam
ea quidam rcquirant. Ad antiques igitur; avi^ia-TjTov
yap. Nihil habeo, ad te quod scribam, sed tamen
institui cotidie mittere, ut eliciam tuas litteras^ non
quo aliquid ex lis exspectem, sed nescio quo modo
tamen exspecto. Quare, sive habes quid sive nil
habes, scribe tamen aliquid teque cura.

* The first sentence refers to the repayment of Tullia's
dowry ; the second to Cicero's debt to his divorced wife.
This Terentia had made over to Baibus in order to enforce

LETTERS TO AITICUS XII. 11-12

write about. The ugliest tiling I ever saw. But
I am coming to town at once : so we will discuss
it together.

When I had sealed this letter I received yours.
I am very glad to hear Attica is so cheerful ; and
I'm grieved about the slight indisposition.

XII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

With regard to the dowry make all the more Astura,
effort to clear the business up. To make over the March 16,
debt to Balbus is a high-handed proceeding.^ Get b.c. 45
it settled anyhow. It is disgraceful to let the thing
hang fire. The island at Arpinum would be an
excellent place for a shrine, but I'm afraid it's too
far out of the way to convey much honour. So
my mind is set on the garden : however I'll have
a look at it, when I arrive.

About Epicurus you shall have your way :^ but in
the future I shall change my plan as regards the
persons in my dialogues. You'd never believe how
eager some people are for a place. So I shall confine
myself to the ancients : that avoids invidious dis-
tinctions. I have nothing to say; but I've made
up my mind to write every day to draw letters from
you, not that there is anything I expect from them,
still somehow or other I do expect something. So
whether you have any news or not, anyhow write
something ; and take care of yourself.

payment quicker. The shrine mentioned below was intended
to be in honour of TuUia.

2 Apparently Atticus had asked to have the Epicurean
view in the De Finihus put in the mouth of some friend of liis.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XIII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Ashirne Conimovet me Attica; etsi adsentior Cratero.
Non. Mart. Bruti litterae scriptae et prudenter ct amice multas
a. 709 voihx tamen lacrimas attulerimt. Me haec solitudo

minus stimulat quam ista celebritas. Te unum desi-
dero ; sed litteris non difficilius utor^ quam si domi
essem. Ardor tamen ille idem urget et manet, non
mehercule indulgente me, sed tamen repugnante.

Quod scribis de Appuleio, nihil puto opus esse
tua contentione, nee Balbo et Oppio ; quibus quidem
ille receperat mihique etiam iusserat nuntiari se
molestum omnino non futurum. Sed cura, ut excuser
morbi causa in dies singulos. Laenas hoc receperat.
Prende C. Septimium, L. Statilium. Denique nemo
negabit se iuraturum, quem rogaris. Quod si erit
durius, veniam et ipse perpetuum morbum iurabo.
Cum enim mihi carendum sit conviviis, malo id lege
videri facere quam dolore. Cocceium velim appelles.
Quod enim dixerat, non facit. Ego autem volo
aliquod emere latibulum et perfugium doloris mei.

XIV

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asturae De me excusando apud Appuleium dederam ad te
VIII Id. pridie litteras. Nihil esse negotii arbitror. Quem-
Mari. a. 709 cumque appellaris, nemo negabit. Sed Septimium

LETTERS TO yVTTlCUS XII. 13-14
XIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING,

I am upset about Attica^ tliough I agree with Asiura,
Craterus. Brutus' letter, though full of wise saws March 7,
and friendliness, drew from me many tears. This b.c, 45
solitude stirs my grief less than your crowded city.
You are the only person I miss ; but I find no more
difficulty about my literary work than if I were
at home. Still the old anguish oppresses me and
will not leave me, though I give you my word I
do not give way to it, but fight against it.

As to what you say about Appuleius, I don't
think you need exert yourself, or trouble Balbus
and Oppius. He has pi'omised them and told them
to let me know that he will not bother me at all.
But take care that my plea of ill-health is put in
every day. Laenas promised to certify. Add
C. Septimius, and L. Statilius. Indeed anyone you
ask will pass his word for it. But if there is any
difficulty, I will come and swear myself to chronic
ill-health. Since I am going to miss the banquets, ^
I would rather seem to do so according to the rules
than on account of grief. Please dun Cocceius. He
hasn't fulfilled his promise : and I am wanting to
buy a hiding-place and a refuge for my sorrow.

XIV

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I wrote to you yesterday about offering my ex- Asiura,
cuses to Appuleius. I don't think there will be March 8,
any bother. Any one you apply to is sure not to b.c. 45

* Apparently an augur had to bring evidence of ill-health
attested by three other augurs to escape attendance on
regular meetings and inaugural banquets.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICEFIO

vide et Laenatem et Statilium ; tribus enim opus est
Sed mihi Laenas totum receperat.

Quod scribis a lunio te appellatunij omnino Corni-
ficius locuples est ; sed tamen scire velim, quando
dicar spopondisse et pro patre anne pro filio. Neque
eo minus, ut scribis, procuratores Cornifici et Appu-
leium praediatorem videbis.

Quod me ab hoc maerore recreari vis, facis ut

omnia ; sed me mihi non defuisse tu testis as. Nihil

enim de maerore minuendo scriptum ab ullo est, quod

ego non domi tuae legerim. Sed omnein consolatio-

nem vincit dolor. Quin etiam feci quod profecto ante

me nemo, ut ipse me per htteras consolarer. Quem

librum ad te mittam, si descripserint librarii. Adfirmo

tibi nullam consolationem esse taleni. Totos dies

scribo, non quo proficiam quid, sed tantisper impe-

dior ; non equidem satis (vis enim urget), sed relaxor

tamen omnique vi nitor non ad animum, sed ad vul-

tum ipsum, si queam, reficiendum, idque faciens inter-

dum mihi peccare videor, interdum peccaturus esse.

nisi faciam. Solitudo aliquid adiuvat, sed multo plus

proficeret, si tu tamen interesses. Quae milii una

causa est hinc discedendi; nam pro malis recte

habebat. Quamquam id ipsum doleo. Non enim

iam in me idem esse poteris. Perierunt ilia, quae

amabas.

De Bruti ad me litteris scripsi ad te antea. Pru-
28

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 14

refuse. But see Septimius, Laenas and Statilius.
There must be three. However Laenas undertook
the whole matter for me.

You say you have been dunned by Junius. Well
anyhow Cornificius is rich enough to pay : but I
should like to know when they say I went bail for
him, and whether it was for the father or the son.
Still for all that, do as you sa}', and see Cornificius'
agents and Appuleius the estate agent.

You are as kind as usual in wishing that I could
get some relief from my grief; but you can bear
witness that it is no fault of mine. For every word
that has been written by anyone on the subject of
assuaging grief I read at your house. Rut my
sorrow is beyond any consolation. Why, I have
done what no one has ever done before, tried to
console myself by writing a book. I will send it
to you as soon as it is copied out. I assure you
no other consolation equals it. I write the whole
day long, not that it does any good, but it acts as
a temporary check : not very much of that, for
the violence of my grief is too strong; but still I
get some relief and try with all my might to attain
some composure of countenance, if not of mind.
In so doing sometimes I think I am doing wrong,
and sometimes that I should be doing wrong, if
I were not to do it. Solitude helps a little, but it
would have much more effect, if you at any rate
could be with me : and that is my only reason
for leaving, for the place is as right as any could
be under the circumstances. However even the
idea of seeing you upsets me : for now you can
never feel the same towards me. I have lost all
you used to love.

I have mentioned Brutus' letter to me before :

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

denter scriptae, sed nihil, quod me adiuvarent. Quod
ad te scripsit, id vellem, ut ipse adesset. Certe ali-
quid, quoniam me tam valde amat, adiuvaret. Quodsi
quid scies, scribas ad me velim, maxime autem, Pansa
quando. De Attica doleo, credo tamen Cratero.
Piliam angi veta. Satis est maerere pro omnibus.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asiurae Apud Appuleium, quoniam in perpetuum non
VII Id.
Mart. a. 709

placet, in dies ut excuser, videbis. In hac solitudine

careo omnium colloquio, cumque mane me in silvam
abstrusi densam et asperam, non exeo inde ante
vesperum. Secundum te nihil est mihi amicius soli-
tudine. In ea mihi omnis sermo est cum litteris.
Eum tamen interpellat fletus ; cui repugno, quoad
possum, sed adhuc pares non sumus. Bruto, ut
suades, rescribam. Eas litteras eras habebis. Cum
erit, cui des, dabis.

XVI

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. AsUirae Te tuis negotiis relictis nolo ad me venire, ego

f 1 Id. Mart. pQii^^^ accedam, si diutius impediere. Etsi ne dis-
a. 709 . . ,

cessissem quidem e conspectu tuo, nisi me plane nihil

ulla res adiuvaret. Quodsi esset aliquod levamcn, id
SO

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 14-16

it was full of wise saws, but nothing that could help
me. To you he wrote asking if I should like his
company. Yes, it would do me some good, as he
has so great an affection for me. If you have any
news, please write and let me know, especially when
Pansa is going.^ I am sorry about Attica, but I
believe Craterus. Tell Pilia not to worry : my
sorrow is enough for all.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

See that my excuses are paid to Appuleius every Astura,
day, since you do not approve of one general excuse. March 0,
In this solitude I don't speak to a soul. In the b.c. 45
morning I hide myself in a dense and wild wood,
and I don't come out till the evening. After you
I have not a greater friend than solitude. In it my
only converse is with books, though tears interrupt
it. I fight against them as much as I can ; but
as yet I am not equal to the struggle. I will
answer Brutus as you suggest. You shall have the
letter to-morrow. Give it to a messenger, when you
have one.

XVI

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I do not wish you to neglect your business to Astura,
come to me. I would ratlier go to you, if you are March 10,
delayed any longer. However I should never even b.c 45
have come out of sight of you, if it were not that I
absolutely could not get relief from anything. If
there were any alleviation for my sorrow, it would

' To his province in Cisalpine Gaul.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

esset in te uno, et, cum primum ab aliquo poterit
esse, a te erit. Nunc tamen ipsym sine te esse non
possum. Sed nee tuae domi probabatur, nee meae
poteram, nee, si propius essem uspiam, tecum tamen
essem. Idem enim te impediret, quo minus mecum
esses, quod nunc etiam impedit. Mihi nihil adhuc
aptius fuit hac solitudine ; quam vereor ne Philippus
tollat. Heri enim vesperi venerat. Me scriptio et
litterae non leniunt, sed obturbant.

XVII

CICEnO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asliinie Marcianus ad me scripsit me excusatum esse apud
// la. Mali. Appuleium a Laterense, Nasone, Laenate, Torquato,
Strabone. lis velim meo nomine rcddendas litteras
cures gratum niilii cos fecisse. Quod pro Coniificio
me abhinc amplius annis xxv spopondisse dicit Fla-
vins, etsi reus locuples est et Appuleius praediator
liberalis, tamen velim des operam, ut investiges ex
consponsorum tabu lis, sitne ita (mihi enim ante aedi-
litatem meam nihil erat cum Cornificio. Potest tamen
fieri ; sed scire certum velim), et appelles procuratores,
si tibi videtur. Quamquam quid ad me .'' Verum
tamen. Pansae profectionem scribes, cum scies.
Atticam salvere iube et earn cura, obsecro, dili-

geuter. Piliae salutem.
32

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XJI. 16-17

be in you alone, and, as soon as any will be possible
from anyone, it will come from you. Yet at this
very moment I cannot bear your absence. But it
did not seem right to stay in your house and I
could not stay at my own house ; and, if I stayed
somewhere nearer, still I should not be with you,
for you would be prevented from being with me
by the same reason that you are now. For myself,
this solitude has suited me better than anything
so far, though I am afraid Philippus will destroy it.
He came yesterday evening. Writing and read-
ing do not soften my feelings, they only distract
til em.

XVII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Marcianus has written to tell me that my excuses Astiira,
were made with Appuleius by Laterensis, Naso, March 12,
Laenas, Torquatus and Strabo. Please send them b.c. 45
a letter on my behalf, thanking them for what they
have done. As for what Flavins says, that more
than 25 years ago I went bail for Cornificius, though
the defendant is well off, and Appuleius is a respect-
able estate agent, I should be glad, if you would
verify the truth of that statement from the account
books of the other sureties ; for before my aedileship
I had no dealings with Cornificius. It may be so :
but I should like to know for certain. And please
demand payment from his agents, if you think it
right. However it's of no importance: but still — ,
Let me know when Pansa departs, when you know
yourself. Pay my respects to Attica, and pray look
after her well. Greet Pilia for me.

VOL. III. f-

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XVIII

GICEUO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asturae Dum recordationes fugio, quae quasi morsu quo-

Id. Marl, ^g^^^ dolorem efficiunt, refugio ad te admonendum.

Quod velim mihi ignoscas, cuicuimodi est. Etenini

liabeo non nuUos ex iis, quos nunc lectito auctores^

qui dicant fieri id oportere, quod saepe tecum egi et

quod a te approbari volo, de fano illo dico, de quo

tantum, quantum me amas, velim cogites. Equidem

neque de genere dubito (placet enim mihi Cluati)

neque de re (statutum est enim), de loco non num-

quam. Velim igitur cogites. Ego, quantum his tem-

poribus tam eruditis fieri potuerit, profecto illam

consecrabo omni genere monimentorum ab omnium

ingeniis sumptorum et Graecorum et Latinorum.

Quae res forsitan sit refricatura vulnus meum. Sed

iam quasi voto quodam et promisso me teneri puto,

longumque illud tempus, cum non ero, magis me

movet quam hoc exiguum, quod mihi tamen nimium

longum videtur. Habeo enim nihil temptatis rebus

omnibus, in quo acquiescam. Nam, dum illud tracta-

bam, de quo ad te ante scripsi, quasi fovebam dolores

ineos ; nunc omnia respuo nee quicquam habeo tolera-

bilius quam solitudinem ; quam, quod eram veritus,

non obturbavit Philippus. Nam, ut heri me salu-

tavit, statim Romam profectus est.

Epistulam, quam ad Brutum, ut tibi placuerat,

scripsi, misi ad te. Curabis cum tua perferendam.
S4

LETIERS TO ATTICUS XII. 18

XVIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

In trying to escape from the painful sting of Astura,
recollection I take refuge in recalling something to March 11,
your memory. Whatever you think of it, please b.c. 46
pardon me. The fact is I find that some of the
authors over whom 1 am poring now, consider
appropriate the very thing that I have often dis-
cussed with you, and I hope you approve of it. I
mean the shrine. Please give it all the attention
your affection for me dictates. For my part 1 have
no doubt about the design (I like Cluatius' design),
nor about the erection (on that I am quite deter-
mined) ; but I have some doubts about the place.
So please consider it. I shall use all the oppor-
tunities of this enlightened age to consecrate her
memory by every kind of memorial borrowed from
the genius of all the masters, Greek and Latin.
Perhaps it will only gall my wound : but 1 consider
myself pledged by a kind of vow or promise ; and
I am more concerned about the long ages, when
I shall not be here, than about my short day, which,
short though it is, seems all too long to me. I have
tried everything and find nothing that gives me
rest. For, while I was engaged on the essay I
mentioned before, I Avas to some extent fostering
my grief. Now I reject everything and find nothing
more tolerable than solitude. Philippus has not
disturbed it as I feared : for after paying me a
visit yesterday he returned at once to Rome.

I have sent you the letter I have written at your
suggestion to Brutus. Please have it delivered with
your own. However I have sent you a copy of it,

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Eius tamen misi ad te exemplum, ut, si minus place-
ret, ne niitteres.

Domestica quod ais ordine administrari, scribes,
quae sint ea. Quaedam enim exspecto. Cocceius
vide ne frustretur. Nam, Libo quod pollicetur, ut
Eros scribit, non incertum puto. De sorte mea Sul-
picio eonfido et Egnatio scilicet. De Appuleio quid
est quod labores, cum sit excusatio facilis ?

Tibi ad me venire, ut ostendis, vide ne non sit
facile. Est enim longum iter, discedentemque te,
quod celeriter tibi erit fortasse faciendum, non sine
magno dolore dimittam, Sed omnia, ut voles. Ego
enim, quicquid feceris, id cum i-ecte tum etiam mea
causa factum putabo.

XVIIIa

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asturae Heri, cum ex aliorum litteris cognovissem de An-

/// Id. toni adventu, admiratus sum nihil esse in tuis. Sed

• '^^ ' ^^ erant pridie fortasse scriptae quam datae. Neque

ista quidem euro ; sed tamen opinor propter praedes

suos accucurrisse.

Quod scribis Terentiam de obsignatoribus mei
testamenti loqui, primum tibi persuade me istaec non
curare neque esse quicquam aut parvae curae aut
novae loci. Sed tamen quid simile.'* Ilia eos non

* Antony had bouglit Pompey's confiscated property, but
had not paid for it, and his sureties were in danger of an
36

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 18-1 8a

so that, if you don't approve of it, you may not
send it.

You say my private affairs are being properly
managed. Write and tell me what they are ; for
there are some things I am expecting to hear about.
See that Cocceius does not disappoint me : for I
count Libo's promise, of which Eros writes, as trust-
worthy. My capital of course I leave in Sulpicius'
and Egnatius' hands. Why trouble yourself about
Appuleius, when my excuse is so easily made .''

About coming to me as you suggest, take care not
to inconvenience yourself. It is a long way, and it
will cost me many a pang to let you go again, when
you want to go, which may happen very quickly. But
just as you please. Whatever you do, I shall count
it right and know you have done it for my sake.

XVIIIa

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

When I learned yesterday from other people's Aslura,
letters of Antony's arrival I wondered there was March 13,
nothing in yours. But perhaps it was written a day b.c. 45
earlier than it was dated. It does not matter a bit
to me ; but I suppose he has rushed back to save his
sureties.^

You say Terentia is talking about the witnesses to
my will. In the first place bear in mind that I
am not troubling my head about those things, and
this is no time for any new or unimportant business.
But anyhow are the two cases parallel .'' She did

execution on their property. Hence he returned in haste
from Narbo, whither he had gone on his way to joining
Caesar in Spain. Cf. the second Philippic, 76, 77.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

adhibuit, quos existimavit quaesituros, nisi scissent,
quid esset. Num id etiam mihi periculi fuit? Sed
taraen faciat ilia quod ego. Dabo meum testamen-
tum legendum, cui voluerit ; intelleget non potuisse
honorificentius a me fieri de nepote, quam fecerim.
Nam, quod non advocavi ad obsignandum, primum
mihi non venit in mentem, deinde ea re non venit,
quia nihil attinuit. Tute scis, si modo meministi,
me tibi tum dixisse, ut de tuis aliquos adduceres.
Quid enim opus erat multis ? Equidem domesticos
iusseram. Tum tibi placuit, ut mitterem ad Silium.
Inde est natum, ut ad Publilium ; sed necesse neu-
trum fuit. Hoc tu tractabis, ut tibi videbitur.

XIX

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asiiirae Est hie quidem locus amoenus et in raari ijiso, qui
prid. Id. et Antio et Circeiis aspici possit ; sed ineunda nobis

Marl. a. 709 ratio est, quem ad modum in omni mutatione domi-
norum, quae innumerabiles fieri possunt in infinita
posteritate, si modo haec stabunt, illud quasi conse-
cratum remanere possit. Equidem iam niliil egeo
vectigalibus et parvo contentus esse possum, Cogito
interdum trans Tiberim hortos aliquos parare et qui-
dem ob hanc causam maxime : nihil enim video, quod
tam celebre esse possit. Sed quos, coram videbimus,
ita tamen, ut hac aestate fanum absolutum sit. Tu
tamen cum Apella Chio confice de columnis.
38

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 18a-19

not invite anyone she thought would ask questions,
if they did not know the contents of the will. Was I
likely to be afraid of anything of the kind? However
let her do what I do. I will hand over my will to
anyone she likes, to read. She will find I could not
have treated my grandson more handsomely than
I have. As to my not calling certain people as
witnesses, in the first place it never entered my
mind, and in the second the reason why it never
entered it, was because it was of no importance.
You know, if you remember, that I told you to
bring some of your friends. What need was there
of many ? I had asked members of my household.
Then you thought I ought to send ibr Silius. Hence
it came about that I sent for Publilius. But neither
of them was necessary. Manage the point as you
think fit.

XIX

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

This is certainly a delightful place, right on the A Hum,
sea and within sight of Antium and Circeii. But March 14,
we must remember how it may change hands an b.c. 4J
infinite number of times in the countless years to
come, if our empire last, and must arrange that that
shrine may remain as consecrated ground. For my
part I don't want a large income now and can be
contented with little. I think at times of buying
some gardens across the Tiber, especially for this
reason : I don't see any other place that can be
so much frequented. But what gardens, we will
consider together ; provided only that the shrine
must be completed this summer. However settle
with Apella of Chios about the columns.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

De Cocceio et Libone quae scribis, approbo,
maxiine quod de iudicatu meo. De sponsu si quid
perspexeris, et tamen quid procuratores Cornifici
dicant, velim scire, ita ut in ea re te, cum tarn occu-
patus sis, non multum operae velim ponere. De
Antonio Balbus quoque ad me cum Oppio conscripsit,
idque tibi placuisse, ne perturbarer. Illis egi gratias.
Te tamen, ut iam ante ad te scripsi, scire volo me
neque isto nuntio esse perturbatum nee iam ullo per-
turbatum iri. Pansa si hodie, ut putabas, profectus
est, posthac iam incipito scribere ad me, de Bmti
adventu quid exspectes, id est quos ad dies. Id, si
scies, ubi iam sit, facile coniectura adsequere.

Quod ad Tironem de Terentia scribis, obsecro te,
mi Attice, suscipe totum negotium. Vides et officium
agi meum quoddam, cui tu es conscius, et, ut non
nulli putant, Ciceronis rem. Me quideni id multo
magis movet, quod mihi est et sanctius et antiquius,
praesertim cum hoc alterum neque sincerum neque
firmum putem fore.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asturae Nondum videris perspicere, quam me nee Antonius
Id. Mart. a. commoverit, nee quicquam iam eius modi possit com-
movere. De Terentia autem scripsi ad te eis litteris,
quas dederam pridie. Quod me hortaris idque a
ceteris desiderari scribis, ut dissimulem me tam
40

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 19-20

What you say about Cocceius and Libo I ap-
prove, especially as regards my serving on juries.
If you have ascertained anything about my guar-
antee, I should like to know, and anyhow, what
Cornificius' agents say, though I don't want you
to take much trouble about the matter, when you
are so busy. About Antony, Balbus and Oppius
too have written to me saying you wished them
to write, to save me from anxiety. I have thanked
them. I should wish you to know however, as I
have said before, that I was not disturbed at that
news and shall never be disturbed at any again.
If Pansa has set out to-day, as you thought, hence-
forth begin to tell me in your letters what you
expect about Brutus' return, 1 mean about what day.
That you can easily guess, if you know where he is
at the time of writing.

As regards your letter to Tiro about Terentia,
I beg you, Atticus, to undertake the whole matter.
You see there is a question of my duty concerned,
and you know all about that : besides, some think
there is my son's interest. With me it is the first
point that weighs most, as being the more sacred
and the more important : especially as I don't think
she is either sincere or reliable about the second.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

You don't seem yet to see how little Antony dis- Asliira,
turbed me nor how little anything of that kind March 15,
ever can disturb me now. About Terentia I wrote b.c. 45
to you in the letter I sent yesterday. You exhort
me and you say others want me to hide the depth of

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

graviter dolere, possumne magis^ quam quod totos
dies consumo in litteris? Quod etsi non dissimu-
lationis, sed potius leniendi et sanandi animi causa
facio, tamen, si mihi minus proficio, simulationi certe
fa do satis.

Minus multa ad te scripsi, quod exspectabam tuas
litteras ad eas, quas pridie dederam. Exspectabam
autem maxima de tano, non nihil etiam de Terentia.
Velim me facias certiorem proximis litteris^ Cn. Cae-
pio, Serviliae Claudi pater, vivone patre sue naufragio
perierit an mortuo, item Rutilia vivone C. Cotta, filio
suo, mortua sit an mortuo. Pertinent ad eum librum,
quem de luctu minuendo scripsimus.

XXI

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asturae Legi Bruti epistulam eamque tibi remisi sane non
XVI K. prudenter rescriptam ad ea, quae requisieras. Sed ipse

Apr. a. 709 viderit. Quamquam illud turpiter ignorat. Catonem
primum sententiam putat de animadversione dixisse,
quam omnes ante dixerant praeter Caesarem, et, cum
ipsius Caesaris tam severa fuerit, qui tum praetorio
loco dixerit, consularium putat leniores fuisse, Catuli,
Servili, LucuUorum, Curionis, Torquati, Lepidi, Gelli,
Volcaci, Figuli, Cottae, L. Caesaris, C. Pisonis,
M'. Glabrionis, etiam Silani, Murenae, designatorum
consulura. Cur ergo in sententiam Catonis ? Quia
verbis luculentioribus et pluribus rem eandem com-
prehenderat. Me autem hie laudat, quod rettulerim,

1 Cotta was a celebrated orator, and held the consulship
in 75 B.C. His mother Rutilia survived him, according to
Seneca (t'onsol. ad Ilelviam, 16, 7).
42

LETTERS TO aTTICUS XII. 20-21

my grief. Can I do so better than by spending all
my days in writing i' Though I do it, not to hide,
but rather to soften and to heal my feelings, still,
if I do myself but little good, I certainly keep up
appearances.

My letter is shorter than it might be, because
I am expecting your answer to mine of yesterday.
I am most anxious about the shrine and a little
about Terentia too. Please let me know in your
next letter whether Cn. Caepio, father of Claudius'
wife Servilia, perished by shipwreck during his
father's life or after his death, and whether Rutilia
died before or after her son C. Cotta.^ They concern
the book I have written on the lightening of grief.

XXI

I have read Brutus' letter and am sending it back Aslura,
to you. It is not at all a sensible answer to the March 17,
points in which you found him wanting. But that b.c. 45
is his look out : though in one thing it shows dis-
graceful ignorance on his part. He thinks Cato
was the first to deliver a speech for the punishment
of the conspirators, though everybody except Caesar
had spoken before him : and that, though Caesar's
speech, delivered from the praetorian bench, was so
severe, those of the ex-consuls, Catulus, Servilius,
the Luculli, Curio, Torquatus, Lepidus, Gellius,
Volcacius, Figulus, Cotta, L. Caesar, C. Piso, M'.
Glabrio, and even the consuls elect Silanus and
Murena, were milder. Why then was the division
taken on Cato's proposal } Because he had summed
up the same matter in clearer and fuller words. My
merit according to Brutus lay in bringing the affair

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

non quod patefecerim, quod cohortatus sini, quod
denique ante, quam consulerem, ipse iudicaverim.
Quae omnia quia Cato laudibus extulerat in caelum
perscribendaque censuerat, idcirco in eius sententiam
est facta discessio. Hie autem se etiam tribuei'e
multum mi putat, quod scripserit " optimum consu-
lem." Quis enim ieiunius dixit inimicus? Ad cetera
vero tibi quern ad modum rescripsit I Tantum rogat,
de senatus consulto ut cori'igas. Hoc quidem fecis-
set, etiamsi a librario admonitus esset. Sed haee
iterum ipse viderit.

De hortis quoniam probas, effice aliquid. Rationes
meas nosti. Si vero etiam a Faberio recedit, nihil
negotii est. Sed etiam sine eo posse videor conten-
dere. Venales certe sunt Drusi, fortasse etiam
Lamiani et Cassiani. Sed coram.

De Terentia non possum commodius scribere, quam
tu scribis. Officium sit nobis antiquissimum. Si quid
nos fefellerit, illius malo me quam mei paenitere.
Oviae C. Lolli curanda sunt HS c. Negat Eros posse
sine me, ci*edo, quod accipienda aliqua sit et danda
aestimatio. Vellem, tibi dixisset. Si enim res est,
ut mihi scripsit, parata, nee in eo ipso mentitur, per
te confici potuit. Id cognoscas et conficias velim.

* Eecedit is generally altered by editors. But for this rare
sense of the word Raid compares Pro Quinclio, 38.
2 100,0OQ gesterces.

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 21

before the House, not in finding it out, nor in urging
them to take steps, nor yet in making up my own
mind before I took the House's opinion. And it
was because Cato extolled those actions of mine to
the skies and moved that they should be put on
record, that the vote was taken on his motion.
Brutus again seems to think he is giving me high
praise by calling me an " excellent consul." Why,
has anyone, even a personal enemy, ever used a
more grudging term ? To the rest of your criti-
cisms too what a poor answer he has given! He
only asks you to alter the point about the decree
of the Senate. He would have done as much as
that at the suggestion of a clerk. But that again
is his own look out.

Since you approve of the garden idea, manage
it somehow. You know my resources. If I get
something back ^ from Faberius, there will be no
difficulty. But I think I can manage even without
that. Drusus' gardens are certainly for sale, and
I think those of Lamianus and Cassianus too. But,
when we meet.

About Terentia I cannot say anything more suit-
able than you do in your letter. Duty inust be
my first consideration. If I have made a mistake,
I would rather have to repent for her sake than
for my own. C. Lollius' wife Ovia has to be paid
900 guineas.^ Eros says it can't be done without
me, I suppose because some property has to pass
between us at a valuation.-^ I wish he had told you.
For, if, as he said, the matter is arranged, and that
is not precisely where he is deceiving me, it could be
managed through you. Please find out and finish it.

' Aestimatio = land made over by a debtor to a creditor at
a valuation.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Quod me in forum vocas, eo vocas, unde etian)
bonis meis rebus fugiebam. Quid enim mihi foro
sine iudieiis, sine curia, in oculos incurrentibus iis,
quos aequo animo videre non possum? Quod autem
a me homines postulare scribis ut Romae sim neque
mihi ut absim concedere,^ aut aliquatenus ^ eos mihi
concedere, iam pindem scito esse, cum unum te pluris
quam omnes illos putem. Ne me quidem contcmno
meoque iudicio multo stare malo quam omnium reli-
quorum. Neque tamen progredior longius, quam
mihi doctissimi homines concedunt ; quoi'um scripta
omnia, quaecumque sunt in eam sententiam, non legi
solum, quod ipsum erat fortis aegroti, accipere medi-
cinam, sed in mea etiam scripta transtuli, quod certe
adflicti et fracti animi non fuit. Ab his me remediis
noli in istam turbam vocare, ne recidam.

XXII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asturae De Terentia quod mihi omne onus iniponis, non

XV K. Apr. cognosce tuam in me indulgentiam. Ista enim sunt

a. 700 ipga vulnera, quae non possum tractare sine maximo

gemitu. Moderare igitur, quaeso, ut potes. Neque

enim a te plus, quam potes, postulo. Potes autem,

quid veri sit, perspicere tu unus. De Rutilia quon-

iam videris dubitare, sci'ibes ad me, cum scies, sed

quam primum, et num Clodia D. Bruto consular!,

filio suo, mortuo vixerit. Id de Marcello aut certe

^ ut Romae . . . concedere added hy old editors.
"^ aliquatenus Andresen: quatenus MSS.
+()

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 21-22

In calling me back to the forum, you call me to a
place I shunned even in my happy days. What
have I to do with a forum, where there are no law-
courts, no Senate, and where people are continually
obtruding themselves on my sight, whom I cannot
endure to see .'' You say people are demanding my
presence at Rome, and will not allow me to be
absent, or at any rate only for a certain time. Rest
assured that I have long held you at a higher value
than them all. Myself too I do not underrate, and
I far prefer to trust my own judgment than that of
all the rest. However I am not going further than
the wisest heads allow. I have not only read all
their writings on the point, which in itself shows
I am a brave invalid and take my medicine, but I
have transferred them to my own work ; and that
certainly does not argue a mind crushed and en-
feebled. Do not call me back from these remedies
into that busy life, for fear I relapse.

XXII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

About Terentia, I do not recognise your usual Aslura,
consideration for me in throwing the whole weight March 18,
of the matter on me. For those are the very wounds b.c. 45
I cannot touch without deep groans. So please spare
me, if you can. For I am not asking you more than
you can do. You and you only can see what is
fair. About Rutilia, as you seem to have doubts,
write and let me know as soon as you know, but let
that be as soon as possible : and also whether Clodia
survived her son D. Brutus the ex-consul. The
latter you can find out from Marcellus, or at any

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

de Postumia sciri potest, illud autem de M. Cotta
aut de Syro aut de Satyro.

De hortis etiam atque etiam rogo. Omnibus meis
eorumque, quos scio mihi non defuturos, facultatibus
(sed potero meis) enitendum mihi est. Sunt etiam,
quae vendere facile possim. Sed ut non vendam
eique usuram pendam, a quo emero, non plus annum,
possum adsequi, quod volo, si tu me adiuvas. Para-
tissimi sunt Drusi ; cupit enim vendere. Proximos
puto Lamiae ; sed abest. Tu tamen, si quid potes,
odorare. Ne Silius quidem quicquam utitur suis et
is^ usuris facillime sustentabitur. Habe tuum nego-
tium, nee, quid res mea familiaris postulet, quam ego
non euro, sed quid velim, existima.

XXIII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Astnrae Putaram te aliquid novi, quod eius modi fuerat
XIV K. initium litterarum, " quamvis non curarem, quid in
Apr. a. 709 Hispania fieret, tamen te scripturum " ; sed videlicet
meis litteris respondisti ut de foro et de curia. Sed
domus est, ut ais, forum. Quid ipsa domo mihi opus
est carenti foro.'' Occidimus, occidimus, Attice, iam
pridem nos quidem, sed nunc fatemur, posteaquam
unum, quo tenebamur, amisimus. Itaque solitudinem
sequor, et tamen, si qua me res isto adduxerit, enitar,
si quo modo ])otero (potero autem), ut praeter te nemo
dolorem meuni sentiat, si ullo modo poterit, ne tu

^ suis et is H'e^enberg : et iis MSS.
48

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 22-23

rate from Postumia, the former from M. Cotta or
Syrus or Satyrus.

About the gardens I earnestly entreat your aid.
I must employ all my own resources and those of
friends, who 1 know will not desert me : but I
can manage with my own. There are things I
could sell easily too. But without selling anything,
if I pay interest to the person from whom I buy for
no more than a year, I can get what I want, if you
assist me. The most available are those of Drusus,
as he wants to sell. The next I think are Lamia's ;
but he is away. However scent out anything you
can. Silius again never uses his at all, and he will
very easily be satisfied with the interest. Regard
it as your own business, and don't consider what
suits my purse, for that I don't care, but what
suits me.

XXIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I'rom the beginning of your letter " though I did Aslura,
not care what happened in Spain, still you would March 19,
write," I thought you had some news from me : but b.c. 45
I see you have answered my letter only as regards
the forum and the Senate. But, you say, my house
at Rome is a forum. What is the good of the house
alone to me, if I have not the forum ? I am dead
and done for, Atticus, and have been this long
while : but now I confess it, when I have lost the
one link that bound me to life. So what I want is
solitude. Still if in my despite anything drags me to
Rome, I shall strive, if possible (and I will make it
possible), to keep my grief from all eyes but yours,
and, if it is anyhow possible, even from yours.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

quidem. Atque etiam ilia causa est non veniendi.
Meministi, quid ex te Aledius quaesierit. Qui etiam
nunc molesti sunt, quid existimas, si venero ?

De Terentia ita cura, ut scribis, meque hac ad
maximas aegritudines accessione non maxima libera.
Et, ut scias me ita dolere, ut non iaceam, quibus
consulibus Carneades et ea legatio Romam venerit,
scriptum est in tuo annali : haec nunc quaero quae
causa fuerit. De Oropo, opinor, sad certum nescio.
Et, si ita est, quae controversiae. Praeterea, qui eo
tempore nobilis Epicureus fuerit Athenisque prae-
fuerit hortis, qui etiam Athenis ttoXitikoi fuerint
illustres. Quae etiam ex Apollodori puto posse
inveniri.

De Attica molestum, sed, quoniam leviter, recte
esse confido. De Gamala dubium non mihi erat.
Unde enim tarn felix Ligus pater? Nam quid de
me dicam, cui ut omnia contingant, quae volo, levar
non possum ?

De Drusi hortis, quanti licuisse tu scribis, id ego
quoque audieram, et, ut opinor, heri ad te scrip-
seram; sed quantiquanti, bene emitur, quod necesse
est. Mihi, quoquo modo tu existimas (scio enim, ego
ipse quid de me existimem), levatio quaedam est, si
minus doloris, at officii debiti.

Ad Siccam scripsi, quod utitur L. Cotta. Si nihil
conficietur de Transtiberinis, habet in Ostiensi Cotta

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 23

Besides there is this reason for not coming. You
remember the questions Aledius asked you. They
are annoying to me even now. What do you
suppose they will be^ if I come .''

Arrange about Terentia as you say, and rid me of
this addition — though not the weightiest— to my
weighty griefs and sorrows. To show you that my
sorrow is not prostration, you have entered in your
Chronicle the date of the visit of Carneades and
that famous embassy to Rome : ^ I want to know
now the cause of its coming. I think it was about
Oropus : but I am not certain. And, if that is so,
what was the point in question? Further, who was
the most distinguished Epicurean of the time and
the head of the Garden at Athens ; also who were
the famous politicians there ? I think you can find
all those things in Apollodorus' book.

It is annoying about Attica ; but, as it is a mild
attack, I expect it will be all right. About Gamala
I had no doubt. For why was his father Ligus so
fortunate ? Need I mention my own case, when I
am incapable of getting relief, though everything
I wish were to happen.

The price you mention for Drusus' gardens I too
had heard, and had written about it to you, yesterday
I think. Whatever the price is, what is necessary is
cheap. In my eyes, whatever you may think — for
I know what I think of myself — it relieves my mind
of a bounden duty, if not of sorrow.

I have written to Sicca, because he is intimate
with L. Cotta. If nothing can be managed about
gardens across the Tiber, Cotta has some at Ostia in

^ Three celebrated philosophers, Carneades, Diogenes, and
Critolaus, came to Rome in 155 B.C. to plead against the fine
of 500 talents imposed on Athens for raiding Oropus.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

celeberrimo loco, sed pusillum loci, ad hanc rem
tamen plus etiam quam satis. Id velim cogites. Nee
tamen ista pretia hortorum pertimueris. Nee mihi
iam argento nee veste opus est nee quibusdam amoe-
nis locis ; hoc opus est. Video etiam, a quibus
adiuvari possim. Sed loquere cum Silio ; nihil enim
est melius. Mandavi etiam Siccae. Rescripsit con-
stitutum se cum eo habere. Scribet igitur ad me,
quid egerit, et tu videbis.

XXIV

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asturae Bene fecit A. Silius, qui transegerit. Neque enim

XIII K. ei deesse volebam et, quid possem, timebam. De

Apr. a. u. c. q^j^ confice, ut scribis. De Cicerone tempus esse
709

iam videtur ; sed quaero, quod illi opus erit, Athenis

permutarine possit an ipsi ferendum sit, de totaque

re, quern ad modum et quando placeat, velim consi-

deres. Fublilius iturusne sit in Africam et quando,

ex Aledio scire poteris. Quaeras et ad me scribas

velim. Et, ut ad meas ineptias redeam, velim me

certiorem facias, P. Crassus, Venuleiae filius, vivone

P. Crasso consular!, patre suo, mortuus sit, ut ego

meminisse videor, an post. Item quaero de Regillo,

Lepidi filio, rectene meminerim patre vivo mortuum.

Cispiana explicabis itemque Preciana. De Attica

optime. Et ei salutem dices et Piliae.

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 23-24-

a very public place. They are cramped for room,
but more than sufficient for this purpose. Please
think of that. But don't be afraid of the price
you mention for the gardens. I don't want plate or
raiment or any pleasant places now : I want this. I
see, too, who can help me. But speak to Silius ;
you can't do better. I have given Sicca a com-
mission too. He answered that he has made an
appointment with him. So he will write and tell
me what he has done, and you will see to it.

XXIV

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I am glad Silius has settled the business : for I did Asttira,
not want to fail him and was afraid I might not be March 20,
able to manage it. Settle about Ovia as you say. b.c, iS
As to my son it seems high time now ; but I want to
know whether he can get a draft for his allowance
changed at Athens or whether he must take it with
him ; and as regards the whole matter please con-
sider how and when you think he ought to go.
Whether Publilius is going to Africa and when, you
can find out from Aledius. Please enquire and let
me know. And, to return to my own nonsense,
please inform me whether P. Crassus, the son of
Venuleia, died in the lifetime of his father, P. Crassus
the ex-consul, as I seem to remember, or after his
death. I also want to know whether my recollection
is right that Regillus, son of Lepidus, died in his
father's lifetime. You must settle the business
about Cispius and Precius. As to Attica, bravo!
Pay my respects to her and to Pilia.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XXV

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Atlurae Scripsit ad me diligenter Sicca de Silio seque ad

/" te rem detulisse ; quod tu idem scribis. Mihi et res
«• 709 ,..,,.

et condicio placet, sed ita, ut numerate malim quam

aestimatione. Voluptarias enim possessiones nolet

Silius ; vectigalibus autem ut his possum esse con-

tentus, quae habeo, sic vix minoribus. Unde ergo

numerate ? HS i5c exprimes ab Hermogene, cum

praesertim necesse erit, et domi video esse HS dc.

Reliquae pecuniae vel usuram Silio pendemus, dum a

Faberio, vel cum aliquo, qui Faberio debet, reprae-

sentabimus. Erit etiam aliquid alicunde. Sed totam

rem tu gubernabis. Drusianis vero hortis multo

antepono, neque sunt umquam comparati. Mihi

crede, una me causa movet, in qua scio me tctuc^w-

crQai. Sed, ut facis, obsequere huic errori meo. Nam,

quod scribis " iyyrjpafjia," actum iam de isto est ; alia

magis quaere.

XXVI

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Aslurae Sicca, ut scribit, etiamsi nihil confecerit cum

A/ A. yipr. y^ Silio, tamen se scribit x Kal. esse venturum. Tuis

a. 700 __^

» 600,000 sesterces.
54

LETTEKS TO ATTICUS XII. 25-26
XXV

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Sicca has written to me in detail about Silius, and Astura,
says he has reported the matter to you ; and you say March 21,
the same in your letter. I am pleased with the n.c. 45
property and the conditions, except that I would
rather pay money down than assign property at a
valuation. Silius will not want show places and I
can make myself contented on the income I have,
though hardly on less. So where can I get ready
money ? You can extort 5,000 guineas ^ from Hermo-
genes, especially as it will be necessary ; and I find
I have another 5,000 by me. For the rest of the
money I will either pay interest to Silius, until I get
it from Faberius, or get the money to pay with at
once from some debtor of Faberius. There will be
some coming in too from other quarters. But you
can take charge of the whole matter. I much pre-
fer them to Drusus' gardens ; indeed the two have
never been compared. Believe me I am actuated by
one single motive. I know I have gone silly about
it ; but continue to bear with my folly. For it is no
use your talking about a place to grow old in ^ ; that
is all over. There are other things I want more.

XXVI

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

According to his letter Sicca is coming to me on Asiura,
the 23rd, even if he has not settled anything with March 22,
A. Silius. You I excuse on the score of business, b.c. 45

^ For (fyhpaixa. cf. XII. 29 ; others take it to mean a
" solace for old age."

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

occupationibus ignosco, eaeque mihi sunt notae. De
voluntate tua^ ut simul simus, vel studio potius et
cupiditate non dubito. De Nicia quod scribis, si ita
me haberem, ut eius humanitate frui possem, in
primis vellem ilium mecum habere. Sed mihi soli-
tude et recessus provincia est. Quod quia facile
ferebat Sicca, eo magis ilium desidero. Praeterea
nosti Niciae nostri imbecillitatem, mollitiam, consue-
tudinem victus. Cur ergo illi molestus esse velim,
cum mihi ille iucundus esse non possit .'' Voluntas
tamen eius mihi grata est. Unam rem ad me scrip-
sisti, de qua decrevi nihil tibi rescribere. Spero
enim me a te impetrasse, ut privares me ista molestia.
Piliae et Atticae salutem.

XXVII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asturae De Siliano negotio, etsi mihi non est ignota con-
A K. Apr. dicio, tamen hodie me ex Sicca arbitror omnia cogni-
a. VUy turum. Cottae quod negas te nosse, ultra Silianam

villam est, quam puto tibi notam esse, villula sordida
et valde pusilla, nil agri, ad nullam rem loci satis
nisi ad eam, quam quaero. Sequor celebritatem.
Sed, si perficitur de hortis Sili, hoc est si perficis (est
enim totum positum in te), nihil est scilicet, quod de
Cotta cogitemus.

De Cicerone, ut scribis, ita faciam ; ipsi perniittam

* A grammarian of Cos. Cf. Vil. 3.

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 26-27

knowing what your business is. I have no doubt of
your wish, or rather your eager desire, to be with
me. You mention Nicias.^ If I were in a condition
to enjoy his cultivated conversation, he is one of the
first persons I should wish to have with me. But
solitude and retirement are my proper sphere : and
it is because Sicca can content himself with that,
that I am the more eager for his visit. Besides you
know how delicate our Nicias is, and his luxurious
way of living. So why should I want to put him to
inconvenience, when he cannot give me any pleasure ?
However I am grateful to him for wishing it. There
is one point you wrote about, which I have made up
my mind not to answer. For I hope I have pre-
vailed upon you to relieve me from the burden. ^
My greetings to Pilia and Attica,

XXVII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

As to the business with Silius, I know the terms Astura,
well enough, but I expect to hear full details from March 23,
Sicca to-day. Cotta's place, which you say you don't b.c. 45
know, is beyond Silius' house, which I think you
know. It is a shabby little house and very tiny,
with no ground, and not big enough for anything
except the purpose for which I require it. I am
looking for a public position. But, if the matter is
being settled about Silius' gardens, — that is, if you
settle it, for it rests entirely with you — there is no
reason for thinking of Cotta.

About my son I will do as you say. I will leave

2 Cicero refers to the arrangement with Terentia for the
repayment of her dowry.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

de tempore. Nummorum quantum opus erit, ut per-
rautetur, tu videbis. Ex Aledio, quod scribas, si quid
inveneris, scribes. Et ego ex tuis animadvert© litte-
ris, et profecto tu ex meis, nihil habere nos quod
scribamus, eadem cotidie, quae iam iamque ipsa con-
trita sunt. Tamen facere non possum, quin cotidie
ad te mittam, ut tuas accipiam. De Bruto tamen, si
quid habebis. Scire enim iam puto, ubi Pansam
exspectet. Si, ut consuetudo est, in prima provincia,
circiter Kal. adfuturus videtur. Vellem tardius ;
valde enim urbem fugio multas ob causas. Itaque id
ipsum dubito, an excusationem ahquam ad ilium
parem; quod quidem video facile esse. Sed habe-
mus satis temporis ad cogitandum. Piliae, Atticae
salutem.

XXVIII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

ficr. Asltirac De Silio nilo plura cognovi ex praesente Sicca

IX K. Apr. quam ex litteris eius. Scripserat enim diligenter.

Si igitur tu ilium conveneris, scribes ad me, si quid

videbitur. De quo putas ad me missum esse, sit

missum necne, nescio ; dictum quidem mihi certe

nihil est. Tu igitur, ut coepisti, et, si quid ita con-

ficies, quod equidem non arljitror fieri posse, ut illi

probetur, Ciceronem, si tibi placebit, adhibebis. Eius

aliquid interest videri illius causa voluisse, mea qui-
58

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 27-28

the time to him. See that he is provided with a
bill of exchange for as much as is necessary.
If you have been able to get anything out of
Aledius, as you say, write and tell me. I gather
from your letter, and certainly you will from mine,
that we have nothing to say to each other^the
same old things day after day, though they are long
ago worn threadbare. Still I cannot help sending
to you every day to get a letter from you. However
tell me about Brutus, if you have any information.
For I suppose he knows now where to expect Pansa.
If, as is generally the case, on the border of his
province, he ought to be here about the first of the
month. I wish it were later ; for there are plenty
of reasons why I shun the city. So I am even
wondering whether I should make some excuse to
him. I could do so easily enough. But there is
{)lenty of time to think about it. My greetings to
Pilia and Attica.

XXVIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

About Silius I have learned nothing more from Astura,
Sicca now he is here than from his letter, for he had March 24,
written quite fully. So if you meet him, write and b.c. 45
tell me your views. As to the matter on which you
think a message has been sent to me, I don't know
whether one has been sent or not; certain!)' not a
word has been said to me. So go on as you have
begun, and, if you come to any arrangement that
satisfies her, which I don't think at all likely, take
my son with you to her, if you like. It is to his
interest to appear to have wanted to do something to

MARCUS TULLIUS CICRIIO

dem nihil nisi id, quod tu scis, quod ego raagni
aestimo.

Quod me ad meam consuetudinem revocas, fuit
meum quidem iam pridem rem publicam lugere, quod
faciebam, sed mitius ; erat enim, ubi acquiescerem.
Nunc plane nee ego victum nee vitam illam colere
possum, nee in ea re, quid aliis videatur, mihi puto
curandum ; mea mihi conscientia pluris est quam
omnium sermo. Quod me ipse per litteras consolatus
sum, non paenitet me, quantum profecerim. Maero-
rem minui, dolorem nee potui nee, si possem, vellem.

De Triario bene interpretaris voluntatem meam.
Tu vero nihil, nisi ut illi volent. Amo ilium mor-
tuum, tutor sum liberis, totam domum diligo. De
Castriciano negotio, si Castricius pro mancipiis pecu-
niam accipere volet eamque ita ^ solvi, ut nunc solvi-
tur, certe nihil est commodius. Sin autem ita actum
est, ut ipsa mancipia abduceret, non mihi videtur
esse aequum (rogas enim me, ut tibi scribam, quid
mihi videatur) ; nolo enim negotii Quintum fratreni
quicquam habere ; quod videor mihi intellexisse tibi
videri idem. Publilius, si aequinoctium exspectat,
ut scribis Aledium dicere, navigaturus videtur. Mihi
autem dixerat per Siciliam. Utrum et quando, velim
scire. Et velim aliquando, cum erit tuum commo-
dum, Lentulum puerum visas eique de mancipiis,
quae tibi videbitur, attribuas. Piliae, Atticae salutem.

» ita Tyi-rell : ei MSS,

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 28

please her ; I have no interest in the matter, except
that you know of, which I consider important.

You call me back to my old way of life. Well,
I have long been bewailing the loss of the Hej)ublic,
and that was what 1 was doing, though less strongly ;
for I had one harbour of refuge. Now I positively
cannot follow my old way of life and employment ;
nor do I think I ought to care what others think
about that. My own conscience is more to me than
all their talk. For the consolation I have sought in
writing, I am not discontented with my measure of
success. It has made me show my grief less ; but the
grief itself I could not lessen, nor would I, if I could.

About Triarius you interpret my wishes well.
However do nothing without his family's consent.
I love him, though he is dead : I am guardian to his
children, and feel affection for all his household. As
regards the business with Castricius, if he is willing to
take money estimated at its present rate instead ot
the slaves, nothing could be more convenient. But,
if things have gone so far that he is taking the
slaves away, I don't think it is fair to him to ask him
(you ask me to give you my real opinion) ; for I
don't want my brother Quintus to have any bother,
and I rather fancy you take the same view. If
Publilius is waiting for the equinox, as you say
Aledius tells you, I suppose he is going by sea ; but
he told me he was going by way of Sicily. I should
like to know which it is and when. I should like
you too some time at your convenience to pay a visit
to little Lentulus^ and assign him such of the
household as you think fit. Love to Pilia and Attica.

1 The son of Tullia and Dolabella, so called because Dola-
))ella was adopted into the plebeian yens of the Lentiili in
49 B.C. in order to stand for the tribunate.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XXIX

CICEHO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Aslurae Silius, ut scribis, hodie. Cras igitur, vel potius
yill K. cum poteris, scribes, si quid erit, cum videris. Nee
dpr. a. 7Uy ggQ Bruturn vito nee tamen ab eo levationem uUam
exspecto ; sed erant causae, cur hoc tempore istic
esse nollem. Quae si manebunt, quaerenda erit
excusatio ad Brutum, et, ut nunc est, mansurae
videntur.

De hortis, quaeso, explica. Caput illud est, quod
scis. Sequitur, ut etiam mihi ipsi quiddam opus sit ;
nee enim esse in turba possum nee a vobis abesse.
Huic meo consilio nihil reperio isto loco aptius, et de
hac re quid tui consilii sit. Mihi pei'suasum est, et
eo magis, quod idem intellexi tibi videri, me ab Oppio
et Balbo valde diligi. Cum his communices, quanto
opere et quare velim hortos ; sed id ita posse, si
expediatur illud Faberianum ; sintne igitur auctores
futuri. Si qua etiam iactura facienda sit in reprae-
sentando, quoad possunt, adducito ; totum enim illud
desperatum. Denique intelleges, ecquid inclinent
ad hoc meum consilium adiuvandum. Si quid erit,
magnum est adiumentum ; si minus, quacumque
ratione contendamus. Vel tu illud " lyyrjpajxa," quem
ad modnm scripsisti, vel cvra^tov putato. De illo
Ostiensi nihil est cogitandum. Si hoc non assequi-
mur (a I^amia non puto posse), Damasippi experien-
dum est.

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 29
XXIX

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GKEETING.

You say you will see Silius to-day ; so to-morrow, Aslura,
or as soon as you can, write, if anything comes of March 25,
your meeting. I am not trying to avoid Brutus, b.c. 45
though I don't expect to get any consolation from
him. But there are reasons why I do not want to
go there at this particular time. If those reasons
continue to exist, I shall have to find some excuse
to offer him, and by the look of things at present, I
think they will continue.

As for the gardens, please finish the business.
The main point is what you know. A further con-
sideration is that I myself want something of the
kind ; for I cannot exist in a crowd, nor can I be far
from you. For my purpose I cannot see anytliing
better adapted than that particular place, and I
should like to know what your opinion is. I am
quite sure, especially as I see you think so too, that
Oppius and Balbus are very fond of me. Let them
know how eager I am for the gardens and why ; but
that it is only possible, if the business with Faberius
is settled ; and ask whether they will go bail for tiie
payment. Even if I must bear some loss in return
for getting ready money, draw them on as far as they
will go : for there is no chance of getting the full
debt. In fact, find out if they show any inclination
to assist my plan. If they do, it is a great assist-
ance ; if not, we must manage somehow or other.
Look upon it as " a place to grow old in," to use
your own phrase, or if you like as a burial place for
me. It is no use thinking of the place at Ostium.
If we don't get this, I feel sure, we shall not get
Lamia's ; so we must try for Damasippus' place.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XXX

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Astnrne Quaero, quod ad te scribam, sed nihil est. Eadeni
VI K. Apr. cotidie. Quod Lentulum invisis, valde gratum.
a. 709 Pueros attribue ei, quot et quos videbitur. De Sili

voluntate vendendi et de eo, quanti, tu vereri videris,
primum ne nolit, deinde ne tanti. Sicca aliter ; sed
tibi adsentior. Quare, ut ei placuit, scripsi ad Egna-
tium. Quod Silius te cum Clodio loqui vult, potes
id mea voluntate facere, commodiusque est quam,
quod ille a me petit, me ipsum scribere ad Clodium.
De mancipiis Castricianis commodissimum esse credo
transigere Egnatium, quod scribis te ita futurum
putare. Cum Ovia, quaeso, vide ut conficiatur. Quo-
niani, ut scribis, nox erat, in hodierna epistula plura
exspecto.

XXXI

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asturae Silium mutasse sententiam Sicca miiahatur. Equi-

IV K. Apr. dem magis miror, quod, cum in filium causam con-

a. 709 ferret, quae mihi non iniusta videtur (hubet enim,

qualem vult), ais te putare, si addiderimus aliud, a

quo refugiat, cum ab ipso id fuerit destinatum, ven-

diturum. Quaeris a me, quod summum pretiuni

^ Shuckburgh takes this as " I think Egnatius is making
a very good bargain." But it seems ditlKMill to get tliat out
of the Latin. Cf. also xii. 32, 1.

■^ Others take 'leittinare here in the I'lautiiie sense o!
64

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 30-31
XXX

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETlNa.

I am trying to find something to say to you ; but Astura,
there is nothing. The same things every day. I am March 27,
much obHged to you for paying a visit to Lentulus. b.c. 45
Assign him as many slaves as you like and select
them yourself. As to Silius' inclination to sell and
his price, you seem to fear first that he won't want
to sell and secondly not at that price. Sicca thought
differently ; but I agree with you. So, as he sug-
gested, I wrote to Egnatius. Silius wants you to
speak to Clodius. You have my full consent to do
so, indeed it is more convenient than for me to write
to Clodius myself, as he wanted. As to Castricius'
slaves I think it is most convenient that Egnatius
should carry the matter through,^ as you say you
think he will. With Ovia please see that some
arrangement is made. As you say it was night
when you wrote, I expect more in to-day's letter,

XXXI

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING,

Sicca is surprised that Silius has changed his Astura,
mind. For my part I am more surprised that, when March 29,
he makes his son the excuse — and it seems to me a b.c. 45
good enough excuse, as his son is all he could wish —
you say you think he will sell, if we add one otlier
thing, which he shrinks from mentioning, though
he has set his heart on it.^ You ask me to fix my

' ' buy " ; and Shuckburgh translates the end of the sentence
"if we should include something else, which he is anxious to
get rid of, as he had of his own accord determined not to
do 80."

65
VOL. III. D

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

constituara et quantum anteire istos hortos Drusi.
Accessi numquam ; Coponianam villam et veterem
et non magnam novi, silvam nobilem, fructuni auteni
neutrius, quod tamen puto nos scire oportere. Sed
mihi utrivis istorum tempore magis meo quam ratione
aestimandi sunt. Possim autem adsequi necne, tu
velim cogites. Si enim Faberianum venderem, ex-
plicare vel repraesentatione non dubitarem de Silia-
nis, si modo adduceretur, ut venderet. Si venales
non haberet, transirem ad Drusum vel tanti, quanti
Egnatius ilium velle tibi dixit. Magno etiam adiu-
mento nobis Hermogenes potest esse in repraesen-
tando. At tu concede mihi, quaeso,. ut eo animo
sim, quo is debeat esse, qui emere cupi.it, et t-mien
ita servio cupiditati et dolori meo^ ut a te regi
velim.

xxxri

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asturae Egnatius mihi scripsit. Is si quid tecum locutus

V K Anr

7nQ ^"* (commodissime enim per eum agi potest), ad me

scribes, et id agendum puto. Nam cum Silio non
video confici posse. Piliae et Atticae salutem.

Haec ad te mea manu. Vide, quaeso, quid agen-
dum sit. Publilia ad me scripsit matrem suam, cum
Publilio videretur,^ ad me cum illo venturam, et se
una, si ego paterer. Orat multis et supplicibus ver-
bis, ut liceat, et ut sibi rescribam. Res quam molcsta
^ videretur Klotz : loqueretur MSS.

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 31-32

outside price and say how much I prefer them to
Drusus' gardens. I have never been in them ; I
know Coponius' country house is old and not very
large and the wood a fine one ; but I don't know
what either brings in, and that I think we ouglit to
know. But for me either of them should be
reckoned rather by my need than by the market
value. However please consider whether I can get
them or not. If I were to sell my claim on Faberius^
I should have no doubt about settling for Silius'
gardens even with ready money, if only he could be
induced to sell. If his are not for sale, I should
have recourse to Drusus, even at the price Egnatius
said he asked. Hermogenes too can be a great
assistance to me in getting ready money. You must
not mind my being eager, one ought to be when
one is wanting to make a purchase. However I
won't give way to my wishes and my grief so far as
not to be ruled by you.

XXXII

Egnatius has written to me. If he has spoken to Astura,
you, write and tell me, for the matter can be March 28,
arranged most conveniently through him, and I b.c. 45
think that is what ought to be done. For I don't
see any chance of settling with Silius. My greet-
ings to Pilia and Attica.

The rest I have written myself. Pray see what
can be done. Publilia has written to me that lier
mother is coming to me with Publilius at his sugges-
tion and that she will come too, if I will let lier.
She begs me urgently and humbly to allow her and
to answer her. You see what a nuisance it is. I

MARCUS TULLIUS ClCEltO

sit, vides. Rescripsi mi etiam gravius esse quam
turn, cum illi dixissem me solum esse velle. Qiiare
nolle me hoc tempore earn ad me venire. Putabam,
si nihil rescripsissem, illam cum matre venturam ;
nunc non puto. Apparebat enim illas litteras non
esse ipsius. lUud autem, quod fore video, ipsum
volo vitare, ne illae ad me veniant, et una est vitatio,
ut ego avolem. Nollem, sed necesse est. Te hoc
nunc rogo, ut explores, ad quam diem hie ita possini
esse, ut ne opprimar. Ages, ut scribis, temperate.

Ciceroni velim hoc proponas, ita tamen, si tibi non
iniquum videbitur, ut sumptus huius peregrinationis,
quibus, si Romae esset domumque conduceret, quod
facere cogitabat, facile contentus futurus erat, accom-
modet ad mercedes Argileti et Aventini, et, cum ei
proposueris, ipse velim reliqua moderei-e, quem ad
modum ex iis mercedibus suppeditemus ei, quod o{)us
sit. Praestabo nee Bibulum nee Acidinum nee Mes-
sallam, quos Athenis futures audio, maiores sumj)tus
facturos, quam quod ex eis mercedibus recipietur.
Itaque velim videas, primum conductores qui sint et
quanti, deinde ut sit, qui ad diem solvat, et quid
viatici, quid instrument! satis sit. lumento certe
Athenis nihil opus est. Quibus autem in via utatur,
domi sunt plura, quam opus erat, quod etiam tu
animadvertis.

XXXIII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asturae Ego, ut heri ad te scripsi, si et Silius is fuerit,
VII K. Apr. quem tu putas, nee Drusus facilem se praebuerit,
a. 709 Damasippum velim adgrediare. Is, opinor, ita partes

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 32-33

answered that I was even worse than when I told
her I wanted to be alone ; so she must not think of
coming to me at the present time. I thought, if I
had not answered, she would come with her mother,
now I don't think she will. For evidently that
letter is not her own. But the thing that I see will
happen — that they will come to me — is the very
thing I want to avoid, and the one way of avoiding it
is for me to flee. I don't want to, but I must. Now
I want you to find out how long I can stay without
being caught. Act as you say, with moderation.

Please suggest to my son, that is if you think it
fair, that he should keep the expenses of this
journey within the rents of my property in the
Argiletum and the Aventine, with which he would
have been quite contented, if he stayed in Rome
and hired a house, as he was thinking of doing :
and, when you have made the suggestion, I should
like you to arrange the rest, so that we may supply
him with what is necessary from those rents. I will
guarantee that neither Bibulus nor Acidinus nor
Messalla, who I hear are at Athens, will spend more
than he will get out of those rents. So please see
who the tenants are and what they pay, secondly
that they are punctual payers, and what journey
money and outfit will suffice. There is certainly no
need of a carriage at Athens, while for what he
wants on the journey, we have more than enough,
as you also observe.

XXXIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

As I said in my letter yesterday, if Silius is the Astura,
sort of man you think him and Drusus is hard to deal March 26,
with, I should like you to approach Damasippus. He b.c. 45

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

fecit in ripa nescio quoteiiorum iugerum, ut certa
pretia constitueret ; quae niihi nota non sunt. Scribes
ad me igitur, quicquid egeris.

Vehementer me sollicitat Atticae nostrae valetudo,
ut verear etiara, ne quae culpa sit. Sed et paedagogi
probitas et medici adsiduitas et tota domus in omni
genere diligens me rursus id suspicari vetat. Cura
igitur ; plura enim non possum.

XXXIV

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Aslurac Ego hie vel sine Sicca (Tironi enini melius est)
IJl K. Apr. facillinie possem esse ut in malis, sed, cum scribas
a. 709 videndum mihi esse, ne opprimar, ex quo intellegani

te certum diem illius profectionis non habere, putavi
esse commodius me istuc venire ; quod idem video
tibi placere. Cras igitur in Siccae suburbano. Inde,
quem ad modum suades, puto me in Ficulensi fore.
Quibus de rebus ad me scripsisti, quoniam ipse venio,
coram videbimus. Tuam quidem et in agendis nostris
rebus et in consiliis ineundis mihique dandis in ipsis
litteris, quas mittis, benevolentiam, diligentiam, pru-
dentiam mirifice diligo. Tu tamen, si quid cum Silio,
vel illo ipso die, quo ad Siccam venturus ero, certi-
orem me velim facias, et maxime cuius loci detrac-
tionem fieri velit. Quod enim scribis "extremi,"
vide, ne is ipse locus sit, cuius causa de tota re, ut
scis, est a nobis cogitatum. Hirti epistulam tibi
misi et recentem et benevole scriptam.
70

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 33-34

I think, has divided up his property on the banks of
the Tiber into lots of so and so many acres with
fixed prices, which I don't know. So write and tell
me, whatever you do.

I am much disturbed about dear Attica's ill-health,
it almost makes me fear it is somebody's fault. But
the good character of her tutor, the attention of her
doctor, and the carefulness of the whole household
in every way forbid me to entertain that suspicion.
So take care of her. I can write no more.

XXXIV

ATTICUS,

I could be very comfortable here considering my Astiira,
troubles even without Sicca — for Tiro is better ; but, March 30,
as you tell me to look out that I'm not caught, by b.c. 45
which I am to understand you can't fix a day for the
departure I mentioned, I thought the best thing
would be to go to Rome. That I see is your opinion
too. So to-morrow I shall go to Sicca's suburban place.
Then I think I will stay at your place at Ficulea, as
you suggest. The matters you have mentioned we
will investigate together, as I am coming. Your kind-
ness, diligence and good sense both in managing my
affairs and in forming plans and suggesting them in
your letters, goes to my heart wonderfully. How-
ever, if you do anything with Silius, even on the
very day of my arrival at Sicca's place, please let
me know, especially which part he wants to with-
draw. You say "the far end." Take care that is
not the very bit which, as you know, set me think-
ing about the thing at all. I am sending you a
letter of Hirtius', which has just come. It is kindly
expressed.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XXXV

CICEIIO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. fort, in Antequam a te proxime discessi, numqiiam mihi

subwbano venit in mentem, quo plus insumptum in monimen-

aiccae A. |.yj^ esset quam nescio quid, quod lege conceditur,

"* T/7 tantundem populo dandum esse. Quod non magno

Non. Mai. a. opere moveret, nisi nescio quomodo, aX6yw<; fortasse

709 nollem illud ullo nomine nisi fani appellari. Quod

si volumus, vereor, ne adsequi non possimus nisi mu-

tato loco. Hoc quale sit, quaeso, considera. Nam,

etsi minus urgeor meque ipse prope modum collegi,

tamen indigeo tui consilii. Itaque te vehementer

etiam atque etiam rogo, magis quam a me vis aut

pateris te rogari, ut banc cogitationem toto pectore

amplectare.

XXXVI

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asturae Fanum fieri volo, neque hoc mihi erui potest.
V Noji. Mai. Sepulcri similitudinem effugere non tarn propter poe-
a. 709 nam legis studeo, quam ut maxime adsequar diroOiw-

criv. Quod poteram, si in ipsa villa facerem ; sed, ut
saepe locuti sumus, commutationes dominorum refor-
mido. In agro ubicumque fecero, mihi videor adsequi
posse, ut posteritas babeat religionem. Hae meae
tibi ineptiae (fateor enim) ferendae sunt ; nam habeo
ne me quidem ipsum, quicum tarn audacter conimu-
nicem quam tecum. Sin tibi res, si locus, si institu-
72

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 35-36

XXXV

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

It never occurred to me before I left you the At Sicca s
other day, that if anything is spent on a monument house, May
in excess of whatever it is that the law allows, one 1 or 2, B.c.
has to give an equal sum to the public funds. That 45
would not disturb me much, if it were not that
somehow or other, perhaps without any good reason,
I should be sorry for it to be called anything but a
shrine. If I want that, I'm afraid I can't have it,
unless I change the site. Please consider what
there is in this point. For though I am less anxious
and have almost recovered myself, still I want your
advice. So I entreat you with more urgency than
you wish or allow me to use, to give your whole
mind to considering this question.

XXXVI

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I want it to be a shrine, and that idea cannot Astura,
be rooted out of my mind. I am anxious to avoid May 3, b.c
its being taken for a tomb, not so much on account 45
of the legal penalty as to get as near to deification
as possible. That would be possible, if it were in
the actual house where she died ; but, as I have
often said, I am afraid of its changing hands.
Wherever I build it in the open, I think I can
contrive that posterity shall respect its sanctity.
You must put up with these foolish fancies of mine,
for such I confess they are ; for there is no one, not
even myself, with whom I talk so freely as with you.
But, if you approve of the project, the place and

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

turn placet^ lege, quaeso, legem mihique earn initte.
Si quid in mentem veniet, quo modo earn effugere
possinius, utemur.

Ad Brutum si quid scribes, nisi alienum putabis,
obiurgato eum, quod in Cumano esse noluerit propter
earn causam, quam tibi dixit. Cogitanti enim mihi
nihil tarn videtur potuisse faeere rustice. Et, si tibi
placebit sic agere de fano, ut coepimus, velim cohor-
tere et exacuas Cluatium. Nam, etiamsi alio loco
placebit, illius nobis opera consilioque utendum puto.
Tu ad villam fortasse eras.

XXXVII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Aslurae A te heri duas epistulas accepi, alteram pridie
IF Non. datani Hilaro, alteram eodem die tabellario, acce-
Mai. a. 709 pique ab Aegypta liberto eodem die Piliam et Atti-
cam plane belle se habere. Quod mihi Bruti litteras,
gratum Ad me quoque misit ; quae litterae mihi
redditae sunt tertio decimo die. Eam ipsam ad te
epistulam misi et ad eam exemplum mearum litte-
rarum.

De fano, si nihil mihi hortorum invenis, qui qui-
dem tibi inveniendi sunt, si me tanti facis, quanti
certe facis, valde probo rationem tuam de Tusculano.
Quamvis prudetis ad cogitandum sis, sicut es, tamen,
nisi magnae curae tibi esset, ut ego consequerer id,
quod magno opera vellem, numquam ea res tibi tarn
belle in mentem venire potuisset. Sed nescio quo
pacto celebritatem require ; itaque hortos mihi confi-
74

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 36-37

the plan, please read the law and send it to me. If
any means of avoiding it occurs to you, we will
adopt it.

If you should be writing to Brutus and don't think
it out of place, reproach him for refusing to stay in
my house at Cumae for the reason he gave you. For
when I come to think of it, I don't think he
could have done anything ruder. If you think we
ought to go on with our idea about the shrine, I
should like you to speak to Cluatius and spur him
on. For, even if we decide on another place, I
think we must make use of his labour and advice.
Perhaps you may be going to your country house
to-morrow.

XXXVII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Yesterday I received two letters from you, one Astura,
given the day before to Hilarus, the other on the May 4, b.c.
same day to a letter-carrier ; and on the same day I 45
heard from my freedman Aegypta that Pilia and
Attica are quite well. Thanks for sending Brutus'
letter. He sent one to me too, which only reached
me on the thirteenth day. I am forwarding the
letter itself and a copy of my answer.

About the shrine, if you don't get me any gardens
— and you ought, if you love me as much as I know
you do — I approve highly of your scheme about the
place at Tusculum. In spite of your acute powers
of thought so bright an idea would never have come
into )'our head, unless you had been very anxious
for me to secure what I was very much bent on
having. But somehow or other I want a public
place ; so you must contrive to get me some gardens.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

cias necesse est. Maxuma est in Scapulae celebritas,
propinquitas praeterea ubi sis^ ne totum diem in villa.
Quare, antequam discedis, Othonem, si Romae est,
convenias pervelim. Si nihil erit, etsi tu meam
stultitiam consuesti ferre, eo tamen progrediar, uti
stomachere. Drusus enim certe vendere vult. Si
ergo aliud non erit, mea^ erit culpa, nisi emero. Qua
in re ne labar, quaeso, provide. Providendi autem
una ratio est, si quid de Scapulanis possumus. Et
velim me certiorem facias, quam diu in suburbano
sis futurus.

Apud Terentiam tarn gratia opus est nobis tua
quam auctoritate. Sed facies, ut videbitur. Scio
enim, si quid mea intersit, tibi maiori curae solere
esse quam mihi.

XXXVIIa

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Aslurae Hirtius ad me scripsit Sex. Pompeiiim Corduba
/// Non. exisse et fugisse in Hispaniam citeriorem, Gnaeum
Mai. a. 709 fucrisse nescio quo; neque enim euro. Nihil prae-
terea novi. Litteras Narbone dedit xiiii Kal. Maias.
Tu mihi de Canini naufragio quasi dubia misisti.
Scribes igitur, si quid erit certius. Quod me a maes-
titia avocas, multum levaris, si locum fano dederis.
Multa mihi €is dTro^ewtrii' in mentem veniunt, sed loco
valde opus est. Quare etiam Othonem vide.
^ non erit, mea Graevius : erit, non mea M.

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 37-37a

Scapula's are the most public, and besides they are
near and one can be there without spending the
whole day in the country. So before you go away,
I should very much like you to see Otho, if he is in
town. If it comes to nothing, I shall go to such
lengths as to rouse your wrath, accustomed though
you are to my folly. For Drusus certainly is willing
to sell. So, if there is nothing else, it will be my
fault if I don't buy. Pray see that I don't make
any mistake about it. The only way of making
sure against that is to get some of Scapula's land, if
possible. Please let me know, too, how long you
are going to be in your suburban estate.

With Terentia her liking for you may help as
much as your influence. But do as you think fit.
For I know that you are generally more solicitous
about my interests than I am myself.

XXXVlIa

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Hirtius tells me Sextus Pompeius has quitted Aslura,
Cordova and fled into Northern Spain, while Gnaeus ISlay 5, b.c.
has fled, I know not whither, nor do I care. No 45
other news. His letter was posted from Narbo on
the 18th of April. You mentioned Caninius' ship-
wreck as though it was doubtful ; so let me know,
if there is any certain information. You bid me
cast ofl^" melancholy ; very well, you will take a great
load ofi' my mind, if you give me a site for the
shrine. Many points occur to me in favour of deifi-
cation ; but 1 badly want a place. So see Otlio
too.

MARCUS TULLIUS ClCEllO
XXXVIII

CICERO AITICO SAL.

Scr. Asturac Non dubito, quin occu])atissiinus fueris, qui ad me

prid. Non. nihil litterarum ; sed homo nequam, qui tuum com-

Mat. a. 7UJ modum non exspectarit, cum ob eam unam causani

missus esset. Nunc quidem, nisi quid te tenuity sus-

picor te esse in suburbano. At ego hie scribendo

dies totos nihil equidem levor, sed tamen aberro.

Asinius Pollio ad me scripsit de impuro nostro
cognato. Quod Balbus minor nuper satis plane,
Dolabella obscure, hie apertissime. Ferrem graviter,
si novae aegrimoniae locus esset. Sed tamen ecquid
impurius .'' O hominem cavendum ! Quamquam mihi
quidem — sed tenendus dolor est. Tu, quoniam ne-
cesse nihil est, sic scribes aliquid, si vacabis.

XXXVIIIa

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asturac Quod putas oportere pervideri iam animi mei fir
Non. Mai. mitatem graviusque quosdam scribis de me loqni
a. 709 quam aut te scribere aut Brutum, si, qui me fractuni

esse animo et debilitatum putant, sciant, quid litte-
rarum et cuius generis conficiam, credo, si modo
homines sint, existiment me, sive ita levatus sim, ut
aninuim vacuum ad res difficiles scribendas adferam,

1 His nephew, who liad joined Caesar and was traducing
him.
78

LETTERS TO ATTICUS Xll. 38-38a

XXXVIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I have no doubt you are overwhelmingly busy, as Astura,
you send me no letter. But what a scoundrel not May 6, b.c.
to wait for your convenience when I sent him for 45
that very reason ! Now I suppose you are in your
suburban estate, unless anything kept you. I sit
here Avriting all day long, and get no relief, though
it does distract my thoughts.

Asinius PoUio has written about my blackguardly
kinsman.^ Balbus the younger gave me a clear
enough hint lately, Dolabella a vague one, and
Pollio states it quite openly. I should be annoyed,
if there were any room left for a new sorrow. But
could anything be more blackguardly? What a

dangerous fellow ! Though to me But I must

restrain my feelings. There is no necessity for you
to write, only write, if you have time.

XXXVIIIa

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

You think there ought to be outward and visible Astura,
signs of my composure of spirit by this time, and Majj 7, b.c.
you say some speak more severely of me than either 45
you or Brutus mention in your letters. If those
who think my spirit is crushed and broken knew
the amount and the nature of the literary work I
am doing, I fancy, if they are human, they would
hold me guiltless. There is nothing to blame me
for, if I have so far recovered as to have my mind
free to engage in difficult writing, and even some-

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

reprehendendum non esse, sive hanc aberrationem a
dolore delegerim, quae maxime liberalis sit doctoque
homine dignissima, laudari me etiam oportere. Sed,
cum ego faciam omnia, quae facere possim ad me
adlevandum, tu effice id, quod video te non minus
quam me laborare. Hoc mihi debere videor, neque
levari posse, nisi solvero aut videro me posse solvere,
id est locum, qualem velim, invenero. Heredes
Scapulae si istos hortos, ut scribis tibi Othonem
dixisse, partibus quattuor factis liceri cogitant, nihil
est scilicet emptori loci; sin venibunt, quid fieri
possit, videbimus. Nam ille locus Publicianus, qui
est Treboni et Cusini, erat ad me allatus. Sed scis
aream esse. Nullo paeto probo. Clodiae sane placent,
sed non puto esse venales. De Drusi hortis, quam-
vis ab iis abhorreas, ut scribis, tamen eo confugiam,
nisi quid inveneris. Aedificatio me non movet.
Nihil enim aUud aedificabo nisi id, quod etiam, si
illos non habuero. Kvpos 8', c' mihi sic placuit ut
cetera Antisthenis, hominis acuti magis quam eruditi.

XXXIX

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asturae Tabellarius ad me cum sine litteris tuis venisset,
VIII Id. existimavi tibi eam causanti non scribendi fuissc, quod
Mat. a. 709 pridie scripsisses ea ipsa, ad quam rescripsi, epistula.

LETTERS TO ATTIC US XII. 38a-39

thing to praise me for, if I have chosen this mode of
diverting my thouglits as the most cultivated and
the one most worthy of a man of learning. But,
when I am doing everything I can to cast off my
son*ow, do you make an end of what I see you are
as much concerned about as myself. I regard it as
a debt and I cannot lay aside my care, till I have
paid it or see that I can pay it, that is, till I have
found a suitable place. If Scapula's heirs are think-
ing of dividing his garden into four parts and bidding
for them among themselves, as you say Otho has
told you, then there is no chance for a purchaser ;
but, if they put them up for sale, we will see what
we can do. For that place of Publicius', which now
belongs to Trebonius and Cusinius, has been offered
to me ; but you know it is a mere building plot. I
can't put up with it at any price. Clodia's gardens
I like, but I don't think they are for sale. Though
you dislike Drusus' gardens, I shall have to come
back to them, unless you find something. The
building does not bother me. I shall only be build-
ing what I shall build in any case, even if I don't
have the gardens. I am as pleased with " Cyrus,
Books IV. and V." as with the rest of Antisthenes'
works, though he is ingenious rather than learned.^

XXXIX

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

As a postman arrived without any letter from Astiira,
you, I inferred the reason was what you mentioned May 8, B.C.
yesterday in the letter I am answering. Still I 45

^ Antisthenes was the founder of the Cynic School at
Athens. He wrote a work in ten volumes, of which two,
books 4 and 5, were called Cyrus.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Exspectaram tamen aliquid de litteris Asini Pollionis.
Sed nimium ex meo otio tuum specto. Quamquam
tibi remitto, nisi quid necesse erit, necesse ne habeas
scribere, nisi eris valde otiosus.

De tabellariis facerem, quod suades, si essent ullae
necessariae litterae, ut erant olim, cum tamen brevio-
ribus diebus cotidie respondebant tempori tabellarii,
et erat aliquid, Silius, Drusus, alia quaedam. Nunc,
nisi Otho exstitisset, quod scriberemus, non erat ; id
ipsum dilatum est. Tamen adlevor, cum loquor
tecum absens, multo etiam magis, cum tuas litteras
lego. Sed, quoniam et abes (sic enim arbitror), et
scribendi necessitas nulla est, conquiescent litterae,
nisi quid novi exstitcrit.

CICERO ATTiro SAL.

Scr. Asturae Qualis futura sit Caesaris vituperatio contra lauda-

VII Id. Mai. tionem meam, perspexi ex eo libro, quem Hirtius ad

a. 709 j^g misit; in quo colligit vitia Catonis, sed cum

maximis laudibus meis. Itaque misi librum ad Mu-

scam, ut tuis librariis daret. Volo enim eum divul-

gari ; quod quo facilius fiat, imperabis tuis.

%vfj.f3ov\evTiKhv saepe conor. Nihil reperio et qui-
dem mecum habeo et 'Apio-ToreAows et ©£07ro/x7roi;
libros Trpos 'AXe^avSpov. Sed quid simile? Illi, et
quae ipsis honesta essent, scribebant et grata Alex-
andro. Ecquid tu eius modi reperis? Mihi quidem
82

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 39-40

expected something about Asinius Pollio's letter.
But I am too apt to reckon your leisure by my own.
However I give you leave not to think yourself
bound to write, except in case of necessity, unless
you have plenty of leisure.

About the letter carriers I would do as you
suggest, if there were any pressing letters, as there
were lately. Then, however, the carriers kept up
to their time every day, though the days were
shorter, and we had something to write about, Silius,
Drusus, and other things. Now, if Otho had not
cropped up, there is nothing ; and even that nothing
has been deferred. However it cheers me to talk
with you when we are not together, and still more
to read your letters. But, as you are not at home
(for I think you are not), and there is no necessity
to write, let there be a truce to writing, unless some
new point arises.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

What sort of thing Caesar's invective against my Astura,
panegyric Avill be, I have seen from the book, which Alay 9, b.c.
Hirtius has sent me. He has collected in it all 45
Cato's faults, but given me high praise. So I have
sent the book to Musca to pass on to your copyists ;
for I want it to be published. To facilitate that,
please give your men orders.

I try my hand often at an essay of advice. I
can't find anything to say ; and yet I have by me
Aristotle's and Theopompus' books to Alexander.
But what analogy is there ? They could write
what was honourable to themselves and acceptable
to Alexander. Can you find anything of that sort.^

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

nihil in mentem venit. Quod scribis te vereri, ne et

gratia et auctoritas nostra hoc meo maerore minuatur,

ego, quid homines aut reprehendant aut postulent,

nescio. Ne doleam? Qui potest? Ne iaceam?

Quis umquam minus? Dum tua me domus levabat,

quis a me exclusus ? quis venit, qui ofFenderet ?

Asturam sum a te profectus. Legere isti laeti, qui

me reprehendunt, tarn multa non possunt, quam ego

scripsi. Quam bene, nihil ad rem, sed genus scri-

bendi id fuit, quod nemo abieeto animo facere posset.

Triginta dies in hortis fui. Quis aut congressura

meum aut facilitatem sermonis desideravit? Nunc

ipsum ea lego, ea scribo, ut ii, qui mecum sunt,

difficilius otium ferant quam ego laborem. Si quis

requirit, cur Romae non sim : quia discessus est ; cur

non sim in eis meis praediolis, quae sunt huius tem-

poris ; quia frequentiam illam non facile ferrem. Ibi

sum igitur, ubi is, qui optimas Baias habebat, quot-

annis hoc tempus consumere solebat. Cum Romani

venero, nee vultu nee oratione reprehendar. Hilari-

tatem illam, qua banc tristitiam temporum condie-

bamus, in perpetuum amisi, constantia et firmitas nee

animi nee orationis requiretur.

De hortis Scapulanis hoc videtur effici posse, aliud

tua gratia, aliud nostra, ut praeconi subiciantur. Id

nisi fit, excludeniur. Sin ad tabulam venimus, vince-
84

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 40

Nothing occurs to me. You say you are afraid
my influence and my authority will be lessened
by this sorrow of mine. For my part I don't see
what people are complaining of or what they expect
of me. Not to grieve ? How is that possible ! Not
to be prostrated ? No one was ever less prostrated.
While I sought relief in your house, I was at home
to every caller; and no one, who came, felt in
the way. I came to Astura straight from you.
Those cheerful friends of yours who blame me
cannot read as much as I have written. How
well it is written is not to the point, but it was
a kind of writing that no one whose spirit was
broken could do. I have been thirty days in these
gardens. Who has failed to get access to me or
conversation with me? At this very moment 1
am writing and reading so much that the people
with me find the holiday harder work than I find
working. If anyone asks why I am not in town,
" because it is the vacation " : why I am not at one
of my little places, where it is now the season,
"because I could not put up with the crowd of
visitors." So I am staying where the man, who
prized Baiae more than anyone, always used to
spend this part of the year. When I come to
Rome, they shall have nothing to find fault with
in my looks or my conversation. The cheerfulness
with which I used to temper the sadness of the
times, I have lost for ever: but there shall be no
lack of courage and firmness in my bearing or my
words.

As to Scapula's gardens, it seems possible that,
as a favour, partly to you and partly to me, they
may be put up at auction. If not, we are cut
out. But, if it comes to an auction, my eagerness

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

mus facultates Othonis nostra cupiditate. Nam, quod
ad me de Lentulo scribis, non est in eo. Faberiana
mode res certa sit, tuque enitare, quod facis, quod
volumus, consequemur.

Quod quaeris, quam diu hie : paucos dies. Sed
certum non liabeo. Simul ac constituero, ad te
scribam, et tu ad me, quam diu in suburbano sis
futurus. Quo die ego ad te haec misi, de Pilia et
Attica mihi quoque eadeni, quae scribis, et scribuntur
et nuntiantui*.

XLI

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Aslniae Nihil erat, quod scriberem. Scire tainen volebam,

I Id. Mai. y|jj esses ; si abes aut afuturus es, quando rediturus

esses. Facies igitur certiorem. Et, quod tu scire

volebas, ego quando ex hoc loco, postridie Idus La-

nuvi constitui manere, inde postridie in Tusculano

aut Romae. Utrum sim facturus, eo ipso die scies.

Scis, quam sit (fnXatTiov (rv/j.<fiopd, niinime in te

quidem, sed tamen avide sum adfectus de fano, quod

nisi non dico effectum erit, sed fieri videro (audebo

hoc dicere, et tu, ut soles, accipies), incursabit in te

dolor meus, non lure ille quidem, sed tamen feres

hoc ipsum, quod scribo, ut omnia mea fers ac tulisti.

Omnes tuas consolationes unam hanc in rem velim

conferas. Si quaeris, quid optem, primum Scapulae,
86

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 40-41

for them will conquer Otho's purse. For as to
what you say about Lentulus, he can't run to it.
If only the business with Faberius is settled and
you make an effort, as you are doing, we shall
get what we want.

You ask how long I am staying here : only a few
days. But I am not certain. As soon as I have
made up my mind, I will write to you : and do
you write to me how long you are staying in your
estate. On the day on which I am sending this
I too got the news you send me about Pilia and
Attica by letter and by word of mouth.

XLI

CKERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I have nothing to write. But I want to know, Astura, May
where you are ; and, if you are away or are going 11, b.c. 45
away, when you will return. So please send me
word. You wanted to know, when I am leaving
here : I have made up my mind to stay at Lanuvium
on the 16th, and then at Tusculum or at Rome on
the next day. Which I am going to do, you shall
know on the day itself.

You know how full of grievances misfortune makes
one. I have none against you ; but still I have
a hungry longing for the shrine. I will venture
to say so much, and you must take it as you usually
do, that unless I see it being built, 1 don't say
finished, my resentment will redound on you, quite
unjustly, but you will put up with what I am saying,
as you put up with all my moods and always have
put up with them. I wish you would confine your
attempts at consolation to that one point. If you
want to know my wishes, I choose Scapula's place

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

deinde Clodiae, postea, si Silius nolet, Drusus aget
iniuste, Cusini et Treboni. Puto tertium esse domi-
num, Rebilum fuisse certo scio. Sin autem tibi
Tusculanum placet, ut significasti quibusdam litteris,
tibi adsentiar. Hoc quidem utique perficies, si me
levari vis, quem iam etiam gravius accusas, quam
patitur tua consuetudo, sed facis summo amore et
victus fortasse vitio meo. Sed tamen, si me levari
vis, haec est summa levatio vel, si verum scire vis,
una.

Hirti epistulam si legeris, quae mihi quasi irpo-
irXaa-fj-a videtur eius vituperationis, quam Caesar
scripsit de Catone, facies me, quid tibi visum sit, si
tibi erit commodum, certiorem. Redeo ad fanum.
Nisi hac aestate absolutum erit, quam vides integram
restare, scelere me liberatum non putabo.

XLII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asturae Nullum a te desideravi diem littcrarum ; videbam
VI Id. Mai. enim, quae scribis, et tamen suspicabar vel potius in-
"■• ^^^ tellegebam nihil fuisse, quod scriberes ; a. d. vi Idas

vero et abesse te putabam et plane videbam nihil te
habere. Ego tamen ad te fere cotidie mittam ; malo
enim frustra, quam te non habere, cui des, si quid
forte sit, quod putes me scire oportere. Itaque
accepi vi Idus litteras tuas inanes. Quid enim habe-
bas, quod scriberes ? Mi tamen illud, quicquid erat,
88

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 41-42

first, and then Clodia's : after them, if Sihus won't
agree and Drusus acts unfairly, Cusinius' and Tre-
boniiis' property. I think there is a third owner : I
know for certain that Rebilus was one. If however
3'ou prefer my place at Tusculum, as you hinted in a
letter, I will agree. Get the thing finished somehow,
if you want to see me consoled. You are blaming me
already more severely than is your wont, but you do
it most affectionately, and I suppose it is my fault for
making you do so. However, if you wish to see
me consoled, this is the best consolation, or rather,
to tell the truth, the only one.

If you have read Hirtius' letter, which seems
to me a sort of first sketch of the tirade Caesar
has written against Cato, let me know what you
think of it, if you can. I return to the shrine.
If it is not finished this summer (and we have
the whole summer before us), I shall not think
myself free from guilt.

XLII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I have never asked you to fix a regular day for Asltira, May
your letters : for I see the point you mention, 10, b.c. 45
and yet I suspect or rather I know there was
nothing for you to write. On the 10th indeed I
think you were away, and I am quite aware you
have no news. However I shall write to you
nearly every day : for I prefer to send letters to
no purpose rather than for you to have no mes-
senger to give one to, if there should be anything
you think I ought to know. So on the 10th I
got your letter with nothing in it. For what was
there for you to put in it ? However, the little

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

non molestum fuit, ut nihil aliud, scire me novi te
nihil habere.

Scripsisti tamen nescio quid de Clodia. Ubi ergo
ea est aut quando ventura ? Placet mihi res sic, ut
secundum Othonem nihil magis. Sed neque hanc
vendituram puto (delectatur enim et copiosa est), et,
illud alteram quam sit difficile, te non fugit. Sed,
obsecro, enitamur, ut aliquid ad id, quod cupio, ex-
cogitemus.

Ego me hinc postridie Id. exiturum puto, sed aut
in Tusculanum aut domum, inde fortasse Arpinum.
Cum certum sciero, scribam ad te.

XLIII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asturae Venerat mihi in mentem monere te, ut id ipsum,

IV Id. Mai. quod facis, faceres. Putabaui enim commodius te

a. 709 idem istud domi agere posse interpellatione sublata.

Ego postridie Idus, ut scx'ipsi ad te ante, Lanuvi

manere constitui, inde aut Romae aut in Tusculano ;

scies ante, utrum. Quod scribis^ x*ecte illam rem

fore levamento, bene facis, tamen id est ^ mihi crede

perinde, ut existimare tu non potes. Res indicat

quanto opere id cupiam, cum tibi audeam confiteri,

quem id non ita valde probare arbitrer. Sed ferendus

tibi in hoc meus error. Ferendus? immo vero etiam

adiuvandus. De Othone diffido, fortasse quia cupio.

Sed tamen maior etiam res est quam facultates nos-

1 ficribis Boot : scias M.

2 tamen id est Wesenberg : cum id esse M.

LETTERS TO ATTiCUS XII. 42-4.S

there was, was pleasant to me : if nothing else, it
taught me you had no news.

But you say something or other about Clodia.
Where is she then or when is she coming.^ I
prefer her grounds to anyone's except Otho's. But
I don't think she will sell : she likes the place and
has plenty of money : and how difficult the other
thing is, you are well aware. But pray let us make
an effort to think out some way of getting Avhat
I want.

I think of leaving here on the 16th ; but either
for Tusculum or for Rome, and then on perhaps to
Arpinum. When I know for certain, 1 will write.

XLIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

It had occurred to me to advise you to do exactly Astura, May
what you are doing. For I thought you could get 12, b.c. 45 '
that particular business over more conveniently at
home without any fear of interruption.

As I said before, I intend to stop at Lanuvium
on the 16th, and then either at Rome or Tusculum.
You shall know in advance which. You are right
in saying that will lighten my sorrow, but believe
me it will do so to an extent which you cannot
imagine. How eagerly I desire it you can judge
from my daring to confess it to you, though I think
you do not very much approve of it. But you must
bear with my aberration. Bear with it? Nay you
must help me in it. I have doubts about Otho,
perhaps because I am eager for his place. But
anyhow the propeity is beyond my means, espe-

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

trae, praesertim adversario et cupido et locuplete el
herede. Proximum est, ut velim Clodiae. Sad, si
ista minus confici possunt, effice quidvis. Ego me
maiore religione, quam quisquam fuit ullius voti,
obstrictum puto. Videbis etiam Trebonianos, etsi
absunt domini. Sed, ut ad te heri scripsi, consider-
abis etiam de Tusculano, ne aestas effluat ; quod carte
non est committandum.

XLIV

CICERO ATTICO SAI„

Scr. Asturae Et Hirtium ah'quid ad te o-u^Tra^ws de ma scripsisse

/// Id. Mai. facile patior (fecit enim humane) et te eius epistulam

a. /(jy g(j jjjg jjQjj misisse multo facilius ; tu enim etiam

humanius. Illius librum, quem ad me misit de Ca-

tone, propterea volo divulgari a tuis, ut ex istorum

vituperatione sit illius maior laudatio.

Quod per Mustelam agis, habes hominem valde
idoneum meique sane studiosum iam inde a Pontiano.
Perfice igitur aliquid. Quid autem aliud, nisi ut
aditus sit emptori ? quod per quemvis heredem potest
effici. Sed Mustelam id perfecturum, si rogaris, puto.
Mihi vero et locum, quem opto, ad id, quod volumus,
dederis et praeterea eyy-qpaixa. Nam ilia Sili et Drusi
non satis oLKo^€(nroTLKa mihi videntur. Quid enim?
sedere totos dies in villa ? Ista igitur malim, primum
Othonis, deinde Clodiae. Si nihil fiat, aut Druso
ludus est suggerendus aut utendum Tusculano.
92

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 43-44

daily when we have to bid against a man, who is
eager for the place, wealthy and one of his heirs.
What I should prefer after that is Clodia's. But,
if nothing can be done about those, do anything.
I count myself more bound by sacred obligation
than anyone ever was by any vow. Look into
Trebonius' place too, though the owners are away.
But, as I wrote yesterday, consider my Tusculan
place too, that the summer may not slip away.
That certainly must not happen.

XLIV

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I am not at all annoyed that Hirtius wrote to you Aslura, May
about me in a sympathetic tone (he was acting 13^ b.c. 45
kindly), and still less at your not sending his letter
to me, in which you were acting even more kindly.
The reason why I want your copyists to circulate
the book he sent me about Cato, is that their abuse
may enhance Cato's reputation.

You say you are negotiating through Mustela.
He is a very suitable person and very devoted to
me since the affair of Pontianus. So get something
settled. But what is wanted excc])t an opening
for a purchaser? And that could be got through
any of the heirs. But I think Mustela will manage
that, if you ask him. You will have provided me
not only with the very place I want for my purpose,
but a place to grow old in besides. For Silius' and
Drusus' places don't seem to me quite fit for a
paterfamilias. Why, I should have to spend whole
days in the country house. So I prefer the others,
Otho's first and then Clodia's. If nothing comes
of it, then we must play a trick on Drusus or fall
back on the place at Tusculum. _„

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Quod domi te inclusisti, ratione fecisti; sed,quaesOj
confice et te vacuum redde nobis. Ego hinc, ut scripsi
antea, postridie Idus Lanuvi, deinde postridie in
Tusculano. Contudi enim animum et fortasse vici,
si mode permansero. Seles igitur fortasse eras, sum-
mum perendie.

Sed quid est, quaeso ? Philotimus nee Carteiae
Pompeium teneri (qua de re litterarum ad Clodium
Patavinum missarum exemplum mihi Oppius et Bal-
bus miserant, se id factum arbitrari) bellumque nar-
rat reliquum satis magnum. Solet omnino esse
Fulviniaster. Sed tamen, si quid habes. Volo etiam
de naufragio Caniniano scire quid sit.

Ego hie duo magna cruvTay/xaTa absolvi ; nullo enim
alio modo a miseria quasi aberrare possum. Tu mihi,
etiamsi nihil erit, quod seribas, quod fore ita video,
tamen id ipsuni scribas veliin, te nihil habuisse, quod
scriberes, dum modo ne his verbis.

XLV

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tii.s- De Attica optime. 'AKr)Sta tua me movet, etsi

culano All seribis nihil esse. In Tusculano eo comniodius ero,

A. inn. a. quod et crebrius tuas litteras accipiam et te ipsum

non numquam videbo ; nam ceteroqui dveKToVepa erant

Asturae. Nee haec, quae refricant, hie me magis

* Of Fulvinlu8 nothing is known, save what is inferred
from this passage, that he was a peisf>ii given to spreading
;.ll^o 1 cpoils.

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 44-45

You have done wisely in shutting yourself up at
home. But please get your business over and let
me find you with some leisure again. As I said
before, I am going from here to Lanuvium on the
16th, then on the 17th to Tusculum. For I have
crushed down my feelings and perhaps have con-
quered them, if only it will last. So you shall hear
to-morrow perhajis, at the latest the day after.

But what is this, pray ? Philotimus says Pompey
is not shut in at Carteia (about that Oppius and
Balbus had sent me a copy of a letter to Clodius
of Patavium, saying they thought he was) and that
there is quite an important war yet to come. Of
course he always is a parody of Fulvinius.^ How-
ever have you any news ? I want to know the
facts about the shipwreck of Caninius too.

I have finished two large treatises '^ here. It was
the only way I could get away from my misery. As
for you, even if you have nothing to write, which
I think will be the case, write and tell me that
you have nothing to say, provided you don't use
those verv words.

XLV

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

That's good news about Attica. I am worried Tusculmn,
about your listlessness, though you say it is nothing. May 17 b.c.
I shall find Tusculum more convenient, as I shall 45
get letters from you more frequently and see you
yourself at times : for in other respects things were
more endurable at Astura. My feelings are not

2 The Acadcmica and De Finibus, unless, as Roid suggests,
the Arademica alone is meant, as that was originally divided
into two books.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

angunt ; etsi tamen, ubicumque sum, ilia sunt mecum.
De Caesare vicino scripseram ad te, quia cognoram
ex tuis litteris. Eum crvwaov Quirini malo quam
Salutis. Tu vero pervulga Hirtium. Id enim ipsuin
putaram, quod scribis, ut, cum ingenium amici
nostri probaretur, {iTrd^ecrig vituperandi Catonis irri-
deretur.

XLVI

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. As/urae Vincam, opinor, animum et Lanuvio pergam in

Id. Mat. a. Tusculanum. Aut enim mihi in perpetuum fundo

709

illo carendum est (nam dolor idem manebit, tantuni

modo occultius), aut nescio, quid intersit, utrum illuc

nunc veniam an ad decem annos. Neque enim ista

maior admonitio, quam quibus adsidue conficior et

dies et noctes. "Quid ergo?" inquies, "nihil lit-

terae ? " In hac quidem re vereor ne etiam contra ;

nam essem fortasse durior. Exculto enim animo

nihil agreste, nihil inhumanum est.

Tu igitur, ut scripsisti, nee id incommodo tuo.

Vel binae enim poterunt litterae. Occurram etiam,

si necesse erit. Ergo id quidem, ut poteris.

* A statue of Caesar with the inscription Deo Invicto had
been put recently in the temple of Quirinus on the Quirinal

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 45-46

more harrowed by galling memories here than
there ; though to be sure, wherever I am, they are
with me. I wrote to you about your " neighbour "
Caesar, because I learned about it from your
letters. I would rather see him sharing the temple
of Quirinus than of Safety.^ Yes, publish Hirtius'
book. I thought the same as you say, that our
friend's talent was shown by it, while its object,
blackening Cato's character, only looked ridiculous.

XLVI

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I think I shall conquer my feelings and go from Astura, Mat,
Lanuvium to Tusculum. For I must either give 15, b.c. 45
up that estate for ever (for my grief will remain
the same, only less visible), or it does not matter
a straw whether I go there now or ten years
hence. The place will not remind me of her any
more than the thoughts that harass me day and
night. "Oh!" you will say, "so books do not
help." In this respect I am afraid they make it
worse : perhaps I should have been braver without.
For in a cultivated mind there is no roughness
and no insensibility.

So you will come to me as you said, and only
that if convenient. A letter apiece will be enough.
I will even come to meet you, if necessary. So
that shall be as you find possible.

hill, which he had restored after its destruction by fire in
49 B.C. Atticus' house and the temple of Salus were also on
the Quirinal,

VOL. III. £

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XLVII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Lanuvi De Mustela, ut scribis, etsi magnum opus est. Eo

A.yli A. maeis delabor ad Clodiam. Quamquam in utroque

lun. a. 709 „ ° . ^ a . t^ \■^

r'abenanum nomen explorandum est. De quo nihil

noeuerit si aliquid cum Balbo eris locutus, et quidem,

ut res est, emere nos velle, nee posse sine isto

nomine, nee audere re incerta. Sed quando Clodia

Romae futura est, et quanti rem aestimas ? Eo pror-

sus specto, non quin illud malim, sed et magna res

est et difficile certamen cum cupido, cum locuplete,

cum herede. Etsi de cupiditate nemini concedam ;

ceteris rebus inferiores sumus. Sed haec coram.

XLVIII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Lanuvi Hirti librum, ut facis, divulga. De Piiilotimo idem

-"!!^ ct ego arbitrabar. Domum tuam pluris video futuram
mane a, 709 . . ^

vicino Caesare. Tabellarium meum hodie exspec-

tamus. Nos de Pilia et Attica certiores faciet.

Domi te libenter esse facile credo. Sed velim

scire, quid tibi restet, aut iamne confeceris. Ego te

in Tusculano exspecto, eoque magis, quod Tironi

statim te venturum scripsisti et addidisti te putare

opus esse.
98

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 47-48
XLVII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

About Mustela, do as you say, though it will be Lanuvium,
a big business. For that reason I incHne more to May 16, B.C.
Clodia ; though in both cases we must find out 46
about Faberius' debt. There will be no harm in
your speaking to Balbus about it and telling him,
what is the truth, that we want to buy, but can-
not without getting in that debt, and dare not,
until something is settled. But when is Clodia
going to be in Rome, and how much do you think
it will cost ? Why I turn my thoughts to it is not
that I should not prefer the other, but it is a big
venture and it is difficult to contend with one who
is eager for it, rich and one of the heirs. As far as
eagerness goes, I yield to no one, but in the other
respects we are worse off. However of this when
we meet.

XLVIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, flREKPINO.

Go on publishing Hirtius' book. About Philotimus Lanuvium,
i agree with you. 1 see your house will go up in May 17, B.C.
value now you have Caesar for a neighbour. I am 45
expecting my messenger to-day. He will tell me
about Pilia and Attica.

I can easily believe you are glad to be at home :
but I should like to know what business you still
have or if you have finished now. I am expecting
you at Tusculum, especially as you told Tiro you
were coining at once, adding that you thought it
necessary.

709

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XLIX

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tu.s- Sentiebam omnino, quantum mihi praesens prod-
culano XI h esses, sed multo magis post discessum tuum sentio.
A. lun. a. Quam ob rem, ut ante ad te scripsi, aut ego ad te
totus aut tu ad me, quod licebit.

Heri non multo post, quam tu a me discessisti,
puto, quidam urbani, ut videbantur, ad me mandata
et litteras attulerunt a. C. Mario C. f. C. n. multis
verbis "agere mecum per cognationem, quae mihi
secum esset, per eum Marium, quam scripsissem, per
eloquentiam L. Crassi, avi sui, ut se defenderem,"
causamque suam mihi perscripsit. Rescripsi patrono
illi nihil opus esse, quoniam Caesaris, propinqui eius,
omnis potestas esset, viri optimi et hominis liberalis-
simi ; me tamen ei fauturum. O tempora ! fore, cum
dubitet Curtius consulatum petere I Sed haec hac-
tenus.

De Tirone mihi curae est. Sed iam sciam, quid
agat. Heri enim misi, qui videret ; cui etiam ad te
litteras dedi. Epistulam ad Ciceronem tibi misi.
Horti quam in diem proscripti sint, velim ad me
scribas.

* An impostor named Amatias or Herophilus. He was ;i
veterinary surgeon, and was put to deatii by Antony after
he had set up a column in the forum in Caesar's memory.

100

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 49
XLIX

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I felt all the time how much good your presence Tuscnlum,
was doing me : but I feel it still more since you have May 19, b.(
gone. Soj as I wrote to you before, either I must 45
come to you entirely or you to me, according as it
can be managed.

Yesterday, soon after your departure, I think,
some people, who looked like city men, brought
me a message and a letter from Gaius Marius, son
and grandson of Gaius.^ He begged me in the
name of our relationship, in the name of Marius,
on whom I had written, and by the eloquence of
his grandfather, L. Crassus, to defend him : and he
stated his case in full. I wrote back that he had
no need of an advocate since his relative Caesar
was omnipotent, and he was the best and most
liberal of men : but I would support him. What
times these are ! To think of Curtius wondering
whether to stand for the consulship. But enough
of this.

I am anxious about Tiro. But I shall know soon
how he is, for yesterday I sent a man to see, and
I gave him a letter to you too. I have sent you
a letter for my son. Please tell me for what day
the sale of the gardens is advertised.

Marius married Julia, aunt of Caesar ; their son was adopted
by Gratidia, grandmother of Cicero, and married a daughter
of L. Crassus, the orator. Hence the claims of relationship
asserted in this letter.

101

709

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
L

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

S'cr. in Tiis- Ut me levarat tuus adventus, sic discessus adflixit.
uUnio X V Quare, cum poteris, id est cum Sexti auctioni operani
h . lun. a. dederis, revises nos. Vel unus dies mihi erit utilis,
quid dicam " gratus " ? Ipse Romam venirem, ut
una essemus, si satis consultum quadam de re
haberem.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in TuS' Tironem habeo citius, quam verebar. Venit etiaiu
ciilano XIII Nicias, et Valerium hodie audiebam esse venturum.
A. iu7i. a. Quamvis multi sint, magis tamen ero solus, quam si
unus esses. Sed exspecto te, a Peducaeo utique^ tu
autem significas aliquid etiam ante. V^erum id qui-
dem, ut poteris.

De Vergilio, ut scribis. Hoc tamen velim scire^
quando auctio. Epistulam ad Caesarem mitti video
tibi placere. Quid quaeris? mihi quoque hoc idem
maxime placuit, et eo magis, quod nihil est in ea nisi
optimi civis, sed ita optimi, ut tempora ; quibus parere
omnes ttoXitlkoI praecipiunt. Sed scis ita nobis esse
visum, ut isti ante legerent. Tu igitur id curabis.
Sed, nisi plane iis intelleges placere, mittenda non
est. Id autem utrum illi sentiant anne simulent, tu
intelleges. Mihi simulatio pro repiidiatione fuerit.

ToCto Se flTjXwcrrj,

102

709

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 50-51

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Your departure has depressed me as much as Tusculum,
your arrival cheered me. So, when you can, that May 18, b.c.
is after you have attended Sextus' auction, visit 45
me again. Even a single day will do me good,
not to speak of the pleasure. I would come to
Rome that we might be together, if I could make
up my mind satisfactorily on a certain point.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING,

I have Tiro back with me earlier than I expected. Tusculum,
Nicias has come too and to-day I hear Valerius is May 20, b.c
coming. However many come, I shall be more 45
lonely than if you alone were here. But I expect
you, at any rate after you've finished with Peduc-
aeus ; and you give some hint of an even earlier
date. But let that be as you can.

For Vergilius, as you say. I should however like
to know when the auction is. I see you think the
letter ought to be sent to Caesar. Well, I thought
so too very strongly, especially as there is nothing
in it that the most loyal of citizens might not have
written ; loyal, tliat is to say, in the present circum-
stances, to which all politicians tell us we should
bow. But you know I thought your Caesarian
friends ought to read it first : so you must see to
that. But, unless you feel sure they approve of it,
it must not be sent. You will know whether they
really think so or are pretending. I shall count
pretence as rejection. You must j)vobe that point.

103

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

De Caerellia quid tibi placeret, Tiro mihi narravit;
debere non esse dignitatis meae, perscriptionem tibi
placere :

" Hoc metuere, alterum fn metu non ponere."

Sed et haec ct multa alia coram. Sustinenda tamen,
si tibi videbitur^ solutio est nominis Caerelliani, duni
et de Metone et de Faberio sciamus.

LII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- L. Tullium Montanum nosti, qui cum Cicerone
cidano XI J profectus est. Ab eius sororis viro litteras accepi
^Qo ' ' Montanum Planco debere, quod praes pro Flaminio
sit, HS XX ; de ea re nescio quid te a Montano roga-
tum. Sane velim, sive Plancus est rogandus, sive
qua re potes ilium iuvare, iuves. Pertinet ad nos-
trum officium. Si res tibi forte notior est quam mihi,
aut si Plancum rogandum putas, scribas ad me velim,
ut, quid rei sit et quid rogandum, sciam. De epistula
ad Caesarem quid egeris, exspecto. De Silio non ita
sane laboro. Tu mi aut Scapulanos aut Clodianos
efficias necesse est. Sed nescio quid videris dubitare
de Clodia ; utrum quando veniat, an sintne venales ?
Sed quid est, quod audio Spintherem fecisse divor-
tium ?

104

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 51-52

Tiro has told me what you tliink about Caerellia :
tliat it ill suits my dignity to be in debt, and that
I should give a note of hand,

" That you should fear the one and hold the other
safe ! "

But of this, and much else, when we meet. However,
we must hold over the debt to Caerellia, if you
agree, till we know about Meton and Faberius.

LI I

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

You know L. Tullius Montanus who has gone with Tusculum,
my son. I have received a letter from his sister's May 21, b.c.
husband saying that, through going bail for Flaminius, 45
Montanus owes Plancus nearly £200 ; ^ and that he
has made some request to you about it. I should
like you to assist him by speaking to Plancus or in any
other way you can. I feel under an obligation to
help him. If you know more about it than I do, or
if you think Plancus should be spoken to, I wish
you would write to me, that I may know how the
matter stands, and what I ought to ask him. I am
awaiting news as to what you have done about the
letter to Caesar. About Silius I am not much con-
cerned. You must get me either Scapula's or
Clodia's gardens. But you seem to have some
doubts about Clodia. Is it about the date of her
arrival or as to whether the gardens are for sale ?
But what is this that I hear about Spinther divorcing
his wife .''

» 20,000 sesterces.

105

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

De lingua Latina securi es animi. Dices : " Qui
talia conscribis?" ' kiroypa^a sunt, minore labore
fiunt; verba tantum adfero, quibus abundo.

LIII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tiis- Ego, etsi nihil habeo, quod ad te scribam, scribo

cuiano Ay tamen, quia tecum loqui videor. Hie nobiscum sunt

A. lun. a.

709 Nieias et Valerius. Hodie tuas litteras exspecta-

bamus matutinas. Erunt fortasse alterae posmeri-

dianae, nisi te Epiroticae litterae impedient ; quas

ego non interpello. Misi ad te epistulas ad Marcia-

num et ad Montanum. Eas in eundem fasciculum

velini addas, nisi forte iam dedisti.

106

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XII. 52-53

Make your mind easy about the Latin language.
You will say, " What, when you write on such sub-
jects .'' " ^ They are copies, and don't give me much
trouble. I only supply words, and of them I have
plenty.

LIII

CICEKO TO ATTICUS, OREGTINO

Though I have nothing to say to you, I write all Tusculum,
the same, because I feel as though I were talking to May 22, B.C.
you. Nicias and Valerius are here with me. I am 4:5
expecting a letter from you early to-day. Perhaps
there will be another in the afternoon, unless your
letter to Epirus hinders you : I don't want to inter-
rupt that. I have sent you letters for Marcianus
and for Montanus. Please put them in the same
packet, unless you have sent it off already.

^ Atticus had commented on the difficulty of rendering
Greek philosophic terms in Latin.

107

M. TULLI CICERONIS

EPISTULARUM AD ATTICUM

LIBER TERTIUS DECIMUS

CICERO ATTICO

Scr. in Tus- Ad Ciceronem ita scripsisti, ut neque severius
culano X K. neque temperatius scribi potuerit, nee magis quem
ad modum ego maxima veil em ; prudentissime etiam
ad Tullios. Quare aut ista proficient, aut aliud aga-
mus. De pecunia vero video a te omnem diligen-
tiam adhiberi vel j^otius iam adhibitam esse. Quod
si efficis, a te hortos habebo. Nee vero ullum genus
possessionis est, quod malim, maxime scilicet ob earn
causam, quae suscepta est ; cuius festinationem mihi
tolliSj quoniam de aestate poUiceris vel potius recipis.
Deinde etiam ad Kara/Siioa-Lv maestitiamque minuen-
dam nihil mihi reperiri potest aptius ; cuius rei cupi-
ditas impellit me interdum, ut te hortari velim. Sed
me ipse revoco ; non enim dubito, quin, quod me
valde velle putes, in eo tu me ipsum cupiditate
vincas. Itaque istuc iam pro facto habeo.

Exspecto, quid istis placeat de epistula ad Caesa-
rem, Nicias te, ut debet, amat vehementerque tua
sui memoria delcctatur. Ego vero Peducaeum nos-
108

CICERO'S LETTERS

TO ATTIC US

BOOK XIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

You used just the right amount of severity and of Tusculnm,
moderation in your letter to my son^ and it was May 28,
exactly as I should have wished it to be. Your b.c. 4-5
notes, too, to the Tullii ^ were full of good advice.
So either those letters will set things right or we
shall have to try some other means. As to the
money, I see you are making every effort, or rather
you have done so already. If you manage it, I shall
owe the gardens to you. Indeed, there is no other
kind of property I should prefer, especially for the
matter I have in hand. You remove my impatience
by your promise, or rather your pledge, about the
summer. There is nothing either that could be
found more likely to solace my declining years and
my sorrow. My eagerness for it impels me at
times to urge you to haste. But I restrain myself,
for I have no doubt that, as you know I want it very
much, your eagerness more than equals mine. So
I count the matter as already settled.

I am waiting to hear what your friends decide
about the letter to Caesar. Nicias is as devoted to
you, as he ought to be, and is highly delighted at
your remembering him. I am extremely fond of

* L, TuUius Montanus and M. Tullius Marcianus, who
were at Athens with Cicero's son.

109

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

trum vehementer diligo ; nam et, quanti patrem feci,
totum in hunc et ipsum per se aeque amo atque ilium
amavi, te vero plurimum, qui hoc ab utroque nostrum
fieri velis. Si hortos inspexeris, et si de epistula
certiorem me feceris, dederis mihi, quod ad te scri-
bam ; si minus, scribam tamen aliquid. Numquam
enim derit.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. 171 Tus- Gratior mihi celeritas tua quam ipsa res. Quid
culano IX enim indignius? Sed iam ad ista obduruimus et
709 ' ' humanitatem omnem exuimus. Tuas litteras hodie

exspectabam, nihil equidem ut ex lis novi; quid

enim ? verum tamen .

Ila

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Her. in Tus- Oppio et Balbo epistulas deferri iubebis et tamen

ctdano FI K. Pisonem sicubi de auro. Faberius si venerit, videbis,
1 1171 CI vOQ

ut tantum attribuatur, si modo attribuetur, quantum

debetur. Accipies ab Erote.

Ariarathes, Ariobarzani filius, Romam venit, Vult,

opinor, regnum aliquod emere a Caesare ; nam, quo

modo nunc est, pedem ubi ponat in suo, non habet.

Omnino eum Sestius noster, paroclius publicus, occu-

pavit; quod quidem facile patior. Verum tamen,
110

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. l-2a

Peducaeus ; for all 1 felt for his father 1 have
given to him, and I love him for himself as much
as I loved his father ; and you most of all for try-
ing to promote this feeling between us. If you
see the gardens, and if you let me know about the
letter, you will supply me with something to write
about ; but, anyhow, I will write something. For
there will always be something to say.

CICEIIO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Your promptitude was more pleasing to me than Tuscuhan,
the news you sent. For what could be more insult- May 24,
ing .? However I have hardened myself to insult, B.C. 45
and put off all human feeling. I am looking forward
to your letter to-day, not that I expect any news.
What could there be ? However .

Ila

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GKEETINQ.

Please have the letters sent to Balbus and Oppius, Tusculum,
and anyhow speak to Piso about the gold when you May 27,
can. If Faberius comes, see that the right amount b.c. 45
of the debt is put to my credit, if anything is. Eros
will tell you about it.

Ariarathes, son of Ariobarzanes, has come to Rome,
I suppose he wants to buy some kingdom from
Caesar : for, as things are at present, he cannot set
foot in his own. Our friend Sestius, in his character
of public host, has monopolized him ; and I am
not sorry for it. However, as I am intimate with

111

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

quod mihi summo beneficio meo magna cum fratribus
illius necessitudo est, invito eum per litteras, ut apud
me deversetur. Ad earn rem cum mitterem Alexan-
drum, has ei dedi litteras.

lib

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Cras igitur auctio Peducaei. Cum poteris ergo,
culano IF K. '£,tsi impediet fortasse Faberius. Sed tanien cum
• ^' ' ^" licebit. Dionysius noster graviter queritur et tamen
iure a discipulis abesse se tam diu. Multis verbis
scripsit ad me, credo item ad te. Mihi quidem vide-
tur ctiam diutius afuturus. Ac nollem ; valde enim
hominem desidero.

A te litteras exspectabam, nondum scilicet ; nam
has mane rescribebam.

Ill

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Ego vero ista nomina sic j)robo, ut nihil aliud me
culano III moveat, nisi quod tu videi'is dubitare. Illud enim
A. hin. a. fjQjj accipio in bonam partem, quod ad me refers;
qui, si^ ipse negotium meum gererem, nihil gererem^
nisi consilio tuo. Sed tamen intellego magis te id
facere diligentia, qua semper uteris, quam quod du-
bites de nominibus istis. Etenim Caelium non pro-

* qui ei] quid A. ' nihil gererem omitted by A.

112

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 2a-3

his brothers on account of the great service I i*en-
dered them, I am sending a letter to invite him to
stay at my house. As I was sending Alexander with
it, I gave him this letter.

lib

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING,

So to-morrow is Peducaeus' auction. Come^ when Tusculum,
you can, then. But perhaps Faberius will prevent May 29,
you. However, when you can manage it. Our b.c. 45
friend Dionysius is complaining loudly at being so
long away from his pupils, and there is some justice
in his complaint. He has written a long letter to
me, and I expect to you too. I think he will be
away for some time still : and I am sorry, for I miss
him very much.

I am expecting a letter from you, but not yet, as
I am writing in the early morning.

Ill

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

For my part I am so satisfied with the debtors you Tusculum
mention, that the only thing which disquiets me is May 30
that you seem to have doubts. For I don't take it u.c. 45
at all kindly of you to refer the matter to me. If I
managed my own business, I should never manage
anything without your advice. However, I know
you did it more from your usual carefulness than
because you had any doubts about the debtors. The
fact is you don't approve of Caelius and you don't
* Or, as Shuckburgh, " buy."

113

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

baS;, plura non vis. Utruinque laudo. His igitur
utendum est. Praes^ aliquando factus esses ^ in his
quidem tabulis. A me igitur omnia. Quod dies
longior est, teneamus modo, quod volumus, puto fore
istam etiam a praecone diem, certe ab heredibus.

De Crispo et Mustela videbis, et velim scire, quae
sit pars duorum. De Bruti adventu eram factus
certior, Attulerat enim ab eo Aegypta libertus
litteras. Misi ad te epistulam, quia commode
scripta erat.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tvs- Habeo munus a te elaboratum decem legatorum.

cidano K. Et quidem de Tuditano idem^ puto. Nam filius anno
post quaestor fuit quam consul Mummius. Sed, quon-
iam saepius de nominibus quaeris quid placeat, ego
quoque tibi saepius respondeo placere. Si quid pot-
eris, cum Pisone conficies ; Avius enim videtur in
officio futurus. Velim ante possis ; si minus, utique
simul simus, cum Brutus veniet in Tusculanum.
Magni interest mea una nos esse. Scies autem, qui
dies is futurus sit, si puero negotium dederis, ut
quaerat.

^ est. Praes C : espraes M.
2 esses Bosius : esset J/ : es et CZ^.
* de Tuditano idem added hy Lehmann.
114

lun. a. 709

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 3-4

like to increase their miniber.^ I agree with you in
both points. So we must make the best of them as
they are. Sometime you would have had to go bail
for me even in this sale.^ So now I shall pay in full
myself. As to the delay in collecting the money, if
only 1 get what I want, I think I can arrange for
delay with the auctioneer or at any rate with the
heirs.

See about Crispus and Mustela, and I should
like to know what the share of the two is. I had
heard already of Brutus' arrival, for my freedman
Aegypta had brought me a letter from him. I have
sent it to you, as it is obligingly written.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I have received your piece of work about the ten Tusaduni,
ambassadors : and I agree with you about Tuditanus. June 1,
For the son was quaestor in the year after Mummius b.c. 45
was consul.^ But, as you keep on asking if I am
satisfied about the debtors, I too keep on answering
that I am. Arrange something with Piso if you can :
for I think Avius will do his duty. I wish you could
come first ; but, if you can't, at any rate be with me,
when Brutus comes here. It is of great importance
to me that we should be together. You will be able
to ascertain the day, if you commission a servant to
find out.

* Apparently Faberius had offered to make over a number
of debts due to him in payment of his debt to Cicero, with
an alternative of a large debt from Caelius or smaller ones
from several other debtors.

- t.e. even in the purchase of the gardens for Tullia's
shrine, of which Atticus disapproved. But the reading may
be corrupt. ^145 B.C.

115

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Sp. Mummium putaram in decern legatis fuisse,
culano IV sed videlicet (etenim ivXoyov) fratri fuisse. Fuit enim

iSon. lun. a. ^J Corinthum. Misi tibi Torquatum. Colloquere tii

709

quidem cum Silio, ut scribis, et urgue. Illam diem

negabat esse mense Maio, istam non negabat. Sed

tu ut omnia istuc quoque ages diligenter. De Crispo

et Mustela scilicet, cum quid egeris. Quoniam ad

Bruti adventum fore te nobiscum polliceris, satis est,

praesertim cum hi tibi dies in magno nostro negotio

consumantur.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asturae ^^ aquae ductu probe fecisti. Columnarium vide
med. m. ne nullum debeamus ; quamquam mihi videor audisse

Mart., ut .^ Camillo commutatam esse legem. Pisoni quid est
^^Q ' ■ quod honestius respondere possimus quam solitudinem
Catonis ? Nee de^ coheredibus solum Herennianis, sed
etiam, ut scis (tu enim mecum egisti), de puero Lu-
cullo, quam pecuniam tutor (nam hoc quoque ad rem
pertinet) in Achaia sumpserat. Sed agit liberaliter,
quoniam negat se quicquam facturum contra nostrani

^ de added by Wesenherg.

* At its capture in 146 B.C.

* i.e. the first book of the De Finihua. Cf. xiii, 32.

116

709

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 5-6

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I had thought Sp. Mummius was one of the ten Tiisculum,
legates : but of course, as was natural, he Avas private June 2,
legate to his brother. For he was at Corinth. ^ I b.c. 45
have sent Torquatus^ to you. Speak with Silius
as you say and urge him on. He said my receiving
day would not fall in May, but he did not say the
same about the other.^ But please attend to the
point carefully, as you always do. As to Crispus and
Mustek, yes, when you have settled anything. As
you promise to be with me when Brutus comes, I am
satisfied, especially as you are spending these days
on important business of mine.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

You have done quite right about the aqueduct. Astura,
Make sure whether I owe any pillar-tax at all. How- March, B.C.
ever, I think I heard from Camillus that the law had 45
been changed. What better answer can we give
Piso than that Cato's guardians are away .'' It was
not only from the heirs of Herennius that he bor-
rowed, but, as you know (for you were acting with
me), from young Lucullus : and that money was
taken in Achaia by his guardian. That is another
point that has to be considered. But Piso is be-
having generously, as he says he will not do anything

* i.e. that Cicero could not get in Faberius' debt before the
end of May ; but that the owners of the property he thouglit
of buying would want payment before that date. Cf. xiii. 3.

117

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

voluntatem. Coram igitur, ut scribis, constituemus,
quern ad modum rem explicemus. Quod reliquos
coheredes convenisti, plane bene.

Quod epistulam meam ad Brutum poscis, non
habeo eius exemplum ; sed tamen salvum est, et ait
Tiro te habere oportere, et, ut recordor, una cum
illius obiurgatoria tibi meam quoque, quam ad eum
rescripseram, misi. ludieiali molestia ut caream,
videbis.

Via

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Tuditanum istum, proavum Hortensi, plane non
culano prid. noram, et filium, qui turn non potuerat esse legatus,
^^q" ■ ■ fuisse putaram. Mummium fuisse ad Corinthum pro
certo habeo. Saepe enim hie Spurius, qui nuper
deeessit,^ epistulas mihi prouuntiabat versiculis face-
tis ad familiaris missas a Corintho. Sed non dubito,
quin fratri fuerit legatus, non in decem. Atque hoc
etiam accepi, non solitos maiores nostros eos legare
in decem, qui essent imperatorum necessarii, ut nos
ignari pulcherrimorum institutorum aut neglegentes
pctius M. Lucullum et L. Murenam et ceteros ad
L. Lucullum misimus. Illudque iiXoywraTov, ilium
fratri in primis eius legatis fuisse. O operam tuam
multam, qui et haec cures et mea expedias et sis in
tuis non multo minus diii^cns quam in meis !

* decessit Midler : est MSS.
118

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. ti-6a

against our will. So, as you say, we will arrange,
when we meet, how the matter is to be straightened
out. It is quite as well that you have seen the other
joint heirs.

You ask for my letter to Brutus. 1 have not a
copy : but there is one in existence and Tiro says
you ought to have it : and, so far as I recollect, I sent
you my answer along with his letter of reproof.
Please see that I am not troubled with serving on a

Via

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

The Tuditanus you mention, great-grandfather of Tusculwn,
Hortensius, I had never heard of, and I thought it Jime 4,
was the son who was the ambassador, though he b.c. 45
could not have been at the time. I take it as
certain that Mummius was at Coi'inth. For Spurius,
who died lately, often used to recite to me letters
Mummius wrote to his friends fi*om Corinth in clever
verse. But I have no doubt he was a special legate
to his brother, not among the ten ambassadors.
Here is another point too that I have been taught,
that it was not the custom of our ancestors to
appoint among the ten ambassadors anyone who was
related to the generals, as we in ignorance of, or
rather in contempt for, the soundest institutions did
in sending M. LucuUus and L. Murena and others
to L. Lucullus. But it was most natural that he
should be among the first of his brother's legates.
What a lot of work you get through, attending to
points like this, managing my aifairs and bestowing
nearly as much care on your own affairs as on niiiie !

119

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
VII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Sestius apud me fuit et Theopompus pridie. Ve-

culano V Id. nisse a Caesare narrabat litteras ; hoc scribere, sibi

lun a 709

' ' certum esse Romae manere, causamque earn ascribere,

quae erat in epistula nostra, ne se absente leges suae

neglegerentur, sicut esset neglecta sumptuaria (est

evXoyov, idque eram suspicatus. Sed istis mos gei*en-

dus est^ nisi placet banc ipsam sententiam nos per-

sequi), et Lentulum cum Metella certe fecisse divor-

tium. Haec omnia tu melius. Rescribes igitur,

quicquid voles, dum modo aliquid. lam enim non

reperio, quid te rescripturum putem, nisi forte de

Mustela, aut si Silium videris.

Vila

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Brutus heri venit in Tusculanum post horam deci-

culano IV mam. Hodie igitur me videbit, ac vellem tum tu

l,"^" ""■ ^' adesses. lussi equidem ei nuntiarite, quoad potuisses,

exspectasse eius adventum venturumque, si audisses,

meque, ut facio, continuo te certiorem esse facturum.

VIII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Plane nihil erat, quod ad te scriberem ; modo enim

culano VI discesseras et paulo post triplicis remiseras. Velim

la. lun. a. cm-gg fasciculum ad Vestorium deferendum et alicui
709 ,20

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 7-8
VII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Sestius came to see me yesterday and Theopompus Tusculum,
too. He told me that Caesar had sent a letter June 9,
saying he had resolved to stay at Rome and assign- b.c. 45
ing as a reason the one mentioned in my letter, fear
that if he went away his laws would be disregarded,
as his sumptuary law was. That is reasonable
enough and is just what I suspected. But I must
humour your friends, unless you think 1 could use
that very line of argument. He tells me too that
Lentulus has certainly divorced Metella. But you
will know all this better than he does. So please
send an answer, — anything you like provided it is
something. For at the moment I cannot think of
anything you will put in your answer, unless it is
something about Mustela, or unless you see Silius.

Vila

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Brutus came to Tusculum yesterday after four Tusctdutr
o'clock. So to-day he will see me, and I wish you Jtine 10,
were with me. I sent him word that you had b.c 45
waited for him as long as you could, and that you
would come, if you heard ; and I would let you know,
as soon as I could, which I am doing.

VIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I have nothing to write ; for you have only just Tusculum,
left, and soon after you went, you sent me back my June 8,
notebook. Please see that the packet is delivered b.c 45
to Vestorius, and commission someone to find out if

121

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

des negotium, qui quaerat, Q. Staberi fundus nuui
quis in Pompeiano Nolanove venalis sit. Epitomen
Bruti Caelianorum velim mihi mittas et a Philoxeno
IlavaiTLov TT€pi Trpovoias- Te Idibus videbo cum tuis.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tiis- Commodum discesseras heri, cum Ti-ebatius venit,

culano Xiy paulo post Curtius, hie salutandi causa, sed mansit
K. Quint, a. .^ , . , . , , .. ,

i^QQ invitatus. irebatmm nobiscum habemus. Hodie

mane Dolabella. Multus sermo ad multum diem.

Nihil possum dicere iKreveaTepov, nihil (f>LXocrTopy6-

Ttpov. Ventum est tamen ad Quintum. Multa at^ara,

a^irjyrjTa, sed unum eius modi, quod nisi exercitus

sciret, non modo Tironi dictare, sed ne ipse quidem

auderem scribere. Sed hactenus.

EvKai'pws ad me venit, cum haberem Dolabellam,
Torquatus, humanissimeque Dolabella, quibus verbis
secum egissem, exposuit. Commodum enim egeram
diligentissime ; quae diligentia grata est visa Tor-
quato. A te exspecto, si quid de Bruto. Quamquam
Nicias confectum putabat, sed divortium non probari.
Quo etiam magis laboro idem quod tu. Si quid est
enim ofFensionis, haec res mederi potest.

Mihi Arpinum eundum est. Nam et opus est con-
stitui a nobis ilia praediola, et vei'eor, ne exeuiidi
12r,

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XlJl. 8-9

any part of Q. Staberius' land at Pompeii or Nola is
for sale. Please send me Brutus' Epitome of the
Annals of Caelius, and get from Philoxenus Panaetius
On Foresight. I shall see you and your family on
the 13th.

CICERO TO ATTICUS^ GREETING.

You had only just left yesterday, when Trebatius Tvsculum,
came, and then Curtius shortly afterwards. The June 18
latter only came to pay a call, but he stayed at my b.c. 45
invitation. Trebatius is with me too, and this
morning came Dolabella. We had a long talk till
late in the day. I cannot exaggerate his cordiality
and friendliness. However, we touched on young
Quintus. Much of what he told me was unmention-
able, unspeakable ; but there was one thing so bad
that, if the whole army did not know of it, I should
not dare to dictate it to Tiro or even to write it
down myself. But enough of this.

Torquatus came to me opportunely, while Dola-
bella was with me, and Dolabella very kindly
repeated to him what I had just been saying. For
I had just been pleading his cause very earnestly ;
and my earnestness seemed to please Torquatus
greatly. I am waiting to know if you have any
news about Brutus. However, Nicias thought that
the matter was settled, but that the divorce was
not approved. For that reason I am all the more
eager about the thing, as you are too. For, if any
offence has been given, this can remedy it.

I must go to Arpinum. For my little place there
needs putting in order and I am afraid I may not

123

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

potestas non sit, cum Caesar venerit ; de cuius ad-
ventu earn opinionem Dolabella habet, quam tu
coniecturam faciebas ex litteris Messallae. Cum illuc
venero intellexeroque, quid negotii sit, turn, ad quos
dies rediturus sim, scribam ad te.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tns- Minime miror te et graviter ferre de Marcello et

ciUano inter p]ura vereri periculi genera. Quis enim hoc timeret,

XTK O ' t ^^'^^ neque acciderat antea nee videbatur natura

a. 709 ferre ut accidere posset? Omnia igitur metuenda.

Sed illud TTapo. Tr]v icTTopiav, tu praesertim, me reli-

quum consularem. Quid ? tibi Servius quid videtur ?

Quamquam hoc nullam ad partem valet sciHcet, mihi

praesertim, qui non minus bene actum cum illis

j)utem. Quid enim sumus aut quid esse possumus ?

domin an foris ? Quodnisi mihi hoc venisset in men-

tem, scribere ista nescio quae, quo verterem me, non

haberem.

Ad Dolabellam, ut scribis, ita puto faciendum,
Koivorepa quaedam et TroXiTLKwrepa. Faciendum certe
aliquid est ; valde enim desiderat. Brutus si quid
egerit, curabis, ut sciam ; cui quidem quam primuni
agendum puto, praesertim si statuit. Sermunculum

124

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 9-10

have much chance of leaving Rome, when Caesar
comes. About his coming Dolabella holds the same
idea which you had inferred from Messalla's letter.
When I get there and know how much there is to
be done, then I will write and let you know, when
I shall return.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I am not at all surprised at your being upset Tusculum,
about Marcellus ^ and fearing all sorts of new June 19-21,
dangers. For who would have feared this ? Such b.c. 45
a thing never happened before and it did not seem
as though nature could allow such things to happen.
So one may fear anything. But fancy you of all
people making such a historical slip as to call me
the only surviving ex-consul. Why, what about
Servius? However, that of course has not the
slightest importance in any respect, least of all to
me, who think my dead comrades' fate quite as happy
as my own. For what am I or what can I be .'' Ami
anything in private life or in public ? If it had not
occurred to me to write my books, such as they are,
I should not know what to do with myself.

I think I must follow your advice and dedicate
something more general and more political to Dola-
bella. 1 must certainly do something for him, as he
is very anxious for it. If Brutus makes any move,
pray let me know. I think he ought to make one
as soon as possible, especially if he has made up his
mind. 2 That would either put an end to all chatter

^ M. Marcellus had been murdered by P. Magius Chilo.
^ About his marriage to Porcia.

125

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

enim omnem aut restinxerit aut sedarit. Sunt enim,
qui loquantur etiam mecum. Sed haec ipse optime,
praesertim si etiam tecum loquetur.

Mihi est in animo proficisci xi Kal. Hie enim
nihil habeo, quod agam, ne hercule illic quidem nee
usquam^ sed tamen aliquid illic. Hodie Spintherem
exspecto. Misit enim Brutus ad me. Per litteras
purgat Caesarem de interitu Marcelli ; in queni, ne
si insidiis quidem ille interfectus esset, caderet ulla
suspicio. Nunc vero, cum de Magio constet, nonne
furor eius causam omnem sustinet ? Plane, quid sit,
uon intellego. Explanabis igitur. Quamquam nihil
habeo, quod dubitem, nisi, ipsi Magio quae fuerit
causa amentiae ; pro quo quidem etiam sponsor sum
factus. Et nimirum id fuit. Solvendo enim non
erat. Credo eum petisse a Marcello aliquid, et ilium,
ut erat, constantius respondisse.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in "01 ravrov eloos." Credebam esse facile; totum

Arpinati IX est aliud, posteaquam sum a te diiunctior. Sed fuit
A. Quint, a. faciendum, ut et constituerem mercedulas praediorum
' ^'^ et ne magnum onus observantiae Bruto nostro impo-

iierem. Posthac enim poterimus commodius colere
inter nos in Tusculano. Hoc autem tempore, cum

^ A quotation from Euripides, Ion, 585 : —

oh Tavrhv (ISos (palvtrai rcov TTpayixdruv
irpSffoodev 6vrwi' iyyvOiv 0' dpcti/xfyuy,

126

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. lO-ll

or at any rate lessen it. For there are peoj)le who
talk even to me. But he is the best judge himself,
especially if he talks it over with you too.

I am thinking of setting out on the 21st, for I
have nothing to do here, and precious little to do
there or anywhere else ; still there is something tf)
do there. To-day I am expecting Spinther, for
Brutus has sent him to me. He writes to exculpate
Caesar of Marcel his' death. But no suspicion would
have fallen on Caesar, even if his death had been
due to treachery ; and now that Magius is known
to be mad, surely that accounts for everything. I
don't see his point at all. Perhaps you will explain.
However, there is nothing I am in doubt about
except the reason for Magius' madness ; why, I had
even gone security for him. That no doubt was the
point ; he was insolvent. I suppose he asked some
favour of Marcellus, and the latter, as was his way,
gave a rather decided answer.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

"Not the same look."^ I thought it was easy ; A rpinu?n,
but it is quite the reverse, now I am farther away Jtme 23,
from you. But it had to be done, that I might Hx b.c. 45
some trifles like the rents of my farms and might not
lay too great a burden of attendance on our friend
Brutus. For in the future we shall find ourselves able
to cultivate each other's society at Tusculum more
easily. But at the present time, when he wanted

" Not the same look wear things, when seen far off and near
at hand."

127

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

ille me cotidie videre vellet, ego ad ilium ire non
possem, privabatur omni delectatione Tusculani. Tii
igitur, si Servilia venerit si Brutus quid egerit, etiani
si constitueritj quando obviam, quicquid denique erit.
quod scire me oporteat^ scribes. Pisonem, si poteris
convenies. Vides, quam maturum sit. Sed tamen,
quod commodo tuo fiat.

XII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Arpi- Valde me momorderunt ej)istulae luae de Attica
nntt VIII K. nostra ; eaedem tamen sanaverunt. Quod enim te
inimn . a. /UJ jpg^ consolabare eisdem litteris, id mihi erat satis fir-
mum ad leniendam aegritudinem.

Ligarianam praeclare vendidisti. Posthac, quic-
quid scripsero, tibi praeconium deferam. Quod ad
me de Varrone scribis, scis me antea orationes aut
aliquid id genus solitum scribere, ut Varronem nus-
quam possem intexere. Postea autem quam haec
coepi (jjiXoXoywrepa, iam Varro mihi denuntiaverat
magnam sane et gravem Trpoa-tjiwi'rja-Lv. Biennium
praeteriit, cum ille KaWnnTiSr]^ adsiduo cursu cubi-
tum nullum processerat, ego autem me parabam ad
id, quod ille mihi misisset, ut " airw t<5 /xerpw Kal
kwiov," si modo potuissem. Nam hoc etiam Hesiodus
ascribit, "at kc BvvrjaL."

Nunc illam Trepl tcAwc avvra^iv sane mihi probatani

1 One of the bankers from whom Cicero hoped to raise
money to bu}' the gardens for TuUia's shrine.
128

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 11-12

to see me every day and I could not go to him,
he got no pleasure at all out of his estate. So, if
Servilia has come, if Brutus has begun to do any-
thing, even if he has made up his mind when I am
to meet Caesar, in short anything there is to tell,
please write and tell me. See Piso,i if you can. It
is high time, as you can see ; however, suit your
convenience.

XII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Your letter about dear Attica stung me to the Arpinum,
quick ; but it healed the wound again. For you Jujie 24,
consoled yourself in the same letter, and that I B.C. 45
counted sufficient warrant for moderating my grief

You have given my speech for Ligarius a magnifi-
cent start. Henceforth, when I write anything,
I shall leave it to you to advertise it. As to what
you say about Varro, you know formerly I have
written speeches or things of such a kind, that
I could not introduce him ; but afterwards, when I
began these more literary works, Varro had already
promised to dedicate a great and important work to
me. Two years have passed and that slow coach,^
though always on the move, has not advanced an
inch, while I was prepared to pay him back " full
measure and more '' for what he sent, if I could.
For Hesiod adds "if you can." ^

Now I have pledged my De Finibus, of which I

* It is uncertain whether the actormentioned in Aristotle's
Poetics, ch. 26, is referred to or someone else. Anyhow, the
name seems to be used proverbially as = " a slow coach."

3 Hesiod, Op. 350.

129

VOL. III. F

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Bruto, ut tibi placuit, despondimuSj idque eum non
nolle mihi scripsisti. Ergo illam ' AKa^rjfjiLK-qv, in qua
homines nobiles illi quidenij sed nullo mode philologi
nimis acute loquuntur, ad Varronem transferamus.
Etenim sunt Antiochia, quae iste valde probat.
Catulo et LucuUo alibi reponenius^ ita tamen, si tu
hoc probas ; deque eo mihi rescribas velim.

De Brinniana auctione accepi a Vestorio litteras.
Ait sine ulla controversia rem ad me esse conlatam.
Romae videlicet aut in Tusculano me fore putaverunt
a. d. VIII Kal. Quinct. Dices igitur vel amico tuo^
S. Vettio, coheredi meo, vel Labeoni nostro, paulum
proferant auctionem ; me circiter Nonas in Tusculano
fore. Cum Pisone Erotem babes. De Scapulanis
hortis toto pectore cogitemus. Dies adest.

XIII, XIV

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Commotus tuis litteris, quod ad me de Varrone

Arpinati / / scripseras, totam Academiam ab hominibus nobilissi-

A. Uutnl. a. ^^ abstuli, transtuli ad nostrum sodalem et ex

709

duobus libris contuli in quattuor. Grandiores sunt

omnino, quam erant illi, sed t.imen multa detracta.

Tu autem mihi pervelim scribas, qui intellexeris

ilium velle ; illud vero utique scire cupio, quem in-

* Antiochus of Ascalon, under whom both Cicero and Varro
had studied at Alliens. His teaching combined the viewn of
the Academy and Stoiciflm.
130

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 12-13, 14

think very highly^ to Brutus as you advised^ and you
have told me he was gratified. So I must assign
the Academica to Varro. The speakers in it are men
of birth to be sure, but not scholars, and talk above
their own heads. And indeed the doctrines are
those of Antiochus,^ of which Varro is a strong
supporter. 1 will make it up to Catulus and
Lucullus somewhere else - ; that is to say, if you
agree. Please write and tell me.

I have had a letter from Vestorius about the
auction of Brinnius' estate. He tells me I was unani-
mously given the direction of it. They evidently
thought I should be in town or at Tusculum on the
24th. So please tell your friend S. Vettius, my co-
heir, or Labienus, to put the sale off for a while ;
and that I shall be at Tusculum about July 7th.
You have Eros to help with Piso. Let us throw our-
selves heart and soul into the purchase of Scapula's
gardens. The time is drawing near.

XIII, XIV

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Under the influence of your letters about Varro Arpiiium.
I have taken the whole of my Academica from its June 26,
eminent interlocutors and transferred it to our friend : B.C. 4<5
and from two books I have turned it into four.
They are certainly finer than the first draft though
a good deal has been cut out. But I should very
much like you to tell me how you knew Varro wanted
it : and one thing at any rate I want to know, who

* They were the chief speakers in the first draft of the
Academica.

131

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

tellexeris ab eo ^r/XoTUTrcio-^ai nisi forte Brutum. Id
hercle restabat. Sed tamen scire pervelim. Libri
quidem ita exierunt, nisi forte me communis (fnXavrta
decipit, ut in tali genere ne apud Graecos quidem
simile quicquam. Tu illam iacturam feres aequo
animo, quod ilia, quae habes de Academicis, frustra
descripta sunt. Multo tamen haec erunt splendi-
diora, breviora, meliora. Nunc autem airopw, quo me
vertam. Volo Dolabellae valde desideranti ; non re-
niod, vi. <42 ; perio, quid, et simul " alUoixai Tpwas" neque, si

xxil. 100 T J ^ '

aliquid, potero fiefxipLv efFugere. Aut cessandum
igitur aut aliquid excogitandum. Sed quid haec
levia curamus ?

Attica mea, obsecro te, quid agit ? Quae me valde
angit. Sed crebro regusto tuas litteras ; in his ac-
quiesco. Tamen exspecto novas.

Brinni libertus, coheres noster, scripsit ad me velle,
si mihi placeret, coheredes, se et Sabinum Albium,
ad me venire. Id ego plane nolo. Hereditas tanti
non est. Et tamen obire auctionis diem facile pote-
runt (est enim iii Idus), si me in Tusculano postridie
Nonas mane convenerint. Quodsi laxius volent pro-
ferre diem, poterunt vel biduum vel triduum, vel ut
videbitur ; nihil enim interest. Quare, nisi iam pro-
fecti sunt, retinebis homines. De Bruto, si quid
egerit, de Caesare, si quid scies, si quid erit praeterea,
scribes.

132

LETTERS TO ATITCUS XIII. 13, 14

was it of whom you noticed he was jealous : unless
perhaps it was Brutus. Upon my word that is the
only possible answer : ^ but still I should much like
to know. Unless I am deceived like most people by
egotism, the books have turned out superior to any-
thing of the kind even in Greek. You must not be
annoyed at the loss you have incurred in having the
part of the Academica you have copied in vain. The
new draft will be far finer, shorter, and better. But
now I don't know where to turn. I want to do some-
thing for Dolabella, as he is very anxious for it. But
I can't think of anything, and at the same time " I
fear the Trojans," ^ and even if I can think of some-
thing, I shall not escape criticism. So I must either
be idle or rack my brains for something. But why
do I bother about trifles like this ?

Pray tell me how dear Attica is. I am very anxious
about her. But I keep dipping into your letter again
and again, and that solaces me. Nevertheless I am
looking forward to a fresh one.

Brinnius' freedman, my co-heir, has written to me
that the rest of the heirs want him and Sabinus
Albius to come to me, if I am willing. I am all
against that : it is more than the legacy is worth.
However, they can easily manage to attend the auc-
tion, which is on the 13th, if they meet me at my
place at Tusculum early on the 8th. But, if they
want to put off the date still further, they can do so
two or three days or as much as they like : it does
not matter to me. So, unless the people have started
already, stop them. If Brutus has done anything,
or if you have any news about Caesar or anything
else, let me know.

1 Or "that is the last straw," or "the height of absurdity."
^ i.e. public opinion. Cf. Att. II. 5.

133

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XIV, XV

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Illud etiam atque etiam consideres velim, placeatne

Arpinati J tibi mitti ad Varronem, quod scripsimus. Etsi etiam

A. Quint, a. ^^ j.g aliquid pertinet. Nam scito te ei dialogo ad-

iunctum esse tertium. Opinor igitur, consideremus.

Etsi nomina lam facta sunt ; sed vel induci vel mutari

possunt.

Quid agit, obsecro te, Attica nostra ? Nam triduo
abs te nullas acceperam ; nee mirum. Nemo enini
venerat, nee fortasse causa fuerat. Itaque ipse, quod
scriberem, non habebam. Quo autem die has Valeric
dabam, exspectabam aliquem meorum. Qui si venis-
set et a te quid attulisset, videbam non defuturum,
quod scriberem.

XVI

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Nos, cum flumiiui et solitudinem sequeremur, quo

Arpinati IV facilius sustentare nos possemus, pedem e villa adhuc

K. Quint, a. egressi non sumus ; ita magnos et adsiduos imbres

^^^ habebamus. Illam 'AKaSrjfJUKrjv avvraiw totani ad

Varronem traduximus. Primo fuit Catuli, Luculli,

Hortensi ; deinde, quia Trapa to irpiTrov videbatur,

quod erat hominibus nota non ilia quidem aTratSevo-ta,

sed in iis rebus aTpupta, simul ac veni ad villam,

eosdem illos sermones ad Catonem Brutumque trans-

tuli. Ecce tuae litterae de Varrone. Nemini visa

134

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 14, 15-16
XIV, XV

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETINO.

Please give your earnest consideration to deciding Arpinum,
whether what 1 have written ought to be sent to June 27
Varro : though the point has some personal interest b.c. 45
for you too : for you must know I have brought you
in as a third speaker in the dialogue. So I think we
must consider. The names, however, have been en-
tered, but they can be scratched out or altered.

Pray tell me how Attica is. It is three days since I
heard from you, and no wonder : for no one has come
here, and perhaps there was no reason for writing.
So I myself have nothing to write. However, I am
expecting one of my messengers the very day I am
giving this to Valerius. If he comes and brings
something from you, I foresee I shall have no lack
of material.

XVI

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETINO.

Though I was looking for streams and solitude, to Arpinmn,
make life more endurable, at present I have not June 28,
stirred a foot away from the house ; we have had b.c. 45
such heavy and continuous rain. The " Academic
Treatise " I have transferred entirely to Varro. At
first it was assigned to Catulus, Lucullus, and Hor-
tensius ; then, as that seemed inappropriate because
they were well-known not to be up in such matters,
though not illiterate, as soon as I came here I trans-
ferred the conversations to Cato and Brutus. Then
came your letter about Varro and he seemed the
most appropriate person possible to air Antiochus'

135

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

est aptior Antiochia ratio. Sed tamen velim scribas
ad me, primum placeatne tibi aliquid ad ilium,
deinde, si placebit, hocne potissimum.

Quid ? Servilia iamne venit ? Brutus ecquid agit
et quando? De Caesare quid auditur? Ego ad
Nonas, quern ad modum dixi. Tu cum Pisone, si
quid poteris.

XVII, XVIII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in V Kal. exspectabam Roma aliquid novi. Imperas-

Arpinaii III sem igitur aliquid tuis. Nunc eadem ilia, quid Brutus
yno " cogitet, aut, si aliquid egit, ecquid a Caesare. Sed

quid ista, quae minus euro ? Attica nostra quid agat,
scire cupio. Etsi tuae litterae (sed iam nimis veteres
sunt) recte sperare iubent, tamen exspecto recens
aliquid.

Vides, propinquitas quid habeat. Nos vero con-
ficiamus hortos. Conloqui videbamur, in Tusculano
cum essem ; tanta erat crebritas litterarum. Sed id
quidem iam erit. Ego interea admonitu tuo perfeci
sane argutulos libros ad Varronem, sed tamen ex-
specto, quid ad ea, quae scripsi ad te, primum qui
intellexeris eum desiderare a me, cum ipse homo
■7rokvypa(f)(i)TaTo<; numquam me lacessisset ; deinde
quern ^yiXoTvirclu nisi forte Brutum, quern si non
^lyXoTWTrct,^ multo Hortensium minus aut eos, qui de re

* nisi . . . (n\oTvne7 added by Bosius.
186

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. lb-17, 18

views. However, I should like you to write whether
you approve of dedicating anything to him, and, if
you do, whether you appi-ove of this particular book.
What about Servilia ? Has she come ? Has Brutus
done anything, and when ? What news of Caesar .''
I shall arrive on the 7th of July, as I said. Make
some arrangement with Piso, if you can.

XVII, XVIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I was expecting some news from Rome on the Arpinum,
27th. Then I should have given some orders to June 29,
your men. Now I have only the same old questions, b.c. 45
What is Brutus thinking of doing, or, if he has done
anything, has any comment come from Caesar } But
why do I ask about these things, when I care very
little about them .f* I do want to know how our dear
Attica is getting on. Though your letter (but that
is quite out of date now) bids me be hopeful, still I
am anxious for fresh news.

You see the advantage of being near at hand.
Certainly let us settle about the gai-dens. We seemed
to be talking to one another, when I was at Tusculum,
so frequent was the interchange of letters. But that
will be the same again soon. Meantime I have taken
your hint and finished off some really quite clever
books for Varro. But I am waiting for your answer
to my questions : first, how you knew he wanted
anything from me, when in spite of his voluminous
writings he has never challenged me ; and next, who
it was of whom he was jealous, unless it may have
been Brutus. If he is not jealous of him, he certainly
cannot be of Hortensius or the speakers in the De

137

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

publica loquuntur. Plane hoc mihi explices velim,
in primis maneasne in sententia, ut mittam ad eum,
quae scripsi, an nihil necesse putes. Sed haec
coram.

XIX

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Arpi- Commodum discesserat Hilarus librarius iv Kal.^

nati prtd. A. (.^j Jederam litteras ad te, cum venit tabellarius cum

{^uml. a. /UJ ^jjjg litteris pridie datis ; in quibus illud mihi gratis-

simum fuit, quod Attica nostra rogat te, ne tristis sis,

quodque tu dxivSwa esse scribis.

Ligarianam, ut video, praeclare auctoritas tua com-
mendavit. Scripsit enim ad me Balbus et^ Oppius
mirifice se probare, ob eamque causam ad Caesarein
eam se oratiunculam misisse. Hoc igitur idem tu
mihi antea scripseras.

In Varrone ista causa me non moveret, ne viderer
t/>i\ei'So^os (sic enim constitueram, neminem includere
in dialogos eorum, qui viverent) ; sed, quia scribis et
desiderari a Varrone et magni ilium aestimare, eos
confeci et absolvi, nescio quam bene, sed ita accurate,
ut nihil posset supra, Academicam omnem quaestio-
nem libris quattuor. In eis, quae erant contra axa-
TaXruj/Lav praeclare collecta ab Antiocho, Varroni
dedi. Ad ea ipse respondeo ; tu es tertius in ser-
mone nostro. Si Cottam et Varronem fecissem inter
se disputantes, ut a te proximis litteris admoneor,

1 et added by Vict.
138

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 17, 18-19

Republica. I should like you to make this quite
clear to me, especially whether you abide by your
opinion that I should send him what I have written,
or whether you think it is unnecessary. But of this
when we meet.

XIX

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

The copyist Hilarus had just left on the 28th, and Arpinum,
I had given him a letter to you, when your messen- June 30,
ger came with your letter of the day before. What b.c. 45
I was most glad to see in it was the sentence " Our
dear Attica begs you not to be anxious" and your
own statement that there is no danger.

I see your influence has given my speech for
Ligarius a good start. For Balbus has written to
me with Oppius, saying that he is extraordinarily
pleased with it ; and for that reason he has sent the
little thing to Caesar. So that is what you wrote to
me some time ago.

In Varro's case I should not be disturbed about
appearing to be tuft-hunting — for my principle has
always been not to insert any living characters in
my dialogues ; but it was because you say Varro
wants it, and appreciates the compliment, that I
have finished off the work and have comprised the
whole of the Academic philosophy — how well I can-
not say, but with all possible care — in four books.
All the fine array of arguments against the uncer-
tainty of apperceptions collected by Antiochus I
have given to Varro ; I answer him myself, and you
are the third speaker in our conversation. If I had
made Cotta and Varro carry on the argument be-
tween them, as you suggest in your last letter, I

139

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

meum Kwtftbv rrpoa-wnrov esset. Hoc in antiquis per-
sonis suaviter fit, ut et Heraclides in multis et nos in
VI "de re publica" libris fecimus. Sunt etiam "de
oratore " nostri tres mihi vehementer probati. In eis
quoque eae personae sunt, ut mihi tacendum fuerit.
Crassus enim loquitur, Antonius, Catulus senex,
C, lulius, frater Catuli, Cotta, Sulpicius. Puero me
hie sermo inducitur, ut nullae esse possent partes
meae. Quae autem his temporibus scripsi, 'Apioro-
reAeiov morem habent, in quo sermo ita inducitur
ceterorum, ut penes ipsum sit principatus. Ita con-
feci quinque libros irepl reXwv, ut Epicurea L. Tor-
quato, Stoica M. Catoni, irepnraTijTiKu. M. Pisoni darem.
' A^r}XoTVTrr)Tov id fore putaram, quod omnes ilH deces-
serant. Haec " Academica/' ut scis, cum Catulo,
Lucullo, Hortensio contuleram. Sane in personas
non cadebant ; erant enim XoyiKwrepa, quam ut lib
de iis somniasse umquam viderentur. Itaque, ut legi
tuas de Varrone, tamquam ep/xaiov arripui. Aptius
esse nihil potuit ad id philosophiae genus, quo ille
maxime mihi delectari videtur, easque partes, ut non
sim consecutus, ut superior mea causa videatur. Sunt
enim vehementer TnOava Antiochia ; quae diligenter
a me expressa acumen habent Antiochi, nttorem
orationis nostrum, si modo is est aliquis in nobis.
Sed tu, dandosne putes hos libros Varroni, etiam
atque etiam videbis. Mihi quaedam occurrunt ; sed
ea coram.

140

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 19

should have been a mere lay figure. That suits
admirably when the characters are persons of olden
times ; and that is what Heraclides often did in his
works ; and I myself did so in my six books De
Republica. It is the same, too, in my three books
De Oratore, of which I think very highly ; in them,
too, the characters were such that I could properly
keep silent. For the speakers are Crassus, An-
tonius, old Catulus, his brother C. Julius, Cotta and
Sulpicius ; and the conversation is supposed to take
place when I was a boy, so that I could have no part
in it. But in a modern work, I follow Aristotle's
practice : the conversation of the others is so put
forward as to leave him the principal part. I
arranged the five books De Finibus so as to give
the Epicurean parts to L. Torquatus, the Stoic to
M. Cato, and the Peripatetic to M. Piso. I thought
that could not make anybody jealous, as they were
all dead. This present work, the Academica, as you
know, I had shared between Catulus, Lucullus and
Hortensius. I must admit that the work did not
suit the characters ; for it was far too philosophical
for them to have ever dreamt of such things. So,
when I read your note about Varro, I jumped at it
as a godsend. Nothing could have been more appro-
priate for expounding the system of philosophy in
which he seems to be specially interested, and for
introducing a part which prevents me from seeming
to give my own cause the superiority. For the
views of Antiochus are very persuasive, and 1 have
put them carefully with all Antiochus* acuteness
and my own polished style, if I possess one. But
do you consider carefullj, whether you think I ought
to dedicate the books to Varro. Some objections
occur to me ; but of that when we meet.

141

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XX

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in A Cnesare litteras accepi consolatorias datas pridie

Arpinah^ I I Kal. Maias Hispali. De urbe augenda quid sit pro-

nut V Non. 1 ^ • 4. 11 • Tj • 1- rp

/-i ■ 1 -v/^n niuiff^tum, non intellexi. Id scire sane velim. lor-
Q,umt. a. 709

quato nostra officia grata esse facile patior eaque

augere non desinam. Ad Ligarianam de uxore Tube-

ronis et privigna neque possum iam addere (est enim

pervulgata) neque Tuberonem volo ofFendere ; miri-

fice est enim ^tXacVios. Theatrum quidem sane

bellum habuisti. Ego^ etsi hoc loco facillime susten-

tor, tamen te videre cupio. Itaque, ut constitui,

adero. Fratrem credo a te esse conventum. Scire

igitur studeo, quid egeris.

De fama nihil sane laboro ; etsi scripseram ad te

tunc stulte "nihil melius " ; curandum enim non est.

Atque hoc "in omni vita sua quemque a recta con-

scientia traversum unguem non oportet discedere "

viden quam ^iXocro^ws .'' An tu nos frustra existimas

haec in manibus habere ? AehrjxOai te nollem, quod

nihil erat. Redeo enim rursus eodeni. Quicquamne

me putas curare in toto,' nisi ut ei ne desim ? Id ago

scilicet, ut iudicia videar tenere. " M^ yap avrois — ."

Vellem tarn domestica ferre possem quam ista con-

^ For in toto many suggestions have been made (e.g. in Tor-
quato Midler : in Bruto Schmidt), and for ei Wieland suggested
mihi.

^ Tubero was the prosecutor of Ligarius.
142

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 20
XX

CICERO TO ATTICUSj GREETINO.

I have received a letter of consolation from Arphitim,
Caesar, posted on the last of April at Hispalis. I July 2 or 3,
did not understand what the proposals for improving s.c. 45
the city are ; and I should much like to know, I^
am not displeased that Torquatus is satisfied with my
attentions, and I shall not cease to increase them.
To the speech for Ligarius I cannot add anything
now about Tubero's ^ wife and step-daughter, since
the speech is widely circulated, and I do not wish
to offend Tubero ; for he is most touchy. You
certainly had a good audience. Though I am happy
enough here, I am longing to see you ; so I shall
eome as arranged. I think you have met my
brother ; so I am anxious to know what happened.

About my reputation I don't care a straw ;
though I did once write to you foolishly that there
was nothing better ; for it is not worth bothering
about. And see what deep philosophy there is in
this other sentiment of mine, " In all one's life one
ought not to stray a nail's breadth from the straight
path of conscience." Do you think I am engaged
in philosophical treatises for nothing .'' 1 should be
sorry for you to distress yourself about a mere
nothing. Now I come back to my point. Do you
suppose I care for anything in the whole matter, ex-
cept that I should not be untrue to it.^ I am striving,
it seems then, to maintain my position in the law
courts. God forbid ! Would I could bear my
private sorrow as easily as I despise them. But do

' The sense and the reading of this sentence are very
doubtful.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

temnere. Putas autem me voluisse aliquid, quod
perfectum non sit? Non licet scilicet sentenliam
suam, sed tamen, quae turn acta sunt, non possum
non probare, et tamen non curare pulchre possum,
sicuti facio. Sed nimium multa de nugis.

XXI

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asturae Ad Hirtium dederam epistulam sane gi'andem,

IV K. Sext. quam scripseram proxime in Tusculano. Huic, quam

' tu mihi misisti, rescribam alias. Nunc alia malo.

Quid possum de Torquato, nisi aliquid a Dolabella ?

Quod simul ac, continuo scietis. Exspectabam hodie

aut summum eras ab eo tabellarios ; qui simul ac ve-

nerint, mittentur ad te. A Quinto exspecto. Profi-

ciscens enim e Tusculano viii Kal., ut scis, misi ad

eum tabellarios.

Nunc, ad rem ut redeam, ^''inhibere" illud tuum,

quod valde mihi adriserat, vehementer displicet. Est

enim verbum totum nauticum. Quamquam id quidem

sciebam, sed arbitrabar sustineri remos, cum inhibere

essent remiges iussi. Id non esse eius modi didici

heri, cum ad villam nostram navis appelleretur. Non

enim sustinent, sed alio modo remigant. Id ab iiroxr}

remotissumum est. Quare facies, ut ita sit in libro,

quern ad modum fuit. Dices hoc idem Varroni, si
144

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII 20-21

you suppose there was some aspiration which was
left unfulfilled ? Of course one should not praise
one's own principles, but I cannot help praising my
past life, and yet I can well enough feel indifferent
about it, as indeed I do. But that is enough and
more than enough about such a trifle.

XXI

nCERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

1 have sent a very bulky letter to Hirtius, which I Astura,
wrote lately at Tusculum. This letter which you have Jtily 29,
sent, I will answer later. Just now I prefer other b.c. 45
things. What can I do for Torquatus, unless I hear
from Dolabella } As soon as I hear, you shall know at
once. I am expecting messengers from him to-day
or to-morrow at the latest ; and, as soon as they
come, they shall be sent on to you. I am expecting
to hear from Quintus. For when I was starting
from Tusculum on the 25th, as you know, I sent
messengers to him.

To return to business, the word inhihere suggested
by you, which at first took my fancy very much, I
strongly disapprove of now. For it is exclusively a
nautical word. That, however, I knew before ; but
I thought rowers rested on their oars, when told to
inhibere. Yesterday, when a ship put in by my
house, I learned that was not so. They don't rest
on their oars, they back water. That is very differ-
ent to the Greek Inoxi]- So change the word back
to what it was in the book ^ ; and tell Varro to do

^ Academica ii. 94. 'Eirox'j, of which the Latin rendering
is here discussed, is the technical term in philosophy for
"suspension of judgment."

145

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

forte mutavit. Nee est melius quicquam quam ut

Lucilius :

" Sustineas currum ut bonus saepe agitator equosque."

Semperque Carneades Trpo(So\y]u pugilis et retentio-
nem aurigae similem facit eTro^^. Inhibitio autem
remigum motum habet, et vehementiorem quidem,
remigationis navem convertentis ad puppim. Vides^
quanto hoc diligentius curem quam aut de rumore
aut de Pollione. De Pansa etiam, si quid certius
(credo enim palam factum esse), de Critonio, si quid
est, sed certe ^ de Metello et Balbino.

XX la

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Arpi- ^^^^ mihi, placetne tibi primum edere iniussu meo ?

nati prid K. Hoc ne Hermodorus quidem faciebat, is qui Platonis

atit K. Qui?it. libros solitus est divulgare, ex quo "Ao'yoto-iv 'Epfio-

"• ^^^ 8wpos." Quid? illud rectumne existimas cuiquam

ante quam - Bruto, cui te auctore Trpo(7(f)wvw ? Scripsit

enim Balbus ad me se a te quintum "de finibus "

librum descripsisse ; in quo non sane multa mutavi,

sed tamen quaedam. Tu autem commode feceris, si

reliquos continueris, ne et aSiopOoira habeat Balbus et

€wX.a Brutus. Sed haec hactenus, ne videar irepl

[xiKpa crirov8d(€Lv. Etsi nunc quidem maxima mihi

sunt haec ; quid est enim aliud ?

1 est, sed certe Wesenberg -. eeset certe ne MSS.
' ante quam added by Vicl.
U6

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 2 1-2 la

the same, if he has altered it. One can't improve
on Lucilius : " Pull up chariot and horses as a good
driver oft does." And Carneades always compares
the philosopher's suspension of judgment (en- 0^(77) to
the guard of a boxer and the pulling up of a
charioteer. But the inhibil'w of rowers implies
motion, and indeed the rather violent motion of
rowing to back the boat. You see how much more
attention I pay to this than either to rumour or
to Pollio. Let me know too about Pansa, if anything
definite is known, and I suppose it has come out,
about Critonius, if there is any news, and anyhow
about Metellus and Balbinus.

XXla

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Come now, do you really think you ought to Arpinum,
publish without my orders ? Even Hermodorus June SO or
never did such a thing, though he used to circulate July 1, B.C.
"lato's books, and that gave rise to the line "our 45
Hermodorus deals in dialogues." ^ Do you really
think you were justified in sending to anyone before
you sent to Brutus, to whom at your advice I dedi-
cated the work. For Balbus has written to me that
you let him have a copy of the fifth book of the
De Finibiis, in which I have made a few alterations,
though not many. However, I shall be obliged if
you will keep back the others, so that Balbus may
not get unrevised copies and Brutus what is stale.
But enough of this ; I don't want to seem to make
a fuss about trifles. Though these are now my
important things, for what else have I ?

^ The verse ends with ^/xnopfifTai.

147

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Varroni quidem quae scripsi te auctore, ita propero
mittere, ut iam Romam miserim describenda. Ea si
voles, statim habebis. Scripsi enim ad librarios, ut
fieret tuis, si tu velles, describendi potestas. Ea vero
continebis, quoad ipse te videam ; quod diligentissime
facere soles, cum a me tibi dictum est. Quo modo
antea fugit me tibi dicere ? Mirifice Caerellia, studio
videlicet philosophiae flagrans, describit a tuis ; istos
ipsos " de finibus " habet. Ego autem tibi confirmo
(possum falli ut homo) a meis earn non habere ; num-
quam enim ab oculis meis afuerunt. Tantum porro
aberat, ut binos scriberent ; vix singulos confecerunt.
Tuorum tamen ego nullum delictum arbitror iteraque
te volo existimare ; a me enim praetermissum est, ut
dicerem me eos exire nondum velle. Hui, quam diu
de nugis ! de re enim nihil habeo quod loquar.

De Dolabella tibi adsentior, Coheredes, ut scribis,
in Tusculano. De Caesaris adventu scripsit ad me
Balbus non ante Kal. Sextiles. De Attica optime,
quod levius ac levius, et quod fert cwkoAcos. Quod
autem de ilia nostra cogitatione scribis, in qua nihil
tibi cedo, ea, quae novi, valde probo, homineni,
domum, facultates. Quod caput est, ipsum non novi,
sed audio laudabilia, de Sci'ofa etiam proxime. Acce-
dit, si quid hoc ad rem, ewyeveWepos est etiam quam
pater. Coram igitur et quidem pvopenso animo ad
probandum. Accedit enim, quod patrem, ut scire te
puto, plus etiam quam non modo tu, sed quam ipse
scit, amo idque et merito et iam diu.

1 Or " copies.
148

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 2 la

I am in such a hurry to send what I have written
to Varro, as you suggested, that I have sent it already
to Rome to be copied. If you like, you shall have
it at once. For I wrote to my copyist telling them
to give your peoj)le leave to copy, if you liked.
Please keep it, however, till I see you. You are
generally most careful to do so, when I have told
you. I was nearly forgetting to say that Caerellia,
inspired of course by love of philosophy, is copying
from your people^; she has those very books De
Finibus. 1 assure you, so far as it is humanly possible
to affirm anything, that she did not get it from mine,
for my copy was never out of my sight. So far were
my people from making two copies, that they could
scarcely make up one. However, I am not finding any
fault in your people, and I hope you will not either,
for I omitted to say that I did not want the books
circulated yet. Dear me, how I do harp on trifles.
The fact is I have nothing of importance to say.

I agree about Dolabella. My co-heirs I will meet
at Tusculum, as you suggest. As to Caesar's arrival,
Balbus has written that he won't be here till the
first of August. It is good news that Attica's
attack gets slighter and slighter and that she is
bearing it cheerfully. As to that idea of ours, about
which I am quite as eager as you are, so far as I
know anything about the man, I approve of him,
his family, and his fortune. What is most important
is that, though I do not know him himself, I hear
very well of him, even quite recently from Scrofa.
If it is of any importance, one may add that he is even
better bred than his father. So we will speak of it
when we meet, and I am disposed to approve. For
in addition, as I think you know, I am with good
reason and long have been fonder of his father than
either you or he himself is aware.

149

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XXII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in De Varrone non sine causa quid tibi placeat tam

.^ rpi«fl/j //' (jiligenter exquiro. Occurrunt mihi quaedam. Sed
Aon. Quint. t. , , , . . . ,. .

709 coram. 1 e autem acr/xcvatTara intexui, faciamque

id crebrius. Proximis enim tuis litteris primum te

id non nolle cognovi. De Marcello scripserat ad me

Cassius antea, ra Kara. p.ipo<; Servius. O rem acerbam !

Ad prima redeo. Scripta nostra nusquam malo esse

quam apud te, sed ea turn foras dari, cum utrique

nostrum videbitur. Ego et libraries tuos culpa libero,

neque te accuso, et tamen aliud quiddam ad te scrip-

seram, Caerelliam quaedam habere, quae nisi a te ^

habere non potuerit. Balbo quidem intellegebam

sat faciendum fuisse, tantum nolebam aut obsoletum

Bruto aut Balbo inchoatum dari. Varroni, simul ac

te videro, si tibi videbitur, mittam. Quid autem

dubitarim, cum videro te, scies.

Attributes quod appellas, valde probo. Te de

praedio Oviae exerceri moleste fero. De Bruto nos-

tro perodiosum, sed vita fert. Mulieres autem vix

satis humane, quae iniquo animo fei-ant, cum utraque

^ habere . . . te omitted hy AfSS. ; added by Asceusiua and
old editors.

1 M. Marcellus, consul in 51 B.C. and a partisan of Pompej',
had just been murdered by M. Magius Cibo at Athens out
of jealousy for the favour shown him by Caesar, who had
150

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 22
XXII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I have my reasons for asking so persistently for Arpinum,
your opinion about Varro. Some objections occur July 4,
to me ; but of those when we meet. Your name I b.c. 45
introduced with the greatest pleasure and I shall do
so more frequently, for I see for the first time from
your last letter that you do not disapprove. About
Marcellus Cassius had already written to me, and
Servius sent some details.^ What a sad thing ! I
return to my former point. There ai-e no hands in
which I would rather have my writings than in yours,
but I should prefer them not to leave your hands till
we have agreed on it. I acquit your copyists of
fault and I bring no charge against you ; but there
was something different that I did mention in a
letter, that Caerellia had some things she could only
have got from you. In Balbus' case I realize of
course that you had to satisfy him ; only I am sorry
that Brutus should get anything stale or Balbus
anything unfinished. I will send to Varro, as soon
as I have seen you, if you agree. Why I have
hesitated, you shall know, when I do see you.

I strongly approve of your calling in those debts
which have been transferred to me. I am sorry
you are being bothered about Ovia's estate. About
Brutus it is a great nuisance, but such is life. The
ladies, however, are not very considerate in being
annoyed, though both of them observe the pro-
granted him permission to return to Rome, an event celebrated
in Cicero's speech Pro Marcello. Servius' letter is preserved,
Ad Fam. iv. 12, and gives full details of the murder. Cf.
also Att. XIII. 10.

1.51

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
officio pareat. Tullium scribam nihil fuit quod appel-
lares; nam tibi mandassem, si fuisset. Nihil enini
est apud eum positum nomine voti, sed est quiddam
apud ilium meum. Id ego in banc rem statui con-
ferre. Itaque et ego recte tibi dixi, ubi esset, et tibi
ille recte negavit. Sed hoc quoque ipsum continuo
adoriamur. Lucum hominibus non sane probo, quod
est desertior, sed habet evkoyiav. Verum hoc quoque,
ut censueris, quippe qui omnia. Ego, ut constitui,
adero, atque utinam tu quoque eodem die ! Sin quid
(multa enim), utique postridie. Etenim coheredes :
ft quibus sine tua opprimi malitia. Est ^ alteris iam
litteris nihil ad me de Attica. Sed id quidem in
optima spe pono ; illud accuso non te, sed illam, ne
salutem quidem. At tu et illi et Piliae plurimam,
nee me tamen irasci indicaris. Epistulam Caesaris
misi^ si minus legisses.

XXIII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Antemeridianis tuis litteris heri statim rescripsi ;

^l,jP . nunc respondeo vespertinis. Brutus mallem me ar-

Id. Quint, a.

'^09 ^ * ^l^i" si"6 ^6 opprimi militia est MSS.: the reading 1

haoe adopted is that of Tyrrell.

1 Cato's daugJiter Porcia, to whom Brutus wrs to be
married, and his mother Servilia, who being a partisan of
152

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 22-23

prieties.^ There was no necessity for you to dun
my secretary Tullius ; I should have told you, if
there had been. For he has nothing of mine to-
wards carrying out my vow.^ But he has some of
my money, and that I am thinking of devoting to
that purpose. So we were both right, I in telling
you where it was, and he in denying he had it. But
let us get hold of this same money also at once. I do
not very much approve of a grove for mortals, as it is
not much frequented ; but there is something to say
for it. However, let that too be as you like, since
you decide everything. I shall come to town when
I arranged, and I hope to goodness you will be there
the same day. But, if anything prevents you, and
lots of things may, the next day at any rate. For
there are my co-heirs, and without your shrewdness
I shall be done for. This is the second letter with
no news of Attica. But that I take as a hopeful
sign. There is one thing I have a grievance about,
not against you, but against her, that she does not
even send her regards. But pay my best respects to
her and to Pilia, and don't hint that I am angry
anyhow. I am sending Caesar's letter, in case you
should not have read it.

XXIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

The morning's letter I answered yesterday at Tusculum,
once, now I am answering yours of the evening. I July 10,
would rather Brutus had asked me to Rome. It b.c. 45

Caesar opposed the marriage. Most editors however adopt
Orelli's reading in utraque, in which case it would mean
" though Brutus is attentive to both."

• i.e. no money deposited with him towards the building
of the shrine.

153

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

cesseret. Et aequius erat, cum illi iter instaret et
subitum et longum, et me hereule nunc, cum ita simus
adfecti, ut non possimus plane simul vivere (intellegis
enim profecto, in quo maxime posita sit crvfifStoicns),
facile patiebar nos potius Romae una esse quam in
Tusculaiio.

Libri ad Varronem non morabantur, sunt enim
detexti, ut vidisti ; tantum librariorum menda tol-
luntur. De quibus libris scis me dubitasse, sed tu
videris. Item, quos Bruto mittimus, in manibus
habent librarii.

Mea mandata, ut scribis, explica. Quamquam ista
retentione omnes ait uti Trebatius ; quid tu istos
putas ? Nosti domum. Quare confice eiaywyux;.
Incredibile est, quam ego ista non curem. Omni
tibi adseveratione adfirmo, quod milii credas velim
mihi maiori offensioni esse quam delectationi posses-
siunculas meas. Magis enim doleo me non habere
cui tradam, quam gaudeo ^ habere, qui utar. Atque
illud IVebatius se tibi dixisse narrabat ; tu autem
veritus es fortasse, ne ego invitus audirem. Fuit id
quidem humanitatis, sed, mihi crede, iam ista non
euro. Quare da te in sermonem et perseca et confice,
et ita cum Polla loquere, ut te cum illo Scaeva loqui
^ gaudeo added by Gi-onovms.

^ By the Julian law of 49 B.C. debtors could make over
property to tlieir creditors on the valuation it had before the
Civil war, and could deduct all interest already paid from
the debt.

^ Domum may refer to some house offered in payment of a
debt to Cicero, or it may possibly be used in the sense I, follow-
ing most editors, have given it, for which however /am?7ja is
commoner. Reid would read dominum, referring it to Caesar
154

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 23

would have been fairer, as he is on the point of a
sudden long journey, and upon my soul I should
have much preferred that we should meet in Rome
rather than in my house at Tusculum, now that the
state of our feelings prevents us from living together
at all, for of course you understand what constitutes
good company.

There is no delay about the books dedicated to
Varro. They are finished, as you have seen ; there
is only the correction of the copyists' mistakes.
About those books you know I have had some
hesitation, but you must look to it. The copyists
have in hand, too, those I am dedicating to Brutus.

Carry out my instructions as you say. However
what about that abatement ? ^ Trebatius says every-
body is taking advantage of it. What do you
suppose my debtors will do ? You know the gang.''^
So settle the matter accommodatingly. You would
never believe how little I care about such things. I
give you my solemn word for it, and I hope you will
believe me, that the little I have causes me more
annoyance than pleasure. For I am moie grieved
at having no one to leave it to than pleased at having
enough for my own enjoyment. Trebatius tells me
he told you so ; but perhaps you feared I should be
sorry at the news. That was certainly kind of you ;
but, believe me, I don't care about such things now.
So get you to your conferences, hack away at it and
finish the business ; and in talking with Polla con-
sider you are talking with that fellow Scaeva,^ and

' Caesar had a favourite centurion named Scaeva, and that
may be the person here referred to. If so it means " remem-
ber they are all people who have shared Caesar's plunder."
But many regard the name and the words da to confict as a
quotation from some play.

155

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

putes, nee existimes eos, qui non debita consectari
soleantj quod debeatur, remissuros. De die tantum
videto et id ipsum bono raodo.

XXIV

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Quid est^ quod Hermogenes mihi Clodius Andro-
culano V Id. menem sibi dixisse se Ciceronem vidisse Corcyrae ?
Quint, a. 709 gg^ guim audita tibi putaram. Nil igitur ne ei qui-

dem litterarum? An non vidit? Facies ergo ut

sciam.

Quid tibi ego de Varrone rescribam? Quattuor

Si(f>6epaL sunt in tua potestate. Quod egeris^ id pro-

babo. Nee tamen " alSiofj-ai Tpwas." Quid enim ?

Sed, ipsi quam res ilia probaretur, magis verebar.

Sed, quoniam tu suscipis, in alteram aurem.

De retentione rescripsi ad tuas accurate scriptas

litteras. Conficies igitur, et quidem sine ulla dubita-

tione aut retrectatione. Hoc fieri et oportet et opus

est.

XXV

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Set: in Tus- De Andromene, ut scribis, ita putaram. Scisses

W a /^^ enim mihique dixisses. Tu tamen ita mihi de Bruto

^QQ ' "■ scribis, ut de te nihil. Quando autem ilium putas ?

Nam ego Romam pridie Idus. Bruto ita volui- scri-

» Cf. Alt. xixi. 13.
156

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 23-25

don't imagine that those who are in the habit of
taking what is not owing to them, will abate any-
thing that is. Only be careful that they pay up to
time and allow some latitude there too.

XXIV

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

What am I to make of this? Hermogenes Clodius Tusculum,
tells me that Andromenes said he saw my son at July 11,
Corcyra. For I supposed you had heard of it. Then b.c. 4<5
didn't he give any letter even to him .'' Or perhaps
lie didn't see him. You must let me know, please.

What answer am I to give you about Varro ? You
have the four parchment rolls : and whatever you do
I shall approve. It is not that " I fear the Trojans." ^
Why should I ? But I am more afraid how he may
regard it. However, as you undertake the matter,
I shall sleep in peace. ^

About the abatement I have answered your care-
ful letter. You must get the matter over, and that
too without any hesitation or refusal. That ought
to be and must be done.

XXV

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

About Andromenes I thought exactly what you Tusculum,
say, for you would have known and told me. How- July 12,
ever, you have written such a lot about Brutus that b.c. 45
you say nothing of yourself. But when do you
think he is coming ? For I shall come to Rome on
the 14th. What I meant to say in my letter to

* Lit. " on both ears." Supply dormire licet.

157

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

bere (sed, quoniam tu te legisse scribis, fui fortasse
do-acj^eo-repos), nae ex tuis litteris intellexisse nolle euiii
me quasi prosequendi sui causa Romam nunc venire.
Sed, quoniam iam adest meus adventus, fac, quaeso,
ne quid eum Idus impediant, quo minus suo commode
in Tusculano sit. Nee enim ad tabulam eum deside-
raturus eram (in tali enim negotio cur tu unus non
satis es ?), sed ad testamentum volebam, quod iam
male alio die, ne ob earn causam Romam venisse
videar. Scripsi igitur ad Brutum iam illud, quod pu-
tassem, Idibus nihil opus esse. Velim ergo totum
hoc ita gubernes, ut ne minima quidem re ulla Bruti
commodum impediamus.

Sed quid est tandem, quod perhorrescas, quia tuo
periculo iubeam libros dari Varroni .'' Etiam nunc si
dubitas, fac, ut sciamus. Nihil est enim illis elegan-
tius. Volo Varronem, praesertim cum ille desideret ;
sed est, ut scis,

Iliad, xi. 654 " Seiros avr'jp- Ta;(a k(v koI avaiTiov aiTiocoTO.

Ita mihi saepe occurrit vultus eius querentis fortasse
vel hoc, meas partis in iis libris copiosius defensas
esse quam suas, quod mehercule non esse intelleges,
si quando in Epirum veneris. Nam nunc Alexionis
epistulis cedimus. Sed tamen ego non despero pro-
batum iri Varroni, et id, quoniam impensam fecimus
in macrocolla, facile patior teneri. Sed, etiam atque
etiam dico, tuo periculo fiet. Quare, si addubitas, ad
Brutum transeamus ; est enim is quoque Antiochius.
158

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 23

Brutus was that I had gathered from your note that
he did not wish me to come to Rome now just to pay
my respects to liim — but^ as you say you have read
the letter, perhaps I was not quite clear. However,
as I am just on the point of coming, please see that
my presence on the 15th does not prevent his com-
ing to Tusculum at his convenience. For I shall not
want him at the auction — surely in such a business
you alone will be enough : but I do want him when
I make my will. That I would rather postpone for
another day now, so as not to seem to have come
to Rome expressly for that purpose. So I have
written to Brutus now that I shall not want him, as
I had thought, on the 15th. I should like you to
look after all this and see that we don't inconvenience
Brutus in the least.

But what on earth is the reason why you are so
frightened at my bidding you send the books to
Varro on your own responsibility ? Even now, if you
have any doubts, let me know. Nothing could be
more finished than they are. I want Varro, especially
as he desires it : but, as you know, he is " a fearsome
man ; the blameless he would blame." I often pic-
ture him to myself complaining of this perhaps,
that my side in the books is more fully defended
than his own, thouoh I assure you, if ever you come
to Epirus, I will convince you it is not. For at pre-
sent 1 have to give way to Alexio's ^ letters. How-
ever, I don't despair of winning V^arro's approval ;
and, as I have gone to the expense of a large paper
copy, I should like to stick to my plan. But I repeat
again, it must be on your responsibility. So, if you
have doubts, let us change to Brutus : he is also n

^ Atticus' steward.

159

709

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

O Academiam volaticam et sui similem ! modo huc^
modo illuc. Sed, quaeso, epistula mea ad Varronem
valdene tibi placuit ? Male mi sit, si umquam quic-
quam tam enitar. Ergo ne Tironi quidem dictavi,
qui totas Trepioxas persequi solet, sed Spintharo sylla-
batim.

XXVI

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- De Vergili parte valde probo. Sic ages igitur. Et
culano prid. quidem id erit primum, proximum Clodiae. Quodsi
nAn ^' neutrum, metuo, ne turbem et inruam in Drusum.

Intemperans sum in eius rei cupiditate, quam nosti.
Itaque revolvor identidem in Tusculanum. Quidvis
enim potius, quam ut non hac aestate absolvatur.

Ego, ut tempus est nostrum, locum habeo nullum,
ubi facilius esse possim quam Asturae. Sed, quia,
qui mecum sunt, credo, quod maestitiam meam non
ferunt, domum properant, etsi poteram renianere,
tamen, ut scripsi tibi, proficiscar hinc, ne relictus
videar. Quo autem ? Lanuvio conor equidem in
Tusculanum. Sed faciam te statim certiorem. Tu
litteras conficies. Equidem credibile non est quan-
tum scribam, quin etiam noctibus. Nihil enim somni.
Heri etiam efFeci epistulam ad Caesarem ; tibi enim
placebat. Quam non fuit malum scribi, si forte opus

^ Like Cicero's treatise, which had already been rewritten
twice: cf. xiii. 16.
160

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 25-26

follower of Antiochus. O that fickle Academy,
always the same, now one thing, now another.^ But
pray tell me, were you very pleased with my letter
to Van-o. May I be hanged if I ever take so much
trouble with anything again. So I did not even
dictate it to Tiro, who can follow whole sentences as
dictated, but syllable by syllable to Spintharus.

XXVI

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

About Vergilius' ^ share I approve ; so arrange it Tusculum,
like that. And indeed it will be my first choice, Mai/ 14,
next to Clodia's. If neither, I fear I shall run amuck b.c. 46
and make a dash for Drusus. As you know, I have
lost control of myself in my desire for this. So I
keep coming back to the idea of my place at Tuscu-
lum. For anything is better than not getting it
finished this summer.

Under the present circumstances I am as comfort-
able at Astura as I could be anywhere. But as those
who are with me are in a hurry to go home, I sup-
pose because they cannot put up with my melancholy,
though I might remain, I shall leave here, as I told
you, so as not to seem deserted. But where am I to
go? From Lanuvium I am trying to bring myself
to go to Tusculum, But I will let you know soon.
Please write the letters. You wouldn't believe how
much writing I get done by night as well as day,
for I cannot sleep. Yesterday I even composed a
letter to Caesar, as you desired. There was no harm
in writing it in case you thought it necessary : as

' Vergilius was one of the four co-heira of Scapula. Cf.
XII. 38a.

I6l

VOL. III. G

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

esse putares ; ut quidem nunc est, nihil sane est
necesse mittere. Sed id quidem, ut tibi videbitur.
Mittam tamen ad te exemplum fortasse Lanuvio, nisi
forte Romam. Sed eras scies.

XXVII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

iScr. in Tux- De epistula ad Caesarem nobis vero semper rectis-
culano f Iff sime placuit, ut isti ante legerent. Aliter enini
K. lun. a. fuissemus et in hos inofficiosi, et in nosmet ipsos, si
709 ilium ofFensuri fuimus, paene periculosi. Isti autem

ingenue ; mihique gratum, quod, quid sentirent, noii
reticuerunt, illud vero vel optime, quod ita multa
mutari volunt, ut mihi de integro scribendi causa non
sit. Quamquam de Parthico bello quid spectare
debui, nisi quod ilium velle arbitrabar .f* Quod enim
aliud argumentum epistulae nostrae nisi KoXaKeia fuit ?
An, si ea, quae optima putarem, suadere voluisseni,
oratio mihi defuisset? Totis igitur litteris nihil opus
est. Ubi enim eTrtTeuy/xa magnum nullum fieri possit,
dTTOTeuy/xa vel non magnum molestum futurum sit,
quid opus est -rrapaKLv^vveveiv ? praesertim cum illud
occurrat, ilium, cum antea nihil scripserim, existima-
turum me nisi toto bello confecto nihil scripturum
fuisse. Atque etiam vereor, ne putet me hoc quasi
Catonis fxeikiyfia esse voluisse. Quid quaeris ? valde
me paenitebat, nee mihi in hac quidem re quicquani
magis ut vellem accidere potuit, quam quod airov^y
nostra non est probata. Incidissimus etiam in illos,
in eis in cognatum tuum.

' Or " come into contact with." Cognatum refers to young
Quintus.
162

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 26-27

things are, there is certainly no need to send it. But
let that be as you like. However, I will send you
a copy, perhaps from LanuviuiH; unless I happen to
come to Rome. But you shall know to-morrow.

XXVII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

As for the letter to Caesar, I was always ready to Tusculum
let your friends read it first. If I had not been, I May 25,
should not have done my duty by them, and should b.c. 45
very nearly have imperilled myself, if I were likely
to offend him. But they have acted frankly, and I
am thankful to them for not concealing their feel-
ings ; but the best thing of all is that they want
to make so many alterations that there is no sense
in my writing it all over again. However, what view
ought I to have taken of the Parthian war except
what I thought he wanted .-^ Indeed what other
purpose had my letter save to kowtow to him ? Do
you suppose I should have been at a loss for words,
if I had wanted to give him the advice which I
really thought best? So the whole letter is un-
necessary. For, when I cannot make a coup, and
a fiasco, however slight, would be unpleasant, why
should I run unnecessary risk } Especially as it
occurs to me that, as I have not written before, he
would think I should not have written until the
whole war were over. Besides I am afraid he may
think it is to sugar the pill of my Cato. In fact I am
very sorry I wrote it, and nothing could suit my
wishes better than that they do disapprove of my
zeal. I should have fallen foul of ^ Caesar's party, and
among them your relative.

163

K. lun. a.
709

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Sed redeo ad hortos. Plane illuc te ire nisi tuo
magno commodo nolo ; nihil enim urget. Quicquid
erit, operam in Faberio ponamus. De die tamen
auctionis, si quid scies. Eum, qui e Cumano venerat,
quod et plane valere Atticam nuntiabat et litteras se
habere aiebat, statim ad te misi.

XXVIII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. tn Tus- Hortos quoniam hodie eras inspecturus, quid visum
culano VII tJbi sit, eras scilicet. De Faberio autem, cum venerit.
De epistula ad Ceasaremiurato, mihi crede, non pos-
sum ; nee me turpitudo deterret, etsi maxima debe-
bat. Quam enim turpis est adsentatio, cum vivere
ipsum turpe sit nobis ! Sed, ut coepi, non me hoc
turpe deterret. Ac vellem quidem (essem enim, qui
esse debebam), sed in mentem nihil venit. Nam,
quae sunt ad Alexandrum hominum eloquentium et
doctorum suasiones, vides, quibus in rebus versentur.
Adulescentem incensum cupiditate verissimae gloriae,
cupientem sibi aliquid consilii dari, quod ad laudem
sempiternam valeret, cohortantur ad decus. Non
deest oratio ; ego quid possum ? Tamen nescio quid
e quercu exsculpseram, quod videretur simile simu-
lacri. In eo quia non nulla erant paulo meliora quam
ea, quae fiunt et facta sunt, reprehenduntur ; quod
me minime paenitet. Si enim pervenissent istae
litterae, mihi crede, nos paeniteret. Quid ? tu non
164

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 27-28

But to return to the gardens. I don't in the least
want you to go there^ unless it is quite convenient to
you : for there is no hurry. Whatever happens let
us direct our efforts towards Faberius. However
send me the date of the auction, if you know it. I
have sent this man, who came from Cumae, straight
on to you, as he said Attica was quite well and he
had letters.

XXVIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

As you are going to look at the garden to-day, I Tusculum,
shall of course hear from you to-morrow what you May 26,
think of it ; and about Faberius, when he has come. b.c. 45
About the letter to Caesar, I give you my word of
honour I cannot; it is not the shame of the thing
that prevents me, though that is just what ought.
Ah, how shameful is flattery, when life alone is a
disgrace ! But, as I was beginning to say, it is not
the shame of it that prevents me — I only wish it
were, for then I should be the man I ought to be —
but I cannot think of anything to write. Just con-
sider the subjects of the letters of advice addressed
to Alexander by men of eloquence and learning.
Here was a youth fired by a desire for the truest
glory and desiring to have some advice given him on
the subject of eternal fame, and they exhort him to
follow honour. There is plenty to say on that : but
what can I say ? However, from hard material I had
rough hewn something that seemed to me to take
shape. Because there were a few touches in it a
little better than the actual facts past or present,
fault is found with them ; and I don't regret it a bit.
For, if the letter had reached its destination, believe
me, I should have regretted it. Why, don't you

165

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

vides ipsum ilium Aristoteli discipulum summo in-
genio, summa modestia, posteaquam rex appellatus
sit, superbum, crudelem, immoderatum fuisse ? Quid ?
tu hunc de pompa Quirini contubernalem his nostris
moderatis epistulis laetaturum putas ? Ille vero potius
non scripta desideret quam scripta non probet. Post-
remo ut volet. Abiit illud, quod turn me stimulabat,
cum tibi dabam TrpofiXrjixa 'ApxtMBeiov. Multo meher-
cule magis nunc opto casum ilium, quem turn time-
bam, vel quem libebit.

Nisi quid te aliud impediet, mi optato veneris.
Nicias a Dolabella magno opere arcessitus (legi enim
litteras), etsi invito me, tamen eodem me auctore,
profectus est.

Hoc manu mea. Cum quasi alias res quaerercm
de philologis e Nicia, incidimus in Talnam. Ille de
ingenio nihil nimis, modestum et frugi. Sed hoc
mihi non placuit. Se scire aiebat ab eo nuper peti-
tam Cornificiam, Q. filiam, vetulam sane et multarum
nuptiarum ; non esse probatum mulieribus, quod ita
reperirent, rem non maiorem dccc. Hoc putavi te
scire oportere.

XXIX

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- De hortis ex tuis litteris cognovi et Chrysippo.
culano f^I K In villa, cuius insulsitatem bene noram, video nihil
lun. a. 709

» Caesar. Cf. Att. xn. 45, 3.
166

LETTERS TO ATTICUS Xlll. 28-29

see that even that pupil of Aristotle, in spite of his
high ability and his high character, became proud,
cruel, and ungovernable, after he got the title of
king? How do you suppose this puppet messmate of
Quirinus^ will like my moderate letters? Let him
rather look for what I do not write than disapprove
of what I have written. In short let it be as he
pleases. What was spurring me on when I put that
insoluble problem ^ before you has all gone now.
Upon my word now I should far rather welcome the
misfortune I feared then or any other.

If there is nothing to prevent you, come to me
and welcome. Nicias at Dolabella's urgent request
(for I read the letter) has gone, against my will
though not against my advice.

The rest I have written myself. When I was
discussing men of learning with Nicias, we chanced
to speak of Talna. He had not much to say for his
intelligence, though he gave him a good and steady
character. But there was one thing that seemed to
me unsatisfactory. He said he knew he had lately
sought in marriage Cornificia, Quintus' daughter,
though quite an old woman and married more than
once before ; but the ladies would not agree as they
found he was not worth more than 7,000 guineas.^ I
thought you ought to know this.

XXIX

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I have heard all about the gardens from your Tusculutn,
letter and from Chrysippus. I was well aware of May 27,
the bad taste shown in the house, and I see there B.r. 45

^ What to write to Caesar. Cf. Att. xii. 40, 2.
» 800,000 sesterces.

167

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

aut pauca mutata ; balnearia tamen laudat maiora, de
niinoribus ait hiberna effici posse. Tecta igitur am-
bulatiuncula addenda est ; quam ut tantam faoiamus^
quantam in Tusculano fecimus, prope dimidio minoris
constabit isto loco. Ad id autem, quod volumus,
a(fiLSpvfjLa nihil aptius videtur quam lucus^ quern ego
noram ; sed celebritatem nuUam turn habebat, nunc
audio maximam. Nihil est, quod ego malim. In hoc
Tov Tv<j>6v fx.ov wpos OeOiv TpoTro(fi6pr](rov. Reliquum est,
si Faberius nobis nomen illud explicate noli quaerere,
quanti ; Othonem vincas volo. Nee tamen insani-
turum ilium puto ; nosse enim mihi hominem videor.
Ita male autem audio ipsum esse tractatum, ut mihi
ille emptor non esse videatur. Quid enim } pate-
retur ? Sed quid argumentor ? Si Faberianum ex-
plicas, emamus vel magno ; si minus^ne parvoquidem
possumus. Clodiam igitur. A qua ipsa ob eam cau-
sam sperare videor, quod et multo minoris sunt, et
Dolabellae nomen tam expeditum videtur, ut etiam
repraesentatione confidam. De hortis satis. Cras
aut te aut causam ; quam quidem puto ^ futuram
Faberianam. Sed, si poteris.

Ciceronis epistulam tibi remisi. O te ferreum, qui
illius periculis non moveris ! Me quoque accusat.
Eam tibi epistulam misi semissem.^ Nam illam alte-

' puto added by Wtsenberg.
' misi semissem Purser : misissem MSS.
l68

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 29

has been little or no alteration ; however, he praises
the larger bath and thinks the smaller could be
made into a winter snuggery. So a covered passage
would have to be added, and, if I made one the
same size as that at my place at Tusculum, the cost
would be about half as much in that district. How-
ever, for the erection we want to make nothing
could be more suitable than the grove, which I used
to know well ; then it was not at all frequented,
now I hear it is very much so. There is nothing
I should prefer. In this, humour my whim, in
heaven's name. For the rest, if Faberius pays that
debt, don't bother about the cost ; I want you to
outbid Otho : and I don't think he will bid wildly,
for I fancy I know the man. Besides I hear he has
had such bad luck that I doubt if he will buy.
For would he put up with it, if he could help it .'' ^
But what is the good of talking .'' If you get the
money from Faberius, let us buy even at a high
price ; if not, we cannot even at a low. So then
we must fall back on Clodia. In her case I see
more grounds for hope, as her property is worth
much less, and Dolabella's debt seems so safe that I
feel confident of being able to pay in ready money.
Enough about the gardens. To-morrow I shall either
see you or hear the reason why not. I expect that
will be the business with Faberius. But come, if
you can.

I am sending young Quintus' letter. How hard-
hearted of you not to tremble at his hair-breadth
escapes. He complains about me too. I have sent
you half the letter. The other half about his

' Probably, as Manutius suggests, this means "would he
endure the wrong he has suffered, if he had any means
left."

169

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

ram de rebus gestis eodem exemplo puto. In Cuma-
num hodie misi tabellarium. Ei dedi tuas ad Vesto-
rium, quas Pharnaci dederas,

XXX

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Commodum ad te miseram Demean, cum Eros ad

culann I K. me venit. Sed in eius epistula nihil erat novi nisi

lun. post ep. auctionem biduum. Ab ea igitur, ut scribis, et velim

^^„^ ' confecto negotio Faberiano ; quem quidem negat

Eros hodie, eras mane putat. A te colendus est ;

istae autem xoXa/cciat non longe absunt a scelere. Te,

ut spero, perendie.

Mi, sicunde potes, erues, qui decern legati Mummio
fuerint. Polybius non nominat. Ego memini Albi-
num consularem et Sp. Mummium ; videor audisse
ex Hortensio Tuditanum. Sed in Libonis annali
xnii annis post praetor est factus Tuditanus quam
consul Mummius. Non sane quadrat. Volo aliquem
Olympiae aut ubi visum TroXirtK-ov avWoyov more
Dicaearchi, familiaris tui.

XXXI

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

.Scr. in Tus- v Kal. mane accepi a Demea litteras pridie datas,

culano eodem ex quibus aut hodie aut eras exspectare te deberem.

ate quo ep. gg^j^ ut opinor, idem ego, qui exspecto tuum adven-

/jflMfo turn, morabor te. Non enim puto tam expeditum

Faberianum negotium futurum, etiamsi est futurum,

170

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 29-31

adventures I think you have in duplicate. I have
sent a messenger to-day to Cumae. I have given
him your letter to Vestorius, w^hich you had given
to Pharnaces.

XXX

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I had just sent Demeas to you, when Eros arrived. Tusculum,
But in his letter there was no news except that the May 28,
auction lasts two days. So you will come after it, as b.c. 45
you say, and I hope the business with Faberius will
be settled. Eros thinks he will not settle up to-day,
but will to-morrow morning. You must be polite to
him ; though such kowtowing is almost criminal. I
hope you will come the day after to-morrow.

Dig out for me from somewhere, if you can, the
names of Mummius' ten legates. Polybius does not
give them. I remember Albinus the ex-consul and
Sp. Mummius ; and I think Hortensius told me Tudi-
tanus. But in Libo's annals Tuditanus was praetor
fourteen years after Mummius' consulship. That does
not square at all. I am thinking of writing a kind
of political conference, held at Olympia or wherever
you like, like that of your friend Dicaearchus.

XXXI

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

On the 28th in the morning Demeas delivered Tusculum,
a letter dated the day before, from which I ought May 28,
to expect you either to-day or to-morrow. But, I b.c 45
suppose, I who am looking forward to your coming,
shall be the very person who will delay it. For I
don't expect the business with Faberius will be so
far settled, even if it is to be settled, that it will not

171

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

ut non habeat aliquid morae. Cum poteris igitur.
Quoniam etiamnum abes, Dicaearchi, quos scribis,
libros sane velim mi mittas, addas etiam KaTa/3a<T€o)9.

De epistula ad Caesarem KeKpiKa ; atqui ^ id ipsumj
quod isti aiunt ilium scribere, se nisi constitutis rebus
non iturum in Parthos, idem ego suadebam in ilia
epistula. Utrum liberet, facere posse auctore me.
Hoc enim ille exspectat videlicet neque est facturus
quicquam nisi de meo consilio. Obsecro, abiciamus
ista et semiliberi saltern simus ; quod adsequemur et
tacendo et latendo.

Sed adgredere Othonem, ut scribis. Confice, mi
Attice, istam rem. Nihil enim aliud reperio, ubi et
in foro non sim et tecum esse possim. Quanti autem,
hoc mihi venit in mentem. C. Albanius proximus
est vicinus. Is cid iugerum de M. Pilio emit, ut mea
memoria est, HS cxv. Omnia scilicet nunc minoris.
Sed accedit cupiditas, in qua praeter Othonem non
puto nos ullum adversarium habituros. Sed eum
ipsum tu poteris movere, facilius etiam, si Canum
haberes. O gulam insulsam ! Pudet me patris.
Rescribes, si quid voles.

* atqui Wesenberg: atque MSS.

172

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 31

cause some delay. So come wlien you can. Since
you are still away, I should like you to send me the
books of Dicaearchus, which you mention, with the
Descent.^

As for the letter to Caesar I have made up my
mind ; and yet precisely what they say he says in
his letter, that he will not go against the Parthians
until affairs are arranged here, is what I advised in
my letter, I told him he could do whichever he
chose with my full leave. For of course he wants
that and won't do anything without my advice. For
heaven's sake let us give up flattery and be at least
half-free ; and that we can manage by keeping quiet
and out of sight.

But approach Otho, as you say, and finish that
business, my dear Atticus. For I don't see any other
way of keeping away from the forum and yet being
with you. As to the price, this has just occurred
to me. The nearest neighbour is C. Albanius, He
bought some 600 acres ''^ of M Pilius, so far as I can
recollect for £110,000. ^ Of course everything has
gone down in value now. But on the other side
counts our eagerness to purchase, though I don't
suppose we shall have anyone bidding against us
except Otho. Him however you can influence person-
ally, and could still more easily, if you had Canus
with you. What senseless gluttony ! * Shame on
his father ! Answer, if you want to say anything.

' So called because it described a visit to the cave of
Trophonius in Arcadia.

2 \,{)00jugera. ' 11,500,000 sesterces.

* Probably this refers to some act of young Quintus Cicero.

173

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XXXII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Alteram a te epistulam cum hodie accej)issem
culano ly K. j^q\^^ te una mea contentum. Tu vero age, quod

lun. a. 709 .. • i r^ , . r •

scribis, de rabeno. In eo enim totum est positum

id, quod cogitamus ; quae cogitatio si non incidisset,

mihi crede, istuc ut cetera non laborarem. Quam ob

rem, ut facis (istuc enim addi nihil potest), urge,

insta, perfice.

Dicaearchi Trtpt ^v)^<; utrosque velim mittas et

Kara/Sdorewi. TpiTroXtTi/cov non invenio et epistulam

eius, quam ad Aristoxenum misit. Tres eos libros

maxime nunc vellem ; apti essent ad id, quod cogito.

Torquatus Romae est. Misi, ut tibi daretur. Catulum

et Lucullum, ut opinor, antea. His libris nova pro-

hoemia sunt addita, quibus eorum uterque laudatur.

Eas litteras volo habeas, et sunt quaedam alia, Et,

quod ad te de decem legatis scripsi, parum intellexisti,

credo, quia Sta arj/xeioiv scripseram. De C. Tuditano

enim quaerebam, quem ex Hortensio audierain fuisse

in decem. Eum video in Libonis praetorem P. Popi-

lio, P. Rupilio coss. Annis xiiii ante, quam praetor

factus est, legatus esse potuisset, nisi admodum sero

quaestor esset factus ? quod non arbitror. Video

* So called because it represented the ideal State as a
mixture of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy.
174

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 32
XXXII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

As I have received two letters from you to-day, I Tusculum,
did not think it right that you should content your- May 29,
self with only one of mine. Pray do as you say b.c, 45
about Faberius. For on that depends entirely what
I am thinking of. And, if that idea had never
occurred to me, believe me I should not bother
about that any more than anything else. So con-
tinue your energy — for you cannot add to it — and
push on and finish the matter.

Please send me Dicaearchus' two books About the
Soul and the Descent. I can't find the Mixed Constitu-
tion 1 and the letter he sent to Aristoxenus. I should
much like to have those three books now; they would
bear on what I am planning. Torquatus ^ is in Rome.
I have sent orders for it to be given to you. Catulus
and Lucullus I believe you have already. I have
added new prefaces to the books, in which each of
them is mentioned with honour. Those composi-
tions I should like you to have, and there are some
others too. What I said about the ten legates,
you did not fully understand, I suppose because
I wrote it in shorthand. ^ I was asking about C.
Tuditanus, who Hortensius told me was one of
them. I see in Libo that he was praetor in the
consulship of P. Popilius and P. Rupilius. Could
he have been legate fourteen years before he was
praetor, unless he was very late in getting the
quaestorship ? I don't think that was the case ; for

* i.e. De Finihus, Bk. i., in which Torquatus is the chief
speaker. Similarly, Catulus and Lucullus are the first two
books of the Acadtmica in its first form.

* Or dtmi-mots, as Tyrrell renders it.

175

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

enim curules magistratus eum legitimis annis per-
facile cepisse. Postumium autem, cuius statuara in
Isthmo meminisse te dicis, nesciebam fuisse. Is
autem est, qui cos. cum L. Lucullo fuit; quem tu
mihi addidisti sane ad ilium avWoyov personam ido-
neam. Videbis igitur, si poteris, ceteros, ut possimus
TTo/xireva-aL /cat tois TrpocrwTrois.

XXXIII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- O neglegentiam miram ! Semelne putas mihi
culano III dixisse Balbum et Faberium professionem relatam ?
Aon. lun. a. qui etiam eorum iussu miserim, qui profiteretur, Ita
enim oportere dicebant. Professus est Philotimus
libertus. Nosti, credo, librarium. Sed scribes et
quidero confectum. Ad Faberium, ut tibi placet,
litteras misi, cum Balbo autem puto te aliquid fecisse
hodie ^ in Capitolio. In Vergilio mihi nulla est
Suo-wTTta. Nee enim eius causa sane debeo, et, si
emero, quid erit, quod postulet? Sed videbis, ne is
tum sit in Africa ut Caelius.

De nomine tu videbis cum Cispio ; sed, si Plancus

destinat, tum habet res difficultatem. Te ad me

venire uterque nostrum cupit ; sed ista res nullo

modo relinquenda est. Othonem quod speras posse

* hodie Boaiua : H. MSS. : fuisti enim Elmore.

^ Possibly a statement of income before the next census ;
or perhaps some formality iu the transference of a debt due
from Faberius to Cicero.

176

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 32-33

I see he won the curule offices quite easily in the
proper years. But I did not know that PostumiuSj
whose statue you say you remember in the Isthmus,
was one of them. He was the man who was consul
with L. Luculhis ; and it is a very suitable person
you have added to my conference. So please look
up the others too, if you can, that I may make a show
with my dramatis persona;, as well as my subject.

XXXIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

What extraordinary carelessness ! Do you think Tusculum,
it was only once that I have been told by Balbus June 3,
and Faberius that the return ^ had been made ? b.c. 45
Why it was at their suggestion that I sent a man to
make it, for they said I ought to do so. It was my
freedman Philotimus who made the return ; you
know him, I think, a copyist. But you must write
and let me know it is finished. I have sent a letter
as you advise to Faberius. With Balbus I think you
have made some arrangement in the Capitol to-day.
About Vergilius I have no scruples ; for there is no
reason why I should have in his case ; and, if I buy,
what claim will he have .'' But see that he may not
be in Africa then like Caelius.^

The debt you must look into with Cispius ; but, if
Plancus intends to bid, there will be difficulties.
That you should come to me would suit us both, but
that business cannot possibly be thrown up. It is

2 Vergilius had sided with Pompey in Spain, and Cicero
apparently is afraid that, like Caelius, for whom cf. xiii. 3,
he may not be in Italy when applied to for payment. But
the reading and the sense are uncertain.

177

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

vinci, sane bene narras. De aestimationCj ut scribis,
cum agere coeperimus ; etsi nihil scripsit nisi de
modo agri. Cum Pisone, si quid poterit. Dicaearchi
librum accepi et Kara/^acrews exspecto.

. . . negotium dederis, reperiet ex eo libro, in quo
sunt senatus consulta Cn. Cornelio, L. Mummio coss.
De Tuditano autem quod putas, evXoyov est tuni
ilium, quoniam fuit ad Corinthum (non enim temere
dixit Hortensius), aut quaestorem aut tribunum mil.
fuisse^ idque potius credo. Tu de^ Antioclio scire
poteris videlicet ^ etiam, quo anno quaestor aut
tribunus mil. fuerit ; si neutrum, saltern,^ in prae-
fectis an in contubernalibus fuerit, modo fuerit in
eo bello.

XXXIIIa

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- De Varrone loquebamur: lupus in fabula. Venit

culano VII enim ad me et quidem id temporis, ut retinendus

Id. Quint, a. ^ c j -i. • *. u • a

^„g esset. bed ego ita egi, ut non "scinderem paenu-

1am " (memini enim tuum) : et multi erant nosque

imparati. Quid refert? Paulo post C. Capito cum

T. Carrinate. Horum ego vix attigi j^aenulam.

Tamen remanserunt, ceciditque belle. Sed casu

^ fuisse . . . de as Ernesti: idque potius ftiisse. sed credo
te de M. ^ videlicet Schmidt : vide MS8.

^ saltern Ourlitl : ea de il/ : cadet (et) ZO^, L {marg.) :
eadem 0*.
1/8

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 33-33a

welcome news that you think we can beat Otho. As
you say about the assignment, when we begin to
negotiate ; though he has not mentioned anything
except the extent of the ground. Discuss it with
Piso in case he can do anything. I have received
Dicaearchus' book and am expecting his Descent.

(If you) will commission someone, he will find out
. . . from the book containing the decrees passed in the
consulship of Cn. Cornelius and L. Mummius. Your
idea about Tuditanus is reasonable enough, he was
either quaestor or military tribune, since he was at
Corinth at the time and Hortensius was not speak-
ing at random ; and I think you are right. You will
be able to find out from Antiochus of course in
what year he was quaestor or military tribune. If
he was neither, then he would at least have been
among the prefects or on the staff, provided he was
in the war at all.

XXXIIIa

CICEllO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

We were talking of Varro : talk of the devil, you Tusculum,
know, for here he came and at such an hour that July 9,
I had to ask him to stop. But I did not cling so b.c. 45
closely to him as to "tear his cloak " (for I remember
that phrase ^ of yours), and there were a lot of them
and I was unprepared. But what does that matter ?
Just afterwards came C. Capito and T. Carrinas.
Their cloaks I hardly touched ; but they stayed and
it turned out all right. By chance Capito began

^ I follow Reid and Shuckburgh in referring this to tlio
preceding phrase and not to the following.

179

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

sermo a Capitone de urbe augenda, a ponte Mulvio
Tiberim duci secundum montes Vaticanos, campum
Martium coaedificari, ilium autem campum Vaticanum
fieri quasi Martium campum. " Quid ais ? " inquam ;
"at ego ad tabulam, ut, si recte possem, Scapulanos
hortos." " Cave facias/' inquit ; " nam ista lex per-
feretur ; vult enim Caesar." Audire me facile passus
sum, fieri autem moleste fero. Sed tu quid ais ?
Quamquam quid quaero.^ Nosti diligentiam Capi-
tonis in rebus novis perquirendis. Non concedit
Camillo. Facies me igitur certiorem de Idibus. Ista
enim me res adducebat. Eo adiunxeram ceteras,
quas consequi tameu biduo aut triduo post facile
potero. Te tamen in via confici minime volo ; quin
etiam Dionysio ignosco. De Bruto quod scribis, feci,
ut ei liberum esset, quod ad me attineret. Scripsi
enim ad eum lieri Idibus eius opera mihi nihil opus
esse.

XXXIV

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Asturae Asturam veni vni Kal. vesperi.^ Vitandi enim

VI K. Sext. caloris causa Lanuvi tris horas acquieveram. Tu

velim, si grave non erit, efficias, ne ante Nonas mihi

illuc veniendum sit (id potes per Egnatium Maxi-

* vesperi Schmidt : iul. M.
180

LETTERS TO ATTICUS Xlll. 33a-34

talking of the improvements of the city : the course
of the Tiber is to be diverted from the Mulvian
bridge along the Vatican hills ; the Campus Martins )
to be built over, and the Vatican plain to be a sort
of Campus Martius. " What's that ? " I said. " Why,
I was going to the sale to buy Scapula's gardens,
if I could safely." "Don't you do it," he told me;
"for the law will be passed: Caesar wants it." I
was not disturbed at hearing it : but 1 should be
annoyed, if they do it. What have you got to
say about it? However I need not ask. You
know how eager a news-monger Capito is : not
even Camillus can beat him at that. So you must
let me know about the auction on the 15th : for
that is what is bringing me to town. I have com-
bined some other things with it : but those I can
easily do two or three days later. However I don't
want you to be tired out with travelling : nay, I
even excuse Dionysius. As to what you say about
Brutus, I have left it open so far as I am concerned :
for yesterday I wrote and told him that I should
have no need of his help on the 15th.

XXXIV

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I reached Astura on the evening of the 25th : for Astura,
to avoid the heat of the day I rested three hours July 27, b.c.
at Lanuvium. I should like you, if it is no trouble, 45
to contrive that I need not come to Rome before
the 5th of next month. You can manage it through
Egnatius Maximus. The chief point is that you

181

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

mum), illud in primis, cum Publilio me apsente^ con-
ficias. De quo quae fama sit, scribes.

Terence, Andr. " Id populus CUrat SCilicet ! "

185

Non mehercule arbitror ; etenim haec decantata erat
fabula. Sed complere paginam volui. Quid plura ?
ipse enim adsum, nisi quid tu prorogas. Scrips! enim
ad te de hortis.

XXXV, XXXVI

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- O rem indignam I Gentilis tuus urbem auget,

culano III quam hoc biennio primum vidit, et ei parum magna

Id. Quint, a. . . ,.• ■ 4. m. u j

y^Q visa est, quae etiam ipsum capere potuent. Hac de

re igitur exspecto litteras tuas. Varroni scribis te,

simul ac venerit. Dati igitur iam sunt, nee tibi

Integrum est, hui, si scias, quanto periculo tuo ! Aut

fortasse litterae meae te retardarunt ; nisi eas non-

dum legeras, cum has proximas scripsisti. Scire igitur

aveo, quo modo res se habeat.

De Bruti amore vestraque ambulatione etsi mihi

nihil novi adfers, sed idem quod saepe, tamen hoc

audio Ubentius quo saepius, eoque mihi iucundius est,

quod tu eo laetaris, certiusque eo est, quod a te

dicitur.

* me apsente MiilUr : mea pene absente M.

182

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 34-35, 36

should settle with Publilius in my absence : ^ and
about that you will let me know what people say.
'■ Of course the world is all agog with that ! " On
my honour I don't think so ; for the nine days'
wonder is over. But I wanted to fill the page.
What need of more : for I am almost with you,
unless you put me off for a bit. For I have written
to you about the gardens.

XXXV, XXXVI

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

What a shame ! A countryman of yours ^ is Tusculum,
enlarging the city, which he had never seen two July 13,
years ago, and he thinks it too small to hold the b.c. 45
great man alone. On that point then I am expect-
ing a letter from you. You say you will present my
book to Varro, as soon as he arrives. So they are
already given and you have no choice left. Ah,
if you but knew what a risk you are running 1
Or perhaps my letter stopped you, unless you had
not read it, when you wrote your last letter. So
I am eager to know how the matter stands.

As to Brutus' affection and your walk, though you
give me no actual news, but only a repetition of
what has often happened, yet the more often I
hear it, the gladder I am ; and I find it the more
gratifying, because you enjoy it, and the more certain,
because you tell me of it.

* About Cicero's divorce from Publilia.

* I.e. an Athenian.

183

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XXXVII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tns- Has alteras hodie litteras. De Xenonis nomine
'J^ r, ^* ^^ Epiroticis xxxx nihil potest fieri nee commo-

j,^g ■ ' * dius nee aptius, quam ut scribis. Id ei-at locutus
mecum eodem modo Balbus minor. Nihil novi sane
nisi Hirtium cum Quinto acerrime pro me litigasse ;
omnibus eum locis furere maximeque in conviviis
cum multa de me turn redire ad patrem ; nihil autem
ab eo tam dftoTri'o-Tws dici quam alienissimos nos esse
a Caesare ; fidem nobis habendam non esse, me vero
etiam cavendum ((fio/Sepov av rjv, nisi viderem scire
regem me animi nihil habere), Ciceronem vero meum
vexari ; sed id quidem arbitratu suo. Laudationem
Porciae gaudeo me ante dedisse Leptae tabellario,
quam tuas acceperim litteras. Earn tu igitur, si me
amas, curabis, si modo mittetur, isto modo mittendam
Domitio et Bruto.

De gladiatoribus, de ceteris, quae scribis avefxo-
<f>6pr)Ta, facies me cotidie certiorem. Velim, si tibi
videtur, appelles Balbum et Offilium. De auctione
proscribenda equidem locutus sum cum Balbo. Place-
bat (puto conscripta habere Offilium omnia ; habet et
Balbus) sed Balbo placebat propinquum diem et
Romae; si Caesar moraretur, posse diem difFerri.
Sed is quidem adesse videtur. Totum igitur con-
sidera ; placet enim Vestorio.

' 4,000 sesterces.
184

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 37
XXXVII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

This is the second letter to-day. About Xeno's Tusculum,
debt and the £40^ owing to you in Epirus, things Aug. 2, b.c
could not happen more conveniently than you say 45
they are happening in your letter. Balbus the
younger suggested the same to me the other
day. I have no news except that Hirtius has been
taking my part most valiantly in arguments against
young Quintus. The latter is raving about me
everywhere, especially at dinner-parties, and then
he falls back on his father : nothing he says is so
likely to be believed as that we are utterly irre-
concilable to Caesar ; that we are not to be trusted,
and that I ought to be held in suspicion, which
would have been terrifying, if were I not aware
that the king knows I have no spirit left. He says
too that my son is being bullied by me : but that he
may say as much as he likes. I am glad I sent the
funeral oration of Porcia to Lepta the messenger
before I got your letter. So, as you love me, have
it sent to Domitius and Brutus in the form you
suggest, if it is to be sent at all.

About the gladiatorial games and the things which
you call airy nothings send me news day by day. I
should like you to apply to Balbus and Offilius, if
you think fit. About giving notice of the auction
I have spoken with Balbus. He agreed — I imagine
Offilius has a complete list, and so has Balbus — well
Balbus agreed for a day near at hand and for Rome
as the place : if Caesar puts off coming, the day
might be deferred. But he seems to be close at
hand. So think it all over ; for Vestorius is content.

185

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XXXVIII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Ante lucem cum scriberem contra Epicureos, de
culano ctrc. eodem oleo et opera exaravi nescio quid ad te et
prid. JSon. i j j t-v

Sext. a. 709 ^"*^ lucem dedi. Deinde, cum somno repetito simul

cum sole experrectus essem, datur mi epistula a
sororis tuae filio, quam ipsam tibi misi; cuius est
principium non sine maxima contumelia. Sed for-
tasse ovK iTrearrjaev. Est autem sic : " Ego enim,
quicquid non belle in te dici potest — ." Posse vult
in me multa dici non belle, sed ea se negat approbare.
Hoc quicquam pote inpurius ? lam cetera leges
(misi enim ad te) iudicabisque. Bruti nostri coti-
dianis adsiduisque laudibus, quas ab eo de nobis
haberi permulti mihi renuntiaverunt, commotum
istum aliquando scripsisse aliquid ad me credo et ad
te, idque ut sciam facies. Nam ad patrem de me
quid scripserit, nescio, de matre quam pie ! " Volu-
eram," inquit, "ut quam plurimum tecum essem,
conduci mihi domum et id ad te scripseram. Neg-
lexisti. Ita minus multum una erimus. Nam ego
Istam domum videre non possum ; qua de causa,
scis." Hanc autem causam pater odium matris esse
dicebat. Nunc me iuva, mi Attice, consilio, "iroTcpov
hiKo. Ttl^^o^; v^Lov," id est utrum aperte hominem as-

186

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 38
XXXVIII

CICERO TO ATTICUSj GREETING.

As I was writing against the Epicureans before Tuscuhim,
daybreak, I scribbled something or oilier to you circa Aug. 4,
by the same lamp and at the same sitting and b.c. 46
despatched it before daybreak. Then as I was
getting up with the sun after another sleep, I get
a letter from your sister's son, which I enclose.
The beginning of it is most insulting : but perhaps
he did not stop to think. This is how it runs :
" For, whatever there is to be said to your discredit,
1 . . ." He wants me to understand there is plenty
to be said to my discredit, but he does not agree
with it. Could anything be more disgusting .'' You
may read the rest (for I have sent it on) and judge
for yourself I fancy it is the daily and continual
complimentary remarks which, as I hear from many,
our friend Brutus is making about us, which have
provoked him into writing something to me and to
you — let me know if he has written to you. For
what he has written to his father about me I don't
know : about his mother how affectionately ! " I
should have liked," he says, "to be with you as
much as possible and to have a house taken for
me somewhere : and so I told you. You took no
notice : so we shall not be together much : for I
cannot bear the sight of your house : you know
why." His father tells me the reason is his hatred
of his mother. Now, Atticus, help me with your
advice. "By honest means shall I the high wall
climb ? " ^ that is to say shall I openly renounce and

^ From a fragment of Pindar, as also the following Greek
words.

187

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

perner et respuam " rj o-KoXtats dTrarats." Ut enim
Pindaro sic " 8t;(a fxoi v6o<;, drpeKciav cittciv." Omnino
moribus meis illud aptius, sed hoc fortasse tempori-
bus. Tu autem, quod ipse tibi suaseris, idem mihi
persuasum putato. Equidem vereor maxime, ne in
Tusculano opprimar. In turba haec essent faciliora.
Utrum igitur Asturae ? Quid, si Caesar subito ? luva
me, quaeso, consilio. Utar eo, quod tu decreveris.

XXXIX

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tns- O incredibilem vanitatem ! ad patrem *' domo sibi
c.idano i\on. carendum propter matrem/' ad matrem plenam pie-
tatis. Hie autem iam languescit et ait sibi ilium iure
iratum. Sed utar tuo consilio; "a/coXta" enim tibi
video placere. Romam, ut censes, veniam, sed in-
vitus ; valde enim in scribendo liaerco. " Brutum,"
inquis, " eadem." Scilicet ; sed, nisi hoc esset, res
me ista non cogeret. Nee enim inde venit, unde
mallem, neque diu afuit neque ullam litteram ad me.
Sed tamen scire aveo, qualis ei totius itineris summa
fuerit. Libros mihi, de quibus ad te antea scripsi,
velim mittas et maxime ^aihpov -n-epl 6eS)v et Trepl

^ Trepl UaWdSos Oretii : nAAlA02 MSS.: -kuvtSs Gurlitl :
'AiroWoScipov Hirztl,

188

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 38-39

abjure the fellow, or shall I act " with wiles " ? For,
like Pindar's, "my mind divided cannot truly tell."
The first would suit my character best, of course, but
the second perhaps the times. But take it I have
made up my mind to do whatever you have made
up your mind to do. I am horribly afraid of being
caught at Tusculum. It would be more comfortable
in company. At Astura then? What if Caesar
arrives unexpectedly .'' Please assist me with advice.
I will do what you decide.

XXXIX

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETINO.

What incredible hypocrisy ! To write to his father Tusculum,
that " he had no home owing to his mother," and Aug. 5, B.C.
to his mother a letter full of affection. His father 45
however is already cooling down and says the son
has a right to be angry with him. But I will
follow your advice; for I see "crooked ways" are
what you favour. I will come to Rome, as you
think I ought, though against my will ; for I cannot
tear myself from my writing. You say I shall
find Brutus on the way : of course, but without this
other reason that would not be strong enough to
move me. For he has not come from the place
I should wish, nor has he been long away or sent
me any letter. Still I should like to know the
result of his whole journey. Please send me the
books I asked for before, especially Phaedrus On the
Gods and On Pallas.

189

MARCUS TULLIIJS CICERO
XL

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. i7i Tus- Itane? nuntiat Brutus ilium ad bonos viros? Evay-

'^"w/,^!^ ve'Aia. Sed ubi eos? nisi forte se suspendit. Hie

aut yl Id. '

Sext. a. 700 ^^^^^> "^ stultum' est. Ubi igitur cfuXoTix^'rjixa illud

tuum, quod vidi in Partlienone, Ahalam et Brutuni ?

Sed quid faciat? Illud optime : "Sed ne is quidem,

qui omnium flagitiorum auctor, bene de nostro." At

ego verebar^ ne etiam Brutus eum diligeret; ita

enim significarat iis litteris, quas ad me : " Ast

vellem aliquid degustasses de fabulis." Sed coram^

ut scribis.

Etsi quid mi auctor es .'' advolone an maneo }

Equidem et in libris liacreo et ilium hie excipere

nolo ; ad quem, ut audio, pater hodie ad Saxa summa^

acrimonia. Mirum quam inimicus ibat, ut ego obiux*-

garem. Sed ego ipse K£K€7r<^w/i,at. Itaque posthac.

Tu tamen vide, quid de adventu meo censeas, et

Ttt o\a, eras si perspici potuerint, mane statim ut

sciam.

^ stultum Tunstall: fultum MSS.: i\xi\\\ivci Schmidt.
^ summa inserted by Schmidt.

^ The " Parthenon " was probably the name of the library
in Brutus' house. According to Nepoa [Att. 18), Atticus

190

LETTERS TO ATTICUS Xlll. 40
XL

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Is that so ? Does Brutus really say Caesar is going Tusculum,
over to the right party ? That is good news. But Aug. 7 or 6,
where will he find them, unless, perhaps, he hangs b.c. 45
himself? But how foolish it is of Brutus ! Where,
then, does that masterpiece of yours, which I saw
in the Parthenon, the tree of Brutus' family from
Ahala and Brutus, come in ? ^ But what can he do ?
It is excellent to hear that not even the man who
began the whole criminal business has a good word
to say for young Quintus, Indeed, I was beginning
to be afraid that even Brutus was fond of him ; for
in his letter to me he said, " But I wish you could
have had a taste of his tales." But when we meet,
as you say.

However, what do you advise } Shall I fly to meet
him or stay where 1 am ? For my part I am glued
to my books, and I don't want to receive him here.
I hear his father has gone to-day to Saxa Rubra - to
meet him in a fury. He was so extraordinarily
enraged against him that I remonstrated with him.
But I am capable of acting the "giddy goat" too.
So it rests with the future. Do you please see what
you think about ray movements and everything else.
If you can see the way to-morrow, let me know
early.

compiled a pedigree of the Junian family from its origin for
Brutus.
* About ten miles from Rome on the Via Flaminia.

191

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XLI

CICERO ATTICO SAI-.

Scr. in Tus- Ego vero Quinto epistulam ad sororem misi. Cum
culano VI jjjg quereretur filio cum matre bellum et se ob eani
Sett a 709 causam domo cessurum filio diceret, dixi ilium com-
modas ad matrem litteras^ ad te nullas. Ille alterum
mirabatur, de te autem suam culpam, quod saepe
graviter ad filium scripsisset de tua in ilium iniuria.
Quod autem relanguisse se dicit, ego ei tuis litteris
lectis o-KoAiats dTTciTats significavi me non fore iratum.^
Tum enim mentio Canae. Omnino, si id consilium
placeret, esset necesse ; sed, ut scribis, ratio est
habenda gravitatis, et utriusque nostrum idem con-
silium esse debetj etsi in me graviores iniuriae et certe
notiores. Si vero etiam Brutus aliquid adferet, nulla
dubitatio est. Sed coram. Magna enim res et multae
cautionis. Cras igitur, nisi quid a te commeatus.

XLII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Venit ille ad me koX fxdXa KaTrj(j)-q<;. Et ego : " 2v»
culano ex. m. g^ g^ ^i o-vVvovs; " " Rogas ? " inquit, " cui iter instet
Dec. a. 709 ^^ .^^j. ^^ bellum idque cum periculosum tum etiam

* iratum inserted by Lambinus.
192

LETTERS TO ATTICUS Xlll. 41-42

XLI

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I sent Quintus your letter for your sister. When Tusadum,
he complained that his son was at daggers drawn with Aug. 8 or 9,
his mother and said he should give up the house to B.C. 45
his son on that account, I said young Quintus had sent
an amiable letter to his mother and none to you.
He was surprised at the first, but said it was his
fault about you, as he had often written in anger to
his son about your unfairness to him. However, he
said his anger had abated, so I read your letter, and
'' by crooked ways " hinted that I should not bear
malice. For then he began to mention Cana.^ To
be sure, if that plan found favour, we should have
to make it up ; but, as you say, we must consider
our dignity, and we ought to concert our plans
together, though his attacks on me were the worst
and certainly the most public. If Brutus, too,
should come to our aid, we need not hesitate. But
we must discuss it together ; for it is an important
matter and requires great caution. So to-morrow,
unless you give me furlough.

XUI

CICERO TO ATTltUS, GREETING.

Young Quintus has come to me very down in the Tusculum,
mouth. So I asked, why he had the blues. " Need Dec. b.c. 45
you ask," said he, " when I have a journey before
me, a journey to a war, and one that is both

^ Daughtei- of Q. Gellius Canus. Negotiations for her
marriage with young Quintus were going on.

193

VOL. III. H

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

turpe ! " "Quae vis igitur?" inquam. "Aes^" in-
quit, "alienum et tamen ne viaticum quidem." Hoc
loco ego sumpsi quiddam de tua eloquentia ; nam
tacui. At ille : " Sed me maxime angit avunculus."
" Quidnam ? " inquam. " Quod mihi," inquitj " iratus
est." " Cur pateris ? " inquam, " malo enim ita dicere
quara cur committis ? " " Non patiar," inquit, ''cau-
sam enim tollam." Et ego : " Rectissume quidem ;
sed, si grave non est, velim scire, quid sit causae."
"Quia, dum dubitabam, quam ducerem, non satis
faciebam matri ; ita ne illi quidem. Nunc nihil mihi
tanti est. Faciam, quod volunt." " Feliciter velim,"
inquam, "teque laudo. Sed quando?" " Nihil ad
me," inquit, " de tempore, quoniam rem probo."
"At ego," inquam, "censeo, priusquam proficiscaris.
Ita patri quoque morem gesseris." "Faciam," in-
quit, " ut censes." Hie dialogus sic conclusus
est.

Sed heus tu, diem meum scis esse iii Nonas
lanuarias ; aderis igitur. Scripseram iam : ecce tibi
orat Lepidus, ut veniam. Opinor augures velle
habere ad templum effandum. Eatur ; /xy o-KopSov.^
Videbimus te igitur.

^ /u^ (TKdpBov Tyrrell: MIACKOPAOT M : (jLiaufLa Spvos
Gronovius.

194

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 42

dangerous and even disgraceful." "What is there
to compel you then ? " I said. " Debt," said he,
"^"^and yet not enough money for the journey." At
that point I borrowed something from your style of
eloquence : 1 held my tongue. Well, he went on.
" But what worries me most is my uncle." " Why .'' "
said I. " Because he is angry with me," he answered.
" Why do you let him be so } " I said, " for I would
rather put it that way than say. Why do you make
him angry?" "I will not let him," he said, " for I
will remove the reason." I replied, "Very right of
you, too ; but, if it is not a serious matter, I should
like to know what the reason is." " Because my hesi-
tation which wife I should take annoyed my mother,
and consequently him, too. Now nothing is worth
that, and I will do anything they like." " I hope you
will have luck," I said, "and I approve of your re-
solution. But when are you going to do it.'' " "The
time doesn't matter to me," said he, " since I have
made up my mind to it." " Well, I think you
ought to do it before you go," I said. " You would
oblige your father, too, by doing so." " I will do
as you advise," he said ; and there the conversation
ended.

But, look here, you know it is my birthday on
the 3rd of January. So you must come. I was just
writing, and here is a request from Lepidus for me
to come to town. I suppose the augurs want me
for consecrating a temple. I must go ; anything for
a quiet life.^ So you will see me.

' Tyrrell explains this as an allusion to the proverb 'iva fxri
<TK6po5a fi.riSh Kvduous {(pdyo)) (that I niay not eat garlic or
beans), wliich was applied to persons wisliing for a quiet life.

195

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XLIII

CICERO AITICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Ego vero utar prorogatione diei, tuque humanis-

culano prid. sime fecisti, qui me cei'tiorem feceris, atque ita, ut eo
Id. Quint, a. tempore acciperem litteras, quo non exspectarem,
tuque ut ab ludis scriberes. Suntomnino mihi quae-
dam agenda Romae, sed consequemur biduo post.

709

XLIV

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. 171 Tus- O suavis tuas litteras ! (etsi acevba pompa. Verum

culano Xfll tamen scire omnia non acerbum est, vel de Cotta)

aut XII K. populum vero praeclarum, quod propter malum vici-

iisxt. a. 70\J ^^^ ^^ Victoriae quidem ploditur ! Brutus apud

me fuit ; cui quidem valde plaeebat me abquid ad

Caesarem. Adnueram ; sed pompa deterret. Tu

tamen ausus es Varroni dare ! Exspecto, quid iudicet.

Quando autem pelleget? De Attica probo. Est

quiddam etiam animum levari cum spectatione tuni

etiam religionis opinione et fama. Cottam mi velim

mittas ; Libonem mecum habeo et habueram ante

Cascam, Brutus mihi T. Ligari verbis nuntiavit,

quod appelletur L. Corfidius in oi-atione Ligariana,

erratum esse meuni. Sed, ut aiunt, ixvrjfxovLKov afxap-

Ttjixa. Sciebam Corfidium pernecessarium Ligari -

1 A procession at the Ludi Circenses, in which Caesar's
image was carried among tlie gods, next to Victor}'.

19(>

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 43-44
XLIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Yes, I will take advantage of the postponement Tuxcuhim,
of the day of sale ; and it was very kind of you July 14,
to inform me of it, especially to let me have a letter, b.c. 45
when I did not expect one, and to write it at the
games. There are, to be sure, some things I have to
do at Rome; but I will attend to them two days
later.

XLIV

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

What a delightful letter yours was ! Though the Ttisculum,
procession ^ was unpleasant news ; still it is not un- July 20 or
pleasant to know everything, even about Cotta.^ 21, b.c. 45
The people were splendid not even to clap Victory
because of her bad neighbour. Brutus was staying
with me and highly approved of my writing some-
thing to Caesar. I assented ; but the procession
puts me off. Have you really dared to send my
book to Varro ! I am eager for his opinion. But
when will he finish reading it.'' I agree about
Attica. It is something that the spirits are relieved
by the spectacle and by the general feeling of re-
ligious associations. I wish you would send me
Cotta ; I have Libo and before that I had Casca.
Brutus brought me a message from T. Ligarius that
the mention of L. Corfidius in my speech for
Ligarius is a mistake. But it is a lapsus memoriae,
as they say. I knew that Corfidius was extremely

"^ Cotta had suggested that Caesar should adopt the title of
king, stating that the Sibylline books said Parthia could only
be conquered by a king.

197

709

MARCUS TULLIUS CICEHO

orum ; sed eum video ante esse mortuum. Da igitiii ,
qiiaeso, negotium Pharnaci, Antaeo, Salvio, ut id
nomen ex omnibus libris tollatur.

XLV

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Fuit apud me Lamia post discessum tuum epistn-
culano III lamque ad me attulit missam sibi a Caesare. Quae
la. oejci. a. quamquam ante data erat quam illae Diocharinae^
tamen plane declarabat ilium ante ludos Romanos
esse venturum. In qua extrema scriptum erat^ ut
ad ludos omnia pararet, neve committeret, ut frustra
ipse properasset. Prorsus ex his litteris non vide-
batur esse dubium, quin ante eam diem venturus
esset, itemque Balbo, cum eam ej)istulam legisset,
videri Lamia dicebat.

Dies feriarum milii additos video^ sed quam mul-
tos, fac, si me amas, sciam. De Baebio poteris et de
altero vicino Egnatio.

Quod me hortai-is, ut eos dies consumam in philo-
sophia explicanda, cuiTentem tu quidem ; sed eum
Dolabella vivendum esse istis diebus vides. Quod-
nisi me Torquati causa teneret, satis erat dieruni, ut
Puteolos excurrere possem et ad tempus redire.
Lamia quidem a Balbo, ut videbatur, audiverat mul-
tos nummos domi esse numeratos, quos oporteret
quam primum dividi, magnum pondus argenti ;
auctionem praeter praedia primo quoque tempore
fieri oportere. Scribas ad me velim, quid tibi placeat.

198

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 44-45

friendly with the Ligarii ; but I see he was dead
before the trial. So please get Pharnaces^ Antaeus
and Salvius to erase the name from all copies.

XLV

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Lamia was with me after you left, and brought Tusculum.
me a letter Caesar had sent to him. Though it Aucr. 11
was despatched earlier than those of Diochares, b.c. 45
still it asserted plainly that he would come before
the Roman games. ^ At the end he told him to
make all preparations for the games and not let
him hurry back for nothing. From this letter
there certainly seemed no doubt that he would
come before that date ; and Lamia said that Balbus
thought so too, when he read the letter.

I see I have some additional days' holiday, but
please let me know how many. You can find out
from Baebius or your other neighbour Egnatius.

In exhorting me to spend the days in an expo-
sition of philosophy, you are only spurring a willing
horse ; but note that I have to spend those days
with Dolabella. Now, if I had not been detained
on Torquatus' business, there would have been time
enough to make an excursion to Puteoli and return
in time. Lamia has heard from Balbus, it appears,
that there is a good deal of ready money in the
house, which ought to be divided as soon as pos-
sible, and a considerable amount of silver plate,
and that the auction of all but the real property
ought to take place at the earliest opportunity.
Please write and tell me what you think. Upon

1 September 15-19.

199

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Equideuij si ex omnibus esset eligendum, nee dili-
gentiorem nee officiosiorem nee mehercule nostri
studiosiorem facile delegissem Vestorio ; ad quern
accuratissimas litteras dedi ; quod idem te fecisse
arbitror. Mihi quidem hoc satis videtur. Tu quid
dicis? Unum enim pungit, ne neglegentiores esse
videamur. Exspectabo igitur tuas litteras.

XLVI

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Pollex quidem, ut dixerat ad Idus Sextiles, ita
culana prid. mihi Lanuvi pridie Idus praesto fuit, sed plane pollex,
Wno^^'^' non index. Cognosces igitur ex ipso. Balbum con-
veni. Lepta enim de sua munerum^ curatione
laborans me ad eum perduxerat. In eo autem Lanu-
vino, quod Lepido tradidit. Ex eo hoc primum :
" Paulo ante acceperam eas litteras, in quibus magno
opere confirmat ante ludos Romanos." Legi epis-
tulam. Multa de meo Catone, quo saepissime legendo
se dicit copiosiorem factum, Bruti Catone lecto se
sibi visum disertum. Ex eo cognovi cretionem Cluvi
(o Vestorium neglegentem !) liberam cretionem testi-
bus praesentibus sexaginta diebus. Metuebam, ne
ille arcessendus esset. Nunc mittendum est, ut meo

* \n\\\\Kt^x^n Schmidt, coll. Fam. vi. 19. 2: xi'mM : vini vulg.
200

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 45-46

my word, if 1 had had the whole world to select
from, I could hardly have chosen a man more pains-
taking, more obliging, nor, I am sure, more devoted
to my interests than Vestorius. I have sent him an
extremely carefully worded letter; and I think you
have done the same. I think that is sufficient.
What do you say ? The one thing that bothers
me is that we may seem too careless. So I will
wait for your letter.

XLVI

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Pollex, having arranged to meet me on the 13th Tuscidum,
of August, has done so at Lanuvium on the 12th : Aug. 12,
but he is a mere thumb, and not a pointing finger.^ b.c. 45
So you must get your news from him himself. I
have met Balbus : for Lepta, being anxious about
the contract for the shows, took me to him. Well,
he was in the place at Lanuvium, which he made
over to Lepidus : and the first thing he said to
me was, " I have just had a letter in which Caesar
definitely asserts that he will be here before the
Roman games." I read the letter. It dilated on
my Cato, and he said that by reading it frequently
he had increased his flow of language, and, when
he read Brutus' Cato, he began to think himself
eloquent. I learned from him that the formal
acceptance of Cluvius' legacy was an unconditional
acceptance within sixty days before witnesses. How-
careless of Vestorius not to tell me ! I was afraid
I should have to send for him : but now I must

^ In the Latin there is a play on the proper name, which I
am unable to reproduce in English.

201

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
iussu cernat. Idem igitur PoUex. Etiam de hortis
Cluvianis egi cum Balbo. Nil liberalius. Se enim
statim ad Caesarem scripturum, Cluvium autem a T.
Hordeonio legare et Terentiae HS 1333 et sepulcro
multisque rebus^ nihil a nobis. Subaccusa, quaesOj
Vestorium. Quid minus probandum quam Plotium
unguentarium per suos pueros omnia tanto ante
Balbo, ilium mi ne per meos quidem ? De Cossinio
doleo ; dilexi hominem.

Quinto delegabo, si quid aeri meo alieno superabit
et emptionibus, ex quibus mi etiam aes alienum
faciendum puto. De dome Arpini nil scio.

Vestorium nil est quod accuses. lam enim obsig-
nata liac epistula noctu tabellarius noster venit, et
ab eo litteras diligenter scriptas attulit et exemplum
testaraenti.

XLVII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- " Posteaquam abs te, Agamemno/' non " ut veni-

cniano la. ^em " (nam id quoque fecissera, nisi Torquatus esset),
Sext. a. 709

sed ut scriberem, "tetigit aures nuntius, extemplo "

instituta omisi ; ea, quae in manibus habebam, abieci,

quod iusseras, edolavi. Tu velim e Pollice cognoscas

^ 50,000 sesterces.
S03

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 46-47

commission him to accept at my orders. So this
same Pollex can take the message. I discussed
Cluvius' gardens with Balbus too, and he was most
obliging. For he said he would write to Caesar
at once, but that Cluvius had subtracted from
Hordeonius' legacy some £500 ^ for Terentia, the
cost of his tomb and a lot of other things, but
nothing from my share. Please remonstrate with
Vestorius. It is surely most out of place for Plotius
the perfumer to send his own special messengers
with full particulars to Balbus so long in advance,
while Vestorius does not send me news even by
my messengers. I am sorry about Cossinius ; I was
fond of him.

I will make over to Quintus anything that may
be left after paying my debts and making pur-
chases, for which I am afraid I shall incur more debt.
About the house at Arpinum I know nothing.

There is no necessity to grumble at Vestorius,
for to-night, after I had sealed this letter, my
messenger came bringing a letter full of details
and a copy of the will.

XLVII

CICEIIO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

"When from thee, Agamemnon, the message Tusculum,
reached my ears," not "that I should come " ^wo'. 13^
(though I should have done that too, if it had b.c. 45
not been for Torquatus), " straightway " I gave
up what I had begun, threw down what I had
in hand and made a rough sketch of what you
ordered.^ I should like you to find out from

2 i e. he gave up working at the De Naliira Deorum, and
set about writing a letter to Caesar.

203

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

rationes nostras sumptuarias. Turpe est enim nobis
ilium, qualiscumque est, hoc prime anno egere. Post
moderabimur diligentius. Idem PoUex remittendus
est, ut ille cernat. Plane Puteolos non fuit eundum,
cum ob ea, quae ad te scripsi, turn quod Caesar adest.
Dolabella scribit se ad me postridie Idus. O magis-
trum molestum !

XLVIIa

CICERO ATTICO SAI,.

Scr. Asturae Lepidus ad me heri vesperi litteras misit Antio.

Ill K. oext. Xam ibi erat. Habet enim domum, quam nos vendi-

dimus. Kogat magno opere, ut sim Kal. m senatu ;

me et sibi et Caesari vehementer gratum esse factu-

rum. Puto equidem nihil esse. Dixisset enim tibi

fortasse aliquid Oppius, quoniam Balbus est aeger.

Sed tamen malui venire frustra quam desiderari, si

opus asset. Moleste ferrem postea. Itaque hodie

Anti, eras ante meridiem domi. Tu velim, nisi te

impedivisti, apud nos pr. Kal. cum Pilia.

Te spero cum Publilio confecisse. Equidem Kal.

in Tusculanum recurram ; me enim absente omnia cum

illis transigi malo. Quinti fratris epistulam ad te

misi, non satis humane illam quidem respondentem

meis litteris, sed tamen quod tibi satissit,ut equidem

existimo. Tu videbis.
204.

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 47-47a

Pollex the state of my exchequer. It would be a
disgrace to me that my son should run short of
money in his first year, whatever he may deserve.
Afterwards we will restrict him more carefully.
Pollex also must be sent back, that Vestorius may
accept the inheritance. Clearly I ought not to
have gone to Puteoli, both on account of what
you say, and because Caesar is getting near.
Dolabella tells me he is coming to me on the 14th.
What a tiresome school-master !

XLVIIa

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREKTINO.

Yesterday evening I had a letter from Lepidus Astvra,
at Antium. That is where he is, for he has the July 30, b.c,
house I sold. He implores me to be in the Senate 45
on the 1st, saying that both he and Caesar would
take it as a great favour. I don't think it is of
any importance ; for Oppius Avould probably have
said something to you, as Balbus is ill. However
I would rather come for nothing, if necessary,
than have my absence noticed. I should regret
it afterwards. So to-day I go to Antium, to-
morrow home by midday. I should like you and
Pilia to come to dinner on the last of the month,
if you are not engaged.

I hope you have settled with Publilius. I shall
rush back to Tusculum on the 1st; for I prefer
all the transactions with them to take place in
my absence. I am sending my brother's letter to
you : it is not a very kind answer to mine, but
I think it should satisfy you. You will see for your-
self.

205

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XLVIII

CICERO ATTICO SAL,

Scr. tn Ttis- Heri nescio quid in strepitii videor exaudisse, cum

ciUano 11 diceres te in Tusculanum venturum. Quod utinani !

\on. Sext. a. ■. .. i i. j. j

~^Q iterum utinam ! tuo tamen commode.

Lepta me rogat, ut, si quid sibi opus sit, accurram ;
mortuus enim Babullius. Caesar, opinor, ex uncia,
etsi nihil adhuc ; sed Lepta ex triente. Veretur
autem, ne non liceat tenere hereditatem, i\6yw<i
omnino, sed veretur tamen. Is igitur si accierit,
.accurram ; si minus, non antequam necesse erit. Tu
Pollicem, cum poteris.

Laudationem Porciae tibi misi corrcctam. Adeo
pi-operavi, ut, si forte aut Domitio filio aut Bruto
mitteretur, haec mitteretur. Id, si tibi erit commo-
dum, magno opere cures velim et velim M. Varronis
et Olli mittas laudationem, Olli utique. Nam illam
legi, volo tamen i-egustare. Quaedam enim vix mihi
credo legisse me.

XLIX

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Atticae primum salutem (quam equidem ruri esse

culano arc. arbitror ; multam igitur salutem) et Piliae. De Ti-

* ^P ■ gellio, si quid novi. Qui quidem, ut mihi Gallus

fl. /(yi/ _,^, ,, , , ... ^ ...

radius scripsit, fjufxipiv avacfxpn mini quandam iniquis-

simam, me Phameae defuisse, cum eius causani re-
206

LETTERS TO ATTICUS Xlll. 48-49
XLVIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Yesterday in the midst of all the noise I think Tusculum
I caught some remark of yours about coming to /lua. 2 b.c
Tusculum. I wish you would. I wish to goodness 4Q
you would : but at your convenience.

Lepta asks me to go to him, if there is any
necessity : for Babullius is dead. Caesar, I fancy,
is heir to one-twelfth of his estate — though I know
nothing yet : but Lepta to a third. He is afraid he
may not be allowed to take the inheritance. It is
absurd of course, but still he is afraid. So, if he
sends for me, I shall go at once : if not, not till it
is necessary. Send back Pollex, when you can.

I am sending you the funeral oration of Porcia
corrected. I have hurried about it, so that, if it
should be sent to young Domitius or to Brutus,
this edition should be sent. If it is convenient,
I should much like you to see about it, and please
send me the orations of M. Varro, and Ollius, at
any rate that of Ollius. I have read it, but I want
to dip into it again : for there are things in it that I
can hardly believe I read.

XLIX

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

First health to Attica (who I suppose is now in Tuscuhm,
the country, so I wish her a full return to health) circa Atia.
and to Pilia too. Let me know about Tigellius, 22, b.c. 46
if there is any news. According to a letter of
Fadius Gallus, he is very down on me most unjustly
for deserting Phamea, when I had undertaken his

207

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

cepissem. Quam quidem receperam contra pueros
Octavios Cn. filios non libenter ; sed Phameae causa
volebam. Erat enim, si meministij in consulatus
petitione per te mihi pollieitus, si quid opus esset ;
quod ego perinde tuebar, ac si usus essem. Is ad
me venit dixitque iudieem operam dare sibi consti-
tuisse eo die ipso, quo de Sestio nostro lege Pompeia
in consilium iri necesse erat. Scis enim dies illorum
iudiciorum praestitutos fuisse. Respondi non igno-
rare eum, quid ego deberem Sestio. Quern vellet
alium diem si sumpsisset, me ei non defuturum. Ita
turn ille discessit iratus. Puto me tibi narrasse.
Non laboravi scilicet nee hominis alieni iniustissimam
iracundiam mihi curandam putavi. Gallo autem
narravi, cum proxime Romae fui, quid audissem,
neque nominavi Balbum minorem. Habuit suum
negotium Gallus, ut scribit. Ait ilium me animi
conscientia, quod Phameam destituissem, de se sus-
picari. Quare tibi hactenus mando, de illo nostro, si
quid poteris, exquiras, de me ne quid labores. Est
bellum aliquem libenter odisse et, quern ad modum
non omnibus dormire, ita^ non omnibus servire. Etsi
mehercule, ut tu intellegis, magis mihi isti serviunt,
si observare servire est.

' non omnibus dormire, ita added by Lamhinus.

^ Or " I did also wish well to Phamea," as Shuckburgh.

^ In a letter of about the same date to Gallus {Ad Fam.
Vli. 24) Cicero saj's, Cipius, opinor, oliin ^^ non omnihvs dor-
mio "; 8ic ego non omnibus, mi Oalle, servio. It is explained
208

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 49

case. It went against the grain with me to take
it at all against the sons of Cn. Octavius ; but
for Phamea's sake I agreed.^ For, if you remember,
when I was standing for the consulship, he sent a
promise of any assistance he could render through
you ; and I appreciated it as much as if I had
used it. He came to me and said the judge had
undertaken to hear his case on the very same
day that the jury were bound by the Pompeian
law to settle that of our friend Sestius. For you
know the days of those cases have been fixed by
law. I answered that he could not but be aware
of my obligations to Sestius. If he would choose
any other day, I would not fail him. So then he
left me in a temper. I think I told you about
it. I did not bother myself about it of course,
not thinking that a perfectly unwarrantable fit of
anger of a stranger concerned me. However I told
Gallus the next time I was in town what I had
heard, without mentioning young Balbus. Gallus
took the matter up, as he tells me. He says
Tigellius asserts that I suspect him because of my
bad conscience about my desertion of Phamea.
Accordingly I commission you to find out what
you can from young Balbus, but not to bother
your head about me. It is quite a good thing to
have somebody to hate with a will, and not to
pander to everybody any more than to be asleep
for everybody.^ Though upon my word, as you
know, Caesar's party are obsequious to me more
than I to them, if attention is obsequiousness.

that Cipius used to shut his eyes to his wife's barefaced
amours in his presence ; but when a servant, thinking him
asleep, stole a cup before his eyes, he woke up with this
remark.

209

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tiis- Admonitus quibusdam tuis litteris, ut ad Caesarem

culano circ. uberiores litteras mittere instituerem, cum milii Bal-

IX K. Sept. bus nuper in Lanuvino dixisset se et Oppium scrip-

(7. 709 sisse ad Caesarem me legisse libros contra Catonem

et vehementer probasse, conscripsi de iis ipsis libris

epistulam Caesari, quae deferretur ad Dolabellam ;

sed eius exemplum misi ad Oppium et Balbum, scrip-

sique ad eos, ut turn deferri ad Dolabellam iuberent

meas litteras, si ipsi exemplum probassent. Ita mihi

rescripserunt, nihil umquam se legisse melius, epistu-

lamque meam iusserunt dari Dolabellae.

Vestorius ad me scripsit, ut iuberem mancipio dari
servo suo pro mea parte Hetereio cuidam fundum
Brinnianum, ut ipse ei Puteolis recte mancipio dare
posset. Eum servum, si tibi videbitur, ad me mittes ;
opinor enim ad te etiam scripsisse Vestorium.

De adventu Caesaris idem quod a te mihi scriptum
est ab Oppio et Balbo. Miror te nihildum cum
Tigellio. Velut hoc ipsum, quantum acceperit, pror-
sus aveo scire, nee tamen flocci facio. Quaeris, quid
cogitem de obviam itione. Quid censes nisi Alsium ?
Et quidem ad Murenam de hospitio scripseram,
sed opinor cum Matio profectum. Sallustius igitur
urgebitur,

Scripto iam superiore versiculo Eros mihi dixit
sibi Murenam liberalissime respondisse. Eo igitur
utamur. Nam Silius culcitas non habet. Dida autem,
opinor, hospitibus totam villam concessit.

210

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 50

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

You suggested in one of your letters that I Tusculum,
should set about composing a longer letter to send circa Aug.
to Caesar, and Balbus told me lately at Lanuvium 24, b.c. 46
that he and Oppius had written to Caesar telling
him I had read his books against Cato and strongly
approved of them : so I wrote a letter to Caesar
about those books to be sent to Dolabella. But
I sent a copy to Oppius and Balbus, asking them
to send on my letter to Dolabella, if they them-
selves approved of the copy. So they have answered
that they never read anything better and have had
my letter forwarded to Dolabella.

Vestorius has written asking me to make over
my share in the property of Brinnius to a slave
of his on behalf of one Hetereius, so that he can
complete the transfer at Puteoli according to law.
If you think it right, send the slave to me ; for
I suppose Vestorius has written to you too.

About Caesar's coming Opj)ius and Balbus tell
me the same as you. I am surprised that you have
not yet had a talk with Tigellius. For instance,
I should much like to know just how much he got ;
however I don't really care a straw. You ask what
I think about going to meet Caesar. Where are
you thinking of, unless it is Alsium .'' Indeed I
have written to Murena asking him to take me
in ; but I suppose he has gone with Matius. So
I shall inflict myself on Sallustius.

When I had written the last line, Eros told me
Murena gave him the kindest of answers : so let me
make use of him. For Silius has no cushions, while
Dida, I believe, has given up his whole villa to guests.

211

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
LI

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Ad Caesarem quani misi epistulam, eius exemplum
culano VII fuo-it me turn tibi mittere. Nee id fuit, quod suspi-
K. Sept. a. pj^j.jg^ ,jt jjje puderet tui, ne ridicule Mlkv\\o<;} nee
mehercule scripsi aliter, ac si Trpos Icrov o/Aoioique
scriberem. Bene enim existimo de illis libris, ut tibi
coram. Itaque scripsi et dKoAa/ccurcos et tamen sic,
ut nihil eum existimem lecturum libenlius.

De Attica nunc demum mihi est exploratum ;
itaque ei de integro gratulare. Tigellium totum
mihi, et quidem quam primum ; nam pendeo animi.
Narrabo tibi, Quintus eras; sed, ad me an ad te,
nescio. Mi scripsit Romam viii Kal. Sed misi, qui
invitaret. Etsi hercle iam Romam veniendum est,
ne ille ante advolet.

LII

CICEllO ATTICO SAL.

Scr.inPuleo- O hospitem mihi tam gravem a/AeTa/xe'XrjTov ! Fuit

Inno XII K. eiiim periucundc. Sed, cum secundis Saturnalibus

Ian. a. 709 ^^ Philippum vesperi venisset, villa ita completa a

militibus est, ut vix triclinium, ubi cenaturus ipse

Caesar esset, vacaret, quippe hominum cid cid. Sane

sum commotus, quid futurum esset postridie ; ac mihi

Barba Cassius subvenit, custodes dedit. Castra in

1 WiKvKKos Schmidt, comparing Lucian Gall. I, Tyrann. 14:
mi oil I us MSS.
212

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIII. 51-52
LI

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

It escaped my memory to send you a copy of the Tusculum,
letter I sent to Caesar at the time. It was not, Aug. 26,
as you suspect, that I was ashamed of showing it b.c. 45
it to you, for fear I should seem too much of a
flatterer ; nor, I assure you, did I write otherwise
than I should to an equal. For I have got a high
opinion of those books of his, as I told you when
we met. So I wrote without flattery, and yet I
think he will read it with great pleasure.

At last I have full news of Attica ; so please
congratulate her again. Tell me all about Tigellius
and that too as soon as possible ; for I am feeling
anxious. There is one thing I must mention. Young
Quintus is coming to-morrow ; but, whether to me
or to you, I don't know. He wrote to me he was
coming to Rome on the 25th. I have sent someone
to invite him here. Though to be sure I must go
to Rome now, for fear Caesar may forestall me.

LII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

To think that my formidable guest leaves no Puleoli, Dec
regret behind ! For indeed it passed off splendidly. 21, B.C. 46
However, when he reached Philippus on the evening
of the 18th, the house was so full of soldiers that
there was hardly a room left for Caesar himself to
dine in. Two thousand men if you please ! I was
much disturbed as to what was going to happen the
next day ; and Cassius Barba came to the rescue and
gave me guards. A camp was pitched in the fields,

213

xMARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

agro, villa defensa est. lUe tertiis Saturnalibus apud
Philippum ad h. vii nee quemquam admisit ; rationes^
opinor, cum Balbo. Inde ambulavit in litore. Post
h. VIII in balneum. Turn audivit de Mamurra, vultum
non mutavit. Unctus est, accubuit. 'E/Aen/c^v age-
bat. Itaque et edit et bibit dScws et iucunde, opipare
sane et apparate nee id solum, sed

"bene cocto et
condito sermone bono et, si quaeris, libenter."

•^Praeterea tribus tricliniis accepti ol Trepl avrbu valde
copiose. Libertis minus lautis servisque nihil defuit.
Nam lautiores eleganter accepi. Quid multa } homi-
nes visi sumus. Hospes tamen non is, cui diceres :
" Amabo te, eodem ad me, cum revertere." Semel
satis est. ^ttovSolov ovSkv in sermone, (f)iX6\oya multa.
Quid quaeris? delectatus est et libenter fuit. Puteolis
se aiebat unum diem fore, alterum ad Baias.

Habes hospitium sive lina-Tadfxuav odiosam mihi,
dixi, non molestam. Ego paulisper hie, deinde in
Tusculanum. Dolabellae villam cum praeteriret,
omnis armatorum copia dextra, sinistra ad equum
nee usquam alibi. Hoc ex Nicia.

* A quotation from Lucilius.

214

LETTERS TO ATTICUS Xlll. 52

and the house put under guard. On the 19th he
stayed with Philippus till one o'clock and admitted
no one : at his accounts, I believe, with Balbus.
Then he walked on the shore. After two he took
his bath. Then he heard about Mamurra without
changing countenance. He was anointed and sat
down to dinner. He was undergoing a course of
emetics, so he ate and drank at his pleasure without
fear. It was a lordly dinner and well-served, and not
only that, but

•' Well cooked, and seasoned, and, the truth to tell,
With pleasant discourse all went very well." ^

Besides his chosen circle were entertained very
liberally in three rooms : and freedmen of lower
degree and slaves could not complain of stint. The
upper sort were entertained in style. In fact, I
was somebody.^ Still he was not the sort of guest to
whom one would say : " Be sure to look me up on the
way back." Once is enough. There was no serious
talk, but plenty of literary. .In a word he was
pleased and enjoyed himself. He said he would
spend one day at Puteoli and another near Baiae.

There you have all about my entertainment, or
billeting you might say, objectionable, as I have
said, but not uncomfortable. I am staying here a
while and then go to Tusculum. As he passed
Dolabella's house and nowhere else the whole troop
formed up on the right and left of him. So Nicias
tells me.

' Or, as Tyrrell suggests, " we were quite friendly to-
gether," i.e. Caesar did not "assume the god" ; or possibly
even " we all felt we were in civilised society."

215

M. TULLI CICERONIS

EPISTULARUM AD ATTICUM

LIBER QUARTUS DECIMUS

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

•Scr. in Deverti ad illuiu, de quo tecum mane. Nihil per-

suburhano ditius ; explicari rem non posse. " Etenim, si ille tali

Matt VII . • '^ • u 4. • •.-...

, , . mgenio exitum non reperiebat, quis nunc repenet ?

'^10 Quid quaeris .'' perisse omnia aiebat (quod baud scio

an ita sit ; verum ille gaudens) adfirmabatque minus
diebus xx tumultum Gallicum. In sermonem se post
Idus Martias praeterquam Lepido venisse nemini.
Ad summam non posse istaec sic abire. O prudentem
Oppium ! qui nihilo minus ilium desiderat, sed loqui-
tur nihil, quod quemquam bonum ofFendat. Sed haec
hactenus.
•^ Tu, quaeso, quicquid novi (multa autem exspecto),
scribere ne pigrere, in his, de Sexto satisne certum,
maxime autem de Bruto nostro. De quo quidem ille,
ad quern deverti, Caesarem solitum dicere : " Magni
refert, hie quid velit, sed, quicquid volt, valde volt " ;
idque eum animadvertisse, cum pro Deiotaro Nicaeae
dixerit; valde vehementer eum visum et libere dicere ;

216

CICERO'S LETTERS

TO ATTICUS

BOOK XIV

I have stopped for a visit with the man we were At Matim'
speaking of in the morning.^ His view is that nothing villa, April
could be more disgraceful and the thing was quite 7, B.C. 44
hopeless. " For, if Caesar with his genius could not
find a solution, who will find it now ? " In a word
he said the end had come (which may be true, but'
he was pleased about it), and assured me that in less
than twenty days there would be a rising in Gaul.
He has not discussed the matter with anyone except
Lepidus since the 15th of March : and, in fine, things
cannot pass off like this. What a wise man is Oppius!
He regrets Caesar quite as much, but says nothing
that can offend any of the loyal party. So much
for that.

Pray do not delay in sending me any news — and I
expect there is plenty : among other things whether
we may be sure of Sextus, but especially about our
friend Brutus. About him the man I am staying
with says Caesar used to say : " What he wants is of
great importance, but whatever he wants, he wants
it badly " ; and that he noticed it, when he pleaded
for Deiotarus at Nicaea, for he seemed to speak with
emphasis and with boldness. Again — I like to write

* C. Matiua Calvena.

217

MARCUS TULLIUS CICEKO

atque ctiam (ut enim quicque succurrit, libet scribere)
proxime, cum Sesti rogatu apud eum fuissem exspec-
taremque sedens, quoad vocarer, dixisse eum : " Ego
dubitem, quin summo in odio sim, cum M. Cicero
sedeat nee suo commodo me convenire possit ? Atqui^
si quisquam est facilis, hie est. Tamen non dubito,
quia me male oderit." Haec at eius modi multa.
Sed ad propositum. Quicquid erit non modo mag-
num, sed etiam parvum, scribes. Equidem nihil
intermitUim.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. tn Duas a te accepi epistulas heri. Ex priore thea-

subutbano trum Publiliumque cognovi, bona signa consentientis

Mall y 1 la. multitudinis. Plausus vero L. Cassio datus etiam

" ' * facetus mihi quidem visus est. Altera epistula de

Madaro scripta, apud quem nullum ^aXciK/sco/ia, ut

putas. Processit enim, sed minus. Diutius sermone

eius sum retentus. Quod autem ad te scripseram

obscure fortasse, id eius modi est. Aiebat Caesarem

secum, quo tempore Sesti rogatu veni ad eum, cum

exspectarem sedens, dixisse : " Ego nunc tam sim

stultus, ut hunc ipsum facilem hominem putem mihi

esse amicum, cum tam diu sedens meum commodum

exspectet?" Habes igitur tftaXaKpujixa inimicissimum

otii, id est Bruti.

1 i.e. the production of a mime b}' Pulililius Syra.
218

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 1-2

the first thing that comes into my head — recently,
when at Sestius' request I paid Caesar a visit and
was sitting waiting to be called in, he remarked :
" Can I doubt that I am heartily detested, when Cicero
sits waiting and cannot visit me at his convenience ?
Yet, if ever there was a good-natured man, he is
one. However, I have no doubt that he detests me."
That and more to the same effect. But to return to
the point. Write me anything there is to write, not
only important matters, but even petty details. I
shall not let anything escape me.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I had two letters from you yesterday. From the From
first I leai'ned about the theatre and Publilius,i good Matins' villa.
signs of the unanimous feeling of the people. The April 8,
applause given to Cassius I thought even overdone, b.c. 44
The other letter was about Bald-pate,'* though he is
not so bald as you think. For he has advanced,
though not very far. I have been detained too long
by his talk. What I mentioned to you, perhaps a
little obscurely, was like this. He said Caesar re-
marked to him, when 1 went to see him at Sestius'
request and was sitting waiting : " Can I be foolish
enough to think that this man, good-natured though
he is, is friendly to me, when he has to sit and wait
for my convenience so long." So you have in Bald-
pate a bitter enemy of peace, that is to say, of
Brutus.

* Madaro = fiadap^, " bald-pate," a pun on Calvena,
Matiua' agnomen. Tlie reading and rendering of the rest of
the sentence is doubtful.

219

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

In Tusculanum hodie, Lanuvi eras, inde Asturae
cogitabam. Piliae paratum est hospitium, sed vellem
Atticam. Verum tibi ignosco. Quarum utrique
salutem.

Ill

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Tranquillae tuae quidem litterae. Quod utinam
culano V Id. diutius ! nam Matius posse negabat. Ecce autem
Apr. a. 71u structores nostri ad frumentum profecti, cum inanes
redissent, rumorem adferunt magnum Romae domum
ad Antonium frumentum omne portari. Ilavffcoi'
certe ; scripsisses enim, Corumbus Balbi nullus ad-
huc. Est mihi notum nomen ; bellus enim esse dici-
tur architectus.

Ad obsignandum tu adliibitus non sine causa vide-
ris. Volunt enim nos ita putare ; nescio, cur non
animo quoque sentiant. Sed quid haec ad nos ?
Odorare tamen Antoni Sia^co-iv ; quern quidem ego
epularum magis arbitror rationem habere quam quic-
quam mali cogitare.

Tu, si quid pragmaticum habebis, scribes ; sin
minus, populi iTna-Tqixacriav et mimorum dicta perscri-
bito, Piliae et Atticae salutem.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Lanuvii Numquid putas me Lanuvi ? At ego te istic cotidie
fr Id. Apr. aliquid novi suspicor. Tument negotia. Nam, cum
a. 710 Matius, quid censes ceteros ? Equidem doleo, quod

220

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 2~l

1 am thinking of going to Tusculum to-day, to
Lanuvium to-movrow, and then to Astura, I am
ready to entertain Pilia, though I should like
Attica. However, I forgive you. So greet me to
them both.

Ill

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Your letter is full of peace, and I only hope peace Tusculum,
may last some time. Matius does not think it can. April 9, b.c.
Here are my builders, who had gone off harvest- 44
ing, returning empty-handed and bringing a strong
report that all the corn is being taken to Antony's
house at Rome. Of course it is a false alarm, or I
should have heard it from you. Not a sign as yet of
Balbus' man Corumbus. I know the name; he is
said to be a good architect.

It appears to me there was reason in their asking
you to be present at the sealing of that will : for
they want us to think them friendly, and I don't see
why that should not be their real feeling. But what
does it matter to us } However, scent out Antony's
intentions; I fancy he is more concerned about his
banquets than about plotting any harm.

If you have any news of practical importance, let
me hear it; if not, give me full details as to who
Avere cheered by the people at the mimes, and the
epigrams of the actors. My love to Pilia and Attica.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Do you suppose I get any news at Lanuvium > But Lanuvium,
I suspect you hear something fresh every day in town. April 10,
The trouble is coming to a head : for when Matius B.C. 44
thinks so, what do you suppose others think ? What

221

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

numquam in ulla civitate accidit, non una cum liber,
tate rem publicam recupcratam. llovribile est, quae
loquantur, quae minitentur. Ac vei*eor Gallica etiam
bella, ipse Sextus quo evadat. Sed omnia licet con-
currant, Idus Martiae consolantur. Nostri auteni
yjpwts, quod per ipsos confici potuit, gloriosissime et
magnificentissime confecerunt ; reliquae res opes et
copias desiderant, quas nullas habemus.| Haec ego
ad te. Tu, si quid novi (nam cotidie aliquid ex-
specto), confestim ad me, et, si novi nihil, nostro
more tamen ne patiamur intermitti litterulas. P2qui-
dem non committam.

CICERO ATTICO S. D.

Scr. Asturae Spero tibi iam esse, ut volumus, quoniam quidem
/// la. Apr. rjaiT-qaa';, cum leviter commotus esses ; sed tamen
a. /lU velim scire, quid agas. Signa bella, quod Calvena

moleste fert se suspectum esse Bruto ; ilia signa non
bona, si cum signis legiones veniunt e Gallia. Quid
tu illas putas, quae fuerunt in Hispania ? nonne
idem postulaturas ? quid, quas Annius transportavit ?
C. Asinium volui, sed ixi'tj/jlovikov a/xapTrjua. Ab alea-
tore ^ <^up/x.os TToXv';. Nam ista quidem Caesaris liber-
torum coniuratio facile opprimeretur, si recta saperet
Antonius. O meam stultam verecundiam 1 qui legari
noluerim ante res prolatas, ne deserere viderer hunc

^ a balneatore some MSS. and editors : in which case il
refers to the Pseudo- Marias.
222

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 4-5

worries me is what never happened in any other
state, that the constitution has not been recovered
when freedom has. It is frightful to listen to the
rumours and the threats : and I am afraid of a war
in Gaul and of what side Sextus will take. But
though all the world conspire against us. the Ides of
March console me. Our heroes accomplished most
gloriously and magnificently all that they could ac-
complish by themselves ; the other matters require
money and forces, and we have neither. That is all
I have to say to you. If you have any news (for I
expect something every day), let me know quickly,
and, even if there is no news, don't let us break our
custom and not exchange notes. I will see that 1
don't.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I hope you are as well as I wish you to be by now, Astura,
as you were fasting owing to a slight indisposition : April 11,
but I should like to know how you are. It is a good b.c. 44
sign that Calvena is annoyed at Brutus' suspicions ;
but it will be by no means a good sign if the legions
come from Gaul with their ensigns. What do you
think about those that were in Spain? Won't they
make the same demands? And what of those that
Annius took across? I meant to say C. Asinius, but
I had a lapsus memoriae. A fine mess the gambler ^
is making. For that conspiracy of Caesar's freedmen
might have been put down easily, if Antony had his
wits about him. How foolish were my scruples in
refusing a free legation before the vacation for fear of
appearing to shirk this turmoil. Of course, if I could

^ Antony.

223

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

rerum tumorem ; cui certe si possem mederi, desse
non deberem. Sed vides magistratus, si quidem illi
magistratus, vides tamen tyranni satellites in imperiis^
vides eiusdem exercitus, vides in latere veteranos,
quae sunt cvpiVicrTa omnia, eos autem, qui orbis terrae
eustodiis non modo saepti, verum etiam magni ^ esse
debebant, tantum modo laudari atque amari, sed
parietibus contineri. Atque illi quoquo modo beati,
civitas misera. Sed velim scire, qui adventus Octavi,
num qui concursus ad eum, num quae vewrepLafiov
suspicio. Non puto equidem, sed tamen, quicquid
est, scire cupio. Haec scripsi ad te proficiscens
Astura iii Idus.

CICERO ATTICO S. D.

Scr. Fundis Pridie Idus Fundis accepi tuas litteras cenans.
prid. Id. Primum igitur melius esse, deinde meliora te nun-
Apr. a. 710 ^i^re. Odiosa ilia enim fuerant, legiones venire.
Nam de Octavio susque deque. Exspecto, quid de
Mario ; quern quidem ego sublatum rebar a Caesare.
Antoni conloquium cum heroibus nostris pro re nata
non incommodum. Sed tamen adhuc me nihil de-
lectat pi-aeter Idus Martias. Nam, quoniam Fundis
sum cum Ligure nostro, discrucior Sextili fundum a
verberone Curtilio possideri. Quod cum dico, de
toto genere dico. Quid enim miserius quam ea nos

^ For magui Manutius proposed vagi, Orelli ciytot, and Beid
muniti.
224

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 5-6

have helped to remedy it, I had no right to fail in
my duty. But you see the magistrates, if they can
be called magistrates; you see, in spite of all, the
tyrant's satellites in authority; you see his army,
you see his veterans on our flank. All these can
easily be fanned into flame. But those who ought to
be hedged about and even honoured by the watchful
care of the whole world, are only praised and admired
— and confined to their houses. And they, be that as
it may, are happy, while the state is in misery. But
I should like to know about Octavius' arrival, whether
there was a rush to meet him and whether there
was any suspicion of a coup d'etat. I don't suppose
there was, but still I should like to know, whatever
happened. I am writing this as I leave Astura on
the 11th of April.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

On the 12th I received your letter at Fundi during Fundi, April
dinner. First you are better, and secondly you send 12, b.c. 44
better news. For the news about the coming of the
legions was annoying. That about Octavius is neither
here nor there. I am anxious to hear about Marius.
I thought Caesar had got rid of him. Antony's con-
versation with our heroes is not unsatisfactory under
the circumstances. However, nothing at present
gives me any pleasure except the Ides of March.
For now that I am at Fundi with our friend Ligur,
I am annoyed at an estate of a Sextilius being in
the hands of a knave like Curtilius. In mentioning
this instance I am speaking of a whole class. For
can there be a more wretched state of affairs than

225

VOL. III. I

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

tueri, propter quae ilium oderamus ? etiamne coii-
sules et tribunes pi. in biennium, quos ille voluit ?
Nullo modo reperio, quern ad modum possim ttoXl-
T€V€aOai. Nihil enim tani ctoAoikov quam tyranno-
ctonos in caelo esse, tyranni facta defendi, Sed vides
consules, vides reliquos magistratus, si isti magi-
stratus, vides languorem bonorum. Exsultant laetitia
in municipiis. Dici enim non potest, quanto opere
gaudeant, ut ad me concurrant, ut audire cupiant
mea verba de re p. Nee uUa interea decreta. Sic
enim TreTroXircv/xe^a, ut victos metueremus.

Haec ad te scripsi apposita secunda mensa ; plura
et TToXiTLKWTepa postea, et tu, quid agas, quidque
agatur.

VII

CICERO AJTICO SAL.

Scr. in For- Postridie Idus Pauluni Caietae vidi. Is mihi de
mtano A / // ^ario et de re publica quaedam sane pessima. A te
:^Jq ' scilicet nihil ; nemo enim meorum. Sed Brutum

nostrum audio visum sub Lanuvio. Ubi tandem est
futurus ? Nam cum reliqua tum de hoc scire aveo
omnia. Ego e Formiano exiens xvii Kal., ut inde
altero die in Puteolanum, scripsi haec.

A Cicerone mihi litterae sane ireTnvwfjLivaL et bene
longae. Cetera autem vel fingi possunt, ttiVos litte-
rarum siguificat doctiorem. Nunc magno opere a te
226

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 6-7

that we should keep up the things for which we
detested him ? Are we to have consuls and tribunes,
too, for the next two years selected by him ? I don't
see how I can possibly take part in politics. For
nothing could be more topsy-turvy than to belaud
the slayers of the tyrant to the skies and to defend
the tyrant's acts. But you see the consuls ; you see
the other magistrates, if they can be called magis-
trates ; you see the indifference of the loyalists. In
the country towns they are jumping for joy. I cannot
describe their rejoicing, how they flock round me,
how they want to hear what I have to say about the
state. And in the meantime no senatorial decrees.
For our policy is this, that we are afraid of the
conquered party.

This I have written during dessert. I will write
fuller and more about politics later, and do you write
what you are doing and what is being done.

VII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I saw Paulus at Caieta on the 14th. He told me Formiae,
about Marius and gave me very bad news about the April 15,
State. From you, of course, I have nothing, as none b.c. 44
of my men have arrived. But I hear our friend Brutus
has been seen near Lanuvium. Where on earth is he
going to be .'' For I want to know among other things
everything about him. I am writing this as I leave
Formiae on the 15th, and I hope to reach Puteoli
on the next day.

I have had a letter from my son in quite the best
style, and fairly long. Other things may be put on,
but the style of the letter shows that he is learning
something. Now I appeal to you earnestly to see

227

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

peto, de quo sum nuper tecum locutus, ut videas, ne
quid ei desit. Id cum ad officium nostrum pertinet
tum ad existimationem et dignitatem ; quod idem
intellexi tibi videri. Omnino, si ego, ut volo, mense
Quinctili in Graeciam, sunt omnia faciliora ; sed,
cum sint ea tempora, ut certi nihil esse possit, quid
honestum mihi sit, quid liceat, quid expediat, quaeso^
da operam, ut ilium quam honestissime coi)iosissi-
meque tueamur.

Haec et cetera, quae ad nos pertinebunt, ut soles,
cogitabis ad meque aut, quod ad rem pertineat, aut,
si nihil erit, quod in buccam venerit, scribes.

VIII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tu me iam rebare, cum scribebas, in actis esse

Sinuessano nostris, et ego accepi xvii Kal. in deversoriolo Sinues-
-^ ^/^ ^^'' sano tuas litteras. De Mario probe, etsi doleo
*• "^' '■'^L. Crassi nepotem. Optime iam etiam Bruto nostro
probari Antonium. Nam, quod luniam scribis mode-
rate et amice scriptas litteras attulisse, mihi Paiilus
dicit ad se a fratre missas ; quibus in extremis erat
sibi insidias fieri ; se id certis auctoribus comperisse.
Hoc nee mihi placebat et multo illi minus. Reginae
fuga mihi non molesta est. Clodia quid egerit, scribas
ad me velim. De Byzantiis curabis ut cetera et
Pelopem ad te arcesses. Ego, ut postulas, Baiana

* The Pseudo-Marius had just been put to death by Antony.

' Both letters came from M. Lepidus, husband of Junia —
the one to Brutu-', the other to L. Aemilius (Lepidus) Paulus
228

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 7-8

that he wants for nothing : I had already mentioned
the point to you. It is a point that concerns my
duty and my reputation and dignity as well ; and I
see you take that view yourself. Of course, if I go
to Greece, as I should like, in July, everything will
be easier : but, as the times are such that I cannot
be sure what will be honourable, possible, or expe-
dient for me, I beg you to be careful that we supply
him with a reasonable and liberal income.

As usual you will consider these points and others
that concern me, and will write and tell me the
pertinent facts or, if there are none, whatever comes
into your head.

VIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

When you wrote, you thought I was already in one Sinuessa,
of my seaside houses, and I have received your letter April 15,
on the 15th in my lodge at Sinuessa. I am glad about b.c. 44
Marius, though I am sorry for the grandson of L.
Crassus.^ It is a very good thing that Antony is
so approved of even by our friend Brutus. You
say Junia brought a letter written in a moderately
friendly tone : Paulus tells me it was sent to him by
his brother,- and that at the end of it there was a
statement that there was a plot against him, which
he had ascertained on excellent authority. I was
annoyed about that and he was still more annoyed.
I see nothing to object to in Cleopatra's flight. 1
should like you to tell me what Clodia has done.
You must look after the people of Byzantium like
everything else, and get Pelops ^ to call on you. I

' Possibly the Pelops mentioned by Plutarch (Cic. 25), to
whom Cicero wrote about some honours the Byzantines
proposed to confer on him.

229

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

negotia choi-umque ilium, de quo scire vis, cum per-
spexero, tum scribam, ne quid ignores. Quid Galli,
quid Hispani, quid Sextus agat, vehementer exspecto.
Ea scilicet tu declarabis, qui cetera. Nauseolam
tibi tuam causam otii dedisse facile patiebar. Vide-
bare enim mihi legenti tuas litteras requiesse pauli-
sper. De Bruto semper ad me omnia perscribito,
ubi sit, quid cogitet. Quem quidem ego spero iam
tuto vel solum tota urbe vagari posse. Verum
tamen .

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. PuleoUs De re publica multa cognovi ex tuis litteris ; quas
X/^ /T. Mrti. quidem multiiuges aocepi uno tempore a Vestori
'''• '-^^ liberto. Ad ea autem, quae requiris, brevi respon-

debo. Primum vehementer me Cluviana delectant.
Sed quod quaeris, quid arcessierim Chrj'sippum, taber-
nae mihi duae corruerunt, reliquaeque rimas agunt,
itaque non solum inquilini, sed mures etiam migra-
verunt. Hanc ceteri calamitatem vocant, ego ne
incommodum quidem. O Socrates et Socratici viri !
numquam vobis gratiam referam. Di immortales,
quam mihi ista pro nihilo ! Sed tamen ea ratio
aedificandi initur consiliario quidem et auctore Ves-
torio, ut hoc damnum quaestuosum sit.

Hie turba magna est eritque, ut audio, maior.

230

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 8-9

will look into all that lot of fellows ^ at Baiae, about
whom you wish to know, as you ask me, and will let
you know all about them. I am very anxious to hear
what the Gauls, and the Spaniards, and Sextus are
doing. You will, of course, inform me of that as of
other things. I am not sorry your slight attack of
sickness gave you an excuse for rest, for, judging by
your letters, you seem to have taken a little holiday.
Always give me full news about Brutus, his move-
ments and his intentions. I hope he will soon be
able to walk about the whole city safely even by
himself. However .

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

From your letters I have learned much about poli- Puleoli,
tics. I had a whole batch of them at the same time April 17,
from the freedman of Vestorius. However, I will b.c. 44
answer your questions shortly. Firstly, I am delighted
about the Cluvian property. You ask why I sent for
Chrysippus. Two of my shops have fallen down and
the rest are cracking : so not only the tenants, but
even the mice, have migrated. Other people call it
a calamity, but I don't count it even a nuisance. O
Socrates and followers of Socrates, I can never thank
you sufficiently. Ye gods ! how insignificant I count
all such things. However, at the advice and on
the suggestion of Vestorius I have adopted a plan
of rebuilding which will make my loss a profit.

There are lots of people here, and I hear there

^ negotium here seems to be used as a contemptuous term
in the sense of "fellow," for which cf. Att. i. 12 and v. 18 ;
and to refer to Hirtiua, Pansa, and Balbus who were idling
at Baiae.

231

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Duo quidem quasi designati consules. O di boni !
vivit tyrannis, tyrannus occidit ! Eius interfecti
morte laetamur, cuius facta defendimus ! Itaque
quam severe nos M. Curtius accusat, ut pudeat
vivere, neque iniuria. Nam mori miliens praestitit
quam haec pati; quae mihi videntur habitura etiam
vetustatem.

Et Balbus hie est multumque mecum. Ad quern
a Vetera litterae datae pridie Kal. lanuar., cum a se
Caecilius circumsederetur et iam teneretur, venisse
cum maximis copiis Pacorum Parthum ; ita sibi esse
euin ereptum multis suis amissis. In qua re accusat
Volcacium. Ita mihi videtur bellum illud instare.
Sed Dolabella et Nicias viderint. Idem Balbus
mehora de Galha. xxi die litteras habebat Germanos
illasque nationes re audita de Caesare legates misisse
ad Aurelium, qui est praepositus ab Hirtio, se, quod
imperatum esset, esse facturos. Quid quaeris? om-
nia plena pacis, aliter ac mihi Calvena dixerat.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Itane vero? hoc meus et tuus Brutus egit, ut

Puteolano Lanuvi esset, ut Trebonius itineribus deviis profici-

M ' ' 710 ^^^^^^^"^ '° provinciam, ut omnia facta, scripta, dicta,

promissa, cogitata Caesaris plus valerent, quam si ipse

viveret ? Meministine me clamare illo ipso prime
232

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV 9-10

will be more. Two of them are the so-called consuls
designate. Good God, the tyranny lives though the
tyrant is dead ! We rejoice at his assassination and
defend his actions. So see how severely M. Curtius
criticizes us ! We feel ashamed to live, and he is
perfectly right. For to die is a thousand times
better than to suffer such things, which seem to
me to be likely to continue for some considerable
time.

Balbus, too, is here, and is often with me. He has
had a letter from Vetus, dated the last of De-
cember, saying that when Caecilius was besieged and
already within his grasp, the Parthian Pacorus came
with a large force, and so Caecilius was snatched
from his hands and he lost many men. For that he
blames Volcacius. So I suppose there is a war im-
minent there. But that is Dolabella's and Nicias*
look out. Balbus also has better news about Gaul.
Twenty-one days ago he had a letter that the Germans
and the tribes there, on hearing about Caesar, sent
ambassadors to Aurelius, who was appointed by Hir-
tius, saying that they would do as they were bidden.
In fact everything seems peaceable there, contrary
to what Calvena said.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Is this what it comes to ? Is this what our hero Puteoli,
Brutus, my hero and yours, has achieved, that he April 19,
should have to stay at Lanuvium, that Trebonius b.c. 44
must make his way to his province by roundabout
routes ; that all the acts, notes, words, promises, and
projects of Caesar should have more validity than if
lie were alive ? Do you remember that I cried aloud

233

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Capitolino die debere senatum in Capitolium a prae-
toribus vocari ? Di immortal es, quae turn opera effici
potuerunt laetantibus omnibus bonis, etiam sat bonis,
fractis latronibus ! Liberalia tu accusas. Quid fieri
turn potuit ? iam pridem perieramus. Meministine
te clamare causam perisse, si funere elatus esset ?
At ille etiam in foro combustus, laudatusque misera-
biliter, servique et egentes in tecta nostra cum facibus
immissi. Quae deinde ? ut audeant dicere : " Tune
contra Caesaris nutum ? " Haec et alia ferre non
possum. Itaque " yrjv irpo yrj<;" co<^ito ; tua tamen
v7rr]V€fji.Lo<;.

Nausea iamne plane abiit? Mihi quidem ex tuis
litteris coniectanti ita videbatur. Redeo ad Tebassos,
Scaevas, Frangones. Hos tu existimas confidere se
ilia habituros stantibus nobis ? in quibus plus virtutis
putarunt, quam experti sunt. Pacis isti scilicet
amatores et non latrocinii auctores. At ego, cum
tibi de Curtilio scripsi Sextilianoque fundo, scripsi de
Censorino, de Messalla, de Planco, de Postuuio, de
genere toto. Melius fuit perisse illo interfecto, quod
numquam accidisset, quam haec videre.

Octavius Neapolim venit xiiii Kal. Ibi eum Balbus

* The murderers of Caesar barricaded themselves on the
Capitol after the murder, and were visited by Cicero and
others.

* At a meeting of the Senate on March 17 it was decreed
that Caesar's acta should be confirmed, that he should have
a public funeral, and that his will should be read.

^ Greece.
234

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 10

on that first day on the Capitol ^ that tlie Senate should
be summoned thither by the praetors ? Ye gods !
what might we not have accomplislied then, when
all the loyalists were rejoicing, and even the half
loyal, while the knaves were crushed. You blame
the Liberalia.2 What could have been done then ?
We were done for already. Do you remember you
exclaimed our cause was lost if the funeral took
place ? But he was even burned in the forum and
a moving oration was delivered in his praise, and
slaves and paupei'S were incited to attack our houses
with torches. And the end of it all is that they dare to
say: "Are you going to oppose Caesar's will .'' " Such
things as these I cannot bear. So I am thinking of
shifting from land to land. But your land ^ is too
exposed.

Has your sickness left you entirely now ? So
far as 1 can guess from your letters it has. I
return to the Tebassi, Scaevae, and Frangones.* Do
you suppose they will have any confidence in their
homesteads, while we have any power ? They have
found us to have less courage than they expected.
I suppose we must hold them lovers of peace and
not a gang of brigands. But, when I wrote to you
of Curtilius and Sextilianus' farm, I wrote of Censo-
rinus, Messalla, Plancus, Postumus, and all such cases
It were better to have perished when he was slain —
though it would never have come to that '' — than to
see such things.

Octavius came to Naples on the 18th of April.
There Balbus met him the next morning, and the

* Veterans of Caesar's army, who had had lands of the
Pompeian party given to them.

» Cicero implies l.haL the republican party would have
prevailed, if they had been bolder after Caesar's death.

235

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

mane postridie^ eodemque die mecum in Cumano,
ilium hereditatem aditurum. Sed, ut scribis, pi^oOe/xLv
magnam cum Antonio. Buthrotia mihi tua res est, ut
debet, eritque curae. Quod quaeris, iamne ad cen-
tena Cluvianum, adventare videtur. Scilicet primo
anno lxxx detersimus.

Quintus pater ad me gravia de filio, maxime quod
matri nunc indulgeat, cui antea bene merenti fuerit
inimicus. Ardentes in eum litteras ad me misit.
Ille autem quid agat, si scis, nequedum Roma es
profectus, scribas ad me velim, et hercule si quid
aliud. Vehementer delector tuis litteris.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Nudius tertius dedi ad te epistulam longiorem ;

Cmnano XI nunc ad ea, quae proxime. Velim mehercule, Asturae

A. Mai. a. Brutus. 'AKoXaaiav istorum scribis. An censebas
710

aliter .'' Equidem etiam maiora exspecto. Cum con-

tionem lego " de tanto viro, de clarissimo civi," ferre

non queo. Etsi ista iam ad risum. Sed memento,

sic alitur consuetudo perditarum contionum, ut nostri

illi non heroes, sed di futuri quidem in gloria sempi-

terna sint, sed non sine invidia, ne sine periculo

quidem. Verum illis magna consolatio conscientia

* Left in Caesar's will.

^ Saving the people of Buthrotum from confiscation of
their land for distribution among Caesar's veterans.
236

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 10-11

same day he was with me at Cumae and said Octavius
would accept that inheritance.^ But as you say, there
will be a crow to pick with Antony. I am attending
to your business at Buthrotum,^ as I ought, and I
will continue to do so. You ask if Cluvius' legacy
amounts to £1,000 vet. Well, in the first year I
cleared about £800.3'

Quintus is grumbling to me about his son, chiefly
because he is now making much of his mother, while
formerly he disliked her in spite of all she did for
him. The letter against him he sent me was written
in a blazing fury. If you know what the youth is
doing, and have not left Rome yet, I should be glad
to hear from you, and uncommonly glad for any other
news too. Your letters give me so much pleasure.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Two days ago I sent you a fairly long letter : now Cumae,
I answer your last. I wish to heaven Brutus were Apiil 21,
at Astura. You speak of the wild conduct of the b.c. 44
Caesai-eans. Did you expect anything else ? For
my part I look for worse. When I read a speech
about " so great a man, so illustrious a citizen," it is
more than I can bear, though now such talk is an
absui'dity. But take note, the habit of wild public
speaking is so fostered nowadays, that, though
eternal glory will be the portion of those friends of
ours, who will be held not merely heroes but gods,
they will not escape dislike or even danger. How-
ever, they have the great consolation of being

* 100,000 and 80,000 sesterces respectively.

237

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

inaximi et clarissimi facti, nobis quae, qui interfecto
rege liberi non sumus ? Sed haec fortuna videritj
quoniam ratio non gubernat.

De Cicerone quae scribis, iucunda mihl sunt ; velim
sint prospera. Quod curae tibi est, ut ei suppeditetur
ad usum et cultum copiose, per mihi gratum est,
idque ut facias, te etiam atque etiani rogo. De Bu-
throtiis et tu recte cogitas, et ego non diinitto istam
curam. Suscipiam omnem etiam actionem, quam
video cotidie faciliorem. De Cluviano, quoniam in re
mea me ipsum diligentia vincis, res ad centena per-
ducitur. Ruina rem non fecit deteriorem, baud scio
an etiam fructuosiorem.

Hie mecum Balbus, Hirtius, Pansa. Modo venit
Octavius et quidem in proximam villam Philippi mihi
totus deditus. Lentulus Spinther hodie apud me.
Cras mane vadit.

XII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Sc7\ Puteolis O mi Attice, vereor, ne nobis Idus Martiae nihil

A A. Mm. dederint praeter laetitiam et odii poenam ac doloris.

Quae mihi istim adferuntur ! quae hie video !

"*Qi 7rpa^€a)s KaXi}s /tei/, dreAoDs hi,'

Scis, quam dihgam Siculos et quam illam cliente-

1am honestam iudicem. Multa iUis Caesar neque me

238

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 11-12

conscious of a heroic and magnificent deed, but what
have we, who have killed a king and yet are not
free ? However, this lies in fortune's hands, since
reason no longer rules.

What you tell me of my son is welcome news ; I
hope all will go well. I am exceedingly grateful
to you for arranging that he shall be supplied with
sufficient for luxury as well as necessities, and I beg
you again and again to continue to do so. You are
right about the people of Buthrotum, and I am
not remitting my attention, I will undertake their
whole case, which is daily looking simpler. As
for Cluvius' inheritance, since you are more anxious
about my affairs than I am myself, it is approaching
.£1,000.^ The fall of some houses did not depre-
ciate it ; indeed, I am not sure it did not make it
better.

Balbus, Hirtius, and Pansa are here with me. Oc-
tavius has just come to stay, and that, too, in the
very next house, Philippus' place, and he is devoted
to me. Lentulus Spinther is staying with me to-day.
To-morrow early he is going.

XII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

My dear Atticus, I fear the Ides of March may Puteoli
have given us nothing but our joy and satisfaction of April 22,
our hatred and resentment. What news I get from b.c. 44
Rome! What things I see here! "The deed was
fair but its result is naught."

You know how fond I am of the Sicilians, and how
great an honour I count it to be their patron. Caesar
granted them many privileges, and I was pleased at

» 100,000 sesterces.

239

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

invito, etsi Latinitas ei'at non ferenda. Verum tamen.
Ecce autem Antonius accepta grandi pecunia fixit
legem a dictatore comitiis latam, qua Siculi cives
"Romani ; cuius rei vivo illo mentio nulla. Quid ?
Deiotari nostri causa non similis ? Dignus ille quidem
omni regno, sed non per Fulviam. Sescenta similia.
Verum illuc redeo. Tam claram tamque testatam rem
tamque iustam Buthrotiam non tenebimus aliqua ex
parte ? et eo quidem magis, quo iste plura ?
n^ Nobiscum hie perhonorifice et peramice Octavius.
Quem quidem sui Caesarem salutabant, Philippus
non, itaque ne nos quidem ; quem nego posse bonum
civem. Ita multi circumstant, qui quidem nostris
mortem minitantur. Negant haec ferri posse. Quid
censes, cum Romam puer venerit, ubi nostri libera-
tores tuti esse non possunt? Qui quidem semper
erunt clari, conscientia vero facti sui etiam beati.
Sed nos, nisi me fallit, iacebimus. Itaque exire aveo,
"ubi nee Pelopidarum," inquit. Haud amo vel hos
designates, qui etiam deelamare me coegerunt, ut ne
apud aquas quidem acquiescere liceret. Sed hoc
meae nimiae facilitatis. Nam id erat quondam quasi
necesse, nunc, quoquo modo se res habet, non est
item,
a Quam dudum nihil habeo, quod ad te scribam !
Scribo tamen, non ut delectem his litteris, sed ut

1 The full quotation, which comes from the Pelops of

Accius, runs :

" evolem,

ubi nee Pelopidarum nomen nee facta aut famam audiam,"

240

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 12

it, though to give them the Latin rights was intoler-
able. However . But here is Antony taking a

huge bribe and posting up a law said to have been
carried by the dictator in the Comitia, which gives
the Sicilians the citizenship, though there was no
mention of such a thing when Caesar was alive.
Again, is not our friend Deiotarus' case just the same .''
He is certainly worthy of any kingdom, but not
of one bought through Fulvia. There are thousands
of other cases. However, to return to my point.
Shall I not be able to maintain to some extent my
case for the people of Buthrotum, since it is so well
supported by witnesses and so just, especially as he
is free with his grants ?

Octavius is here with us on terms of respect and
friendship. His people address him as Caesar, but
Philippus does not, and so I do not either. I hold that
it is impossible for a loyal citizen to do so. We are
surrounded by so many who threaten death to our
friends, and declai*e they cannot bear the present
state of affairs. What do you think will happen,
when this boy comes to Rome, where those who
have set us free cannot live in safety. They, indeed,
will ever be famous, and even happy in the con-
sciousness of their deed. But we, unless I am much
mistaken, shall be crushed. So 1 long to go "where
no bruit of the sons of Pelops may reach my ears," ^
as the saying is. I have no love even for these
consuls designate, who have forced me to declaim
to them, so that I can't have peace even by the sea.
But that is due to my excess of good nature. For
at one time declamation was more or less a neces-
sity ; now, however things turn out, it is not.

How long it is since I have had anything to write
to you ! However, I write, not to charm you with

241

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

eliciam tuas. Tu, si quid erit de ceteris, de . Bruto
utique, quicquid. Haec conscripsi x Kal. accubans
apud Vestorium, hominem remotum a dialecticis, in
arithmeticis satis exercitatum.

XIII

CICE[{0 ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Puteolis Septimo deniqiie die litterae niilii redditae sunt,

FI K. Mai. quae erant a te xiii Kal. datae ; quibus quaeris atque

"• ^^^ etiam me ipsum nescire arbitraris, utrum magis tu-

mulis prospectuque an ambulatione dXtrevct delecter.

Est mehercule, ut dicis, utriusque loci tanta amoeni-

tas, ut dubitem, utra anteponenda sit.

niadi. 228 " 'AX\' ov Sairos €7rr/paT0t> epya fxi/xrjXev,

aWa Xi-qv fxiya 7rrjfj.a, 8tOTp€<^es, d(Top6iovTi<;
8ctStju,ei/' iv Soifj 8e aawcri/xev r) aTroXccr^at.

Quamvis enim tu magna at mihi iucunda scripseris
de D. Bruti adventu ad suas legiones, in quo spem
maximam video, tamen, si est bellum civile futurum,
(juod certe erit, si Sextus in armis permanebit, quern
permansurum esse certo scio, quid nobis faciendum
sit, ignoro. Neque enim iam licebit, quod Caesaris
bello licuit, neque hue neque illuc. Quemcumque
enim haec pars perditorum laetatum Caesaris morte
putabit (laetitiam autem apertissime tulimus omnes),
hunf' in hostium numero habebit ; quae res ad cae-
dem maximam spectat. Restat, ut in castra Sexti
aut, si forte, Bruti nos conferamus. Res odiosa et
242

lettp:hs to atticus xiv. 12-13

my letter, but to draw your answers. Do you send
me any news you have, especially about Brutus, but
about anything else too. I write this on the 22nd
while at dinner with Vestorius,^ a man who has no
idea of philosophy, but who is well up in arithmetic.

XIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

The letter you sent on the 19th did not reach me PuleoH,
for seven days. In it you ask whether I take more April 26,
pleasure in hills and a view or a walk by the silver b.c. 44
sea, and you seem to think I may not know myself.
Upon my word, both are so beautiful, as you say,
that I doubt which to prefer. " But no thought have
we of the service of a dainty meal ; nay, seeing a
woeful heavy bane sent on us by heaven, we shudder
in doubt whether we shall be saved or perish."
For although you have sent me great and welcome
news about D. Brutus having joined his troops, in
which I see great hopes, still, if there is going to be
civil war — and that there must be, if Sextus stays
under arms, as I know for certain he will — I don't
know what we are to do. For now there will be
no chance of sitting on the fence, as there was in
Caesar's war. For, if this gang of ruffians thinks
anyone was rejoiced at the death of Caesar — and
we all of us showed our joy quite openly — they will
count him an enemy ; and that looks like a consider-
able massacre. Our alternative is to take refuge in
Sextus' camp, or join ourselves to Brutus if we can.
That is a hateful business and unsuitable for our age,

* A banker at Puteoli.

243

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

aliena nostris aetatibus et incerto exitu belli^ et
iiescio quo pacto tibi ego possum, mihi tu dicei'e.

Iliad T. 428 <« TcKVoi' ifiov, ov TOi ScSorai TroXe/x-qia epya,

d\A,a (Tvy' Ifjifpoivra fxtripx^o epya Xoyoio."

Sed haec fors viderit, ea quae talibus in rebus plus
quam ratio potest. Nos autem id videamus, quod in
nobis ipsis esse debet, ut, quicquid acciderit, fortiter
et sapienter feramus, et accidisse hominibus memineri-
mus, nosque cum multum litterae turn non minimum
Idus quoque Martiae consolentur. Suscipe nunc
meam deliberationem, qua sollicitor. Ita multa veni-
unt in mentem in utramque partem. Proficiscor, ut
constitueram, legatus in Graeciam : caedis inpenden-
tis periculum non nihil vitare videor, sed casurus in
aliquam vituperationem, quod rei publicae defuerim
tam gravi tempore. Sin autem mansero, fore me
quidem video in discrimine, sed accidere posse sus-
picor, ut prodesse possim rei publicae. lam ilia
consilia privata sunt, quod sentio valde esse utile ad
confirmationem Ciceronis me illuc venire ; nee alia
causa profectionis mihi ulla fuit turn, cum consilium
cepi legari a Caesare. Tota igitur hac de re, ut soles,
si quid ad me pertinere putas, cogitabis.

Redeo nunc ad epistulam tuam. Scribis enim esse
rumores me, ad lacum quod habeo, venditurum, mi-
nusculam vero villam Quinto traditurum vel impenso
pretio, quo introducatur, ut tibi Quintus filius dixerit,
dotata Aquilia. Ego vero de venditione nihil cogito,

244

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 13

especically considering the uncertainty of war ; and
somehow or other it seems to me that I can say to
you and you to me : " My son, to thee are not
given the arts of war; nay, do thou rather com-
pass the witching arts of speech." ^ But that we
must leave to chance, which is of more importance
in such matters than reason. P'or ourselves, let us
look to the one thing that ought to be in our power,
that, whatever may happen, we may bear it with
courage and philosophy, remembering that we are
but mortal, and console ourselves a good deal with
literature and not least with the Ides of March.
Now come to my aid in settling a point which is
causing me anxiety. So much to be said on both
sides occurs to me. If I set off, as I intended, on
a free embassy to Greece, it seems as though I might
avoid to some extent the danger of a massacre which
is threatening, but I shall not escape some blame for
deserting the state in such a crisis. On the other hand,
if I stay, I see I shall be in danger, but I suspect there
is a possibility that I may help the State. There are
also private considerations, that I think it would be
of great use in settling my son down if I went to
Athens ; and that was the only reason for my going,
when I had the idea of getting the offer of an em-
bassy from Caesar. So consider every side of the
case, as you usually do in my affairs.

I return now to your letter. You say there are
rumours that I am thinking of selling my house on
the Lucrine lake and of handing over to Quintus
my tiny villa at quite a fancy price, that he may
bring the heiress Aquilia to it, as young Quintus
says. I have had no thought of selling it, unless I

* In the original the last word is yifxaio not \6yoto.

245

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

nisi quidj quod magis me delectet, invenero. Quin-
tus autem de emendo nihil curat hoc tempore. Satis
enim torquetur debitione dotis, in qua mirificas Q.
Egnatio gratias agit ; a ducenda autem uxore sic ab-
horret, ut libero lectulo neget esse quicquam iucun-
dius. Sed haec quoque hactenus.

Redeo enim ad miseram seu nullam potius rem
publicam. M. Antonius ad me scripsit de restitutione
Sex. Clodi ; quam honorificCj quod ad me attinet, ex
ipsius litteris cognosces (misi enim tibi exemplum),
quam dissolute, quam turpiter quamque ita perniciose,
ut non numquam Caesar desiderandus esse videatur,
facile existimabis. Quae enim Caesar numquam neque
fecisset neque passus esset, ea nunc ex falsis eius
commentariis proferuntur. Ego autem Antonio facil-
limum me praebui. Etenim ille, quoniam semel in-
duxit animum sibi licere, quod vellet, fecisset nihilo
minus me invito. Itaque mearum quoque litterarum
misi tibi exemplum.

Xllla

ANTONIUS COS. S. D. M. CICERONI.

Scr. Romae Occupationibus est factum meis et subita tua pro-
tnter a. d. X fectione, ne tecum coram de hac re agerem. Quam

,, . '^^ ob causam vereor, ne absentia mea levior sit apud te

Mai. a. 710 r^ ^ ■ ^ ■. . j i. • j- •

Quodsi bonitas tua respondent mdicio meo, quod

semper habui de te, gaudebo.
9M

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 13-1 lia

find something that suits me better^ while Quintus
is not thinking of buying it at the present time.
He is quite bothered enough with repaying the
dowry ,1 and is expressing the deepest gratitude to
Egnatius for his assistance. To marrying again he
is so averse that he declares a bachelor's couch is the
most comfortable in the world. But enough of this
also.

For now I return to the crushed or rather non-
existent republic. M. Antonius has written to me
about the recall of Sex. Clodius. You will see from
the copy I include that the tone of his letter, so far
as concerns myself, is complimentary enough. But
you can easily imagine the proposal is so unprincipled,
so disgraceful, and so mischievous, that at times one
almost wishes for Caesar back again. For things that
Caesar never would have done, nor allowed to be
done, are now being brought forward from forged
notes of his. However, I have shown myself quite
complaisant to Antonius. For when he has once got
it into his head that he may do what he chooses, he
would have done it just as readily against my will.
So I have sent you a copy of my letter too.

Xllla

ANTONY THE CONSUL SENDS HIS GREETINGS TO M. CICERO.

It was only because I was so busy and you departed Rome, April
so suddenly, that I did not see you personally about 22 to 25,
the following request. So I fear I may have less b.c. 44
weight with you in my absence. But if your good-
ness of heart answers to the opinion I have always
had of you, I shall be very glad.

^ To Pomponia, sister of Atticus, whom he Iia<l recently
divorced.

247

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

A Caesare petii, ut Sex. Clodium restitueret; im-
petravi. Ei-at mihi in animo etiam turn sic uti bene-
ficio eius, si tu concessisses. Quo magis laboro, ut
tua voluntate id per me facere nunc liceat. Quodsi
dui'ioreni te eius miserae et adflictae fortunae praebes,
non contendam ego adversus te, quamquam videor
debere tueri commentarium Caesaris. Sed mehercule,
si humaniter et sapienter et amabiliter in me cogitare
viSj faeilem profecto te praebebis, et voles P. Clodium,
in optima spe puerum repositum, existimare non te
insectatum esse, cum potueris, amicos paternos. Pa-
tere, obsecro, te pro re publica videri gessisse simul-
tatem cum patre eius, non quod contempseris banc
familiam. Honestius enim et libentius deponimus
inimicitias rei publicae nomine susceptas quam con-
tumaciae. Me deinde sine ad banc opinionem iam
nunc dirigere puerum et tenero animo eius persua-
dere non esse tradendas posteris inimicitias. Quam-
quam tuam fortunam, Cicero, ab omni periculo abesse
certum habeo, tamen arbitror malle te quietam senec-
tutem et honorificam potius agere quam sollicitam.
Postremo meo iure te hoc beneficium rogo. Nihil
enim non tua causa feci. Quodsi non impetro, per
me Clodio daturus non sum, ut intellegas, quanti
apud me auctoritas tua sit, atque eo te placabiliorem
praebeas.

248

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. i3a

I petitioned Caesar for the return of Sex. Clodius,
and obtained my request. It was my intention even
then only to use his favour if you allowed. So I am
now the inore anxious that you may let me do it
with your permission. But, if you show yourself
hard-hearted to his affliction and misery, I will not
contend with you, though I think I ought to observe
Caesar's memoranda. But upon my word, if you are
ready to take a generous, philosophical, and amiable
view of my actions, you will, I am sure, show your
indulgence, and will wish that most promising youth,
P. Clodius, to think that you did not act spitefully
to his father's friends when you had the chance. I
beseech you to let it seem that your feud with his
father was on public grounds, not because you de-
spised the family. For we can lay aside quaiTels we
took up on public grounds with more honour and
more readiness than those that come from a personal
insult. So give me a chance of inculcating this lesson,
and while the boy's "mind is still receptive, let us
convince him that quarrels should not be handed
down fx'om generation to generation. Though I
know your fortune, Cicero, is above any danger,
yet I think you would rather enjoy old age with
peace and honour than with anxiety. Finally I
feel a right to ask you this favour, for I have done
all I could for your sake. If I do not gain it, I
shall not grant Clodius his restoration, so that you
may understand how much your authority weighs
in my eyes, and that may make you all the more
placable.

249

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
Xlllb

CICERO ANTONIO COS. 8. n.

Scr. Puteolis Quod mecuni per litteras agis, unam ob causam
Mai. mallem coram egisses. Non enim solum ex oratione,
sed etiam ex vultu et oculis et fronte^ ut aiunt, meum
erga te amorem perspicere potuisses. Nam, cum te
semper amavi, primum tuo studio, post etiam beneficio
provocatus, turn his temporibus res publica te mihi
ita commendavitj ut cariorem habeam neminem.
Litterae vero tuae cum amantissime turn honorificen-
tissime scriptae sic me adfecerunt, ut non dare tibi
beneficium viderer, sed accipere a te ita petente, ut
inimicum meum, necessarium tuum me invito servare
nolles, cum id nullo negotio facere posses. Ego vero
tibi istuc, mi Antoni, remitto, atque ita, ut me a te,
cum iis verbis scripseris, liberalissime atque honorifi-
centissime tractatum existimem, idque cum totum,
quoquo modo se res haberet, tibi dandum putarem,
turn do etiam humanitati et naturae meae. Nihil
enim umquam non modo acerbum in me fuit, sed ne
paulo quidem tristius aut severius, quam necessitas
rei publicae postulavit. Accedit, ut ne in ipsum qui-
dem Clodium meum insigne odium fuerit umquam,
semperque ita statui, non esse insectandos inimicorum
amicos, praesertim humiliores, nee his praesidiis nos-
met ipsos esse spoliandos. Nam de puero Clodio tuas
partes esse arbitror, ut eius animum tenerum, quem
ad modum scribis, iis opinionibus imbuas, ut ne quas
250

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 18b
Xlllb

CICERO TO ANTONY THE CONSUL, GREETING.

There is one reason why I wish you had made Puteoli
personally the request you are making by letter. April 26^
Then you could have seen my affection for you not b.c. 44
only from what I said, but from my "expression,
eyes and brow," as the phrase goes. For I have
always had an affection for you, urged thereto at
first by your attention to me and afterwards by
benefits received, and in these days public affjiirs
have so recommended you to me that there is no
one for whom I have more regard. The letter you
have written to me in such a friendly and flattering
tone makes me feel as though I were receiving a
favour from you, not granting one to you, since you
refuse to recall your friend, who was my enemy,
against my will, though you could quite easily do
so. Of course I grant your request, my dear Antony,
and I think myself, too, most liberally and honour-
ably treated, when you address me in such a strain.
I should have thought it right to grant it you freely,
whatever the facts had been, and besides, I am grati-
fying my own natural kindliness. For I never had — -
any bitterness or even the slightest sternness or
sevei'ity in me, except what was demanded by public
necessity. Besides, I never had any special grudge
against Clodius himself, and I always laid down the
rule that one should not attack one's enemies' friends,
especially their humbler friends, nor should we our-
selves be deprived of such supporters. As regards the
boy Clodius I think it is your duty to imbue his
" receptive mind," as you say, with the ide^ that

251

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

inimicitias residere in familiis nostris arbitretur. Con-
tend i cum P. Clodio, cum ego publicam causam, ille
suam defenderet. Nostras concertationes res publica
diiudicavit. Si viveret, mihi cum illo nulla contentio
iam maneret. Quare, quoniam hoc a me sic petis, ut,
quae tua potestas est, ea neges te me invito usurum,
puero quoque hoc a me dabis, si tibi videbitur, non
quo aut aetas nostra ab illius aetate quicquam debeat
periculi suspicari, aut dignitas mea ullam contentio-
nem extimescat, sed ut nosmet ipsi inter nos coniunc-
tiores simus, quam adhuc fuimus. Interpellantibus
enim his inimicitiis animus tuus mihi magis patuit
quam domus. Sed haec hactenus.

Illud extremum. Ego, quae te velle quaeque ad
te pertinere arbitrabor, semper sine ulla dubitatione
summo studio faciam. Hoc velim tibi penitus per-
suadeas.

XIV

CICERO ATTICO S. D.

g(;j. Iji " Iteradum eadem ista mihi." Coronatus Quintus

Puteolano a. noster Paribbus ! Solusne ? Etsi addis Lamiam.

d. V K. Quod demiror equidem : sed scire cupio, qui fuerint

Mai. a. 710 jjjjj . quamquam satis scio nisi improbum neminem.

Explanabis igitur hoc diligentius. Ego autem casu,

cum dedissem ad te litteras vi Kal. satis multis verbis,

tribus fere horis post accepi tuas et magni quidem

ponderis. Itaque ioca tua plena facetiarum de haeresi

252

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 13b-14

there is no enmity between our families. I fought
P. Clodius because I was fighting for the State, he
for his own hand ; and the State decided the merits
of our controversy. If he were alive now I should
have no further quan-el with him. So, since in making
your request you sa}' you will not use the power you
have against my will, you may make this concession
to the boy too in my name, if you will ; not that a
man of my age has anything to fear from a youth of
In's, or that a person of my position needs shrink
from any quarrel, but that we may be more intimate
than we have been as yet. For these feuds have
come between us, and so your heart has been more
open to me than your house. But enough of this.

I have one thing to add, that, whatever I think
you wish, and whatever is to your interest, I shall
never have any liesitation in carrying out with all
my heart and soul. Of that I hope you will feel
fully persuaded.

XIV

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

"Repeat your tale again to me." ^ Our nephew Putenli,
wearing a crown at the Parilia ! Was he alone } April 27,
Though you add Lamia, which astonishes me. But b.c. 44
I should like to know what others there were, though
I am perfectly sure there were none but knaves.
So please explain more in detail. As it happened,
when I had sent you a pretty long letter on the
26th, about three hours afterwards I received yours,
and a bulky one too. So there is no necessity for
me to tell you that I had a good laugh at your witty

* From the Iliona of Pacuviua.

253

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Vestoriana et de Pherionum more Puteolano risisse
me satis niliil est necesse rescribere. lioXtTtKoiTepo.
ilia videamus.

Ita Brutos Cassiuraque defendis, quasi eos ego re-
prehendam ; quos satis laudare non possum. Rerum
ego vitia collegi, non hominum. Sublato enim tyranno
tyrannida manere video. Nam, quae ille facturus non
fuit, ea fiunt, ut de Clodio, de quo mihi exploratum
est ilium non modo non facturum^ sed etiam ne pas-
surum quidem fuisse. Sequetur Rufio Vestorianus,
Victor numquam scriptus, ceteri, quis non .^ Cui ser-
vire ipsi non potuimus, eius libellis paremus. Nam
Liberalibus quis potuit in senatum non venire ? Fac
id potuisse aliquo modo ; num etiam, cum venissemus,
libere potuimus sententiam dicere .'' nonne omni ra-
tione veterani, qui armati aderant, cum praesidii nos
nihil haberemus, defendendi fuerunt ? Illam sessio-
nem Capitolinam mihi non placuisse tu testis es.
Quid ergo ? ista culpa Brutorum ? Minime illorum
quidem, sed aliorum brutorum, qui se cautos ac sapi-
entes putant ; quibus satis fuit laetari, non nullis
etiam gratulari, nullis permanere. Sed praeterita
omittamus ; istos omni cura praesidioque tueamur et,
quem ad modum tu praecipis, contenti Idibus Martiis
simus ; quae quidem nostris amicis divinis viris aditum
ad caelum dederunt, libei-tatem populo Romano non

^ Vestorius was a banker (cf. xiv. 12), and Atticus had
probably played on the two senses of a'Cpfais, "sect" and
" grasping." The allusion to the Pheriouea is inexplicable.
254

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. ]4

remarks about the sect of Vestorius ^ and the Pu-
teolian custom of the Pheriones. Let us consider
the more political part.

You defend Brutus and Cassius as though you
thought I blamed them, though I cannot find praise
enough for them. It is the weak points of the situ-
ation, not of the persons that I put together. For
though the tyrant is dead, I see the tyranny persists.
For things that he would not have done are being
done now, as, for example, the recalling of Clodius
— a thing I am sure he had no intention of doing
and would not even have allowed to be done. Ves-
torius' enemy Rufio will follow, and Victor, whose
name was never in Caesai*'s notes, and the rest ; every
one in fact. We could not be Caesar's slaves, but
we bow down to his note-books. For who dared
absent himself from the Senate on the Liberalia .'' 2
Suppose it had been possible somehow : even when
we did come, could we speak our mind freely ? Had
we not to take precious good care of the veterans,
who were there under arms, since we had no support
ourselves. You can bear witness that that sitting
still on the Capitol was not approved by me. Well,
was that the fault of Brutus and the rest.^ Not a
bit of it : it was the fault of the other brute beasts,
who think themselves cautious and canny. They
thought it enough to rejoice, some of them to go so
far as to congratulate, none to stand their ground.
But let us put the past behind us : let us guard our
heroes with all our care and protection : and, as you
say, let us be content with the Ides of March. That
day gave our friends, who are more than men, an
entrance to heaven, but it did not give freedom to

* March 17. Cf. Att. xiv. 10.

255

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

dederunt Recordare tua. Nonne meministi clamare
te omnia perisse, si ille funere elatus esset? Sapi-
eiiter id quidem. Itaque, ex eo quae manarint,
vides.

Quae scribis K. luniis Antonium de provinciis rela-
turum, ut et ipse Gallias habeat, et utrisque dies pro-
rogetur, licebitne decerni libere ? Si licuerit, liber-
tatem esse recuperatam laetabor ; si non licuerit, quid
mihi attulerit ista domini mutatio praeter laetitiam,
quam oculis cepi iusto interitu tyranni ? Rapinas
scribis ad Opis fieri ; quas nos quoque turn videbamus.
Ne nos et liberati ab egregiis viris nee liberi sumus.
Ita laus illorum est, culpa nostra. Et hortaris me, ut
historias scribam, ut colligam tanta eorum scelera, a
quibus etiam imnc obsidemur! Poterone eos ipsos
non laudare, qui te obsignatorem adhibuerunt ? Nee
mehercule me raudusculum movet, sed homines
benevolos, qualescumque sunt, grave est insequi con-
tumelia. Sed de omnibus meis consiliis, ut scribis,
existinio exploratius nos ad K. lunias statuere posse.
Ad quas adero, et omni ope atque opera enitar adiu-
vante me scilicet auctoritate tua et gratia et summa
aequitate causae, ut de Buthrotiis senatus consultum,
quale scribis, fiat. Quod me cogitai-e iubes, cogitabo
equidem, etsi tibi dederam superiore epistula cogitan-
dum. Tu autem quasi lam recuperata re publica
vicinis tuis Massiliensibus sua reddis. Haec armis,

^ To wills in which legacies were left to Cicero. Cf. Alt.
XIV. 3.
256

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 14

the Roman people. Recall your words. Don't you
remember how you exclaimed that all was lost if
Caesar had a public funeral ? And very wise it was.
So you see what has come of the funeral.

You say Antony is going to bring a proposal before
the Senate on the 1st of June about the allotment of
provinces, that he should have Gaul and that both his
own and his colleague's tenure should be prolonged.
Will the House be allowed to vote freely? If so, I
shall rejoice that liberty has been regained ; if not,
what has this change of masters brought me except the
joy of feasting my eyes on the just death of a tyrant?
You say there is plundering at the Temple of Ops:
I saw it then with my own eyes. Yea, we have been
set free by heroes and are not free after all. So theii's
is the praise and oui's the blame. And you advise me
to write history, to collect all the crimes of those
who even now have us under their thumb. Shall I
be able to resist praising men who have called you
in as a witness ? ^ I give you my word it is not the
petty gain that influences me, but it goes against the
grain to heap contumely on the heads of benevolent
persons whatever their character. But, as you say,
I think we can make up our minds with more cer-
tainty about all my plans by the 1st of June. I shall
be present then, and of course with the assistance of
your autliority and populai'ity, and the absolute jus-
tice of your case, I shall strive with all my might to
obtain the senatorial decree that you mention about
the people of Buthrotum. What you bid me consider, I
will consider, though it is what I asked you to consider
in a former letter. But here you are wanting to get
back their rights for your neighbours the Massilians,
as though we had recovered the republic. Perhaps
they might be restored by arms — but how strong our

257

vol.. m. K

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

quae quam firma habeamus, ignoro, restitui fortasse
possunt, auctoritate non possunt.

Epistula brevis, quae postea a te scripta est, sane
mihi fuit iucunda de Bruti ad Antonium et de eius-
dem ad te litteris. Posse videntur esse meliora,
quam adhuc fuerunt. Sed nobis, ubi simus et quo
iam nunc nos conferamus, providendum est.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in O mirificum Dolabellam meum ! iam enim dico

Puteolano K. meum ; antea, crede mihi, subdubitabam. Magnani
o. /1(J ^ya6ewpr]<jiv res babet, de saxo, in crucem, columnam
tollere, locum ilium sternendum locare ! Quid quae-
ris? heroica. Sustulisse mihi videtur simulationem
desiderii, adhuc quae serpebat in dies et inveterata
verebar ne periculosa nostris tyrannoctonis esset.
Nunc prorsus adsentior tuis litteris speroque meliora.
Quamquam istos ferre non possum, qui, dum se
pacem velle simulant, acta nefaria defend unt. Sed
non possunt omnia simul. Incipit res melius ire,
quam putaram. Nee vero discedam, nisi cum tu me
id honeste putabis facere posse. Bruto certe meo
nullo loco deero, idque, etiamsi mihi cum illo nihil
fuisset, facerem propter eius singularem incredibi-
lemque virtutem.

1 A column erected in honour of Caesar by the Paeudo-
Mariua. Riotous mass-meetings were held round it, and it
258

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 14-15

arms are 1 do not know — by influence they certainly
cannot.

The short letter you wrote after the other, about
Brutus' letter to Antony and also his to you, de-
lighted me much. It looks as though things might
be better than they have been at present. But we
must look carefully into our present position and our
immediate movements.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETINO.

Well done my Dolabella ! For now I call him Puteoli,
mine : up to now, you know, I had some doubts. May 1, b.c.
This will make people open their eyes — hurling 44
from the rock, crucifixion, pulling down the column ^
and ordering the place to be paved. Why, these
are heroic deeds. I take it he has put an end
to this feigning of regret, which up to now was
creeping on day by day, and, if it became a habit,
I was afraid it might be dangerous to our tyran-
nicides. Now I quite agree with your letter and
hope for better things. However I cannot put
up with the people who under a pretence of wish-
ing for peace defend criminal actions. But still
we can't have everything at once. Things are
beginning to get better than I had expected, and
of course I will not go away, unless you think I
can do so honourably. My friend Brutus certainly
I will never desert; and I should act in the same
way, even if there were no ties between us, on
account of his extraordinary and incredible strength
of character.

was the people who took part in these who were summarily
executed by Dolabella without any trial.

259

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Piliae nostrae villam totam, quae^ue in villa sunt.
trado, in Pompeianum ipse proficiscens K. Maiis,
Quam velim Bruto persuadeas, ut Asturae sit !

XVI

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Puteolis v Nonas conscendens ab hortis Cluvianis in pha-

'", . ""^ selum epicopum has dedi litteras, cum Piliae nostrae

Uuvtanis V .,, IT.

Non Mai vulam ad L.ucrinum, vilicos, procuratores tradidissem.

a. 710 Ipse autem eo die in Paeti nostri tyrotarichum im-

minebam ; perpaucis diebus in Pompeianum, post in

haec Puteolana et Cumana regna renavigai*e. O loca

ceteroqui valde expetenda, interpellantium autem

multitudine paene fugienda !

Sed ad rem ut veniam, o Dolabellae nostri magnani
apiar^iav ! Quanta est dvaOewprja-Ls ! Equidem laudare
eum et hortari non desisto. Recte tu omnibus epis-
tulis significas, quid de re, quid de viro sentias.
Mihi quidem videtur Brutus noster iam vel coronam
auream per forum ferre posse. Quis enim audeat
laedere proposita cruce aut saxo, praesertim tantis
plausibus, tanta approbatione infimorum?

Nunc, mi Attice, me fac ut expedias. Cupio,

cum Bruto nostro adfatim satis fecerim, excurrere in

Graeciam. Magni interest Ciceronis, vel mea potius

vel mehercule utriusque, me intervenire discenti
260

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 15-16

I hand over the villa and all there is in it to
our dear Pilia, as I am setting out for Pompeii
on the 1st of May. How I wish you could persuade
Brutus to come to Astura !

XVI

CICERO TO ATTICUSj GREETING.

I despatch this letter on the 3rd, as I embark PiUeoli,
in a rowing boat from Cluvius' gardens, after May 3, B.C.
handing over the villa at the Lucrine lake to Pilia 44
with its servants and care-takers. Myself I am
threatening our friend Paetus' cheese and herrin<js
for that day ; in a few days I am going to Pompeii
and after that sailing back to my domains here
at Puteoli and Cumae. What very attractive places
they are, if it were not that one almost has to shun
them on account of the crowd of visitors.

But to return to the point, what a magnificent
stroke of our friend Dolabella ! How it will make
people open their e3^es. For my part I keep on
praising and encouraging him. You are right in
what you say in every letter about the deed and
about the man. To me it seems that our friend
Brutus could walk through the forum with a golden
crown on his head now. For who would dare to
hurt him with the cross and rock before his eyes,
especially when the rabble have shown such applause
and approbation ?

Now, my dear Atticus, do put things straight
for me. I want to run over to Greece, as soon
as I have quite satisfied Brutus. It is a matter
of great concern to my son, or rather to me, or upon
my word to both of us, that I should drop in upon

261

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Nam epistula Leonidae, quam ad me misisti, quid
habet, quaeso^ in quo magno opere laetemur ? Num-
quam ille mihi satis laudari videbitur, cum ita lauda-
bitur : " Quo modo nunc est." Non est fidentis hoc
testimonium, sed potius timentis. Herodi autem
mandaram, ut mihi Kara /ai'tov scriberet. A quo adhuc
nulla littera est. Vereor, ne nihil habuerit, quod
mihi, cum cognossem, iucundum putaret fore.

Quod ad Xenonem scripsisti, valde mihi gratum
est ; nihil enim deesse Ciceroni cum ad officium tum
ad existimationem meam pertinet. Flammam Flami-
nium audio Romae esse. Ad eum scripsi me tibi
mandasse per litteras, ut de Montani negotio cum eo
loquerere, et velim cures epistulam, quam ad eum
misi, reddendam, et ipse, quod commodo tuo fiat, cum
eo conloquare. Puto, si quid in homine pudoris est,
praestaturum eum, ne sero cum damno dependatur.
De Attica pergratum mihi fecisti quod curasti, ante
scirem recte esse quam non belle fuisse.

XVII

CICEHO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Pom- In Pompeianum veni v Nonas Maias, cum pridie,

peiano IF ut antea ad te scripsi, Piliam in Cumano conloca-

Aon. Mai. a. yissem. Ibi mihi cenanti litterae tuae sunt redditae,

quas dederas Demetrio liberto pr. Kal. ; in quibus

multa sapienter, sed tamen talia, quem ad modum

tute scribebas, ut omne consilium in fortuna positum
262

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 16-17

him at his studies. For what is there to give us
any particular satisfaction in the letter of Leonidas^
which you have sent to me ? I shall never be
content with his praise, when it is phrased, " as
things go at present." There is no evidence of
confidence, rather of anxiety in that. Again I
had commissioned Herodes to write to me in detail :
but as yet I have not had a single syllable from him.
I am afraid he has had no news that he thought
would gratify me, if I heard it.

I am very grateful to you for writing to Xeno ;
for that my son should not be short of money
concerns both my duty and my reputation. I hear
that Flaminius Flamma is in Rome. I have written
to tell him that I have instructed you by letter
to speak to him about Montanus' business : and,
I should be glad if you would see that the letter
I have sent for him is delivered, and would speak
with him at your leisure. I think, if the man has
any sense of shame, he will see that the payment
is not deferred to my loss. You were very kind
in informing me of Attica's recovery before I knew
of her illness.

XVII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I reached Pompeii on the 3rd of May, having Pompeii,
established Pilia in my place at Cumae the day May 4, b.c.
before, as I told you in a former letter. While I 44
was at dinner there, the letter you had given to
the freedman Demetrius on the last of April was
delivered. There was a lot of wise advice in it,
but, as you admit yourself, with the reservation

263

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

videretur. Itaque liis de rebus ex tempore et coram.
De Buthrotio negotio utinam quidem Antonium con-
i^eniam ! Multum profecto proficiam. Sed non arbi-
trantur eum a Capua declinaturum ; quo quidem
metuo ne magno rei publicae malo venerit. Quod
idem L. Caesari videbatur, quern pridie Neapoli
adfectum graviter videram. Quam ob rem ista nobis
ad Kal. lunias tractanda et perficienda sunt. Sed
hactenus.

Quintus filius ad patrem acerbissimas lltteras misit;
quae sunt ei redditae, cum venissemus in Pompei-
anum. Quarum tamen erat caput Aquiliam nover-
cam non esse laturum. Sed hoc tolerabile fortasse,
illud vero, se a Caesare habuisse omnia, nihil a patre,
rehqua sperare ab Antonio — o perditum hominem I
Sed [ie\y]<Tii.

Ad Brutum nostrum, ad Cassium, ad Uolabellam
epistulas scripsi. Earum exempla tibi misi, non ut
deHberarem, reddundaene essent. Plane enim iudico
esse reddendas, quod non dubito quin tu idem existi-
maturus sis.

Ciceroni meo, mi Attice, suppeditabis, quantum
videbitur, meque hoc tibi onus imponere paticre.
Quae adhuc fecisti, mihi sunt gratissima. Librum
meum ilium dieVSoTov nondum, ut volui, perpolivi ;
ista vero, quae tu contexi vis, aliud quoddam separa-
tum volumen exspectant. Ego autem, credas mihi
velim, minora periculo existimo contra illas nefarias

264

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 17

that everything seems to depend on chance. So
these points we will discuss on the spot when we
meet. As regards the business about Buthrotum
I only wish I could meet Antony. I am sure
I could make good headway with him. But people
think he won't stir from Capua, and I fear his going
there will do a great deal of harm to the state.
L. Caesar^ whom I saw yesterday very ill at Naples,
thought the same too. So I shall have to handle
this subject and get it settled on the 1st of June.
But enough of this.

Young Quintus has sent his father a most un-
pleasant letter, which was delivered when we
reached Pompeii. The chief point of it was that
he would not put up with Aquilia as a step-mother :
but that perhaps is excusable. But to say he owed
everything to Caesar, nothing to his father, and for
the future he looked to Antonius — what a scoundrel !
However that shall be attended to.

I have written to Brutus, to Cassius and to
Dolabella. I send you copies ; not that I am in
doubt whether to send the letters or not ; for I
feel sure that they ought to be sent, and I have
no doubt you will agree with me.

Please, dear Atticus, supply my boy with as much
money as you think fit, and forgive me for troubling
you. For what you have done already I am most
grateful. That unpublished book of mine ^ I have
not yet polished up as I should wish : the points
you want me to introduce must wait for a second
volume. But I think — and I hope you will believe
me — that one could have spoken against that dis-
reputable party with less danger in the tyrant's

1 Possibly his poem De tem2>orihns suis ; but it is not
certain.

265

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

partes vivo tyrauno dici potuisse quam mortuo. Ille
enim nescio quo pacto ferebat me quidem mirabiliter ;
nunc, quacumque nos coinmovimus, ad Caesaris non
modo acta, verum etiam cogitata revocamur. De
Montano, quoniain Flamma venit, videbis. Puto rem
meliore loco esse debere.

XVIIa(= Fam. ix. U)

CICERO DOLABELLAE COS. SUO SAL.

Scr. in Pom- Etsi contentus eram, mi Dolabella, tua gloria, satis-
peiano I que gx ea magnam laetitiam voluptatemque capiebam,
Aon. Mai. a. ^^^j^^gj^ j^^n possum non confiteri cumulari me maximo
gaudio, quod vulgo hominum opinio socium me ascri-
bat tuis laudibus. Neminem conveni (convenio autem
cotidie plurimos. Sunt enim permulti optimi viri,
qui valetudinis causa in haec loca veniant ; praeterea
ex municipiis frequentes necessarii mei), quin omnes^
cum te summis laudibus ad caelum extulerunt, mihi
continuo maximas gratias agant. Negant enim se
dubitare, quin tu meis praeceptis et consiliis obtem-
perans praestantissimum te civem et singularem con-
sulem praebeas. Quibus ego quamquam verissime
possum respondere te, quae facias, tuo iudicio et tua
sponte facere, nee cuiusquam egere consilio, tamen
neque plane adsentior, ne imminuam tuam laudem, si
omnis a meis consiliis profecta videatur, neque valde
nego. Sum enim avidior etiam, quam satis est,
gloriae. Et tamen non alienum est dignitate tua,
266

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 17-1 7a

life than after his death. For he, somehow, was
most patient with me ; now, whichever way we
turn, we are reminded not only of Caesar's enact-
ments, but also of his intentions. Please see about
Montanus, since Flamma has arrived. I think the
matter ought to be put on a better footing.

XVIIa

CICERO TO HIS FRIEND DOLABELLA THE CONSUL,
GREETING.

Though I feel content with the glory you have Pompeii,
won, my dear Dolabella, and it affords me the May 3, b.c.
greatest joy and pleasure, still I cannot help con- 44
fessing that the crowning point of my joy is, that
in the popular opinion my name is associated with
yours in people's praise. I am daily meeting many
people ; for quite a number of persons of con-
sideration come here for their health, besides many
acquaintances of mine from the country towns ; and
I have not met anyone who does not extol you
to the skies, and in the same breath offer mc
the sincerest congratulations. For they say they
have no doubt that it is by following my precepts
and advice that you are showing yourself a most
distinguished citizen and an excellent consul.
Though I can answer them with the fullest truth
that what you do, you do acting on your own
judgment and on your own initiative and that you
need no advice, still I do not entirely assent, lest
I should diminish your glory, if it all appears to
have sprung from my advice, nor do I quite deny it ;
for I have more than my proper share of desire
for glory. And yet it would not detract from your

267

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

quod ipsi Againemnoni, regum regi, fuit honestum,
habere aliquem in consiliis capiendis Nestorem, mihi
vero gloriosum te iuvenexii consulem florere laudibus
quasi alumnum disciplinae meae. L. quidem Caesar,
cum ad eum aegrotum Neapolim venissem, quam-
quam erat oppressus totius corporis doloribus, tamen,
antequam me plane salutavit, "O mi Cicero," inquit,
"gratulor tibi, eum tantum vales apud Dolabellam,
quantum si ego apud sororis filium valerem, iam salvi
esse possemus. Dolabellae vero tuo et gratulor et
gratias ago ; quem quidem post te consulem solum
possumus vere consulem dicere." Dein multa de
facto ac de re gesta tua; nihil magnificentius, nihil
praeclarius actum umquam, nihil rei publicae salu-
tarius. Atque haec una vox omnium est. A te autem
peto, ut me hanc quasi falsam hereditatem alienae
gloriae sinas cernere meque aliqua ex parte in socie-
tatem tuarum laudum venire patiare. Quamquam,
mi Dolabella, (haec enim iocatus sum) libentius onmes
meas, si modo sunt aliquae meae laudes, ad te trans-
fuderim quam aliquam partem exhauserim ex tuis.
Nam, cum te semper tantum dilexerim, quantum tu
intellegere potuisti, tum his tuis factis sic incensus
sum, ut nihil umquam in amore fuerit ardentius.
Nihil est enim, mihi crede, virtute formosius, nihil
pulchrius, nihil amabilius. Semper amavi, ut scis,
M. Brutum propter eius summum ingenium, suavissi-
mos mores, singularem probitatem atque constantiam.

268

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 17a

dignity any more than it disgraced Agamemnon,
the king of kings, to have some Nestor to assist
in your plans ; while it would redound to my
glory that you with your brilliant reputation as
a consul while still so young should be thought a
pupil of my training. Indeed L. Caesar, when I
paid him a visit on his sick bed at Naples, though
he was racked with pains all over his body, had
hardly finished his first greeting before he said :
" My dear Cicero, I congratulate you on the influ-
ence you have with Dolabella. If I had had as much
with my sister's son,^ we might have been safe now.
Dolabella himself I both congratulate and thank :
indeed he is the first consul since yourself who can
really be called a consul." Then he had much to
say about the incident and your achievement. No
more splendid and magnificent deed was ever done,
nor any more salutary to the state : and that is what
the whole world is saying with one voice. I beg you
to let me enter into this false heritage of another's
glory, and suffer me to share your praises in some
slight degree. However, my dear Dolabella, so far I
have only been joking, and, if I have any reputation
myself, I would rather turn its full stream upon
you, than divert any part of yours upon myself
For, though I have always been as fond of you
as you must have realized, now by your actions
my fondness has been fanned into the most ardent
love that is possible. For, believe me, there is
nothing fairer than virtue, nothing more beautiful,
nothing more loveable. I have always loved M.
Brutus, as you know, for his great ability, his
most agreeable manners, his extraordinary upright-

' Julia, sister of L. Caesar, was mother of Antony by her
first husband, Antonius Creticus.

269

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Tamen Idibus Martiis tantum accessit ad amorem, ut

mirarer locum fuisse augendi in eo, quod mihi iam

pridem cumulatum etiam videbatur. Quis erat, qui

putaret ad eum amorem, quern erga te habebam,

posse aliquid accedere? Tantum accessit, ut mihi

nunc denique amare videar, ante dilexisse. Quare

quid est, quod ego te horter, ut dignitati et gloriae

servias? Proponam tibi claros viros, quod facere

solent, qui hortantur? Neminem habeo clariorem

quam te ipsum. Te imitere oportet, tecum ipse

certes. Ne licet quidem tibi iam tantis rebus gestis

non tui similem esse. Quod cum ita sit, hortatio non

est necessaria, gratulatione magis utendum est. Con-

tigit enim tibi, quod baud scio an nemini, ut summa

severitas animadversionis non modo non invidiosa,

sed etiam popularis esset et cum bonis omnibus turn

infimo cuique gratissima. Hoc si tibi fortuna quadam

contigisset, gratularer felicitati tuae, sed contigit

magnitudine cum animi tum etiam ingenii atque

consilii. Legi enim contionem tuam. Nihil ilia

sapientius. Ita pedetemptim et gradatim tum acces-

sus a te ad causam facti, tum recessus, ut res ipsa

maturitatem tibi animadvertendi omnium concessu

daret. Liberasti igitur et urbem periculo et civitatem

metu, neque solum ad tempus maximam utilitatem

attulisti, sed etiam ad exemplum. Quo facto intelle-

gere debes in te pDsitam esse rem publicam, tibiquc
270

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 17a

ness and constancy. However on the Ides of
March my affection was so enhanced that I won-
dered there was any room for increase in what
I had long thought had reached its culminating
point. Who would have thought that there could
be any increase in the affection I have for you ?
But there has been such an increase that I seem
to myself now to love, while before I only liked.
So what need is there that I should exhort you
to have a regard for your dignity and glory .'' Shall
I do what people generally do when exhorting
others, set before your eyes distinguished examples?
There is none more distinguished than your own.
You must imitate yourself and vie with yourself.
Indeed, after such an achievement, you dare not fail
to be like yourself. As that is so, exhortation is
unnecessary and congratulation is more in place.
For you have had the fortune, which I doubt if
anyone else ever had, that great severity in punish-
ment should not only bring no ill will, but should
be popular and most pleasing to all, both of the
upper and of the lower class. If this had happened
to you by a stroke of fortune, I should congratulate
you on your luck : but it has happened through
your greatness of heart, yes, and of ability and
of prudence. For I have read your harangue.
Nothing could have been more skilful. You led up
to the case so gradually and gently, and then left
it again, that by universal consent the facts them-
selves showed it was high time to resort to punitive
measures. So you freed the city from danger and
the state from fear, and you performed a sound
service not only to meet the emergency but to
serve as a precedent. After that you ought to
understand that the republic is in your hand, and

271

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

non modo tuendos, sed etiam ornandos illos viros, a
quibus initium libertatis profectum est. Sed his de
rebus coram plura prope diem, ut spero. Tu, quo-
niam rem publicam nosque conservas, fac, ut diligen-
tissime te ipsum, mi Dolabella, custodias.

XVIII

CICERO ATTICO,

Scr. in Pom- Saepius me iam agitas, quod rem gestam Dola
peiano I'll bellae nimis in caelum videar efFerre. Ego autem,
la. IVlat. a. quamquam sane probo factum, tamen, ut tanto opere
laudarem, adductus sum tuis et unis et alteris litteris.
Sed totuin se a te abalienavit Dolabella ea de causa,
qua me quoque sibi inimicissimum reddidit. O homi-
nem impudentem ! Kal. Ian. debuit, adhuc non
solvit, praesertim cum se maximo aere alieno Faberi
manu liberarit et opem ab Ope petierit. Licet enim
iocari, ne me valde conturbatum putes. Atque ego
ad earn viii Idus litteras dederam bene mane, eodem
autem die tuas litteras vesperi acceperam in Pompei-
ano sane celeriter tertio abs te die. Sed, ut ad te
eo ipso die scripseram, satis aculeatas ad Dolabellam
litteras dedi ; quae si nihil profecerint, puto fore ut
me praesentem non sustineat.

Albianum te confecisse arbitror. De Patulciano

* Faberius was Caesar's secretary and was used by Antony
to insert extra details in Caesar's memoranda. Here Dola-
bella is included in the accusation repeatedly brought by
272

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. I7a-18

that you should not only protect but honour the
men who paved the way for freedom. But I
hope we shall soon meet to discuss these things.
Do you, my dear Dolabella, take the greatest
care of yourself, since you preserve the state and
all of us.

XVIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS.

Y'ou are continually reproaching me now with Pompeii,
lauding Dolabella to the skies more than I ought. May 9, b.c.
But, though 1 strongly approve of his action, still 44
it was one and then another letter of yours which
induced me to belaud it so highly. But Dolabella
has entirely lost your good graces for the same
reason that he has made me too a bitter enemy.
What a shameless fellow ! He has not paid yet,
thouffh he ouerht to have done so on the first of
January, especially as he has freed himself from
enormous debts by the handwriting of Faberius
and has sought help from the goddess of help.^
For I must have my joke, that you may not think
1 am seriously concerned. I had written too to
him very early on the 8th, and on the same day
in the evening I got a letter from you at Pompeii,
delivered very quickly on the third day after
you wrote it. But, as I told you then, my letter
to Dolabella was sufficiently stinging. If it takes
no effect, I don't think he will be able to face me.

I think you have settled Albius' business. With

Cicero against Antony, that he used for his own purposes the
large suiii left by Caesar in the public treasury in the temple
of Ops.

273

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

nomine, quod mihi suppetiatus es,' gratissimum est
et simile tuorum omnium. Sed ego Erotem ad ista
expedienda factum mihi videbar reliquisse ; cuius
non sine magna culpa vacillarunt, Sed cum ipso
videro.

De Montano, ut saepe ad te scripsi, erit tibi tota
res curae. Servius proficiscens quod desperanter
tecum locutus est, minime miror neque ei quicquam
in desperatione concedo. Brutus noster, singularis
vir, si in senatum non est Kal. luniis venturus, quid
facturus sit in foro, nescio. Sed hoc ipse mehus.
Ego ex lis, quae parari video, non multum Idibus
Martiis profectum iudico. Itaque de Graecia cotidie
magis et magis cogito. Nee enim Bruto meo, ex-
silium ut scribit ipse meditanti, video quid prodesse
possim, Leonidae me litterae non satis delectarunt.
De Herode tibi adsentior. Saufei legisse vellem
Ego ex Pompeiano vi Idus Mai. cogitabam.

XIX

CICERO ATTICO.

Scr. in Pom- Nonis Maiis cum essem in Pompeiano, acccpi binas
peiano /7//a te litteras, alteras sexto die, alteras quarto. Ad
la. Mai. a. superiores igitur prius. Quam mihi iucundum oppor-
tune tibi Barnaeum litteras reddidisse I

Tu vero cum Cassio ut cetera, Quam commode
autem, quod id ipsum, quod me mones, quadriduo

' suppetiatus es Montagnanus : suspendiatua est MSS.
274

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. IS-19

regard to Patulcius' debt, it was most kind of you
and just like yourself to come to my aid. IJut
I seem to have deserted Eros, who is just the
man to clear the matter up : it was through a
grave fault of his that it went wrong. But I will see
to that with him.

Montanus' business, as I have often said, you
must take charge of entirely. I am not surprised
that Servius spoke to you in a tone of despair,
when he was leaving; and my despair quite equals
his. What our friend Brutus is going to do in
the Forum, incomparable hero though he is, if he
is not going to attend the Senate on the first of
June, I do not know. But he should know this
better himself. From the things I see in course
of preparation I don't think the Ides of March
are going to help much. So I am daily thinking
more and more of Greece. For I fail to see what
use I can be to Brutus, who, as he writes to
me, is meditating exile. Leonidas' letter did not
give me much pleasure. I agree about H erodes. I
should like to have read Saufeius' note. I am think-
ing of leaving Pompeii on the tenth of May.

XIX

CICERO TO ATTICUS.

Here at Pompeii on the seventh of May I received Pompeii,
two letters, one five days old, the other three. So May 8, a.c.
I will answer the earlier first. How glad I am ^-^
Barnaeus delivered the letter so opportunely !

Take Cassius in hand like everything else. It is
however very lucky that I had written to him

275

MARCUS TULLIUS CICEKO

ante ad eum scripseram, exemplumque mearum lit-
terarum ad te miseram ! Sed, cum ex DolabelJae
aritia (sic enim tu ad me scripseras) magna despera-
tione adfectus essem, ecce tibi et Bruti et tuae
litterae ! Ille exsilium meditari. Nos autem alium
portum propiorem huic aetati videbamus ; in quern
mallem equidem pervehi florente Bruto nostro con-
stitutaque re publica. Sed nunc quidem, ut scribis,
non utrumvis. Adsentiris enim mihi nostram aetatem
a castris, praesertim civilibus^ abhorrere.

Antonius ad me tantum de Clodio rescripsit, meam
lenitatem et clementiam et sibi esse gratam et mihi
voluptati magnae fore. Sed Pansa furere videtur de
Clodio itemque de Deiotaro, et loquitur severe, si
velis credere, lllud tamen non belle, ut mihi quidem
videtur, quod factum Dolabellae vehementer impro-
bat. De coronatis, cum sororis tuae filius a patre
accusatus esset, rescripsit se coronam habuisse honoris
Caesaris causa, posuisse luctus gratia ; postremo se
libenter vituperationem subire, quod amaret etiani
mortuum Caesarem.

Ad Dolabellam, quern ad modum tibi dicis placere,
scripsi diligenter. Ego etiam ad Siccam ; tibi hoc
oneris non impono. Nolo te ilium iratum habere.
Servi orationem cognosco ; in qua plus timoris video
quam consilii. Sed, quoniam perterriti omnes sumus,
adsentior Servio. Publilius tecum tricatus est. Hue
enim Caerellia missa ab istis est legata ad me ; cui

' Apparently a slip of the pen on the part of Atticus for
avaritia, unless the text is corrupt.
276

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 19

four days ago, as you advise, and had sent a copy
of my letter to you. But when I was in tlie depths
of despair owing to Dolabella's arice^ (for that is
what you wrote), lo and behold your letter and
Brutus'. Brutus is meditating exile. I however
see another haven and a readier one for my age : but
I would rather sail into it with Brutus in prosperity
and the republic set in order. But now, as you say,
I have not the choice. For you agree that age unfits
me for a soldier's camp, especially in civil war.

Antony only answered about Clodius, tfeat my
leniency and clemency had been very gratifying
to him and would be a source of pleasure to myself.
But Pansa appears to be in a fury about Clodius
and about Deiotarus too ; and, if you are willing
to believe him, he expresses himself very forcibly.
But there is one thing that to my mind is shady,
that he strongly disapproves of Dolabella's action.
As for the people who wore garlands, when your
nephew was reproved for it by his father, he
answered that he wore a garland for Caesar's
honour, and laid it aside for grief; and finally
that he would willingly submit to reproaches for
loving Caesar even after his death.

To Dolabella 1 have written carefully, as you
advise : and I have written myself to Sicca too.
1 do not want to lay this burden on you, for I
don't want him to be angry with you. I recognise
Servius' way of talking ; and there seems to me
to be more fright than wisdom in it. But, since
we are all frightened, I agree with Servius.
Publilius has been hoaxing. For Caerellia was sent
here by them as their ambassadress to me ; ^ but

* To persuade Cicero to remarry his divorced wife Publilia.

277

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

facile persuasi milii id, quod rogaret, ne licere quidem,
non modo non lubere. Antonium si videro, accurate
agam de Buthroto.

Venio ad recentiores litteras ; quamquam de Servio
iam rescripsi. " Me facere magnam -rrpa^Lv Dolabel-
lae." Mihi mehercule ita videtur, non potuisse maior
tali re talique tempore. Sed taraen, quicquid ei tribuo,
tribuo ex tuis litteris. Tibi vero adsentior maiorem
irpaftv eius fore, si mihi, quod debuit, dissolvent.
Brutus velim sit Asturae. Quod autem laudas me,
quod nihil ante de profectione constituam, quam, ista
quo evasura sint, videro, muto sententiam. Neque
quicquam tamen ante, quam te videro. Atticam
meam gratias mihi agere de matre gaudeo ; cui qui-
tlem ego totam villam cellamque tradidi eamque
cogitabam v Idus videre. Tu Atticae salutem dices.
Nos Piliam diligenter tuebimur.

CICERO ATTICO.

Scr. tn E Pompeiano navi advectus sum in Luculli nostri

/ uleolano V hospitium vi Idus hora fere tertia. Egressus autem

■ ^^^' ^' e navi accepi tuas litteras, quas tuus tabellarius in

Cumanum attulisse dicebatur Nonis Maiis datas. A

Lucullo postridie eadem fere hora veni in Puteo-

lanum. Ibi accepi duas epistulas, alteram Nonis,

^ There is a play on the double sense of trpa^is, (I) exploit,
(2) exaction of money. The money in question waa an
278

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. ly-iiO

I persuaded her easily that what she asked was
not even lawful, besides being repugnant to me.
If I see Antony, I will do my best for Buthrotum.

I come to your more recent letter, though I have
answered already about Servius. You say I make
much of Dolabella's score. Well, I don't see that
he could have made a greater one considering the
times and circumstances. However, all the credit
I give him I give in accordance with your letter.
But I agree with you that it would be still better,
if he would pay off my score. ^ I hope Brutus
will be at Astura. You praise me for not making
up my mind about leaving the country before I
see how things are going to turn out. I have
changed my mind: however I won't do anything
until I see you. I am gratified at Attica's thanking
me for her mother. I have put the whole house
and the store-rooms at her service and I am think-
ing of seeing her on the 11th. Give Attica my
love. I will take great care of Pilia.

CICERO TO ATTICUS.

From Pompeii I came by sea to enjoy our friend Puteoli,
Lucullus' hospitality on the 10th about nine o'clock May 11,b.c.
in the morning. As I disembarked, I received your 44
letter, which your messenger says was taken to
Cumae, dated the 7th. I left Lucullus and reached
Puteoli about the same hour the next day. There
I received two letters, dated one the 7th the other

instalment of Tnllia's dowry, which Dolabella had to
repay.

279

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

alteram vii Idus Lanuvio datas. Audi igitur ad omnes.
Primum, quae de re mea gesta et in solutione et in
Albiano negotio, grata. De tuo autem Buthroto, cum
in Pompeiano esseni, Misenum venit Antonius. Inde
ante discessit, quam ilium venisse audissem in Sam-
nium. A quo ^ vide quid speres. Romae igitur de
Buthroto. L. Antoni horribilis contio, Dolabellae
praeclara. lam vel sibi habeat nummos, modo nu-
meret Idibus. Tertullae nollem abortum. Tam enim
Cassii sunt iam quam Bruti serendi. De regina velim
atque etiam de Caesare filio. Persolvi primae epistu-
lae, venio ad secundam.

De Quintis, Buthroto^ cum venero, ut scribis. Quod
Ciceroni suppeditas, gratum. Quod errare me putas,
(jui rem publicam putem pendere e Bruto, sic se res
liabet. Aut nulla erit aut ab isto istisve servabitur.
Quod me hortaris, ut scriptam contionem mittam,
accipe a me, mi Attice, KaOoXiKov 6ewpr]fj.a earum
rerum, in quibus satis exercitati sumus. Nemo um-
quam neque poeta neque orator fuit, qui quemquam
meliorem quam se arbitraretur. Hoc etiam malis
contingit, quid tu Bruto putas et ingenioso et eru-
dito? De quo etiam experti sumus nuper in edicto.
Scripseram rogatu tuo. Meum mihi placebat, illi
suum. Quin etiam, cum ipsius precibus paene adduc-

^ a quo in Samniuni MSS. The words ivere transposed by
Wesenberg.

* An affectionate diiniinitive of the name of Tertia, half-
sister of Brutus, anil wife of Cassius.
280

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 20

the 9th, from Lanuvium. So listen to my answer
to them all. First, my thanks for what you liave
done in my affairs both in payment and in the
business with Albius. Then with regard to your
Buthrotum, when I was at Pompeii, Antony came
to Misenum : but he was gone again to Samnium,
before I heai'd he had come. See that you do
not build much hope on him. So I must see to
Buthrotum at Rome. L. Antonius' speech is hor-
rible, Dolabella's splendid. Let him keep his
money now, provided he pays on the Ides. I am
soi'ry about Tertulla's ^ miscarriage. For we want
a crop of Cassii as much as one of Bruti. I hope
it is true about Cleopatra and about Caesar's son '^
too. I have finished your first letter, now I come to
your second.

The Quinti and Buthrotum we will leave till 1
come to Rome, as you say. Thanks for supplying
my son's needs. You think I am wrong in thinking
the republic hangs on Brutus : but it is a fact.
There will be none, or he and his party will save
it. You exhort me to send a written speech.
You may take it from me, my dear Atticus, as a
general axiom with regard to those matters, in
which I have sufficient experience, that no one,
whether poet or orator, ever thought anyone better
than himself. This is so even in the case of bad
ones : and what do you think it will be in the
case of Brutus, who has talent and learning ?
Besides I have had experience of him lately over
the edict. I had written one at your request. I
liked mine, he liked his. Nay more, when I was in-
duced by his entreaties to dedicate to him my book

* A child of Cleopatra, called Caesarion. Caesar denied
the parentage.

38X

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

tus scripsissem ad eum ''de optimo genere dicendi,"
non modo mihi, sed etiam tibi scripsit sibi illud, quod
mihi placeret, non pi'obari. Quare sine, quaeso, sibi
quemque scribere.

"Suam quoique sponsam, mihi meam ; suum
quoique amorem, mihi meum."

Non scite. Hoc enim Atilius, poeta durissimus. At-

que utinam liceat isti contionari ! Cui si esse in urbe

tuto licebit, vicimus. Dueem enim novi belli civilis

aut nemo sequetur, aut ii sequentur, qui facile vin-

cantur.

Venio ad tertiam. Gratas fuisse meas litteras

Bruto et Cassio gaudeo. Itaque iis rescripsi. Quod

Hirtium per me meliorem fieri volunt, do equidem

operam, et ille optime loquitur, sed vivit habitatque

cum Balbo, qui item bene loquitur. Quid credas,

videris. Dolabellam valde placere tibi video ; mihi

quidem egregie. Cum Pansa vixi in Pompeiano. Is

plane mihi probabat se bene sentire et cupere pacem.

Causam armorum quaeri plane video. Edictum Bruti

et Cassi probo. Quod vis, ut suscipiam cogitationem,

quidnam istis agendum putem, consilia temporum

sunt ; quae in horas commutari vides. Dolabellae et

prima ilia actio et haec contra Antonium contio mihi

profecisse permultum videtur. Prorsus ibat res ;

nunc autem videmur habituri ducem ; quod unum

municipia bonique desiderant. Epicuri mentionem

facis et andes dicere /jrj TroXiTtviadau Non te Bruti
282

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 20

" on the best oratorical style," he wrote not only to
me but to you also, that what I found pleasing, he
did not approve. So, pray, let every man do his
writing for himself. " To each his own wife ; mine
for me. To each his own love ; mine for me."
It is not neatly put, for it is by Atilius, the most
wooden of poets. I only hope Brutus may be able
to deliver a speech. If he can enter the city in
safety, we have won. For, as the leader in a new
civil war, no one will follow him, or at least only
those who can easily be conquered.

I come to your third letter. I am glad Brutus
and Cassius were pleased with my letter: so I
have sent an answer. They want me to turn
Hirtius into a better citizen. I am doing my best,
and his promises are fair enough, but he spends
all his days and nights with Balbus, whose promises
are fair enough too. How much of them you can
believe, you must see for yourself I observe
you are very well satisfied with Dolabella, and I
am more than satisfied. I saw a lot of Pansa at
Pompeii: and he quite convinced me that he was
well inclined and desirous of peace. I can see quite
clearly that a pretext for war is being sought. The
edict of Brutus and Cassius I approve. You want
me to consider what I think they ought to do.
One has to form one's plans according to circum-
stances ; and, as you see, they are changing every
hour. I think Dolabella's first move and this speech
of his against Antony have both done a lot of
good. Things are certainly advancing: and now
we seem to be going to have a leader, which is
the very thing the country towns and the well
affected want. You mention Epicurus and dare
to say " take no part in politics." Are you not

283

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

nostri vulticulus ab ista oratione deterret ? Quintus
filius, ut scribis^Antoni est dextella. Per eum igitur,
quod volemus, facile auferemus. Exspecto, si, ut
putas, L. Antonius produxit Octavium^ qualis contio
fuerit.

Haec seripsi raptim. Statim enim Cassi tabellarius.
Eram continuo Piliam salutaturus, deinde ad epnlas
Vestori navicula. Atticae plurimam salutem.

XXI

CICERO ATTICO.

Scr. in Cum paulo ante dedissem ad to Cassi tabellario

Puteolano P Htteras, v Idus venit noster tabellarius, et quidem,
1(1. Mai. a. portenti simile, sine tuis litteris. Sed cito conieci
Lanuvi te fuisse. Eros autem festinavit, ut ad me
litterae Dolabellae perferrentur non de re mea (non-
dum enim nieas acceperat), sed rescripsit ad eas,
quarum exemplum tibi miseram, sane luculente. Ad
me autem, cum Cassi tabellarium dimisissem, statim
Balbus. O dei boni, quam facile perspiceres timere
otium I Et nosti virum, quam tectus. Sed tamen
Antoni consilia narrabat ; ilium circumire veteranos,
ut acta Caesaris sancirent idque se facturos esse
iurarent, ut castra ^ omnes haberent, eaque duumviri
omnibus mensibus inspicerent. Questus est etiam
de sua invidia, eaque omnis eius oratio fuit, ut amare
videretur Antonium. Quid quaeris ? nihil sinceri.

' ut castra Olfo : utram 3/*,
284

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 20-21

frightened out of such talk by our friend Brutus'
frown? Young Quintus, you tell me, is Antony's
right hand man. So we shall easily get what we
want through him. I am wondering what sort
of speech Octavius made, if, as you thought, L.
Antonius introduced him to a public meeting.

I am writing in haste : for Cassius' letter carrier
is starting at once. I am going directly to call
on Pilia, and then on to dinner with Vestorius
by boat. My best love to Attica.

XXI

CICERO TO ATTICUS,

Just after 1 had given Cassias' messenger a letter Puteoli,
for you on the 11th, came my messenger, and, Maj/ 22, b.c.
to my extraordinary surprise, without a letter from 44t
you. But I quickly conjectured you had been at
Lanuvium. Eros however had hastened to let me
have a letter from Dolabella, not about my debt
(for he had not got my letter yet), but an answer,
and a very good answer too, to the one of which
I sent you a copy. No sooner had I got rid of
Cassius' messenger than Balbus came to see me.
Good God, how easy it is to see that he is afraid
of peace ! And you know how secretive the man
is. Yet he told me Antony's plans. He is can-
vassing all the veterans, asking them to support
Caesar's acts and to take an oath to that effect,
to keep in camps, which are to be inspected
every month by two officials. He grumbled too
about the prejudice against himself, and every-
thing he said seemed to show affection for Antony.
In fact there is no reliability in him. To me

285

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Mihi autem non est dubium, quin res spectet ad castra.
Acta enim ilia res est animo virili, consilio puerili.
Quis enim hoc non vidit, regni heredem relictum ?
Quid autem absurdius ?

" Hoc metuere, alterum in metu non ponere ! "

Quin etiam hoc ipso tem})ore multa v;rooroXotKa.
Ponti Neapolitanum a matre tyrannoctoni possideri !
Legendus mihi saepius est " Cato maior" ad te missus.
Amariorem enim me senectus facit. Stomachor om-
nia. Sed mihi quidem ^e/3t'coTai ; viderint iuvenes.
Tu mea curabis, ut curas.

Haec scripsi seu dictavi apposita secunda mensa
apud Vestorium. Postridie apud Hirtium cogitabam
et quidem irevrcAoiTrov. Sic hominem traducere ad
optumates paro. A^pos ttoAu's. Nemo est istorum,
qui otium non timeat. Quare talaria videamus. Quid-
vis enim potius quam castra.

Atticae salutem plurimam velim dicas. Exspecto
Octavi contionem et si quid aliud, maxime autem,
ecquid Dolabella tinniat an in meo nomine tabulas
novas fecerit.

' Servilia, mother of Brutus.

2 If this reading is correct, which is very doubtful, it
probably refers to Hirtius, Pansa, Octaviu8, Lentulus

286

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 21

there seems no doubt that things are tending
towards war. For the deed was done with the
courage of men, but with the blind policy of a
child. For who did not see that the tyrant left
an heir } And what could be more absurd than
" to fear the one, and reck not of his friend " .'' Nay
even now there are many absurdities. Think of
the mother of the tyrannicide ^ occupying Pontius'
house at Naples ! I must keep on reading my
Cato Major which is dedicated to you : for old age
is beginning to make me ill-tempered. Every-
thing puts me in a rage. However, my life is
over : the young people must look out for them-
selves. Take care of my affairs for me, as you
are doing.

This I have written or rather dictated when at
dessert with Vestorius. To-morrow I am thinking
of paying a visit to Hirtius, the only survivor of
the band of five.''' That is my way of trying to
make him join the conservative party. It is all
nonsense : there is none of Caesar's party who
does not fear peace. So let us look for our seven-
league boots. Anything is better than a camp.

Please pay my best respects to Attica. I am
looking for Octavius' speech and any other news
there may be, but especially whether we shall
hear the ring of Dolabella's money or whether he
repudiated his debts in my case.^

Spinther and Philippus, who had been together at
Puteoli.
' Referring to Dolabella's action as a tribune.

287

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XXII

CICERO ATTICO.

Scr. in Certior a Pilia factus mitti ad te Idil)us tabellarios

Puteolnno statim hoc nescio quid exaravi. Pi-imum igitur scire
%^ .' ' ~,^te volui me hinc Arpinum xvi Kalend. lun. Eo
igitur mittes, si quid erit posthac ; quamquam ipse
iam iamque adero. Cupio enim, antequani Romani
venio, odorari diligentius, quid futurum sit. Quam-
quam vereor, ne nihil coniectura aberrem. Minima
enim obscurum est, quid isti moliantur ; meus vero
discipulus, qui hodie apud me cenat, valde amat ilium,
quem Brutus noster sauciavit. Et, si quaeris (per-
spexi enim plane), timent otium ; viToOemv autem
hanc habent eamque prae se ferunt^ clai*issimum
virum interfectum, totam rem publicam illius interitu
perturbatam, inrita fore, quae ille egisset, simul ac
desisteremus timere ; clementiam illi malo iiiisse ;
qua si usus non esset, nihil ei tale accidere potuisse.
Mihi autem venit in mentem, si Pompeius cum exer-
citu firmo veniat, quod est evAoyoi', certe fore bellum.
Haec me species cogitatioque perturbat. Neque
enim iam, quod tibi turn licuit, nobis nunc licebit.
Nam aperte laetati sumus. Deinde habent in ore nos
ingratos. Nullo modo licebit, quod turn et tibi licuit
et multis. 4>atvo7rpoo-w7rT^Teov ergo et ireov in castra ?

288

LETTERS TO ATTIC US XIV. 22
XXII

CICERO TO ATTICUS.

As soon as I learned from Pilia that she was PuteoH,
sending a messenger to you on the 15th, I scrawled May 14, B.C.
this bit of a note. First then I want you to 44
know that' I am leaving here for Arpinum on
May l7th. So, if 3'ou have anything to send after
that, you nmst send it there : though I shall be
in Rome almost directly. For I want to scent
out as clearly as jiossible what is going to happen
before I come to town. However, I fear my sus-
picions are not far from the truth. For it is clear
enough what they are doing. My pupil, ^ who
dined with me to-day, is a warm admirer of the
man who was wounded by our Brutus : and, if
you want to know, I see quite clearly that they
are afraid of peace. This is the theme on which
they are always dwelling : that a most distinguished
person has been killed, that by his death the whole
state has been thrown into disorder ; that his acts
will be null and void as soon as we have ceased
to fear ; that his clemency was his destruction,
and that, if he had not practised clemency, such
a thing could not have hajipened to him. I cannot
help thinking, then, that if Pompey comes with
a strong force, which is quite possible, there will
certainly be war. When I ])icture this and think
of it, I am disturbed : for now we shall not have
the choice you had before. For we have shown
our joy openly. Again they speak of us as ingrates.
What you and many others did then certainly will
not be possible now. Must I put in an appearance,

* Ilirtius,

289
VOL. til. L

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Miliens mori melius, huic praesertini aetati. Itaque
me Idus Martiae non tam consolantur quam antea.
Magnum enim mendum continent. Etsi illi iuvenes

aXXois €1' icrOXol^ tovS' aTTOiOovvTai \f/6yov.

Sed, si tu melius quidpiam speras, quod et plura
audis et interes consiliis, scribas ad me velim simul-
que cogites, quid agendum nobis sit super legatione
votiva. PLqiwdem in his locis moneor a multis, ne in
senatu Kalendis. Dicuntur enim occulte milites ad
earn diem comparari et quidem in istos, qui mibi
videntur ubivis tutius quam in senatu fore.

290

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XIV. 22

then, and join the army ? A thousand times better
to die, especially at my time of life. So now I am
not so much consoled as I was with the thought
of the Ides of March, for there was a grave
mistake committed then. However, those youths
"in other noble deeds wipe out their shame." ^ But,
if you have any better hope, as you hear more
news and are in the midst of affairs, please write,
and at the same time consider what I ought to
do about the votive legation. Here many people
warn me against attending the Senate on the 1st.
They say troops are being collected secretly for
that occasion, and that too against your friends, who
to my idea will be safer anywhere than in the

Senate.

■ Attributed to Sophocles.

291

M. TULLI CICERONIS

EPISTULARUM AD ATTICUM

LIBER QUINTUS DECIMUS

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. tn O factum male de Alexione ! Incredibile est, quanta

Puteolano njg niolestia adfecerit, nee mehercule ex ea parte

A f / Tvof. maxime, quod plerique mecum : " Ad quem i<ritur te

un. . / niedicum conferes? " Quid mihi iam medico ? Aut,

si opus est, tanta inopia est ? Amorem erga me,

luimanitatem suavitatemque desidero. Etiam illud.

Quid est, quod non pertimescendum sit, cum liomi-

nein temperantem, summum medicum tantus inpro-

viso morbus oppresserit? Sed ad haec omnia una

consolatio est, quod ca condicione nati sumus, ut

nihil, quod homini accidere possit, recusare debe-

amus.

De Antonio iam antea tibi scripsi non esse eum a
me conventum. Venit enim Miscnum, cum ego
essem in Pompeiano. Inde ante profectus est, quam
ego eum venisse cognovi. Sed casu, cum legerem
tuas litteras, Hirtius erat apud me in Puteolano. Ei
legi et egi. Primum quod attinet, nihil mihi conce-
debat, deinde ad summam arbitrum me statuebat non
modo huius rei, sed totius consulatus sui. Cum An-
tonio autem sic agemus, ut perspiciat, si in eo negotio
292

CICERO'S LETTERS

ro ATTICUS

BOOK XV

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREKTINO.

What a misfortune about Alexio ! It has upset me Puteoli,
more than you can believe, and not, I assure you, May 1 7, b.c.
particularly on the score which most people seem to 4i
think it has, asking to what doctor 1 sliall turn now.
What do I want with a doctor now ? And, if I do
want one, is there such a dearth of them ? It is his love
for me, his kindness and charming manner that I
miss. There is another thing, too. What have we not
to fear, when so temperate a person and so skilful a
physician can be overcome suddenly by such a disease?
But for all these things there is one consolation : we
are born under this condition, that we may not refuse
anything that fate has in store for mortals.

As for Antony, I have told you before that I have
not met him. For he came to Misenum when I was
at Pompeii, and he left before I knew he was there.
But by chance, when I was reading your letter,
Hirtius was with me at Puteoli. I read it to him
and pleaded with him. At first he would not make
any concession worth counting, but in the end he
said I should direct not only this matter but all his
consulship. With Antony I shall put the matter so
that he may see that, if he obliges me in this par-

293

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

nobis satis fecerit, totum me futurum suuiii. Dola-
bellam spero domi esse.

Redeamus ad nostros. Dp quibus tu bonain spein
te significas habere propter edictorum humanitatem.
Kgo autem perspexi, cum a me xvii Kal. de Piiteolano
Neapolim Pansae conveniendi causa proficisceretur
Hirtius, omnem eius sensum. Seduxi enim et ad
pacem sum cohortatus. Non poterat scilicet negare
se velle pacem, sed non minus se nostrorum arma
timere quam Antoni, et tamen utrosque non sine
causa praesidium habere, se autem utraque arma
metuere. Quid quaeris ? oihev vyus.

De Quinto filio tibi adsentior. Patri quidem certe
gratissimae bellae tuae litterae fuerunt. Caerelliae
vero facile satis feci ; nee valde laborare mihi visa
est, et, si ilia, ego certe non laborarem. Istam vero,
quam tibi molestam scribis esse, auditam a te esse
omnino demiror. Nam, quod earn conlaudavi apud
amicos audientibus tribus filiis eius et filia tua, rt ck

TOVTOV; ^

" Quid est autem, cur ego personatus ambulem ? "

Parumne foeda persona est ipsius senectutis?

Quod Brutus rogat, ut ante Kalendas, ad me quo-
que scripsit, et fortasse faciam. Sed plane, quid
velit, nescio. Quid enim illi adferre consilii possum,
cum ipse egeam consilio, et cum ille suae inmortali-
tati melius quam nostro otio consuluerit? De regina
rumor exstinguitur. De Flamma, obsecro te, si quid
potes.

1 Th iK TOVTOV quid est hoc iMSS. The Latin words were
excluded by Lambinus, ti suggested by Kayaer.

294

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. l

licular matter^ I shall be entirely his for the future.
I hope Dolabella is at home.

Let us return to our heroes. You hint that you
have good hopes for them in the moderate tone of
the edicts. Butj when Hirtius left me at Puteoli on
the 16th of May to meet Pansa at Naples^ his whole
mind was revealed to me. For I took him aside and
exhorted him to keep the peace. He could not^ of
course, say that he did not want peace, but he did
say that he was as much afraid of armed action on
our side as from Antony, and that after all both had
reason for being on their guard, and for his part he
was afraid of hostilities from both. In fact he is
quite unreliable.

About young Quintus I agree with you. His father,
at any rate, was most pleased with your nice letter.
Caerellia 1 easily satisfied ; she did not seem to me
to bother herself much, and, if she had, I certainly
should not have done so. As to the lady who you
say is plaguing you, I wonder you listened to her at
all. For, if I did compliment her before friends,
when three of her own sons and your daughter were
present, what is there in that ?

"Why should I wear a mask before men's eves ?"

Is not old age itself a mask ugly enough ?

You say Brutus asks me to come before the 1st.
He has written to me too, and perhaps I shall do so.
But I really don't know what he wants. What advice
can 1 give him, when 1 want advice myself, and when
he has thought of his immortality rather than our
peace of mind .'' The rumour about Cleopatra is
dying out. As to Flamma, pray do what you can.

295

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
la

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Here dederam ad te litteras exiens e Puteolano

Sintiessano deverterainque in Cumanum. Ibi bene valenteni
XF Kal. videram Piliam. Quin etiam paulo post Cumis earn
fun. a. 710 ^.j. Venerat enim in funus ; cui funeri ego quoque
operam dedi. Cn. Lucullus, familiaris noster, matreni
efFerebat. Mansi igitur eo die in Sinuessano atque
inde mane postridie Arpinum profieiscens banc epis-
tulam exaravi. Erat autem nibil novi, quod aut
scriberem aut ex te quaererem, nisi forte hoc ad rem
putas pertinere. Brutus noster misit ad me oratio-
nem suam habitam in contione Capitolina, petivitque
a me, ut eam ne ambitiose corrigerem, antequam
ederet. Est autem oratio scripta elegantissime sen-
tentiis, verbis, ut nihil possit ultra. Ego tamen,
si illam causam habuissern, scripsissem ardentius.
'YTr69e<TL<; vides quae sit et persona dicentis. Itaque
eam corrigere non potui. Quo enim in genere Brutus
noster esse vult et quod indicium habet de optimo
genere dicendi, id ita consecutus in ea onitione est,
ut elegantius esse nihil possit ; sed ego secutus aliud
sum, sive hoc recte sive non recte. Tu tamen velim
eam orationem legas, nisi forte iam Icgisti, certiorem-
que me facias, quid iudices ipse. Quaniquam vereor,
ne cognomine tuo lapsus {iTrcpaTTiK-os sis in iiidicando.
Sed, si recordabere Ar]fj.o(rdevovi fulmina, turn intel-
296

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. la
la

CICERO TO ATTICUS, OREETINO,

Yesterday 1 sent off a letter to you as I was leaving Sinues.sa,
Puteoli and stopped at my house at Cumae. There May 18, B.C.
1 found Pilia enjoying the best of health. Indeed, 44
I saw her again shortly afterwards at Cumae. For
she had come for a funeral, which I also was attend-
ing. Our friend Cn. Lucullus was burying his mother.
So I stayed that day at Sinuessa, and there I have
scribbled this as I am starting early in the morning
of the next day for Arpinum. However, I have no
news either to write to you or to ask from you, unless
you think this is to the point. Brutus has sent
me the speech he delivered in the meeting on the
Capitol, and has asked me to correct it without re-
garding his feelings, before he publishes it. Now the
speech is most elegantly expressed as regards its
sentiments, and its language could not be surpassed.
But myself, if I had pleaded that cause, I should
have written with more fire. You realize what the
theme is and what the speaker is. So I could not
alter it. For considering the style our friend Brutus
affects and the opinion he holds of the best style of
oratory, he has attained it in its highest elegance in
this speech. But rightly or wrongly I have aimed
at something different. However, 1 should like you
to read the speech, if you have not done so already,
and to let me know your opinion, though I am afraid
that your name will lead you astray and you will be
hyper-Attic in your criticism. However, if you will
recall Demosthenes' thunder-bursts, you will be able
to realize that one can use considerable force even in

297

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

leges posse vel drriKwraTa gravissime dici. Sed haec
coram. Nunc nee sine epistula nee cum inani epis-
tula volui ad te Metrodorum venire.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in xv Kal. e Sinuessano proficiscens cum dedisseni

Vesciano ad te litteras devertissemque acutius,^ in Vesciano

X.y hal. accepi a tabellario tuas litteras ; in quibus nimis multa

fun. a. 710 i r> 4.1 4. xt • i.-i-. . •

de liuthroto. Non enim tibi ea res maiori curae aut

est aut erit quam mihi. Sic enim decet te mea

curarcj tua me. Quam ob rem id quidem sic sus-

ceptum est mihi, ut nihil sim habiturus antiquius.

L. Antonium contionatum esse coffnovi tuis litteris

et aliis sordide ; sed, id quale fuerit, nescio ; nihil

enim scripsisti. De Menedemo probe. Quintus

certe ea dictitat, quae scribis. Consilium meum a te

probari, quod ea non scribam, quae tu a me postu-

laris, facile patior, multoque magis id probabis, si

orationem eam, de qua hodie ad te scripsi, legeris.

Quae de legionibus scribis, ea vera sunt. Sed non

satis hoc niihi videris tibi persuasisse, qui de Buth-

rotiis nostris per senatum speres confici posse. Quod

puto (tantum enim video) non videmur esse victuri,

sed, ut iam nos hoc fallat, de Buthroto te non fallet.

De Octavi contione idem sentio quod tu, ludorumque

^ acutius is probabiy a corruption of ad and a proper
name.
298

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. la--2

the purest Attic style. But of this wlien we meet.
At the present time all I wanted was that Metrodorus
should not come to you without a letter or with a
letter that had nothing in it.

CICERO TO ATTICUS^ GREETING.

On the 18th I sent a letter to you as I was starting Vescia,
from Sinuessa, and stopped at . . . Then at Vescia May 18, b.c.
your messenger delivered your letter, which contained 44
more than enough about Buthrotum. For you cannot
and will not have that business at heart more than I
have and shall have : that is the way that I ought to
care for your business, and you for mine. Accord-
ingly, as I have undertaken it, I shall give it the
preference to everything else.

I hear from your letters and others that L. Anto-
nius' speech was a poor thing ; but what it was like
I do not know, as you have not told me. I am
glad to hear about Menedemus. Quintus certainly
keeps on reiterating what you mention. I am re-
lieved to hear that you approve of my determination
not to write the sort of thing you asked me to write,
and you will approve of it much more, if you read
the speech about which I am writing to you to-day.
What you say about the legions is true. But you do
not seem to me to have taken the point sufficiently
to heart, if you hope we can settle the matter of
Buthrotum through the Senate. In my opinion (for
so much I can see) we have no chance of winning ;
but supposing I am mistaken about that, you will
not be disappointed about Buthrotum. About Octa-
vius' speech I think the same as you, and I don't like

299

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

eius apparatus et Matius ac Postumus mihi procura-
tores non placent ; Saserna collega dignus. Sed isti
omnes, quern ad moduni sentis, non minus otium
timent quam nos arma. Balbum levari invidia per
nos velim, sed ne ipse quidem id fieri posse confidit.
Itaque alia cogitat.

Quod prima disputatio Tusculana te confirmat,
sane gaudeo ; neque enim ullum est perfugium aut
melius aut paratius. Flamma quod bene loquitur,
non moleste fero. Tyndaritanorum causa, de qua
causa laborat, quae sit, ignoro. Hos tanien . . .'
IlevTeXoiTrov' movere ista videntur, in primis erogatio
pecuniae. De Alexione doleo, sed, quoniam inci-
derat in tarn gravem morbnm, bene actum cum illo
arbitror. Quos tamen secuiidos heredes, scire velim
et diem testamenti.

Ill

CICEIIO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Undecimo Kal. accepi in Arpinati duas epistulas

Arpinati X/ tuas, quibus duabus meis respondisti. Una erat
Kal. lun. a. ^y Kal., altera xii data. Ad superiorem igitur prius.
^'^^ Accurres in Tusculanum, ut scribis ; quo me vi Kal.

venturum arbitrabar. Quod scribis parendum vic-
toribus, non mihi quidem, cui sunt multa potiora

1 lios tamen MSS. , which may be an aposiojiesis, or some
such word as defendam may he omitted : noscum tamen Reid.

soo

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. 2-3

his preparations for the games or Matius and Pos-
tumus as his agents. Saserna is a colleague worthy
of them. But all that party, as you realize^ fear peace
no less than we fear war. I should be glad if we
could relieve Balbus of his unpopularity ; but even
he has no hope of that happening, so he is thinking
of other things.

I am very glad if the first Tusculan Disputation
gives you courage, for there is no other refuge either
better or more available.^ I am relieved that Flamma
gives a good account of himself. What the case of
the people of Tyndaris is, about which he is con-
cerned, I do not know, but I am on their side. The
"last of the five" seems to be upset by the things
you wot of, especially the withdrawal of the money.
I am grieved about Alexio, but, as he had contracted
such a serious disease, I think he was fortunate.
Whom he has appointed residuary heirs I should
like to know, and the latest day for acceptance of
the inheritance under his will.

Ill

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

On the 22nd I received two letters from you at Arpinum,
Arpinum, in which you answered two of mine. One May 22, b.c.
was dated the 18th, the other the 21st. So I will 44:
answer the earlier first. Pray hasten to Tusculum, as
you say : I think I shall get there on the 27th. You
say we must obey the victors. I, for one, will not :
there are many courses I should prefer to that. For

1 ».«. than death, which is the subject of the book men-
tioned.

SOI

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Nam ilia quae recordaris Lentulo et Marcello con-
sulibus acta in aede Apollinis, nee causa eadem est
nee simile tempus^ praeseitim cum Mai-cellum scribas
aliosque discedere. Erit igitur nobis coram odoran-
dum, et constituendum, tutone Romae esse possimus.
Novi conventus habitatores sane movent ; in magnis
enim versamur angustiis. Sed sunt ista jiarvi ; quin
vel maiora contemnimus. Calvae testamentum cog-
novit hominis turpis ac sordidi. Tabula Demonici
quod tibi curae est, gratum. De malo ^ scripsi iam
pridem ad Dolabellam accuratissime, modo redditae
litterae sint. Eius causa et cupio et debeo.

Venio ad propiorem. Cognovi de Alexione, quae
desiderabam. Hirtius est tuus. Antonio, quoniam ^
est, volo peius esse. De Quinto filio, ut scribis, aXis.^
De patre coram agemus. Brutum omni re, qua
possum, cupio iuvare. Cuius de oratiuncula idem te
quod me sentire video. Sed parum intellego, quid
me velis scribere quasi a Bruto habita oratione, cum
ille ediderit. Qui tandem convenit .'' an sic ut in
tyrannum lure optimo caesum ? Multa dicentur,
multa scribentur a nobis, sed alio modo et tempore.
De sella Caesaris bene tribuni ; praeclaros etiam .xiv
ordines ! Brutum apud me fuisse gaudeo, modo et
libenter fuerit et sat diu.

^ For malo many suggestions have been made : e.g. Mario by
Manutius and Manlio by Shuckburgh, who comparex A tt. xiii.9.

* quam iam Orelli: quoniam male Alanus. Tyrrell sug-
ge.ffs that male can be supplied in thought from the peius that
'follows. 8 aAij Turntbua: A.M.C. MSS.

302

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. S

the case is not the same, nor is the occasion the same^
as in the proceedings wliich you recall to my memory
as taking place in the temple of Apollo in the con-
sulship of Lentulus and Marcellus : ^ especially as you
say Marcellus and others are leaving Rome. So when
we meet we must scent out the facts and settle
whether we can be safe at Rome. The inhabitants
of the new community ^ trouble me a good deal, for
I am in considerable difficulties. But these are small
matters : I am treating even more important things
than this with contempt. I know Calva's will. How
disgracefully mean ! I am grateful to you for attend-
ing to Demonicus' sale. About ... I wrote to Dola-
bella long ago very fully, if only my letter was
delivered. In his interests I am keen and devoted.

I come to your more recent letter. I have learned
all I Avant about Alexio. Hirtius is devoted to you.
With Antonius I wish things were going even worse
than they are. About young Quintus, as you say,
assez. About his fatiier we will speak when we meet.
I want to assist Brutus in every way that is possible.
I see you have the same opinion of his harangue as I
have. But I don't quite understand why you want
me to write a speech attributing it to Brutus, when
he has published his own. How could that be proper?
Should I write as though against a tyrant justly
executed ? I shall have much to say and much to
write, but in another way and at another time. Well
done the tribunes about Caesar's chair, and well done
the famous fourteen rows of equites ! I am glad
Brutus stayed at my house, and I only hope he
enjoyed himself and stayed a long time.

1 49 B.C., when the Senate summoned all good citizens to
Rome.
^ A colonia of veterans planted b}' Antony at Casilinum.

303

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
IV

CICERO AFTICO SAI-.

Scr. in ix K. H. x fere a Q. Fufio venit tabellariiis. Nesoio

Arptnali J\ q^iiJ a|) go litterularum, uti me sibi restituerem.

K lun. a. . . . r

yjQ bane insulse, lit solet, nisi lorte, quae noii anies,

omnia videntur insulse fieri. Scripsi ita, ut te pro-
baturum existimo. Mihi duas a te epistulas reddidit,
unam xi, alteram x. Ad recentiorem prius et pleni-
orem. Laudo; si vero etiam Carfulenus/'avo) Trora/toiv."
Antoni consilia narras turbulenta. Atque utinam
potius per populum agat quam per senatum ! quod
quidem ita credo. Sed mihi totum eius consilium
ad bellum spectare videtur, si quidem D. Bruto pro-
vincia eripitur. Quoquo modo ego de illius nervis
existimo, non videtur fieri posse sine bello. Sed non
cupio, quoniam cavetur Buthrotiis. Rides? At ego
doleo non mea potius adsiduitate, diligentia, gratia
perfici. Quod scribis te nescire, quid nostris facien-
dum sit, iam pridem me ilia airopia sollicitat. Itaque
stulta iam Iduum Martiarum est consolatio. Animis
enim usi sumus virilibus, consiliis, mihi crede, puerili-
bus. Excisa enim est arbor, non evulsa. Itaque
quam fruticetur, vides. Redeamus igitur, quoniam

^ Presumably of the action of the Martian legion, which
■was reported to have deserted Antony and joined Oetavius.
Carfuleniis, mentioned in the next sentence, was an officer
in tliat legion.
304

LETTERS TO ATIICUS XV. 4
IV

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

On the 24th, about four o'clock, came a messenger Arpinum,
from Q. Fufius bringing some sort of a note from liim. May 24, n.(
begging me to make it up with him. A very silly 44
letter as usual, unless one thinks that everything one
does not like is very silly. I sent an answer of which
I think you would approve. The messenger delivered
two of your letters, one of the 22nd, the other of the
23rd. I answer the later and fuller one first. I ap-
prove.^ Why, if even Carfulenus deserts him, it will
be the end of the world "^ for him. Antony's plans,
as you describe them, are revolutionary. And I only
hope he will try to get his way through the people
and not through the Senate, Avhich I think is probable.
Hut to me his whole policy seems to point to war,
since D. Brutus is being i»bbed of his province.
Whatever I may think of ferutus' resources, I don't
think that can happen without war. But I don't
want war, since the Buthrotians are all right as it is.
You may smile : but I am sorry it was not rather ac-
complished by my persistence, diligence, and influ-
ence. You say you don't know what our friends are
to do : that difficulty has been bothering me for a
long time. So now I see it was folly to be consoled
by the Ides of March : for though our courage was
that of men, believe me we had no more sense than
children. We have only cut down the tree, not
rooted it up. So you see how it is shooting out.

' A quotation from Euripides, Medea, 409 : —
&vtii woTa/xoov Upiiv X'^povffi irayai,
Hal S'lKa Kal iravra -naXiv (rTpf<t>fTai,
which harl apparently passed into a proverb.

305

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

saepe usurpas, ad Tusculanns disputationes. Saufeiuni
de te celemus ; ego numquam indicabo. Quod te a
Brute scribis, ut certior fieret, quo die in Tusculanum
essem venturus, ut ad te ante scripsi, vi Kal., et
quidem ibi te quam primum per videre velim. Puto
enim nobis Lanuvium eundum et quidem non sine
multo sermone. Sed jxeX-iyTn.

Redeo ad superiorem. Ex qua praetereo ilia prima
de Buthrotiis ; quae mihi sunt inclusa meduUis, sit
modo, ut scribis, locus agendi. De oratione Bruti
prorsus contendis, cum iterum tarn multis verbis agis.
Egone ut earn causam, quam is scripsit ? ego scribam
non rogatus ab eo ? Nulla ■n-apeyx^^pv^'-'^ ^^" potest
contimieliosior. "At," inquis, " 'Hpa/cXei'Sctov aliquod."
Non recuso id quidem, sed et componendum argu-
mentum est et scribendi exspectandum tempus ma-
turius. Licet enim de me, ut libet, existimes (velim
quidem quam optima), si haec ita manant, ut viden-
tur (feres, quod dicam), me Idus Martiae non delec-
tant. Ille enim numquam revertisset, nos timor
confirmare eius acta non coegisset, aut, ut in Saufei
earn relinquamque Tusculanas disputationes, ad quas
tu etiam Vestorium hortaris, ita gratiosi eramus apud
ilium, quem di mortuura perduint ! ut nostrae aetati.

1 Atticus and Saufeius both professed the Epicurean
philosophy, which was attacked in the first book of the
Txisadan Disputations. The " secret " is Atticus' lapse from
Epicureanism in approving of the views expressed in that
book.

2 To meet Brutus.

306

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. 4

Let us return, then, to the Tusculan Disputations,
since you often refer to them. Let us keep your
secret from Saufeius : ^ I will never betray it. You
send a message from Brutus, asking me to let him
know when I shall reach Tusculum. On the 27th,
as I told you before ; and I should very much like
to see you there as soon as possible. For I think we
shall have to go to Lanuvium,^ and that not without
a lot of talk. However, I will see to it.

I return to your earlier letter, and I pass over the
first part about the Buthrotians. For that is engraved
on my heart of hearts, if only, as you say, there is an
opening for action. You are very insistent about
Brutus' speech, since you say so much about it again.
Am I really to plead the same case as tliat he has
written about } Am 1 to write without being asked
by him .'' One could not put one's oar in more rudely.
"But," you say, "write something in the style of
Heracleides." ^ That I don't refuse, but I should
have to settle on a line of argument, and I should
have to wait for more time to write it. For think
what you will of me — though of course I should like
you to think as well as possible, and not be offended
at what I say — if affairs drift on as they seem to be
doing, 1 can take no pleasure in the Ides of March.
Caesar would never have come back,^ and fear would
not have compelled us to ratify his acts ; or, if I join
Saufeius' school and desert the Tusculan Disputations,
which you would press even on Vestorius, I was so
high in his favour (heaven confound him, though he
is dead !) that to a person of my age he was not a

' Heracleides of Pont us, a pupil of Plato, who wrote on
jiolitical subjects.

■• From the Parthian war, in all probability ; though some
take it to refer to Antony, as a reincarnation of Caesar.

307

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

quoniam interfecto domino liberi non sunius, non
fuerit dominus ille fugiendus. Rubeo, mihi crede,
sed iam scripseram ; delere nolui.

De Menedemo vellem verum fuisset, de regiiia
velini verum sit. Cetera coram, et maxime quid
nostris faciendum sit, quid etiam nobis, si Antonius
militibus obsessurus est senatum. Hanc epistulam si
illius tabellario dedissem, veritussum, ne solveret.
Itaque misi dedita. Erat enim rescribendum tuis.

IVa

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tiis- Quam vellem Brutostudium tuum navare potuisses!

culano VI K. Ego igitur ad eum litteras. Ad Dolabellam Tironem
misi cum mandatis et litteris. Eum ad te vocabis et,
si quid habebis, quod placeat, scribes. Ecce autem
de traverse L. Caesar ut veniam ad se rogat in Nemus
aut scribam, quo se venire velim ; Bruto enim placere
se a me conveniri. O rem odiosam et inexplica-
bilem ! Puto me ergo iturum et inde Romam, nisi
quid mutaro. Summatim adhuc ad te ; niliildum
enim a Balbo. Tuas igitur exspecto nee actorum
solum, sed etiam futurorum.

308

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. 4-1 a

master to run away from, since the death of a master
has not set us free. I blush, believe me ; but I have
written it, and I won't erase it.

I wish it had been true about Menedemus, and I
hope it may be true about Cleopatra. The rest when
we meet, and especially what our friends must do,
and what even we must do, if Antony is going to sur-
round the House with soldiers. I was afraid he might
open this letter, if I gave it to his messengers, so I
have sent it with special care, for I had to answer
yours.

IVa

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

How I wish you could have rendered your service Tusculum,
to Brutus ! So 1 am writing to him. 1 have sent May 27, B.C.
Tiro to Dolabella with a message and a letter. 44
Summon him to you, and, if you have any pleasant
news, write. But here is a letter from L. Caesar all
of a sudden, asking me to come to him at the (irove ^
or write where I should like to meet him : Brutus
wants me to see him. What a nuisance and what a
surprise ! I sujipose then I must go, and from there
on to Rome, unless I change my mind. At present
I am only sending you a short note, for I have not
heard yet from Balhus. So I am looking for a letter
from you to tell me not only what has happened but
what is going to happen.

* The Nemus Dianae at Aticia.

309

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- A Bruto tabellarius rediit ; attulit et ab eo et a
culano /' A'. Cassio. Consilium meum magno opere exquiruiit,
lun. a. 710 Brutus quidem, utrum de duobus. C) rem miseram I
plane non habeo, quid scribam. Itaque silentio puto
me usurum, nisi quid aliud tibi videtur ; sin tibi quid
venit in mentem, scribe^ quaeso. Cassius vero vehe-
menter orat ac petit, ut Hirtium quam optimum
faciam. Sanum putas ? 6 6t](Tavpui dyOpaKi^.^ Epis-
tulam tibi misi.

Ut tu de provincia Bruti et Cassi per senatus con-
sultum, ita scribit et Balbus et Oppius. Hirtius
quidem se afuturum (etenini iam in Tusculano est)
mihique, ut absim, vehementer auctor est, et ille
quidem periculi causa, quod sibi etiam fuisse dicit,
ego autem, etiam ut nullum periculum sit, tantum
abest, ut Antoni suspicionem fugere nunc curem, ne
videar eius secundis rebus non delectari, ut mihi
causa ea sit, cur Romam venire nolim, ne ilium
videam. Varro autem noster ad me epistalam misit
sibi a nescio quo missam (nomen enim delerat) ; in
qua scriptum erat veteranos eos, qui reiciantur (nam
])artem esse dimissam), improbissime loqui, ut magno
periculo Romae sint futuri, qui ab eorum partibus
dissentire videantur. Quis porro noster itus, reditus,
vultus, incessus inter istos ? Quodsi, ut scribis,

' 0 Oi^aavphs St-e^awti Vict.: OTENATCAN0PAKF.C il.

310

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. 5

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

My messenger has returned from Brutus, bringing Tusculum,
a letter from him and from Cassias too. They want May 28, b.c.
my advice badly,and Brutus asks which of two courses 4i
he ought to pursue. Alas ! I have not the remotest
idea what to say. So I think I shall keep silent, un-
less you think I must not. If anything occurs to you,
please write. Cassius, indeed, begs and beseeches
me to make Hirtius as sound as possible. Do you
think he is in his senses ? It's fairy gold ! ^ I am
sending his letter.

Balbus and Oppius tell me the same as you about
the province to be assigned by the Senate to Brutus
and Cassius, and Hirtius says he will not attend — he
is here at Tusculum — and he strongly advises me to
keep away. He does so on the strength of the danger
which he says there has been even for him ; but,
even if there be no danger, I am so far from caring
to avoid giving Antony a suspicion that I do not
rejoice in his prosperity, that the very reason why I
would rather not go to Rome is to avoid seeing him.
But our friend Van-o has sent me a letter from some-
body or other— I don't know who, as he has erased
the name — telling him that the veterans whose claims
have been put off (for some of them have been dis-
banded) are using most criminal language, saying
that those who seem not to favour their claims will
be in great danger at Rome. What, I should like to
know, can our goings and comings, our looks and our
demeanour, be among them? If again, as you say,

1 Lit. " the treasure is ashes," a proverbial expression for
disappointment ; cf. Lucian, Zenxis, 2 : Timon, 41.

311

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

L. Autonius in D. Rrutuin, reliqui in iiostros^ ego
quid faciam aut quo me pacto geraiii ? Mihi vero
deliberatum est, ut nunc quidem est, abesse ex ea
urbe, in qua non modo florui cum summa, verum
etiam servivi cum aliqua dignitate ; nee tarn statui
ex Italia exire, de quo tecum deliberabo, quam istuc
non venire.

CICEIIO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Cum ad me Brutus noster scripsisset et Cassius^
culano VI K. ut Hirtium, qui adhuc bonus fuisset (sciebam neque

"'iif'if*^^'^ eum confidebam fore) mea auctoritate meliorem face-
a. 710

rem (Antonio est enim fortasse iratior, causae vero

amicissimus), tamen ad eum scripsi eique dignitatem

Bruti et Cassi commendavi. llle quid mihi rescrip-

sisset, scire te volui, si forte idem tu quod ego existi-

mares, istos etiam nunc vereri, ne forte ipsi nostri

plus animi habeant quam habent.

"hirtius ciceroni suo sal.
*' Rurene iam redierim, quaeris. An ego, cum omnes
caleant, ignaviter aliquid faciam ? Etiam ex urbe
sum profectus, utilius enim statui abesse. Has tibi
litteras exiens in Tusculanum scripsi. Noli autem
me tam strenuum jnitire, ut ad Nonas recurram.
Nihil enim iam video opus esse nostra cura, quoniam
312

LETTERS TO ATTIC US XV. 5-6

I.. Antonius is attacking D. Hrutiis, and the others
attacking our friends^ what am I to do and how am I
to bear myself? As things are now I liave made up
my mind to keep away from a city in which I have
not only been distinguished in the highest position,
but have even maintained some position in servitude.
I have not quite made up my mind to leave Italy,
a question wliich I will discuss with you, so much as
not to go to Home.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Our friend Brutus and Cassias had written to me Tusculum,
to use my authority to improve Hirtius' patriotism. May 27,
since he had at present shown some (I knew he had, b.c. 44
but I doubted if he would continue, for, although he
is a little annoyed with Antony, he is very much
devoted to the cause) ; in spite of my doubts I wrote
to him and commended to his care the maintenance
of Brutus' and Cassius' position. What his answer
was I want you to know, to see whether you think
the same as i do, that the Caesarians are even now
afraid our friends have more courage than they really
have.

"hirtius to his friend CICERO, GREETING.

" You ask if I have returned from the country.
Can I play the laggard, when all the world is so
excited? In fact I have just left the city, for I
thought my absence would be more useful than my
presence. This letter I have written as I set out
for Tusculum. Don't think I shall do anything so
energetic as to hurry back for the 5th. I see no need
for mv protecting anyone, since proper precautions

3 1 :i

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

praesidia sunt in tot annos provisa. Brutus et Cassius
utinani, quam facile a te de me impetrare possunt, ita
per te exorenturj ne (juod calidius ineant consilium !
Cedentes enim haec ais scripsisse — quo aut quare ?
Retina, obsecro te, Cicero, illos, et noli sinere haec
omnia perire, quae funditus medius fidius rapinis,
incendiis, caedibus pervertuntur. Tantum, si quid
timent, caveant, nihil praeterea moliantur. Non
medius fidius acerrimis consiliis plus quam etiam
inertissimis, dum modo diligentibus, consequentur.
Haec enim, quae fluunt, per se diuturna non sunt ;
in contentione praesentes ad nocendum habent vires.
Quid speres de illis, in Tusculanum ad me scribe."

Habes Hirti epistulam. Cui rescripsi nil illos cali-
dius cogitare idque confirmavi. Hoc, qualecumque
asset, te scire volui.

Obsignata iam Balbus ad me Serviliam redisse,
confirmara non discessuros. Nunc exspecto a te
litteras.

VII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. tn Tus- Gratum, quod mihi epistulas ; quae quidem me
culano V delectarunt, in primis Sexti nostri. Dices : " quia
md IV A.^ ^g laudat." Puto mehercule id quoque esse causae,
sed tamen, etiam antequam ad eum locum veni,
valde mihi placebat cum sensus eius de re publica
tum genus scribendi. Servius vero pacificator cum

lun. a. 710

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. 6-7

Iiave been taken for so many years. I wish you
could obtain a promise from Brutus and Cassius, not
to enter upon any hot-headed scheme, as easily as
you can from me. For you say they wrote what you
mention when on the point of leaving the country.
Whither and why ? Stop them, I beg you, Cicero,
and do not let everything go to rack and ruin. For
upon my honour things are already being upset by
rapine, fire, and slaughter. If they have any fear,
let them take some precaution merely, and not make
any fresh move. Upon my honour they will not ac-
complish any more by violent measures tlian they
will by quiet, provided they are cai-eful. The present
unsettled state of affairs cannot last long in the nature
of things ; if there is a struggle and they are here,
they have power to do much harm. What your hopes
for them are, write and tell me at Tusculum."

There is Hirtius' letter. 1 answered, affirming that
they had no hot-headed scheme. I wanted you to
know this for what it is worth.

Just as I had sealed this Balbus writes to me that
Servilia has returned, and avers that they will not
leave Italy. Now I look for a letter from you.

VII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Thanks for sending the letters. They have given Tusculum,
me much pleasure, especially that of our friend May 28 or
Sextus. You will say, "Because he praises yoa." 29, b.c. 44
Upon my word I think that is part of the reason :
but even before I got to that passage I Mas very
much pleased both by his sentiments on politics and
by his style. Servius the peacemaker with a nobody,

315

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

lil>rariolo suo videtur obisse legatioiiem et oinnes
captiunculas pertimescere. Debuerat autem non
''ex iure manum consei'tuni/' sed quae sequuntur ;
tuque scribes.

VIII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tiis- T'ost tuum discessum binas a Balbo (nihil novi)
ciilano prid. iteinque ab Hirtio, qui se scribit vehenienter offensum
K. Jun. a. gggg veteranis. Exspeetat animus, quiduam agam de
K. Misi igitur Tironem et cum Tirone plures, quibus
singulis, ut quicque accidisset, dares litteras, atque
etiam scripsi ad Antonium de legatione, ne, si ad
Dolabellam solum scripsissem, iracundus homo com-
moveretur. Quod autem aditus ad eum ditticilior
esse dicitur, scripsi ad Eutrapelum, ut is ei meas lit
teras redderet. Legatione mihi opus esse. Honestior
est votiva, sed licet uti utra(|ue.

De te, quaeso, etiam alque etiam vide. Velim
possis coram; si minus, litteris idem consequemur.
Graeceius ad me scripsit C. Cassium sibi scrijisisse
homines comparari, qui armati in Tusculanum mitte-
rentur. Id quidem uiihi non videbatur ; sed caven-
dum tamen tutelaeque plures videndae. Sed aliquid
erastinus dies ad cogitandum nobis dabit.

' The quotation from Ennius continues : sed magi ferro
Item repelunt. What Servius Sulpicius was undertaking is

316

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. 7-8

his secretary, seems to have undertaken an embassy
and to be on his guard against all the quips and
quiddities of the law. But he ought to realize that
it is not a case of "joining hands in legal claim,"
but of what follows." ^ Please write.

VIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, OREETING.

After you had left came two letters from Balbus, Tusculum,
Avith no news in them, and one from Hirtius, who May 31, b.c
says he is very annoyed with the veterans. My mind 44
is still anxious about what I shall do about the 1st.
So I have sent Tiro and some men with him — please
give them letters one by one, as things happen — and
i have written to Antony about the legation, for fear
that, if 1 had written only to Dolabella, his quick
temper might be aroused. But, as it is said to be
rather difficult to get an audience with him, I have
written to Eutrapelus, so that he may deliver my
letter. I must have an embassy: a votive embassy
is more honourable, but I could use either.

Your own position, I beg you, review most care-
fully. I wish we could do so together ; if not, we
must accomplish it by letters. Graeceius has written
to me that he has heard from Cassius that armed
men are being got ready to be sent to my house
at Tusculum. I don't think that is the case ; but
still I must take care to have more safeguards
ready. But to-morrow may give us some food for
reflection.

uncertain ; possibly to patch up peace between Antony and
Caesar's murdererb.

SI7

S^on. lun. a.
710

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
IX

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tu.s- iiii Non. vesperi a Balbo redditae mihi litterae
culanoll fore Nonis senatum, ut Brutus in Asia, Cassias in
Sicilia frumentum emendum et ad urbem mitlenduni
curarent. O rem miseram ! primum ullaui ab istis,
dein, si aliquam, banc legatoriam provinciam ! At-
que baud scio an melius sit quam ad Eurotam sedere.
Sed haec casus gubernabit. Ait autem eodem tem-
pore decretum iri, ut et iis et reliquis praetoriis
provinciae decernantur. Hoc certe melius quam ilia
ITepcriKT/ porticus ; nolo enim Lacedaemonem longin-
quiorem quam Lanuvium existimare. " Rides," in-
quies, "in talibus rebus ? " Quid faciam? plorando
fessus sum.

Di inmortales ! quam me conturbatum tenuit epi-
stulac tuae prior pagina ! quid autem iste in dome
tua casus armorum ? Sed hunc quidem nimbum cito
transisse laetor. Tu quid egeris tua cum tristi turn
etiam difficili ad consiliandum legatione, vehementer
cxspecto ; est enim inexplicabilis. Ita circumsede-
nuu" copiis omnibus. Me quidem Bruti litterae, quas
ostendis a te lectas, ita perturbarunt, ut, quamquam
ante egebam consilio, tamen animi dolore sim tardior.
Sed plura, cum ista cognoro. Hoc autem tempore

' Lit. " which could be delegated to legati."
S18

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. 9
IX

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

On the evening of the 2nd I received a letter from Ttisculum,
Balbus teUing me there would be a meeting of the June 2, b.c.
Senate on the 5th to send Brutus to Asia, and Cassius 44
to Sicily, to buy corn and send it to Rome. What a
shame ! First that they should take any office from
that party, and secondly, if any, that it should be this
subordinate^ position. Still, I don't know whether
it is not better than for him to sit on the banks of
his Eurotas.'^ But fate must have its way in this.
He says that at the same time a decree will be passed
assigning provinces to them and other ex-praetors.
This is certainly better than his Persian porch. For
I don't want you to think I am referring to a Sparta
farther off than Lanuvium. " You can jest," you
will say, "in such important matters? " What am I
to do ? I am tired of mourning.

Good God ! how the first page of your note held
me transfixed with horror ! How did that violent
brawl happen in your house ? But I am glad this
cloud passed away quickly. I am very eager to know
how you have fared witli your sad and very difficult
conciliatory mission ; for the knot cannot be un-
ravelled. We ai'e so surrounded by force of every
kind. Brutus' letter, which you show that you have
read, has so disturbed me, that, undecided as I was
before, my sorrow makes me still slower at making
up my mind. But I will write more when I have
news from you. At present I have nothing to write,

"^ Brutus apparently called a stream on his estate at Lanu-
vium " Eurotas,'' and a building there the " Persian porch,"
after the river Eurotas and the crrocl nepcriK^ at Sparta.

319

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

quod scriberem, nihil erat eoque minus, quod dubita-
bam, tu has ipsas litteras essesne acceptui-us. Erat
enim incertum, visurusne te esset tabellarius. Ego
tuas Htteras vehementer exspecto.

CICERO ATTICO SAf,.

Scr. in Tus- O Bruti anianter scriptas Htteras! o iiiiqiuun tuum

culano ^on. tempus, qui ad eum ire non possis ! I'go auteni quid

•J- >,7n scribam ? at beneficio istorum utantur? Quid tur-
ndte a. 710

pius ? Ut moHantur ahquid ? Nee audent nee iani
possunt. Age, quiescant auctoribus nobis ; quis
incoUimitatem praestat ? Si vero ahquid de Decinio
gravius, quae nostris vita, etiamsi nemo niolestus sit ?
ludos vero non facere I quid foediiis? frumentum
imponere ! quae est aha Dionis Jegatio aut quod
nninus in re pubhca sordidius? Prorsiis quidem con
siha tali in re ne iis quidem tuta sunt, qui dant ; sed
possim id neglegere proficiens ; frustra vero qui in-
grediar? Matris consiho cum utatur vel etiam preci-
bus, quid me interponam ? Sed tamen cogitabo, quo
gcnere utar litterarum ; nam silere non possum.
Statim igitur mittam vel Antium vel Circeios.

1 Brutus as praetor urbanut ouglit to have presided at the
Ludi ApoUinaies, but fearing to go to Rome he left it to a
colleague Uaius Autonius.

320

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. 9-10

especially as 1 have doubts as to whether you may
get this letter. For it is uncertain whether the
messenger may see you. I am looking for a letter
from you very eagerly.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

What an afiectionate letter from Brutus . And Tusculum,
what hard luck that you cannot go to him ! But June 5 or 6,
what am 1 to say ? That they should accept the b.c. 44
other party's favours ? That were the depth of
shame. That they should try some new move ? They
dare not, and now they cannot. Well, suppose I
advise them to keep quiet and they do, who can
guarantee their safety ? Indeed, if anything un-
j)leasant happens to Decimus, what sort of life shall
we lead, even if no one molests us ? It is a sad dis-
grace not to preside at the games. ^ Fancy putting
the burden of the corn-supply on tliem ! What is
this but promotion downwards/- and what state office
is more contemptible ? To give advice in such matters
is certainly quite unsafe, even for those who give it.
If I were doing good, I might overlook that ; but
why should I put my foot in it to no purpose ? Since
he is following his mother's advice, or rather her
supplications, why should I interfere .'' However, I
will consider what kind of letter I can write, for I
must give some answer. So I will write at once
either to Antium or to Circeii.

2 The banishment of Dion from Syracuse by the younger
Dionysius under the pretext of an embassy seems to have
jtassed into a proverb in this sense,

S21

VOL. III. M

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XI

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. tn Antium veni a. d. vi Idus. Bruto iucundus noster

Antiati a. d. adventus. Deinde multis audientibus^ Servilia, Ter-
VI Id. Inn. tulla, Porcia, quaerere, quid placeret. Aderat etiam
a. 710 Favonius. Ego, quod eram meditatus in via, suadere,

ut uteretur Asiatica curatione frumenti ; nihil esse
iam reliqui, quod ageremus, nisi ut salvus esset ; in
eo etiam ipsi rei publicae esse praesidium. Quam
orationem cum ingressus essem, Cassius intervenit.
Ego eadem ilia repetivi. Hoc loco fortibus sane
oculis Cassias (Martera spirare diceres) se in Sicilian)
non iturum. " Egone ut beneficium accepissem con-
tumeliam ? " " Quid ergo agis ? " inquam. At ille in
Achaiam se iturum. "Quid tu," inquam, "Brute.^"
" Romam/' inquit, "si tibi videtur." " Mihi vero mi-
nime ; tuto enim non eris." "Quid? si possem esse,
placeretne ? " " Atque ut omnino neque nunc neque
ex praetura in provinciam ires ; sed auctor non sum,
ut te urbi committas." Dicebam ea, quae tibi pro-
fecto in mentem veniunt, cur non esset tuto futurus.
Multo inde sermone querebantur, atcjue id quidem
Cassius maxime, amissas occasiones Dccimumque gra-
viter accusabant. Ego negabam oportere praeterita,
adsentiebar tamen. Cumque ingressus essem dicere,
quid ojiortuisset, nee vero quicquam novi, sed ea,

S22

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV ii

CICEHO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I reached Aiitium on the 8th. Brutus was very glad Aniium,
to see me. Then before Servilia, TertuUa, Porcia,i June 8, b.c
and a lot of others, he asked me for my opinion. 44
Favonius was present too. I had made up my mind
on the journey, and advised him to accept the control
of the corn supply from Asia : there was nothing
else for us to do now except to keep him out of
danger : by so doing we should have some safeguard
for the republic too. When I was in the midst of
my speech, in came Cassius. I said the same over
again. Whereupon Cassius, with flashing eyes and
fairly breathing war, declared he would not go to
Sicily. " Am I to take an insult like a favour .'' "
" What will you do then .'' " I asked ; and he said he
would go to Achaia. " What of you, Brutus ? " I
said. "To Rome," he answered, "if you think I
ought." " I don't think so at all, for you won't be
safe." " Well, if it were possible to be there in
safety, would you approve?" "Yes, I would rather
you did not go to a pi'ovince either now or after
your praetorship ; but I don't advise you to trust
yourself in Rome." I gave him the reasons that
will occur to you, why it would not be safe. Then
they kept on bewailing the chances that had been
let slip, especially Cassius, and they complained bit-
terly of Decimus. I said they ought not to harp on
the past, but I agreed with them. When I had gone
on to explain what ought to have been done, saying
nothing new, but what everybody is saying daily,

* Respectively mother, half-sister, anJ second wife of
KrutUB.

323

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

quae cotidie omnes, nee tamen ilium locum attiuge-
rem, queniquani praeterea ojiortuisse tangi, sed seiia-
tum vocari, populum ardentem studio vehementius
incitari, totam suscipi rem publicam, exclamat tua
familiaris : "Hoc vero neminem umquam audivi!"
Ego repressi. Sed et Cassius mihi videbatur iturus
(etenim Servilia pollicebatur se curaturam, ut ilia
frumenti curatio de senatus consulto tolleretur), et
noster cito deiectus est de illo inani sermone quo
Romae^ velle esse dixerat. Constituit igitur, ut ludi
absente se fierent suo nomine. Proficisci autem mihi
in Asiam videbatui* ab Antio velle. Ne multa, nihil me
in illo itinere praeter conscientiam meam delectavit.
Non enim fuit committenduui, ut ille ex Italia, pri-
usquam a me conventus esset, discederet. Hoc
dempto munere amoris atque officii sequebatur, ut
mecum ipse :

" 'H Sevp' oSos croi Tt Svvarai vvv, ^cott/jottc ;

Prorsus dissolutum offendi navigium vel potius dissi-
patum. Nihil consilio^ nihil ratione, nihil ordine.
Itaque, etsi ne antea quidem dubitavi, tamen nunc
eo minus evolare hinc idque quam prinunn,

"ubi nee Pelopidarum facta neque famam ai'idiam."

Et heus tu ! ne forte sis nescius, Dolabella me sibi
legavit a. d. lui Nonas. Id mihi heri vesperi nun-

* quo Rornae added by Tyrrell.
324

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. 11

and not touching on the point as to whether anyone
else ought to have been attacked, but saying that
the Senate ought to have been called, the people in
their violent excitement ought to have been roused
to fury, and the whole conduct of affairs taken over .
by them, your friend Servilia exclaimed : " That I J
never heard anyone ..." I interrupted her. But
I think Cassius will go (for Servilia promises she will
see that that appointment to the corn-supply shall
be withdrawn from the senatorial decree) : and
our friend soon gave up his silly talk of wanting
to go to Rome. So he has made up his mind that
the games may be held in his absence under his
name. I fancy, however, he wants to set out for Asia
from Antium. To cut the matter short, I got nothing
that satisfied me out of that journey except the satis-
faction to my conscience. For I could not allow him
to leave Italy before I had met him. Save for ful-
filling the duty I owed to our aff"ection, I could not
help asking myself:

" What makest thou with thy journey hither,
seer }" ^

In fact I found a ship breaking up, or rather al-
ready in wreckage. No plan, no reason, no system.
So, although I had no doubt even before, now I have
still less that I must fly away from here as fast as
possible,

" Where I may hear no bruit of Pelops' sons." '

And listen to this, if you have not heard it before :
Dolabella has made me one of his legates on the
2nd of June. That I was told yesterday evening.

• The author of this line, which i.s quoted again in A(t.
XVI. 6, is unknown. ^ From the Felopa of Acoius.

225

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

tiatiini est. Votiva ne tibi quidem placebat ; eteniiii
erat absurdum, quae, si stetisset res publica, vovissem,
ea me eversa ilia vota dissolvere. Et habent, opinor,
liberae legationes definitum tempus lege lulia, nee
facile addi potest. Aveo genus legationis, ut, cum
velis, introire, exire liceat ; quod nunc mihi additum
est. Bella est autem huius iuris quinquennii licentia.
Quamquam quid de quinquennio cogitem ? Contralii
mihi negotiuni videtar. Sed j3Xd(r(f>rjij.a mittamus.

XII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Set: in Bene mehercule de Buthroto. At ego Tironem

Antiati V ad Dolabellam cum litteris, quia iusseras, miseram.
(tut ly la. Qui(] nocet? De nostris autem Antiatibus satis vide-
bar plane scripsisse, ut non dubitares, quin essent
otiosi futuri, usurique beneficio Antoni contumelioso.
Cassius frumentariam rem aspernabatur ; eam Servilia
sublaturam ex senatus consulto se esse dicebat. Nos-
ter vero koX /idXa creixv!o<; in Asiam, posteaquam mihi
est adsensus tuto se Romae esse non posse (ludos
enim absens facere malebat), statim ait se iturum,
simul ac ludorum apparatum iis, qui curaturi essent,
tradidisset. Navigia colligebat ; erat animus in cursu.
Interea in isdem locjs erant futuri. Brutus quidem
se aiebat Asturae. L. quidem Antonius liberaliter
litteris sine cura me esse iubet. Habeo unum bene-

ficiuni^ alterum fortasse, si in Tusculanum venerit.
326

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. 11-12

Even you did not like the idea of a votive legation ;
for indeed it was absurd for me to be fulfilling vows
after the constitution was overthrown, which I had
made in case it were maintained. I fancy, too,
free legations have a limit of time set by one of
Caesar's laws, and it is not easy to get it prolonged.
I want the kind of legation that lets you come and
go as you please, and that I have got now. It is a
fine thing, too, to have the privilege for five years.
Though why do I think of five years ? Things seem
to me to be drawing to a crisis : but ahsit omen.

XII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING,

That's jolly good news about Buthrotum. But I Antium,
had sent Tiro to Dolabella with a letter as you bade June 9 or 10,
me. What harm is there in it } About our friends b.c. 44
at Antium, I think I wrote plainly enough for you
not to doubt that they are going to take things
quietly and accept Antonius' insulting favour. Cas-
sius rejects the corn-supply job, and Servilia says she
will cut it out of the senatorial decree. Our friend
is taking things very seriously, now he agrees with
me that he cannot be safe in Rome (for he prefers
the games to take place in his absence). He says he
will go to Asia at once, as soon as he has handed
over the management of the games to those who
will attend to it. He is collecting vessels, and his
heart is set on going. Meantime they will stay in
the same places. Brutus says he will be at Astura.
L. Antonius has sent a kind letter telling me to have
no fear. That's one thing I have to thank him
for ; perhaps there will be another, if he comes to

327

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

O negotia non fercnda ! quae feruntur tamen. Toivht
alriav Twv BpovTwv Tt's c^et ; In Octaviano, ut perspexi,
satis ingenii, satis animi, videbaturque erga nostros
^pwas ita fore, ut nos veil emus, animatus. Sed quid
aetati credendum sit, quid nomini, quid hereditati,
quid KaTr])^rja-€i, magni consilii est. Vitricus quideni
nihil censebat ; quem Asturae vidimus. Sed tamen
alendus est, et, ut nihil aliud, ab Antonio seiungen-
dus. Marcellus praeclare, si praecipit nostro nostra.
Cui quidem ille deditus mihi videbatur. Pansae
autem et Hirtio non nimis credebat. Bona indoles,
iav hiaiiuvQ.

XIII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in vin Kal. duas a te accepi epistulas. Respondebo

Puteolano igritur priori prius. Adsentior tibi, ut nee duces

VIII K

' ^-^ simus nee agmen cogamus, faveamus tamen. Oratio-
Sov. a. 710 ^.^. *'. . ,,." ' ,. J ^ r .

nem tibi misi. Ji.ms custodiendae et proterendae

arbitrium tuum. Sed quando ilium diem, cum tu

cdendam putes .'' Indutias quas scribis, non intellego

fieri posse. Melior est avavTiffaaviqcria; qua me usurum

arbitror. Quod scribis legiones duas Brundisium

venisse, vos omnia prius. Scribes igitur, quicquid

audieris. Varronis hiaXoyov exspecto. lam probo

'HpaxXctSeiov, praesertim cum tu tanto opere delec-

* The Second Philippic, an answer to Antony's speech of
September 19, never actually delivered by Cicero.
328

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. 12-1.1

Tusculum. What intolerable nuisances ! Yet we put
up with them. Which of the Bruti have we to thank
for this .'' In Octavianus, as I have observed, there
is plenty of wit and plenty of spirit, and he seems
likely to be as well disposed to our heroes as we
could wish. But it is a grave question how far we can
trust one of his age, name, heritage, and bringing
up. His father-in-law, whom I saw at Astura, thinks
he is not to be trusted at all. However, we must
look after him, and, if nothing else, dissociate him
from Antonius. Marcellus will be doing well if he
inculcates our views into Brutus, to whom Octavianus
seems to be well affected. In Pansa and Hirtius,
however, he has but little trust. His disposition is
good, if it will last.

xni

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

On the 25th I received two letters from you. So Puteoli,
I will answer the former first. I agree with you that Oct. 35, B.C.
we need not be the first to move nor the last to 44
follow, but that we should incline to Brutus' side.
I have sent you my speech,^ and leave it to you to
keep it or publish it. But when shall we see the day
when you will think it right to publish it .'' I don't
understand how the truce you mention can be pos-
sible. It is better to make no reply ; and that, I
think, is what I shall do. You say that two legions
have arrived at Brundisium : you get all the news first.
So you must write whatever you hear. I am expecting
Varro's dialogue.^ I agree now about writing some-
thing in Heracleides' style,^ especially as you like it

* A promised dialogue in which Cicero was to take part, or
which was to be dedicated to him. ° Cf. xv. 4.

329

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

tere ; sed, quale velis, velim scire. Quod ad te antea
atque adeo prius scripsi (sic enim mavis), ad scriben-
duni (licet enim^ tibi vere dicere) fecisti me acriorem.
Ad tuum enim iudicium, quod mihi erat notum, ad-
didisti Peducaei auctoritatem, magnam quidem apud
me et in primis gravem. Enitar igitur, ne desideres
aut industriam meam aut diligentiam. Vettienum^
ut scribis, et Faberium foveo. Clodium nihil arbitror
malitiose ; quamquam — sed quod egerit. De liber-
tate retinenda, qua certe nihil est dulcius, tibi ad-
sentior. Itane Gallo Caninio ? O hominem nequam !
quid enim dicam aliud? Cautum Marcellum ! me
sic, sed non tamen cautissimum.

Longiori epistulae superiorique respondi. Nunc
breviori propiorique quid I'espondeam, nisi eam fuisse
dulcissimam ? Res Hispanienses valde bonae, modo
Balbilium incolumem videam, subsidium nostrae
senectutis. De Anniano idem, quod me valde obser-
vat Visellia. Sed haec quidem humana. De Brute
te nihil scire dicis, sed Servilia venisse M. Scaptium,
eumque non qua pompa adsuevisset, ad se tamen
clam venturum sciturumque me omnia ; quae ego
statim. Interea narrat eadem Bassi servum venisse,
qui nuntiaret legiones Alexandrinas in armis esse,
Bassum arcessi, Cassium exspectari. Quid quaeris ?
videtur res publica ius suum recuperatura. Sed ne

^ licet enim added hy Lehmann.

* After quod egerit some such words as id actum hdbeho
must be supplied. On tin's plirase, which occurs several
times in Cicero's letters, cf. Lelimann, Dt epp. ad Atiicwn
recensendif, 1892, p. 189.
330

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. \3

so mucli ; but I will write whatever you wish. As I
told you before, or rather previously, as you prefer to
say, I must confess you have made me more eager to
write. For to your own opinion, which I knew, you
have added Peducaeus' authority, which I count great
and as weighty as any. So I will make an effort not
to disappoint you in my industry or diligence. I am
making much of Vettienus and Faberius, as you
suggest. I don't think Clodius meant any harm,
though — but it is nothing to me.' I agree with 3^ou
about preserving our liberty, our most precious pos-
session. So it is Gallus Caninius' turn now ? " What
a knave ! For what else can one call him .'' How
cautious Marcellus is. So am I, but not over-
cautious.

I have answered your longer and earlier letter.
Now what can I say to the shorter and more recent,
except that it was most delightful ? Affairs in Spain
are going really well, if only I can see Balbilius in
safety as a support for our old age. About Annianus^
I agree, as Visellia is very polite to me. But that is
the way of the world. You say you know nothing
of Brutus, but Servilia says M. Scaptius has come,
and that without any of his usual parade, and he
will pay her a visit quietly, and I shall be told every-
thing. I shall know soon. Meantime she says a slave
of Bassus has come announcing that the legions in
Alexandria are in arms, that Bassus has been sum-
moned, and Cassius is expected with eagerness. In
short it looks as though the republic was going to
recover its rights. But don't let us anticipate. You

'^ From Alt. xvi. 14 it appears that Gallus had just died.
Probably Antony, to whom the next words apparently refer,
threatened to confiscate his property.

* Or " the estate of Annius," as Shuck burgh.

3S)

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

quid ante. Nosti horum exercitationem in latrocinio
et amentiam.

Dolabella, vir optimuSj etsi, cum scribebam secunda
mensa adposita, venisse eum ad Baias audiebam,
tamen ad me ex Formiano scripsit, quas litteras, cum
e balineo exisseni, accepi, sese de attributione omnia
summa fecisse. Vettienum accusat (tricatur scilicet
ut monetalis), sed ait totum negotium Sestium nos-
trum suscepisse, optimum quidem ilium virum nos-
trique amantissimum. Quaero autem, quid tnndcm
Sestius in hac re facere possit, quod non quivis nos-
trum. Sed^ si quid praeter spem erit, facies, ut
sciam ; sin est, ut arbitror, negotium perditum, scribes
tamen, neque ista res commovebit.

Nos hie (f)i\o(ro<f>ovix€i' (quid enim aliud ?) et to. irepl
Tov KaOy]KovTO<; magnifice explicamus 7rpocr<^o)voC)U.€vque
Ciceroni ; qua de re enim potius pater filio ? Deinde
alia. Quid quaeris ? exstabit opera peregrinationis
huius. Varronem hodie aut eras venturum putabant;
ego autem in Pompeianum properabam. non quo hoc
loco quicquam pulchrius, sed interpellatores illic
minus molesti. Sed perscribe, quaeso, quae causa
sit Myrtilo (poenas quidem ilium pependisse audivi),
et satisne pateat, unde corruptus.

Haec cum scriberem, tantum quod existimabam
ad te orationem esse perlatam. Hui, quam timeo,
quid existimes ! Etsi quid ad me ? quae non sit foras
proditura nisi re publica recuperata. De quo quid
sperem, non audeo scril)ere.

* Cf.- Atl. XVI. 11. He was accused of attempting to
murder Antony.
332

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. 13

know what practice that lot have had in rascaHty^
and how reckless they are.

That pretty fellow Dolabella has written to me
from Formiae, though, when I was writing this letter
at dessert, I heard he had arrived at Baiae, and I got
his letter as I left my bath. He says he has done
his level best about assigning debts to me. He
blames Vettienus — of course he is up to some dodge
like a true business man — but he says Sestius, who
is a very honest fellow and a good friend of mine,
has undertaken the whole affair. Still, I should like
to know what on earth Sestius can do in this business
that any of us could not have done. But if anything
does happen contrary to my expectation, you must
let me know ; while, if it is, as I suspect, a hopeless
business, write all the same : it will not disturb me.

I am philosophizing here (what else can I do ?)
and getting on splendidly with my De Ojjiciis, which
I am dedicating to my son. A father could not
choose a more appropriate subject. Then I shall
turn to other subjects. In fact this excursion will
iiave some works to show for itself. Varro is ex-
pected either to-day or to-morrow ; but I am hasten-
ing to Pompeii, not that anything could be prettier
than this place, but I shall be less bothered by in-
terrujitions there. But please inform me what the
charge was against Myrtilus,^ for I hear he has been
executed, and whether it has come out who suborned
him.

As I am writing this, it just occurs to me that my
si)eech is being delivered to you. How I fear your
judgment on it ! Though what does it matter to me,
as it will not be published, unless the constitution is
restored? And what hope 1 have of that 1 dare

not say.

S3S

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XIV

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tux- vi Kalend. accepi a Dolabella litteras. Quariim
culayio V K. exemplum tibi misi. In quibus erat omnia se I'ecisse,
Quint, a. 710 quae tu velles. Statim ei rescripsi et multis verbis
gratias egi. Sed tamen, ne miraretiir, cur idem iterum
facerenij hoc causae sumpsi, quod ex te ipso coram
antea nihil potuissem cognoscere. Sed quid multa ?
litteras hoc exemplo dedi :

" ClCERO DOLABELLAK COS. SUO.

" Antea cum litteris Attici nostri de tua sumnia
liberalitate summoque erga se beneficio certior factus
essem, cumque tu ipse etiam ad me scripsisses te
fecisse ea, quae nos voluissemus, egi tibi gratias per
litteras iis verbis, ut intellegeres nihil te miiii gratius
facere potuisse. Postea vero quam ipse Atticus ad
me venit in Tusculanum huius unius rei causa, tibi
ut apud me gratias ageret, cuius eximiam quandam
et admirabilem in causa Buthrotia voluntatem et
singularem erga se amorem perspexisset, teneri non
potui, quin tibi apertius illud idem his litteris de-
clararem. Ex omnibus enim, mi Dolabella, studiis
in me et officiis, quae summa sunt, hoc scito mihi et
amplissimum videri et gratissimum esse, quod per-
feceris, ut Atticus intellegeret, quantum ego te,
quantum tu me amares. Quod reliquum est, Buth-
rotiam et causam et civitatem, quamquani a te con-
stituta est (beneficia autem nostra tueri solemus),
SS4

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV it
XIV

CICEUO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

On the 26th I received a letter from Dolabella, Tusculum,
and I am sending you a copy of it. In it he says June 27, ux.
he has done everything you wanted. I answered at 44
once, thanking him profusely. However, to prevent
his wondering why I should do so twice, I gave as
a reason that I had not been able to get any inform-
ation from you before when I met you. But, to cut
it short, here is a copy of my letter : —

"CICERO TO HIS FRIEND DOLABELLA THE CONSUL.

" Once before, when our friend Atticus had in-
formed me by letter of your great liberality and the
great kindness you had shown him, and when you
yourself had written that you had done all that we
wished, I sent you my thanks couched in such terms
that you might understand that you had done me
the greatest favour. But afterwards, when Atticus
came himself to me at Tusculum solely to declare
his gratitude to you, as he had observed your re-
markable and indeed wonderful kindness in the
matter of the people of Buthrotum and your strong
affection for himself, I could not help expressing my
thanks again more clearly in this letter. For of
all the favours and services you have done for me,
and they are overwhelming, my dear Dolabella, let
me assure you that the highest and the most grati-
fying is, that you have shown Atticus how great my
affection is for you, and yours for me. For the rest,
as one generally wishes to secure favours received,
though the case of Buthrotum and its existence as
a city have been set on a firm footing by you, I

335

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

tamen velim receptam in Hdeni tuani a nieque etiani
atque etiam tibi coniniendatain auitoritate et auxilio
tuo tectam velis esse. Satis erit in perpetuum
Buthrotiis praesidii, magnaque cura et sollicitudine
Atticum et me libeiaris, si hoc honoris mei causa
susccperis, ut eos semper a te defenses velis. Quod
ut facias, te vehementer etiam atque etiam rogo."

His litteris scriptis me ad cruira^ci? dedi ; quae
quidein vereor ne miniata cerula tua pluribus locis
notandae sint. Ita sum /x£T£w/>os et magnis cogita-
tionibus impeditus,

CICERO ATTirO SAL,

Scr. in L. Antonio male sit, si quidem Buthrotiis molestus

Anliali la. gg^ i "S^go testimonium composui, quod, cum voles,

obsignabitur. Nummos Arpinatium, si L. Fadius

aedilis petet, vel omnes reddito. Ego ad te alia

epistula scripsi de HS ex, quae Statio curarentur.

Si ergo petet Fadius, ei volo reddi, ) raeter Fadium

nemini. Apud me idem j)uto deposltum. Id scrijjsi

ad Erotem ut redderet.

Reginam odi. Id m2 iure iacere scit sponsor pro-

mis.soruni eius Ammonius, quae quidem erant <^i\d-

Xoya et dignitatis meae, ut vel in contione dicere

auderem. Saran auLem, praeterquam quod nefariimi

hominem, cognovi praeterea in me contumacem.

Semel eum omnino domi meae vidi. Cuiu (ftiXo-
S36

LETTERS TO ATTIC US XV. 11-15

should like you to use your authority and your power
to protect it, as it was put in your care and repeatedly
recommended to you by me. That will be sufficient
to safeguard Buthrotum for ever, and, if in compli-
ment to me you will undertake to see them always
protected, you will relieve Atticus and me of a great
care and anxiety : and this I beg and entreat you
to do."

After finishing this letter I have devoted myself
to my treatise. I fear you will run your red pencil
under many passages in it. I have been so distracted
and hindered by weighty thoughts.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, ORFETINO.

Hang L. Antonius if he is obnoxious to the Bu- Antium,
throtians. 1 have drawn up a deposition, which June 13, B.C.
shall be signed whenever you like. If the aedile 44
L. Fadius asks for the money belonging to the
people of Arpinum, pay it him back in full. In
another letter I mentioned the 1,000 guineas to be
paid to Statius. Well, if Fadius asks for them, I
wish them to be paid to him, but to no one else.
I think it was deposited with me. I have written
to Eros to pay it.

I detest Cleopatra ; and the voucher for her pro-
mises, Ammonius, knows I have good reason to do
so. Her promises were all things that had to do
with learning and not derogatory to my dignity, so I
could have mentioned them even in a public speech.
Sara, besides being a knave, I have noticed is also
impertinent to me. Once, and only once, have I

337

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

^pdvws ex eo quaererem^ quid opus esset, Atticum se
dixit quaerere. Superbiam autem ipsius reginae,
cum esset trans Tiberim in hortis, commemorare sine
magno dolore non possum. Nihil igitur cum istis ;
nee tam animum me quam vix stomachum habere
arbitrantur.

Profectionem meam, ut video, Erotis dispensatio
impedit. Nam, cum ex reliquis, quae Nonis Aprili-
bus fecit, abundare debeam, cogor mutuari, quodque
ex istis fructuosis rebus receptum est, id ego ad illud
fanum sepositum putabam. Sed liaec Tironi man-
davi, quern ob earn causam Romam misi ; te nolui
impeditum impedire. Cicero noster quo modestior
est, eo me magis commovet. Ad me enim de liac re
nihil scripsit, ad quem nimirum potissimum debuit ;
scripsit hoc autem ad Tironem, sibi post Kalend.
Apriles (sic enim annuum tempus confici) nihil datum
esse. Tibi pro tua natura semper placuisse teque
existimasse scio, id etiam ad dignitatem meam perti-
nere eum non modo liberaliter a nobis, sed etiam
ornate cumulateque tractari. Quare velim cures (nee
tibi essem molestus, si per alium hoc agere possem),
ut permutetur Athenas, quod sit in annuum sumptum
ei. Scilicet Eros numerabit. Eius rei causa Tironem
misi. Curabis igitur et ad me, si quid tibi de eo
videbitur, scribes.

338

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. 15

seen him in my house ; and then, when I asked
politely what he wanted, he said he wanted Atticus.
But the insolence of the queen herself, when she
was in her villa across the river, I cannot mention
without great indignation. So no dealings with
them. They don't credit me with any spirit or even
any feelings at all.

My departure from Italy I see is hindered by Eros'
management of my affairs. For, although from the
balances he made on April 5 I ought to have plenty
of cash, I have to borrow, and I think the receipts
from those paying concerns are set aside for the
shrine. But I have given Tiro orders about this, and
am sending him to Rome on purpose. I did not want
to add to your worries. The more moderate in his
demands my son is, the more am I concerned about
him. For he has not mentioned this point to me,
the person of all others to whom of course he
ought to have mentioned it ; but in a letter to
Tiro he said I had sent him nothing since April 1,
which was the end of his financial year. Now I
know that you, witli your usual amiability, have
always agreed and indeed thought that among
other things my dignity demanded that he should
be treated not only liberally, but even with excessive
and extravagant liberality. So I should like you to
see that he has a bill of exchange for his annual
allowance payable at Athens. I would not trouble
you, if 1 could manage it through anyone else. Eros,
of course, will pay you. That is why I have sent
Tiro. Please see about it and let me know if you
have any views on the point.

339

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XVI

CICEUO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tandem a Cicerone tabellarius, et meliercule

Antiali III littei-ae TreTnvcD/ieVws seriptae, quod ipsum TrpoKOTryv
aut prid. Id. aliquam significat, itemque ceteri praeclara seribunt ;
lun. a. 710 Leonides tamen retinet suum illud "adhuc," summis
vero laudibus Herodes. Quid quaeris ? vel verba
mihi dari facile patior in hoc, meque libenter praebeo
credulum. Tu velim, si quid tibi est a Static scrip-
turn, quod pertineat ad me, certiorem me facias.

XVIa

CICERO ATTICO SAI,.

Scr. in Ar- Narro tibi, haec loca venusta sunt, abdita certe,

pinati XIV et, si quid scribere velis, ab arbitris libera. Sed

aul XIII K. nescio quo modo oT/cos <^tAo?. Itaque me referunt

lun. a. 710 pedes in Tusculanum. Et tamen haec fjutTroypacjiia

ripulae videtur habitura celerem satietatem. Equi-

dem etiam pluvias nietuo, si Prognostica nostra vera

sunt ; ranae enim prjTofjevovaip. Tu, quaeso, iac

seiam, ubi Brutum nostrum et quo die videre possiin.

XVII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

•Scr. in Duas acccpi postridie Idus, alteram eo die datani,

Aniiati poslr. alteram Idibus. Prius igitur superiori. De D. Bruto,

Id. luti. a. cum scies. De consulum ficto timore cognoveram.

^20

1 Cf. Att. XIV. 16. * Apparentlj' a proverb.

* Cicero translated the Prognostica of Aratus into Latin

verse.

340

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. 16-17
XVI

CICERO TO ATTICUS, OnEETINO.

At last a messenger from my son, and upon my Antium,
word a letter written in first class style. That itself Jwwe 11 or
shows some advance, and other people send most 12, b.c. 41
favourable reports too. Leonides, however, still sticks
to his "at present," 1 while Herodes bestows the
highest praise. Indeed, in this respect I gladly allow
myself even to be hoodwinked, and am not sorry to
be credulous. I should like you to let me know if
Statius has written anything that concerns me.

XVIa

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I tell you what, this place is lovely, and certainly Arpinum,
it is retired and free from overlookers, if you want May 19 or
to write. But somehow or other there's no place 20, b.c. 44
like home.^ So my feet are carrying me back to
Tusculum. And after all the tameness of this bit
of coast would probably soon cloy on one. Besides,
I am afraid of rain, if our Prognostics ^ are riglit, ibr
the frogs are holding forth. Please let me know
where Brutus is and when I can see him.

XVII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I received two letters on the 14th, one dated the Antias,
same day, one the day before. So I answer the earlier June 14, B.C.
first. Tell me about D. Brutus, when you know. I 44
had heard of the pretended ten-or of the consuls."*

* They were afraid of violence on the part of Brutus and
Cassius.

341

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Sicca enim ^tXocrropyws ille quidem, sed tumultuosius
ad me etiam illam suspicionem pertulit. Quid tu
autem? " ra /xh' SiSofxeva — "? Nullum enim ver-
bum a Siregio. Non placet. De Plaetorio, vicino
tuo, permoleste tuli quemquam prius audisse quam
me. De Syro prudenter. L. Antonium per Marcum
fratrem^ ut arbitror, facillime deterrebis. Antroni
vetui ; sed nondum acceperas litteras, ne cuiquam
nisi L. Fadio aedili. Aliter enim nee caute nee iure
fieri potest. Quod scribis tibi desse HS C, quae
Ciceroni curata sint, velim ab Erote quaeras, ubi sit
merces insularum. Arabioni de Sittio nihil irascor.
Ego de itinere nisi explicato A nihil cogito ; quod
idem tibi videri puto. Habes ad superiorem.

Nunc audi ad alteram. Tu vero facis ut omnia,
quod Serviliae non dees, id est Bruto. De regina
gaudeo te non laborare, testem etiam tibi probari.
Erotis rationes et ex Tirone cognovi et vocavi ipsum.
Gratissimum, quod polliceris Ciceroni nihil defu-
turum ; de quo mirabilia Messalla, qui Lanuvio rediens
ab illis venit ad me, et mehercule ipsius litterae sic
et «^tAoo-To/)yw? et 7re7ni'a)/.iei/ws scriptae, ut eas vel in
acroasi audeam legere. Quo magis illi indulgendum
puto. De Buciliano Sestium puto non moleste ferre.
Ego, si Tiro ad me, cogito in Tusculanum. Tu vero,
quicquid erit, quod me scire par sit, statim.

1 A proverb presumal)ly ending avdyKt] Ss'xfffOai, "one
must put up with," or something similar.

2 If A stands for Xoiwcf = reliquiis "balance," as was
suggested by Gronovius.

34.2

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. l?

For Sicca, in a very friendly but rather panic-stricken
manner, has brought me word of that suspicion too.
What do you say.'' "Take what the gods give " ."* ^
For I have not a word from Siregius. I don't Hke it.
About your neighbour Plaetorius I was very annoyed
that anyone heard before I did. About Syrus you
did well. I fancy you will easily frighten L. An-
tonius through his brother Marcus. I told you not
to pay Antro, but you had not yet received my letter
forbidding you to pay anyone except L. Fadius the
aedile. It is the only safe and proper thing. You
say you are £1,000 out of pocket on the money
sent to my son ; please ask Eros wliat has become
of the rents of the blocks of houses. I am not at
all angry with Arabio about Sittius. I am not think-
ing of starting on my journey until my accounts ^ are
all settled, and of that I think you approve. There
is my answer to your first letter.

Now hear what I have to say to the second. You
are acting as kindly as usual in standing by Servilia,
that is to say, Brutus. As to Cleopatra, I am glad
)^ou are not anxious and that you accept the evidence.
The state of Eros' accounts I have heard from Tiro,
and I have sent for Eros himself I am most grateful
for your promise not to let my son lack in anything.
Messalla, on his way back from our adversaries at
Lanuvium, called on me with wonderfully good news
about him, and upon my word his own letter is so
affectionate and well-written that I should not be
ashamed to read it before an audience. So I feel all
the more indulgently disposed towards him. I don't
think Sestius is annoyed about Bucilianus. As soon
as Tiro returns home, I am thinking of going to
Tusculum. Please let me know at once, if there is
anything that I ought to know.

34.3

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XVIII

CICERO ATTUO SAL.

Scr. in XVII Kal. etsi satis videbar scripsisse ad te, quid

itinere ex mihi opus esset, et quid te facere vellem, si tibi

Antiati in commodum esset, tamen, cum profectus essem et in

Tmculamm \^^^ navigarem, Tironem statui ad te esse mittendum,

A7'/ A. y^ jjg negotiis, quae agerentui-, interesset, atque etiam

Quint, a. ^-^^scripsi ad Dolabellam me, si ei videretur, velle pro-

ficisci, petiique ab eo de mulis vecturae. Ut in his

(quoniam intellego te distentissimum esse qua de

Buthrotiis, qua de Bruto, cuius etiam ludorum sump-

tuosorum^ curam et administrationem suspicor ex

magna parte ad te pertinere) ut ergo in eius modi re

tribues nobis paulum operae ; nee enim multum

opus est.

Mihi res ad caedem et earn quidem propinquam
spectarevidetur. Vides homines, vides arma, Prorsus
non mihi videor esse tutus. Sin tu aliter sentis,
velim ad me scribas. Domi enim manere, si recte
possum, multo malo.

XTX

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Quidnam est, quod agendum am])lius de Buthrotiis
culayio inter sit ? E^isse ^ enim te frustra scribis. Quid autem
a. d. XV e/ gg refert Brutus.'' Doleo mehercules te tarn esse
XI K. Quint, (jistentum, qupd decem hominibus referendum est

n. 710 _ , ,,.,^,

* suniptuosorurn Lehmann : suonitn Miio.

'^ sit ? egisse Boot : stetisst MSS.
34.+

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. is-iy
XVIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREKTINO.

Though I think I told you sufficiently what I On the way
wanted and what I wished you to do, if it was con- to Tuscuhim,
venient to you, in my letter of the 15th, still, when June 16, B.C.
I had started and was crossing the lake, I determined 44
to send Tiro to you that he might attend to the
iiecessary matters with you ; and I wrote, too, to
Dolabella, saying I wanted to stai't if he agreed, and
asked him about baggage mules. So far as you can —
I understand you are utterly distracted with business,
what with the Buthrotians and what with Brutus, as
I expect the care and arrangement of his sumptuous
games fall largely to your share — still, so far as you
can, give a little attention to my affairs. I shall not
want much.

To me things seem to foreshadow bloodshed, and
that quite soon. You see the men, you see their
warlike preparations. Indeed I do not count myself
safe at all. If you think differently, I wish you
would write. For, if I can with safety, I should
much prefer to stay at home.

XIX

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

What more can we possibly do about Buthrotum ? Tuscnlum,
For you say your labour has been in vain. Why too June 17 to
is Brutus retui-ning to Rome ? I am really very sorry 21, B.C. 44
you have been so overworked : you are indebted for

.S45

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

acceptum. Est illud quidem cpywScs, sed avcKTov
mihique gratissimum. De armis nihil vidi apertius.
Fugiamus igitur, et ut ais. Coram Theophanes quid
velit, nescio. Scripserat enim ad me. Ciii rescripsi,
ut potui. Mihi autem scribit venire ad me se velle,
ut et de suis rebus et quaedam^ quae ad me pertine-
rent. Tuas litteras exspecto. Vide, quaeso, ne quid
temere fiat.

Statius scripsit ad me locutum secum esse Q. Cice-
ronem valde adseveranter se haec ferre non posse ;
certum sibi esse ad Brutum et Cassium transire. Hoc
enim vero nunc discere aveo : hoc ego quid sit inter-
pretari non possum. Potest aliquid iratus Antonio,
potest gloriam iam novam quaerere, potest totum
esse crxe^M<Tfxa ; et nimirum ita est. Sed tamen et
ego vereor, et pater conturbatus est ; scit enim, quae
ille de hoc, mecum quidem a^ara olim. Plane,
quid velit, nescio. A Dolabella mandata habebo,
quae mihi videbuntur, id est nihil. Die mihi, C.
Antonius voluitne fieri septemvir .'' Fuit certe
dignus. De Menedemo est, ut scribis. Facies
omnia mihi nota.

^ The commissioners for distributing land in Epiriis.

- Seven commissioners were appointed to distiibute land

346

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. ly

that to the ten commissioners.^ That is certainly a
tough piece of business, but one has to put up with
it, and I am very thankful for it. As to the immi-
nence of war I never saw anything more obvious.
So let me flee, and in the way you suggest. I do
not know why Theophanes wants to see me, for he
wrote to me. I answered as best I could. But he
writes saying he wants to come to me to discuss his
own affairs and some that concern me. I am looking
for a letter from you. Pray see that nothing is done
i-ashly.

Statius has written to me saying my nephew Quin-
tus has told him with emphasis that he cannot put
up with things, and has resolved to go over to Brutus
and Cassius. Here is something I am very eager to
understand : here is a puzzle I can't interpret. Per-
haps he is angry with Antony about something ;
perhaps he is looking for some new way of dis-
tinguishing himself; or perhaps it is all bunkum;
and no doubt that is what it is. But for all that I
am afraid, and his father is disturbed about him, for
he knows what he used to say about Antony ; in-
deed, he said things to me which I cannot repeat.
What on earth he means I can't think. I shall only
have such commissions as I choose from Dolabella,
that is, none at all. Tell me if C. Antonius wanted
to be put on the land commission. ^ He would cer-
tainly have been in his proper place. About Mene-
demus it is as you say. Please keep me posted up
in all news.

in Italy among the soldiers. As the next sentence implies,
several of them were nonentities.

347

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XX

CICERO ATTICO SAL

Scr. in Tus- Egi gratias Vettieno ; nihil enim potuit humanius.

cidano inter Dolabellae mandata sint quaelibet, mihi aliquid, vel

XFetXI quod Niciae nuntiem. Quis enim haec, ut scribis,

K. Quint, a. di'Tcpei 1 ? Nunc dubitare quemquam prudentem, quin

710 meus discessus desperationis sit, non legationis?

Quod ais extrema quaedam iam homines de re pub-

lica loqui et eos quidem viros bonos, ego, quo die

audivi ilium tyrannum in contione " clarissimuni

virum" appellari, subdiffidere coepi. Postea vero

quam tecum Lanuvi vidi nostros tantum spei habere

ad vivendum, quantum accepissent ab Antonio, des-

peravi. Itaque, mi Attice (fortiter hoc velim acci-

pias, ut ego scribo), genus illud interitus, quo causae

cursus^ est, foedum ducens, et quasi denuntiatum

nobis ab Antonio, ex hac nassa exire constitui non ad

fugam, sed ad spem mortis melioris. Haec omnis

culpa Bruti.

Pompeium Carteiae receptum scribis. Iam igitur
contra hunc exercitum. Utra ergo castra? Media
enim tollit Antonius. Ilia infirma, haec nefaria. Pro-
peremus igitur. Sed iuva me consilio, Brundisione
an Puteolis. Brutus quidem subito, sed sapienter.
nd(Tx<o Tt. Quando enim ilium ? Sed humana ferenda.
Tu ipse eum videre non potes. Di illi mortuo, qui
umquam Buthrotum ! Sed acta missa ; videamus,
quae agenda sint.

1 avrepel Tyrrell : anteno ^fSS. : \eirrvvu Gronovius and
most editors.

' causae cursus Popma : causa cursus Z : causurns 3P :
casurus M"^ : Catulus usus est Madvig, which gives a belter
sense but is not very near the reading of the MSS.
348

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. 20
XX

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GUEETING.

I have thanked Vettienus ; for nothing could have Tnsculum,
been kinder. Let Dolabella give me what connnis- June 17 to
sions he will, provided I liave something, even a 21, B.C. 44
message to Nicias. For, as you say, who will deny
it .'' Can any sane man doubt now that I am going
away in despair, not on a mission ? You say that
people, aye, even good citizens, are talking of des-
perate political measures. I began to have my doubts
on the day that 1 heard that tyrant called " a most
distinguished man." Afterwards, when I was with
you at Lanuvium and saw that our friends had pre-
cisely so much hope of life as Antony gave them, I
lost all hope. So, my dear Atticus, I hope you will
take what I am going to say with the same courage
as I write it. As I think the kind of death towards
which the current of affairs is setting is disgraceful
and hold that we are practically condemned to it by
Antony, I have decided to escape from the toils,
not so much to escape as in hope of a better death.
All this is Brutus' fault.

You say Pompeius has been received at Carteia.

So there will soon be an army sent against him.

Then which camp am I to choose.'' For Antony

makes neutrality impossible. That is weak, this is

criminal. So let me hasten away. But give me your

counsel whether to sail from Brundisium or Puteoli.

Brutus does wisely to go, but it is sudden. I am

rather upset about it, for when shall I see him again .^

But such is life. You yourself cannot see him.

Heaven confound that dead man for ever touching

Buthrotum. But away with the past ; let us see

what has to be done. „^^

349

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Rationes Erotis, etsi ipsum uundum vidi, tameii et
ex litteris eius et ex eo, quod Tiro cognovit, prope
modum cognitas habeo. Versurani scribis esse facien-
dam mensum quinque, id est ad Kal. Nov., HS Uc ;
in earn diem cadere nummos, qui a Quinto debentur.
Velim igitur, quoniam Tiro negat tibi placere me eius
rei causa Romam venire, si ea te res nihil offendet,
videas, unde nummi sint, mihi feras expensum. Hoc
video in praesentia opus esse. Reliqua diligentius
ex hoc ipso exquiram, in his de mercedibus dotaUum
praediorum. Quae si fideliter Ciceroni curabuntur,
quamquam volo laxius, tamen ei prope modum nihil
derit. Equidem video mihi quoque opus esse viati-
cum; sed ei ex praediis, ut cadet, ita solvetur, mihi
autem opus est universo. Equidem, etsi mihi videtur
iste, qui umbras timet, ad caedem spectare, tamen
nisi explicata sohitione non sum discessurus. Sitne
autem explicata necne, tecum cognoscam. Hanc pu-
tavi mea manu scribendam itaque feci. De Fadio, ut
scribis, utique alii nemini. Rescribas velim hodie.

XXI

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

iScr in Tits- Narro tibi, Quintus pater exsultat laetitia. Scrip-

culano X K. sit enim filius se idcirco profugere ad Brutum voluisse,

Quint, a. 710 quod, cum sibi negotium daret Antonius, ut eum dic-

tatorem efficeret, praesidium occuparet, id recusasset ;

350

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. 20-21

Though I have not yet seen Eros, from his letters
.and from what Tiro fovmd out I know pretty well
how his accounts stand. You say I must raise a fresh
loan for some £2,000 for five months, that is, till the
1st of November, when Quintus' debt falls due. So,
since Tiro says you do not want me to come to Rome on
purpose for that, if you do not mind, I should be glad
if you would see where I can get the money, and put
it down on my account. I see it is necessary for the
present. I will enquire more closely into the rest from
Eros himself, among other things about the rents of
Terentia's dower property. If they are properly looked
after for my son he will be pretty well provided for,
though I want him to be more liberally treated. I see
I shall want some journey-money myself; but he can
get the rents of the property as they fall due, where-
as I shall require a lump sum. I certainly shall not
leave until the money has been paid, though tliat
trembler at shadows^ seems to me to be meditating
a massacre. However, whether it has been arranged
or not, I shall learn when I see you. I thought I
had better write this myself, and so I have done so.
As you say about Fadius : the money must not go to
anyone else in any case. Please answer by return.

XXI

CICEHO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

1 must tell you my brother Quintus is jumping for Tusculum
joy. For his son has written saying that his reason June 22
for wanting to take refuge with Brutus is, that, when b.c. 44
Antony asked him to secure him the dictatorship
and seize some fort, he refused, and tiie reason for

* Antony, who professed to be afraid of assassination at
the hands of Brutus and Cassius. Cf. xv. 17.

351

MAUCUS TULLIUS CICERO
reciisasse autem se, ne patris aninium ofTeiidcret ; ex
eo sibi ilium hostem. " Turn me," inquit, " collegi
verens, ne quid mihi ille iratus tibi noceret. Itaque
eum placavi. Et quidem cccc certa, reliqua in spe."
Scribit autem Statius ilium cum patre habitare velle
(hoc vero mirum) et id gaudet. Ecquem tu illo
eertiorem nebulonem ?

''EiTTo^riv vestram de re Cani probo. Nihil eram
suspicatus de tabulis, d/ccpaiw? restitutam arbitrabar.
Quae differs^ ut mecum coram^ exspectabo. Tabella-
rios, quoad voles, tenebis ; es enim occupatus. Quod
ad Xenonem, probe. Quod sciibo, cum absolvero.
Quinto scripsisti te ad eum litteras. Nemo attulerat.
Tiro riegat iam tibi placere Brundisium et quidem
dicere aliquid de militibus. At ego iam destinaram
Hydruntem quidem. Movebant me tuae quinque
horae. Hie autem quantus ttAoDs ! Sed vide-
bimus. Nullas a te xi Kal. Quippe, quid enim
iam novi ? Cum primum igitur poteris, venies.
Ego propero, ne ante Sextus ; quern adventare
aiunt.

3.12

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. 21

Ills refusal was that he did not want to hurt his
father's feelings ; and from that time Antony has
been his enemy. " Then," he says, " I pulled myself
together for fear that he should do you some mis-
chief in his wrath with me ; and so I smoothed him
down, and indeed got £4,000 ^ in cash, and have
hopes of some more." Statius, however, says he
wants to live with his father — which is a wonder —
and my brother is delighted about it. Did you
ever see a more thorough rascal ?

I approve of your hesitation in the arrangement
with Canus.2 I had no idea about the documents :
I thought her dowry had been paid back in full.
I shall look forward to the matters you refrain from
mentioning till we meet. Keep the messengers as
long as you like, as you are busy. As to Xeno, quite
right. What I am writing I will send when it is
finished. You told Quintus you had sent him a
letter, but none has been brought as yet. Tiro says
you disapprove of Brundisium now, and indeed says
something about soldiers. But I have already fixed
upon Hydrus. Your saying that it was only a five-
hour passage decided me. Think of the endless
voyage from here. But we shall see. I had no letter
from you on the 21st. Of course, for what news
can there be now ? Come, then, as soon as you can.
I am in a hurry, for Sextus may get here before I
leave. They say he is corning.

* 400 sestertia.

^ Apparently there were negotiations for a marriage
between young Quintus and Canus' daughter, who had lately
been divorced. Cf. xiii. 41.

353

VOL. III. N

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XXII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Gratulor nobis Quintum filium exisse. Molestus
culano y K. non erit. Pansam bene loqui credo. Semper enim
HUifi -^nane coniunctum esse cum Hirtio scio ; amicissimum
Bruto et Cassio puto^ si expediet (sed quando
illos videbit?), inimicum Antonio, quando aut cur?
Quousque ludemur ? Ego autem scripsi Sextuni
adventare, non quo iam adesset, sed quia certe id
ageret ab armisque nullus discederet. Certe, si
pergit, bellum paratum est. Hie autem noster
Cytherius nisi victorem neminem victurum. Quid
ad haec Pansa ? utrobi erit, si bellum erit? quod
videtur fore. Sed et baec et alia coram hodie
quidem, ut scribis, aut eras.

XXIII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. tn Tus- Mirifice torqueor, sine dolore tamen ; sed pernuilta
culano VIII mihi de nostro itinere in utramque partem occurrunt.

aut y 11 A. f Quousque?" inquies. Quoad erit inteijrum ; erit

Quint. a.710 ^ ^ -, j d • ..

autem, usque dum ad navem. ransa si tuae rescrip-

serit, et meam tibi et illius epistulam mittam. Silium

exspectabam ; cui bypomnema compositum. Si quid

novi. Ego litteras misi ad Brutum. Cuius de itinere

etiam ex te velini, si quid scies, cognoscere.

1 Antony. Cf. x. 10.
S54

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. 22-23
XXII

CICERO TO ATTICUSj GREETING.

Young Quintus' absence is a blessing ; he won't be Tusculum,
a nuisance to us. I believe Pansa is talking amiably. Jufie 27, B.C.
I know he is always hand in glove with Hirtius ; I 44
think he will be quite friendly with Brutus and
Cassius, if it is expedient — but will he ever see them }
— and that he will opjjose Antony : but when and
how? How long are we to be fooled ? I said Sextus
was coming, not because he was already near, but
because he certainly has it in mind, and does not
show the least sign of laying down his arms. Cer-
tainly, if he goes on, war must come. But our good
lover of Cytheris^ thinks no one sure of his life
unless he gains a victory. What has Pansa to say
to this ? And which side will he take if there is
war? So far as I can see, there will be. But more
of this and other things when we meet — to-day,
according to your letter, or to-morrow.

XXIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I am absolutely on the rack, but not with pain. Tusculum,
So many ideas for and against that journey of mine June 24 or
keep occurring to me. You will ask how loni>- 25, B.C. 44
that is going to last. Until the matter is settled,
and that won't be till I am on board ship. If Pansa
sends an answer to your note, I will forward my
letter and his. I am expecting Silius, and have a
memorandum drawn up for him. If there is any

news I have written to Brutus. If you know

anything about his movements, I should be glad to
hear that too.

355

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XXIV

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- Tabellarius, quem ad Brutum miseram, ex itinere
ciilano VI K. rediit vii Kal. Ei Servilia dixit eo die Brutum H.isi
(dmnl. mane profgctum. Sane dolui meas litteras redditas non

esse. Silius ad me non venerat. Causam eomposui ;

cum libellumtibimisi. Te quo die exspectem, velim

scire.

XXV

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Tus- De meo itinere variae sententiae ; multi enim ad
culano III me. Sed tu incumbe, quaeso, in eam curam. Magna
A. Quint, a. ^.^^ ^^^ ^j^ probas, si ad Kal. Ian. cogitamus? Meus
animus est aequus, sic tamen, ut si nihil offensionis
sit. Et tu etiam, scisne,^ quo die olim piaculum ? ^
Ut ut est res,* casus consilium nostri itineris iudica-
bit. Dubitemus igitur. Est enim hiberna navigatio
odiosa, eoque ex te quaesieram mysteriorum diem.
Brutum, ut scribis, visum iri a me puto. Ego hinc
volo pr. Kal.

^ H.IS (= hora prima semis) Orelli : his most MSS.

^ scisne] scire MSS.

' olim piaculnin Bosius : Ol3'mpiacum mysteria scilicet
MSS. (the last two words are rejected as a gloss by Boot) :
Olympia Shtickhiirgh.

* ut ut est res Moser : ut tu scires MSS. : ut tu scribis
Lambiims.

356

LETTERS TO ATTIC US XV. 24-25
XXIV

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

The messenger I sent to Brutus just got back Tusculum,

yesterday. Servilia told him Brutus had started at Jime 26, B.C.
half-past six in the morning. I was very sorry he 44i
did not get my letters. Silius has not come yet. I

have drawn up a statement of his case, and am

sending the pamphlet to you. I should like to know
when to expect you.

XXV

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Opinions differ about my journey, for I have had a Tusculum,
lot of visitors. But please apply yourself to tlie June 29, b.c.
question. It is a serious matter. Do you approve 44
of my idea of returning by the 1st of January .-* I
am open-minded on the subject, provided I don't
give any offence. By the way, too, do you know
the date of the sacrilege of yore ? ^ However that
may be, chance will decide the plan of my journey.
So let us leave it in doubt. For a winter journey is
most unpleasant, and that was why I asked you the
date of the mysteries. ^ Brutus, as you say, I think I
shall see. I want to leave here on the last of the
month.

^ If the reading is right, which is very uncertain, this
must refer to the violation of the rites of Bona Dea by
Clodius in Cicero's consulship. It may, however, refer to
the Ol3'mpic games as Shuckburgh suggests.

* Vide last note. Shuckburgh, however, thinks it refers
to the Eleusinian mysteries.

S57

a. 710

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XXVI

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in De Quinti negotio video a te omnia facta. Ille

Arptnatt y 1 tameii dolet dubitans, utrum morem gerat Leptae an
J-^^ ' fidem infirmet filio. Inaudivi L. Pisonem velle exire
legatum il/ev8eyypa(f)(D senatus consulto. Velim scire,
quid sit. Tabellariiis ille, quem tibi dixeram a me
ad Brutum esse missum^ in Anagninum ad me venit
ea nocte, quae proxima ante Kal. fuit, litterasque ad
me attulit ; in quibus unum alienum summa sua pru-
dentia, idem illud, ut spectem ludos suos. Rescripsi
scilicet primum me iam profectum, ut non integrum
sit ; deinde aTonwrarov esse me, qui Romam omnino
post haec arma non accesserim neque id tarn periculi
mei causa fecerim quam dignitatis, subito ad ludos
venire. Tali enim tempore ludos facere illi honestum
est, cui necesse est, spectare mihi, ut non est necesse,
sic ne honestum quidem est. Equidem illos celebrari
et esse quam gratissimos mirabiliter cupio, idque ita
futurum esse confido, et tecum ago, ut iam ab ipsa
commissione ad me, quem ad modum ficcipiantur hi
ludi, deinde omnia reliquorum ludorum in dies singu-
los persequare. Sed de ludis hactenus. Reliqua pars
epistulae est ilia quidem in utramque partem, sed
tamen non nullos interdum iacit igniculos viriles.
Quod quale tibi videretur, ut posses interpretari, misi
ad te exemplum epistulae ; quamquam mihi tabella-
358

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. 26
XXVI

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I see you have done all you could in Quintus' Arpinum,
business. He, however, is in distress and doubt as July 2, B.C.
to whether he shall oblige Lepta or damage his son's 44:
credit. I have heard a rumour that L. Piso wants to
go on a mission with a forged decree of the senate.
I should like to know what there is in it. The mes-
senger I told you I had sent to Brutus came to me at
Anagnia on the night of the 30th of June, and brought
me a letter in which there was one request quite un-
like his usual common-sense, the same old request
that I should be present at his games. I answered, of
course, firstly that I had already set out now, so that
it was not in my power to do so, and secondly that
it would be most out of place for me, who have not
l)een near Rome at all since tlie outbreak of war —
not so much to preserve my safety as to preserve my
dignity — suddenly to go to the games. For at such
a time it was honourable for him to give the games,
since he had to do so, but, as there was no necessity
for me to attend them, it would not be honourable
for me to do so. Of course I keenly desire that they
should be well attended and very popular, and I
trust they will be ; and I beg you to send me a
description of how these games and all the other
games are received day by day from the very begin-
ning. But enough of the games. The rest of the
letter is, one must confess, of rather a dubious kind,
but still he does at times emit some sparks of manly
courage. That you may judge for yourself what it
is like, I have sent you a copy of the letter, although

S59

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

rius noster dixerat tibi quoque se altiilisse litteras a
Bruto easque ad te e Tusculano esse delatas.

Ego itinera sic composueram, ut Nonis Quinctili-
bus Puteolis essein ; valde enim festino, ita tamen,
ut, quantum homo possit, quam cautissime navigem.
M. Aelium cura liberabis ; me paucos pedes ^ in ex-
tremo fundo et eos quidem subterraneos servitutis
putasse aliquid ^ habituros. Id me iamiam nolle
neque mihi aquam ^ esse tanti. Sed, ut mihi dicebas,
quam lenissime, potius ut cura liberetur, quam ut me
suscensere aliquid suspicetur. Item de illo TuUi-
ano capite libere cum Cascellio loquere. Parva res
est, sed tu bene attendisti. Nimis callide agebatur.
Ego autem, si mihi imposuisset aliquid, quod paene
fecit, nisi tua malitia affuisset, animo iniquo tulissem.
Itaque, utut erit, rem impediri malo. Octavam
partem Tullianarum aedium ad Streniae * memineris
deberi Caerelliae.^ Videris manci2)io dare ad earn
summam, quae sub praecone fuit maxima. Id opinor
esse cccLXXx.

Novi si quid erit, atque etiam si quid prospicies,
quod futurum putes, scribas ad me quam saepissime.

1 pedes Tarnebn.<f : pe Z' : spe ]\f : specus 2!^, Lamhinus.
^ putasse aliquid Madvig : apud tale quid M.
3 aquam Turiiebus : quam MZ*'.

* Tullianarum aedium ad Streniae Lamhinus and Turne-
bus : tuli luminarum medium ad strane MSS.

' deberi Caerelliae Shuckbin-gh : cui Caerellia MSS.

^ The reading and meaning of this passage is uncertain.
Apparently either Cicero had asserted some claim on some
S60

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. 26

uiy messenger tells nie he brought you a letter, too,
from Bnitus, and that it was forwarded to you from
Tusculum.

I have arranged my journeys so that I shall be at
Puteoli on the 7th of July ; for, though I am in a
great hurry, I mean to take every care humanly
possible in my voyage. Please relieve M. Aelius of
his anxiety. Tell him I thought that on a few feet at
the far end of the land there might be some sort of
claims, and those only underground. Also that I have
not the slightest desire for it, and that I don't value
water at that price. ^ But, as you suggested, do it
as mildly as possible, rather to relieve him of anxiety
than to suggest that I am in the least annoyed.
Again, about that debt of TuUius : speak to Cascel-
lius frankly. It is a small matter, but I am glad you
attended to it. There was too much trickery about
it : and, if he had cheated me at all, which he very
nearly did if you had not been too sharp for him, I
should have been very much annoyed. So, whatever
happens, I would rather the matter were broken off.
Remember that an eighth share of the houses of
Tullius near the temple of Sti-enia is due to Cae-
rellia, and see that it is conveyed to her at the
highest price bid at the auction. I think that was
some 3,000 guineas.^

If there is any news, and, even if you foresee
anything you think likely to happen, I should like
you to write to me as often as possible. To Varro

underground water-pipes on property of Aelius adjoining his
own, and was now disclaiming it ; or Aelius had been eom-
niissioned to buj' property for Cicero on which there was a
disputed claim to such pipes, and Cicero refuses to purchase
on that ground. Servitus above is used in the technical legal
sense of an " easement " or liability on property.
^ 380 sestertia. On this debt cf. Att. xii. 51.

361

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Velim Varroni, quem ad modum tibi mandavi, memi-
neris excusare tarditatem litterarum mearum. Mun-
dus iste cum M. Ennio quid egerit de testamento
(curiosus enim), facias me velim certiorem. Ex
Arpinati vi Non.

XXVII

CICKRO ATTICO SAL.

ScT. tn Gaudeo id te mihi suadere, quod ego mea sponte

Arpinati V pridie feceram. Nam, cum ad te vi Nonas darem,
Non. Quint, eidem tabellario dedi etiam ad Sestium scriptas ttovv
^- ^^^ (/>tAoo-rdpya)?. Hie autem, quod Puteolos persequitur,

humane, quod queritur, iniuste. Non enim ego tam
ilium expectare, dum de Cosano rediret, debui, quam
ille aut non ire, antequam me vidisset, aut citius
reverti. Sciebat enim me celeriter velle proficisci
seseque ad me in Tusculanum scripserat esse ventu-
rum. Te, ut a me discesseris, lacrimasse moleste
ferebam. Quod si me praesente fecisses, consilium
totius itineris fortasse mutassem. Sed illud praeclare,
quod te consolata est spes brevi tempore congredi-
endi ; quae quidem exspectatio me maxime sustentat.
Meae tibi litterae non derunt. De Bruto scribam ad
te omnia. Librum tibi celeriter mittam "de gloria."
Excudam aliquid 'H,oa/<A.£t8«iov, quod lateat in the-
sauris tuis. De Planco memini. Attica iui-e queritur.
Quod me de Bacchi,^ de statuarum coronis certiorem
fecisti, valde gratum ; nee quicquam posthac non
modo tantum, sed ne tantulum quidem praeterieris.

^ Bacchide Graevius, asisxaninq it to he the name of an
actress appearing at the games given by Brutus.
S62

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. 26-27

lemember to plead uiy excuses for my slowness in
writing, as I told you. What your friend Mundus
has done with M. Ennius about the will, please
let me know, for I am inquisitive. Arpinum,
July 2.

XXVII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I am glad you recommend me to do what I did of my Arpinum,
own accord yesterday. For to the same messenger, July 3, B.C.
to whom I gave the letter I sent you on the 2nd, I 44
also gave another for Sestius, written in very friendly
terms. It is very good of him to follow me to Puteoli,
hut he has no grounds for his complaint. For it was
not my business to wait for his return from Cosa, so
much as it was his not to go until he had seen me,
or to return more quickly. He knew I wanted to
start in a hurry, and he told me he would come to
me at Tusculum. I am grieved that you wept when
you left me. If you had done so in my presence, I
might have changed all my plans about going. But
there is one good thing, that you were consoled by
the thought of meeting me again soon ; and that,
indeed, is the hope that buoys me up. I will not
stint you of letters, and will give you full news
about Brutus. I will send you my book On Glory
soon. I will hammer out something in the style of
Heracleides to be stored up in your treasure-house.
I remember about Plancus. Attica has good reason
for grumbling. I am much obliged to you for telling
me about the garlands for Bacchus and the statues.
Please don't omit any detail of the same importance,
or even of the smallest importance in the future. I

3QS

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Et de H erode et Mettio mcminero et de omnibus,
quae te velle suspicaboi- modo. O turpem sororis
tuae filium ! Cum haec scriberem, adventabat airy
l^ovXvcrtL cenantibus nobis.

XXVIII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Ego, ut ad te pridie scripseram, Nonis constitu-

Arpinati V eram venire in Puteolanum. Ibi igitur cotidie tuas

AoK. Quint, litteras exspectabo et maxime de ludis ; de quibus

^' etiam ad Brutum tibi scribendum est. Cuius epistu-

lae, quam interpretari ipse vix poteram, exemplum

pridie tibi miseram. Atticae meae velim me ita

excuses, ut omnem culpam in te transferas, et ei

tamen confirmes me immutatum amorem meum me-

cum abstulisse.

XXIX

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in For- Bruti ad te epistulam misi. Di boni, quanta d/n?;-

miano III T^ait'a ! Cognosces, cum legeris. De cclebratione

Aow. Qmnt. ludorum Bruti tibi adsentior. Ad M. Aelium nullus

^' tu quidem domum, sed sicubi incident. De Tulliano

semisse M. Axianum adhibebis, ut scribis. Quod cum

Cosiano egisti, optime. Quod non solum mea, varum

etiam tua eadem expedis, gratum. Legationem pro-

bari meam gaudeo. Quod promittis, di faxint I Quid

enini mihi meis iucundius? Sed istam, quam tu

S64

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. 27-29

won't forget about Herodes or Mettius, or anything
that I have the least suspicion you would like. What
disgraceful conduct of your sister's son ! Here he is
coming as the shades of night are falling, just as I
am writing this at the dinner-table.

XXVIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETINO.

As I told you in my letter yesterday, I have ar- Arjmium,
ranged to be at Puteoli on the 7th. So I shall look July 3, b.c.
for a daily letter from you there, especially about the 44
games. You ought to write to Brutus too about
them. I sent you a copy yesterday of a letter of his,
of which I can hardly make anything myself. Please
make my excuses to Attica by taking the blame on
yourself and assuring her that I depart with un-
diminished affection for her.

XXIX

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETINO.

I am sending you Brutus' letter. Heavens, what Formiae,
a helpless condition he is in ! You will understand July 5, b.c.
when you have read it. I agree about the celebra- 44
tion of his games. Don't go to Aelius' house on any
account, but speak to him if you happen to meet
him. Take M. Axianus' advice about the half of
Tullius' debt, as you suggest. What you have done
with Cosianus is excellent. Thanks for clearing up
my affairs and your own at the same time. I am
glad you approve of my appointment. God grant
your promises come true. For what could suit me
and mine better .'' But I am afraid of the proviso

363

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

exci[)is, metuo. Brutum cum convenerOj perscribain
omnia, De Planco et Decimo sane velim. Sextum
scutum abicere nolebam. De Mundo, si quid scies.
Rescripsi ad omnia tua ; nunc nostra accij)e.

Quintus filius usque Puteolos (m/rus civis, ut tu
Favonium Asinium dicas) et quidem duas ob causas,
et ut mecum et (nntaaaOai vult cum Bruto et Cassio.
Sed tu quid ais ? Scio enim te familiarein esse Otho-
num. Ait hie sibi luliam ferre ; constitutum enim
esse discidium. Quaesivit ex me pater, qualis esset
fama. Dixi nihil sane me audisse (nesciebam enim,
cur quaei'eret) nisi de ore et patrc. " Sed quor-
sus?" inquam. At ille filium velle. Tiiin ego, etsi
(^OfXvTTOjx-qv, tamen negavi putare me ilia esse vera.
^KOTTos est enim huic nostro nihil praebere, ilia autem
ov vapa TovTov. Kgo tamen suspicor hunc, ut solet,
alucinari. Sed vehm quaeras (facile autem potes) ct
me certiorem.

Obsecro te, quid est hoc ? Signata iam epistula
Formiani, qui apud me cenabant, Plancum se aiebant
hunc Buthrotium pridie, quam hoc scribebam, id est
III Non., vidisse demissum, sine phaleris ; servulos
autem dicere eum et agripetas eiectos a Buthrotiis.
Macte ! Sed, amabo te, perscribe mihi totum
negotium.

^ Favonius was a follower of Cato ; Asinius Pollio a
Caesarian. Possibly Cicero may mean that Quintus sided
with both paities ; but the exact meaning is doubtful.

- Head of the land-commissioners in Epirus.

366

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XV. 29

you make about Attica's ill-health. When I meet
Brutus I will tell you all about him. I hope you are
right about Plancus and Decimus. I am sorry if
Sextus is throwing down his shield. Give me news
of Mundus if you have any. I have answered all
your points : now for my own news.

Young Quintus is coming with me as far as Puteoli
— what a noble citizen ! you might call him a Fa-
vonius Asinius.^ He has two reasons: he wants to
be with me and to make peace with Brutus and
Cassius. But what have you to say to this? For
I know you are intimate with the Othones. He
says that Julia proposed it herself, for a divorce has
been arranged. His father has asked me what sort
of reputation she has. Not knowing why he asked,
I said I had never heard anything about her except
about her looks and her father. " But why ? " I
asked : and he said his son wanted her. Then, though
I was disgusted, I said I did not believe in those
reports. My brother's point is not to offer him any
allowance, but she says it is no business of his. 1
suspect, however, he is indulging in fairy tales as
usual. Still I should like you to make enquiries,
which will be no trouble to you, and let me know.

What, pray, is this.'' When I had already sealed
this letter, some Formians, who were dining with
me, said they had seen Plancus ^ — the one from Bu-
throtus — the day before I wrote this, that is, on the
5th, with downcast mien and unapparelled steed ;3
and that his boys said he and the land-grabbers had
been ejected by the Buthrotians. W^ell done they !
But pray let me know all the circumstances.

3 As Tyrrell suggests, this is probably a quotation from a
Ijlay.

S67

M. TULLI CICERONIS

EPISTULARUM AD ATTICUM

LIBER SEXTUS DECIMUS

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Nonis Quinctilibus veni in Puteolanum. Postridie

Puleolano j^^^g ^^j Brutum in Nesidem haec scripsi. Sed eo

'-. • , ',-,7/1 die, quo veneram, cenanti Eros tuas litteras. Itane ?

Qutnt.a. 710 '^ ^t^, ,..,oi i.

NONIS lULiis ? Di liercule istis ! sed stomachari

totum diem licet. Quicquamne turpius quam Bruto

lULiis? Redeo ad meum igitur " ct' iw/xev;" Nihil

vidi. Sed quid est, quaeso, quod agripetas Buthroti

concisos audio? Quid autem Plancus tam cursini

(ita enim inaudiebam) diem et noctem ? Sane cupio

scire, quid sit. Meam profectionem la.udari gaudeo.

Videndum est, ut mansio laudetur. Dymaeos agro

pulsos mare infestum habere nil mirum. 'Ev oixoirXota

Bruti videtur aliquid praesidii esse, sed, opinor,

minuta navigia. Sed iam sciam et ad te eras. De

Ventidio iravLKov puto. De Sexto pro certo habe-

batur abicere^ arma. Quod si verum est, sine bello

* abicere Klotz : ad MSS. : baud ad Orelli.

1 Tlie month Quinctilis had recently been renamed Julius
after Caesar, who was born in that month.
S68

CICERO'S LETTERS

TO ATTICUS

BOOK XVI

CICERO TO ATTICUS^ GREETING.

On the 7th of QuinctiHs I arrived at Puteoli, and I Puteoli,
am writing this on the following day as I am crossing July 8, B.C.
to Brutus at Nesis. The daj' 1 arrived Eros brought 44
me your letter as I was dining. Is it really so.^ The
9th of Jidi^ ? ' Heaven confound them ! But I could
go on cursing all day. Could they have insulted
Brutus worse than with their Jnli/ ? So I must fall
back on my old cry, " How long, O Lord ? " I have
never seen anything like that. But what, i)ray,
is this I hear about the land-grabbers being cut
to pieces at Buthrotum? And why has Plancus
been on the run, as they tell me he has, day and
night .'' I am very eager to know what it means.
1 am glad my departure is approved ; I must see
whether my staying may be approved too. That the
people of Dyme, now they have been expelled from
their land, should take to j)iracy is no wonder. There
may be some safeguard in having Brutus as a fellow-
passenger, but I think his vessels are small. I shall
know soon and will tell you to-morrow. I think the
report about Ventidius is a false alarm. It is held
pretty certain that Sextus is laying down his arms ;
and, if that is so, it looks as though we should be
reduced to slavery without even a civil war. What

369

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

civili video serviendiim. Quid ergo? ad Kal. Ian
in Pansa spes ? Arjpo<i ttoAvs in vino et in somno
istorum.

De cc5 optinie. Ciceronis rationes explicentur.
Ovius enim recens. Is multa, quae vellem, in iis ne
hoc quidem malum ^ HS lxxh satis esse, adfatim
prorsus, sed Xenonem perexigue et yA.('crxpws prae-
bere. Quo plus permutasti quam ad fructum insu-
larum, id ille annus habeat^ in quern itineris sumptus
accessit. Hinc ex Kal. Apr. ad HS lxax accommo-
detur. Nunc enim insulae tantum. Videndum enim
est quid, cum Romae erit. Non enim puto socrum
illam ferendam. Pindaro de Cumano negaram. Nunc,
cuius rei causa tabellarium miserim, accipe. Quintus
filius mihi pollicetur se Catonem. Egit autem et.
pater et filius, ut tibi sponderem, sed ita, ut turn
crederes, cum ipse cognosses. Huic ego litteras ipsius
arbitratu dabo. Eae te ne moverint. Has scripsi in
earn partem, ne me motum putares. Di faxint, ut
faciat ea, quae promittit ! Commune enim gaudium.
Sed ego — nihil dico amplius. Is hinc vn Idus. Ait
enim attributionem in Idus, se autem urgeri acriter.
Tu ex meis litteris, quo modo respondeas, modera-
bere. Plura, cum et Brutum videro et Erotem re-
mittam. Atticae meae excusationem accipio eamque
amo plurimum ; cui et Piliae salutem.

^ After malum the MSS. have in mandatis si abunde, which
was deleted by Lamhinas as a gloss.

370

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI, 1

hope have we, then? In Pansa, when he enters
office? There is nothing but midsummer madiaess
in their drunken dreams.

About the £2,000^ : well done ! Put my son's affairs
straight. For Ovius has just come, and brings much
satisfactory news ; among other things, what is no
bad hearing, that £700 ^ is enough, quite enough, but
that Xeno treats him very sparingly and niggardly.
The excess over the rental of the town houses that
your bill of excliange cost, may be reckoned to the
year, in which there was the additional expense of the
journey. From the 1st of April on let him have up
to £800,3 for that is the rent of the city property
now. Some sort of provision must be made for him
when he comes to Rome. For I don't think he could
endure that woman as a mother-in-law. I refused Pin-
darus' offer for the villa at Cumae. Now let me tell
you why I have sent a messenger. Young Quintus
is promising to be as prim as a puritan : and both
he and his father have begged me to go bail to you
for him, but on the condition that you only believe
it when you see it. I shall give him a letter accord-
ing to his fancy, but don't take any notice of it. I
am writing now to prevent you from thinking that
I do. God grant he keeps his promise. It would
be a satisfaction to everybody. But I — I won't say
any more. He is leaving on the 9th. For he says
there is some money to be paid over on the 15th,
but that he is very hard pressed. You will judge
from my letter how to answer. More when I have
seen Brutus and am sending Eros back. I accept
dear Attica's apology and send her my best love.
Give my regards to her and Pilia.

1 210 sestertia. - 7- sesteilia. ' 80 sestertia.

371

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
II

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in vi Idus duas epistulas accepi, unam a meo tabel-

Puteolano V Jario, alteram a Bruti. De Buthrotiis longe alia fama
/"f?/! " '" '^^^ locis fuerat, sed cum aliis multis hoc ferendum.
Erotem remisi citius, quam constitueram, ut esset,
qui Hortensio et Ouiae ^ quibus quidem ait se Idibus
constituisse. Hortensius vero impudenter. Nihil
enim debetur ei nisi ex tertia pensione, quae est
Kal. Sext. ; ex qua jiensione ipsa maior pars est ei
soluta aliquanto ante diem. Sed haec Eros videbit
Idibus.

De Publilio autem, quod perscribi oportet, moram
non puto esse faciendam. Sed, cum videas, quantum
de iure nostro decesserimus, qui de residuis cccc HS
cc praesentia solverimus, reliqua rescribamus, loqui
cum eo, si tibi videbitur, poteris eum commodum
nostrum exspectare debere, cum tanta sit a nobis
iactura facta iuris. Sed, amabo te, mi Attice (videsne,
quam blande ?), omnia nostra, quoad eris Romae, ita
ffcrito, regito, gubernato, ut nihil a me exspectes.
Quamquam enim reliqua satis apta sunt ad solven-
dum, tamen fit saepe, ut ii, qui debent, non respon-
deant ad tempus. Si quid eius modi accident, ne
quid tibi sit fama mea potius. Non modo versura,
verum etiam venditione, si ita res coget, nos vindi-
cabis.

' Ouiae Gurlitt: quia e MSS.: coheredibus Junius.
S72

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVT. 2
II

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

On the 10th I received two letters, one by my Pvleoli, July
own messenger, another from Brutus'. Here the 11, b.c. 4J:
story about the Buthrotians was very different ; but
iJiat, like many other things, we must put up with.
I have sent Eros back sooner than I intended, that
tliere may be someone to pay Hortensius and Ovia,
with whom, indeed, he says he liad made an ap-
pointment for the 15th. It is really shameless of
Hortensius, for there is nothing owing to him except
on the third instalment, which is due on the 1st of
August ; and the greater part of that instalment has
been paid some time before the proper date. But
Eros will see to that on the 15th.

In Publilius' case I don't think there ought to be
any delay in letting him have a draft for what is
owing. But, when you see how much I have yielded
my rights in paying up half of a balance of .£4,000 ^
in ready money, and now giving a bill for the rest,
you may, if you think fit, tell him that he ought to
await my convenience, when I have waived so much
of my rights. But please, my dear Atticus — see how
coaxingly I put it — do transact, regulate, and manage
all my attkirs while you are in Rome, without waiting
for a hint from me. For though I have sufficient
outstanding debts to meet my creditors, it often
happens that the debtors don't pay at the proper
time. If anything of that sort happens, consider
nothing so much as my credit. Preserve it not only
by raising a fresh loan, but by selling if necessary.

1 400 sestertia. Tlie money was a repayment of tlie dowry
Cicero had received with his second wife, whom he had since
divorced.

373

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Bruto tuae litterae gratae erant. Fui enim apiul
ilium miiltas horas in Neside, cum paulo ante tuas
litteras accepissem. Delectari mihi Tereo videbatur
et habere maiorem Accio quam Antonio gratiam.
Mihi autem quo laetiora sunt, eo plus stomachi et
molestiae est populum Romanum manus suas non in
defendenda re publica, sed in plaudendo consumere.
Mihi quidem videntur istorum animi incendi etiam ad
repraesentandam improbitatem suam. Sed tamen,

"diim modo doleant aliquid, doleant qui'dlibet."

Consilium meum quod ais cotidie magis laudari,
non moleste fero, exspectabamque, si quid de eo ad
me scriberes. Ego enim in varios sermones in-
cidebam. Quin etiam idcirco trahebam, ut quam
diutissime integrum esset. Sed, quoniam fureilla
extrudimur, Brundisium cogito. Facilior enim et
exploratior devitatio legionum fore videtur quam
piratarum, qui apparere dicuntur.

Sestius VI Idus exspectabatur, sed non venerat,
quod sciam. Cassius cum classicula sua venerat.
Ego, cum eum vidissem, v Id. in Pompeianum cogi-
tabam, inde Aeculanum. Nosti reliqua. De Tutia
ita putaram. De Aebutio non credo nee tamen euro
plus quam tu. Planco et Oppio scripsi equidem,
quoniam rogaras, sed, si tibi videbitur, ne necesse
habueris reddere. Cum enim tua causa fecerint
omnia, vereor, ne meas litteras supervacaneas arbi-

* There had been some exhibition of public feeling at the
performance of Acciiis' Tereus at the uamcs given by I'nitus.
Here, and in the Philippics ii. 31, it is implied that it was

374

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI. 2

Brutus was pleased with your letter. I spent
several hours with him at Nesis, just after I received
your letter. He seemed to be delighted at the Te-
reus incident, and to feel more grateful to Accius
than to Antonius.i For my part the better the news
is, the more it annoys and pains me, that the Roman
people use their hands not for defending the consti-
tution but for clapping. It seems to me that the
Caesarian party is possessed of a positive mania for
parading its disloyalty. However, "so they but
suffer, be it what it will." ^

You say my plan is daily more commended. I am
not sorry, and I am looking forward to anything you
may say about it. For I have met with various
opinions ; and, indeed, for that reason I am hesitating
as long as possible before committing myself. But
since I am being turned out with a pitchfork, I am
thinking of Brundisium. For it seems to me to be
more certain and easier to avoid the soldiers than
the pirates, who are said to be in evidence.

1 expected Sestius on the 10th, but he has not
come, so far as I know. Cassius has arrived with his
little fleet. When I have seen him, I am thinking
of o-oing on the 11th to Pompeii, and thence to
Aeculanum. You know the rest. About Tutia, that
is what I thought. As for Aebutius, I don't believe
it ; nor do I care any more than you do. I have
written of course to Plancus and Oppius, as you
asked me : but, if you think better of it, don't hold
yourself bound to deliver the letters. For, since
they have done it all for your sake, I fear my letters

favourable to Brutus, but Appius, B.C. in. 24, stales that
outbursts against Caesar's assassins drove them to decide on
leaving Italy.

2 From Afranius. Cf. Cicero, Tusc. Disp. iv. 45 and 55.

S75

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

trentur^ Oppio quidem utiquc, queni tibi atnicissimnni
cognovi. Verum, ut voles.

Tu, quoniam scribis hiematurum te in Epiro,
feceris mihi gratuni, si ante eo veneris, quam mihi
in Italiam te auctore veniendum est. Litteras ad
me quam saepissime ; si de rebus minus necessariis,
aliquem nanctus ; sin autem erit quid maius, domo
mittito.

'HpaKXeiSeiov, si Brundisium salvi, adorieniur. " De
gloria " misi tibi. Custodies igitur, ut soles, sed
notentur eclogarii, quos Salvias bonos auditores nac-
tus in convivio dumtaxat legat. Mihi valde placent,
mallem tibi. Etiam atque etiam vale.

Ill

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

.Vcv. »w Pom- Tu vero sapienter (nunc denium enim rescribo iis
peiano XVI litteris, quas mihi misisti convento Antonio Tiburi)
A. K^exl. a. sapienter igitur, quod manus dedisti, quodque etiam
ultro gratias egisti. Certe enim, ut scril)is, deseremur
ociiis a re publica quam a re familiari. Quod vero
scribis te cotidie magis delectare " O Tite, si quid,"
auges mihi scribendi alacritatem. Quod Erotem non
sine munusculo exspectare te dicis, gaudeo non fefel-
lisse earn rem opinionem tuam ; sed tamen idem
crvi'Tay/Lia misi ad te retractatius, et quidem ap\iTVTrov
ipsum crebris locis inculcatum et refectum. Hunc
tu tralatum in macrocollum lege arcano convivis tuis,
876

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI. 2-3

may appear superfluous to them — to Oppius at any
rate, as I know he is a great admirer of yours. But
just as you please.

As you say you are going to spend the winter in
Epirus, I shall take it kindly if you will come before
the time at which you advise me to return to Italy.
Send me letters as often as possible ; if on matters
of little importance, by any messenger you can find ;
but if on important affairs, send some one of your own.

1 will attempt a work in Heracleides' style, if I
get safe to Brundisium. I am sending you my De
Gloria. Please keep it as usual, but have select
passages marked for Salvius to read when he has
an appropriate party to dinner. I am very pleased
with them, and I hope you will be too. Farewell,
and yet again farewell.

Ill

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETINO.

At last I am answering the letter you sent me Pompeii,
after meeting Antony at Tibur. Well, then, you July 17^ ^x.
were wise in giving in and even going so far as to 44,
thank him. For certainly, as you say, we shall be
robbed of our constitution before we are robbed of
our private property. So you take more and more
delight in my treatise on Old Age daily. That in-
creases my energy in writing. You say you expect
Eros not to come to you empty-handed. I am glad
you have not been disappointed in the event ; but at
the same time I am sending you the same composi-
tion more carefully revised, indeed the original copy,
with plenty of additions between the lines and cor-
rections. Have it copied on large paper and read it
privately to your guests ; but, if you love me, do it

377

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

sed, si me amas, hilaris et bene acceptis, ne in me
stomachum erumpant, cum sint tibi irati.

De Cicerone velim ita sit, ut audimus. De Xenone
coi'am cognoscam ; quamquam nihil ab eo arbitror
neque indiligenter neque inliberaliter. De Herode
faciam, ut mandas, et ea, quae scribis, ex Saufeio et
e Xenone cognoscam. De Quinto filio gaudeo tibi
meas litteras prius a tabellario meo quam ab ipso
redditas ; quamquam te nihil fefellisset. Verum
tamen — . Sed exspecto, quid ille tecum, quid tu
vicissim, nee dubito, quin suo more uterque. Sed
eas litteras Curium mihi spero redditurum. Qui
quidem etsi per se est amabilis a meque diligitur,
tamen accedet magnus cumulus commendationis
tuae.

Litteris tuis satis resjjonsum est ; nunc audi, quod,
etsi intellego scribi necesse non esse, scribo tamen.
Multa me movent in discessu, in primis mehercule
quod diiungor a te. Mo\ et etiam navigationis labor
alienus non ab aetate solum nostra, verum etiam
a dignitate tempusque discessus subabsurdum. Re-
linquimus enim pacem, ut ad bellum revertamur,
quodque temporis in praediolis nostris et belle
aedificatis et satis amoenis consumi potuit, in pere-
grinatione consumimus. Consolantur haec : aut
proderimus aliquid Ciceroni, aut quantum profici
possit, iudicabimus. Deinde tu iam, ut spero, et ut
promittis, aderis. Quod quidem si accident, omnia
nobis erunt meliora. Maxime autem me anarit
ratio reliquorum meorum. Quae quamquam ex-

378

LETTKKS TO ATTICUS XVI. 3

when they are in a good temper and have had a
ffood dinner, for I don't want them to vent on me
the anger they feel towards you.

In my son's case I hope things may be as we hear.
About Xeno I shall know when I see him, though I
don't suppose he is neglecting his duty or acting
meanly. 1 will do as you say about H erodes, and
will find out what you mention from Saufeius and
Xeno. As for young Quintus, I am glad my letter
was delivered by my messenger sooner than the one
he took himself, though you would not have been
taken in anyhow. However — but I am anxious to
hear what he said to you and what you answered,
though I have no doubt you both behaved charac-
teristically. I hope Curius will deliver that letter
to me. Though he is pleasant enough and I like
him myself, still your recommendation will add the
crowning grace.

I have answered your letter sufficiently ; now hear
what I am going to say, though I know there is no
necessity for me to say it. In regard to my journey
I am distressed about many things, the chief being
that I am separated from you. Then again there is
the fatigue of the voyage, a thing unsuitable not
only to my age but to my rank too, and the time of
my departure is rather ridiculous. For I am leaving
peace to return to war, and wasting in travelling
time that might be spent in my country houses,
which are comfortably built and pleasantly situated.
My consolations are these. I shall either benefit my
son or see how much he can be benefited. Then
ao-ain, as I hope and as you promise, you will soon
be coming too ; and if that happens it will make me
far hap{)ier. But the thing that worries me most is
the arranging of my balances ; for, though things

379

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

plicata suiit^ tamen^ quod et Dolabellae nonien in
iis est et in attributione mihi nomina ignota, con-
turbor, nee me uUa res magis angit ex omnibus.
Itaque non mihi videor errasse, quod ad Balbum
sci'ipsi apertius, ut, si quid tale accidisset, ut non
concurrerent nomina, subveniret, meque tibi etiam
mandasse, ut, si quid eius modi accidisset, cum
eo communicares. Quod facias, si tibi videbitur,
eoque magis, si proficisceris in Epirum.

Haec ego conscendens e Pompeiano tribus actua-
riolis decemscalmis, Brutus erat in Neside etiam
nunc, Neapoli Cassius. Ecquid amas Deiotarum et
non amas Hieram ? Qui, ut Blesamius venit ad me,
cum ei praescriptum esset, ne quid sine Sexti nostri
sententia ageret, neque ad ilium neque ad quemquam
nostrum rettulit. Atticam nostram cupio absentem
suaviari. Ita mi dulcis salus visa est per te missa ab
ilia. Referes igitur ei plurimam itenique Piliae dicas
velim.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Ita ut heri tibi narravi vel fortasse hodie (Quintus

Futeolano enim altero die se aiebat), in Nesida vni Idus. Ibi

' . • Brutus. Quam ille doluit de nonis iuliis ! mirifice

■ ■ est conturbatus. Itaque sese scripturum aiebat, ut

venationem eam, quae posti'idie ludos Apollinares

futura est, proscriberent in in idus quinctiles. Libo

* Hieras and Blesamius were agents of Deiotarus in bribing
Antony to restore Armenia to him, and apparently were
380

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI. 3-4

have been put straight, I am anxious when I see
Dolabella's name among them, and drafts on people
that I do not know among my assets : and that
makes me more uneasy than anything else. So I
don't think I was wrong in applying to Balbus quite
openly to assist me, if such a thing should happen
as my debts not coming in properly, and telling him
that I had commissioned you to communicate with
him in any such event. Do so, if you think fit,
especially if you are starting for Epirus.

This I have written just as I was embarking from
Pompeii with three ten-oared pinnaces. Brutus is
still in Nesis, Cassius at Naples. Can you like Dei-
otarus and not like Hieras ? ^ When Blesamius came
to me Hieras was commissioned not to do anything
without Sextus Peducaeus' advice, but he never con-
sulted him or any of our friends. I should like to
kiss Attica, far off as she is : I was so pleased with
the good wishes she sent me through you. So please
give her my best thanks, and the same to Pilia.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

As I told you yesterday or perhaps to-day — for Pideoli, July
Quintus said he would take two days going — I went 10, b.c. 44<
to Nesis on the 8th : and there was Brutus. How
annoyed he was about the " 7th of July." ^ It quite
upset him. So he said he would send orders for
them to advertise the beast-hunt, which is to take
place on the day after the games to Apollo, as
on the "13th of Quinclilis." Libo came in, and he

now disowned by him after he had succeeded in getting it
back. " Cf. Alt. xvi. 1.

381

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

intei-\ euit. Is Philonem, Pompei libertum, et Hila-
rum, suuin libertura, venisse a Sexto cum litteris ad
consuIeSj "sive quo alio nomine sunt." Earum ex-
emplum nobis legit, si quid videretur. Pauca Trapa
Xi$Lv, ceteroqui et satis graviter et non contumaciter.
Tantum addi placuit, quod erat "coss." solum, ut
asset "PRAETT., TRiBB. PL., sENATvi," nc illi non pro-
ferrent eas, quae ad ipsos niissae essent. Sextum
autem nuntiant cum una solum legione fuisse Kar-
thagine, eique eo ipso die, quo oppidum Baream
cepisset, niintiatum esse de Caesare, capto oppido
miram laetitiam commutationemqiie animorum con-
cursumque undique ; sed ilium ad sex legiones, quas
in ulteriore reliquisset, revertisse. Ad ipsum autem
Libonem scripsit nihil esse, nisi ad larem suum
liceret. Summa postulatorum, ut omnes exercitus
dimittantur, qui ubique sint. Haec fere de
Sexto.

De Biithrotiis undi(jue quaerens nihil reperiebani.
Alii concisos agiipetas, alii Plancum acceptis num-
mis relictis illis aufugisse. Itaque non video sciturum
me, quid eius sit, ni statim nliquid litterarum.

Iter illud Brundisiuni, de quo dubitabam, sub-
latum videtur. Legiones enim adventare dicuntur.
Haec autem navigatio liabet quasdam suspiciones
periculi. Itaque constituebam uti ofxoTrXoia. Para-
tiorem enim offendi Briitum, quam audiebam. Nam
et ipse et Domitius bona plane habet dicrota, sunt-
que navigia praeterea luculenta Sesti, Biiciliani, cete-
382

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI. 4

told us that Philo, a freedman of Ponapey, and Hi-
larus, one of his own, had come from Sextus with a
letter for the consuls, "or whatever they call them."
He read us a copy to see what we thought of it.
There were a few odd expressions, but in other
respects it was sufficiently dignified and not aggres-
sive. We only thought it better to make an addition
of "Praetors, Tribunes of the People, and Senate"
to the simple address to the " Consuls," for fear they
should not publish a letter sent to them. They say
that Sextus has been at Carthage with only one
legion, and that he received the news about Caesar
on the very day that he took the town of Barea.
After the capture there were great rejoicings and a
change of sentiment, and people flocked to him from
every side, but he returned to the six legions he
had left in lower Spain. He has written to Libo
himself saying it is all nothing to him if he cannot
get home. The upshot of his demands is, that all
the armies everywhere should be disbanded. That
is all about Sextus.

I have been making enquiries in every direction
about the Buthrotians, and discover nothing. Some
say the land-grabbers were cut to pieces, others that
Plancus pocketed the money and fled, leaving them
in the lurch. So I don't see how I can find out what
there is in it, unless I get a letter at once.

The route to Brundisium, about which I was hesi-
tating, seems to be out of the question. They say
the troops are arriving there. But the voyage from
here has some suspicion of danger, so I have made
up my mind to sail in company with Brutus. I found
him better prepared than I had heard he was. For
both he and Domitius have (juit<i good two banked
"■alleys, and there are also some g(wd ships belonging

383

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

roriim. Nam Cassi classem, quae plane bclla est^
non numero ultra fretum. Illud est mihi subnioles-
tum, quod parum Brutus properare videtur. Primum
confectorum ludorum nuntios exspectat ; deinde,
quantum intellego, tarde est navigaturus consistens
in locis pluribus. Tamen arbitror esse commodius
tarde navigare quam omnino non navigare ; et, si,
cum processerimus, exploratiora videbuntur, etesiis
uteniur.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. tn Tuas iam litteras Brutus exspectabat. Cui quidem

Puteolano ego non novum attuleram de Tereo Acci. Ille Brutum

' '; ^"^^ putabat. Sed tamen rumoris nescio quid adflaverat

Quint, a. 710 . . ^ n .. r . ,

commissione Liraecorum trequentiam non luisse ; quod

quidem me minime fefellit ; scis enim, quid ego de
Graecis ludis existimem.

Nunc audi, quod pluris est quam omnia. Quintus
fuit mecum dies complures, et, si ego cuperem, ille
vel plures fuisset ; sed, quam diu fuit, incredibile est,
quam me in omni genere delectarit, in eoque maxime,
in quo minime satis faciebat. Sic enim commutatus
est totus et scriptis meis quibusdam, quae in manibus
habebam, et adsiduitate orationis et praeceptis, ut
tali animo in rem publicam, quail nos volumus, fu tu-
rns sit. Hoc cum mihi non modo confirmasset, sed

384

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI. 4-3

to Sestus, Bucilianus, and others. For 1 don't count
on Cassius' fleet, which is quite a fine one, beyond
the straits of Sicily. There is one point that annoys
me a little, Brutus seems in no hurry. First he is
waiting for news of the completion of his games ;
then, so far as I can understand, he is going to sail
slowly, stopping at several places. Still I think it
will be better to sail slowly than not to sail at all ;
and if, when we have got some distance, things seem
clearer, we shall take advantage of the Etesian
winds.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Brutus is expecting a letter from you. The news Puleuli,
I brought him about Accius' Tereus was no news. July 9, B.C.
He thought it was the Brutus.^ There had, however, 44
been some breath of rumour that at the opening of
the Greek games the audience was small, at which,
indeed, I was not at all surprised ; for you know
what I think of Greek games.

Now hear the most important point of all. Quintus
has been with me several days, and, if I had desired,
he would have stayed longer ; but, so far as his visit
went, you would not believe how pleased 1 was with
him in every way, and especially in that in which I
used most to disapprove of him. For he is so totally
changed, partly by some woi-ks of mine, which I
have in hand, and partly by my continual advice
and exhortation, that he will in the future be as
loyal as we could wish to the constitution. After
he had not only asseverated this, but convinced me

* Cf. Att. XVI. 2. Not being present Brutus liad supposed
it was the play called Brutus, whereas it was tlie Ttreus.

385

VOL. III. O

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

etiam persuasisset, egit mecum accurate multis ver-
bis, tibi lit sponderem se dignum et te et nobis
futurum ; neqiie se postulare, ut statim crederesj sed,
cum ipse perspexisses, turn ut se aniares. Quodnisi
fidem mihi fecisset, iudicassemqiie hoc, quod dico,
firmum fore, non fecissem id, quod dicturus sum.
Duxi enim mecum adulescentem ad Brutum. Sic ei
probatum est, quod ad te scribo, ut ipse crediderit,
me sponsorem accipere noluerit, eumque laudans
amicissime mentionem tui fecerit, complexus oscula-
tusque dimiserit. Quam ob rem, etsi magis est, quod
gratuler tibi, quam quod te rogem, tamen etiam rogo,
ut, si quae minus antea propter infirmitatem aetatis
constanter ab eo fieri videbantur, ea iudices ilium
abiecisse, miliique credas multum allaturam, vel
plurimum potius, ad illius iudicium confirmandum
auctoritatem tuam.

Bruto cum saepe iniecissem de ofioirXoia, non per-
inde, atque ego putaram, arripere visus est. Existi-
mabain /^exEwporepov esse, et hercule erat et maxime
de ludis. At mihi, cum ad villain redissem, Cn. Luc-
ceius, qui multum utitur Bruto, narravit ilium valde
morari, non tergiversantem, sed exspectantem, si qui
forte casus. Itaque dubito, an Venusiam tendam et
ibi exsj)ectem de legionibus. Si aberunt, ut quidam
arbitrantur. Hydruntem, si neutrum erit do-^aXe's,
eodem revcrtar. locari me putas ? Moriar, si quis-
quam me tenet praeter te. Jltenim circumspice,
sed antequam erubesco. O dies in auspiciis Lepidi

1 Possibly there is some corruption iu the text here, as the
remark seems senseless.
386

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI. 5

of it, he was very pressing for me to go bail to yon
that he will come up to your and our expectations
for the future ; and he did not ask you to believe
this at once, but that you should restore your affec-
tion to him, when you had seen it for yourself. If he
iiad not convinced me of it, and I did not think that
what I am saying is trustworthy, I should not have
done what I am going to tell you. I took the young
man with me to Brutus, and he was so convinced of
what I mention that he believed it on his own account,
refusing to hold me sponsor for Quintus. He praised
him and mentioned you in the most friendly way,
and dismissed him with an embrace and a kiss. So,
although there is more reason for congratulating you
than asking favours of you, still I do ask you, if you
have regarded his actions up to now as showing some
of the Hightiness of youth, to believe that he has
got rid of that, and to trust me that your influence
will contribute much, or rather everything, towards
making his decision permanent.

I have frequently thrown out a hint to Brutus
about sailing with him, but he does not seem to
jump at it as I thought he would. He seemed to
me rather distrait, and indeed he was, especially
about the games. But when I got back home, Luc-
ceius, who is very intimate with him, said he was
hesitating a good deal, not because he has changed
his mind, but in the hope that something may turn
up. So I am wondering whether to make for Venusia
and there await news of the troops. If they are
not there, as some think, I shall go to Hydrus ; if
neither road is safe, I will come back here. Do you
think I am joking ? Upon my life you are the only
person who keeps me here. Just look round you,
but do it before I blush. ^ Lepidus' choice of his day

387

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

lepide descriptos et apte ad consilium reditus iiostri !
Magna poTrr/ ad proficiscendum in tuis litteris. Atque
utinam te illic ! Sed ut conducere putabis.

Nepotis epistulam exspecto. Cu^^idus ille meorum ?
qui ea, quibus maxime yavpLw, legenda non putet.
Et ais "/xcT afx-vfiova" ! Tu vero " afiv/Mtov," ille qui-
dem " a/x/3poros. " Mearum epistularum nulla est
avvayoiyij ; sed habet Tiro instar septuaginta ; et qui-
dem sunt a te quaedam sumendae. Eas ego oportet
perspiciam, corrigam. Turn denique edentur.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. I'ibone Ego adhuc (perveni enim Vibonem ad Siccam)
VIII K. magis commode quam strenue navigavi ; remis enim

Sext. a. 710 niagnam partem, prodromi nulli. Illud satis oppor-
tune, duo sinus fuerunt, quos tramitti oj)orteret,
Paestanus et Vibonensis. Utrumque pedibus acquis
tramisimus. Veni igitur ad Siccam octavo die e Pom-
j)eiano, cum unum diem Veliae constitissem. Ubi
quidem fui sane libenter apud Talnam nostrum, nee
])otui accipi, illo absente praesertim, liberalius. vini
Kal. igitur ad Siccam. Ibi tamquam domi meae sci-
licet. Itaque obduxi posterum diem. Sed putabam^

* Cf. Odyssey xi. 169, where Ajax is said to rank next after
"the blameless son of Peleus" (iJieT a.fj.vfxoi'a riT)\ft<uva).

^ North-nortli-east winds, called " fore-runners," because
388

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI. 5-6

of inauguration is as happy as his name, and fits ex-
cellently with my plan for returning. Your letter
supplies a strong incentive for going. I only wish
you were there : but that must be as you think best
for yourself.

I am expecting a letter from Xepos. Does he
really want my books, when he thinks the subjects
I am keenest on not worth reading. You call him
an Achilles to your Ajax.^ No, you are the Achilles
and he is one of the immortals. There is no collec-
tion of my letters, but Tiro has about seventy, and
some can be got from you. Those I ought to see
and correct, and then they may be published.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I have got as far as Sicca's house at Vibo, and at Fibo, July
present I have taken it easy and not exerted myself. 25, B.C. 44
We have rowed most of the way, as there have been
none of the usual north winds. ^ That was rather
lucky, as there were two bays to cross, that of Paestum
and that of Vibo. We crossed both with the wind
behind us.^ So I got to Sicca's place eight days after
leaving Pompeii, having stopped one day at Velia.
There I stayed at Talna's house very enjoyably, and
I could not have been more liberally entertained,
especially as he was away. So I got to Sicca on the
24th, and here I am quite at home. So I have stayed
a day longer than I meant. But I think, when I get to

they usually prevailed for eight days before the rising of the
Dog-star.

^ The pedes were ropes attached to the sail to set it to the
wind. Both would be let out to an equal length when
sailing before the wind.

389

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Odyuiy, ill. 169 cum Regium venissenij fore ut illic " So/\i;^oi/ -rrXoov
opfjLaLvovres " cogitaremus, corbitane Patras an actua-
riolis ad Leucopetras Tareiitinorum atque inde Cor-
cyram, et, si oneraria, statimne freto an Syracusis.
Hac super re scribam ad te Regio.
Mehercule, mi Attice, saepe mecum :

" H Scvp oSos croi Tt Svvarai ; "

Cur ego tecum non sum ? cur ocellos Italiae, villulas
meas, non video ? Sed id satis superque, tecum me
non esse, quid fugientem ? periculumne ? At id
nunc quidem, nisi fallor, nullum est. Ad ipsum enim
revocat me auctoritas tua ; scribis enim in caelum
ferri profectionem meam, sed ita, si ante K. lanuar.
redeam ; quod quidem certe enitar. Malo enim vel
cum timore domi esse quam sine timore Athenis tuis.
Sed tamen perspice, quo ista vergant, miliique aut
scribe, aut, quod multo malim, adfer ij)se. Haec
hactenus.

Illud velim in bonam partem accipias me agere
tecum, quod tibi maiori curae sciam esse quam ipsi
mihi. Nomina mea, per deos, expedi, exsolve. Bella
reliqua reliqui ; sed opus est diligentia, coheredibus
pro Cluviano Kal. Sextil. persolutum ut sit. Cum
Publilio quo modo agendum sit, videbis. Non debet
urgere, quoniam iure non utimur. Sed tamen ei
quoque satis fieri plane volo. Terentiae vero quid
ego dicam ? Etiam ante diem, si potes. Quin, si, ut
spero, celeriter in Epirum, hoc, quod satisdato debeo,

LEITERS TO ATTICUS XVI. 6

liegium, there, being " on a far voyage bent," I shall
have to consider whether to proceed by a merchant
vessel to Patrae or by patket-boats to Tarentine
Leucopetra, and thence to Corcyra ; and, if by a
merchant ship, whether direct iVom the Sicilian
strait or from Syracuse. On this point I will write
to you from Regium.

Upon my word, Atticus, I often say to myself:
"Why, what avails thee all thy journey here .'' " ^
Why am not I with you .'' Why may I not see my
country houses, the jewels of Italy ? But that alone
is enough and more than enough, that I am not with
you. And what am I fleeing from ? Danger ? Nay,
unless I am mistaken, there is no danger now. For
it is precisely at tlie hour of danger that you bid me
come back. For you say my departure is praised to
the skies, provided I return by the end of the year ;
and that I will certainly strive to do. For I had
rather be at home in fear and trembling, than in
your loved Athens without a fear. However, keep
your eye on the trend of events, and write to me, or
what I should much prefer, bring the news yourself.
Enough of this.

Please take my next request in good part. I know
you devote more care to it than I do myself. For
mercy's sake keep my accounts clear and pay my
debts. I have left a handsome balance; but it re-
quires care to see to the payment of my fellow-heirs
for the Cluvian property on the 1st of August. You
will see how to manage about Publilius. He ought
not to be pressing, as I am not insisting upon my
legal rights. Still I should much like him also to be
satisfied. As to Terentia, what am 1 to say .'^ Pay her
even before the proper date, if you can. But if, as
I hope, you are coming soon to Epirus, pray make

391

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

peto a te ut ante provideas planeque expedias et
soliitum relinquas. Sed de his satis, metuoque, ne tu
nimium putes.

Nunc neglegentiam meam cognosce. " De gloria "
librum ad te misi. At in eo prohoemium idem est
quod in Academico tertio. Id evenit ob earn rem,
quod habeo volumen prohoemiorum. Ex eo eligere
soleo, cum aliquod crvyypa^jxa institui. Itaque iam
in Tusculano, qui non meminissem me abusum isto
prohoemio, conieci id in eum librum, quem tibi misi.
Cum autem in navi legerem Academicos, adgnovi
erratum meum. Itaque statim novum prohoemium
exaravi et tibi misi. Tu illud desecabis, hoc adgluti-
nabis. Piliae salutem dices et Atticae, deliciis atque
amoribus meis.

VII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scripsit navi- v'" ^^"S Sextil. cum a Leucopetra profectus (inde

gans ad enim tramittebam) stadia circiter ccc processissem,

Povipemnum reiectus sum austro vehementi ad eandem Leucope-

^ tram. Ibi cum ventum exsj)ectarem (erat enim villa

" * ' Valcri nostri, ut familiariter essem et libenter), Re-

gini quidam illustres homines eo venerunt Roma

sane recentes, in iis Bruti nostri hospes, qui Brutum

Neapoli reliquisset. Haec adferebant, edictum Bruti

et Cassi, et fore frequentem senatum Kaltndis, a

Bruto et Cassio litteras missas ad consulares et prae-

392

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI. 6-7

arrangements first for any bills I have put my name
to, and put affairs straight and leave them paid.
But of this enough, and I fear you may think too
much.

Now I must confess my carelessness. I sent you
the work On Glory. But the preface to it is the
same as that to the third book of the Academics.
That is due to my having a volume of prefaces, from
which I select one when I have begun a composi-
tion. So, when I was at Tusculum, forgetting I had
used that preface, I put it into the book I sent you.
But when I was reading the Academics on the boat I
noticed my mistake. So I dashed off a new preface
at once, and have sent it to you. Please cut the
other off and glue this on. Pay my respects to
Pilia and to my pet and darling Attica.

VII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

When I had started from Leucopetra — for that On ship-
was where I began my crossing — on the sixth of board on the
August and gone some forty miles, I was driven way to
back to Leucopetra again by a strong south wind. Pompeii,
While I was waiting there for the wind — our friend Aug. 19, b.c.
Valerius has a house there, so I was at home and 44
enjoying myself — there came some men of mark of
Regium, fresh from Rome, among them a guest of
our friend Brutus, who said he had left Brutus at
Naples. They brought an edict of Brutus and Cassius
and news that there would be a full meeting of the
House on the first of the month and that a letter
had been sent by Brutus and Cassius to the ex-

393

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

torioSj ut adessent, rogare. Summam spem nuntia-
bant fore ut Antonius cederet, res conveniret, nostri
Romam redirent. Addebant etiara me desiderari.
subaccusari.

Quae cum audissem, sine ulla dubitatione abieci
consilium profectionis, quo mehercule ne antea qui-
dem delectabar. Lectis vero tuis litteris admiratus
equidem sum te tam vehementer sententiam commu-
tasse, sed non sine causa arbitrabar. Etsi, quamvis
non fueris suasor et impulsor profectionis meae, ad-
probator certe fuisti, dum modo Kal. Ian. Romae
essem. Ita fiebat, ut, dum minus periculi videretur,
abessem, in flammam ipsam venirem. Sed haec,
etiamsi non prudenter, tamen ave/xia-qTa sunt, primum
quod de mea sententia acta sunt, deinde, etiamsi te
auctore, quid debet, qui consilium dat, praestare
praeter fidem ? Illud admirari satis non potui, quod
scripsisti his verbis : " Bene igitur tu, qui evOavaatav,
bene ! relinque patriam." An ego relinquebam aut
tibi tum relinquere videbar ? Tu id non modo non
inhibebas, verum etiam adprobabas. Graviora, quae
restant. " Velim crxoXtov aliquod elimes ad me opor-
tuisse te istuc facere." Itane, mi Attice ? defensione
eget meum factum, praesertim apud te, qui id mira-
biliter adprobasti? Ego vero istum airoXoyiafxov
awTa^ofiai, sed ad eorum aliquem, quibus invitis et

394

LETTERS TO ATTIC US XVI. 7

consuls and ex-praetors asking them to be present.
They said there were great hopes that Antony
might yield, some agreement be arrived at, and
our friends allowed to return to Rome ; and they
added that I was missed and people were inclined
to blame me.

When I heard that, I had no hesitation about
giving up my idea of going away, Avhich to be
sure I had never fancied even before that : and
when I read your letter, I was certainly surprised
that you liad so utterly changed your opinion ;
but there seemed to me to be good reason for it.
However, though it was not you who persuaded
and urged me to go, you certainly approved of
my going, if I got back by the end of the year.
That would have meant, that, when there was
little danger, I should have been away, and should
return when it was in full blaze. But that, although
it was not a counsel of prudence, I have no right
to resent, first because it happened by my own
wish, and secondly, even if you had advised me,
an adviser need not guarantee anything but his
sincerity. What did astonish me beyond measure
was that you should use the words : " A fine thing
for you, who talk of a noble death, a fine thing,
i* faith. Go, desert your country." Was I deserting
it, or did you at the time think I was deserting it.''
You not only raised no finger against it, you even
approved of it. The rest is even more severe :
" I wish you would write me an explanatory note
showing that it was your duty to do it ? " So,
my dear Atticus ? Does my action need defending,
especially to you, who expressed strong approval }
Yes, I will write a defence, but for some of those
who opposed my going and spoke against it.

395

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

dissuadentibus profectus sum. Etsi quid iam opus
est crxoXiu) ? si perseverassem, opus fuisset. "At hoc
ipsum non constanter." Nemo doctus umquam
(multa autem de hoc genere scripta sunt) mutationem
consilii inconstantiam dixit esse. Deinceps igitur
haec : " Nam, si a Phaedro nostro esses, expedita
excusatio esset ; nunc quid respondemus.'' " Ergo id
erat meum factum, quod Catoni probare non possem ?
flagitii scilicet plenum et dedecoris. Utinam a primo
ita tibi esset visum ! tu milii, sicut esse soles, fuisses
Cato. Extremum illud vel molestissimum ; '' Nam
Brutus noster silet," hoc est : non audet hominem id
aetatis monere. Aliud nihil habeo, quod ex iis a te
vei'bis significari putem, et hercule ita est. Nam,
XVI Kal. Sept. cum venissem Veliam, Brutus audivit ;
erat enim cum suis navibus apud Heletem fluvium
citra Veliam mil. pass. iii. Pedibus ad me statim.
Dei immortales, quam valde ille reditu vel potius
reversione mea laetatus effudit ilia omnia, quae tacu-
erat ! ut recordarer illud tuum " Nam Brutus noster
silet." Maxime autem dolebat me Kal. Sext. in
senatu non fuisse. Pisonem ferebat in caelum ; se
autem laetari, quod effugissem duas maximas vitupe-
rationes, unam, quam itinere faciendo me intellege-
bam suscipere, desperationis ac relictionis rei publicae
(flentes mecum vulgo querebantur, quibus de meo
celeri reditu non probabam), alteram, de qua Brutus,
et qui una erant (multi autem erant), laetabantur,

396

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI. 7

Though what need is there of an explanatory
note ? If I had gone on, there would have been.
"But coming back is not consistent." No philosopher
ever called a change of plan inconsistency, though
there has been a good deal written on the point.
So you add : " If you were a follower of our friend
Phaedrus,^ one would have a defence ready : but,
as it is, what answer can one give.^" So my deed
was one Cato would not approve of, was it ? Of
course then it was criminal and disgraceful. Would
to heaven you had thought so at first ; you should
have been my Cato, as you usually are. Your
last cut is the most unkind of all : " For our
friend Brutus holds his peace," that is to say, he
does not dare remonstrate with a man of my age.
I see no other meaning that I can attach to your
words, and no doubt that is it. For on the 17th,
when I reached Velia, Brutus heard of it — he was
with his boats on the river Heles about three miles
from Velia ; and he came at once on foot to see
me. Great heavens, how he let out all his pent-up
silence in joy at my return or rather my turning
back. I could not help thinking of your "Our
friend Brutus holds his peace." But what he
regretted most was that I was not in the House
on the first of August. Piso he lauded to the
skies : and he expressed his delight that I had
escaped two grounds for reproach. One of these
was that of despairing and abandoning the country —
and that I knew I might incur in undertaking the
voyage ; for many had complained to me with tears
in their eyes, and I could not convince them of
my speedy return. The other point that rejoiced
Brutus and those who were with him —and there
• An Epicurean philosopher at Athens; cf. Ad Fam. xiii. 1.

397

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

quod earn vituperationem efFugissem, me existimari
ad Olympia. Hoc vero nihil turpius quovis rei pub-
licae tempore, sed hoc avaTrokoyyjTov. Ego vero austro
gratias miras, qui me a tanta intaraia averterit.

Reversionis has speciosas causas habes, iustas illas
quidem et magnas ; sed nulla iustior, quam quod tu
idem aliis litteris : " Provide, si cui quid debetur,
ut sit, unde par pari respondeatur. Mirifica enim
8i;o-_)(pi7o-Ti'a est propter metum armorum." In freto
medio banc epistulam legi, ut, quid possem pro-
videre, in mentem mihi non veniret, nisi ut praesens
me ipse defenderem. Sed haec hactenus ; reliqua
coram.

Antoni edictum legi a Bruto et liorum contra
scriptum praeclare ; sed, quid ista edicta valeant aut
quo spectent, plane non video. Nee ego nunc, ut
Brutus censebat, istuc ad rem publicam capessendam
venio. Quid enim fieri potest? Num quis Pisoni
est adsensus ? num rediit ipse postridie ? Sed abesse
hanc aetatem longe a sepulcro negant oportere.

Sed, obsecro te, quid est, quod audivi de Bruto?
Piliam ir£Lpu^€(x6ai irapaXvaeL te scripsisse aiebat.
Valde sum commotus. Etsi idem te scril)ere sperare
melius. Ita plane velim, et ei dicas plurimam salu-
tem et suavissimae Atticae. Haec scripsi navigans,
cum prope Pompeianum accederem, xiiii Kal.

398

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI. 7

were a lot of them — was that I had escaped the
reproach of being thought to be going to the
Olympian games. Nothing could be more dis-
graceful than that in any political circumstances,
but at the present time it would be inexcusable.
1 of course felt very grateful to the south wind,
which had saved me from such infamy.

Thei'e you have the ostensible reasons for my
return ; and they are good and sufficient reasons
too ; but none of them is better than one you
mention in your letter : " If you owe anything to
anyone, take measures to provide yourself with
the means to pay each his due. For the money
market is wonderfully tight owing to fear of war."
I was in the middle of the straits when I read
this letter, and I could not think of any way of
taking measures, unless I came to look after it
myself. But enough of this ; more when we meet.

I got a sight of Antony's edict from Brutus, and
of our friends' magnificent answer ; but I don't quite
see the use or the object of these edicts. Nor
have I come as Brutus thought, to take part in
the management of affairs. For what can be done .''
Did anybody agree with Piso.'' Did he himself
come back the next day? But, as the saj'ing goes,
a man of my time of life ought not to go far from
his grave.

But for mercy's sake what is this that I hear
from Brutus ! He says you told him Pilia had
had an attack of paralysis. I am very much dis-
turbed about it, though he tells me you say you
hope she is better. I sincerely hope she is ; give
her and darling Attica my best regards. This I have
written on ship-board, as I was getting near to
Pompeii, Aug. 19.

399

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
VIII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Cum sciam, quo die venturus sim, faciam, ut solas.

Puteulano Impedimenta exspectanda sunt, quae Anagnia veni-
IF Nov. unt^ et familia aegra est. Kal. vesperi litterae mihi
A 01). a. ^-ZO ab Octaviano. Magna molitur. Veteranos, qui sunt
Casilini et Calatiae, perduxit ad suam sententiam.
Nee mirum, quingenos denarios dat. Cogitat reli-
quas colonias obire. Plane hoc spectat, ut se duce
belluni geratur cum Antonio. Itaque video paucis
diebus nos in arniis fore. Quem autem sequamur?
Vide nomen, vide aetatem. Atque a me postulat,
primum ut clam conloquatur mecum vel Capuae vel
non longe a Capua. Puerile hoc quidem, si id putat
clam fieri posse. Docui per litteras id nee opus esse
nee fieri posse. 7/Misit ad me Caecinam quendam
Volaterranum familiarem suum ; qui haec pertulit,
Antonium cum legione Alaudarum ad urbem pergere,
pecunias municipiis imperare, legionem sub signis
ducere. Consultabat, utrum Romam cum ciD ci3 cia
veteranorum proficisceretur an Capuam teneret et
Antonium venientem excluderet, an iret ad tres
legiones Macedonicas, quae iter secundum mare Su-
perum faciunt; quas sperat suas esse. Eae congia-
rium ab Antonio accipere noluerunt, ut hie quidem
narrat, et ei convicium grave fecerunt contionantem-
que reliquerunt. Quid quaeris ? ducem se profitetur

* 500 denarii.
400

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI. 8
VIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Wlien I know what day I shall arrive, I will Pideoli,
let you know. I must wait for my heavy baggage, Nov. 2, b.c.
which is coming from Anagnia, and there is illness 44
in my household. On the evening of the 1st I
got a letter from Octavian. He is setting about
a heavy task. He has brought over the veterans,
who are at Casilinum and Calatia, to his views ;
and no wonder, when he is giving them £20^
apiece. He thinks of visiting the other colonies.
Obviously his idea is a war with Antony under his
leadership. So I see that before long we shall
be in arms. But whom are we to follow .-* Look
at his name, and at his age. And his first request
of me is that I should meet him secretly at Capua
or somewhere near Capua. That is quite childish,
if he thinks it can be done secretly. I have told
him by letter that there is no necessity for it and
no possibility of it. He sent me one Caecina of
Volaterra, an intimate friend of his, who brought
this news, that Antony is making for Rome with
the legion Alauda, raising a forced contribution
from towns, and marching with his soldiers under
colours. He asked my advice about setting out
for Rome with 3,000 veterans or holding Capua
and intercepting Antony's advance, or going to
the three Macedonian legions, which are making
for the northern Adriatic. Those he hopes are on
his side ; they refused to take Antony's bounty,
or so he says, heaped insults on him and left
him still haranguing-. Of course, he offers himself
as our leader, and thinks we ought not to fail

to I

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

nee nos sibi putat deesse oportere. Equidem suasi, ut
Romam pergeret. Videtur enim mihi et plebeculam
urbanani, et, si fidem fecerit, etiam bonos viros secum
habiturus. O Brute, ubi es? quantam eUmpiav amit
tis ! Non equidem hoc divinavi, sed aUquid tale
putavi fore. Nunc tuum consiHum exquiro, Ro-
mamne venio an hie maneo an Arpinum (dcr^aXeiav
habet is locus) fugiam ? Romam, ne desideremur, si
quid actum videbitur. Hoc igitur explica. Num-
quam in maiore aTropia fui.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Binae uno die mihi litterae ab Octaviano, nunc

Puleolano quidem, ut Romam statim veniam ; velle se rem
/mrf. Ao«. ^ggj.g per senatum. Cui ego non posse senatum
ante K. lanuar., quod quidem ita credo. Ille autem
addit "consilio tuo." Quid multa? ille urget, ego
autem a Kriirro ixai. Non confido aetati, ignoro, quo
animo. Nil sine Pansa tuo volo. Vereor, ne valeat
Antonius, nee a mari discedere libet, et metuo, ne
quae d/jio-refa me absente. Varroni quidem displicet
consilium pueri, mihi non. Si firmas copias habet,
Brutum habere potest, et rem gerit palam. Cen-
turiat Capuae, dinumerat. lam iamque video bellum.
Ad haec reseribe. Tabellarium meum Kalend. Roma
profectum sine tuis litteris miror.

402

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI. 8-9

him. I advised that he should make for Rome.
For it seems to me he ought to have the city
rabble, and, if he succeeds in inspiring them with
confidence, even the loyalists on his side. O Brutus,
where are you ? VV^hat a golden opportunity you
are missing ! I never foresaw this, but I thought
something of the kind would happen. Now, I
want your advice. Shall I come to Rome, or stay
here, or flee to Arpinum, which would be a harbour
of refuge ? Rome I think, for fear I be missed,
if people think a blow has been struck. Read me
this riddle. I never was in a greater quandary.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Two letters on one day from Octavian, now asking Pideoli,
me to come to Rome at once, as he wishes to act Nov. 4, b.c.
through the Senate. I told him I did not think the 44
Senate could meet before January, and I really
believe that is so. But he adds "with your advice."
In short he is pressing, while I am temporizing. I
do not trust his age : 1 do not know his disposition.
I do not want to do anything without your friend
Pansa's advice. I am afraid Antony may succeed,
and I don't like going away from the sea, and I fear
some great deed may be done in my absence. Varro,
for his part, dislikes the boy's plan ; I do not. If
he can trust his army, he can have Brutus, and he is
playing his game openly. He is dividing his men
into companies at Capua, and paying over their
bounty money. I see war close upon us. Please
answer this letter. I am surprised my messenger
left Rome on the 1st without a letter from you.

403

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

CICERO ATTICO SAL,

Scr. in Siiiu- vii Id. veni ad me in Sinuessanum. Eodem die
essano VI vulgo loquebantur Antonium mansurum esse Casilini.
Id. A 01). a. Itaque mutavi consilium ; statueram enim recta Appia

710

Romani. Facile me ille esset adsecutus. Aiunt enim
eum Caesarina uti celeritate. Verti igitur me a
Menturnis Arpinum versus. Constitueram, ut v Idus
aut Aquini manerem aut in Arcano. Nunc, mi At-
tice, tota mente incumbe in hanc curam ; magna
enim res est. Tria sunt autem, maneamne Arpini
an propius accedam an veniam Romam. Quod cen
sueris, faciam. Sed quam primum. Avide exspecto
tuas litteras. vi Idus mane in Sinuessano.

710

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Ig^j. '^ Nonis accepi a te duas epistulas, quarum alteram

Puteolano Kal. dederas, alteram pridie. Igitur prius ad superio-
Non. Nov. a. rem. Nostrum opus tibi probari laetor ; ex quo av9r]
ipsa posuisti. Quae mihi florentiora sunt visa tuo
iudicio ; cerulas enim tuas miniatulas illas extimes-
cebara. De Sicca ita est, ut scribis: ab^ asta ea aegre
me tenui. Itaque perstringam sine uUa contumelia
Iliad, XX. 308 Siccae aut Septimiae, tantum ut sciant " TraiSes Trat-

' ab added by Rtid : asta ( = hasta, seusu obscoeao ; cf .
Priapea, 43, 1).
404,

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI. 10-11

CICEIIO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

On the 7tli 1 reached my house at Sinuessa, and Sinuessa,
on that day it was generally said that Antony was ISov. 8, B.C.
going to stay at Casilinum. So I changed my plan, 44
tor I had intended to go straight on by the Appian
way to Rome. He would easily have caught me up,
for they say he travels as fast as Caesar. So from
Menturnae I am turning off" towards Arpinum, and
I have made up my mind to stay at Aquinum or in
Arcanum on the 9th. Now, my dear Atticus, throw
yourself heart and soul into this question, for it is an
important matter. There are three things open to
me : to stay at Arpinum, to come nearer to Rome,
or to go to Rome. What you advise, I will do ?
But answer at once. I am eagerly expecting a letter
from you. Sinuessa, Nov. 8 in the morning.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

On the 5th I received two letters from you, one Puteoli,
dated the first, the other a day earlier. So I am Nov. 6, B.C.
answering the earlier first. I am glad you like my 44
book, from which you quoted the very gems ; and
they seemed to me all the more sparkling for your
judgment on them. For I was afraid of those Fed
pencils ^ of yours. As for Sicca, it is as you say : I
could hardly hold myself in about Antony's lust.
So I will touch on it lightly without any opprobrium
for Sicca and Septimia, and only let our children's

> Cf. Alt. XV. 14, 4.

405

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

gov" sine ^aWw Luciliano eum ex C. Fadi filia liberos
habuisse. Atque utinam eum diem videam, cum ista
oratio ita libere vagetur, ut etiam in Siceae domum
introeat ! Sed " illo tempore opus est, quod fuit illis
III viris." Moriar, nisi facete ! Tu vero leges Sexto
eiusque iudicium mihi perscribes. "Ets ifiol ixvptoi."
Caleni interventum et Calvenae cavebis.

Quod vereris, ne dSdXecrxos mihi tu, quis minus?
Cui, ut Aristophani Archilochi iambus, sic epistula
tua longissima quaeque optima videtur. Quod me
admones, tu vero etiamsi reprenderes, non modo
facile paterer, sed etiam laetarer, quipjie cum in re-
prensione sit prudentia cum ev/xivela. Ita libenter ea
corrigam, quae a te animadversa sunt, "eodem iure
quo Rubriana" potius quam"quo Scipionis," et de
laudibus Dolabellae deruam cumulum. Ac tamen est
isto loco bella, ut mihi videtur, elpwvua, quod eum ter
contra cives in acie. Illud etiam malo : " indignissi-
mum est hunc vivere" quam "quid indignius ? "
n£7rAoypa<^tav Varronis tibi probari non moleste fero ;

■ 1 The point of this sentence is not obvious. The translation
follows Watson, who suggests that the pleasantry lies in
calling the days of the triumvirate free in comparison with
the date at which Cicero was writing. Other suggestions
are (a) that there is a play on the triumvirate and the fact
that Caesar and Ponipey each had three wives ; (b) that
Septimia had three husbands ; or (c) that it refers to some
earlier date, possibly Cicero's consulate, when P'adia had three
lovers. (Cf. Gurlitt, in Philo'oyus, Lvii. (1898) pp. 403-8).

* The Alexandrine grammarian, not the comic poet.

^ 2 Phil. 103, where Cicero accuses Antony of obtaining
possession of property by underhand means.

406

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI. 11

children know, without taking Lucilian licence,
that Antony had children by a daughter of Fadius.
I only wish I could see the day when my second
Philippic could be sufficiently freely circulated to
enter even Sicca's door. " But we want back the
days of freedom under the triumvirs." ^ Upon my
life that was a neat touch of yours. Please read my
book to Sextus and let me know his opinion. I
would take his word against all the world. Keep
your eyes open for the apjjearance of Calenus and
Calvena.

You fear I may think you a gas-bag. Who is less
of one? I am like Aristophanes- with Archilochus'
iambics — the longest letter of yours ever seems the
best to me. As for your giving me advice, why, if
you found fault with me, I should not only put up
with it cheerfully, but even be glad of it, since in
your fault-finding there is both wisdom and kindly
purpose. So I will willingly correct the point you
mention, and write " by the same right as you did
the property of Rubrius" instead of "the property
of Scipio " ; ^ and I will take the pinnacle off" my
praises of Dolabella. And yet to my thinking there
is fine irony in the passage where I say he had thrice
stood up in arms against his fellow-citizens.* Again
I prefer your "it is most unjust that such a man
should live" to "what can be more unjust?"^ I
am not sorry to hear you praise the Peplographia^

* 2 Phil. 75, with Caesar in Thessaly, Africa, and Spain.

" 2 Phil. 86. But the original reading is still found in our
MSS.

* A " book of worthies," so-called from the sacred robe,
embroidered with mythological and historical figures, offered
once a year to Athene at Athens. The book was possiblj'
identical with that generally known aa the Hebdomades sive
Imagints, but that is doubtful.

407

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

a quo adhuc 'HpaKAeiSctov illud non abstuli. Quod
me hortaris ad scribenduiHj amice tu quidem, sed me
scito agere nihil aliud. Gravedo tua mihi molesta
est. QuaesOj adhibe, quam soles diligentiam. " C)
Tite " tibi prodesse laetor. "Anagnini" sunt Mus-
tela Taiidpxv^ et Laco, qui plurimum bibit. Librum,
quem rogas, perpoliam et mittam.

Haec ad posteriorem. "To. Trepl tov KaOrjKovTo%,"
quatenus Panaetius, absolvi duobus. Illius tres sunt ;
sed, cum initio divisisset ita, ti*ia genera exquirendi
officii esse, unum, cum deliberemus, honestum an
turpe sit, alterum, utile an inutile, tertium, cum haec
inter se pugnare videantur, quo modo iudicandum
sit, qualis causa Reguli, redire honestum, manere
utile, de duobus primis praeclare disseruit, de tertio
pollicetur se deinceps, sed nihil scripsit. Eum locum
Posidonius persecutus est. Ego autem et eius librum
accersivi et ad Athenodorum Calvum scripsi, ut ad
me TO. K€0aAata mitteret ; quae exspecto. Quem
velim cohortere et roges, ut quam primum. In eo
est TTcpl TOV Kara TTtpiaTaa-iv Ka6r)K0VT0<;. Quod de in-
scriptione quaeris, non dubito, quin KaOrjKov '"officium"
sit, nisi quid tu aliud; sed inscriptio plenior "de
officiis." Yipo(r<l>(jiViii autem Ciceroni filio. Visum est
non avoLKUOv.

* O Tite are the opening words of the De Senectute.
408

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI. 11

of Varro ; I have not yrtt managed to get the book
in the style of Hcr.iclci<les from him. You exhort
me to go on writing. That is friendly of you ; but
let me tell you I do nothing else. I am sorry to hear
of your cold. Please take as much care as usual of
it. I am glad my book Oji Old Age ^ does you good.
The "men of Anagnia " ^ are Mustela, the swash-
buckler, and Laco, the champion toper. The book
you ask for I will polish up and send.

Now for the second letter. The De Officiis, so
far as Panaetius is concerned, I have finished in
two books. He has three : but, though at the
beginning he makes a three-fold division of cases
in which duty has to be determined, one when the
question is between right or wrong, another when
it 1!) between expediency and inexpediency, and
the third, how we are to decide when it is a con-
flict between duty and expediency — for example, in
Regulus' case to return would be right, to stay ex-
pedient— he treated of the first two brilliantly ; the
third he promises to add, but never wrote it. Posi-
donius took up that topic : but I have ordered his
book and written to Athenodorus Calvus to send me
an analysis of it, and that I am expecting. I wish
you would spur him on and beg him to let me have
it as soon as possible. In it duties under given cir-
cumstances are handled. As to your query about
the title, I have no doubt that KaOrJKov (duty) cor-
responds with officium, unless you have any other
suggestion to make. But the fuller title is De
Officiis. I am dedicating it to my son. It seems
to me not inappropriate.

2 2 Phil. 106. The names have been inserted, as they are
given in our MSS.

409

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

De Myrtilo dilucide. O quales tu semper istos .
Itane ? in D. Urutum ? Di istis ! Ego me, ut scrip-
seram, in Pompeianum non abdidi, primo tempestati-
bus, quibus nil taetrius ; deinde ab Octaviano cotidie
litterae, ut negotium susciperem, Capuam venirem,
iterum rem publicam servarem, Romam utique statim.

/Ztai, vil. 93 " AlSeadev fxtv avi^vaaOai, Setcrav S VTroSe^Oai.

Is tamen egit sane strenue et agit. Romam veniet
cum manu magna, sed est plane puer. Putat sena-
tum statim. Quis veniet? Si venerit, quis incertis
rebus offendet Antonium ? Kal. lanuar. erit fortasse
praesidio, aut quidem ante depugnabitur. Puero
municipia mire favent. Iter enim faciens in Sam-
nium venit Cales, mansit Teani. Mirifica a-rravT-qcns
et cohoi'tatio. Hoc tu putares? Ob hoc ego citius
Romam, quam constitueram. Simul et constituero,
scribam.

Etsi nondum stipulationes legeram (nee enim Eros
venerat), tamen rem pridie Idus velim conficias.
Epistulas Catinam, Tauromenium, Syracusas commo-
dius mittere potero, si Valerius interpres ad me
nomina gratiosorum scripserit. Alii enim sunt alias,
nostrique familiares fere demortui. Publice tamen
scripsi, si uti vellet eis Valerius ; aut mihi nomina
mitteret.

* Of attempting Antony's life.
410

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI. li

You make it as plain as daylight about Myrtilus.
How well you can always take that lot off! Is it
so ? Do they accuse D. Brutus ? ^ A malison on
them ! I have not hidden myself in Pompeii, as I
said I should ; first because of the weather, which
has been abominable, and secondly because I get a
letter from Octavian every day, asking me to take
a hand in affairs, to come to Capua, to save the Re-
public again, and anyhow to go to Rome at once.
It is a case of "ashamed to shirk, but yet afraid to
take." He, however, has been acting, and still is
acting, with great vigour. He will come to Rome
with a big army ; but he is such a boy. He thinks
he can call a Senate at once. Who will come ? If
anyone comes, who will offend Antony in this un-
certainty ? Perhaps he may act as a safeguard on
the 1st of January, or the battle may be over before
then. The country towns are wonderfully enthusi-
astic for the boy. For, as he was making his way to
Samnium, he came to Cales and stopped at Teanum.
There was a marvellous crowd to meet him and
cheers for him. Should you have thought it ? That
will make me come to Rome sooner than I had
intended. As soon as I have arranged, I will
write.

Though I have not yet read the agreements — for
Eros has not come yet — still I wish you would get
the business settled on the 12th. It will make it
easier for me to send letters to Catina, Tauromenium,
and Syracuse, if Valerius the interpreter will let me
know the names of the influential people. For such
people vary with the times, and most of my par-
ticular friends are dead. However, I have written
general letters, if Valerius will content himself with
them ; otherwise he must send me names.

411

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

De Le])idianis feriis Balbus ad me usque ad in Kal.
Exspectabo tuas litteras meque de Torquati negotiolo
sciturum puto, Quinti litteras ad te misij ut scires,
quam valde eum amaret, quem dolet a te minus
amari. Atticae, quoiii;im, quod optimum in pueris
est, hilarula est, meis verbis suavium des volo.

XII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in C)ppi epistulae, quia perhumana erat, tibi misi

/ uteolano exemplum. De Ocella, dum tu muginaris nee mihi
J.J ' yjn qiiicquam rescribis, cepi consilium domesticum itaque

me pr. Idus arbitror Romae futurum. Commodius
est visum frustra me istic esse, cum id non necesse
esset, quam, si opus esset, non adesse, et simul, ne
intercluderer, metuebam. Ille enim iam adventare
potest. Etsi varii rumores multique, quos cuperem
veros ; nihil tamen certi. Ego vero, quicquid est,
tecum potius, quam animi pendeam, cum a te absim,
et de te et de me. Sed quid tibi dicam ? Bonum
animum. De 'HpaKXeiSeiw Varronis negotia salsa.
Me quidem nihil umquam sic delectavit. Sed haec
et alia maiora coram.

413

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI. 11-12

About the holidays for Lepidus' inauguration,^
Balbus tells me they will last till the 29th. I am
looking for a letter from you, and hope I shall hear
about that little affair of Torquatus. I am sending
Quintus' letter to show you how strong his affection
is for tlie youth for whom he regrets you have so
little. Please give Attica a kiss in my name for
being such a merry little thing. It is the best sign
in children.

XII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I am sending you a copy of Oppius' letter, because Puteoli,
it is so very courteous. About Ocella, while you Nov. 6, b.c.
are messing about and not writing me a line, I 44,
have consulted my own wits, and so I think I shall
be in Rome on the 12th. I think it better for
me to come there to no purpose, even if it is not
necessary, than not to be there if it is, and at
the same time I am afraid of being shut in there.
For Antony may always be getting near. However,
there are plenty of different rumours, which I hope
may be true ; there is no definite news. For my
part, whatever it may be, I would rather be with
you, than be in suspense both about you and about
myself, when I am away from you. But what am
I to say to you ? Keep up your heart. About
Varro's work in Heracleides' vein, that's an amusinsr
business. I was never so pleased with anything.
But of this and more important things when we
meet.

^ As Pontifex Maximua.

41S

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
Xllla

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. Aquint O casum mirificum ! v Idus cum ante lucem de
IF Id. Nov. Sinuessano surrexissem venissemque diluculo ad pon-
a. 710 te,^ Tirenum, qui est Menturnis, in quo flexus est ad

iter Arpinas^ obviam mihi fit tabellarius ; qui me
offendit "8oXi;(or irXoov opfxaivovTa." At ego statim
" Cedo," inquam, "si quid ab Atlico." Nondum
legere poteramus ; nam et lumina dimiseramus, nee
satis lucebat. Cum autem luceret, ante scripta epis-
tula ex duabus tuis prior mihi legi coepta est. Ilia
omnium quidem elegantissima. Ne sim salvus, si
aliter scribo ac sentio. Nihil legi humanius. Itaque
veniam, quo vocas, modo adiutore te. Sed nihil tarn
aTrpocrSiovvaov mihi primo videbatur quam ad eas lit-
teras, quibus ego a te consilium petieram, te mihi
ista rescribere. Ecce tibi altera, qua hortaris '' 7ra/j'
Odyitty, ill. 171 ryvefioei'Ta M.tiJ.avTa, vri(rov eVt ^vpLrj<;," Appiam scilicet
"ctt' apiaTep' €;^ovra." Itaque CO die inansi Aquini.
Longulum sane iter et via mala. Inde postridie
mane proficiscens has litteras dedi.

Xlllb

ClCEllO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in • • • c* quidem, ut a me dimitterem invitissimus,

Arpinaii III fecerunt Erotis litterae. Rem tibi Tiro narrabit.
Id. Nov. a. Xi,^ q^iJ faciendum sit, videbis. PraeLerea, possimne
710

414

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI. I3a-13b
Xllla

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

Wliat a strange coincidence ! On the 9th I jjot Aquinum,
up before daybreak to go on from Sinuessa, and Nov. 10, B.c.
before dawn I had reached the Tirenian bridsre 44
at Menturnae, where the road for Arpinum branches
off, when I met a messenger, who found me ''on a
far journey bent." I at once enquired : " Pray, is
there anything from Atticus.?" I could not read
as yet, for I had dismissed the link-bearers and it
was not yet light enough. But, when it got light,
I began to read the first of your two letters, having
already written one to you. Your note was a model
of elegance. Upon my life I am not saying more
than I mean, I never read a kinder. So I will
come, when you call me, provided you will assist
me. But at first sight I thought nothing could
be more mal d propos than such an ansAver to a
letter in which I had asked for your advice. Then
there is your other letter, in which you advise
me to go " by windy Mimas towards the Psyrian
isle,"^ that is keeping the Appian way on the
left side. So I have stayed the day at Aquinum.
It was rather a wearisome journey and the road
was bad. This letter I am sending the next
morning as I am leaving.

Xlllb

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

. . . and indeed Eros' letter made me dismiss hiiu Arpinum,

most unwillingly. Tiro will explain it to you. Pray Nov. 11, B.C.

see what can be done. Besides let me know whether 44

> By Mimas Cicero means the Apennines, and by vrjao^
^vpi-ns the insula Arpinaa.

415

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

propius acccdere (malo enim esse in Tusculano aut
uspiam in suburbano), an etiam longius discedendum
putes, erebro ad me velim scribas. Erit autem
cotidie, cui des. Quod praeterea consiiliSj quid tibi
censeam faciundum, difficile est, cum absim. Verum
tamen, si pares aeque inter se, quiescendum, sin,
latius manabit et quidem ad nos, deinde com-
muniter.

XIIIc

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Avide tuum consilium exspecto. Timeo, ne absim,

Arpinali III cum adesse me sit honestius ; temere venire non

77V) '^ audeo. De Antoni itineribus nescio quid aliter

audio, atque ut ad te scribebam. Omnia igitur velim

explices et ad me certa mittas.

De reliquo quid tibi ego dicam ? Ardeo studio
historiae (incredibiliter enim me commovet tua cohor-
tatio) ; quae quidem nee institui nee effici potest sine
tua ope. Coram igitur hoc quidem conferemus. In
praesentia mihi velim scribas, quibus consulibus C.
Fannius M. f. tribunus pi. fuerit. Videor mihi au-
disse P. Africano, L. Mummio censoribus. Id igitur
quaero. Tu mihi de iis rebus, quae novantur, omnia
certa, clara. in Idus ex Arpinati.

416

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI. I3b-13c

you think I can come nearer Rome — for I should
prefer to be at Tusculum or somewhere in the
neighbourhood of Rome- or whether I ought to
go further off. Write frequentl}' about it. There
will be someone to give a letter to every day. You
ask my advice too as to what I think you ought
to do. It is difficult to say, when I am not at
Rome. However, if the two' seem equal, keep
quiet ; if not, the news will spread even here ; then
we will take common counsel.

XIIIc

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I am expecting your advice eagerly. I fear I Arpinum,
may be absent, when honour demands my presence ; Nov. 11, u.c.
yet 1 dare not come rashly. About Antony's march 44
I hear now rather a different tale from what I wrote.
So I wish you would unravel the whole mystery and
send me certain news.

For the rest what can 1 say } I have a burning
passion for history— for your suggestion has had
a wonderful efl'ect upon me — but it is not easy to
begin or to carry it out without your assistance.
So we will discuss it when we meet. At the present
moment I wish you would tell me in what year
C. Fannius, son of Marcus, was tribune. I think
I have been told it was in the censorship of
Africanus and Mummius. So that is what I want
to know. Please send me clear and certain details
of all the changes in the constitution. Arj)inum,

Nov. 11.

* Anton}' and Octavian.

417

vol,, in. p

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XIV

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. in Nihil erat plane, quod scriberem. Nam, cum

Irpinalt Puteolis essem, cotidie aliquid novi de Octaviano,
medio mense
Novembri a "^"'^^ etiam falsa de Antomo. Ad ea autem, quae

710 scripsisti (tres enim acceperam in Idus a te epistulas),

valde tibi adsentior, si multum possit Octavianus,

multo firmius acta tyranni comprobatum iri quam in

Telluris, atque id contra Brutum fore. Sin autem

vincitur, vides intolerabilem Antonium, ut, queni

velis, nescias. O Sesti tabellarium horainem ne-

quam ! Postridie Puteolis Romae se dixit fore. Quod

me mones, ut pedetemptim, adsentior ; etsi aliter

cogitabam. Nee me Philippus aut Marcellus movet.

Alia enim eorum ratio est et, si non est, tamen vide-

tur. Sed in isto iuvene, quamquam animi satis,

auctoritatis parum est. Tamen vide, si forte in Tus-

culano recte esse possum, ne id melius sit. Ya'o

libentius ; nihil enim ignorabo. An liic, cum Anto-

nius venerit }

Sed, ut aliud ex alio, mihi non est dubium, quin,

quod Graeci KaOyJKov, nos "officium." Id autem

quid dubitas quin etiam in rem publicam jiraeclare

quadret? Nonne dicimus "consulum officium, sena-

^ Where the Senate met on March 17, two dajs after the
munler of Caesar. Cf. AU. xiv. 10.
418

LET'JERS TO ATTICUS XVJ. 14

XIV

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

I have notliing whatever to write about. For, Arpinuvi,
when 1 was at Puteoli, there was something fresh middle of
about Octavian every day, and plenty of false Nov., u.c. 44
reports about Antony. However, I had three
letters from you on the fifth, and I strongly agree
with what you said, that if Octavian has much
success, the tyrant's proposals will receive stronger
confirmation than they did in the temple of Tellus,^
and that will be against the interests of Brutus.
But if, on the other hand, he is conquered, you
see Antony will be intolerable; so you don't know
which you want. What a rascal Sestius' messenger
is ! He said he would be in Rome the day after
he left Puteoli ! You advise me to move slowly,
and I agree, though once I thought differently.
I am not influenced by Philip})us or Marcellus ;
for their position is different, or, if it is not, it
looks as though it were.^ But that youth, though
he has jjlenty of spirit, has little influence. How-
ever, see whether it would not be better for me
to be at Tusculum, if I should do right in being
there. I would rather be there ; for I should get
all the news. Or had I better be here when
Antony comes?

]?ut, as one thing suggests another,^ I know that
what the Greeks call KadrJKov (duty), we call officium.
But why should you doubt whether the word fits
a})propi-iately in political affairs .'' Don't we say the

"^ Marcellus was Octavian's brother-in-law ; Philippus his
stepfather.

^ Apparently the idea of "duty" was suggested hy recti,
just aljove, though it hardly bears that meaning in this case.

419

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

tus otficium, imperatoris officium " ? Praeclare con-
venit; aut da melius. Male narras de Nepotis filio.
Valde mehercule moveor et moleste fero. Nescieram
oninino esse istum puerum. Caninium perdidi, homi-
nem^ quod ad nie attlnet, non ingratuin. Atheno-
dorum nihil est quod hortere. Misit eniin satis
bt'llum vTrofjivrjiJia. Gravedini^ quaeso, omni ratione
subveni. Avi tui pronepos scribit ad patris mei
nepotem se ex Nonis iis, quibus nos ma<?na ges-
simus, aedem Opis explicaturum idque ad populum.
Videbis igitur et scribes. Sexti iudicium ex-
specto.

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

Scr. tn Noli putare pigritia me facere, quod non mea

Arpinati nianu scribam, sed mehercule pigritia. Nihil enim

ante I . Id. habeo aliud, quod dicam. P^t tamen in tuis quoque

epistulis Alexin! videor adgnoscere. Sed ad rem

venio.

Ego, si me non improbissime Dolabella tractasset,
dubitassem fortasse, utrum remissior essem an summo
iure contenderem. Nunc vero etiam gaudeo mihi
causam oblatam, in qua et ipse sentiat et reliqui
omncs me ab illo abalienatum, idque prae me feram,
et qiiidem me mea causa facere et rei publicae, ut

* For Cicero's defence of him in 55 B.C.
' Young Quiutus Cicero to Cicero's son.
420

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVT. 14-15

officium of consuls, of the Senate, of generals? It
is quite appropriate ; if not, suggest a better word.
That is bad news about Nepos' son. I am much
disturbed and distressed. I had no idea he had
such a son. I liave lost Canidius, a man who, so far as
I was concerned, has not been ungrateful.^ There
is no necessity for you to stir up Athenodorus. He
has sent me quite a good memorandum. Pray do all
you can for your cold. Your grandfather's great-
grandson writes to my father's grandson ^ that
after the 5th of December, the day of my great
achievement,^ he means to explain about the temple
of Ops,^ and that in public. Keep your eyes open
then and let me know. I am anxious to hear what
Sextus has to say.

CICERO TO ATTICUS, (JUKETING.

Don't think it is laziness that prevents my writing Arpinum,
myself; and yet, to be sure, it is nothing but lazi- before
ness, for I have no other excuse to make. However, Dec. 9 b.c
I seem to recognize Alexis' hand in your letters too. 4,4.
But to come to the point.

If Dolabella had not treated me most dissri'ace-
fully, I should perhaps have had some doubt
whether to let him down lightly or to claim my
full rights. But, as it is, I am glad to have some
reason for showing him and other people that I
have quarrelled with him ; and I will make it clear
that I detest him both on my own account and
on that of the Republic, because, when at my in-

" The arrest of the Catilinarian conspirators in 63 B.C.
■• Antony's seizure of the public funds deposited in that
temple. Cf. xiv. 14.

42]

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

ilium oderim, quod, cum earn me auctore defendere
coepisset, non modo deseruerit emptus pecunia, sed
etiam, quantum in ipso fuerit, evertei'it. Quod autem
quaeris, quo modo agi placeat, cum dies venerit,
primum velim eius modi sit^ ut non alienum sit me
Romae esse ; de quo ut de ceteris faciam, ut tu cen-
sueris. De summa autem agi prorsus vehementer et
severe volo. Etsi sponsores appellare videtur habere
quandam SvawirLav, tamen, hoc quale sit, consideres
velim. Possumus enim, ut sponsores appellemus,
procuratorem inti'oducere ; neque enim illi litem
contestabuntur. Quo facto non sum nescius spon-
sores liberari. Sed et illi turpe arbitror eo nomine,
quod satisdato debeat, procuratores eius non dissol-
vere et nostrae gravitatis ius nostrum sine summa
illius ignominia persequi. De hoc quid placeat,
rescribas velim ; nee dubito, quin hoc totum lenius
administratux'us sis.

Redeo ad rem publicam. Multa mehercule a te
saepe in ttoAiti/co) genere prudenter, sed his litteris
nihil prudentius : " Quamquam enim potest et^ in
praesentia belle iste puer retundit Antonium, tamen
exitum exspectare debemus." At quae contio ! nam
est missa mihi. lurat, ita sibi parentis honores con-
sequi liceat, et simul dextram intendit ad statuam.
Mr^Se (TUiOdiqv vtto yc tolovtov ! Sed, ut scribis, certis-
simum ease video discrimen Cascae nostri tribunatum,
de quo quidem ipso dixi Oppio, cum me hortaretur,

^ potest et Gronovius : postea MSS.

422

1 Or " is capable of holding and at present does hold.'
^ A contio delivered by Uctavian.

LETTERS TO ATTIC US XVI. 15

stigation he had begun to defend it, he not only
accepted a bribe to desert it, but did his best
to overthrow it. You ask how I want things to
be managed when the day comes. First, I should
like them to be so arranged that it may appear
natural for me to come to Rome. But about that,
and indeed about the rest, I will do as you advise.
On the main point, however, I want really active
and serious steps to be taken. Though it is counted
bad form to call upon the sureties for payment, still
consider how that method would do. We can l)rinu
his agents into the case in order to call upon the
sureties, for the agents will not dispute the suit,
though, if they do, I know of course the sureties
will escape. But I think it will be a disgrace for
him, if his agents do not pay up a debt for which he
gave security, and my position demands that I should
prosecute my case without extreme humiliation to
him. Please write and tell me what you think best ;
I have no doubt you will carry it through with
reasonable moderation.

I return to public affairs. You have often said
many a wise thing about politics, but never any-
thing wiser than this letter : " For though the youth
is strong and at present holds ^ Antony well in check,
still we must wait and see." But what a speech ! '^
For it has been sent to me. He swears by his hopes
of attaining to the honours of his father, and at the
same time stretches out his hand towards the statue.
Be hanged to salvation with a saviour like that !
But, as you say, I see Casca's tribuneship will afford
the best criterion of his policy.^ It was apropos of
that that I said to Oppius, when he wanted me to

^ Casca was one of the murderers of Caesar, and tribune
elect.

42 f5

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

ut adulescentem totamque causam manumque vetera-
norum complecterer, me iiullo modo facere posse, ni
inihi exploratum esset euni non modo non inimicum
tyrannoctonis, verum etiam amicum fore. Cum ille
diceret ita futurum, "Quid igitur festinamus ? " in-
quam. " Illi enim mea opera ante Kal. Ian. nihil
opus est, nos autem eius voluntatem ante Idus
Decembr. perspiciemus in Casca." Valde mihi ad-
sensus est. Quam ob rem liaec quidem hactenus.
Quod reliquum est, cotidie tabellarios habebis, et, ut
ego arbitror, etiam quod scribas, habebis cotidie.
Leptae litterarum exemplum tibi misi, ex quo milii
videtur ^rparuAa^ ille deiectus de gradu. Sed tu,
cum legeris, existumabis.

Obsignata iam epistula litteras a te et a Sexto
accepi. Nihil iucundius litteris Sexti, nihil ama-
bilius. Nam tuae breves, priores erant uberrimae.
Tu quidem et prudenter et amice suades, ut in his
locis potissimum sim, quoad audiamus, haec, quae
commota sunt, quorsus evadant. Sed me, mi Attice,
non sane hoc quidem tempore movet res publica, non
quo aut sit mihi quicqu an carius aut esse debeat,
sed desperatis etiam Hippocrates vetat adhibere
medicinam. Quare ista valeant ; me res familiaris
movet. Rem dico ; immo vero existimatio. Cum
enim tanta reliqua sint, ne Terentiae quidem adhuc
quod solvam expeditum est. Terentiam dico ; scis
nos pridem iam constituisse Montani nomine HS xxV
dissolvere. Pudentissime hoc Cicero petierat ut fide
sua. Liberalissime, ut tibi quoque placuerat, pro-
424

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI. 15

open my arms to the youth, the whole cause, and
the troop of veterans, that I could not do anythint,^
of the kind, until I had made sure that lie would
not only not be an enemy, but would be a friend to
the tyraiuiicides. He said that would be so, and I
replied : '' Then, what is the hurry ? He does not
want my assistance before the 1st of January, and
we shall see what he intends before the middle of
December in Casca's case." He quite agreed with
me. So that's enough of that. For the rest you
will have messengers every day, and I think you will
iiave something to -write every day too. I am sending
a copy of Lepta's letter, and from it you will see
tliat that toy captain ^ has had a fall. But you will
judge for yourself when you have read it.

When I had already sealed this letter, I got one
from you and one from Sextus. Nothing could have
been pleasanter or more amiable than Sextus' lettei*.
For yours was a short note, the earlier one having
been very full. It is wise and friendly advice you
give me to stay here by preference, till we hear how
this disturbance is going to end. But just at this
minute, my dear Atticus, it is not the Republic that
I am bothered about — not that any thing is or ought
to be deai-er to me, but even Hippocrates admits it
is useless to apply medicine in desperate cases. So
let that go hang — it is my private concerns that
bother me. Concerns, do I say .? Nay, rather my
credit ; for, though I have such big balances, I have
not even enough money on hand yet to pay Terentia.
Do I speak of Terentia? You kno\v we arranged
long ago to pav Montanus' debt of .£250.- My pon
very considerately begged me to do it out of his
credit. As you also agreed, I promised quite freely,
^ Anloiiy. ^ 25 sestertia.

425

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

miseram, Erotique dixcrum, ut seposituin haberet.
Non modo non fecit sed iniquissimo faenore versuram
facere Aurelius coactus est. Nam de Terentiae
nomine Tiro ad me scripsit te dicere nummos a
Dolabella fore. Male eiun credo intellexisse, si quis-
quam male intellegit, potius nihil intellexisse. Tu
enim ad me sciipsisti Coccei responsum et isdem
paene verbis Eros. Veniendum est igitur vel in
ipsam flammam. Turpius est enim privatim cadere
quam publice. Itaque ceteris de rebus, quas ad me
suavissume scripsistij perturbato animo non potui, ut
consueram, rescribere. Consenti hac cura/ ubi sum,
ut me expediam ; quibus autem rebus, venit quidem
mihi in mentem, sed certi constituere nihil possum,
prius quam te videro. Qui minus autem ego istic
recte esse possim, quam est Marcellus ? Sed non id
agitur, neque id maxime euro; quid curem, vides.
Adsum igitur.

XVI

CICERO SUO SAL. OIC. ATTICO.

Scr. in Tits- lucundissimas tuas legi litteras. Ad Plancum
culano inter scripsi, misi. Habes exemplum. Cum Tirone quid
^ -J V ^^^ locutus, cognoscam ex ipso. Cum sorore ages

n ■ 4 i^-in attentius, si te occupatione ista relaxaris.

^ consenti hac cura Tyrrell : consenti in hac oura MSS. :
coutendo Astura Gurlitt.

426

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI. 15-1G

and told Eros to set a sum apart for it. Not only did
he fail to do so, but Aurclius^ had to raise another
loan at extortionate interest. For Terentia's debt
Tiro tells me you said there would be money from
Dolabella. I think he misunderstood you, if anyone
can misunderstand anybody, or rather he did not
understand at all. For you sent me Cocceius' answer,
and so did Eros in nearly the same words. So I must
come even into the heart of the conflagration, for
private failure is even more disgraceful than public
failure. So for the other matters contained in your
pleasant letter, I was too perturbed in mind to
answer them as usual. Combine Avith me in ex-
tricating me from the tiresome position I am in ;
how it is to be done I have some idea, but I cannot
arrange things with certainty till I see you. How-
ever, how can I be less safe in Rome than Mar-
cellus ? But that is not the point, nor is it my
chief anxiety ; Avhat I am anxious about you see.
So I am coming.

XVI

CICERO SENDS GREETING TO HIS FRIEND ATTICUS.

I have read your delightful letter. To Plancus I Tuscidum,
have written and sent the letter. Here is a copy, between
What he said to Tiro I shall learn from Tiro Jtdy 3 and 0,
himself. You will attend more carefully to your b.c. 44
sister's affairs, if you have a rest from that other
business of yours.

* Agent of Montanus.

427

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XVIa

M. CICERO I,. PLANCO PRAET. DESIG. SAL.

Scr. in Tiix- Attici nostri te valde studiosum esse cognovi, niei

culano eiuiem vero ita cupidum, ut mehercule paucos aeque obser-

cmpore vantes atque amaiites me habere existimem. Ad

paternas enim magnas et veteres et iiistas necessi-

tudines magnam attulit accessionem tua voluntas

erga me meaque erga te par atque mutua.

Buthrotia tibi causa ignota non est. Egi enim
saepe de ea re tecum tibique totam rem demonstravi ;
quae est acta hoc modo. Ut primum Buthrotium
agrum proscriptum vidimus, commotus Atticus libel-
lum composuit. Eum mihi dedit, ut darem Caesari ;
eram enim cenaturus apud eum illo die. Eum libel-
hmi Caesari dedi. Probavit causam, rescripsit Attico
aequa eum postulare, admonuit tamen, ut pecuniam
reliquam Buthrotii ad diem solverent. Atticus, qui
civitatem conservatam cuperet, pecuniam nuuieravit
de suo. Quod cum esset factum, adiimus ad Caesa-
rem, verba fecimus pro Buthrotiis, liberalissimum
decretum abstulinius; quod est obsignatum ab am-
plissimis viris. (^uae cum essent acta, mirari equidem
solebam pati Caesarem convenire eos, qui agrum
Buthrotium concupissent, neque solum pati, sed etiam
ei negotio te praeficere. Itaque et ego cum illo
locutus sum et saepius quidem, ut etiam accusai'er
ab eo, quod parum constantiae suae confiderem, et
M. Messallae et ipsi Attico dixit, ut sine cura essent,
428

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVT. l(ia
XVIa

M. CICKRO TO L. I'LANCUS, PRAETOR EI.KCT, GREETING

I know you are much attached to our friend At- Tusculum,
tieus, and to my society you are so partial that I am at the same
sure I count myself to have few friends so attentive time
and affectionate. For our ancestral ties, so stronsr
and old and natural, have been strengthened by the
equal and reciprocal liking we have, you for me and
I for you.

The case of the Buthrotians is not unknown to
you. For I have often spoken to you about it and
explained the whole affair to you. This is what has
happened. When first we saw that the lands of
Buthrotum had been confiscated, Atticus was troubled
and composed a petition. That he gave to me to
hand to Caesar, for I was going to dine with him
that day. That petition I handed to Caesar. He
approved of the case and wrote back to Atticus
that his request was reasonable, but he warned him
that the Buthrotians must pay the rest of the money
at the })roper time. Atticus, who wanted to save
the city, jiaid the money on his own account. When
that was done we approached Caesar, said a word for
the Buthrotians, and obtained a most generous decree,
which was signed by persons of importance. After
that I was much astonished that Caesar used to let
those who had coveted the land of the Buthrotians
hold meetings, and not only allowed them to do so,
but even put 3'ou at the head of the commission.
So I spoke to him about it, and that indeed so often
that he even reproached me for having so little faith
in his consistency ; and he told Messalla and Atticus
himself not to worry about it, and admitted candidly

429

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

aperteque ostendebat se praesentium animos (erat
enim popularis, ut novas) ofFendere nolle ; cum autem
mare transissent, curaturum se, ut in alium agrum
deducerentur. Haec illo vivo. Post interitum autem
Caesaris, ut primum ex senatus consul to causas con-
sules cognoscere instituerunt, haec, quae supra scripsi,
ad eos delata sunt. Probaverunt causam sine ulla
dubitatione seque ad te litteras daturos esse dixerunt.
Ego autem, mi Plance, etsi non dubitabam, quin et
senatus consultum et lex et consulum decretum ac
litterae apud te plurimum auctoritatis haberent, teque
ipsius Attici causa velle intellexeram, tamen hoc pro
ooniunctione et benevolentia nostra mihi sumpsi, ut
id a te peterem, quod tua singularis humanitas sua-
vissimique mores a te essent impetraturi. Id autem
est, ut hoc, quod te tua sponte focturum esse certu
scio, honoris nostri causa libenter, prolixe, celeriter
facias. Mihi nemo est amicior nee iucundior nee
carior Attico, Cuius antea res solum familiaris age-
batur eaque magna, nunc accessit etiam existimatio,
ut, quod consecutus est magna et industria et gratia
et vivo Caesare et mortuo, id te adiuvante obtineat.
Quod si a te erit impetratum, sic velim existimes,
me de tua liberalitate ita interpretaturum, ut tuo
summo beneficio me adfectum iudicem. Ego, quae
te velle quaeque ad te pertinere arbitrabor, studiose
diligeuterque curabo. Da operam, ut valeas.

430

LETTEUS TO ATTIC US XVI. l6a

that he did not want to offend tlie people, while they
were in Rome — for, as you know, he aimed at popu-
larity— but when they were across the sea, he would
see to it that they were transferred to some other
land. That was what happened in Caesar's lifetime.
But, after Caesar's death, as soon as the consuls in
accordance with a decree of the Senate beeran to in-
vestigate cases, the facts as I have stated them were
put before them. They approved of the case without
any hesitation, and said they would send you letters.
Now, my dear Plancus, though I have no doubt that
a decree of the Senate, a statute, a decree of the
consuls, and their despatch, will have tlie greatest
weight with you, and I understand that you will
wish to please Atticus himself, yet 1 have taken it
upon myself in view of our connection and affection,
to ask you for what your own exceptional amiability
and 3four goodness of heart would win from you
themselves. That is, that you should for my sake
do this thing, which I am sure you will do of
your own accord, freely, fully, and quickly. I have
no greater and no dearer friend than Atticus. At
first it was only a question of his money, and a good
sum of it too ; but now it concerns his credit too,
that he should obtain with your assistance what he
won by his great persistency and his popularity both
in Caesar's lifetime and after his death. If he ob-
tains it from you, I hope you will consider that I
shall interpret your liberality as a great favour be-
stowed upon myself For my part, I will show
care and diligence in anything that I think you
desire or that concerns you. Take care of your
health.

431

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XVI b

CICERO PLANCO PRAET. OESIO. SAL.

Scr. paulo lam antea petivi abs te per litteraSj ut, cum causa

post ep. loa Buthrotiorum probata a consulibus esset, quibus et
lege et senatus consul to permissum erat, ut de
Caesaris actis cognoscerent, statuerent, iudicarent^
earn rem tu adiuvares, Atticumque nostrum, cuius te
studiosum cognovi, et me, qui non minus laboro,
molestia liberares. Omnibus enim rebus magna cura,
multa opera et labore confectis in te positum est, ut
nostrae sollicitudinis finem quam primum facere possi-
mus. Quamquam intellegimus ea te esse prudentia,
ut videas, si ea decreta consulum, quae de Caesaris
actis interposita sunt, non serventur, magnam pertur-
bationem rerum fore. Equidem, cum multa, quod
necesse erat in tanta occupatione, non probentur,
quae Caesar statuerit, tamen otii pacisque causa acer-
rime ilia soleo defenderc. Quod tibi idem magno
opere faciendum censeo ; quamquam haec epistula
non suasoris est, sed rogatoris. Igitur, mi Fiance,
rogo te et etiam atque etiam oro sic medius fidius, ut
maiore studio magisque ex animo agere non })ossim,
ut totum hoc negotium ita agas, ita tractes, ita con-
ficias, ut, quod sine uUa dubitatione apud consules
obtinuimus propter summam bonitatem et aequitatem
causae, id tu nos obtinuisse non mode facile patiare,
sed etiam gaudeas. Qua quidem voluntate te esse
erga Atticum saepe praesens et illi ostendisti et vero
482

LETTERS TO ATTIC US XVI. Ibb

XVI b

CICEHO TO IM.ANCUS, PRAETOR ELECT, GREETINO.

I have already written to ask you to render assist- Written
ance in the matter of the Butlirotians, since the shortly after
consuls, who liad the authority of a statute and a 16a
senatorial decree to investigate, determine, and decide
on Caesar's proceedings, have approved of their case ;
and to relieve Atticus, whom I know you admire, and
myself, who am as much concerned as he is, from
trouble. For now that we have brought the whole
business to an end with the expenditure of much
care, much labour, and pains, it rests with you to
allow us to make an end to our anxiety as earlv as
[)0ssib]e. However, I am sure that you have wisdom
enough to see, that, if the decisions delivered by the
consuls about Caesar's proceedings are not observed,
things will be thrown into great confusion. For my
part, though one cannot approve of many of Caesar's
arrangements — as was natural in the case of a person
so busv — still I am wont to uphold them staunchly
for tlie sake of peace and quietness : and I am
strongly of the oj)inion that you should do the same,
though I am not writing as an adviser but as a sup-
pliant. So, my dear Plancus, I beg and beseech you
— and I do assure you I could not be more anxious
or more in earnest about anything — to take in hand,
to conduct, and to carry through all this business in
such a way, that, what we have obtained from the
consuls without any hesitation solely on the justice
and equity of our case, we may obtain from you not
only with your kind indulgence but with alacrity on
your part. How kindly disposed you are to Atticus
vou have often shown him and me, too, when we

433

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

etiam mihi. Quod si feceris, me, quern voluntate et
paterna necessitudine coniunctum semper habuistij
inaximo beneficio devinctum habebis, idque ut facias,
te vehementer etiam atque etiam rogo.

XVIc

CICEHO CAPITONI SUO SAL.

Scr. eodem Numquam ])utavi fore ut supplex ad te venirem ;

tempore quo sed hercule facile patior datum tempus, in quo amo-
ep. loo j.gj^ experirer tuum. Atticum quanti faciam, scis.

Amabo te, da mihi et hoc, obliviscere niea causa
ilium aliquando suo familiari, adversario tuo voluisse
consultum, cum illius existimatio ageretur. Hoc
primum ignoscere est humanitatis tuae ; suos enim
quisque debet tueri ; deinde, si me amas (omitte
Atticum), Ciceroni tuo, quern quanti facias, prae te
soles ferre, totum hoc da, ut, quod semper existimavi,
nunc plane intellegam, me a te multum amari.
Buthrotios cum Caesar decreto suo, quod ego obsig-
navi cum multis amplissimis viris, liberavisset osten-
dissetque nobis se, cum agrarii mare transissent,
litteras missurum, quem in agrum deducerentur,
accidit, ut subito ille interiret. Deinde, quem ad
modum tu scis (interfuisti enim), cum consules opor-
teret ex senatus consulto de actis Caesai'is cogno-
scere, res ab iis in Kal. lun. dilata est. Accessit ad
senatus consultum lex, quae lata est a. d. iiii Non.
434

LETTERS TO AT'IICUS XVI. l6b-c

have been together. If you will do this, you will have
bound me — who have always been attached to you
by my own inclination and by our family friend-
ship — to you under a heavy obligation, and I beg you
earnestly and repeatedly to do so.

XVIc

CICERO TO CAPITO, GREETING

I never thouglit I should have to come before you JVritien at
as a suppliant, but upon my soul I am not sorry that the same time
I should have an occasion for testing your affection, as 1Gb
You know how fond I am of Atticus. Pray grant
me one other favour and forget for my sake that
once he wished to support a friend of his, who was
an enemy of yours, when his reputation was at stake.
In the first place your kindly disposition should bid
you forgive that, for everyone ouglit to look after
his own friends ; in the next place, leaving Atticus
out of the question, if you love me — and you are
always declaring how great is the respect you have
for your friend Cicero — grant me that now I may
know for a certainty what I have alwavs believed,
that you have a great affection for me. \ly a decree,
which I and many important persons signed, Caesar
set free the Buthrotians, and assured us that, when
the land-commissioners had crossed the sea, he would
send a despatch about the territory to which they
should be transferred ; and then it happened that he
died suddenly. Then, as you know (for you were
present), when the consuls ought to have decided on
Caesar's proceedings in accordance with a senatorial
decree, they postponed the matter till the 1st of
June. On the 2nd of June a law was passed in

43.5

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

lun., quae lex earum rerum, quas Caesar statuisset,

decrevisset, egisset, consulibus cognitionem dedit.

Causa Buthrotiorum delata est ad consules. Decre-

tum Caesaris recitatum est et multi praeterea libelli

Caesaris prolati. Consules de consilii sententia de-

creveruiit secundum Buthrotios : littei'asad^ PJancuni

dederunt. Nunc, mi Capito (scio enim, quantum

semper apud eos, quibuscum sis, posse soleas, eo plus

apud hominem facillimum atque humanissimum,

Plancum), enitere, elabora vel potius eblandire, effice,

ut Plancus, quem spero optimum esse, sit etiam

melior opera tua. Omnino res huius modi mihi

videtur esse, ut sine cuiusquam gratia Plancus ipse

pro ingenio et prudentia sua non sit dubitaturus,

quin decretum consulum, quorum et lege et senatus

consul to cognitio et iudicium fuit, conservet, prae-

sertim cum hoc genere cognitionuin labefactato acta

Caesaris in dubium ventura videantur, quae non mcdo

ii, quorum interest, sed etiam ii, qui ilia non probant,

otii causa confirmari velint. Quod cum ita sit, tamen

interest nostra Plancum hoc aniuio libenti prolixoque

facere ; quod certe faciet, si tu nervulos tuos mihi

saepe cognitos suavitatemque, qua nemo tibi par

est, adhibueris. Quod ut facias, te vehementer

rogo.

1 litteias ad added hy Manutius.

136

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI. 1 6c

addition to the decree of the Senate^ granting the
consuls the right of deciding on Caesar's statutes,
decrees, and proceedings. The case of the Buthro-
tians Avas put before the consuls. Caesar's decree
was read to them, and many other pajiers of Caesar's
were brought forward too. By the advice of their
council the consuls decided in favour of tiie Buthro-
tians, and sent a despatch to Plancus. Now, Capito,
I know the influence you always have over those
with whom you are, especially with so amiable and
good-natured a person as Plancus ; please use all
your energy, or rather all your powers of persuasion,
and make Plancus, who I hope will be sufficiently
kindly himself, still more kindly. In any case I think
this is the state of affairs : that without favouring
anybody, Plancus will have sense and wisdom enough
to have no hesitation in obeying the decree of the
consuls, who had the right of enquiry and decision
conferred upon them by law and by a senatorial
decree, especially as, if this kind of decision is ren-
dered null, Caesar's proceedings may well be called
in question ; and not only those who benefit by
them, but even those who disapprove of them, have
to give them their support for the sake of peace.
Though that is the case, still it is to our interest
that Plancus should do this willingly and freely;
and no doubt he will if you exert your influence,
which I know so well, and your persuasive power,
which is unequalled : and that I beg you earnestly
to do.

VOL. III. Q

J /

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
XVId

CICEKO C. CUPIENNIO s.

Scr. eodem Patrem tuum plurimi feci, meque ille mirifice et

empore quo cqI^j^ (.^ amavit ; nee meliereule uniquam mihi dubium
ep. 16c ,

f uit, quill a te diligerer ; ego quidem id facere non

destiti. Quani ob rem peto a te in maiorem modum,

ut civitateni Buthrotiam subleves decretumque con-

sulum, quod ii secundum Buthrotios fecerunt, cum

et lege et senatus consulto statuendi potestatem

haberentj des operam ut Plancus noster quam pri-

mum confirmet et comprobet. Hoc te vehementer,

mi Cupienni, etiarn at que etiam rogo,

XVIe

ClCEllO Pl.ANCO PRAET. DES. S,

Scr. post ep. Ignosce milii, quod, cum antea accuratissime de
^"" Buthrotiis ad te scripserim, eadem de re saepius

scribam. Non mehercule, mi Fiance, facio, quo
parum confidam aut liberalitati tuae aut nostrae ami-
citiae, sed, cum tanta res agatur Attici nostri, nunc
vero etiam existimatio, ut id, quod probavit Caesar
nobis testibus et obsignatoribus, qui et decretis et
responsis Caesaris interfueramus, videatur obtinere
potuisse, praesertim cum tota potestas eius rei tua
sit, ut ea, quae consules decrevt-runt secundum
438

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVI. l6d-e
XVId

CICERO TO C. CUPIENNIUSj GREETING.

I was a great admirer of your father, and he was Written at
exceedingly attentive and affectionate to me; and I the same lime
am sure I have never had any doubt that you have a. as 16c
regard for me. Certainly I have never ceased to
have one for you. So I beg you witli more than
usual earnestness to assist the city of Buthrotum,
and to make it your business that our friend Plancus
should confirm and verify the decree which the
consuls made in favour of the Buthrotians, when
they had been granted the power of settling the
question both bj^a statute and by a senatorial decree,
riiis I do most earnestly beg and entreat you, mv
dear Cuj)iennius.

XVIe

CICERO TO PLANCUS, PRAETOR ELECT, GREETING.

Pardon me for writing again on the same subject, Written
when I have already written very fully to you about after 16b
the Buthrotians. I do assure you, my dear Plancus,
that I do not do so because I have little faith in your
generosity or your friendship for me. But my friend
Atticus has so great a monetary stake in the matter;
and now, what is more, his very reputation is in-
volved in showing that he can obtain what Caesar
approved of, and we, who were present when Caesar
made his decrees and gave his answer, witnessed and
sealed. And I appeal to you especially, because it
is a case where the whole power, I will not sav of
confirming, but of confirming freely and Avillingly

439

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Caesaris decreta et responsa, non dicam comprobes,
sed studiose libenterque comj)robes. Id mihi sic
erit gratum, ut nulla res gratior esse possit. Etsi
iam sperabam, cum has litteras accepisses, fore ut ea,
quae superioribus litteris a te petissemus, impetrata
essent, tamen non faciam finem rogandij quoad nobis
nuntiatum erit te id fecisse, quod magna cum spe
exspectamus. Deinde enim coiifido fore ut alio
genere litterarum utamur tibique pro tuo summo
beneficio gratias agamus. Quod si accident, velim
sic existimeSj non tibi tarn Atticum, cuius permagna
res agitur, qnam me, qui non minus laboro quam ille,
obligatum fore.

XVI f

CICERO CAPITOM SAL,

iScr. pnulo Non dubito, quin mirere atque etiam stomacherc,

post ep. loc q^o(J tecum de eadem re agam saepius. Hominis

familiarissimi et milii omnibus rebus coniunctissimi

permagna res agitur, Attici. Cognovi ego tua studia

in amicos, etiam in te amicorum. Multum potes nos

apud Plancum iuvare. Novi liumanitatem tuam ;

scio, quam sis amicis iucundus. Nemo nos in hac

causa plus iuvare potest quam tu. Et res ita est

firma, ut debet esse, quam consules de consilii sen-

tentia decreverunt, cum et lege et senatus consulto

cognoscerent Tamen omnia posita putamus in Planci
410

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVT. i6e-f

u hat the consuls decreed in accordance with Caesar's
decrees and promises, lies in your hands. It will be
doing me a favour than which none could be greater.
Although I hope that by the time you receive this
letter you will have granted me the petition I made
in my former letter, still I shall not cease from
asking until I have news that you have done what
I am looking forward to with great hope. Then I
trust I shall write a different kind of letter, and pay
my thanks for your exceeding kindness. If tliat
comes to pass I would have you think that you
have not so much put Atticus, in spite of the
Imge sum of money he has at stake, under an ob-
ligation, as myself, who take an equal interest in
the matter.

XVI f

CICERO TO CAPITO, GREETING.

I have no doubt 3-ou are astonished and even an- JVriiten
noyed with me for apjM-oaching you twice on the shortly af/er
same subject. Atticus, my greatest friend and my 16c
closest intimate in every way, has grave interests at
stake. 1 know the willingness with which you help
your friends and your friends help you. You can
render us much assistance with Plancus. I know
the kindness of your heart ; I know how welcome
you are to your friends. There is no one who can
help us more than you in this case. And the case is
as sound as a case ought to be which the consuls
have decided on the advice of their council, when
they had the right of decision conferred on them by
statute and by senatorial decree. Still to us tlie
wliole case seems to lie in the generosity of your

441

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

tui liberalitate ; quem quidem arbitramur cum officii
sui et rei publicae causa decretum consulum compro-
baturum turn libenter nostra causa esse facturum.
Adiuvabis igitur, mi Capito. Quod ut facias, te vehe-
raenter etiam atque etiam rogo.

i4«

LETTERS TO ATTICUS XVT. ifif

friend Plaucus ; and, indeed, we think lie will ratify
the consuls' decree both for duty's sake and for the
sake of the constitution, and that he will do so will-
ingly for our sake. So please hel() us, my dear
Capito. I entreat and beseech you earnestly to
do so.

44S

CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER of the Letters
based on the order fixed in R. Y. Tyrrell and
L. C. Purser, The Correspondence of M. Tvllius
Cicero, vol. vii., Dublin, 1901 (by kind permission
of the Board of Trinity College, Dublin).

Abbhkviations

A = Epistulae a J Atticum.
F = Epistulae ad Familiares.
Q.Kr. = Epistithr ad <j:iintum Fralrein,
Br. = Epislulaf ml U. Brutum.

B.O.

68 Ai. 5, 6, 7?

67 A i. 9, 8, 10, 11

66 A i. 3, 4

65 A i. 1, 2

64 [Q. Cic. de petit, consul.]

63 Fxiii. 76?

62 F V. 7, 1, 2, 6

61 A i. 12, F V. 5, A i. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17

60 A i. 18, 19, 20, ii. 1, 2, 3, Q.Fr. i. 1

59 A ii. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,

20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, Q.Fr. i. 2, F xiii. 42, 41 ; also

43 ? (before 58 B.C. ; so also xiii. 44, 45, 46)
58 A iii. 3, 2, 4, 1, 5, 6, F xiv. 4, A iii. 7, 8, 9, Q.Fr. i. 3,

A iii. 10, 11, 12, 14, 13, Q.Fr. i. 4, A iii. 15, 16, 17,

18, 19. 20, F xiv. 2, A iii. 21, 22, F xiv. 1, A iii. 23,

F xiv. 3, A iii. 24, 25
57 A iii. 26, 27, F v. 4, A iv. 1, 2, 3, Q.Fr. ii. 1, F vii, 26;

also xiii. 51 ?
56 F i. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5a, Q.Fr. ii. 2, A iv. 4, Q.Fr. ii. 3, F i. 5b, 0,

Q.Fr. ii. 4, 5, A iv. 4a, 5, F v. 12, A iv. 6, 7, 8, F v. 3.

i. 7, xiii. 6a, 6b, Q.Fr. ii. 8 (=6), A iv. 8a

445

ORDER OF THE LETTERS

B.C.

55 F i. 8, Q.Fr. ii. 9 (= 7), A iv. 10, 9. Q.Fr. ii. 10 (= 8),
A iv. 11, 12, F vii. 2, 3, 1, xiii. 74. 40, A iv. 13

54 F V. 8, Q.Fr. ii. 11 (=9), 12 (= 10), F. vii. 5, Q.Fr. ii.
13 (= 11), F vii. 6, 7, A iv. 14, Q.Fr. ii. 14 (= 12),
F vii. 8, Q.Fr. ii. 15a ( = 13), 15b ( = 14), A iv. 15, 16,
Q.Fr. ii. 16 (= 15), iii. 1, A iv. 17 (part) plus 18
(part), F vii. 9, 17, Q.Fr. iii. 2, 3, 4, A iv. 18 (part),
Q.Fr. iii. 5 plus 6, 7, F vii. 16, Q.Fr. iii. 8, A iv. 19
(part), 17 (part), Q.Fr. iii. 9, F i. 9, vii. 10, i, 10,
xiii. 49, 60, 73

53 F ii. 1, vii. 11, ii. 2, 3, vii. 12, 13, 14, 18, 15, ii. 4, 5, 6,
xiii. 75; also xvi. 13?, 14?, 15?, 10?, 16?

52 F V. 17, 18, iii. 1, vii. 2

51 F iii. 2, A v. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, F iii. 3, viii. 1, A v. 8,
F iii. 4, A V. 9, F viii. 2, 3, A v. 10, F xiii. 1, A v. 11,
F ii. 8, A V. 12, 13, 14, F iii. 5, viii. 4, A v. 15, 16, 17,
F viii. 5, 9, xv. 3, iii. 6, xv. 7, 8, 9, 12, A v. 18, F xv. 2,
A V. 19, F XV. 1, iii. 8, viii. 8, ii. 9, 10, viii. 10, ii. 7,
A V. 20, F vii. 32, xiii. 53, 56, 55, 61, 62, 64, 65, 9;
also 47 ?

60 F XV. 4. 10, 13, 14, viii. 6, 7, iii. 7, ii. 14, ix. 25, xiii. 59,
58, iii. 9, A v. 21, F xiii. 63, A vi. 1, F xiii. 54, 57,
ii. 11, A vi. 2, F ii. 13, 18, xiii. 2, 3, iii. 10, ii. 19, 12,
Avi. 3, Fiii. 11, xv. 5, viii. 11, A vi. 4, 5, 7, F viii. 13,
ii. 17, 15, XV. 11, iii. 12, A vi. 6, F iii. 13, xv. 6,
viii. 12, 14, A vi. 8, 9, F xiv. 5, A vii. 1, F xvi. 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, A vii. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
.49 F xvi. 11, V. 20, A vii. 10, 11, 12, F xiv. 18, A vii. 13,
13a, F xiv. 14, A vii. 14, 15, F xvi. 12, A vii. 16,
F xvi. 8, A vii. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, viii. 11a,
vii. 25, viii. 12b, vii. 26, viii. 1, lib, 12c, 12d, 2, 12a,
3, lie, 6, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, lid, 12, F viii. 15,
A viii. 15a, 13, 14, 15, 16, ix. 1, 2, 12a, 3, 5, 7a, 6, 6a,
7c, 7b, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11a. 11, 12, 13a, 13, 14, 15, 16,
17, 18, 19, X. 1, 2, 3, 3a, 4, 9a (= F viii. 16),
A X. 5, 8a, 8b, 6, F iv. 1, A x. 7, F iv. 2, 19, A x. 8, 9,
F ii. 16, A X. 10, 11, 12, 12a, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,
F xiv. 7

48 A XV. 1, 2, F viii. 17, ix. 9, xiv. 8, A xi. 3, F xiv. 21,
A xi. 4, F xiv. 6, 12, A xi. 5, F xiv. 19, A xi. 6, F xiv.
9, A xi. 7, F xiv. 17, A xi. 8

47 A xi. 9, F xiv. 6, A xi. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,

446

B.O.

ORDER OF THE LETTERS

F xiv. 11, A xi. IS, F xiv. 15, A xi. 25, 23, F xiv. 10,
13, A xi. 19, 24, F xiv. 24, 23, A xi. 20, 21, 22, F xiv.
22, XV. 15, xiv. 20, 21 ; also xiii. 48 ?
F xiii. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, xi. 1, xiii. 29, v. 21, A xii. 2,
F ix. 3, 2, 7, 5, vii. 3, vi. 22, ix. 4, A xii. 5c, 3, 4,
F ix. 6. A xii. 5, F ix. 16, 18, vii. 33, ix. 20, vii. 27,
28, ix. 19, 26, 17, 15, xiii. 68, iv. 13, 15, 8, 7, 9, vi. 6,
13, 12, 10a, 10b, xii. 17, iv. 3, 4, 11, ix. 21, vi. 14,
A xii. 6a, 6b, 7, 8, 11, F vii. 4, ix. 23, A xii. 1, F xiii.
66, 67, 69, 70, 71, 72, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24,

25, 26, 27, 28a, 28b, 78, 79, vi. 8, 9, v. 16, xv. 18;
also xii. 20?, xiii. 52 ?

F XV. 16, vi. 7, 5, 18, iv. 14, 10, ix. 10, vi. 1, 3, 4, xv. 17,
19, ix. 13, xiii. 16, A xii. 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 17, 18a,

19, 20, xiii. 6, F iv. 5, A xii. 12, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,

26, 27, 28, 29, 33, 30, 32, 31, 34, 35?, F xiii. 15,
V. 13, vi. 21, iv. 6, vi. 2, ix. 11, 36, 37, 37a, 38, 38a,
39, 40, F V. 14, A xii. 42, F v. 15, A xii. 41, 43, 44,
45 ?, xiii. 26, xii. 46, 47, 48, 50, 49, 51, 52, 53, xiii. 1,
2, 27, 28, 29, 2a, 30, 31, 32, xii. 5a, F iv. 12, A xiii. 4,
5, 33, 6a, 8, 7, 7a, xii. 5b, F vi. 11, A xiii. 9, 10,
11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21a, F ix. 22, A xiii.

20, 22, 33a, 23, F xiii. 77, v. 9, A xiii. 24, 25, F ix. 8,
A xiii. 35, 36, 43, F vi. 20, A xiii. 44, 34, F vi. 19, A
xii. 9, F xvi. 22, A xii. 10, xiii. 21, F xvi. 17, A xiii.
47a, F xvi. 19, A xiii. 48, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 45, 46,
47, F vii. 24, A xiii. 49, 50, F vii. 35, A xiii. 51, F xii.
18, 19, xiii. 4, 5, 7, 8, v. 11, vii. 29, v. 10b, A xiii.
52, F ix. 12, A xiii. 42, F xiii. 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35,
36, 37, 38, 39, xvi. 18, 20

F vii. 30, viii. 50, v. 10a, vii. 31, xii. 21, vi. 15, xi. 1,
vi. 16, XV. 20, Axig^l, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, F vi. 17,
A xiv. 9, 10, II, 12, 1.3a, 13b, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17a
(= F ix. 14), F xii. 1, A xiv. 17, 19, 18, 20, 21, 22,
XV. 1, la, 2, 3, 4, 4a, F xii. 16, A xv. 6, 5, 7, F xi. 2,
A XV. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 16a, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21,
FxvL 23, A XV. 22, 23, 24, 14, 25, F vii. 21, 22, xi. 29,
ATT 26, 27, 28, xvi. 16, 16a, xv. 29, xvi. 1, 5, 4,
2, 3, F vii. 20, A xvi. 6, F vii. 19, A xvi. 16b, 16c,
16d, 16e. 16f, F xi. 3, A xvi. 7, F xi. 27, 28, xvi. 21,
X. 1,2, xii. 22 (1-2) = xiia,2,xvi.25, xi.4, 6(1) = 6a,
xii. 3, 23, A xv. 13, xvi. 8, 9, 11, 12, 10, 13a, 13b, 13c,

447

ORDER OF THE LETTERS

J4, F xvi. 2-1, A xvi. 15, F xi. 5, x. 3, xi. 7, 6 (2-3) -
6b, xii. 22 (3-4) = xiib, xvi. 26, 27, x. 4
43 F X. 5, xi. 8, xii. 24, 4, x. 28, ix. 24, xii. 5, 11, 7, x. 31, xii.
25a, X. 6, 27. xii. 28, 26, 27, 29, x. 7, 8, 10, xii. 6, Br.
ii. 1, 3, 2, F X. 12, Br. ii. 4, F x. 30, Br. ii. 5, i. 2,
sects. 4:-6, i. 3, sects. 1-3, F x. 9, Br. i. 3, sect. 4, F xi.
9, 11, 13b, xii. 25b, Br. i. 5, F x. 14, xi. 10, 11, xii.
12, X. 13, xi. 13a, 15, 21, sects. 1-6, Br. i. 4, sects.
1-3, F X. 21, Br. i. 4, sects. 4-6, F xi. 12, x. 34a, 18,
xi, 18, Br. i. 6, 1, 2, sects. 1-3, F x. 17, xi. 19, x. 34,
sects. 3-4, xi. 20, 23, x. 19, 25, 16, xii. 15, sects. 1-6,
14, X. 20, 35, Br. i. 8, F xi. 16, 17, x. 33, Br. i. 11, 17,
F xii. 15, xi. 26, 21, 24, x. 23, 32, Br. i. 10. F xii. 8,
30, xi. 13, sects. 4:-5, xii. 13, Br. i. 9, F xi. 25, xii. 9,
Br. i. 7, F xi. 15, x. 22, 26, Br. i. 13, F xii. 10, x. 29.
xi. 32, Br. i. 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, F x. 24

448

INDEX OF NAMES.

[The reference* are to the pages of Latin text.]

ACADEMIA, 130, 160

Academica, 14U; -ca quacstio 138;

-cus 132, 392
Acciug, 374, 384
Aehaia, 116, 322
Aciiliniis, 68
Acilius Balbus (M'.), 12
Acilius Glabrio (M'.), 42
Aebutius, 374
Aeculanum, 374
Aegypta, 74, 114
Aelius (M.), 360, 364
Aelius Lamia, see Lamia (L. Aelius)
Aeliiis Tubero (L.), 142
Aeiiiiiiii3 Lepidus, father of Regil-

lus, 52
Aemilius Lepidus (M'.), 42
Aemilius Lepidus (M.), 194, 200,

204, 216, 388
Aemilius Paulus (L.), 226, 228
Africa, 52, 176
Africanus, see Cornelius Sciplo

Ai'ricanus
Agamemnon, 202, 208
Ahala, see Serviliiis Aliala

'AKa&riixiKii (crurTafisX 130, 134

Alaudae (legio), 400
Albaniiis (C), 172
Albianum (negotium), 272, 280
Albinus, see Postumius Albinus
Albius Sabinus, 132
Aledius, 8, 50, 52, 58. 60
Alexander, letter carrier, 112
Alexander Magnus, 82, 164
Alexandrinae legiones, 330
Alexio, 158, 292, 300, 302
Alexis, 22, 420

'AAAeidy, 10
AlsiUS, 210

Ammonius, 336

Amyntas, 20

Anagnia, 400

Anagninum (praedium), 2, 358 ;

-ni, 408
Andronienea, 156

Annianus, 330

Annius (i.e. Asinius Pollio), 222

Antaeus, 198

Antiates, 326

Antiochia, 130, 140 ; ratio, 136 ;
-ins, 158

Antiociius, philosopher, 138, 140

Antioclius, slave, 178

Antisthenes, 80

Antistius Vetus (C), 232

Antium, 38, 204, 320, 322, 324

Antonius (C), brother of the triumvir,
346

Antonius (L.), brother of the trium-
vir, 280, 284, 298, 312, 326, 336,
342 .....

Antonius (M.), orator, 140

Antonius (M.), the triumvir, 36, 40,
220, 222, 224, 228, 236, 240, 246.
250, 256, 258, 264, 276, 278, 280
282, 284, 292, 294, 302, 3U4, 308,
310, 312, 316, 326, 328, 342, 346
348, 350, 354, 374, 376, 394, 398
400, 402, 404, 410, 416,418, 422;
letter from, 246 ; letter to, 250.
See also Cytlierius

Antro, 342

Apella, 38

Apollinares ludi, 380

Apollo, 302

Apollodorus, 50

Appia via, 404, 414

Appuleius, e.'ftate agent, 28, 32

Appuleius (M.), augur, 26, 30, 32,
36 ...

Aquilia, 244, 264
Aquinum, 404, 414
Arabio, 342

Arcanum (praedium), 404
Arcliilochus, 400

'Apx^tlj.ijS€i.ov npoji^riixa, 8, 166

Argiletum, 68
Ariaratiies, 110
Ariobarzanes, 110
Aristophanes, 10, 406

449

INDEX OF NAMES

Apco-TOTc'Aeto?, 140

Aristoteles, 82, 106

Aristoxenus, 174

Arpinas insula ; 24 ; iter, 404 ;

(praedi\im), 300, 362 ; -ates, 338,

414, 416
Arpimim,90, 122, 202,288,296, 402
Asia, 318, 324, 326
Asiatioa curatio. 322
Asinius Pollio (C), 4, 78, 82, 146,

222, 366
Astura, 84, 94, 160, 180, 188, 220,

224, 236, 260, 278, 326, 328
Ateius Capito (C), 178, 180, 436,

442 ; lelter to, 434, 440
Athamas, 22

Athenae, 51), 52, 68, 338, 390
Athenodoi-us. 408, 420
Atiiius (M.), 282
Atilius Reguliis (A.), 408
Atiiius Serranus (Sex.), 12
Attica or Atticula, 2, 8, 18, 20, 24,

26, 30, 32, 50, 52, 56, 58, 60, 66,

70, 74. 86, 94, 98, 128, 132, 134,

138, 148, 152, 164, 196, 206, 212,

220, 262, 278, 284, 362, 364, 370,

380, 392, 398, 412
Atticus, see Pomponiua Atticus
'Atvjto? (i.e. Balbus), 8
Aurelius, 426

Aurelius, legate of Eirtms, 232
Aurelius Cotta (C), 42, 138, 140,

196
Aurelius Cotta (L.), 42, 50, 56
Aurelius Cotta (M.), 48, 196
Aventinum, 68
Avius, 10, 114
Axianus (M.), 364
Axius (Q.), 2

BabuUius, 206

Bacciius, 362

Baebius, 198

Baiae, 84, 214, 332

Baiana negotia, 228

Balbilius, 330

Balbinus, 146

Balbus, see Cornelius Balbus

Baliares, 4

Barba, see Cassius Barba

Barea. 382

Barnaeus, 274

Bassus, see Caecilius Bassus and

Lucilius Bassus
Bibulus, see Calpurnius Bibulus

Blesamius, 380

Brinniana auctio, 130 ; -nus fundus.

210
Brinnius, 132
Brundisium, 328, 348, 352, 374,

370, 382
Brutus, see Junius Brutus
Bucilianus, 342, 382
Bursa, see Munatius Plancus Bursa
Buthrotia civitas, 438; res {or

causa), 236, 240, 334, 428; -um

negotium. 264 ; -us ager, 428
Buthrotii, 238, 256, 304, 306, 336.

344, 366, 372, 382, 428, 432,434,

436, 438
Buthrotius (sc. Plancus), 366
Butiirotum, 278, 280, 298, 326, 348.

368
Byzantil, 228

Caecilius Bassus (Q.), 232, 330
Caecilius Metellus (L.), consul 142

B.C., 12
Caecilius Metellus (L.), tribune 49

B.C., 146
Caeciua, 400
Caeliani, 122
Caelius, 10, 14, 112
Caelius Rufus (M.), 176
Caepio, see Servilius Caepio
Caerellia, 104, 148, 150, 276, 294,

360
Caerellianum nomen, 104
Caesar, see Julius Caesar
Caesaris filius {i.e. Caesarion), 280
Caesariana coleritas, 404
Caesonius (M.), 22
Caieta, 226
Calatia, 400
Calenus, 406
Cales, 410

Calpurnius Bibulus (M.), 68
Calpurnius Piso (C), 42
Calpurnius I'iso Caesoninus (L.),

358, 396, 398
Calva, 302
Calvena, see Matius
Calvus Athenodorus, see Athene-

dorus
Caraillus. see Furius Caniillus
Cana. 192

Caniuianum naufragium, 94
Caninius Gallus, 330, 420
Caninius Bebilus (C ), 76, 88
Canus, see Gellius Canus

450

INDEX OF NAMES

Capito, see Atelus Caplto
Capitollna contio, 296 ; sesaio, 254 ;

-nus dies, 234
Capitolium, 176, 234
Capua, 264, 400, 402, 410
Carfulenus (D.), 304
Carneades, 50, 146
Carrinas (T.), 178
Carteia, 94, 348
Casca, see Servilius Casca
Cascellius (A.), 360
Casilinum, 400, 404
Cassiani (horti), 44
Cassil, 280
Cassius Barba, 212
Cassius Longinus (C), 150, 264,

274, 282, 284, 310, 312, 314, 316,

318, 322, 324, 326, 330, 346, 354,

366,374,380 384,392
Cassius Longinus (L.), 218
Castriciana mancipia, 64 ; -num

negotium, 60
Castricius, 60
Catina, 410
Cato, see Porcius Cato
Cato (i.e. Cicero's book on Cato), 10,

162, 200
Cato maior (.i.e. the De Senectute),

286
Catulus, see Lutatius Catulus
Catulus (i.e. Cicero's AcaJemica,

Book I), 174
Celer, see Pilius Celer
Censorinua, see Marcius Ceiisoriuus
Chremes, 16
Chrysippus, 166, 230
Cicero, see Tullius Cicero
Circeii, 38, 320
Cispiana (negotia), 52
Cispius, 176
Claudius, 42
Claudius Marcellus (C), 302, 323,

330, 418, 426
Claudius Marcellus (M.). 124, 126,

150
Clodia, 46, 80, 88, 90, 92, 98, 101,

160, 168, 228
Clodiani (horti), 104
Clodius (L.), 64, 330
Clodius (Sex.), 246, 248, 254, 276
Clodius Hermogenes, 156
Clodius Patavinus, 94
Clodius Pulcher (P.), 250, 252
Clodius Pulcher (P.), the younger,

248, 250
Chiatius, 34, 70

Ciuviana (negotia), 230 ; -ni horti,
202, 260, -num, 230, 238, 390

Cluvius (M.), 200, 202

Cocceius, 26, 36, 40, 426

Coponiana villa, CG

Corcyra, 156, 390

Corduba, 76

Corfidius (L.), 196

Corinthus, 116, 118, 178

Cornelius (Cn.), 178

Cornelius Balbus (L.), 4, 20, 24, 26,
40,62,94,110,138,146. 150,176,
184, 198, 200, 202, 204, 210, 214,
220, 234, 238, 282, 2S4, 300, 308,
310, 314, 316, 318, 380, 412;
See also 'Arun-os

Cornelius Balbus (L.), son of the
former, 184, 208

Cornelius Dolabelli (P.). 14, 20, 78,
122, 124. 132, 144, 148. 166, 168,
198, 204, 210, 214, 2;?2, 2.5S, 260,
264, 266, 268, 272, 276, 278, 280,
282, 284, 286, 302, 303, 316, 324,
326, 332, 334, 344, 346, 318, 380,
406, 420, 426 ; letters to, 266, 334.

Cornelius Lentulus (Cn.), 178

Cornelius Lentulus Crus (L.), 302

Cornelius Lentulus Niger (L.), 18

Cornelius Lentulus Spiuther (P.),
86, 104, 120, 126,238

Cornelius Nepos, 388, 420

Cornelius Scipio Africanus Aemili-
anus (P.), 406, 416

CorniPicia, 160

Cornilicius (Q.), 28, 32, 40, 166

Coruinbus. 220

Cosanum (praedium), 362

Cosianus, 364

Cossinius (L.), 202

Cotta, see Aurelius Cotta

Crassus, see Licinius Crassus

Craterus, 26, 30

Crispus, 10, 114, 116

Critonius, 146

Cumae, 296

Cumana regaa, 260

Cumanum (praedium), 74, 164, 170,
236, 262, 278, 296, 370

Cupiennius (C), 438 ; letter to, 438

Curio, see Scribonius Curio

Curius (M'.). 378

Curtilius, 224, 234

Curtius Postumus (M.V 100, 122,
232, 234, 300

Cusinius, 80. 88

Cytherius, 354

't51

INDEX OF NAMES

Damasippus, s.w Licinius Pa-

masippus
Deiotarus. 216, 240, 276, 380
Demea, 170
Demetrius, 262
Demonicus, 332

Aij/xocrSeiT)?, 296

Dicaearciius, 170, 172, 174, 178

Dida, 210

Dio, 320

Diocharinae epistiilae, 198

Dionysius, 112, 180

Dolabella, see Cornelius Dolabella

Domitius Ahenobarbua (Cn.), 184,

206, 382
Drusiani (horti), 54
Drusus, see Livius Dru3U3
Dymaei, 368

Egnatius (L.), 36, 64, 66, 198

Egnatius (Q.), 240

Egnatius Maximus, 180

Ennius (M.), 362

Epicureus, 50, 140, 186

Epicurus, 24, 282

Epirotica (nomina), 184 ; -cae lit-

terae 106
Epirus,'l58, 376, 380, 390
•HpaKAfiSeio^, 306, 328, 362, 376,

408, 412
'EpfioSwpos, see Hermoflorus
Eros, 18, 36, 44, 110, 130, 170, 210,

274, 336, 338, 342, 350, 368, 370,

372, 376, 414, 426
Eupolis, 16
Eurotas, 318
Eutrapelus, see Voluranius Eutra-

pelus

Faberiana (causa or res), 86, 168 ;

-num (nomen), 62, 66, 98, 168;

negotium, 170
Faberius (Q.), 44, 54, 104, 110, 112,

164, 168, 174, 176, 272, 330
Fabius Maximus (Q.), 12
radius (C), 406
Fadius (L.), 330, 342, 350
radius Gallus (M.), 206, 208
Fanniani libri, 12
Fannius (C), 12. 14, 416
Favonius (M.), 322, 366
Ficulensis (fii'uhis), 70
Figulus, see Marcius Figulus

Flaminius Fhimnia (T), 104, 262,

206, 294, 300
Flavius, 32
rormianura (praedium) 226, 332;

-ni, 366
Frangones, 234
Fufius Calenus (Q.), 304, 406
Fulvia, 240
Fulviaster, 94
Fundi, 224

Furius Camillus (C), 116, 180
Furius Philus (L.), 12

Galba, see Sulpicius Galba

Galli, 230

Gallia, 222, 232, 256

Gallica bella, 222 ; -us tumultus. 210

Giillus, see Cauiuius and Fadius

(Jallus
Gamala. 50

Gellius Canus (Q.), 172, 352
Gellius Poplicola (L.), 42
Germani, 232
Glabrio (M'.), 42
Graeceius, 316

Graeci, 34, 132, 418 : ludi, 384
Graecia, 228, 244, 260, 274

Hegesias, 14

Heles, 396

Heraclides, 140

Herenniani coheredes, 116

Hermodorus, 146

Hermogenes, 54, 66

Hermogenes (Clodius), see Clodlus
Hermogenes

Herodes, agent for Atticus, 364

Herodes, of Athens, 262, 274, 340,
378

Hesiodus, 128

Hetereius, 210

Hieras, 380

TlilnTus, frealman of Cicero, 74, 138

Hilarus, /reedman of Libo, 382

Hippocrates, 424

Hirtius (A.), 4, 70, 76, 82. 88, 92,
96, 98, 144, 184. 232, 238, 282,
286, 292, 294, 302, 310, 312, 314,
316,328, 354; letter of, 312

Hispalis, 142

Hispani, 230

Hispania, 18, 48, 76, 222

Hispaniensis res, 330

Hordeonius (T.), 202

i52

INDEX OF NAMES

Hortensiu3(Q.). orator, 14, 118, 134,

13<), 140, 170, 174, 178
Hort«i8ius (Q.), son of the last, 10,

372
Hostilius Tubulus (L.), 12
Hydrus, 352, 386

Isthmus, 17G

Italia, 324, 376, 390

Iiilia, 366

lulia lex, 326 ; -ae nonae, 308, 380

luliiis Caesar (C), dictator, 6, 16,
20, 42, 82, 88, 96, 98, 100, 102,
104, 108, 110, 120, 124, 126, 132,
136, 138, 142, 148, 152, 160, 162,
164, 172, 180, 184, 188, 196, 198,
202, 204, 210, 212, 216, 218. 222,
224, 232, 234, 238, 240, 242, 244,
246, 248, 264, 266, 276, 302, 382,
428, 430, 432, 434, 436. 438, 440

lulius Caesar (L.), 42, 264, 268. 303

lulius Caesar Octavius (.i.e. Octavi-
aiius), 224, 234, 238, 240, 284,
286, 298, 328, 400, 402, 410, 418

lulius Caesar Strabo Vopiscus (C),
140

lunia, 228

lunius, 28

lunii Brutl, 254, 280. 328

lunius Brutus (D.), 242, 304, 312,
320, 322, 340, 366, 410

lunius Brutus (D.), consul 510 B.C.,
46

lunius Brutus (L.), 190

lunius Brutus (M.), murderer of
Caesar, 12, 14, 26, 28, 30, 34, 40,
42, 58, 62, 74, 78, 114, 116, 118,
120, 122, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134,
136, 146, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158,
180, 182, 184, 186, 188, 190, 192,
200, 206, 216, 218, 222, 226, 228,
230, 232, 236, 242, 258, 260, 264,
268, 274, 276, 278, 280, 282, 288,
294, 296, 302, 306, 308, 310, 312,
314, 318, 320, 322, 326, 330, 340,
342, 344, 346, 348, 350, 354, 356,
358, 360, 362, 364, 368, 370, 372,
374, 380, 382, 384, 386, 392, 396,
398, 402, 418

lunius Silanus (D.), 42

luventius Laterensis, 32

luventius Talna, 166, 388

Ka.\AiTri6T)?, 128

Karthago, 382

Kvpot, a book hy Anlisthenet, 8Q

J.aheo, 130

Lacedaetnon, 318

Laco, 408

Laelius Sapiens (C), 12

Laeiias, see Popillus Laeuas

Lamia (L. Aeliiis), 48. 02, 198, 252

Lamiani (horti), 44

Lanuvinum (praedium). 90. 210

Lanuvium, 86, 91, 96. 10 i. 162,
180, 200, 220, 226, 232. 2S0. 284,
300, 318, 342, 348

Laterensis, see luventius Laterensis

Latina lingua, 106 ; -ni, 34

Latinitas, 240

Lentulus, son of Dolabella and Tul-
lia, 60, 64

Lentulus, see also Cornelius Len-
tulus

Leonides, 262, 274, 340

Lepidianae feriae, 412

Lepidus, see Aemilius Lopidus

Lepta, 184, 200, 206, 358, 424

Leucopetra, 390, 392

Liberalia, 234, 254

Libo, see Scribonius Libo

Licinius Crassus (L.), lOO, 140, 228

Licinius Crassus (P.), 52

Licinius Damasippus, 62, 63

Licinius Lucullus (Cn.), 290

Licinius Lucullus Ponticus (L.),
130, 134, 140, 176

Licinius Lucullus (L.). son of Pon-
ticus, 116, 278

Licinius Lucullus (M.), 118

Licinius Munena (L.), 42, 118, 210

Ligariana (omfio), 128, 138, 142, 196

Ligarii, 196

Ligarius (T.), 196

Ligus (L.), 50, 224

Livius Drusus, 6, 44, 50, 66, 68,
76, 80, 82, 88, 92, 160

Lolllus (C.) 44

Lucceius (Cn.), 386

Lucilianus <j>a\\6<;, 406

Lucilius (C), 146

Lucilius Bassus, 10

Lucrinus (lacus), 260

Luculli, 42

Lucullus, see Licinius Lucullus

Lucullus (i.e. the 2nd book of
Cicers's Academica), 174

Lui)ercus, 10

Lutatius Catulus (Q.) consul 78 B.C.,
42, 130, 134, 140

Lutatius Catulus (Q.), consul 102
B.C., 140

i'53

INDEX OF NAMES

Macedonicae legiones, 400

Madarus (i.e. Matins), 218

Magius Cilo (P.), 126

Mamurra. 214

Manilius (M'.), 12

Manlius Torqiiatus. 32, 116, 122,

142, 144, 198, 202, 412
Manlius Torquatus (L.), consul 65

B.C., 42
Slanlius Torquatus (L.), son nf Uie

last. 140
Marcellus, see Claudius Marcellus
Marcianus, see Tullius Marcianus
Marcius Censorinus, 234
Marcius Censorinus (L.), 12
Marcius Figulus (C), 42
Marcius Pliilippus (C), 32, 34,

212, 214, 238. 210, 418
Marius, (C), 100
Marius (C), impostor, 100, 224, 226,

228
Mars, 322

Martins campus, 20, 180
Massilienses, 250
Matius (C.) 210, 220, 222, 300, 306.

See also Madarus
Maximus, see Fabius Maxinnis
Menedemus, 298, 308, 346
Menturnae, 404, 414
Messalla, see Valerius Messalla
Metella, 120

Metellus, see Caecilius Metellus
Meto, 104

Meto, astronomer, 6
Metrodorus, 298
Mettius, 364
MiVvAAo?, 212

Mi'jaas, 414

Misenum, 280, 292

Montanus, see Tullius Montanus

Mucins Scaevola (P.), 12

Mulvius pons, 180

Mummius (L.), 114, 170, 178, 416

Mummius (Sp.), brother of L.

Mummius, 116, 118, 170
Mummius (Sp.), grandson of the last,

118
Munatius Plancus, 104. 176, 362,

366, 368, 374, 382, 426, 430, 432,

436, 438, 440 ; letters to, 428, 432,

438
Munatius Plancus Bursa (T.), 234
Mundus, 362, 366
.Murcus, see Statius Murcus
Mnrena, see Licinius Murena
Musca, 82

454

Mustela, 10, 92, 98. 114, 116, 120
Mustela, of Anagnium, 408
Myrtilus, 332, 410

Xarbo. 76

Naso (P.), 32

Neapolis, 234, 264, 268, 294, 380.

392
Xeapolitanum (praedium), 286
Nenius, 308

Xepos, see Cornelius Nepos
Xesis, 368, 374, 380
Nestor, 268
Nicasiones, 14
.Nicaea, 216
Xicias Curtius, 56, 102, 106, 108,

122, 166, 214, 232, 348
Nolanus (ager), 122

Ocella (Cn.), 412

Octavianus, see lulius Caesar Oc-

tavius
Octavii pueri, 208
Octavius, see lulius Caesar Oc-

tavins
Offilius (A.), 184
Ollius, 206
Olympia, 170, 398
Oppins (C), 26, 40, 02, 94, 110, 138.

204, 210, 216. 310, 374, 376, 422
Ops, 256, 272, 420
Orator, a book by Cicero, 16
Oropus, 50

Ostiense (praedium). 50, 62
Otho, see Roscius Otlio
Othones, 366
Ovia, 44, 52, 64, 150, 372
Ovius, 370

Paciaecus, 4
Pacorus, 232
Paestanus sinus, 388
Paetus, see Papirius Pactus

lIoAAis, 188

Panaetius, 122, 408
Pansa, see Vibius Pansa
Papirius Paetus (L.), 260
Parilia, 252
Parthenon, 190
Parthi, 172; -us, 232
Parthicum l)ellur)ttj 162
Patavinus, 94
Patrae, 390

INDEX OF NAMES

I'atulcianum nonieu, 272
Paulu3, see Aeinilius I'aulus (L.)
I'educaeus (Sex.), 102, 108, 112,
314, 330, 406, 420, 424

Ileipjji'i;, 10

Pelopidae, 240, 324

Pelops, 228

llepo-iKJ) porticus, 318

taiipos (I'haedrus), 188, 398

Phamea, 206, 208

Pharnaces, 170, 198

Pheriones, 254

Philippus, see Marcius Pliilippna

Philo, 382

Philotimus, copyist, 176

Philotimus, freedman of TereiUia,

10, 94, 98
Philoxenus, 122
Pliilus, see Furius Philiis
Pilia, 2, 8, 20, 30, 32, 52, 56, 53,

60, 66, 74, 86, 98, 152, 204, 2U6,

220, 260, 262, 278, 284, 288, 296,

370, 380, 392, 398
Pilius (M.), 172
Pilius Celer (Q.), 20
Pindarus, poet, 188
Pindarus, slave, 370
Piso. banker, 12, 110, 114, 116, 128,

130, 136, 178
Piso, see also Calpurnius and Pupius

Piso
Plaetorius (M ), 342
Plancus, see Muiiatius Plancus
Plato, 146
Plotius, 202
Polla, 154

PoUex, 200, 202, 204, 206
Pollio, see Asinius Pollio
Polybius, 170
Pompeia lex, 208
Porapeianum (praediiiiu), 122, 260,

262, 264, 272, 274, 278, 280, 282,

292, 332, 374, 380, 388, 306, 410
Pompeius Magnus (Cn.), 22
Pompeius (Ca.), son of the last, 4,

76
Pompeius (Q.), 12
Pompeius (Sex.), 76, 94, 216, 222,

230, 242, 288, 348, 352, 354, 368,

380, 382
Pompoiiius Atticus (T.), 6, 40, 48,

172, 186, 238, 260, 264, 2S0, 334,

336, 338, 348, 372, 390, 394, 414,

424, 428, 430, 432, 434, 438, 440
Pontiauus, 92
Pontius Aquila (L.), 286

Popilitis (P.), 174
Popiluis Lapiuis, 26, 28, 32
Porcia, dan'/hler of Cato, 322
Porcia, sister of Cato, 184, 21)6
Porcius Cato (M.) (i.e. ''Cato of

Utica"), 8, 42, 44, 82, 88, 92, 96,

134, 140, 370, 392
Porcius Cato (M.), son of the last,

IIG
Posidoiiius, 403
Postuiuia, 22, 48
Postumius Albinus (A.), 170, 176
Postumus, see Curtius Postuiiuis
Praeiieste, 4
Preciana (negotia), 52
Prognostica, a work by Cicere, 340

"i'lipirj, 414

Publicianus locus, 80

Publilia, 66

Publilius, 18, 38, 52, 60, 60, 182,

204, 276, 372, 390
Publilius Syrus, 218
Pupius Piso Frugi Calpurniaiuis

(M.), 140
Puteolana regna, 260; -num (prae-

dium), 226, 278, 292, 294, 2;l6,

364 368 ; -luis mos, 254
Puteoli, 198, 201. 210, 214, SiA,

360, 362, 366, 418

Qulnctius Flainiuinus (T.), 12
Quinctius Seapula (T.), 76, 80, 86
Quinti (sc. C'icerones), 280
Quirinus, 9(1, 166

Regillus, 52

Regini, 392

Regiuni, 390

Regulus, see Atilius Reguliis

Roma, 14, 20, 22, 34, 46, 50. 68
76, 84, 86, 90, 98, 102, 110, 120
130, 136, 148, 154, 156, 158, 1(12
174, 184, 188, 196, 208, 212, 220
236, 240, 262, 280, 288, 302, 308
310, 322, 324, 326, 338, 350, 353
370, 372, 392, 394, 400, 402, 404
410, 412, 418

Romani cives, 240 ; ludi, 198, 200
-nus populus, 251, 374

Roscius Otho (L.), 76, 80, 82, 86,
90, 92, 168, 172, 176

Rubriaiia, 406

Rutio (Vestorianus), 254

Rupilius (P.), 174

Rutilia, 42, 46

455

INDEX OF NAMES

Rabiuus, see Albius Sabiuus

Sallustius (Cn.), 210

Sal us, 96

SalviiiH, 198, 376

Sainnium. 280, 410

Sara, 336

Saserna, 300

Saturnalia, 212, 214

Satynis, 48

Saufeius (L.), 274, 306

Saxa, 190

Scaeva, 154

Scaevae, 234

Scaevola, see Mucius Scaevola

Scaptius (M.), 330

Scapula, see Quinctius Scapula

Scapuiani (horti), 76, 84, 104, 130,

180
Scipio, see Cornelius Scipio
Scribonius Curius (C), 42
Scribonius Libo (L.), tribune, 56

B.C., 36, 40, 380, 382
Scribonius Libo (L.), nailer oj

annals, 12, 170, 174, 19(i
Scrota, ste Tremellius Scrofa
Seius (M.), 22

Senipronius Tuditanus (C), 118
Sempronius Tuditanus (C), son o/

the last, 114, 170, 174, 178
Septimia, 404
Septimius (C), 26
Serranus, see Atilius Serraniis
Servilia, mother of Bnitus, 128, 136,

314, 322, 324, 326, 330, 342,

356
Servilia, wife of Claudius, 42
Servilius Ahala (C), 190
Servilius Caepio (Cu.), consul 141

B.C., 12
Servilius Caepio (Cn.), 42
Servilius Casca (P.), 196, 422, 424
Servilius Vatia (P.), 42
Servius, see Sulpicius Rufus
Sestius (P.), 110, 120, 208, 218, 332,

342, 362, 374, 382. 418
Sextilianus fundus, 234
Sextilius Rufus (C), 224
Sextus, see Peducaeus and Poni-

peius
Sicca, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 64, 70, 276,

342, 388, 404, 406
Sicilia, 60, 318
Siculi, 238, 240
Silanus, see lulius Silanus
Siliana villa, 56 ; -ni (hoiti), 66 ;

-nuin negotium. 56

45G

Silius, (A.). ?.>^. r,2, 54. '^A. 62, 54,

<i(i. 68, 70, 82, 88, 92, 1(14, 110.

120, 210
Silius Nerva (P.), 354, 35(;
Sinuessanutn (devorsoiiolurn), 228.

206, 298, 404, 414
Siregius, 342
Sittius (P.), 342
Socrates, 230
Socratici viri, 230
Spintharus, 100
Spinther, see Cornelius Lentulus

Spinther
Staberius (Q.), 122
Statilius (L.), 20, 28
Statius, 10, 336, 340, 346, 352
Statius Murcus (L.), 4
Stoica, 140
Strabo, augur, 32
Strenia, 360

Sulpicius Galba (Ser.), 12
Sulpicius Rnfus (P.), 140
Sulpicius Rufus (Ser.), 22, 36, 124,

150, 276, 278, 314
Syracusae, 390, 410
Syrus, slave, 48, 342

Talna, see luventius Talna

Tarentini, 390

Tauromeniuni, 410

Teauuni Sidicinum, 410

Tehassi, 234

Tellu.=!, 418

Terentia, 36, 40, 42, 44, 40, 50, 76,

202. 390, 424, 42u
Terentius Varro (M.), 14, 128, 130,

134, 138, 140, 144, 148, ir,(), 154,

156, 158, 161), 178, 182, 196, 310,

328, 332, 362, 406, 412
Terentius Varro Gibba (M.), 206
Tereus. a plai/, 374, 384
Tertulla (Tertia), 280, 322
Theophanes, 346
Theopompus, 82, 120
Tiberis, .38, 180, 338
Tibur. 370
Tigellius, 206, 210
Tirenus pons. 414
Tiro, see Tullius Th'o
Tisamenos, 22
Tite, O (i.e. the De Senectiite), 376,

408
Tor(|uatus (i.e. Cicero'i De Finibus,

Book I), 174

INDEX OF NAMES

Torquatiis, tee also Manlins Tor-
(jiiatus

'I'raiistiberini (liorti), !'<()

Trebatius Testa (C). 122, 134

Treboiiiani Oiorti), 92

Treboniiis (C), 80, 88, 232

Tremellius Scrofa (Cii.), 1-18

Triarius. see Valerius Triarius

Tpwes, 132, 156

Tubero, see Aelius Tubero

Tubulus, see Hostilius Tubulus

Tuditanus, see Semproaiiis Tudi-
tanus

TuUia (TulUola), 2, 8, 14

TuUiaiium caput, 360 ; semis 364 ;
-nae aedes 360

Tullii (i.«.Marcianiis and Montanus)
108

Tullius, scribe, 152

TuUius Cicero (M.), the orator, 218,
248, 208, 312, 314, 434

Tullius Cicero (M.), son. of the orator,
18, 20. 40, 52, 56, 5S, 68, 100,
104, 108. 156, 184, 22ii, 238, 244,
260, 262, 264, 280, 332, 338, 340,
342, 350, 370, 378, 408. 424

Tullius Cicero (Q.), brother of the
orator, 2, 10, 60, 144, 192, 202,
204, 212, 236, 244, 298, 350, 352,
358, 380

Tullius Cicero (Q.), son of the last,
122, 168, 184, 244, 252, 264, 294,
302, 346, 354, 366, 370, 378, 384

Tullius Marcianus, 32, 100

Tullius Montauus (L.), 104, 106,
262, 266, 274, 424 ; see also Tullii

Tullius Tiro (M.), 8, 14. 22, 40, 70,
OS, 100, 102, 104. 122, 160, 308,
316, 326, 338, 342, 344, 350, 388,
414, 426

Tullus, see Volcatius Tullus

Tusculana disputatio, 300, 306 ;
-num (praediuin), 2, 6, 74, 86,
88, 90. 92, 94, 96, 98, 114, 120,
126, 128, 130, 132, 136, 144, 154,
158, 168, 186, 204, 206, 214, 220,
300, 306, 310, 312, 314, 316, 326,
334, 340, 342, 360, 362, 392, 416,
418

Tutia, 374
Tyndaritani , 300
Tyraunio, 0, 16

Utica, 4

Valerius, friend of Cicero, 392
Valerius, interpreter, 410
Valerius (P.), 102, 106, 134
Valerius Messalla (M.), 124, 234.

342
Valerius Messalla Corvinus (M.),

68, 428
Valerius Triarius (C), 60
Varro, see Terentius Varro
Vaticani montes, 180 : -nus campus

180
Velia, 388, 390
Vennonius, 6
Ventidius (P.), 308
Venuleia, 52
Venusia, 386
Vergilius, 102, 100, 176
Verguiius, 10

Vescianum (praedium). 298
Vestoriana haeresis, 254
Vestorianus. see Rufio
Vestorius (C), 120, 130, 170, 184

200, 202, 210, 230, 242, 284.

286, 306
Vettienus, 8, 330, 332, 348
Vettius (Sex.), 130
Vetus, see Autistius Vetus
Vibius Pansa, 30, 32, 40, 58, 146,

238, 276, 282, 294, 328, 354, 370,

402
Vibo, 388

Vibonensis sinus, 388
Victor, 254
Victoria, 196
Visellia, 330

Volaterranus Caecina, 400
Volcatius Tullus (L.), 42
Volcatius Tullus (L.), praetor, 46

B.C., 232
Volumnius Eutrapelus, 316

Xeno, 184, 262, 352, 370, 378

457

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