Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 50 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
Young Quintus, acting with true filial feeling - and certainly with plenty of encouragement from me, though his father's mind was already running in that direction - reconciled his father to your sister. Your letter stirred him greatly. What more can I say? I trust the matter is as we wish.
I have written to you twice about my family business, if only the letters reached you, in Greek and in riddles. Of course nothing should be disturbed. Still, by asking plainly about Milo's accounts and urging him to settle them as he promised me, you may accomplish something.
At Laodicea I ordered my quaestor Mescinius to wait so that, under the Julian law, I could leave completed accounts in two cities. I want to go to Rhodes for the boys' sake, and from there to Athens as soon as possible, though the Etesian winds are blowing strongly against us. I very much want to arrive while the present magistrates are in office, since I have experienced their goodwill in the matter of my thanksgiving. Still, please send a letter to meet me, saying whether you think I should delay for any reason of public interest.
Tiro would have sent you a letter, but I left him seriously ill at Issus. They report that he is better, but I am still anxious. No young man is more upright or more diligent.
The boy Quintus has contrived to reconcile his father to your sister. He showed the proper feeling of a son, and I gave him much encouragement, which he received nothing loath. He was greatly moved by your letter. I trust that matters are as we wish.
I have written to you twice about a domestic matter of mine in Greek and in riddles, if only my letters have reached you. Don’t take decided steps: but still you may do some good by questioning the man simply about Milo’s accounts, and urging him to settle the business as he promised.
I have ordered my quaestor Mescinius to wait at Laodicea, so that in accordance with the Julian law I may leave copies of my accounts in two cities. I want to go to Rhodes for the sake of the boys, thence as soon as possible to Athens, though the Etesian winds are very contrary. But I wish to reach Rome during the magistracy of men whose good-will I experienced over that thanksgiving in my honour. However please send a letter to meet me, saying if you think there can be any political reason for delay.
Tiro would have written you a letter, but I left him at Issus seriously ill. However a message has reached me that he is better. Still I am upset: for he is a model youth and very attentive.
Quintus filius pie sane, me quidem certe multum hortante, sed currentem animum patris sui sorori tuae reconciliavit. Eum valde tuae litterae excitarunt. quid quaeris? confido rem ut volumus esse. Bis ad te antea scripsi de re mea familiari, si modo tibi redditae litterae sunt, Graece en ainigmois. scilicet nihil est movendum; sed tamen aphelos percontando de nominibus Milonis et ut expediat ut mihi receperit hortando aliquid [aut] proficies [2] ego Laodiceae quaestorem Mescinium exspectare iussi, ut confectas rationes lege Iulia apud duas civitates possem relinquere. Rhodum volo puerorum causa, inde quam primum Athenas, etsi etesiae valde reflant; sed plane volo his magistratibus quorum voluntatem in supplicatione sum expertus. tu tamen mitte mihi, quaeso, obviam litteras numquid putes rei publicae nomine tardandum esse nobis. Tiro ad te dedisset litteras, nisi eum graviter aegrum Issi reliquissem. sed nuntiant melius esse. ego tamen angor; nihil enim illo adulescente castius, nihil diligentius.
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Young Quintus, acting with true filial feeling - and certainly with plenty of encouragement from me, though his father's mind was already running in that direction - reconciled his father to your sister. Your letter stirred him greatly. What more can I say? I trust the matter is as we wish.
I have written to you twice about my family business, if only the letters reached you, in Greek and in riddles. Of course nothing should be disturbed. Still, by asking plainly about Milo's accounts and urging him to settle them as he promised me, you may accomplish something.
At Laodicea I ordered my quaestor Mescinius to wait so that, under the Julian law, I could leave completed accounts in two cities. I want to go to Rhodes for the boys' sake, and from there to Athens as soon as possible, though the Etesian winds are blowing strongly against us. I very much want to arrive while the present magistrates are in office, since I have experienced their goodwill in the matter of my thanksgiving. Still, please send a letter to meet me, saying whether you think I should delay for any reason of public interest.
Tiro would have sent you a letter, but I left him seriously ill at Issus. They report that he is better, but I am still anxious. No young man is more upright or more diligent.
AI-assisted translation - This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek below for scholarly use.
Latin / Greek Original
Quintus filius pie sane, me quidem certe multum hortante, sed currentem animum patris sui sorori tuae reconciliavit. Eum valde tuae litterae excitarunt. quid quaeris? confido rem ut volumus esse. Bis ad te antea scripsi de re mea familiari, si modo tibi redditae litterae sunt, Graece en ainigmois. scilicet nihil est movendum; sed tamen aphelos percontando de nominibus Milonis et ut expediat ut mihi receperit hortando aliquid [aut] proficies [2] ego Laodiceae quaestorem Mescinium exspectare iussi, ut confectas rationes lege Iulia apud duas civitates possem relinquere. Rhodum volo puerorum causa, inde quam primum Athenas, etsi etesiae valde reflant; sed plane volo his magistratibus quorum voluntatem in supplicatione sum expertus. tu tamen mitte mihi, quaeso, obviam litteras numquid putes rei publicae nomine tardandum esse nobis. Tiro ad te dedisset litteras, nisi eum graviter aegrum Issi reliquissem. sed nuntiant melius esse. ego tamen angor; nihil enim illo adulescente castius, nihil diligentius.