Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 66 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
That Teucris [the woman in the money affair] is truly a slow piece of business, and Cornelius has not since come back to Terentia. I think we must take refuge with Considius, Axius, and Selicius; for from Caecilius his own relatives cannot extract a sesterce at less than twelve percent. But, to return to my first point, I have never seen anything more shameless, more cunning, or more dilatory than that fellow. "I am sending my freedman; I have given Titus his instructions"—excuses and postponements! But perhaps it is our chance fortune working of its own accord. For Pompey's forerunners report to me that Pompey will openly move that a successor be appointed to Antonius, and at the same time the praetor will bring the matter before the people. The case is of such a kind that I can honorably defend the man neither in the estimation of the loyalists nor in that of the popular party, nor do I have any inclination to—which counts most of all. For this has happened, the whole nature of which I commission you to look into. I have a freedman who is truly a worthless fellow—I mean Hilarus, the accountant, and a client of yours. About him Valerius the interpreter reports to me, and Thyillus writes that he has heard the following, that the man is with Antonius; and further, that Antonius, in collecting moneys, keeps saying that a share is being sought for me and that my freedman has been sent by me as a watchman over our common gains. I am not slightly disturbed, nor yet have I believed it, but certainly there has been some talk. Investigate the whole thing, find out, look into it, and that scoundrel, if by any means you can, remove from those parts. As his authority for this talk Valerius named Gnaeus Plancius. I commission you with the whole matter plainly, that you may see what kind of thing it is. It is agreed that Pompey is most friendly to us. The divorce of Mucia is vehemently approved. Publius Clodius, son of Appius, I believe you have heard was caught in a woman's dress in the house of Gaius Caesar, while the rite for the people was being performed, and that he was saved and led out by the hands of a little maidservant; the affair is one of notable scandal. I am quite sure you take it ill. I have nothing else to write to you, and by Hercules I was rather distraught in the writing. For our charming boy, our reader Sositheus, had died, and it had moved me more than the death of a slave seemed bound to do. I should be glad if you would write to us often. If you have no subject, write whatever comes to your tongue. On the Kalends of January, in the consulship of Marcus Messalla and Marcus Piso.
Teucris is an unconscionably slow coach and Cornelius has never come back to Terentia: so I suppose I shall have to turn to Considius, Axius or Selicius. Even his relatives can’t screw a penny out of Caecilius at less than 12 per cent. But to return to the point; Teucris’ behaviour is the most shameless mixture of cunning and laziness I have ever seen. “I’m sending a freedman,” says she, or “I’ve given Titus a commission.” All excuses and delays! But perhaps “dieu dispose”; for Pompey’s advance party bring news that he is going to move for Antony’s
retirement, and a praetor will bring the motion forward. Under my circumstances I couldn’t honourably champion him. I should lose the respect of both parties if I did: and what’s more, I wouldn’t, if I could, in view of certain things that have happened, to which I should like to call your attention. There’s a freedman of mine, an utter scoundrel—Hilarus I mean—an accountant and a client of yours. Valerius the interpreter sends me news of him, and Thyillus says he has heard too that the fellow is with Antony, and that Antony, when he is making requisitions, always asserts that part is levied on my authority, and that I have sent a freedman to look after my share. I am considerably annoyed, though I hardly believe the story: but there has been a good deal of talk. Look into the matter thoroughly and try to get to the bottom of it, and, if you possibly can, get that rascal shifted. Valerius mentioned Cn. Plancius as his authority for the statement. I leave the whole matter entirely in your hands to investigate.
I am assured that Pompey is on the best of terms with me. Mucia’s divorce meets with every one’s approval. I expect you have heard that P. Clodius, son of Appius, was discovered in woman’s clothes in C. Caesar’s house, where the sacrifice was going on: but a servant girl managed to smuggle him out. It has created a public scandal: and I am sure you will be sorry to hear of it.
I don’t think I have any other news for you: and I’m sorry to say I’ve been rather upset while writing. My reader Sositheus, a charming fellow, has died; and I am more upset about it than anyone would suppose I should be about a slave’s death. Please
write frequently. If you’ve no news, write the first thing that comes into your head.
Jan. 1, in the consulship of M. Messalla and M. Piso.
Teucris illa lentum sane negotium, neque Cornelius ad Terentiam postea rediit. Opinor, ad Considium, Axium, Selicium confugiendum est; nam a Caecilio propinqui minore centesimis nummum movere non possunt. Sed ut ad prima illa redeam, nihil ego illa impudentius, astutius, lentius vidi. " Libertum mitto, Titomandavi." Skepseis atque anabolai sed nescio an tautomaton hemon . Nam mihi Pompeiani prodromi nuntiant aperte Pompeium acturum Antonio succedi oportere, eodemque tempore aget praetor ad populum. Res eius modi est, ut ego nec per bonorum nec per popularem existimationem honeste possim hominem defendere, nec mihi libeat, quod vel maximum est. Etenim accidit hoc, quod totum cuius modi sit, mando tibi, ut perspicias. Libertum ego habeo sane nequam hominem, Hilarum dico, ratiocinatorem et clientem tuum. De eo mihi Valerius interpres nuntiat, Thyillusque se audisse scribit haec, esse hominem cum Antonio; Antonium porro in cogendis pecuniis dictitare partem mihi quaeri et a me custodem communis quaestus libertum esse missum. Non sum mediocriter commotus neque tamen credidi, sed certe aliquid sermonis fuit. Totum investiga, cognosce, perspice et nebulonem illum, si quo pacto potes, ex istis locis amove. Huius sermonis Valerius auctorem Cn. Plancium nominabat. Mando tibi plane totum, ut videas cuius modi sit. Pompeium nobis amicissimum constat esse. Divortium Muciae vehementer probatur. P. Clodium, Appi f., credo te audisse cum veste muliebri deprehensum domi C. Caesaris, cum pro populo fieret, eumque per manus servulae servatum et eductum; rem esse insigni infamia. Quod te moleste ferre certo scio. Quod praeterea ad te scribam, non habeo, et me hercule eram in scribendo conturbatior. Nam puer festivus anagnostes noster Sositheus decesserat, meque plus quam servi mors debere videbatur, commoverat. Tu velim saepe ad nos scribas. Si rem nullam habebis, quod in buccam venerit, scribito. Kal. Ianuariis M. Messalla, M. Pisone coss.
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That Teucris [the woman in the money affair] is truly a slow piece of business, and Cornelius has not since come back to Terentia. I think we must take refuge with Considius, Axius, and Selicius; for from Caecilius his own relatives cannot extract a sesterce at less than twelve percent. But, to return to my first point, I have never seen anything more shameless, more cunning, or more dilatory than that fellow. "I am sending my freedman; I have given Titus his instructions"—excuses and postponements! But perhaps it is our chance fortune working of its own accord. For Pompey's forerunners report to me that Pompey will openly move that a successor be appointed to Antonius, and at the same time the praetor will bring the matter before the people. The case is of such a kind that I can honorably defend the man neither in the estimation of the loyalists nor in that of the popular party, nor do I have any inclination to—which counts most of all. For this has happened, the whole nature of which I commission you to look into. I have a freedman who is truly a worthless fellow—I mean Hilarus, the accountant, and a client of yours. About him Valerius the interpreter reports to me, and Thyillus writes that he has heard the following, that the man is with Antonius; and further, that Antonius, in collecting moneys, keeps saying that a share is being sought for me and that my freedman has been sent by me as a watchman over our common gains. I am not slightly disturbed, nor yet have I believed it, but certainly there has been some talk. Investigate the whole thing, find out, look into it, and that scoundrel, if by any means you can, remove from those parts. As his authority for this talk Valerius named Gnaeus Plancius. I commission you with the whole matter plainly, that you may see what kind of thing it is. It is agreed that Pompey is most friendly to us. The divorce of Mucia is vehemently approved. Publius Clodius, son of Appius, I believe you have heard was caught in a woman's dress in the house of Gaius Caesar, while the rite for the people was being performed, and that he was saved and led out by the hands of a little maidservant; the affair is one of notable scandal. I am quite sure you take it ill. I have nothing else to write to you, and by Hercules I was rather distraught in the writing. For our charming boy, our reader Sositheus, had died, and it had moved me more than the death of a slave seemed bound to do. I should be glad if you would write to us often. If you have no subject, write whatever comes to your tongue. On the Kalends of January, in the consulship of Marcus Messalla and Marcus Piso.
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
Teucris illa lentum sane negotium, neque Cornelius ad Terentiam postea rediit. Opinor, ad Considium, Axium, Selicium confugiendum est; nam a Caecilio propinqui minore centesimis nummum movere non possunt. Sed ut ad prima illa redeam, nihil ego illa impudentius, astutius, lentius vidi. " Libertum mitto, Titomandavi." Skepseis atque anabolai sed nescio an tautomaton hemon . Nam mihi Pompeiani prodromi nuntiant aperte Pompeium acturum Antonio succedi oportere, eodemque tempore aget praetor ad populum. Res eius modi est, ut ego nec per bonorum nec per popularem existimationem honeste possim hominem defendere, nec mihi libeat, quod vel maximum est. Etenim accidit hoc, quod totum cuius modi sit, mando tibi, ut perspicias. Libertum ego habeo sane nequam hominem, Hilarum dico, ratiocinatorem et clientem tuum. De eo mihi Valerius interpres nuntiat, Thyillusque se audisse scribit haec, esse hominem cum Antonio; Antonium porro in cogendis pecuniis dictitare partem mihi quaeri et a me custodem communis quaestus libertum esse missum. Non sum mediocriter commotus neque tamen credidi, sed certe aliquid sermonis fuit. Totum investiga, cognosce, perspice et nebulonem illum, si quo pacto potes, ex istis locis amove. Huius sermonis Valerius auctorem Cn. Plancium nominabat. Mando tibi plane totum, ut videas cuius modi sit. Pompeium nobis amicissimum constat esse. Divortium Muciae vehementer probatur. P. Clodium, Appi f., credo te audisse cum veste muliebri deprehensum domi C. Caesaris, cum pro populo fieret, eumque per manus servulae servatum et eductum; rem esse insigni infamia. Quod te moleste ferre certo scio. Quod praeterea ad te scribam, non habeo, et me hercule eram in scribendo conturbatior. Nam puer festivus anagnostes noster Sositheus decesserat, meque plus quam servi mors debere videbatur, commoverat. Tu velim saepe ad nos scribas. Si rem nullam habebis, quod in buccam venerit, scribito. Kal. Ianuariis M. Messalla, M. Pisone coss.