Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 49 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
I see that there is not a foot of ground in Italy that is not in Caesar's power. I know nothing about Pompey, and unless he has taken refuge on a ship I think he will be caught. What unbelievable speed. As for our leader - but I cannot accuse without pain a man over whom I am sick with anxiety and torment.
You are right to fear slaughter, not because anything would be less useful to Caesar for making his victory and domination last, but because I see whose judgment he will act on. I think we must yield, if there is any right course left. On the towns of the Oppii I have no advice; do what seems best.
Speak with Philotimus; indeed, you will have Terentia with you on the 13th. What am I to do? By what land or sea can I follow a man when I do not know where he is? And by land, how could I? By sea, to what place? Shall I hand myself over to Caesar? Suppose it could be done safely - many urge that - could it also be done honorably? Not at all.
As usual, then, I shall ask your advice. The problem cannot be solved. Still, if anything occurs to you, please write it, and write what you yourself are going to do.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, the evening of Feb. 8 or morning of Feb. 9_, B.C.
_49_]
I see there is not a foot of ground in Italy which is not in Caesar's
power. I have no news of Pompey, and I imagine he will be captured
unless he has taken to the sea. What marvellous dispatch! While our
leader--: but it grieves me to blame him, as I am in an agony of
suspense on his account. There is reason for you to fear butchery, not
that anything could be less advantageous to secure Caesar a lasting
victory and power; but I see on whose advice he will act. I hope it
will be all right; and I think we shall have to yield. As regards the
Oppii I have no suggestion to make. Do what you think best. You should
speak with Philotimus, and besides you will have Terentia on the 13th.
What can I do? In what land or on what sea can I follow a man, when I
don't know where he is? After all how can I follow on land, and by sea
whither? Shall I then surrender to Caesar? Suppose I could surrender
with safety, as many advise, could I surrender with honour? By no
means. I will ask your advice as usual. The problem is insoluble.
Still, if anything comes into your head, please write; and let me know
what you will do yourself.
pedem in Italia video nullum esse qui non in istius potestate sit. de Pompeio scio nihil eumque, nisi in navim se contulerit, exceptum iri puto. O celeritatem incredibilem! huius autem nostri—sed non possum sine dolore accusare eum de quo angor et crucior. tu caedem non sine causa times, non quo minus quicquam Caesari expediat ad diuturnitatem victoriae et dominationis sed video quorum arbitrio sit acturus. [2] +recte sit censeo cedendum de oppidis iis egeo consili+. quod optimum factu videbitur facies. Cum Philotimo loquere atque adeo Terentiam habebis Idibus. ego quid agam? qua aut terra aut mari persequar eum qui ubi sit nescio? etsi terra quidem qui possum? mari quo? tradam igitur isti me? fac posse tuto (multi enim hortantur), num etiam honeste? nullo modo. equidem a te petam consilium, ut soleo. explicari res non potest; sed tamen si quid in mentem venit velim scribas et ipse quid sis acturus.
◆
I see that there is not a foot of ground in Italy that is not in Caesar's power. I know nothing about Pompey, and unless he has taken refuge on a ship I think he will be caught. What unbelievable speed. As for our leader - but I cannot accuse without pain a man over whom I am sick with anxiety and torment.
You are right to fear slaughter, not because anything would be less useful to Caesar for making his victory and domination last, but because I see whose judgment he will act on. I think we must yield, if there is any right course left. On the towns of the Oppii I have no advice; do what seems best.
Speak with Philotimus; indeed, you will have Terentia with you on the 13th. What am I to do? By what land or sea can I follow a man when I do not know where he is? And by land, how could I? By sea, to what place? Shall I hand myself over to Caesar? Suppose it could be done safely - many urge that - could it also be done honorably? Not at all.
As usual, then, I shall ask your advice. The problem cannot be solved. Still, if anything occurs to you, please write it, and write what you yourself are going to do.
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
pedem in Italia video nullum esse qui non in istius potestate sit. de Pompeio scio nihil eumque, nisi in navim se contulerit, exceptum iri puto. O celeritatem incredibilem! huius autem nostri—sed non possum sine dolore accusare eum de quo angor et crucior. tu caedem non sine causa times, non quo minus quicquam Caesari expediat ad diuturnitatem victoriae et dominationis sed video quorum arbitrio sit acturus. [2] +recte sit censeo cedendum de oppidis iis egeo consili+. quod optimum factu videbitur facies. Cum Philotimo loquere atque adeo Terentiam habebis Idibus. ego quid agam? qua aut terra aut mari persequar eum qui ubi sit nescio? etsi terra quidem qui possum? mari quo? tradam igitur isti me? fac posse tuto (multi enim hortantur), num etiam honeste? nullo modo. equidem a te petam consilium, ut soleo. explicari res non potest; sed tamen si quid in mentem venit velim scribas et ipse quid sis acturus.