Letter 167

Domitius' son passed through Formiae on March 8, hurrying to his mother at Naples. When my slave Dionysius asked him carefully about his father, he sent me word that Domitius was near Rome. But we had heard that he had gone either to Pompey or to Spain. I very much want to know what the truth is, because it affects the question I am now weighing. If Domitius certainly has not got away anywhere, Pompey will understand that leaving Italy is not easy for me either, since the whole country is held by troops and garrisons, especially in winter. If it were a more convenient time of year, one could even use the western sea. Now the only possible crossing is by the Adriatic, and the road there is blocked. So please inquire about Domitius and Lentulus. No report had yet come from Brundisium, and today is March 9, the day on which we suspected Caesar had reached Brundisium, or perhaps had arrived the day before; he had stayed at Arpi on March 1. But if you chose to listen to Postumus, Caesar was going to pursue Pompey; by reckoning the winds and the days, he thought Pompey had already crossed. I did not think Caesar would have sailors, but Postumus was confident, especially because the shipowners had heard of the man's generosity. In any case, I cannot remain ignorant much longer about the whole affair at Brundisium.

The son of Domitius went through Formiae on the 8th of March hastening to his mother at Naples, and, when my slave Dionysius inquired particularly from him about his father, he sent me a message that he was outside the city. But I had heard that he had gone either to Pompey or to Spain. What the fact is, I should much like to know, for it has a bearing on the point I am now considering: if it is certain that Domitius has found no means of departure, Pompey may understand that my own departure from Italy is difficult, seeing that it is now beset with troops and garrisons, and especially in the winter season. For, were it a more convenient time of year, one could even cross the southern sea. Now there is no choice but the Adriatic, to which passage is barred. So please inquire both about Domitius and about Lentulus. From Brundisium no news has come yet, and to-day is the 9th of March. I expect Caesar reached Brundisium to-day or yesterday. He stayed at Arpi on the 1st. If you choose to listen to Postumus, Caesar meant to pursue Pompey; for, by calculating the state of the weather and the days, he concluded that Pompey had crossed the sea. I thought that Caesar would be unable to get crews, but Postumus was quite sure about that, and the more so because ship-owners had heard of Caesar's liberality. But it cannot be long now before I hear the full story of what has happened at Brundisium.

[1] Domiti filius transiit Formias viii Idus currens ad matrem Neapolim mihique nuntiari iussit patrem ad urbem esse cum de eo curiose quaesisset servus noster Dionysius. nos autem audieramus eum profectum sive ad Pompeium sive in Hispaniam. id cuius modi sit scire sane velim. nam ad id quod delibero pertinet, si ille certe nusquam discessit, intellegere Gnaeum non esse facilis nobis ex Italia exitus, cum ea tota armis praesidiisque teneatur, hieme praesertim. nam si commodius anni tempus esset, vel infero mari liceret uti. nunc nihil potest nisi supero tramitti quo iter interclusum est. quaeres igitur et de Domitio et de Lentulo. [2] A Brundisio nulla adhuc fama venerat, et erat hic dies vii Idus quo die suspicabamur aut pridie (ad) Brundisium venisse Caesarem. nam Kal. Arpis manserat. sed si Postumum audire velles, persecuturus erat Gnaeum; transisse enim iam putabat coniectura tempestatum ac dierum. ego nautas eum non putabam habiturum, ille confidebat et eo magis quod audita naviculariis hominis liberalitas esset. sed tota res Brundisina quo modo habeat se diutius nescire non possum.