Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 49 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
[1] On the day before the Ides, while we were at dinner, and indeed at night, Statius brought me a short letter from you. As to your question about Lucius Torquatus, not only Lucius but Aulus too has set off, [...] the other [set off] some time ago. As to what you write about the demonstration of the people of Reate, I am distressed that the seed-sowing of a proscription is going on in Sabine territory. We too had heard that many senators are at Rome. Can you tell me at all why they have left town? [2] In these parts the opinion is, by conjecture rather than on any report or letter, that Caesar will be at Formiae on the eleventh day before the Kalends of April [March 22]. Here I could wish I had that Minerva of Homer's, disguised as Mentor, so that I might say to her, 'Mentor, pos t' ar' io, pos t' ar prosptuxomai auton?' ['Mentor, how am I to go, how am I to greet him?'—Odyssey 3.22, Telemachus' question on how to approach Nestor]. I have never pondered any matter more difficult; yet ponder it I do, and I will not be unprepared—so far as one can be in such troubles. But take care to keep well. For I think yesterday was your birthday.
I hope you are well. After sending you a letter in conjunction with Oppius I had a note from Caesar, of which I am forwarding a copy. From it you can
see how eager he is for a reconciliation between himself and Pompey, and how far removed all cruelty is from his thoughts: and I am, as in duty bound, very glad that he takes that view. As for yourself and your honour, and loyalty to your friends, I give you my word, my dear Cicero, that I think as you do, that your reputation and your duty will not admit of your bearing arms against a man, from whom you acknowledge that you have received such favours. I have not the slightest doubt that Caesar with his extraordinary kindness will agree, and that you will satisfy him abundantly, by taking no part against him in the war and not siding with his opponents. And this he will count sufficient not only in the case of so important a personage as yourself, but even to me of his own free will he has granted the same permission not to enter a camp which would be opposed to Lentulus and Pompey, to whom I am under great obligations: and he has said he is quite satisfied, if I should perform peaceful civic functions for him, which I am at liberty to perform for them too, if I wish. So I am acting now as Lentulus' deputy at Rome and carrying out his business, fulfilling my duty and maintaining my honour and loyalty to them. But really, though I had given up hope of peace, I am no longer in despair of it, since Caesar is in the mood in which we would wish him to be.
Under the circumstances I see no objection, if you think fit, to your writing and asking for his protection, as you did for Pompey's, with my approval, at Milo's trial. If I know anything of Caesar, I will guarantee that he will consider your dignity more than his own advantage.
How far the advice I am sending may be right, I
do not know; but one thing I do know, that, in sending what I am sending to you, I am actuated by more than ordinary affection and goodwill. Though I am ready to die for Caesar's sake, there are few that I esteem as highly as I esteem you. When you have made up your mind on the point, I should like you to let me know, for I am much concerned that you should be able to show your goodwill to both parties, as you desire: and I have not the faintest doubt that you will. Take care of your health.
[1] cenantibus ii Idus nobis ac noctu quidem Statius a te epistulam brevem attulit. de L. Torquato quod quaeris, non modo Lucius sed etiam Aulus profectus est, . . . alter multos. de Reatinorum corona quod scribis, moleste fero in agro Sabino sementem fieri proscriptionis. senatores multos esse Romae nos quoque audieramus. ecquid potes dicere cur exierint? [2] in his locis opinio est coniectura magis quam nuntio aut litteris Caesarem Formiis a. d. xi Kal. Aprilis fore. hic ego vellem habere Homeri illam Minervam simulatam Mentori cui dicerem, Mentor, pos t' ar' io, pos t' ar prosptuxomai auton; nullam rem umquam difficiliorem cogitavi, sed cogito tamen nec ero, ut in malis, imparatus. sed cura ut valeas. puto enim diem tuum heri fuisse.
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[1] On the day before the Ides, while we were at dinner, and indeed at night, Statius brought me a short letter from you. As to your question about Lucius Torquatus, not only Lucius but Aulus too has set off, [...] the other [set off] some time ago. As to what you write about the demonstration of the people of Reate, I am distressed that the seed-sowing of a proscription is going on in Sabine territory. We too had heard that many senators are at Rome. Can you tell me at all why they have left town? [2] In these parts the opinion is, by conjecture rather than on any report or letter, that Caesar will be at Formiae on the eleventh day before the Kalends of April [March 22]. Here I could wish I had that Minerva of Homer's, disguised as Mentor, so that I might say to her, 'Mentor, pos t' ar' io, pos t' ar prosptuxomai auton?' ['Mentor, how am I to go, how am I to greet him?'—Odyssey 3.22, Telemachus' question on how to approach Nestor]. I have never pondered any matter more difficult; yet ponder it I do, and I will not be unprepared—so far as one can be in such troubles. But take care to keep well. For I think yesterday was your birthday.
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
[1] cenantibus ii Idus nobis ac noctu quidem Statius a te epistulam brevem attulit. de L. Torquato quod quaeris, non modo Lucius sed etiam Aulus profectus est, . . . alter multos. de Reatinorum corona quod scribis, moleste fero in agro Sabino sementem fieri proscriptionis. senatores multos esse Romae nos quoque audieramus. ecquid potes dicere cur exierint? [2] in his locis opinio est coniectura magis quam nuntio aut litteris Caesarem Formiis a. d. xi Kal. Aprilis fore. hic ego vellem habere Homeri illam Minervam simulatam Mentori cui dicerem, Mentor, pos t' ar' io, pos t' ar prosptuxomai auton; nullam rem umquam difficiliorem cogitavi, sed cogito tamen nec ero, ut in malis, imparatus. sed cura ut valeas. puto enim diem tuum heri fuisse.