Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 49 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
Since I had absolutely nothing to write about, but there still remained these things I was eager to know—whether he [Caesar] had set out, in what condition he had left the city, whom within Italy itself he had put in charge of each region or branch of affairs, and whether any envoys had been sent to Pompey and the consuls in accordance with the decree of the Senate concerning peace—I have therefore sent you this letter on purpose, so that I might learn these things. You will therefore act conveniently and do me a kindness if you keep me informed about these matters, and about anything else there may be that I need to know. I am waiting at Arcanum [Cicero's estate near Arpinum] until I find out about all that.
Though I have nothing at all to write about, yet these points remain, which I want to know. Has Caesar started? In what condition has he left Rome? In Italy itself whom has he placed in charge of each region or department? Who were sent to Pompey and the consuls as peace commissioners according to the decree of the Senate? To make these inquiries I have taken the trouble to send this letter. So you will do well and please me, if you inform me on these points and of anything else which I ought to know. I stay in Arcanum till I get information.
[1] Cum quod scriberem plane nihil haberem, haec autem reliqua essent quae scire cuperem, profectusne esset, quo in statu urbem reliquisset, in ipsa Italia quem cuique regioni aut negotio praefecisset, ecqui essent ad Pompeium et ad consules ex senatus consulto de pace legati, ut igitur haec scirem dedita opera has ad te litteras misi. feceris igitur commode mihique gratum si me de his rebus et si quid erit aliud quod scire opus sit feceris certiorem. ego in Arcano opperior dum ista cognosco.
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Since I had absolutely nothing to write about, but there still remained these things I was eager to know—whether he [Caesar] had set out, in what condition he had left the city, whom within Italy itself he had put in charge of each region or branch of affairs, and whether any envoys had been sent to Pompey and the consuls in accordance with the decree of the Senate concerning peace—I have therefore sent you this letter on purpose, so that I might learn these things. You will therefore act conveniently and do me a kindness if you keep me informed about these matters, and about anything else there may be that I need to know. I am waiting at Arcanum [Cicero's estate near Arpinum] until I find out about all that.
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] Cum quod scriberem plane nihil haberem, haec autem reliqua essent quae scire cuperem, profectusne esset, quo in statu urbem reliquisset, in ipsa Italia quem cuique regioni aut negotio praefecisset, ecqui essent ad Pompeium et ad consules ex senatus consulto de pace legati, ut igitur haec scirem dedita opera has ad te litteras misi. feceris igitur commode mihique gratum si me de his rebus et si quid erit aliud quod scire opus sit feceris certiorem. ego in Arcano opperior dum ista cognosco.