Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 49 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
Philotimus' arrival frightened to death everyone who was with me. And what a man he is: how foolish, and how often he lies on Pompey's behalf. I myself have hardened. None of us doubted that Caesar had checked Pompey's movements; Philotimus says Caesar is flying. None of us doubted that Petreius had joined Afranius; he brings no such news. In fact, we had been persuaded that Pompey had marched with large forces through Illyricum into Germany, since this was reported as solid news.
So I think I should make for Malta until we learn what is happening in Spain. From Caesar's letter I almost think I can do this with his consent, since he says that nothing is more honorable or safe for me than to stand apart from every conflict. You will say, "Where is that courage of yours from the last letters?" It is here, and it is the same. But I wish I had to decide only at the risk of my own head. The tears of my family sometimes weaken me, as they beg me to wait for news from Spain. Our boys read, with much weeping, Marcus Caelius' letter, written in a pitiful tone and begging me to wait, not to betray my fortune, my only son, and all my family so rashly. My own son, however, is braver, and for that very reason moves me more deeply, since he is anxious only about my dignity.
So Malta first, then wherever seems best. Even now, though, send me something in writing, especially if there is any news from Afranius. If I speak with Antony, I will write what happened. Still, as you warn me, I will be careful in trusting him. A policy of concealment is difficult and dangerous. I am waiting for Servius until May 7; Postumia and Servius' son insist on it. I am glad your quartan fever is lighter. I have also sent you a copy of Caelius' letter.
The arrival of Philotimus (what a fellow he is! how stupid! how often he lies on Pompey's behalf!) has frightened the rest of us to death. For myself I am hardened. None of us doubted that Caesar had checked Pompey's progress: Philotimus says he is simply flying. Nobody doubted that Petreius had joined Afranius: he brings no such news. In fact we have all been sure that Pompey had actually made
his way with large forces into Germany through Illyricum, for that was the news sans doute. So I think I must make for Malta, until there is news from Spain. This from Caesar's letter I almost think I may do without annoying him, for he says there is no more honourable or safe course open to me than to keep quite clear of the fight. You will say "Where then is your courage which you showed in recent letters?" It is there and the same; but would that I had only to decide for myself. The tears of my family at times weaken me, when they beg me to wait for news about Spain. The miserable tone of M. Caelius' letter making this same request that I should wait, not to risk so rashly my fortunes, my only son and all my family, moved our boys to weeping; although my own son is made of stronger stuff, and for that very reason he affects me more deeply, thinking only of my reputation.
So I shall go to Malta, thence where it seems good. Still even now send me a line, especially if there is any news from Afranius. If I have an interview with Antony, I will inform you of the result. However, as you advise, I will take care how I trust him, for the policy of concealment is hard and dangerous too. Servius Sulpicius I await till the 7th. Both his wife Postumia and his son urge me to this. I rejoice that your ague is better. I send you also a copy of Caelius' letter.
[1] adventus Philotimi (at cuius hominis, quam insulsi et quam saepe pro Pompeio mentientis!) exanimavit omnis qui mecum erant; nam ipse obdurui. dubitabat nostrum nemo quin Caesar itinera repressisset—volare dicitur; Petreius cum Afranio coniunxisset (se)—nihil adfert eius modi. quid quaeris? etiam illud erat persuasum, Pompeium cum magnis copiis iter in Germaniam per Illyricum fecisse; id enim authentikos nuntiabatur. Melitam igitur opinor capessamus, dum quid in Hispania. quod quidem prope modum videor ex Caesaris litteris voluntate facere posse, qui negat neque honestius neque tutius mihi quicquam esse quam ab omni contentione abesse. [2] dices, 'Vbi ergo tuus ille animus quem proximis litteris?' adest et idem est; sed utinam meo solum capite decernerem! lacrimae meorum me interdum molliunt precantium ut de Hispaniis exspectemus. M. Caeli quidem epistulam scriptam miserabiliter, cum hoc idem obsecraret ut exspectarem, ne fortunas meas, ne unicum filium, ne meos omnis tam temere proderem, non sine magno fletu legerunt pueri nostri; etsi meus quidem est fortior eoque ipso vehementius commovet nec quicquam nisi de dignatione laborat. Melitam igitur, deinde quo videbitur. [3] tu tamen etiam nunc mihi aliquid litterarum et maxime si quid ab Afranio. ego si cum Antonio locutus ero, scribam ad te quid actum sit. ero tamen in credendo, ut mones, cautus; nam occultandi ratio cum difficilis tum etiam periculosa est. Servium exspecto ad Nonas, et adigit ita Postumia et Servius Flius. quartanam leviorem esse gaudeo. misi ad te Caeli etiam litterarum exemplum.
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Philotimus' arrival frightened to death everyone who was with me. And what a man he is: how foolish, and how often he lies on Pompey's behalf. I myself have hardened. None of us doubted that Caesar had checked Pompey's movements; Philotimus says Caesar is flying. None of us doubted that Petreius had joined Afranius; he brings no such news. In fact, we had been persuaded that Pompey had marched with large forces through Illyricum into Germany, since this was reported as solid news.
So I think I should make for Malta until we learn what is happening in Spain. From Caesar's letter I almost think I can do this with his consent, since he says that nothing is more honorable or safe for me than to stand apart from every conflict. You will say, "Where is that courage of yours from the last letters?" It is here, and it is the same. But I wish I had to decide only at the risk of my own head. The tears of my family sometimes weaken me, as they beg me to wait for news from Spain. Our boys read, with much weeping, Marcus Caelius' letter, written in a pitiful tone and begging me to wait, not to betray my fortune, my only son, and all my family so rashly. My own son, however, is braver, and for that very reason moves me more deeply, since he is anxious only about my dignity.
So Malta first, then wherever seems best. Even now, though, send me something in writing, especially if there is any news from Afranius. If I speak with Antony, I will write what happened. Still, as you warn me, I will be careful in trusting him. A policy of concealment is difficult and dangerous. I am waiting for Servius until May 7; Postumia and Servius' son insist on it. I am glad your quartan fever is lighter. I have also sent you a copy of Caelius' letter.
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] adventus Philotimi (at cuius hominis, quam insulsi et quam saepe pro Pompeio mentientis!) exanimavit omnis qui mecum erant; nam ipse obdurui. dubitabat nostrum nemo quin Caesar itinera repressisset—volare dicitur; Petreius cum Afranio coniunxisset (se)—nihil adfert eius modi. quid quaeris? etiam illud erat persuasum, Pompeium cum magnis copiis iter in Germaniam per Illyricum fecisse; id enim authentikos nuntiabatur. Melitam igitur opinor capessamus, dum quid in Hispania. quod quidem prope modum videor ex Caesaris litteris voluntate facere posse, qui negat neque honestius neque tutius mihi quicquam esse quam ab omni contentione abesse. [2] dices, 'Vbi ergo tuus ille animus quem proximis litteris?' adest et idem est; sed utinam meo solum capite decernerem! lacrimae meorum me interdum molliunt precantium ut de Hispaniis exspectemus. M. Caeli quidem epistulam scriptam miserabiliter, cum hoc idem obsecraret ut exspectarem, ne fortunas meas, ne unicum filium, ne meos omnis tam temere proderem, non sine magno fletu legerunt pueri nostri; etsi meus quidem est fortior eoque ipso vehementius commovet nec quicquam nisi de dignatione laborat. Melitam igitur, deinde quo videbitur. [3] tu tamen etiam nunc mihi aliquid litterarum et maxime si quid ab Afranio. ego si cum Antonio locutus ero, scribam ad te quid actum sit. ero tamen in credendo, ut mones, cautus; nam occultandi ratio cum difficilis tum etiam periculosa est. Servium exspecto ad Nonas, et adigit ita Postumia et Servius Flius. quartanam leviorem esse gaudeo. misi ad te Caeli etiam litterarum exemplum.