Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 46 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
I have written everything you want on the writing-tablets and given them to Eros; briefly, but even more than you ask, including the matter of Cicero [his son]; and the first impulse for that line of thinking you yourself supplied to me. I spoke with him most generously; I should like you to inquire about it from him directly, if only it is convenient for you. But why do I put it off? I set out that you had reported to me both what he wanted and what he was looking for. That he wants Spain, that he is looking for liberal provision. As to the liberal provision, I said how much Publilius, how much the flamen Lentulus gave to his son. As to Spain, I brought forward two points: first, the same one I made to you, that I am afraid of censure. Was it not enough if we had laid down these arms? Even to take up the opposite ones? Then, that it would come about that he would be distressed at being outdone by his brother in intimacy and in every kind of favor. I would prefer that he make use of my generosity rather than of his own freedom of action. But still I gave my permission; for I had understood that the idea did not displease you too much. I will think it over again and again, and I ask you to do the same. It is a weighty matter; staying is the simple course, the other is doubtful. But we shall see. [2] About Balbus I had written both on the tablets and so I intend, as soon as he returns. But if he is rather slow, I shall in any case allow three days, and, what I left out, Dolabella too is with me.
My plan for my son meets with general approval. I have found a suitable
companion. But let us first see to the payment of an instalment of
Tullia's dowry. The time is near and Dolabella is in a hurry. Please
write and tell me what Celer says Caesar has settled about the
candidates, whether he thinks of going to the field of Fennel or the
field of Mars. I should much like to know too whether I must come to
Rome for the elections. For I must do my duty by Pilia and anyhow by
Attica.
quae desideras omnia scripsi in codicillis eosque Eroti dedi; breviter, sed etiam plura quam quaeris, in iis de Cicerone; cuius quidem cogitationis initium tu mihi attulisti. locutus sum cum eo liberalissime; quod ex ipso velim, si modo tibi erit commodum, sciscitere. sed quid differo? exposui te <ad> me detulisse et quid vellet et quid requireret. velle Hispaniam, requirere liberalitatem. de liberalitate dixi, quantum Publilius, quantum flamen Lentulus filio. de Hispania duo attuli, primum idem quod tibi, me vereri vituperationem. non satis esse si haec arma reliquissemus? etiam contraria? deinde fore ut angeretur cum a fratre familiaritate et omni gratia vinceretur. vellem magis liberalitate uti mea quam sua libertate. sed tamen permisi; tibi enim intellexeram non nimis displicere. ego etiam atque etiam cogitabo teque ut idem facias rogo. magna res est; simplex est manere, illud anceps. verum videbimus. [2] de Balbo et in codicillis scripseram et ita cogito, simul ac redierit. sin ille tardius, ego tamen triduum, et, quod praeterii, Dolabella etiam mecum.
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I have written everything you want on the writing-tablets and given them to Eros; briefly, but even more than you ask, including the matter of Cicero [his son]; and the first impulse for that line of thinking you yourself supplied to me. I spoke with him most generously; I should like you to inquire about it from him directly, if only it is convenient for you. But why do I put it off? I set out that you had reported to me both what he wanted and what he was looking for. That he wants Spain, that he is looking for liberal provision. As to the liberal provision, I said how much Publilius, how much the flamen Lentulus gave to his son. As to Spain, I brought forward two points: first, the same one I made to you, that I am afraid of censure. Was it not enough if we had laid down these arms? Even to take up the opposite ones? Then, that it would come about that he would be distressed at being outdone by his brother in intimacy and in every kind of favor. I would prefer that he make use of my generosity rather than of his own freedom of action. But still I gave my permission; for I had understood that the idea did not displease you too much. I will think it over again and again, and I ask you to do the same. It is a weighty matter; staying is the simple course, the other is doubtful. But we shall see. [2] About Balbus I had written both on the tablets and so I intend, as soon as he returns. But if he is rather slow, I shall in any case allow three days, and, what I left out, Dolabella too is with me.
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
quae desideras omnia scripsi in codicillis eosque Eroti dedi; breviter, sed etiam plura quam quaeris, in iis de Cicerone; cuius quidem cogitationis initium tu mihi attulisti. locutus sum cum eo liberalissime; quod ex ipso velim, si modo tibi erit commodum, sciscitere. sed quid differo? exposui te <ad> me detulisse et quid vellet et quid requireret. velle Hispaniam, requirere liberalitatem. de liberalitate dixi, quantum Publilius, quantum flamen Lentulus filio. de Hispania duo attuli, primum idem quod tibi, me vereri vituperationem. non satis esse si haec arma reliquissemus? etiam contraria? deinde fore ut angeretur cum a fratre familiaritate et omni gratia vinceretur. vellem magis liberalitate uti mea quam sua libertate. sed tamen permisi; tibi enim intellexeram non nimis displicere. ego etiam atque etiam cogitabo teque ut idem facias rogo. magna res est; simplex est manere, illud anceps. verum videbimus. [2] de Balbo et in codicillis scripseram et ita cogito, simul ac redierit. sin ille tardius, ego tamen triduum, et, quod praeterii, Dolabella etiam mecum.