Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 46 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
This is indeed a charming spot, set right on the sea, and within view of both Antium and Circeii; but I must work out a plan for how, through every change of owner-and there can be countless changes in the endless years to come, if only the present order endures-this place may remain, as it were, consecrated and untouched. For my part I now have no need at all of revenues, and I can be content with little. I think now and then of acquiring some pleasure-grounds across the Tiber, and chiefly for this reason: I can see nothing else that could be so frequented [i.e., so accessible to visitors who would honor the shrine]. But which grounds-we shall see when we meet, on the understanding, however, that the shrine [fanum, the memorial Cicero planned for his dead daughter Tullia] is finished this summer. You, meanwhile, settle the matter of the columns with Apella of Chios.
As for what you write about Cocceius and Libo, I approve, and most of all what concerns my service as a judge. About the guarantee, let me know if you have made out anything, and I should also like to know what Cornificius' agents are saying-yet in such a way that, busy as you are, I would not have you spend much effort on the affair. About Antonius, Balbus too has written to me jointly with Oppius, and to the effect that you approved, so that I should not be distressed. I thanked them. Still, I want you to know, as I wrote to you already before, that I was not distressed by that news, nor shall I now be distressed by any.
If Pansa set out today, as you supposed, then from now on begin to write to me about Brutus' arrival-what you expect, that is, by about what dates. That you will easily reach by conjecture, if you know where he is by now.
As to what you write to Tiro about Terentia, I beg you, my dear Atticus, take the whole business in hand. You see that there is at stake both a certain obligation of mine, to which you are privy, and-as some think-Cicero's interest [the financial interest of his son, young Marcus]. But what moves me far more is the matter that is for me both more sacred and of older standing, especially since I think this other consideration will be neither sincere nor secure.
I have read Brutus' letter and am sending it back to you. It is not at all a sensible answer to the points in which you found him wanting. But that is his look out: though in one thing it shows disgraceful ignorance on his part. He thinks Cato was the first to deliver a speech for the punishment of the conspirators, though everybody except Caesar had spoken before him: and that, though Caesar's speech, delivered from the praetorian bench, was so severe, those of the ex-consuls, Catulus, Servilius, the Luculli, Curio, Torquatus, Lepidus, Gellius, Volcacius, Figulus, Cotta, L. Caesar, C. Piso, M'. Glabrio, and even the consuls elect Silanus and Murena, were milder. Why then was the division taken on Cato's proposal? Because he had summed up the same matter in clearer and fuller words. My merit according to Brutus lay in bringing the affair
before the House, not in finding it out, nor in urging them to take steps, nor yet in making up my own mind before I took the House's opinion. And it was because Cato extolled those actions of mine to the skies and moved that they should be put on record, that the vote was taken on his motion. Brutus again seems to think he is giving me high praise by calling me an "excellent consul." Why, has anyone, even a personal enemy, ever used a more grudging term? To the rest of your criticisms too what a poor answer he has given! He only asks you to alter the point about the decree of the Senate. He would have done as much as that at the suggestion of a clerk. But that again is his own look out.
Since you approve of the garden idea, manage it somehow. You know my resources. If I get something back from Faberius, there will be no difficulty. But I think I can manage even without that. Drusus' gardens are certainly for sale, and I think those of Lamianus and Cassianus too. But, when we meet.
About Terentia I cannot say anything more suitable than you do in your letter. Duty must be my first consideration. If I have made a mistake, I would rather have to repent for her sake than for my own. C. Lollius' wife Ovia has to be paid 900 guineas. Eros says it can't be done without me, I suppose because some property has to pass between us at a valuation. I wish he had told you. For, if, as he said, the matter is arranged, and that is not precisely where he is deceiving me, it could be managed through you. Please find out and finish it.
In calling me back to the forum, you call me to a place I shunned even in my happy days. What have I to do with a forum, where there are no lawcourts, no Senate, and where people are continually obtruding themselves on my sight, whom I cannot endure to see? You say people are demanding my presence at Rome, and will not allow me to be absent, or at any rate only for a certain time. Rest assured that I have long held you at a higher value than them all. Myself too I do not underrate, and I far prefer to trust my own judgment than that of all the rest. However I am not going further than the wisest heads allow. I have not only read all their writings on the point, which in itself shows I am a brave invalid and take my medicine, but I have transferred them to my own work; and that certainly does not argue a mind crushed and enfeebled. Do not call me back from these remedies into that busy life, for fear I relapse.
est hic quidem locus amoenus et in mari ipso qui et Antio et Circeus aspici possit; sed ineunda nobis ratio est quem ad modum in omni mutatione dominorum, quae innumerabiles fieri possunt in infinita posteritate, si modo haec stabunt, illud quasi consecratum remanere possit. equidem iam nihil egeo vectigalibus et parvo contentus esse possum. cogito interdum trans Tiberim hortos aliquos parare et quidem ob hanc causam maxime: nihil enim video quod tam celebre esse possit. sed quos, coram videbimus, ita tamen ut hac aestate fanum absolutum sit. tu tamen cum Apella Chio confice de columnis. [2] de Cocceio et Libone quae scribis approbo, maxime quod de iudicatu meo. de sponsu si quid perspexeris et tamen quid procuratores Cornifici dicant velim scire, ita ut in ea re te cum tam occupatus sis, non multum operae velim ponere. de Antonio Balbus quoque ad me cum Oppio conscripsit idque tibi placuisse ne perturbarer. illis egi gratias. te tamen, ut iam ante ad te scripsi, scire volo me neque isto nuntio esse perturbatum nec iam ullo perturbatum iri. [3] Pansa si hodie, ut putabas, profectus est, posthac iam incipito scribere ad me de Bruti adventu quid exspectes, id est quos ad dies. id, si scies ubi iam sit, facile coniectura adsequere. [4] quod ad Tironem de Terentia scribis, obsecro te, mi Attice, suscipe totum negotium. vides et officium agi meum quoddam cui tu es conscius et, ut non nulli putant, Ciceronis rem. me quidem id multo magis movet quod mihi est et sanctius et antiquius, praesertim cum hoc alterum neque sincerum neque firmum putem fore.
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This is indeed a charming spot, set right on the sea, and within view of both Antium and Circeii; but I must work out a plan for how, through every change of owner-and there can be countless changes in the endless years to come, if only the present order endures-this place may remain, as it were, consecrated and untouched. For my part I now have no need at all of revenues, and I can be content with little. I think now and then of acquiring some pleasure-grounds across the Tiber, and chiefly for this reason: I can see nothing else that could be so frequented [i.e., so accessible to visitors who would honor the shrine]. But which grounds-we shall see when we meet, on the understanding, however, that the shrine [fanum, the memorial Cicero planned for his dead daughter Tullia] is finished this summer. You, meanwhile, settle the matter of the columns with Apella of Chios.
As for what you write about Cocceius and Libo, I approve, and most of all what concerns my service as a judge. About the guarantee, let me know if you have made out anything, and I should also like to know what Cornificius' agents are saying-yet in such a way that, busy as you are, I would not have you spend much effort on the affair. About Antonius, Balbus too has written to me jointly with Oppius, and to the effect that you approved, so that I should not be distressed. I thanked them. Still, I want you to know, as I wrote to you already before, that I was not distressed by that news, nor shall I now be distressed by any.
If Pansa set out today, as you supposed, then from now on begin to write to me about Brutus' arrival-what you expect, that is, by about what dates. That you will easily reach by conjecture, if you know where he is by now.
As to what you write to Tiro about Terentia, I beg you, my dear Atticus, take the whole business in hand. You see that there is at stake both a certain obligation of mine, to which you are privy, and-as some think-Cicero's interest [the financial interest of his son, young Marcus]. But what moves me far more is the matter that is for me both more sacred and of older standing, especially since I think this other consideration will be neither sincere nor secure.
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
est hic quidem locus amoenus et in mari ipso qui et Antio et Circeus aspici possit; sed ineunda nobis ratio est quem ad modum in omni mutatione dominorum, quae innumerabiles fieri possunt in infinita posteritate, si modo haec stabunt, illud quasi consecratum remanere possit. equidem iam nihil egeo vectigalibus et parvo contentus esse possum. cogito interdum trans Tiberim hortos aliquos parare et quidem ob hanc causam maxime: nihil enim video quod tam celebre esse possit. sed quos, coram videbimus, ita tamen ut hac aestate fanum absolutum sit. tu tamen cum Apella Chio confice de columnis. [2] de Cocceio et Libone quae scribis approbo, maxime quod de iudicatu meo. de sponsu si quid perspexeris et tamen quid procuratores Cornifici dicant velim scire, ita ut in ea re te cum tam occupatus sis, non multum operae velim ponere. de Antonio Balbus quoque ad me cum Oppio conscripsit idque tibi placuisse ne perturbarer. illis egi gratias. te tamen, ut iam ante ad te scripsi, scire volo me neque isto nuntio esse perturbatum nec iam ullo perturbatum iri. [3] Pansa si hodie, ut putabas, profectus est, posthac iam incipito scribere ad me de Bruti adventu quid exspectes, id est quos ad dies. id, si scies ubi iam sit, facile coniectura adsequere. [4] quod ad Tironem de Terentia scribis, obsecro te, mi Attice, suscipe totum negotium. vides et officium agi meum quoddam cui tu es conscius et, ut non nulli putant, Ciceronis rem. me quidem id multo magis movet quod mihi est et sanctius et antiquius, praesertim cum hoc alterum neque sincerum neque firmum putem fore.