Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 45 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
What is this that Clodius Hermogenes tells me Andromenes said to him, that he had seen Cicero [Cicero's son, then studying abroad] at Corcyra? For I had supposed you had heard of it. So not even a line of a letter to him? Or did he not see him? You will make sure, then, that I know. What am I to write you back about Varro? The four parchments [the dialogues, i.e. the books of the Academica] are in your power. Whatever you do, I shall approve it. And yet 'I feel shame before the Trojans' [Greek, aideomai Troas; Homer, Iliad VI.442, Hector's words]. For what of it? But I was more afraid of how the matter itself would be approved by the man himself. Yet since you take it upon yourself, into my other ear with it. [2] About the retention I have written back in reply to your carefully composed letter. You will therefore see it through, and that without any hesitation or going back on it. This both ought to be done and needs to be done.
About Vergilius' share I approve; so arrange it like that. And indeed it will be my first choice, next to Clodia's. If neither, I fear I shall run amuck and make a dash for Drusus. As you know, I have lost control of myself in my desire for this. So I keep coming back to the idea of my place at Tusculum. For anything is better than not getting it finished this summer.
Under the present circumstances I am as comfortable at Astura as I could be anywhere. But as those who are with me are in a hurry to go home, I suppose because they cannot put up with my melancholy, though I might remain, I shall leave here, as I told you, so as not to seem deserted. But where am I to go? From Lanuvium I am trying to bring myself to go to Tusculum. But I will let you know soon. Please write the letters. You wouldn't believe how much writing I get done by night as well as day, for I cannot sleep. Yesterday I even composed a letter to Caesar, as you desired. There was no harm in writing it in case you thought it necessary: as
things are, there is certainly no need to send it. But let that be as you like. However, I will send you a copy, perhaps from Lanuvium, unless I happen to come to Rome. But you shall know to-morrow.
quid est quod Hermogenes mihi Clodius Andromenem sibi dixisse se Ciceronem vidisse Corcyrae? ego enim audita tibi putaram. nil igitur ne ei quidem litterarum? an non vidit? facies ergo ut sciam. quid tibi ego de Varrone rescribam? quattuor difqerai sunt in tua potestate. quod egeris id probabo. nec tamen ' ai)deomai Trw=aj .' quid enim? sed ipsi quam res illa probaretur magis verebar. sed quoniam tu suscipis, in alteram aurem. [2] de retentione rescripsi ad tuas accurate scriptas litteras. conficies igitur et quidem sine ulla dubitatione aut retractatione. hoc fieri et oportet et opus est.
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What is this that Clodius Hermogenes tells me Andromenes said to him, that he had seen Cicero [Cicero's son, then studying abroad] at Corcyra? For I had supposed you had heard of it. So not even a line of a letter to him? Or did he not see him? You will make sure, then, that I know. What am I to write you back about Varro? The four parchments [the dialogues, i.e. the books of the Academica] are in your power. Whatever you do, I shall approve it. And yet 'I feel shame before the Trojans' [Greek, aideomai Troas; Homer, Iliad VI.442, Hector's words]. For what of it? But I was more afraid of how the matter itself would be approved by the man himself. Yet since you take it upon yourself, into my other ear with it. [2] About the retention I have written back in reply to your carefully composed letter. You will therefore see it through, and that without any hesitation or going back on it. This both ought to be done and needs to be done.
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
quid est quod Hermogenes mihi Clodius Andromenem sibi dixisse se Ciceronem vidisse Corcyrae? ego enim audita tibi putaram. nil igitur ne ei quidem litterarum? an non vidit? facies ergo ut sciam. quid tibi ego de Varrone rescribam? quattuor difqerai sunt in tua potestate. quod egeris id probabo. nec tamen ' ai)deomai Trw=aj .' quid enim? sed ipsi quam res illa probaretur magis verebar. sed quoniam tu suscipis, in alteram aurem. [2] de retentione rescripsi ad tuas accurate scriptas litteras. conficies igitur et quidem sine ulla dubitatione aut retractatione. hoc fieri et oportet et opus est.