Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 60 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
I have received several letters from you, from which I understood with how anxious and troubled a mind you were eager to know what was new. We are held fast on every side, and we no longer refuse to be slaves; rather, we fear death and banishment as though they were greater evils, which are much smaller. And this present state of affairs is bemoaned with one voice by all, yet is relieved by no one's word. The aim, as I suspect, of those who hold power is to leave no opportunity of largess to anyone. One man alone speaks out and openly opposes them, the young man Curio. To him the loudest applause is given, a most honorable public greeting in the forum, and besides many tokens of goodwill are bestowed by the loyal citizens. Fufius they pursue with shouts and abuse and hisses. From these things comes not hope, but greater grief, when you see the will of the state set free but its virtue bound fast. [2] And lest you should perhaps inquire point by point about individual matters, the whole situation has been brought to such a pass that there is no hope at all that ever, I do not say private men, but even the magistrates will be free. Yet in the midst of this oppression conversation, at least in private gatherings and at dinner parties, is freer than it was. Grief is beginning to overcome fear, but in such a way that everything is utterly full of despair. The Campanian law even contains a curse, to be pronounced by the candidates in the public assembly, if they make any mention of holding the land otherwise than as provided under the Julian laws. The rest do not hesitate to swear the oath; Laterensis is thought to have acted handsomely in that he gave up seeking the tribunate of the plebs so as not to swear it. [3] But about the state I have no wish to write more. I am displeased with myself, nor do I write without the deepest grief. I bear myself, considering that all are crushed, not abjectly, but, considering the great things I have accomplished, with too little courage. By Caesar I am very generously invited to that legateship, to be his legate, and besides a free legateship is offered me on the pretext of a vow. But this latter offers neither sufficient protection against the shamelessness of the pretty little fellow [Clodius] nor does it take me away from my brother's arrival; the former is both better fortified and does not prevent me from being present when I wish. This one I hold onto, but I do not think I shall use it, and yet no one knows of it. I have no wish to flee; I long to fight. Men's feelings of support are strong. But I affirm nothing; you will keep this silent. [4] About Statius having been set free and certain other matters I am indeed vexed, but by now I have become wholly callous. I could wish, or rather I should desire, that you were here; I would lack neither counsel nor consolation. But prepare yourself in such a way that, if I cry out, you will fly to me.
I have received several letters of yours, and from them I see with what tense anxiety you are looking forward to news. We are hemmed in on every side; yet we do not rebel at servitude, fearing death and exile as though they were greater evils, whereas they are really far lesser evils. Yes, that is the position, and though every one groans about it, not a voice is raised to relieve it. The object, I presume, of those who hold the reins is to leave nothing for anyone else to give away. One man only opens his mouth and opposes them publicly, and that is young Curio. The loyal party cheers him loudly, greets him in the forum with the highest respect, and shows its good-will to him in many other ways, while Fufius is pursued with shouts and jeers and hisses. But this raises not one’s hope so much as one’s disgust at seeing the people’s will so free and their courage so enslaved. And, not to enter into details with you, affairs have come to such a pass that there is no hope of ever again having free magistrates, let alone a free people. But in the midst of this tyranny speech is freer than ever, at any rate in clubs and over our
cups. Disgust is beginning to conquer fear, though it still leaves the blankest despair everywhere. The Campanian law goes so far as to impose upon candidates a formula of execration upon themselves if they propose any different occupation of the land to that laid down by the Julian laws, to be used by them in their speech as candidates. The others showed no compunction in taking the oath: but Laterensis is thought a hero because he threw up his candidature for the tribunate rather than take it.
I have no heart to write more about politics. I am disgusted with myself and it is agony to me to write. I stand my ground without losing self-respect considering the universal servility, but with less courage than I could wish considering my past record. Caesar most liberally invites me to take a place on his personal staff: and I even have an offer of a free travelling pass nominally to fulfil a vow. But it is hardly safe to trust to that Beauty’s delicacy to that extent. Besides it would mean that I should not be here for my brother’s return. The other post is much safer, and does not prevent me from being here when I wish. The free pass I have, but I don’t think I shall use it. No one knows of it however. I don’t want to run away; I long to fight. I have plenty of ardent admirers. But I won’t take my oath on anything, and please don’t mention what I’ve said.
I am much distressed about the manumission of Statius and some other things, but I’ve become thick-skinned by now. I wish you were here, I long for
it. I should no longer feel the lack of advice or consolation. However, hold yourself ready to come quickly, if I call for you.
accepi aliquot epistulas tuas, ex quibus intellexi quam suspenso animo et sollicito scire averes quid esset novi. tenemur undique neque iam quo minus serviamus recusamus, sed mortem et eiectionem quasi maiora timemus, quae multo sunt minora. atque hic status qui nunc est una voce omnium gemitur neque verbo cuiusquam sublevatur. Skopos est, ut suspicor, illis qui tenent, nullam cuiquam argitionem relinquere. Vnus loquitur et palam adversatur adulescens Curio. huic plausus maximi, consalutatio forensis perhonorifica, signa praeterea benevolentiae permulta a bonis impertiuntur. Fufium clamoribus et conviciis et sibilis consectantur. his ex rebus non spes, sed dolor est maior cum videas civitatis voluntatem solutam, virtutem adligatam. [2] ac ne forte quaeras kata lepton de singulis rebus, universa res eo est deducta spes ut nulla sit aliquando non modo privatos verum etiam magistratus liberos fore. hac tamen in oppressione sermo in circulis dumtaxat et in conviviis est liberior quam fuit. vincere incipit timorem dolor, sed ita ut omnia sint plenissima desperationis. habet etiam Campana lex exsecrationem in contione candidatorum, si mentionem fecerint quo aliter ager possideatur atque ut ex legibus Iuliis. non dubitant iurare ceteri; Laterensis existimatur laute fecisse quod tribunatum pl. petere destitit ne iuraret. [3] sed de re publica non libet plura scribere. displiceo mihi nec sine summo scribo dolore. me tueor ut oppressis omnibus non demisse, ut tantis rebus gestis parum fortiter. A Caesare valde liberaliter invitor in legationem illam, sibi ut sim legatus, atque etiam libera legatio voti causa datur. sed haec et praesidi apud pudorem pulchelli non habet satis et a fratris adventu me ablegat, illa et munitior est et non impedit quo minus adsim quom velim. hanc ego teneo sed usurum me non puto, neque tamen scit quisquam. non lubet fugere, aveo pugnare. Magna sunt hominum studia. sed nihil adfirmo; tu hoc silebis. [4] de Statio manu misso et non nullis aliis rebus angor equidem, sed iam prorsus occallui. tu vellem ego vel cuperem adesses; nec mihi consilium nec consolatio deesset. sed ita te para ut, si inclamaro, advoles.
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I have received several letters from you, from which I understood with how anxious and troubled a mind you were eager to know what was new. We are held fast on every side, and we no longer refuse to be slaves; rather, we fear death and banishment as though they were greater evils, which are much smaller. And this present state of affairs is bemoaned with one voice by all, yet is relieved by no one's word. The aim, as I suspect, of those who hold power is to leave no opportunity of largess to anyone. One man alone speaks out and openly opposes them, the young man Curio. To him the loudest applause is given, a most honorable public greeting in the forum, and besides many tokens of goodwill are bestowed by the loyal citizens. Fufius they pursue with shouts and abuse and hisses. From these things comes not hope, but greater grief, when you see the will of the state set free but its virtue bound fast. [2] And lest you should perhaps inquire point by point about individual matters, the whole situation has been brought to such a pass that there is no hope at all that ever, I do not say private men, but even the magistrates will be free. Yet in the midst of this oppression conversation, at least in private gatherings and at dinner parties, is freer than it was. Grief is beginning to overcome fear, but in such a way that everything is utterly full of despair. The Campanian law even contains a curse, to be pronounced by the candidates in the public assembly, if they make any mention of holding the land otherwise than as provided under the Julian laws. The rest do not hesitate to swear the oath; Laterensis is thought to have acted handsomely in that he gave up seeking the tribunate of the plebs so as not to swear it. [3] But about the state I have no wish to write more. I am displeased with myself, nor do I write without the deepest grief. I bear myself, considering that all are crushed, not abjectly, but, considering the great things I have accomplished, with too little courage. By Caesar I am very generously invited to that legateship, to be his legate, and besides a free legateship is offered me on the pretext of a vow. But this latter offers neither sufficient protection against the shamelessness of the pretty little fellow [Clodius] nor does it take me away from my brother's arrival; the former is both better fortified and does not prevent me from being present when I wish. This one I hold onto, but I do not think I shall use it, and yet no one knows of it. I have no wish to flee; I long to fight. Men's feelings of support are strong. But I affirm nothing; you will keep this silent. [4] About Statius having been set free and certain other matters I am indeed vexed, but by now I have become wholly callous. I could wish, or rather I should desire, that you were here; I would lack neither counsel nor consolation. But prepare yourself in such a way that, if I cry out, you will fly to 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
accepi aliquot epistulas tuas, ex quibus intellexi quam suspenso animo et sollicito scire averes quid esset novi. tenemur undique neque iam quo minus serviamus recusamus, sed mortem et eiectionem quasi maiora timemus, quae multo sunt minora. atque hic status qui nunc est una voce omnium gemitur neque verbo cuiusquam sublevatur. Skopos est, ut suspicor, illis qui tenent, nullam cuiquam argitionem relinquere. Vnus loquitur et palam adversatur adulescens Curio. huic plausus maximi, consalutatio forensis perhonorifica, signa praeterea benevolentiae permulta a bonis impertiuntur. Fufium clamoribus et conviciis et sibilis consectantur. his ex rebus non spes, sed dolor est maior cum videas civitatis voluntatem solutam, virtutem adligatam. [2] ac ne forte quaeras kata lepton de singulis rebus, universa res eo est deducta spes ut nulla sit aliquando non modo privatos verum etiam magistratus liberos fore. hac tamen in oppressione sermo in circulis dumtaxat et in conviviis est liberior quam fuit. vincere incipit timorem dolor, sed ita ut omnia sint plenissima desperationis. habet etiam Campana lex exsecrationem in contione candidatorum, si mentionem fecerint quo aliter ager possideatur atque ut ex legibus Iuliis. non dubitant iurare ceteri; Laterensis existimatur laute fecisse quod tribunatum pl. petere destitit ne iuraret. [3] sed de re publica non libet plura scribere. displiceo mihi nec sine summo scribo dolore. me tueor ut oppressis omnibus non demisse, ut tantis rebus gestis parum fortiter. A Caesare valde liberaliter invitor in legationem illam, sibi ut sim legatus, atque etiam libera legatio voti causa datur. sed haec et praesidi apud pudorem pulchelli non habet satis et a fratris adventu me ablegat, illa et munitior est et non impedit quo minus adsim quom velim. hanc ego teneo sed usurum me non puto, neque tamen scit quisquam. non lubet fugere, aveo pugnare. Magna sunt hominum studia. sed nihil adfirmo; tu hoc silebis. [4] de Statio manu misso et non nullis aliis rebus angor equidem, sed iam prorsus occallui. tu vellem ego vel cuperem adesses; nec mihi consilium nec consolatio deesset. sed ita te para ut, si inclamaro, advoles.