Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 43 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
On the sixth day before the Ides I received two letters, one from my own courier, the other from Brutus's. About the people of Buthrotum the report here was quite different; but, like so much else, this too must be endured. I have sent Eros back sooner than I had arranged, so that there might be someone to handle Hortensius—and indeed someone for those with whom he says he made an appointment for the Ides. Hortensius, though, is being shameless. Nothing is owed to him except out of the third installment, which falls due on the Kalends of August; and out of that very installment the greater part has already been paid him, well before the day. But Eros will see to this on the Ides.
As for Publilius, since a draft must be drawn up for him, I do not think there should be any delay. But when you see how much of our legal right we have given up—we who, out of the residue of 400,000 sesterces, have paid 200,000 in cash and are giving a bond for the rest—you may, if you think fit, talk with him: you can tell him that he ought to await our convenience, since we have made so great a sacrifice of our rights.
[2] But please, my dear Atticus (do you see how coaxingly I ask?), so long as you are in Rome conduct, direct, and steer all my affairs in such a way that you need expect nothing from me. For although the outstanding sums are quite adequate to cover what is due, it often happens that those who owe do not pay on time. If anything of that sort should occur, let nothing matter to you so much as my good name [fama]. You will preserve it not only by a fresh loan but even by a sale, if circumstances should so demand.
[3] Your letter pleased Brutus. For I was with him for many hours at Nesis, having received your letter a little earlier. He seemed to me delighted with the Tereus [the play by Accius, staged at the Apollinarian Games, whose lines the audience applied to Antony] and to feel more gratitude to Accius than to Antony. For my part, the more cheering these things are, the more vexation and distress it brings me that the Roman people spends its hands not on defending the Republic but on applauding. To me, indeed, those men's spirits seem to be inflamed even into making a fresh display of their wickedness. But still, provided they feel some pain, let them feel whatever pain you please.
[4] As for my plan, which you say is more praised every day, I am not sorry, and I was waiting to see whether you might write me anything about it. For I kept running into various opinions; indeed, that is the very reason I was dragging things out, so that the matter might stay open as long as possible. But since I am being driven out with a pitchfork, I am thinking of Brundisium. For it seems that avoiding the legions will be easier and more assured than avoiding the pirates, who are said to be in plain sight. Sestius was expected on the sixth day before the Ides, but he had not come, so far as I know. Cassius had arrived with his little fleet. Once I have seen him, I was thinking on the fifth day before the Ides of going to my place at Pompeii, and from there to Aeculanum. You know the rest. About Tutia, it was just as I had supposed.
[5] As for Aebutius, I do not believe it, nor in any case do I worry about it more than you do. I have written to Plancus and Oppius, as you had asked; but, if you think fit, do not feel bound to deliver the letters. For since they have done everything for your sake, I am afraid they may judge my letters superfluous—Oppius at any rate, whom I have found to be a very great friend of yours. But do as you wish.
[6] Since you write that you will be wintering in Epirus, you will oblige me if you come there before the time at which, on your own advice, I must come to Italy. Send me letters as often as possible; if on less essential matters, by whatever messenger you happen to find; but if there is anything more important, send it from your own household. If we reach Brundisium safely, I shall take up a piece in the manner of Heraclides [Heraclides Ponticus, model for philosophical dialogue]. I have sent you my On Glory [De Gloria]. So keep it, as you usually do; but let select passages [eklogai, "excerpts"] be marked—ones that Salvius, when he has found a worthy audience, may read at a dinner party at least. They please me greatly; I would rather they pleased you. Again and again, farewell.
On the 10th I received two letters, one by my own messenger, another from Brutus'. Here the story about the Buthrotians was very different; but that, like many other things, we must put up with. I have sent Eros back sooner than I intended, that there may be someone to pay Hortensius and Ovia, with whom, indeed, he says he had made an appointment for the 15th. It is really shameless of Hortensius, for there is nothing owing to him except on the third instalment, which is due on the 1st of August; and the greater part of that instalment has been paid some time before the proper date. But Eros will see to that on the 15th.
In Publilius' case I don't think there ought to be any delay in letting him have a draft for what is owing. But, when you see how much I have yielded my rights in paying up half of a balance of £4,000 in ready money, and now giving a bill for the rest, you may, if you think fit, tell him that he ought to await my convenience, when I have waived so much of my rights. But please, my dear Atticus—see how coaxingly I put it—do transact, regulate, and manage all my affairs while you are in Rome, without waiting for a hint from me. For though I have sufficient outstanding debts to meet my creditors, it often happens that the debtors don't pay at the proper time. If anything of that sort happens, consider nothing so much as my credit. Preserve it not only by raising a fresh loan, but by selling if necessary.
Brutus was pleased with your letter. I spent several hours with him at Nesis, just after I received your letter. He seemed to be delighted at the Tereus incident, and to feel more grateful to Accius than to Antonius. For my part the better the news is, the more it annoys and pains me, that the Roman people use their hands not for defending the constitution but for clapping. It seems to me that the Caesarian party is possessed of a positive mania for parading its disloyalty. However, "so they but suffer, be it what it will."
You say my plan is daily more commended. I am not sorry, and I am looking forward to anything you may say about it. For I have met with various opinions; and, indeed, for that reason I am hesitating as long as possible before committing myself. But since I am being turned out with a pitchfork, I am thinking of Brundisium. For it seems to me to be more certain and easier to avoid the soldiers than the pirates, who are said to be in evidence.
I expected Sestius on the 10th, but he has not come, so far as I know. Cassius has arrived with his little fleet. When I have seen him, I am thinking of going on the 11th to Pompeii, and thence to Aeculanum. You know the rest. About Tutia, that is what I thought. As for Aebutius, I don't believe it; nor do I care any more than you do. I have written of course to Plancus and Oppius, as you asked me: but, if you think better of it, don't hold yourself bound to deliver the letters. For, since they have done it all for your sake, I fear my letters
may appear superfluous to them—to Oppius at any rate, as I know he is a great admirer of yours. But just as you please.
As you say you are going to spend the winter in Epirus, I shall take it kindly if you will come before the time at which you advise me to return to Italy. Send me letters as often as possible; if on matters of little importance, by any messenger you can find; but if on important affairs, send some one of your own.
I will attempt a work in Heracleides' style, if I get safe to Brundisium. I am sending you my De Gloria. Please keep it as usual, but have select passages marked for Salvius to read when he has an appropriate party to dinner. I am very pleased with them, and I hope you will be too. Farewell, and yet again farewell.
vi Idus duas epistulas accepi, unam a meo tabellario, alteram <a> Bruti. de Buthrotiis longe alia fama in his locis fuerat, sed cum aliis multis hoc ferendum. Erotem remisi citius quam constitueram, ut esset qui Hortensio et quia et quibus quidem ait se Idibus constituisse. Hortensius vero impudenter. nihil enim debetur ei nisi ex tertia pensione quae est Kal. Sext.; ex qua pensione ipsa maior pars est ei soluta aliquanto ante diem. sed haec Eros videbit Idibus. de Publilio autem, quod perscribi oportet, moram non puto esse faciendam. sed cum videas quantum de iure nostro decesserimus qui de residuis C_C_C_C_ HS C_C_ praesentia solverimus, reliqua rescribamus, loqui cum eo, si tibi videbitur, poteris eum commodum nostrum exspectare debere, cum tanta sit a nobis iactura facta iuris. [2] sed amabo te, mi Attice, (videsne quam blande?), omnia nostra, quoad eris Romae, ita gerito, regito, gubernato ut nihil a me exspectes. quamquam enim reliqua satis apta sunt ad solvendum, tamen fit saepe ut ii qui debent non respondeant ad tempus. si quid eius modi acciderit, ne quid tibi sit fama mea potius. non modo versura verum etiam venditione, si ita res coget, nos vindicabis. [3] Bruto tuae litterae gratae erant. fui enim apud illum multas horas in Neside, cum paulo ante tuas litteras accepissem. delectari mihi Tereo videbatur et habere maiorem Accio quam Antonio gratiam. mihi autem <quo> laetiora sunt, eo plus stomachi et molestiae est populum Romanum manus suas non in defendenda re publica sed in plaudendo consumere. mihi quidem videntur istorum animi incendi etiam ad repraesentandam improbitatem suam. sed tamen du/m modo doleant a/liquid, doleant qui/dlibet. [4] consilium meum quod ais cotidie magis laudari non moleste fero exspectabamque si quid de eo ad me scriberes. ego enim in varios sermones incidebam. quin etiam idcirco trahebam ut quam diutissime integrum esset. sed quoniam furcilla extrudimur, Brundisium cogito. facilior enim et exploratior devitatio legionum fore videtur quam piratarum qui apparere dicuntur. Sestius vi Idus exspectabatur sed non venerat, quod sciam. Cassius cum classicula sua venerat. ego cum eum vidissem, v id. in Pompeianum cogitabam, inde Aeculanum. Nosti reliqua. de Tutia ita putaram. [5] de Aebutio non credo nec tamen curo plus quam tu. Planco et Oppio scripsi equidem quoniam rogaras, sed, si tibi videbitur, ne necesse habueris reddere. cum enim tua causa fecerint omnia, vereor ne meas litteras supervacaneas arbitrentur. Oppio quidem utique quem tibi amicissimum cognovi. verum ut voles. [6] tu quoniam scribis hiematurum te in Epiro, feceris mihi gratum si ante eo veneris quam mihi in Italiam te auctore veniendum est. litteras ad me quam saepissime; si de rebus minus necessariis, aliquem nactus; sin autem erit quid maius, domo mittito. (Hraklei/deion , si Brundisium salvi, adoriemur. 'de gloria' misi tibi. custodies igitur, ut soles, sed notentur e)klogai\ quas Salvius bonos auditores nactus in convivio dumtaxat legat. mihi valde placent, mallem tibi. etiam atque etiam vale.
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On the sixth day before the Ides I received two letters, one from my own courier, the other from Brutus's. About the people of Buthrotum the report here was quite different; but, like so much else, this too must be endured. I have sent Eros back sooner than I had arranged, so that there might be someone to handle Hortensius—and indeed someone for those with whom he says he made an appointment for the Ides. Hortensius, though, is being shameless. Nothing is owed to him except out of the third installment, which falls due on the Kalends of August; and out of that very installment the greater part has already been paid him, well before the day. But Eros will see to this on the Ides.
As for Publilius, since a draft must be drawn up for him, I do not think there should be any delay. But when you see how much of our legal right we have given up—we who, out of the residue of 400,000 sesterces, have paid 200,000 in cash and are giving a bond for the rest—you may, if you think fit, talk with him: you can tell him that he ought to await our convenience, since we have made so great a sacrifice of our rights.
[2] But please, my dear Atticus (do you see how coaxingly I ask?), so long as you are in Rome conduct, direct, and steer all my affairs in such a way that you need expect nothing from me. For although the outstanding sums are quite adequate to cover what is due, it often happens that those who owe do not pay on time. If anything of that sort should occur, let nothing matter to you so much as my good name [fama]. You will preserve it not only by a fresh loan but even by a sale, if circumstances should so demand.
[3] Your letter pleased Brutus. For I was with him for many hours at Nesis, having received your letter a little earlier. He seemed to me delighted with the Tereus [the play by Accius, staged at the Apollinarian Games, whose lines the audience applied to Antony] and to feel more gratitude to Accius than to Antony. For my part, the more cheering these things are, the more vexation and distress it brings me that the Roman people spends its hands not on defending the Republic but on applauding. To me, indeed, those men's spirits seem to be inflamed even into making a fresh display of their wickedness. But still, provided they feel some pain, let them feel whatever pain you please.
[4] As for my plan, which you say is more praised every day, I am not sorry, and I was waiting to see whether you might write me anything about it. For I kept running into various opinions; indeed, that is the very reason I was dragging things out, so that the matter might stay open as long as possible. But since I am being driven out with a pitchfork, I am thinking of Brundisium. For it seems that avoiding the legions will be easier and more assured than avoiding the pirates, who are said to be in plain sight. Sestius was expected on the sixth day before the Ides, but he had not come, so far as I know. Cassius had arrived with his little fleet. Once I have seen him, I was thinking on the fifth day before the Ides of going to my place at Pompeii, and from there to Aeculanum. You know the rest. About Tutia, it was just as I had supposed.
[5] As for Aebutius, I do not believe it, nor in any case do I worry about it more than you do. I have written to Plancus and Oppius, as you had asked; but, if you think fit, do not feel bound to deliver the letters. For since they have done everything for your sake, I am afraid they may judge my letters superfluous—Oppius at any rate, whom I have found to be a very great friend of yours. But do as you wish.
[6] Since you write that you will be wintering in Epirus, you will oblige me if you come there before the time at which, on your own advice, I must come to Italy. Send me letters as often as possible; if on less essential matters, by whatever messenger you happen to find; but if there is anything more important, send it from your own household. If we reach Brundisium safely, I shall take up a piece in the manner of Heraclides [Heraclides Ponticus, model for philosophical dialogue]. I have sent you my On Glory [De Gloria]. So keep it, as you usually do; but let select passages [eklogai, "excerpts"] be marked—ones that Salvius, when he has found a worthy audience, may read at a dinner party at least. They please me greatly; I would rather they pleased you. Again and again, farewell.
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
vi Idus duas epistulas accepi, unam a meo tabellario, alteram <a> Bruti. de Buthrotiis longe alia fama in his locis fuerat, sed cum aliis multis hoc ferendum. Erotem remisi citius quam constitueram, ut esset qui Hortensio et quia et quibus quidem ait se Idibus constituisse. Hortensius vero impudenter. nihil enim debetur ei nisi ex tertia pensione quae est Kal. Sext.; ex qua pensione ipsa maior pars est ei soluta aliquanto ante diem. sed haec Eros videbit Idibus. de Publilio autem, quod perscribi oportet, moram non puto esse faciendam. sed cum videas quantum de iure nostro decesserimus qui de residuis C_C_C_C_ HS C_C_ praesentia solverimus, reliqua rescribamus, loqui cum eo, si tibi videbitur, poteris eum commodum nostrum exspectare debere, cum tanta sit a nobis iactura facta iuris. [2] sed amabo te, mi Attice, (videsne quam blande?), omnia nostra, quoad eris Romae, ita gerito, regito, gubernato ut nihil a me exspectes. quamquam enim reliqua satis apta sunt ad solvendum, tamen fit saepe ut ii qui debent non respondeant ad tempus. si quid eius modi acciderit, ne quid tibi sit fama mea potius. non modo versura verum etiam venditione, si ita res coget, nos vindicabis. [3] Bruto tuae litterae gratae erant. fui enim apud illum multas horas in Neside, cum paulo ante tuas litteras accepissem. delectari mihi Tereo videbatur et habere maiorem Accio quam Antonio gratiam. mihi autem <quo> laetiora sunt, eo plus stomachi et molestiae est populum Romanum manus suas non in defendenda re publica sed in plaudendo consumere. mihi quidem videntur istorum animi incendi etiam ad repraesentandam improbitatem suam. sed tamen du/m modo doleant a/liquid, doleant qui/dlibet. [4] consilium meum quod ais cotidie magis laudari non moleste fero exspectabamque si quid de eo ad me scriberes. ego enim in varios sermones incidebam. quin etiam idcirco trahebam ut quam diutissime integrum esset. sed quoniam furcilla extrudimur, Brundisium cogito. facilior enim et exploratior devitatio legionum fore videtur quam piratarum qui apparere dicuntur. Sestius vi Idus exspectabatur sed non venerat, quod sciam. Cassius cum classicula sua venerat. ego cum eum vidissem, v id. in Pompeianum cogitabam, inde Aeculanum. Nosti reliqua. de Tutia ita putaram. [5] de Aebutio non credo nec tamen curo plus quam tu. Planco et Oppio scripsi equidem quoniam rogaras, sed, si tibi videbitur, ne necesse habueris reddere. cum enim tua causa fecerint omnia, vereor ne meas litteras supervacaneas arbitrentur. Oppio quidem utique quem tibi amicissimum cognovi. verum ut voles. [6] tu quoniam scribis hiematurum te in Epiro, feceris mihi gratum si ante eo veneris quam mihi in Italiam te auctore veniendum est. litteras ad me quam saepissime; si de rebus minus necessariis, aliquem nactus; sin autem erit quid maius, domo mittito. (Hraklei/deion , si Brundisium salvi, adoriemur. 'de gloria' misi tibi. custodies igitur, ut soles, sed notentur e)klogai\ quas Salvius bonos auditores nactus in convivio dumtaxat legat. mihi valde placent, mallem tibi. etiam atque etiam vale.