Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 51 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
On May 10 I reached Pontius' villa at Trebula. There two letters from you were delivered to me on the third day after they left your hands. That same day, while leaving my Pompeian villa, I had given Philotimus a letter for you. At the moment I have nothing much to write.
Please tell me what rumors there are about public affairs. In the towns I see the greatest fear, though much of it is empty. I want to know what you think of all this, and when.
I do not know which letter you want me to answer. So far I have received none except the two handed to me together at Trebula. One contained the edict of Publius Licinius and was dated May 7; the other answered my letter from Menturnae. I am afraid there may have been something more urgent in the letters I did not receive, the ones you want answered. I will put you in Lentulus' good graces.
Dionysius is dear to me. Your Nicanor is giving me excellent service. Now I have no more to write, and day is breaking. I was thinking of going to Beneventum today. I will make our restraint and diligence fully satisfy expectations.
From Pontius' house at Trebula, May 11.
On the 10th of May I came to Pontius’ villa at Trebula. There two letters from you were delivered to me on the third day after leaving your hands. On that same day, as I was quitting my place at Pompeii,
I gave Philotimus a letter to you: nor have I at present any news. I beg you write me what reports there are on the political situation. In the country towns I notice there is much panic: but a great deal is nonsense. Please let me know your opinion about this and the date of the impending crisis. I do not know to which of your letters you ask for a reply. I have received no letter so far, except the two which were handed me together at my villa in Trebula. One of these contained the edict of P. Lentulus, and was dated the 7th of May: the other was a reply to my letter from Menturnae. I fear there may have been some matter more important in a letter I did not receive, to which you ask for a reply. I will put you in Lentulus’ good graces.
Dionysius is my bosom friend. Your Nicanor does me excellent service. I have no more to say, and day is breaking. I think of going to Beneventum to-day. My continence and diligence shall satisfy....
From the house of Pontius at Trebula, May 11.
A. d. vi Idus Maias veni in Trebulanum ad Pontium. ibi mihi tuae litterae binae redditae sunt tertio abs te die. eodem autem exiens e Pompeiano Philotimo dederam ad te litteras; nec vero nunc erat sane quod scriberem. qui de re publica rumores scribe, quaeso; in oppidis enim summum video timorem sed multa inania. quid de his cogites et quando scire velim. [2] ad quas litteras tibi rescribi velis nescio. nullas enim adhuc acceperam praeter quae mihi binae simul in Trebulano redditae sunt; quarum alterae edictum P. Licini habebant (erant autem Nonis Maus datae), alterae rescriptae ad meas Menturnensis. quam vereor ne quid fuerit spoudaioteron in iis quas non accepi quibus rescribi vis! (apud) Lentulum ponam te in gratia. [3] Dionysius nobis cordi est. Nicanor tuus operam mihi dat egregiam. iam deest quod scribam et lucet. Beneventi cogitabam hodie. nostra continentia et diligentia +esse satis faciemus satis. A Pontio ex Trebulano a. d. v Idus Maias.
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On May 10 I reached Pontius' villa at Trebula. There two letters from you were delivered to me on the third day after they left your hands. That same day, while leaving my Pompeian villa, I had given Philotimus a letter for you. At the moment I have nothing much to write.
Please tell me what rumors there are about public affairs. In the towns I see the greatest fear, though much of it is empty. I want to know what you think of all this, and when.
I do not know which letter you want me to answer. So far I have received none except the two handed to me together at Trebula. One contained the edict of Publius Licinius and was dated May 7; the other answered my letter from Menturnae. I am afraid there may have been something more urgent in the letters I did not receive, the ones you want answered. I will put you in Lentulus' good graces.
Dionysius is dear to me. Your Nicanor is giving me excellent service. Now I have no more to write, and day is breaking. I was thinking of going to Beneventum today. I will make our restraint and diligence fully satisfy expectations.
From Pontius' house at Trebula, May 11.
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
A. d. vi Idus Maias veni in Trebulanum ad Pontium. ibi mihi tuae litterae binae redditae sunt tertio abs te die. eodem autem exiens e Pompeiano Philotimo dederam ad te litteras; nec vero nunc erat sane quod scriberem. qui de re publica rumores scribe, quaeso; in oppidis enim summum video timorem sed multa inania. quid de his cogites et quando scire velim. [2] ad quas litteras tibi rescribi velis nescio. nullas enim adhuc acceperam praeter quae mihi binae simul in Trebulano redditae sunt; quarum alterae edictum P. Licini habebant (erant autem Nonis Maus datae), alterae rescriptae ad meas Menturnensis. quam vereor ne quid fuerit spoudaioteron in iis quas non accepi quibus rescribi vis! (apud) Lentulum ponam te in gratia. [3] Dionysius nobis cordi est. Nicanor tuus operam mihi dat egregiam. iam deest quod scribam et lucet. Beneventi cogitabam hodie. nostra continentia et diligentia +esse satis faciemus satis. A Pontio ex Trebulano a. d. v Idus Maias.