I
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Puteoli, July 8_, B.C. _44_]
On the 7th of Quinctilis I arrived at Puteoli, and I am writing this on
the following day as I am crossing to Brutus at Nesis. The day I arrived
Eros brought me your letter as I was dining. Is it really so? The 9th of
_July_?[299] Heaven confound them! But I could go on cursing all day.
Could they have insulted Brutus worse than with their _July_? So I must
fall back on my old cry, "How long, O Lord?" I have never seen anything
like that. But what, pray, is this I hear about the land-grabbers being
cut to pieces at Buthrotum? And why has Plancus been on the run, as they
tell me he has, day and night? I am very eager to know what it means. I
am glad my departure is approved; I must see whether my staying may be
approved too. That the people of Dyme, now they have been expelled from
their land, should take to piracy is no wonder. There may be some
safeguard in having Brutus as a fellow-passenger, but I think his
vessels are small. I shall know soon and will tell you to-morrow. I
think the report about Ventidius is a false alarm. It is held pretty
certain that Sextus is laying down his arms; and, if that is so, it
looks as though we should be reduced to slavery without even a civil
war. What
Footnote 299:
The month Quinctilis had recently been renamed Julius after Caesar,
who was born in that month.
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Page 370
civili video serviendum. Quid ergo? ad Kal. Ian. in Pansa spes? Λῆρος
πολὺς in vino et in somno istorum.
De ¯CCX¯ optime. Ciceronis rationes explicentur. Ovius enim recens. Is
multa, quae vellem, in iis ne hoc quidem malum[300] HS ¯LXXII¯ satis
esse, adfatim prorsus, sed Xenonem perexigue et γλίσχρως praebere. Quo
plus permutasti quam ad fructum insularum, id ille annus habeat, in quem
itineris sumptus accessit. Hinc ex Kal. Apr. ad HS ¯LXXX¯ accommodetur.
Nunc enim insulae tantum. Videndum enim est quid, cum Romae erit. Non
enim puto socrum illam ferendam. Pindaro de Cumano negaram. Nunc, cuius
rei causa tabellarium miserim, accipe. Quintus filius mihi pollicetur se
Catonem. Egit autem et pater et filius, ut tibi sponderem, sed ita, ut
tum crederes, cum ipse cognosses. Huic ego litteras ipsius arbitratu
dabo. Eae te ne moverint. Has scripsi in eam partem, ne me motum
putares. Di faxint, ut faciat ea, quae promittit! Commune enim gaudium.
Sed ego—nihil dico amplius. Is hinc VII Idus. Ait enim attributionem in
Idus, se autem urgeri acriter. Tu ex meis litteris, quo modo respondeas,
moderabere. Plura, cum et Brutum videro et Erotem remittam. Atticae meae
excusationem accipio eamque amo plurimum; cui et Piliae salutem.
Footnote 300:
_After_ malum _the MSS. have_ in mandatis si abunde, _which was
deleted by Lambinus as a gloss_.
* * * * *
Page 371
hope have we, then? In Pansa, when he enters office? There is nothing
but midsummer madness in their drunken dreams.
About the £2,000[301]: well done! Put my son's affairs straight. For
Ovius has just come, and brings much satisfactory news; among other
things, what is no bad hearing, that £700[302] is enough, quite enough,
but that Xeno treats him very sparingly and niggardly. The excess over
the rental of the town houses that your bill of exchange cost, may be
reckoned to the year, in which there was the additional expense of the
journey. From the 1st of April on let him have up to £800,[303] for that
is the rent of the city property now. Some sort of provision must be
made for him when he comes to Rome. For I don't think he could endure
that woman as a mother-in-law. I refused Pindarus' offer for the villa
at Cumae. Now let me tell you why I have sent a messenger. Young Quintus
is promising to be as prim as a puritan: and both he and his father have
begged me to go bail to you for him, but on the condition that you only
believe it when you see it. I shall give him a letter according to his
fancy, but don't take any notice of it. I am writing now to prevent you
from thinking that I do. God grant he keeps his promise. It would be a
satisfaction to everybody. But I—I won't say any more. He is leaving on
the 9th. For he says there is some money to be paid over on the 15th,
but that he is very hard pressed. You will judge from my letter how to
answer. More when I have seen Brutus and am sending Eros back. I accept
dear Attica's apology and send her my best love. Give my regards to her
and Pilia.
Footnote 301:
210 sestertia.
Footnote 302:
72 sestertia.
Footnote 303:
80 sestertia.
* * * * *
Page 372
II
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Puteolano V Idus Quint. a. 710_]
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 Ouiae[304] 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.
Footnote 304:
Ouiae _Gurlitt_: quia e _MSS._: coheredibus _Junius_.
De Publilio autem, quod perscribi oportet, moram non puto esse
faciendam. Sed, cum videas, quantum de iure nostro decesserimus, qui de
residuis ¯CCCC¯ HS ¯CC¯ praesentia solverimus, reliqua rescribamus,
loqui cum eo, si tibi videbitur, poteris eum commodum nostrum exspectare
debere, cum tanta sit a nobis iactura facta iuris. 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.
* * * * *
Page 373
II
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Puteoli, July 11_, B.C. _44_]
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[305] 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.
Footnote 305:
400 sestertia. The money was a repayment of the dowry Cicero had
received with his second wife, whom he had since divorced.
* * * * *
Page 374
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,
"dúm modo doleant áliquid, doleant quídlibet."
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. 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,
* * * * *
Page 375
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.[306] 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."[307]
Footnote 306:
There had been some exhibition of public feeling at the performance of
Accius' _Tereus_ at the games given by Brutus. Here, and in the
_Philippics_ II. 31, it is implied that it was favourable to Brutus,
but Appius, _B.C._ III. 24, states that outbursts against Caesar's
assassins drove them to decide on leaving Italy.
Footnote 307:
From Afranius. Cf. Cicero, _Tusc. Disp._ IV. 45 and 55.
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
* * * * *
Page 376
Oppio quidem utique, quem tibi amicissimum cognovi. Verum, ut voles.
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 nanctus; sin
autem erit quid maius, domo mittito.
Ἡρακλείδειον, si Brundisium salvi, adoriemur. "De gloria" misi tibi.
Custodies igitur, ut soles, sed notentur eclogarii, quos Salvius bonos
auditores nactus in convivio dumtaxat legat. Mihi valde placent, mallem
tibi. Etiam atque etiam vale.
III
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Pompeiano XVI K. Sext. a. 710_]
Tu vero sapienter (nunc demum enim rescribo iis litteris, quas mihi
misisti convento Antonio Tiburi) sapienter igitur, quod manus dedisti,
quodque etiam ultro gratias egisti. Certe enim, ut scribis, deseremur
ocius a re publica quam a re familiari. Quod vero scribis te cotidie
magis delectare "O Tite, si quid," auges mihi scribendi alacritatem.
Quod Erotem non sine munusculo exspectare te dicis, gaudeo non
fefellisse eam rem opinionem tuam; sed tamen idem σύνταγμα misi ad te
retractatius, et quidem ἀρχέτυπον ipsum crebris locis inculcatum et
refectum. Hunc tu tralatum in macrocollum lege arcano convivis tuis,
* * * * *
Page 377
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.
III
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Pompeii, July 17_, B.C. _44_]
At last I am answering the letter you sent me after meeting Antony at
Tibur. Well, then, you were wise in giving in and even going so far as
to thank him. For certainly, as you say, we shall be robbed of our
constitution before we are robbed of our private property. So you take
more and more delight in my treatise on Old Age daily. That increases my
energy in writing. You say you expect Eros not to come to you
empty-handed. I am glad you have not been disappointed in the event; but
at the same time I am sending you the same composition more carefully
revised, indeed the original copy, with plenty of additions between the
lines and corrections. Have it copied on large paper and read it
privately to your guests; but, if you love me, do it
* * * * *
Page 378
sed, si me amas, hilaris et bene acceptis, ne in me stomachum erumpant,
cum sint tibi irati.
De Cicerone velim ita sit, ut audimus. De Xenone coram cognoscam;
quamquam nihil ab eo arbitror neque indiligenter neque inliberaliter. De
Herode faciam, ut mandas, et ea, quae scribis, ex Saufeio et e Xenone
cognoscam. De Quinto filio gaudeo tibi meas litteras prius a tabellario
meo quam ab ipso redditas; quamquam te nihil fefellisset. Verum tamen —.
Sed exspecto, quid ille tecum, quid tu vicissim, nec dubito, quin suo
more uterque. Sed eas litteras Curium mihi spero redditurum. Qui quidem
etsi per se est amabilis a meque diligitur, tamen accedet magnus cumulus
commendationis tuae.
Litteris tuis satis responsum est; nunc audi, quod, etsi intellego
scribi necesse non esse, scribo tamen. Multa me movent in discessu, in
primis mehercule quod diiungor a te. Movet etiam navigationis labor
alienus non ab aetate solum nostra, verum etiam a dignitate tempusque
discessus subabsurdum. Relinquimus enim pacem, ut ad bellum revertamur,
quodque temporis in praediolis nostris et belle aedificatis et satis
amoenis consumi potuit, in peregrinatione consumimus. Consolantur haec:
aut proderimus aliquid Ciceroni, aut quantum profici possit,
iudicabimus. Deinde tu iam, ut spero, et ut promittis, aderis. Quod
quidem si acciderit, omnia nobis erunt meliora. Maxime autem me angit
ratio reliquorum meorum. Quae quamquam explicata
* * * * *
Page 379
when they are in a good temper and have had a good dinner, for I don't
want them to vent on me the anger they feel towards you.
In my son's case I hope things may be as we hear. About Xeno I shall
know when I see him, though I don't suppose he is neglecting his duty or
acting meanly. I will do as you say about Herodes, and will find out
what you mention from Saufeius and Xeno. As for young Quintus, I am glad
my letter was delivered by my messenger sooner than the one he took
himself, though you would not have been taken in anyhow. However—but I
am anxious to hear what he said to you and what you answered, though I
have no doubt you both behaved characteristically. I hope Curius will
deliver that letter to me. Though he is pleasant enough and I like him
myself, still your recommendation will add the crowning grace.
I have answered your letter sufficiently; now hear what I am going to
say, though I know there is no necessity for me to say it. In regard to
my journey I am distressed about many things, the chief being that I am
separated from you. Then again there is the fatigue of the voyage, a
thing unsuitable not only to my age but to my rank too, and the time of
my departure is rather ridiculous. For I am leaving peace to return to
war, and wasting in travelling time that might be spent in my country
houses, which are comfortably built and pleasantly situated. My
consolations are these. I shall either benefit my son or see how much he
can be benefited. Then again, as I hope and as you promise, you will
soon be coming too; and if that happens it will make me far happier. But
the thing that worries me most is the arranging of my balances; for,
though things
* * * * *
Page 380
sunt, tamen, quod et Dolabellae nomen in iis est et in attributione mihi
nomina ignota, conturbor, nec me ulla res magis angit ex omnibus. Itaque
non mihi videor errasse, quod ad Balbum scripsi apertius, ut, si quid
tale accidisset, ut non concurrerent nomina, subveniret, meque tibi
etiam mandasse, ut, si quid eius modi accidisset, cum eo communicares.
Quod facies, si tibi videbitur, eoque magis, si proficisceris in Epirum.
Haec ego conscendens e Pompeiano tribus actuariolis decemscalmis. Brutus
erat in Neside etiam nunc, Neapoli Cassius. Ecquid amas Deiotarum et non
amas Hieram? Qui, ut Blesamius venit ad me, cum ei praescriptum esset,
ne quid sine Sexti nostri sententia ageret, neque ad illum neque ad
quemquam nostrum rettulit. Atticam nostram cupio absentem suaviari. Ita
mi dulcis salus visa est per te missa ab illa. Referes igitur ei
plurimam itemque Piliae dicas velim.
IV
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Puteolano VI Id. Quint. a. 710_]
Ita ut heri tibi narravi vel fortasse hodie (Quintus enim altero die se
aiebat), in Nesida VIII Idus. Ibi Brutus. Quam ille doluit de NONIS
IULIIS! mirifice est conturbatus. Itaque sese scripturum aiebat, ut
venationem eam, quae postridie ludos Apollinares futura est,
proscriberent in III IDUS QUINCTILES. Libo
* * * * *
Page 381
have been put straight, I am anxious when I see Dolabella's name among
them, and drafts on people that I do not know among my assets: and that
makes me more uneasy than anything else. So I don't think I was wrong in
applying to Balbus quite openly to assist me, if such a thing should
happen as my debts not coming in properly, and telling him that I had
commissioned you to communicate with him in any such event. Do so, if
you think fit, especially if you are starting for Epirus.
This I have written just as I was embarking from Pompeii with three
ten-oared pinnaces. Brutus is still in Nesis, Cassius at Naples. Can you
like Deiotarus and not like Hieras?[308] When Blesamius came to me
Hieras was commissioned not to do anything without Sextus Peducaeus'
advice, but he never consulted him or any of our friends. I should like
to kiss Attica, far off as she is: I was so pleased with the good wishes
she sent me through you. So please give her my best thanks, and the same
to Pilia.
Footnote 308:
Hieras and Blesamius were agents of Deiotarus in bribing Antony to
restore Armenia to him, and apparently were now disowned by him after
he had succeeded in getting it back.
IV
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Puteoli, July 10_, B.C. _44_]
As I told you yesterday or perhaps to-day—for Quintus said he would take
two days going—I went to Nesis on the 8th: and there was Brutus. How
annoyed he was about the "7th of _July_."[309] It quite upset him. So he
said he would send orders for them to advertise the beast-hunt, which is
to take place on the day after the games to Apollo, as on the "13th of
_Quinctilis_." Libo came in, and he
Footnote 309:
Cf. _Att._ XVI. 1.
* * * * *
Page 382
intervenit. Is Philonem, Pompei libertum, et Hilarum, suum libertum,
venisse a Sexto cum litteris ad consules, "sive quo alio nomine sunt."
Earum exemplum nobis legit, si quid videretur. Pauca παρὰ λέξιν,
ceteroqui et satis graviter et non contumaciter. Tantum addi placuit,
quod erat "COSS." solum, ut esset "PRAETT., TRIBB. PL., SENATVI," ne
illi non proferrent eas, quae ad ipsos missae essent. Sextum autem
nuntiant cum una solum legione fuisse Karthagine, eique eo ipso die, quo
oppidum Baream cepisset, nuntiatum esse de Caesare, capto oppido miram
laetitiam commutationemque animorum concursumque undique; sed illum ad
sex legiones, quas in ulteriore reliquisset, revertisse. Ad ipsum autem
Libonem scripsit nihil esse, nisi ad larem suum liceret. Summa
postulatorum, ut omnes exercitus dimittantur, qui ubique sint. Haec fere
de Sexto.
De Buthrotiis undique quaerens nihil reperiebam. Alii concisos
agripetas, alii Plancum acceptis nummis relictis illis aufugisse. Itaque
non video sciturum me, quid eius sit, ni statim aliquid litterarum.
Iter illud Brundisium, de quo dubitabam, sublatum videtur. Legiones enim
adventare dicuntur. Haec autem navigatio habet quasdam suspiciones
periculi. Itaque constituebam uti ὁμοπλοίᾳ. Paratiorem enim offendi
Brutum, quam audiebam. Nam et ipse et Domitius bona plane habet dicrota,
suntque navigia praeterea luculenta Sesti, Buciliani, ceterorum.
* * * * *
Page 383
told us that Philo, a freedman of Pompey, and Hilarus, one of his own,
had come from Sextus with a letter for the consuls, "or whatever they
call them." He read us a copy to see what we thought of it. There were a
few odd expressions, but in other respects it was sufficiently dignified
and not aggressive. We only thought it better to make an addition of
"Praetors, Tribunes of the People, and Senate" to the simple address to
the "Consuls," for fear they should not publish a letter sent to them.
They say that Sextus has been at Carthage with only one legion, and that
he received the news about Caesar on the very day that he took the town
of Barea. After the capture there were great rejoicings and a change of
sentiment, and people flocked to him from every side, but he returned to
the six legions he had left in lower Spain. He has written to Libo
himself saying it is all nothing to him if he cannot get home. The
upshot of his demands is, that all the armies everywhere should be
disbanded. That is all about Sextus.
I have been making enquiries in every direction about the Buthrotians,
and discover nothing. Some say the land-grabbers were cut to pieces,
others that Plancus pocketed the money and fled, leaving them in the
lurch. So I don't see how I can find out what there is in it, unless I
get a letter at once.
The route to Brundisium, about which I was hesitating, seems to be out
of the question. They say the troops are arriving there. But the voyage
from here has some suspicion of danger, so I have made up my mind to
sail in company with Brutus. I found him better prepared than I had
heard he was. For both he and Domitius have quite good two-banked
galleys, and there are also some good ships belonging
* * * * *
Page 384
Nam Cassi classem, quae plane bella est, non numero ultra fretum. Illud
est mihi submolestum, quod parum Brutus properare videtur. Primum
confectorum ludorum nuntios exspectat; deinde, quantum intellego, tarde
est navigaturus consistens in locis pluribus. Tamen arbitror esse
commodius tarde navigare quam omnino non navigare; et, si, cum
processerimus, exploratiora videbuntur, etesiis utemur.
V
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Puteolano VII Id. Quint. a. 710_]
Tuas iam litteras Brutus exspectabat. Cui quidem ego non novum attuleram
de Tereo Acci. Ille Brutum putabat. Sed tamen rumoris nescio quid
adflaverat commissione Graecorum frequentiam non fuisse; quod quidem me
minime fefellit; scis enim, quid ego de Graecis ludis existimem.
Nunc audi, quod pluris est quam omnia. Quintus fuit mecum dies
complures, et, si ego cuperem, ille vel plures fuisset; sed, quam diu
fuit, incredibile est, quam me in omni genere delectarit, in eoque
maxime, in quo minime satis faciebat. Sic enim commutatus est totus et
scriptis meis quibusdam, quae in manibus habebam, et adsiduitate
orationis et praeceptis, ut tali animo in rem publicam, quali nos
volumus, futurus sit. Hoc cum mihi non modo confirmasset, sed
* * * * *
Page 385
to Sestus, Bucilianus, and others. For I don't count on Cassius' fleet,
which is quite a fine one, beyond the straits of Sicily. There is one
point that annoys me a little, Brutus seems in no hurry. First he is
waiting for news of the completion of his games; then, so far as I can
understand, he is going to sail slowly, stopping at several places.
Still I think it will be better to sail slowly than not to sail at all;
and if, when we have got some distance, things seem clearer, we shall
take advantage of the Etesian winds.
V
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Puteoli, July 9_, B.C. _44_]
Brutus is expecting a letter from you. The news I brought him about
Accius' _Tereus_ was no news. He thought it was the _Brutus_.[310] There
had, however, been some breath of rumour that at the opening of the
Greek games the audience was small, at which, indeed, I was not at all
surprised; for you know what I think of Greek games.
Footnote 310:
Cf. _Att._ XVI. 2. Not being present Brutus had supposed it was the
play called _Brutus_, whereas it was the _Tereus_.
Now hear the most important point of all. Quintus has been with me
several days, and, if I had desired, he would have stayed longer; but,
so far as his visit went, you would not believe how pleased I was with
him in every way, and especially in that in which I used most to
disapprove of him. For he is so totally changed, partly by some works of
mine, which I have in hand, and partly by my continual advice and
exhortation, that he will in the future be as loyal as we could wish to
the constitution. After he had not only asseverated this, but convinced
me
* * * * *
Page 386
etiam persuasisset, egit mecum accurate multis verbis, tibi ut sponderem
se dignum et te et nobis futurum; neque se postulare, ut statim
crederes, sed, cum ipse perspexisses, tum ut se amares. Quodnisi fidem
mihi fecisset, iudicassemque hoc, quod dico, firmum fore, non fecissem
id, quod dicturus sum. Duxi enim mecum adulescentem ad Brutum. Sic ei
probatum est, quod ad te scribo, ut ipse crediderit, me sponsorem
accipere noluerit, eumque laudans amicissime mentionem tui fecerit,
complexus osculatusque dimiserit. Quam ob rem, etsi magis est, quod
gratuler tibi, quam quod te rogem, tamen etiam rogo, ut, si quae minus
antea propter infirmitatem aetatis constanter ab eo fieri videbantur, ea
iudices illum abiecisse, mihique credas multum allaturam, vel plurimum
potius, ad illius iudicium confirmandum auctoritatem tuam.
Bruto cum saepe iniecissem de ὁμοπλοίᾳ, non perinde, atque ego putaram,
arripere visus est. Existimabam μετεωρότερον esse, et hercule erat et
maxime de ludis. At mihi, cum ad villam redissem, Cn. Lucceius, qui
multum utitur Bruto, narravit illum valde morari, non tergiversantem,
sed exspectantem, si qui forte casus. Itaque dubito, an Venusiam tendam
et ibi exspectem de legionibus. Si aberunt, ut quidam arbitrantur,
Hydruntem, si neutrum erit ἀσφαλές, eodem revertar. Iocari me putas?
Moriar, si quisquam me tenet praeter te. Etenim circumspice, sed
antequam erubesco. O dies in auspiciis Lepidi
* * * * *
Page 387
of it, he was very pressing for me to go bail to you that he will come
up to your and our expectations for the future; and he did not ask you
to believe this at once, but that you should restore your affection to
him, when you had seen it for yourself. If he had not convinced me of
it, and I did not think that what I am saying is trustworthy, I should
not have done what I am going to tell you. I took the young man with me
to Brutus, and he was so convinced of what I mention that he believed it
on his own account, refusing to hold me sponsor for Quintus. He praised
him and mentioned you in the most friendly way, and dismissed him with
an embrace and a kiss. So, although there is more reason for
congratulating you than asking favours of you, still I do ask you, if
you have regarded his actions up to now as showing some of the
flightiness of youth, to believe that he has got rid of that, and to
trust me that your influence will contribute much, or rather everything,
towards making his decision permanent.
I have frequently thrown out a hint to Brutus about sailing with him,
but he does not seem to jump at it as I thought he would. He seemed to
me rather distrait, and indeed he was, especially about the games. But
when I got back home, Lucceius, who is very intimate with him, said he
was hesitating a good deal, not because he has changed his mind, but in
the hope that something may turn up. So I am wondering whether to make
for Venusia and there await news of the troops. If they are not there,
as some think, I shall go to Hydrus; if neither road is safe, I will
come back here. Do you think I am joking? Upon my life you are the only
person who keeps me here. Just look round you, but do it before I
blush.[311] Lepidus' choice of his day
Footnote 311:
Possibly there is some corruption in the text here, as the remark
seems senseless.
* * * * *
Page 388
lepide descriptos et apte ad consilium reditus nostri! Magna ῥοπὴ ad
proficiscendum in tuis litteris. Atque utinam te illic! Sed ut conducere
putabis.
Nepotis epistulam exspecto. Cupidus ille meorum? qui ea, quibus maxime
γαυριῶ, legenda non putet. Et ais "μετ' ἀμύμονα"! Tu vero "ἀμύμων," ille
quidem "ἄμβροτος." Mearum epistularum nulla est συναγωγή; sed habet Tiro
instar septuaginta; et quidem sunt a te quaedam sumendae. Eas ego
oportet perspiciam, corrigam. Tum denique edentur.
VI
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Vibone VIII K. Sext. a. 710_]
Ego adhuc (perveni enim Vibonem ad Siccam) magis commode quam strenue
navigavi; remis enim magnam partem, prodromi nulli. Illud satis
opportune, duo sinus fuerunt, quos tramitti oporteret, Paestanus et
Vibonensis. Utrumque pedibus aequis tramisimus. Veni igitur ad Siccam
octavo die e Pompeiano, cum unum diem Veliae constitissem. Ubi quidem
fui sane libenter apud Talnam nostrum, nec potui accipi, illo absente
praesertim, liberalius. VIIII Kal. igitur ad Siccam. Ibi tamquam domi
meae scilicet. Itaque obduxi posterum diem. Sed putabam,
* * * * *
Page 389
of inauguration is as happy as his name, and fits excellently with my
plan for returning. Your letter supplies a strong incentive for going. I
only wish you were there: but that must be as you think best for
yourself.
I am expecting a letter from Nepos. Does he really want my books, when
he thinks the subjects I am keenest on not worth reading. You call him
an Achilles to your Ajax.[312] No, you are the Achilles and he is one of
the immortals. There is no collection of my letters, but Tiro has about
seventy, and some can be got from you. Those I ought to see and correct,
and then they may be published.
Footnote 312:
Cf. _Odyssey_ XI. 169, where Ajax is said to rank next after "the
blameless son of Peleus" (μετ' ἀμύμονα Πηλείωνα).
VI
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Vibo, July 25_, B.C. _44_]
I have got as far as Sicca's house at Vibo, and at present I have taken
it easy and not exerted myself. We have rowed most of the way, as there
have been none of the usual north winds.[313] That was rather lucky, as
there were two bays to cross, that of Paestum and that of Vibo. We
crossed both with the wind behind us.[314] So I got to Sicca's place
eight days after leaving Pompeii, having stopped one day at Velia. There
I stayed at Talna's house very enjoyably, and I could not have been more
liberally entertained, especially as he was away. So I got to Sicca on
the 24th, and here I am quite at home. So I have stayed a day longer
than I meant. But I think, when I get to
Footnote 313:
North-north-east winds, called "fore-runners," because they usually
prevailed for eight days before the rising of the Dog-star.
Footnote 314:
The _pedes_ were ropes attached to the sail to set it to the wind.
Both would be let out to an equal length when sailing before the wind.
* * * * *
Page 390
[Sidenote: _Odyssey_, iii. 169]
cum Regium venissem, fore ut illic "δολιχὸν πλόον ὁρμαίνοντες"
cogitaremus, corbitane Patras an actuariolis ad Leucopetras Tarentinorum
atque inde Corcyram, et, si oneraria, statimne freto an Syracusis. Hac
super re scribam ad te Regio.
Mehercule, mi Attice, saepe mecum:
"Ἡ δεῦρ' ὁδός σοι τί δύναται;"
Cur ego tecum non sum? cur ocellos Italiae, villulas meas, non video?
Sed id satis superque, tecum me non esse, quid fugientem? periculumne?
At id nunc quidem, nisi fallor, nullum est. Ad ipsum enim revocat me
auctoritas tua; scribis enim in caelum ferri profectionem meam, sed ita,
si ante K. Ianuar. redeam; quod quidem certe enitar. Malo enim vel cum
timore domi esse quam sine timore Athenis tuis. Sed tamen perspice, quo
ista vergant, mihique aut scribe, aut, quod multo malim, adfer ipse.
Haec hactenus.
Illud velim in bonam partem accipias me agere tecum, quod tibi maiori
curae sciam esse quam ipsi mihi. Nomina mea, per deos, expedi, exsolve.
Bella reliqua reliqui; sed opus est diligentia, coheredibus pro Cluviano
Kal. Sextil. persolutum ut sit. Cum Publilio quo modo agendum sit,
videbis. Non debet urgere, quoniam iure non utimur. Sed tamen ei quoque
satis fieri plane volo. Terentiae vero quid ego dicam? Etiam ante diem,
si potes. Quin, si, ut spero, celeriter in Epirum, hoc, quod satisdato
debeo,
* * * * *
Page 391
Regium, there, being "on a far voyage bent," I shall have to consider
whether to proceed by a merchant vessel to Patrae or by packet-boats to
Tarentine Leucopetra, and thence to Corcyra; and, if by a merchant ship,
whether direct from the Sicilian strait or from Syracuse. On this point
I will write to you from Regium.
Upon my word, Atticus, I often say to myself: "Why, what avails thee all
thy journey here?"[315] Why am not I with you? Why may I not see my
country houses, the jewels of Italy? But that alone is enough and more
than enough, that I am not with you. And what am I fleeing from? Danger?
Nay, unless I am mistaken, there is no danger now. For it is precisely
at the hour of danger that you bid me come back. For you say my
departure is praised to the skies, provided I return by the end of the
year; and that I will certainly strive to do. For I had rather be at
home in fear and trembling, than in your loved Athens without a fear.
However, keep your eye on the trend of events, and write to me, or what
I should much prefer, bring the news yourself. Enough of this.
Footnote 315:
A verse from an unknown author, quoted in a fuller form in _Att._ XV.
11.
Please take my next request in good part. I know you devote more care to
it than I do myself. For mercy's sake keep my accounts clear and pay my
debts. I have left a handsome balance; but it requires care to see to
the payment of my fellow-heirs for the Cluvian property on the 1st of
August. You will see how to manage about Publilius. He ought not to be
pressing, as I am not insisting upon my legal rights. Still I should
much like him also to be satisfied. As to Terentia, what am I to say?
Pay her even before the proper date, if you can. But if, as I hope, you
are coming soon to Epirus, pray make
* * * * *
Page 392
peto a te ut ante provideas planeque expedias et solutum relinquas. Sed
de his satis, metuoque, ne tu nimium putes.
Nunc neglegentiam meam cognosce. "De gloria" librum ad te misi. At in eo
prohoemium idem est quod in Academico tertio. Id evenit ob eam rem, quod
habeo volumen prohoemiorum. Ex eo eligere soleo, cum aliquod σύγγραμμα
institui. Itaque iam in Tusculano, qui non meminissem me abusum isto
prohoemio, conieci id in eum librum, quem tibi misi. Cum autem in navi
legerem Academicos, adgnovi erratum meum. Itaque statim novum prohoemium
exaravi et tibi misi. Tu illud desecabis, hoc adglutinabis. Piliae
salutem dices et Atticae, deliciis atque amoribus meis.
VII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scripsit navigans ad Pompeianum XIV K. Sept. a. 710_]
VIII Idus Sextil. cum a Leucopetra profectus (inde enim tramittebam)
stadia circiter CCC processissem, reiectus sum austro vehementi ad
eandem Leucopetram. Ibi cum ventum exspectarem (erat enim villa Valeri
nostri, ut familiariter essem et libenter), Regini quidam illustres
homines eo venerunt Roma sane recentes, in iis Bruti nostri hospes, qui
Brutum Neapoli reliquisset. Haec adferebant, edictum Bruti et Cassi, et
fore frequentem senatum Kalendis, a Bruto et Cassio litteras missas ad
consulares et praetorios,
* * * * *
Page 393
arrangements first for any bills I have put my name to, and put affairs
straight and leave them paid. But of this enough, and I fear you may
think too much.
Now I must confess my carelessness. I sent you the work _On Glory_. But
the preface to it is the same as that to the third book of the
_Academics_. That is due to my having a volume of prefaces, from which I
select one when I have begun a composition. So, when I was at Tusculum,
forgetting I had used that preface, I put it into the book I sent you.
But when I was reading the _Academics_ on the boat I noticed my mistake.
So I dashed off a new preface at once, and have sent it to you. Please
cut the other off and glue this on. Pay my respects to Pilia and to my
pet and darling Attica.
VII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _On ship-board on the way to Pompeii, Aug. 19_, B.C. _44_]
When I had started from Leucopetra—for that was where I began my
crossing—on the sixth of August and gone some forty miles, I was driven
back to Leucopetra again by a strong south wind. While I was waiting
there for the wind—our friend Valerius has a house there, so I was at
home and enjoying myself—there came some men of mark of Regium, fresh
from Rome, among them a guest of our friend Brutus, who said he had left
Brutus at Naples. They brought an edict of Brutus and Cassius and news
that there would be a full meeting of the House on the first of the
month and that a letter had been sent by Brutus and Cassius to the
ex-consuls
* * * * *
Page 394
ut adessent, rogare. Summam spem nuntiabant fore ut Antonius cederet,
res conveniret, nostri Romam redirent. Addebant etiam me desiderari,
subaccusari.
Quae cum audissem, sine ulla dubitatione abieci consilium profectionis,
quo mehercule ne antea quidem delectabar. Lectis vero tuis litteris
admiratus equidem sum te tam vehementer sententiam commutasse, sed non
sine causa arbitrabar. Etsi, quamvis non fueris suasor et impulsor
profectionis meae, adprobator certe fuisti, dum modo Kal. Ian. Romae
essem. Ita fiebat, ut, dum minus periculi videretur, abessem, in flammam
ipsam venirem. Sed haec, etiamsi non prudenter, tamen ἀνεμέσητα sunt,
primum quod de mea sententia acta sunt, deinde, etiamsi te auctore, quid
debet, qui consilium dat, praestare praeter fidem? Illud admirari satis
non potui, quod scripsisti his verbis: "Bene igitur tu, qui εὐθανασίαν,
bene! relinque patriam." An ego relinquebam aut tibi tum relinquere
videbar? Tu id non modo non inhibebas, verum etiam adprobabas. Graviora,
quae restant. "Velim σχόλιον aliquod elimes ad me oportuisse te istuc
facere." Itane, mi Attice? defensione eget meum factum, praesertim apud
te, qui id mirabiliter adprobasti? Ego vero istum ἀπολογισμὸν
συντάξομαι, sed ad eorum aliquem, quibus invitis et
* * * * *
Page 395
and ex-praetors asking them to be present. They said there were great
hopes that Antony might yield, some agreement be arrived at, and our
friends allowed to return to Rome; and they added that I was missed and
people were inclined to blame me.
When I heard that, I had no hesitation about giving up my idea of going
away, which to be sure I had never fancied even before that: and when I
read your letter, I was certainly surprised that you had so utterly
changed your opinion; but there seemed to me to be good reason for it.
However, though it was not you who persuaded and urged me to go, you
certainly approved of my going, if I got back by the end of the year.
That would have meant, that, when there was little danger, I should have
been away, and should return when it was in full blaze. But that,
although it was not a counsel of prudence, I have no right to resent,
first because it happened by my own wish, and secondly, even if you had
advised me, an adviser need not guarantee anything but his sincerity.
What did astonish me beyond measure was that you should use the words:
"A fine thing for you, who talk of a noble death, a fine thing, i'
faith. Go, desert your country." Was I deserting it, or did you at the
time think I was deserting it? You not only raised no finger against it,
you even approved of it. The rest is even more severe: "I wish you would
write me an explanatory note showing that it was your duty to do it?"
So, my dear Atticus? Does my action need defending, especially to you,
who expressed strong approval? Yes, I will write a defence, but for some
of those who opposed my going and spoke against it.
* * * * *
Page 396
dissuadentibus profectus sum. Etsi quid iam opus est σχολίῳ? si
perseverassem, opus fuisset. "At hoc ipsum non constanter." Nemo doctus
umquam (multa autem de hoc genere scripta sunt) mutationem consilii
inconstantiam dixit esse. Deinceps igitur haec: "Nam, si a Phaedro
nostro esses, expedita excusatio esset; nunc quid respondemus?" Ergo id
erat meum factum, quod Catoni probare non possem? flagitii scilicet
plenum et dedecoris. Utinam a primo ita tibi esset visum! tu mihi, sicut
esse soles, fuisses Cato. Extremum illud vel molestissimum: "Nam Brutus
noster silet," hoc est: non audet hominem id aetatis monere. Aliud nihil
habeo, quod ex iis a te verbis significari putem, et hercule ita est.
Nam, XVI Kal. Sept. cum venissem Veliam, Brutus audivit; erat enim cum
suis navibus apud Heletem fluvium citra Veliam mil. pass. III. Pedibus
ad me statim. Dei immortales, quam valde ille reditu vel potius
reversione mea laetatus effudit illa omnia, quae tacuerat! ut recordarer
illud tuum "Nam Brutus noster silet." Maxime autem dolebat me Kal. Sext.
in senatu non fuisse. Pisonem ferebat in caelum; se autem laetari, quod
effugissem duas maximas vituperationes, unam, quam itinere faciendo me
intellegebam suscipere, desperationis ac relictionis rei publicae
(flentes mecum vulgo querebantur, quibus de meo celeri reditu non
probabam), alteram, de qua Brutus, et qui una erant (multi autem erant),
laetabantur,
* * * * *
Page 397
Though what need is there of an explanatory note? If I had gone on,
there would have been. "But coming back is not consistent." No
philosopher ever called a change of plan inconsistency, though there has
been a good deal written on the point. So you add: "If you were a
follower of our friend Phaedrus,[316] one would have a defence ready:
but, as it is, what answer can one give?" So my deed was one Cato would
not approve of, was it? Of course then it was criminal and disgraceful.
Would to heaven you had thought so at first; you should have been my
Cato, as you usually are. Your last cut is the most unkind of all: "For
our friend Brutus holds his peace," that is to say, he does not dare
remonstrate with a man of my age. I see no other meaning that I can
attach to your words, and no doubt that is it. For on the 17th, when I
reached Velia, Brutus heard of it—he was with his boats on the river
Heles about three miles from Velia; and he came at once on foot to see
me. Great heavens, how he let out all his pent-up silence in joy at my
return or rather my turning back. I could not help thinking of your "Our
friend Brutus holds his peace." But what he regretted most was that I
was not in the House on the first of August. Piso he lauded to the
skies: and he expressed his delight that I had escaped two grounds for
reproach. One of these was that of despairing and abandoning the
country—and that I knew I might incur in undertaking the voyage; for
many had complained to me with tears in their eyes, and I could not
convince them of my speedy return. The other point that rejoiced Brutus
and those who were with him—and there
Footnote 316:
An Epicurean philosopher at Athens; cf. _Ad Fam._ XIII. 1.
* * * * *
Page 398
quod eam vituperationem effugissem, me existimari ad Olympia. Hoc vero
nihil turpius quovis rei publicae tempore, sed hoc ἀναπολόγητον. Ego
vero austro gratias miras, qui me a tanta infamia averterit.
Reversionis has speciosas causas habes, iustas illas quidem et magnas;
sed nulla iustior, quam quod tu idem aliis litteris: "Provide, si cui
quid debetur, ut sit, unde par pari respondeatur. Mirifica enim
δυσχρηστία est propter metum armorum." In freto medio hanc epistulam
legi, ut, quid possem providere, in mentem mihi non veniret, nisi ut
praesens me ipse defenderem. Sed haec hactenus; reliqua coram.
Antoni edictum legi a Bruto et horum contra scriptum praeclare; sed,
quid ista edicta valeant aut quo spectent, plane non video. Nec ego
nunc, ut Brutus censebat, istuc ad rem publicam capessendam venio. Quid
enim fieri potest? Num quis Pisoni est adsensus? num rediit ipse
postridie? Sed abesse hanc aetatem longe a sepulcro negant oportere.
Sed, obsecro te, quid est, quod audivi de Bruto? Piliam πειράζεσθαι
παραλύσει te scripsisse aiebat Valde sum commotus. Etsi idem te scribere
sperare melius. Ita plane velim, et ei dicas plurimam salutem et
suavissimae Atticae. Haec scripsi navigans, cum prope Pompeianum
accederem, XIIII Kal.
* * * * *
Page 399
were a lot of them—was that I had escaped the reproach of being thought
to be going to the Olympian games. Nothing could be more disgraceful
than that in any political circumstances, but at the present time it
would be inexcusable. I of course felt very grateful to the south wind,
which had saved me from such infamy.
There you have the ostensible reasons for my return; and they are good
and sufficient reasons too; but none of them is better than one you
mention in your letter: "If you owe anything to anyone, take measures to
provide yourself with the means to pay each his due. For the money
market is wonderfully tight owing to fear of war." I was in the middle
of the straits when I read this letter, and I could not think of any way
of taking measures, unless I came to look after it myself. But enough of
this; more when we meet.
I got a sight of Antony's edict from Brutus, and of our friends'
magnificent answer; but I don't quite see the use or the object of these
edicts. Nor have I come as Brutus thought, to take part in the
management of affairs. For what can be done? Did anybody agree with
Piso? Did he himself come back the next day? But, as the saying goes, a
man of my time of life ought not to go far from his grave.
But for mercy's sake what is this that I hear from Brutus! He says you
told him Pilia had had an attack of paralysis. I am very much disturbed
about it, though he tells me you say you hope she is better. I sincerely
hope she is; give her and darling Attica my best regards. This I have
written on ship-board, as I was getting near to Pompeii, Aug. 19.
* * * * *
Page 400
VIII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Puteolano IV Non. Nov. a. 710_]
Cum sciam, quo die venturus sim, faciam, ut scias. Impedimenta
exspectanda sunt, quae Anagnia veniunt, et familia aegra est. Kal.
vesperi litterae mihi ab Octaviano. Magna molitur. Veteranos, qui sunt
Casilini et Calatiae, perduxit ad suam sententiam. Nec mirum, quingenos
denarios dat. Cogitat reliquas colonias obire. Plane hoc spectat, ut se
duce bellum geratur cum Antonio. Itaque video paucis diebus nos in armis
fore. Quem autem sequamur? Vide nomen, vide aetatem. Atque a me
postulat, primum ut clam conloquatur mecum vel Capuae vel non longe a
Capua. Puerile hoc quidem, si id putat clam fieri posse. Docui per
litteras id nec opus esse nec fieri posse. Misit ad me Caecinam quendam
Volaterranum familiarem suum; qui haec pertulit, Antonium cum legione
Alaudarum ad urbem pergere, pecunias municipiis imperare, legionem sub
signis ducere. Consultabat, utrum Romam cum CIↃ CIↃ CIↃ veteranorum
proficisceretur an Capuam teneret et Antonium venientem excluderet, an
iret ad tres legiones Macedonicas, quae iter secundum mare Superum
faciunt; quas sperat suas esse. Eae congiarium ab Antonio accipere
noluerunt, ut hic quidem narrat, et ei convicium grave fecerunt
contionantemque reliquerunt. Quid quaeris? ducem se profitetur
* * * * *
Page 401
VIII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Puteoli, Nov. 2_, B.C. _44_]
When I know what day I shall arrive, I will let you know. I must wait
for my heavy baggage, which is coming from Anagnia, and there is illness
in my household. On the evening of the 1st I got a letter from Octavian.
He is setting about a heavy task. He has brought over the veterans, who
are at Casilinum and Calatia, to his views; and no wonder, when he is
giving them £20[317] apiece. He thinks of visiting the other colonies.
Obviously his idea is a war with Antony under his leadership. So I see
that before long we shall be in arms. But whom are we to follow? Look at
his name, and at his age. And his first request of me is that I should
meet him secretly at Capua or somewhere near Capua. That is quite
childish, if he thinks it can be done secretly. I have told him by
letter that there is no necessity for it and no possibility of it. He
sent me one Caecina of Volaterra, an intimate friend of his, who brought
this news, that Antony is making for Rome with the legion Alauda,
raising a forced contribution from towns, and marching with his soldiers
under colours. He asked my advice about setting out for Rome with 3,000
veterans or holding Capua and intercepting Antony's advance, or going to
the three Macedonian legions, which are making for the northern
Adriatic. Those he hopes are on his side; they refused to take Antony's
bounty, or so he says, heaped insults on him and left him still
haranguing. Of course, he offers himself as our leader, and thinks we
ought not to fail
Footnote 317:
500 denarii.
* * * * *
Page 402
nec nos sibi putat deesse oportere. Equidem suasi, ut Romam pergeret.
Videtur enim mihi et plebeculam urbanam, et, si fidem fecerit, etiam
bonos viros secum habiturus. O Brute, ubi es? quantam εὐκαιρίαν amittis!
Non equidem hoc divinavi, sed aliquid tale putavi fore. Nunc tuum
consilium exquiro. Romamne venio an hic maneo an Arpinum (ἀσφάλειαν
habet is locus) fugiam? Romam, ne desideremur, si quid actum videbitur.
Hoc igitur explica. Numquam in maiore ἀπορίᾳ fui.
IX
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Puteolano prid. Non. Nov. a. 710_]
Binae uno die mihi litterae ab Octaviano, nunc quidem, ut Romam statim
veniam; velle se rem agere per senatum. Cui ego non posse senatum ante
K. Ianuar., quod quidem ita credo. Ille autem addit "consilio tuo." Quid
multa? ille urget, ego autem σκήπτομαι. Non confido aetati, ignoro, quo
animo. Nil sine Pansa tuo volo. Vereor, ne valeat Antonius, nec a mari
discedere libet, et metuo, ne quae ἀριστεία me absente. Varroni quidem
displicet consilium pueri, mihi non. Si firmas copias habet, Brutum
habere potest, et rem gerit palam. Centuriat Capuae, dinumerat. Iam
iamque video bellum. Ad haec rescribe. Tabellarium meum Kalend. Roma
profectum sine tuis litteris miror.
* * * * *
Page 403
him. I advised that he should make for Rome. For it seems to me he ought
to have the city rabble, and, if he succeeds in inspiring them with
confidence, even the loyalists on his side. O Brutus, where are you?
What a golden opportunity you are missing! I never foresaw this, but I
thought something of the kind would happen. Now, I want your advice.
Shall I come to Rome, or stay here, or flee to Arpinum, which would be a
harbour of refuge? Rome I think, for fear I be missed, if people think a
blow has been struck. Read me this riddle. I never was in a greater
quandary.
IX
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Puteoli, Nov. 4_, B.C. _44_]
Two letters on one day from Octavian, now asking me to come to Rome at
once, as he wishes to act through the Senate. I told him I did not think
the Senate could meet before January, and I really believe that is so.
But he adds "with your advice." In short he is pressing, while I am
temporizing. I do not trust his age: I do not know his disposition. I do
not want to do anything without your friend Pansa's advice. I am afraid
Antony may succeed, and I don't like going away from the sea, and I fear
some great deed may be done in my absence. Varro, for his part, dislikes
the boy's plan; I do not. If he can trust his army, he can have Brutus,
and he is playing his game openly. He is dividing his men into companies
at Capua, and paying over their bounty money. I see war close upon us.
Please answer this letter. I am surprised my messenger left Rome on the
1st without a letter from you.
* * * * *
Page 404
X
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Sinuessano VI Id. Nov. a. 710_]
VII Id. veni ad me in Sinuessanum. Eodem die vulgo loquebantur Antonium
mansurum esse Casilini. Itaque mutavi consilium; statueram enim recta
Appia Romam. Facile me ille esset adsecutus. Aiunt enim eum Caesarina
uti celeritate. Verti igitur me a Menturnis Arpinum versus.
Constitueram, ut V Idus aut Aquini manerem aut in Arcano. Nunc, mi
Attice, tota mente incumbe in hanc curam; magna enim res est. Tria sunt
autem, maneamne Arpini an propius accedam an veniam Romam. Quod
censueris, faciam. Sed quam primum. Avide exspecto tuas litteras. VI
Idus mane in Sinuessano.
XI
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Puteolano Non. Nov. a. 710_]
[Sidenote: _Iliad_, xx. 308]
Nonis accepi a te duas epistulas, quarum alteram Kal. dederas, alteram
pridie. Igitur prius ad superiorem. Nostrum opus tibi probari laetor; ex
quo ἄνθη ipsa posuisti. Quae mihi florentiora sunt visa tuo iudicio;
cerulas enim tuas miniatulas illas extimescebam. De Sicca ita est, ut
scribis: ab[318] asta ea aegre me tenui. Itaque perstringam sine ulla
contumelia Siccae aut Septimiae, tantum ut sciant "παῖδες παίδων"
Footnote 318:
ab _added by Reid_: asta (=hasta, sensu obscoeno; cf. _Priapea_, 43,
1).
* * * * *
Page 405
X
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Sinuessa, Nov. 8_, B.C. _44_]
On the 7th I reached my house at Sinuessa, and on that day it was
generally said that Antony was going to stay at Casilinum. So I changed
my plan, for I had intended to go straight on by the Appian way to Rome.
He would easily have caught me up, for they say he travels as fast as
Caesar. So from Menturnae I am turning off towards Arpinum, and I have
made up my mind to stay at Aquinum or in Arcanum on the 9th. Now, my
dear Atticus, throw yourself heart and soul into this question, for it
is an important matter. There are three things open to me: to stay at
Arpinum, to come nearer to Rome, or to go to Rome. What you advise, I
will do? But answer at once. I am eagerly expecting a letter from you.
Sinuessa, Nov. 8 in the morning.
XI
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Puteoli, Nov. 5_, B.C. _44_]
On the 5th I received two letters from you, one dated the first, the
other a day earlier. So I am answering the earlier first. I am glad you
like my book, from which you quoted the very gems; and they seemed to me
all the more sparkling for your judgment on them. For I was afraid of
those red pencils[319] of yours. As for Sicca, it is as you say: I could
hardly hold myself in about Antony's lust. So I will touch on it lightly
without any opprobrium for Sicca and Septimia, and only let our
children's
Footnote 319:
Cf. _Att._ XV. 14, 4.
* * * * *
Page 406
sine φαλλῷ Luciliano eum ex C. Fadi filia liberos habuisse. Atque utinam
eum diem videam, cum ista oratio ita libere vagetur, ut etiam in Siccae
domum introeat! Sed "illo tempore opus est, quod fuit illis III viris."
Moriar, nisi facete! Tu vero leges Sexto eiusque iudicium mihi
perscribes. "Εἷς ἐμοὶ μύριοι." Caleni interventum et Calvenae cavebis.
Quod vereris, ne ἀδόλεσχος mihi tu, quis minus? Cui, ut Aristophani
Archilochi iambus, sic epistula tua longissima quaeque optima videtur.
Quod me admones, tu vero etiamsi reprenderes, non modo facile paterer,
sed etiam laetarer, quippe cum in reprensione sit prudentia cum
εὐμενεία. Ita libenter ea corrigam, quae a te animadversa sunt, "eodem
iure quo Rubriana" potius quam "quo Scipionis," et de laudibus
Dolabellae deruam cumulum. Ac tamen est isto loco bella, ut mihi
videtur, εἰρωνεία, quod eum ter contra cives in acie. Illud etiam malo:
"indignissimum est hunc vivere" quam "quid indignius?" Πεπλογραφίαν
Varronis tibi probari non moleste fero;
* * * * *
Page 407
children know, without taking Lucilian licence, that Antony had children
by a daughter of Fadius. I only wish I could see the day when my second
_Philippic_ could be sufficiently freely circulated to enter even
Sicca's door. "But we want back the days of freedom under the
triumvirs."[320] Upon my life that was a neat touch of yours. Please
read my book to Sextus and let me know his opinion. I would take his
word against all the world. Keep your eyes open for the appearance of
Calenus and Calvena.
Footnote 320:
The point of this sentence is not obvious. The translation follows
Watson, who suggests that the pleasantry lies in calling the days of
the triumvirate free in comparison with the date at which Cicero was
writing. Other suggestions are (_a_) that there is a play on the
triumvirate and the fact that Caesar and Pompey each had three wives;
(_b_) that Septimia had three husbands; or (_c_) that it refers to
some earlier date, possibly Cicero's consulate, when Fadia had three
lovers. (Cf. Gurlitt, in _Philologus_, LVII. (1898) pp. 403-8).
You fear I may think you a gas-bag. Who is less of one? I am like
Aristophanes[321] with Archilochus' iambics—the longest letter of yours
ever seems the best to me. As for your giving me advice, why, if you
found fault with me, I should not only put up with it cheerfully, but
even be glad of it, since in your fault-finding there is both wisdom and
kindly purpose. So I will willingly correct the point you mention, and
write "by the same right as you did the property of Rubrius" instead of
"the property of Scipio";[322] and I will take the pinnacle off my
praises of Dolabella. And yet to my thinking there is fine irony in the
passage where I say he had thrice stood up in arms against his
fellow-citizens.[323] Again I prefer your "it is most unjust that such a
man should live" to "what can be more unjust?"[324] I am not sorry to
hear you praise the _Peplographia_[325]
Footnote 321:
The Alexandrine grammarian, not the comic poet.
Footnote 322:
2 _Phil._ 103, where Cicero accuses Antony of obtaining possession of
property by underhand means.
Footnote 323:
2 _Phil._ 75, with Caesar in Thessaly, Africa, and Spain.
Footnote 324:
2 _Phil._ 86. But the original reading is still found in our MSS.
Footnote 325:
A "book of worthies," so-called from the sacred robe, embroidered with
mythological and historical figures, offered once a year to Athene at
Athens. The book was possibly identical with that generally known as
the _Hebdomades sive Imagines_, but that is doubtful.
* * * * *
Page 408
a quo adhuc Ἡρακλείδειον illud non abstuli. Quod me hortaris ad
scribendum, amice tu quidem, sed me scito agere nihil aliud. Gravedo tua
mihi molesta est. Quaeso, adhibe, quam soles diligentiam. "O Tite" tibi
prodesse laetor. "Anagnini" sunt Mustela ταξιάρχης et Laco, qui plurimum
bibit. Librum, quem rogas, perpoliam et mittam.
Haec ad posteriorem. "Τὰ περὶ τοῦ καθήκοντος," quatenus Panaetius,
absolvi duobus. Illius tres sunt; sed, cum initio divisisset ita, tria
genera exquirendi officii esse, unum, cum deliberemus, honestum an turpe
sit, alterum, utile an inutile, tertium, cum haec inter se pugnare
videantur, quo modo iudicandum sit, qualis causa Reguli, redire
honestum, manere utile, de duobus primis praeclare disseruit, de tertio
pollicetur se deinceps, sed nihil scripsit. Eum locum Posidonius
persecutus est. Ego autem et eius librum accersivi et ad Athenodorum
Calvum scripsi, ut ad me τὰ κεφάλαια mitteret; quae exspecto. Quem velim
cohortere et roges, ut quam primum. In eo est περὶ τοῦ κατὰ περίστασιν
καθήκοντος. Quod de inscriptione quaeris, non dubito, quin καθῆκον
"officium" sit, nisi quid tu aliud; sed inscriptio plenior "de
officiis." Προσφωνῶ autem Ciceroni filio. Visum est non ἀνοίκειον.
* * * * *
Page 409
of Varro; I have not yet managed to get the book in the style of
Heracleides from him. You exhort me to go on writing. That is friendly
of you; but let me tell you I do nothing else. I am sorry to hear of
your cold. Please take as much care as usual of it. I am glad my book
_On Old Age_[326] does you good. The "men of Anagnia"[327] are Mustela,
the swashbuckler, and Laco, the champion toper. The book you ask for I
will polish up and send.
Footnote 326:
_O Tite_ are the opening words of the _De Senectute_.
Footnote 327:
2 _Phil._ 106. The names have been inserted, as they are given in our
MSS.
Now for the second letter. The _De Officiis_, so far as Panaetius is
concerned, I have finished in two books. He has three: but, though at
the beginning he makes a three-fold division of cases in which duty has
to be determined, one when the question is between right or wrong,
another when it is between expediency and inexpediency, and the third,
how we are to decide when it is a conflict between duty and
expediency—for example, in Regulus' case to return would be right, to
stay expedient—he treated of the first two brilliantly; the third he
promises to add, but never wrote it. Posidonius took up that topic: but
I have ordered his book and written to Athenodorus Calvus to send me an
analysis of it, and that I am expecting. I wish you would spur him on
and beg him to let me have it as soon as possible. In it duties under
given circumstances are handled. As to your query about the title, I
have no doubt that καθῆκον (duty) corresponds with _officium_, unless
you have any other suggestion to make. But the fuller title is _De
Officiis_. I am dedicating it to my son. It seems to me not
inappropriate.
* * * * *
Page 410
De Myrtilo dilucide. O quales tu semper istos! Itane? in D. Brutum? Di
istis! Ego me, ut scripseram, in Pompeianum non abdidi, primo
tempestatibus, quibus nil taetrius; deinde ab Octaviano cotidie
litterae, ut negotium susciperem, Capuam venirem, iterum rem publicam
servarem, Romam utique statim.
[Sidenote: _Iliad_, vii. 93]
"Αἴδεσθεν μὲν ἀνήνασθαι, δεῖσαν δ' ὑποδέχθαι."
Is tamen egit sane strenue et agit. Romam veniet cum manu magna, sed est
plane puer. Putat senatum statim. Quis veniet? Si venerit, quis incertis
rebus offendet Antonium? Kal. Ianuar. erit fortasse praesidio, aut
quidem ante depugnabitur. Puero municipia mire favent. Iter enim faciens
in Samnium venit Cales, mansit Teani. Mirifica ἀπάντησις et cohortatio.
Hoc tu putares? Ob hoc ego citius Romam, quam constitueram. Simul et
constituero, scribam.
Etsi nondum stipulationes legeram (nec enim Eros venerat), tamen rem
pridie Idus velim conficias. Epistulas Catinam, Tauromenium, Syracusas
commodius mittere potero, si Valerius interpres ad me nomina gratiosorum
scripserit. Alii enim sunt alias, nostrique familiares fere demortui.
Publice tamen scripsi, si uti vellet eis Valerius; aut mihi nomina
mitteret.
* * * * *
Page 411
You make it as plain as daylight about Myrtilus. How well you can always
take that lot off! Is it so? Do they accuse D. Brutus?[328] A malison on
them! I have not hidden myself in Pompeii, as I said I should; first
because of the weather, which has been abominable, and secondly because
I get a letter from Octavian every day, asking me to take a hand in
affairs, to come to Capua, to save the Republic again, and anyhow to go
to Rome at once. It is a case of "ashamed to shirk, but yet afraid to
take." He, however, has been acting, and still is acting, with great
vigour. He will come to Rome with a big army; but he is such a boy. He
thinks he can call a Senate at once. Who will come? If anyone comes, who
will offend Antony in this uncertainty? Perhaps he may act as a
safeguard on the 1st of January, or the battle may be over before then.
The country towns are wonderfully enthusiastic for the boy. For, as he
was making his way to Samnium, he came to Cales and stopped at Teanum.
There was a marvellous crowd to meet him and cheers for him. Should you
have thought it? That will make me come to Rome sooner than I had
intended. As soon as I have arranged, I will write.
Footnote 328:
Of attempting Antony's life.
Though I have not yet read the agreements—for Eros has not come
yet—still I wish you would get the business settled on the 12th. It will
make it easier for me to send letters to Catina, Tauromenium, and
Syracuse, if Valerius the interpreter will let me know the names of the
influential people. For such people vary with the times, and most of my
particular friends are dead. However, I have written general letters, if
Valerius will content himself with them; otherwise he must send me
names.
* * * * *
Page 412
De Lepidianis feriis Balbus ad me usque ad III Kal. Exspectabo tuas
litteras meque de Torquati negotiolo sciturum puto. Quinti litteras ad
te misi, ut scires, quam valde eum amaret, quem dolet a te minus amari.
Atticae, quoniam, quod optimum in pueris est, hilarula est, meis verbis
suavium des volo.
XII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Puteolano VIII Id. Nov. a. 710_]
Oppi epistulae, quia perhumana erat, tibi misi exemplum. De Ocella, dum
tu muginaris nec mihi quicquam rescribis, cepi consilium domesticum
itaque me pr. Idus arbitror Romae futurum. Commodius est visum frustra
me istic esse, cum id non necesse esset, quam, si opus esset, non
adesse, et simul, ne intercluderer, metuebam. Ille enim iam adventare
potest. Etsi varii rumores multique, quos cuperem veros; nihil tamen
certi. Ego vero, quicquid est, tecum potius, quam animi pendeam, cum a
te absim, et de te et de me. Sed quid tibi dicam? Bonum animum. De
Ἡρακλειδείῳ Varronis negotia salsa. Me quidem nihil umquam sic
delectavit. Sed haec et alia maiora coram.
* * * * *
Page 413
About the holidays for Lepidus' inauguration,[329] Balbus tells me they
will last till the 29th. I am looking for a letter from you, and hope I
shall hear about that little affair of Torquatus. I am sending Quintus'
letter to show you how strong his affection is for the youth for whom he
regrets you have so little. Please give Attica a kiss in my name for
being such a merry little thing. It is the best sign in children.
Footnote 329:
As _Pontifex Maximus_.
XII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Puteoli, Nov. 6_, B.C. _44_]
I am sending you a copy of Oppius' letter, because it is so very
courteous. About Ocella, while you are messing about and not writing me
a line, I have consulted my own wits, and so I think I shall be in Rome
on the 12th. I think it better for me to come there to no purpose, even
if it is not necessary, than not to be there if it is, and at the same
time I am afraid of being shut in there. For Antony may always be
getting near. However, there are plenty of different rumours, which I
hope may be true; there is no definite news. For my part, whatever it
may be, I would rather be with you, than be in suspense both about you
and about myself, when I am away from you. But what am I to say to you?
Keep up your heart. About Varro's work in Heracleides' vein, that's an
amusing business. I was never so pleased with anything. But of this and
more important things when we meet.
* * * * *
Page 414
XIIIa
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Aquini IV Id. Nov. a. 710_]
O casum mirificum! V Idus cum ante lucem de Sinuessano surrexissem
venissemque diluculo ad pontem Tirenum, qui est Menturnis, in quo flexus
est ad iter Arpinas, obviam mihi fit tabellarius; qui me offendit
"δολιχὸν πλόον ὁρμαίνοντα." At ego statim "Cedo," inquam, "si quid ab
Attico." Nondum legere poteramus; nam et lumina dimiseramus, nec satis
lucebat. Cum autem luceret, ante scripta epistula ex duabus tuis prior
mihi legi coepta est. Illa omnium quidem elegantissima. Ne sim salvus,
si aliter scribo ac sentio. Nihil legi humanius. Itaque veniam, quo
vocas, modo adiutore te. Sed nihil tam ἀπροσδιόνυσον mihi primo
videbatur quam ad eas litteras, quibus ego a te consilium petieram, te
mihi ista rescribere. Ecce tibi altera, qua hortaris [Sidenote:
_Odyssey_, iii. 171] "παρ' ἠνεμόεντα Μίμαντα, νήσου ἐπὶ Ψυρίης," Appiam
scilicet "ἐπ' ἀριστέρ' ἔχοντα." Itaque eo die mansi Aquini. Longulum
sane iter et via mala. Inde postridie mane proficiscens has litteras
dedi.
XIIIb
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati III Id. Nov. a. 710_]
... et quidem, ut a me dimitterem invitissimus, fecerunt Erotis
litterae. Rem tibi Tiro narrabit. Tu, quid faciendum sit, videbis.
Praeterea, possimne
* * * * *
Page 415
XIIIa
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Aquinum, Nov. 10_, B.C. _44_]
What a strange coincidence! On the 9th I got up before daybreak to go on
from Sinuessa, and before dawn I had reached the Tirenian bridge at
Menturnae, where the road for Arpinum branches off, when I met a
messenger, who found me "on a far journey bent." I at once enquired:
"Pray, is there anything from Atticus?" I could not read as yet, for I
had dismissed the link-bearers and it was not yet light enough. But,
when it got light, I began to read the first of your two letters, having
already written one to you. Your note was a model of elegance. Upon my
life I am not saying more than I mean. I never read a kinder. So I will
come, when you call me, provided you will assist me. But at first sight
I thought nothing could be more _mal à propos_ than such an answer to a
letter in which I had asked for your advice. Then there is your other
letter, in which you advise me to go "by windy Mimas towards the Psyrian
isle,"[330] that is keeping the Appian way on the left side. So I have
stayed the day at Aquinum. It was rather a wearisome journey and the
road was bad. This letter I am sending the next morning as I am leaving.
Footnote 330:
By Mimas Cicero means the Apennines, and by νῆσος Ψυρίης the _insula
Arpinas_.
XIIIb
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Arpinum, Nov. 11_, B.C. _44_]
... and indeed Eros' letter made me dismiss him most unwillingly. Tiro
will explain it to you. Pray see what can be done. Besides let me know
whether
* * * * *
Page 416
propius accedere (malo enim esse in Tusculano aut uspiam in suburbano),
an etiam longius discedendum putes, crebro ad me velim scribas. Erit
autem cotidie, cui des. Quod praeterea consulis, quid tibi censeam
faciundum, difficile est, cum absim. Verum tamen, si pares aeque inter
se, quiescendum, sin, latius manabit et quidem ad nos, deinde
communiter.
XIIIc
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati III Id. Nov. a. 710_]
Avide tuum consilium exspecto. Timeo, ne absim, cum adesse me sit
honestius; temere venire non audeo. De Antoni itineribus nescio quid
aliter audio, atque ut ad te scribebam. Omnia igitur velim explices et
ad me certa mittas.
De reliquo quid tibi ego dicam? Ardeo studio historiae (incredibiliter
enim me commovet tua cohortatio); quae quidem nec institui nec effici
potest sine tua ope. Coram igitur hoc quidem conferemus. In praesentia
mihi velim scribas, quibus consulibus C. Fannius M. f. tribunus pl.
fuerit. Videor mihi audisse P. Africano, L. Mummio censoribus. Id igitur
quaero. Tu mihi de iis rebus, quae novantur, omnia certa, clara. III
Idus ex Arpinati.
* * * * *
Page 417
you think I can come nearer Rome—for I should prefer to be at Tusculum
or somewhere in the neighbourhood of Rome—or whether I ought to go
further off. Write frequently about it. There will be someone to give a
letter to every day. You ask my advice too as to what I think you ought
to do. It is difficult to say, when I am not at Rome. However, if the
two[331] seem equal, keep quiet; if not, the news will spread even here;
then we will take common counsel.
Footnote 331:
Antony and Octavian.
XIIIc
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Arpinum, Nov. 11_, B.C. _44_]
I am expecting your advice eagerly. I fear I may be absent, when honour
demands my presence; yet I dare not come rashly. About Antony's march I
hear now rather a different tale from what I wrote. So I wish you would
unravel the whole mystery and send me certain news.
For the rest what can I say? I have a burning passion for history—for
your suggestion has had a wonderful effect upon me—but it is not easy to
begin or to carry it out without your assistance. So we will discuss it
when we meet. At the present moment I wish you would tell me in what
year C. Fannius, son of Marcus, was tribune. I think I have been told it
was in the censorship of Africanus and Mummius. So that is what I want
to know. Please send me clear and certain details of all the changes in
the constitution. Arpinum, Nov. 11.
* * * * *
Page 418
XIV
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati medio mense Novembri a. 710_]
Nihil erat plane, quod scriberem. Nam, cum Puteolis essem, cotidie
aliquid novi de Octaviano, multa etiam falsa de Antonio. Ad ea autem,
quae scripsisti (tres enim acceperam III Idus a te epistulas), valde
tibi adsentior, si multum possit Octavianus, multo firmius acta tyranni
comprobatum iri quam in Telluris, atque id contra Brutum fore. Sin autem
vincitur, vides intolerabilem Antonium, ut, quem velis, nescias. O Sesti
tabellarium hominem nequam! Postridie Puteolis Romae se dixit fore. Quod
me mones, ut pedetemptim, adsentior; etsi aliter cogitabam. Nec me
Philippus aut Marcellus movet. Alia enim eorum ratio est et, si non est,
tamen videtur. Sed in isto iuvene, quamquam animi satis, auctoritatis
parum est. Tamen vide, si forte in Tusculano recte esse possum, ne id
melius sit. Ero libentius; nihil enim ignorabo. An hic, cum Antonius
venerit?
Sed, ut aliud ex alio, mihi non est dubium, quin, quod Graeci καθῆκον,
nos "officium." Id autem quid dubitas quin etiam in rem publicam
praeclare quadret? Nonne dicimus "consulum officium, senatus
* * * * *
Page 419
XIV
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Arpinum, middle of Nov._, B.C. _44_]
I have nothing whatever to write about. For, when I was at Puteoli,
there was something fresh about Octavian every day, and plenty of false
reports about Antony. However, I had three letters from you on the
fifth, and I strongly agree with what you said, that if Octavian has
much success, the tyrant's proposals will receive stronger confirmation
than they did in the temple of Tellus,[332] and that will be against the
interests of Brutus. But if, on the other hand, he is conquered, you see
Antony will be intolerable; so you don't know which you want. What a
rascal Sestius' messenger is! He said he would be in Rome the day after
he left Puteoli! You advise me to move slowly, and I agree, though once
I thought differently. I am not influenced by Philippus or Marcellus;
for their position is different, or, if it is not, it looks as though it
were.[333] But that youth, though he has plenty of spirit, has little
influence. However, see whether it would not be better for me to be at
Tusculum, if I should do right in being there. I would rather be there;
for I should get all the news. Or had I better be here when Antony
comes?
Footnote 332:
Where the Senate met on March 17, two days after the murder of Caesar.
Cf. _Att._ XIV. 10.
Footnote 333:
Marcellus was Octavian's brother-in-law; Philippus his stepfather.
But, as one thing suggests another,[334] I know that what the Greeks
call καθῆκον (duty), we call _officium_. But why should you doubt
whether the word fits appropriately in political affairs? Don't we say
the
Footnote 334:
Apparently the idea of "duty" was suggested by _recte_ just above,
though it hardly bears that meaning in this case.
* * * * *
Page 420
officium, imperatoris officium"? Praeclare convenit; aut da melius. Male
narras de Nepotis filio. Valde mehercule moveor et moleste fero.
Nescieram omnino esse istum puerum. Caninium perdidi, hominem, quod ad
me attinet, non ingratum. Athenodorum nihil est quod hortere. Misit enim
satis bellum ὑπόμνημα. Gravedini, quaeso, omni ratione subveni. Avi tui
pronepos scribit ad patris mei nepotem se ex Nonis iis, quibus nos magna
gessimus; aedem Opis explicaturum idque ad populum. Videbis igitur et
scribes. Sexti iudicium exspecto.
XV
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati ante V. Id. Dec. a. 710_]
Noli putare pigritia me facere, quod non mea manu scribam, sed mehercule
pigritia. Nihil enim habeo aliud, quod dicam. Et tamen in tuis quoque
epistulis Alexim videor adgnoscere. Sed ad rem venio.
Ego, si me non improbissime Dolabella tractasset, dubitassem fortasse,
utrum remissior essem an summo iure contenderem. Nunc vero etiam gaudeo
mihi causam oblatam, in qua et ipse sentiat et reliqui omnes me ab illo
abalienatum, idque prae me feram, et quidem me mea causa facere et rei
publicae, ut
* * * * *
Page 421
_officium_ of consuls, of the Senate, of generals? It is quite
appropriate; if not, suggest a better word. That is bad news about
Nepos' son. I am much disturbed and distressed. I had no idea he had
such a son. I have lost Canidius, a man who, so far as I was concerned,
has not been ungrateful.[335] There is no necessity for you to stir up
Athenodorus. He has sent me quite a good memorandum. Pray do all you can
for your cold. Your grandfather's greatgrandson writes to my father's
grandson[336] that after the 5th of December, the day of my great
achievement,[337] he means to explain about the temple of Ops,[338] and
that in public. Keep your eyes open then and let me know. I am anxious
to hear what Sextus has to say.
Footnote 335:
For Cicero's defence of him in 55 B.C.
Footnote 336:
Young Quintus Cicero to Cicero's son.
Footnote 337:
The arrest of the Catilinarian conspirators in 63 B.C.
Footnote 338:
Antony's seizure of the public funds deposited in that temple. Cf.
XIV. 14.
XV
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Arpinum, before Dec. 9_, B.C. _44_]
Don't think it is laziness that prevents my writing myself; and yet, to
be sure, it is nothing but laziness, for I have no other excuse to make.
However, I seem to recognize Alexis' hand in your letters too. But to
come to the point.
If Dolabella had not treated me most disgracefully, I should perhaps
have had some doubt whether to let him down lightly or to claim my full
rights. But, as it is, I am glad to have some reason for showing him and
other people that I have quarrelled with him; and I will make it clear
that I detest him both on my own account and on that of the Republic,
because, when at my instigation
* * * * *
Page 422
illum oderim, quod, cum eam me auctore defendere coepisset, non modo
deseruerit emptus pecunia, sed etiam, quantum in ipso fuerit, everterit.
Quod autem quaeris, quo modo agi placeat, cum dies venerit, primum velim
eius modi sit, ut non alienum sit me Romae esse; de quo ut de ceteris
faciam, ut tu censueris. De summa autem agi prorsus vehementer et severe
volo. Etsi sponsores appellare videtur habere quandam δυσωπίαν, tamen,
hoc quale sit, consideres velim. Possumus enim, ut sponsores appellemus,
procuratorem introducere; neque enim illi litem contestabuntur. Quo
facto non sum nescius sponsores liberari. Sed et illi turpe arbitror eo
nomine, quod satisdato debeat, procuratores eius non dissolvere et
nostrae gravitatis ius nostrum sine summa illius ignominia persequi. De
hoc quid placeat, rescribas velim; nec dubito, quin hoc totum lenius
administraturus sis.
Redeo ad rem publicam. Multa mehercule a te saepe in πολιτικῷ genere
prudenter, sed his litteris nihil prudentius: "Quamquam enim potest
et[339] in praesentia belle iste puer retundit Antonium, tamen exitum
exspectare debemus." At quae contio! nam est missa mihi. Iurat, ita sibi
parentis honores consequi liceat, et simul dextram intendit ad statuam.
Μηδὲ σωθείην ὑπό γε τοιούτου! Sed, ut scribis, certissimum esse video
discrimen Cascae nostri tribunatum, de quo quidem ipso dixi Oppio, cum
me hortaretur,
Footnote 339:
potest et _Gronovius_: postea _MSS._
* * * * *
Page 423
he had begun to defend it, he not only accepted a bribe to desert it,
but did his best to overthrow it. You ask how I want things to be
managed when the day comes. First, I should like them to be so arranged
that it may appear natural for me to come to Rome. But about that, and
indeed about the rest, I will do as you advise. On the main point,
however, I want really active and serious steps to be taken. Though it
is counted bad form to call upon the sureties for payment, still
consider how that method would do. We can bring his agents into the case
in order to call upon the sureties, for the agents will not dispute the
suit, though, if they do, I know of course the sureties will escape. But
I think it will be a disgrace for him, if his agents do not pay up a
debt for which he gave security, and my position demands that I should
prosecute my case without extreme humiliation to him. Please write and
tell me what you think best; I have no doubt you will carry it through
with reasonable moderation.
I return to public affairs. You have often said many a wise thing about
politics, but never anything wiser than this letter: "For though the
youth is strong and at present holds[340] Antony well in check, still we
must wait and see." But what a speech![341] For it has been sent to me.
He swears by his hopes of attaining to the honours of his father, and at
the same time stretches out his hand towards the statue. Be hanged to
salvation with a saviour like that! But, as you say, I see Casca's
tribuneship will afford the best criterion of his policy.[342] It was
_apropos_ of that that I said to Oppius, when he wanted me to
Footnote 340:
Or "is capable of holding and at present does hold."
Footnote 341:
A _contio_ delivered by Octavian.
Footnote 342:
Casca was one of the murderers of Caesar, and tribune elect.
* * * * *
Page 424
ut adulescentem totamque causam manumque veteranorum complecterer, me
nullo modo facere posse, ni mihi exploratum esset eum non modo non
inimicum tyrannoctonis, verum etiam amicum fore. Cum ille diceret ita
futurum, "Quid igitur festinamus?" inquam. "Illi enim mea opera ante
Kal. Ian. nihil opus est, nos autem eius voluntatem ante Idus Decembr.
perspiciemus in Casca." Valde mihi adsensus est. Quam ob rem haec quidem
hactenus. Quod reliquum est, cotidie tabellarios habebis, et, ut ego
arbitror, etiam quod scribas, habebis cotidie. Leptae litterarum
exemplum tibi misi, ex quo mihi videtur Στρατύλαξ ille deiectus de
gradu. Sed tu, cum legeris, existumabis.
Obsignata iam epistula litteras a te et a Sexto accepi. Nihil iucundius
litteris Sexti, nihil amabilius. Nam tuae breves, priores erant
uberrimae. Tu quidem et prudenter et amice suades, ut in his locis
potissimum sim, quoad audiamus, haec, quae commota sunt, quorsus
evadant. Sed me, mi Attice, non sane hoc quidem tempore movet res
publica, non quo aut sit mihi quicquam carius aut esse debeat, sed
desperatis etiam Hippocrates vetat adhibere medicinam. Quare ista
valeant; me res familiaris movet. Rem dico; immo vero existimatio. Cum
enim tanta reliqua sint, ne Terentiae quidem adhuc quod solvam expeditum
est. Terentiam dico; scis nos pridem iam constituisse Montani nomine HS
¯XXV¯ dissolvere. Pudentissime hoc Cicero petierat ut fide sua.
Liberalissime, ut tibi quoque placuerat, promiseram,
* * * * *
Page 425
open my arms to the youth, the whole cause, and the troop of veterans,
that I could not do anything of the kind, until I had made sure that he
would not only not be an enemy, but would be a friend to the
tyrannicides. He said that would be so, and I replied: "Then, what is
the hurry? He does not want my assistance before the 1st of January, and
we shall see what he intends before the middle of December in Casca's
case." He quite agreed with me. So that's enough of that. For the rest
you will have messengers every day, and I think you will have something
to write every day too. I am sending a copy of Lepta's letter, and from
it you will see that that toy captain[343] has had a fall. But you will
judge for yourself when you have read it.
Footnote 343:
Antony.
When I had already sealed this letter, I got one from you and one from
Sextus. Nothing could have been pleasanter or more amiable than Sextus'
letter. For yours was a short note, the earlier one having been very
full. It is wise and friendly advice you give me to stay here by
preference, till we hear how this disturbance is going to end. But just
at this minute, my dear Atticus, it is not the Republic that I am
bothered about—not that any thing is or ought to be dearer to me, but
even Hippocrates admits it is useless to apply medicine in desperate
cases. So let that go hang—it is my private concerns that bother me.
Concerns, do I say? Nay, rather my credit; for, though I have such big
balances, I have not even enough money on hand yet to pay Terentia. Do I
speak of Terentia? You know we arranged long ago to pay Montanus' debt
of £250.[344] My son very considerately begged me to do it out of his
credit. As you also agreed, I promised quite freely,
Footnote 344:
25 sestertia.
* * * * *
Page 426
Erotique dixeram, ut sepositum haberet. Non modo non fecit sed
iniquissimo faenore versuram facere Aurelius coactus est. Nam de
Terentiae nomine Tiro ad me scripsit te dicere nummos a Dolabella fore.
Male eum credo intellexisse, si quisquam male intellegit, potius nihil
intellexisse. Tu enim ad me scripsisti Coccei responsum et isdem paene
verbis Eros. Veniendum est igitur vel in ipsam flammam. Turpius est enim
privatim cadere quam publice. Itaque ceteris de rebus, quas ad me
suavissume scripsisti, perturbato animo non potui, ut consueram,
rescribere. Consenti hac cura,[345] ubi sum, ut me expediam; quibus
autem rebus, venit quidem mihi in mentem, sed certi constituere nihil
possum, prius quam te videro. Qui minus autem ego istic recte esse
possim, quam est Marcellus? Sed non id agitur, neque id maxime curo;
quid curem, vides. Adsum igitur.
Footnote 345:
consenti hac cura _Tyrrell_: consenti in hac cura _MSS._: contendo
Astura _Gurlitt_.
XVI
CICERO SUO SAL. DIC. ATTICO.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano inter a. d. V et prid. Non. Quint. a.
710_]
Iucundissimas tuas legi litteras. Ad Plancum scripsi, misi. Habes
exemplum. Cum Tirone quid sit locutus, cognoscam ex ipso. Cum sorore
ages attentius, si te occupatione ista relaxaris.
* * * * *
Page 427
and told Eros to set a sum apart for it. Not only did he fail to do so,
but Aurelius[346] had to raise another loan at extortionate interest.
For Terentia's debt Tiro tells me you said there would be money from
Dolabella. I think he misunderstood you, if anyone can misunderstand
anybody, or rather he did not understand at all. For you sent me
Cocceius' answer, and so did Eros in nearly the same words. So I must
come even into the heart of the conflagration, for private failure is
even more disgraceful than public failure. So for the other matters
contained in your pleasant letter, I was too perturbed in mind to answer
them as usual. Combine with me in extricating me from the tiresome
position I am in; how it is to be done I have some idea, but I cannot
arrange things with certainty till I see you. However, how can I be less
safe in Rome than Marcellus? But that is not the point, nor is it my
chief anxiety; what I am anxious about you see. So I am coming.
Footnote 346:
Agent of Montanus.
XVI
CICERO SENDS GREETING TO HIS FRIEND ATTICUS.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, between July 3 and 6_, B.C. _44_]
I have read your delightful letter. To Plancus I have written and sent
the letter. Here is a copy. What he said to Tiro I shall learn from Tiro
himself. You will attend more carefully to your sister's affairs, if you
have a rest from that other business of yours.
* * * * *
Page 428
XVIa
M. CICERO L. PLANCO PRAET. DESIG. SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano eodem tempore_]
Attici nostri te valde studiosum esse cognovi, mei vero ita cupidum, ut
mehercule paucos aeque observantes atque amantes me habere existimem. Ad
paternas enim magnas et veteres et iustas necessitudines magnam attulit
accessionem tua voluntas erga me meaque erga te par atque mutua.
Buthrotia tibi causa ignota non est. Egi enim saepe de ea re tecum
tibique totam rem demonstravi; quae est acta hoc modo. Ut primum
Buthrotium agrum proscriptum vidimus, commotus Atticus libellum
composuit. Eum mihi dedit, ut darem Caesari; eram enim cenaturus apud
eum illo die. Eum libellum Caesari dedi. Probavit causam, rescripsit
Attico aequa eum postulare, admonuit tamen, ut pecuniam reliquam
Buthrotii ad diem solverent. Atticus, qui civitatem conservatam cuperet,
pecuniam numeravit de suo. Quod cum esset factum, adiimus ad Caesarem,
verba fecimus pro Buthrotiis, liberalissimum decretum abstulimus; quod
est obsignatum ab amplissimis viris. Quae cum essent acta, mirari
equidem solebam pati Caesarem convenire eos, qui agrum Buthrotium
concupissent, neque solum pati, sed etiam ei negotio te praeficere.
Itaque et ego cum illo locutus sum et saepius quidem, ut etiam accusarer
ab eo, quod parum constantiae suae confiderem, et M. Messallae et ipsi
Attico dixit, ut sine cura essent,
* * * * *
Page 429
XVIa
M. CICERO TO L. PLANCUS, PRAETOR ELECT, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, at the same time_]
I know you are much attached to our friend Atticus, and to my society
you are so partial that I am sure I count myself to have few friends so
attentive and affectionate. For our ancestral ties, so strong and old
and natural, have been strengthened by the equal and reciprocal liking
we have, you for me and I for you.
The case of the Buthrotians is not unknown to you. For I have often
spoken to you about it and explained the whole affair to you. This is
what has happened. When first we saw that the lands of Buthrotum had
been confiscated, Atticus was troubled and composed a petition. That he
gave to me to hand to Caesar, for I was going to dine with him that day.
That petition I handed to Caesar. He approved of the case and wrote back
to Atticus that his request was reasonable, but he warned him that the
Buthrotians must pay the rest of the money at the proper time. Atticus,
who wanted to save the city, paid the money on his own account. When
that was done we approached Caesar, said a word for the Buthrotians, and
obtained a most generous decree, which was signed by persons of
importance. After that I was much astonished that Caesar used to let
those who had coveted the land of the Buthrotians hold meetings, and not
only allowed them to do so, but even put you at the head of the
commission. So I spoke to him about it, and that indeed so often that he
even reproached me for having so little faith in his consistency; and he
told Messalla and Atticus himself not to worry about it, and admitted
candidly
* * * * *
Page 430
aperteque ostendebat se praesentium animos (erat enim popularis, ut
noras) offendere nolle; cum autem mare transissent, curaturum se, ut in
alium agrum deducerentur. Haec illo vivo. Post interitum autem Caesaris,
ut primum ex senatus consulto causas consules cognoscere instituerunt,
haec, quae supra scripsi, ad eos delata sunt. Probaverunt causam sine
ulla dubitatione seque ad te litteras daturos esse dixerunt. Ego autem,
mi Plance, etsi non dubitabam, quin et senatus consultum et lex et
consulum decretum ac litterae apud te plurimum auctoritatis haberent,
teque ipsius Attici causa velle intellexeram, tamen hoc pro coniunctione
et benevolentia nostra mihi sumpsi, ut id a te peterem, quod tua
singularis humanitas suavissimique mores a te essent impetraturi. Id
autem est, ut hoc, quod te tua sponte facturum esse certo scio, honoris
nostri causa libenter, prolixe, celeriter facias. Mihi nemo est amicior
nec iucundior nec carior Attico. Cuius antea res solum familiaris
agebatur eaque magna, nunc accessit etiam existimatio, ut, quod
consecutus est magna et industria et gratia et vivo Caesare et mortuo,
id te adiuvante obtineat. Quod si a te erit impetratum, sic velim
existimes, me de tua liberalitate ita interpretaturum, ut tuo summo
beneficio me adfectum iudicem. Ego, quae te velle quaeque ad te
pertinere arbitrabor, studiose diligenterque curabo. Da operam, ut
valeas.
* * * * *
Page 431
that he did not want to offend the people, while they were in Rome—for,
as you know, he aimed at popularity—but when they were across the sea,
he would see to it that they were transferred to some other land. That
was what happened in Caesar's lifetime. But, after Caesar's death, as
soon as the consuls in accordance with a decree of the Senate began to
investigate cases, the facts as I have stated them were put before them.
They approved of the case without any hesitation, and said they would
send you letters. Now, my dear Plancus, though I have no doubt that a
decree of the Senate, a statute, a decree of the consuls, and their
despatch, will have the greatest weight with you, and I understand that
you will wish to please Atticus himself, yet I have taken it upon myself
in view of our connection and affection, to ask you for what your own
exceptional amiability and your goodness of heart would win from you
themselves. That is, that you should for my sake do this thing, which I
am sure you will do of your own accord, freely, fully, and quickly. I
have no greater and no dearer friend than Atticus. At first it was only
a question of his money, and a good sum of it too; but now it concerns
his credit too, that he should obtain with your assistance what he won
by his great persistency and his popularity both in Caesar's lifetime
and after his death. If he obtains it from you, I hope you will consider
that I shall interpret your liberality as a great favour bestowed upon
myself. For my part, I will show care and diligence in anything that I
think you desire or that concerns you. Take care of your health.
* * * * *
Page 432
XVIb
CICERO PLANCO PRAET. DESIG. SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. paulo post ep. 16a_]
Iam antea petivi abs te per litteras, ut, cum causa Buthrotiorum probata
a consulibus esset, quibus et lege et senatus consulto permissum erat,
ut de Caesaris actis cognoscerent, statuerent, iudicarent, eam rem tu
adiuvares, Atticumque nostrum, cuius te studiosum cognovi, et me, qui
non minus laboro, molestia liberares. Omnibus enim rebus magna cura,
multa opera et labore confectis in te positum est, ut nostrae
sollicitudinis finem quam primum facere possimus. Quamquam intellegimus
ea te esse prudentia, ut videas, si ea decreta consulum, quae de
Caesaris actis interposita sunt, non serventur, magnam perturbationem
rerum fore. Equidem, cum multa, quod necesse erat in tanta occupatione,
non probentur, quae Caesar statuerit, tamen otii pacisque causa acerrime
illa soleo defendere. Quod tibi idem magno opere faciendum censeo;
quamquam haec epistula non suasoris est, sed rogatoris. Igitur, mi
Plance, rogo te et etiam atque etiam oro sic medius fidius, ut maiore
studio magisque ex animo agere non possim, ut totum hoc negotium ita
agas, ita tractes, ita conficias, ut, quod sine ulla dubitatione apud
consules obtinuimus propter summam bonitatem et aequitatem causae, id tu
nos obtinuisse non modo facile patiare, sed etiam gaudeas. Qua quidem
voluntate te esse erga Atticum saepe praesens et illi ostendisti et vero
* * * * *
Page 433
XVIb
CICERO TO PLANCUS, PRAETOR ELECT, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Written shortly after 16a_]
I have already written to ask you to render assistance in the matter of
the Buthrotians, since the consuls, who had the authority of a statute
and a senatorial decree to investigate, determine, and decide on
Caesar's proceedings, have approved of their case; and to relieve
Atticus, whom I know you admire, and myself, who am as much concerned as
he is, from trouble. For now that we have brought the whole business to
an end with the expenditure of much care, much labour, and pains, it
rests with you to allow us to make an end to our anxiety as early as
possible. However, I am sure that you have wisdom enough to see, that,
if the decisions delivered by the consuls about Caesar's proceedings are
not observed, things will be thrown into great confusion. For my part,
though one cannot approve of many of Caesar's arrangements—as was
natural in the case of a person so busy—still I am wont to uphold them
staunchly for the sake of peace and quietness: and I am strongly of the
opinion that you should do the same, though I am not writing as an
adviser but as a suppliant. So, my dear Plancus, I beg and beseech
you—and I do assure you I could not be more anxious or more in earnest
about anything—to take in hand, to conduct, and to carry through all
this business in such a way, that, what we have obtained from the
consuls without any hesitation solely on the justice and equity of our
case, we may obtain from you not only with your kind indulgence but with
alacrity on your part. How kindly disposed you are to Atticus you have
often shown him and me, too, when we
* * * * *
Page 434