"Cingulum," inquit, "nos tenemus, Anconem amisimus; Labienus discessit
a Caesare." Utrum de imperatore populi Romani an de Hannibale loquimur?
O hominem amentem et miserum, qui ne umbram quidem umquam τοῦ καλοῦ
viderit! Atque haec ait omnia facere se dignitatis causa. Ubi est
autem dignitas nisi ubi honestas? Honestum igitur habere exercitum
nullo publico consilio, occupare urbes civium, quo facilior sit aditus
ad patriam, χρεῶν ἀποκοπάς, φυγάδων καθόδους, sescenta alia scelera
moliri,
* * * * *
Page 53
X
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Near Rome, Jan. 17 or 18_, B.C. _49_]
I have suddenly determined to leave town before daybreak, so that
I may escape sightseers and gossips, especially with my bay-decked
lictors. For the rest, what to do now or later, upon my word, I do not
know: I am so upset by our rash and lunatic policy. What advice can I
offer you, when it is to you I look for advice? I know not what plan
Pompey has made or is making: so far he is cooped up in the towns,
paralysed. If he makes his stand in Italy, we shall all be together: if
he retires, it will be a matter for debate. So far certainly, unless I
have lost my wits, his policy has been rash and foolish. Please write
to me often, just what comes into your head.
XI
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _In Campania, Jan. 17-22_, B.C. _49_]
What in the name of wonder is this? What is happening? I am in the
dark. People say, "Cingulum is ours, Ancona is lost, Labienus has
deserted from Caesar." Are we talking of a Roman officer or of
Hannibal? Wretched madman never to have seen the shadow even of right!
Yet all this, he says, is done to support his honour. Can there be
honour without honesty: and is it honest to retain an army without
sanction, to seize the cities of your country that you may strike the
better at her heart, to contrive abolition of debts, the restoration of
exiles, and scores of other crimes,
* * * * *
Page 54
τὴν θεῶν μεγίστην ὥστ' ἔχειν τυραννίδα----;
Sibi habeat suam fortunam! Unam mehercule tecum apricationem in illo
lucrativo tuo sole malim quam omnia istius modi regna vel potius mori
miliens quam semel istius modi quicquam cogitare. "Quid, si tu velis?"
inquis. Age, quis est, cui velle non liceat? Sed ego hoc ipsum "velle"
miserius esse duco quam in crucem tolli. Una res est ea miserior,
adipisci, quod ita volueris. Sed haec hactenus. Libenter enim in his
molestiis ἐνσχολάζω τόσον.[33]
[33] COCON _MSS._: τόσον _Tyrrell, Purser_; σοι _Vict._
Redeamus ad nostrum. Per fortunas! quale tibi consilium Pompei videtur?
hoc quaero, quod urbem reliquerit. Ego enim ἀπορῶ. Tum nihil absurdius.
Urbem tu relinquas? ergo idem, si Galli venirent? "Non est," inquit,
"in parietibus res publica." At in aris et focis. "Fecit Themistocles."
Fluctum enim totius barbariae ferre urbs una non poterat. At idem
Pericles non fecit annum fere post quinquagesimum, cum praeter moenia
nihil teneret; nostri olim urbe reliqua capta arcem tamen retinuerunt.
Οὕτο που τῶν πρόσθεν ἐπευθόμεθα κλέα ἀνδρῶν.
Rursus autem ex dolore municipali sermonibusque eorum, quos convenio,
videtur hoc consilium exitum habiturum. Mira hominum querela est
(nescio an[34]
[34] an _added by Ernesti_.
* * * * *
Page 55
"To win God's greatest gift, a crown?"
[Sidenote: Euripides, _Phoenissae_, 516]
Well, let him keep his fortune. For my part, let me bask one hour in
your clime's free gift of[35] sunlight, rather than win any kingdom
of that sort. Better a thousand times to die than once to meditate
such villainy. "Suppose you conceive a desire for it," you say. Desire
is free to anyone; but I would rather be crucified than have such a
desire. There is only one worse fate, to obtain your desire. But enough
of this. It eases me to philosophize a trifle in our present straits.
[35] Or "precious." The meaning is very doubtful.
To come back to Pompey. What, in heaven's name, do you think of his
plan? I mean his desertion of Rome. I don't know what to make of it.
Besides nothing could be more ridiculous. Leave the city? Would you
then have done the same if the Gauls were coming? He may object that
the state does not consist of lath and plaster. But it does consist of
hearths and altars. "Themistocles abandoned Athens." Yes, because one
city could not stand the flood of all the barbarians of the East. But
Pericles did not desert her about fifty years later, though he held
nothing but the walls. Once too our ancestors lost the rest of Rome,
but they kept the citadel.
"Such were the deeds they did, men say,
The heroes of an elder day."
[Sidenote: Iliad ix, 529]
On the other hand to judge from the indignation in the towns and the
talk of my acquaintances, it looks to me as if Pompey's flight would be
a success. Here there is an extraordinary outcry (whether in
* * * * *
Page 56
istic, sed facies, ut sciam) sine magistratibus urbem esse, sine
senatu. Fugiens denique Pompeius mirabiliter homines movet. Quid
quaeris? alia causa acta est. Nihil iam concedendum putant Caesari.
Haec tu mihi explica qualia sint.
Ego negotio praesum non turbulento. Vult enim me Pompeius esse, quem
tota haec Campania et maritima ora habeat ἐπίσκοπον, ad quem dilectus
et summa negotii referatur. Itaque vagus esse cogitabam. Te puto
iam videre, quae sit ὁρμὴ Caesaris, qui populus, qui totius negotii
status. Ea velim scribas ad me, et quidem, quoniam mutabilia sunt, quam
saepissime. Acquiesco enim et scribens ad te et legens tua.
XII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Formiis X K. Febr. a. 705_]
Unam adhuc a te epistulam acceperam datam XII Kal., in qua
significabatur aliam te ante dedisse, quam non acceperam. Sed quaeso,
ut scribas quam saepissime, non modo si quid scies aut audieris, sed
etiam si quid suspicabere, maximeque quid nobis faciendum aut non
faciendum putes. Nam, quod rogas, curem, ut scias, quid Pompeius agat,
ne ipsum quidem scire puto; nostrum quidem nemo. Vidi Lentulum consulem
Formiis X Kal., vidi Libonem; plena timoris et erroris omnia. Ille iter
Larinum; ibi enim cohortes et Luceriae et Teani reliquaque in Apulia.
Inde
* * * * *
Page 57
Rome also, I do not know: please tell me) at the city being left
without magistrates and without the House. In fact Pompey's flight has
made a marvellous stir. Men's attitude is really quite different: they
object to any concession to Caesar. Explain to me what it all means.
My task is peaceful. Pompey wishes me to act as surveyor over the whole
of the Campanian coast, to superintend the levy and all important
business. So I expect to be a wanderer. I imagine you realize Caesar's
policy, the temper of the people and the condition of affairs. Pray
keep me informed, and, since things are in a changeable condition, as
often as possible. It soothes me to write to you and read your letters.
XII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, Jan. 21_, B.C. _49_]
So far I have received one letter from you dated the 19th. In it you
state that you sent me another; but it has not reached me. I entreat
you, write to me as often as possible, not only what you shall know
or hear, but even anything you may suspect; and especially give me
your opinion as to what I ought or ought not to do. As to your request
for information on Pompey's policy, I don't think he knows himself;
certainly none of us know. I saw Lentulus the consul at Formiae on the
21st. I saw Libo. Everywhere there is panic and confusion. Pompey is on
the road to Larinum; for there are cohorts there and also at Luceria
and Teanum and in the rest of Apulia. No one knows whether he
* * * * *
Page 58
utrum consistere uspiam velit an mare transire, nescitur. Si manet,
vereor, ne exercitam firmum habere non possit; sin discedit, quo aut
qua, aut quid nobis agendum sit, nescio. Nam istum quidem, cuius
φαλαρισμὸν times, omnia taeterrime facturum puto. Nec eum rerum
prolatio nec senatus magistratuumque discessus nec aerarium clausum
tardabit. Sed haec, ut scribis, cito sciemus.
Interim velim mihi ignoscas quod ad te scribo tam multa totiens.
Acquiesco enim, et tuas volo elicere litteras, maximeque consilium,
quid agam aut quo me pacto geram. Demittamne me penitus in causam? Non
deterreor periculo, sed dirumpor dolore, Tamne nullo consilio aut tam
contra meum consilium gesta esse omnia! An cuncter et tergiverser,
et eis me dem, qui tenent, qui potiuntur? Αἰδέομαι Τρῶας nec solum
civis, sed etiam amici officio revocor; etsi frangor saepe misericordia
puerorum. Ut igitur ita perturbato, etsi te eadem sollicitant, scribe
aliquid, et maxime, si Pompeius Italia cedit, quid nobis agendum putes.
M'. quidem Lepidus (nam fuimus una) eum finem statuit, L. Torquatus
eundem. Me cum multa tum etiam lictores impediunt. Nihil vidi umquam,
quod minus explicari posset. Itaque a te nihildum certi exquiro, sed
quid videatur. Denique ipsam ἀπορίαν tuam cupio cognoscere. Labienum
ab illo discessisse prope modum constat. Si ita factum esset, ut ille
Romam veniens magistratus et senatum
* * * * *
Page 59
will make a stand anywhere or cross the sea. If he remains in Italy,
I fear it is impossible for him to have a reliable army. If he leaves
Italy, where he will go or stay, and what we are to do I don't know.
For I imagine that Caesar, whom you fear may be a Phalaris, will stick
at no abominations. He will not be deterred by adjournment of public
business, the departure of members and magistrates and the closure of
the treasury. But, as you say, we shall know soon.
Meanwhile forgive me for writing so much and so often; it soothes
me, and I wish to extract letters from you, and especially advice as
to where to go and what to do. Shall I give myself up heart and soul
to the good cause? I am not terrified by the danger, but tortured
by the anguish. To think that everything has been done with such a
lack of plan, or so contrary to my plan! Or shall I hesitate and play
the turncoat, and join the party that holds the field? "I fear the
Trojans," and I am held back not only by my duty as a citizen, but by
my duty as a friend; though I am often shaken by pity for the boys. So
write a line to me in my distress, although you have the same worries;
and especially as to what you think I should do, if Pompey leaves
Italy. I have met M'. Lepidus and he draws the line there; so does L.
Torquatus. There are many obstacles before me, including my lictors.
I have never seen such an intricate tangle. So I do not look to you
for positive advice: but only for your opinion. In fact I want to know
how the dilemma presents itself to you. It is practically certain that
Labienus has left Caesar. If it could have been arranged that he could
meet magistrates and Senate on his arrival at
* * * * *
Page 60
Romae offenderet, magno usui causae nostrae fuisset. Damnasse enim
sceleris hominem amicum rei publicae causa videretur, quod nunc quoque
videtur, sed minus prodest. Non enim habet, cui prosit, eumque arbitror
paenitere, nisi forte id ipsum est falsum, discessisse illum. Nos
quidem pro certo habebamus.
Et velim, quamquam, ut scribis, domesticis te finibus tenes, formam
mihi urbis exponas, ecquod Pompei desiderium, ecquae Caesaris invidia
appareat, etiam quid censeas de Terentia et Tullia, Romae eas esse an
mecum an aliquo tuto loco. Haec et si quid aliud ad me scribas velim
vel potius scriptites.
XIII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Menturnis IX K. Febr. a. 705_]
De Vennonianis rebus tibi assentior. Labienum ἥρωα iudico. Facinus iam
diu nullum civile praeclarius, qui, ut aliud nihil, hoc tamen profecit,
dedit illi dolorem. Sed etiam ad summam profectum aliquid puto. Amo
etiam Pisonem. Cuius iudicium de genero suspicor visum iri grave.
Quamquam, genus belli quod sit, vides. Ita civile est, ut non ex civium
dissensione, sed ex unius perditi civis audacia natum sit. Is autem
valet exercitu, tenet multos spe et promissis, omnia omnium concupivit.
Huic tradita urbs est nuda praesidio, referta copiis. Quid est,
* * * * *
Page 61
Rome, he would have been of great service to our cause. Loyalty it
would have appeared had made him regard his friend a traitor: it
appears so as it is, but it is of less use. For there is no cause to
serve, and I imagine that he is sorry at leaving Caesar, unless perhaps
the report is false. Myself I think it true.
And please give me a sketch of city affairs, though according to your
account you keep to your house. Is Pompey missed? Does Caesar seem
disliked? What do you think about Terentia and Tullia? Should they
remain in Rome, or join me, or seek some refuge? On these and any other
topics pray write to me, I mean write often.
XIII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Menturnae, Jan. 22_, B.C. _49_]
In the matter of Vennonius I agree with you. Labienus I consider a
hero. There has been no public action of such distinction for a long
time. If he has done nothing else, he has at least hurt Caesar's
feelings. But I think he has served our main interests as well. I am
delighted too with Piso. His judgement on his son-in-law[36] should
carry weight. However, you see the nature of our struggle. It is civil
war, though it has not sprung from division among our citizens, but
from daring of one abandoned citizen. He is strong in military forces,
he attracts adherents by hopes and promises, he covets the whole
universe. Rome is delivered to him stripped of defenders, stocked with
supplies: one may
[36] Caesar.
* * * * *
Page 62
quod ab eo non metuas, qui illa templa et tecta non patriam, sed
praedam putet? Quid autem sit acturus aut quo modo, nescio, sine
senatu, sine magistratibus. Ne simulare quidem poterit quicquam
πολιτικῶς. Nos autem ubi exsurgere poterimus aut quando? Quorum dux
quam ἀστρατήγητος, tu quoque animadvertis, cui ne Picena quidem nota
fuerint; quam autem sine consilio, res testis. Ut enim alia omittam
decem annorum peccata, quae condicio non huic fugae praestitit? Nec
vero, nunc quid cogitet, scio ac non desino per litteras sciscitari.
Nihil esse timidius constat, nihil perturbatius. Itaque nec praesidium,
cuius parandi causa ad urbem retentus est, nec locum ac sedem praesidii
ullam video. Spes omnis in duabus insidiose retentis paene alienis
legionibus. Nam dilectus adhuc quidem invitorum est et a pugnando
abhorrentium. Condicionum autem amissum tempus est. Quid futurum sit,
non video; commissum quidem a nobis certe est sive a nostro duce, ut e
portu sine gubernaculis egressi tempestati nos traderemus.
Itaque de Ciceronibus nostris dubito quid agam; nam mihi interdum
amandandi videntur in Graeciam; de Tullia autem et Terentia, cum
mihi barbarorum adventus ad urbem proponitur, omnia timeo; cum autem
Dolabellae venit in mentem, paulum respiro. Sed velim consideres, quid
faciendum putes primum πρὸς τὸ ἀσφαλές (aliter enim mihi de illis ac
de me ipso consulendum est), deinde ad opiniones, ne reprehendamur,
quod eas Romae velimus esse in communi bonorum fuga. Quin etiam tibi et
Peducaeo (scripsit enim ad me), quid faciatis, videndum est. Is enim
* * * * *
Page 63
fear anything from a man who regards her temples and her homes not as
his native land, but as his loot. What he will do, and how he will do
it, in the absence of House and magistrates, I do not know. He will be
unable even to pretend constitutional methods. But where can our party
raise its head or when? You, too, remark how poor a soldier our leader
is; why, he did not even know how things were in Picenum; and the
crisis shows his lack of policy. Pass over other faults of the last ten
years. What compromise were not better than this flight? I do not know
what he is thinking of doing now, though I inquire by constant letters.
It is agreed that his alarm and confusion has reached the limit. He
was kept in Italy to garrison Rome, but no garrison or place to post a
garrison can I see. We depend entirely on two legions that were kept
here by a trick, and are practically disloyal. For so far the levy has
found unwilling recruits, afraid of war. But the time of compromise is
passed. The future is obscure. We, or our leader, have brought things
to such a pass, that having put to sea without a rudder, we must trust
to the mercy of the storm.
So I hesitate what to do with the boys. Sometimes I think of sending
them to Greece. As for Tullia and Terentia, when I picture the approach
of the barbarians on Rome, I am terrified. But the thought of Dolabella
is some small relief to my mind. Please consider my best course, in
the first place with an eye to safety, for their safety stands on a
different footing to mine, and then with regard to possible criticism,
if I leave them in Rome, when the loyal are all in flight. Even you and
Peducaeus must be careful what you do, as he writes to me. For your
* * * * *
Page 64
splendor est vestrum, ut eadem postulentur a vobis quae ab amplissimis
civibus. Sed de hoc tu videbis, quippe cum de me ipso ac de meis te
considerare velim.
Reliquum est, ut, et quid agatur, quoad poteris, explores scribasque
ad me, et quid ipse coniectura assequare, quod etiam a te magis
exspecto. Nam acta omnibus nuntiantibus, a te exspecto futura. Μάντις
δ' ἄριστος--. Loquacitati ignosces, quae et me levat ad te quidem
scribentem et elicit tuas litteras. Aenigma Oppiorum ex Velia plane non
intellexi; est enim numero Platonis obscurius.[37]
[37] Aenigma--obscurius, _transferred by O. E. Schmidt from the
beginning of XIIIa_.
XIIIa
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Menturnis VIII K. Febr. a. 705_]
Iam intellexi tuum; Oppios enim de Velia saccones dicis. In eo aestuavi
diu. Quo aperto reliqua patebant et cum Terentiae summa congruebant. L.
Caesarem vidi Menturnis a. d. VIII Kal. Febr. mane cum absurdissimis
mandatis, non hominem, sed scopas solutas, ut id ipsum mihi ille
videatur irridendi causa fecisse, qui tantis de rebus huic mandata
dederit;
* * * * *
Page 65
eminence is such that people will expect the same from you as from
the most distinguished citizens. But you are capable of looking after
yourself. Why, it is to you that I look for advice about myself and my
family.
For the rest, you must discover, as far as you can, what is happening,
and write to me. Add your conjectures, too, for I look forward still
more eagerly to them. Anybody can inform me of what has happened. From
you I hope to hear what will happen. "The prince of seers...."[38]
Pardon my chatter. It is a relief to write to you, and it gets me a
letter from you. I am at a loss to explain your riddle about the Oppii
of Velia; it is darker than Plato's number.[39]
[38] The line--in full μάντις δ'ἄριστος ὅστις εἰκάζει καλῶς--is taken
from a lost tragedy of Euripides.
[39] The "nuptial number" of the _Republic_, 545c foll.
XIIIa
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Menturnae, Jan 23_, B.C. _49_]
I understand it now, you call those pursy Oppii the bagmen of
Velia.[40] I was in doubt for a long time. But the riddle solved, the
rest became clear, and tallied with Terentia's reckoning. I met L.
Caesar at Menturnae on the morning of the 23rd of January with the
most ridiculous commission. He is not a man, but a broom untied. I
imagine that Caesar is mocking us by sending such a commissioner on so
important business; but perhaps the fellow has no
[40] The Oppii were bankers. If _saccones_ is read, it must be taken
as a jocular reference to money-bags. Some, however, read _succones_
"blood-suckers," suggesting an obscure play upon the words ὀπός (fig
juice) and _sucus_.
* * * * *
Page 66
nisi forte non dedit, et hic sermone aliquo arrepto pro mandatis abusus
est.
Labienus, vir mea sententia magnus, Teanum venit a. d. VIIII Kal.
Ibi Pompeium consulesque convenit. Qui sermo fuerit, et quid actum
sit, scribam ad te, cum certum sciam. Pompeius a Teano Larinum versus
profectus est a. d. VIII Kal. Eo die mansit Venafri. Iam aliquantum
animi videtur nobis attulisse Labienus. Sed ego nondum habeo, quod ad
te ex his locis scribam; ista magis exspecto, quid illim adferatur, quo
pacto de Labieno ferat, quid agat Domitius in Marsis, Iguvi Thermus, P.
Attius Cinguli, quae sit populi urbani voluntas, quae tua coniectura de
rebus futuris. Haec velim crebro, et quid tibi de mulieribus nostris
placeat, et quid acturus ipse sis, scribas. Si scriberem ipse, longior
epistula fuisset, sed dictavi propter lippitudinem.
XIV
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Calibus a. d. VI K. Febr. a. 705_]
A. d. VI Kal. Febr. Capuam Calibus proficiscens, cum leviter lippirem,
has litteras dedi. L. Caesar mandata Caesaris detulit ad Pompeium a.
d. VIII Kal., cum is esset cum consulibus Teani. Probata condicio
est, sed ita, ut ille de eis oppidis, quae extra suam provinciam
occupavisset, praesidia deduceret. Id si fecisset, responsum est ad
urbem nos redituros esse et rem per senatum confecturos. Spero posse
in praesentia pacem nos habere; nam et illum furoris et hunc nostrum
copiarum suppaenitet. Me Pompeius
* * * * *
Page 67
authority, and is palming off some chance conversation as a commission.
Labienus, my hero, arrived at Teanum on the 22nd, where he met Pompey
and the consuls. As soon as I have positive news, I will inform you of
what they have said and done. Pompey set out from Teanum for Larinum
on the 23rd. He spent that day at Venafrum. At last Labienus has given
us some encouragement, but I have no news from this quarter. Rather
I expect news from you of Caesar's doings, how he takes Labienus'
desertion, what Domitius is doing among the Marsi, Thermus at Iguvium,
and P. Attius at Cingulum, what is the city's feeling, and what are
your views as to the future. Please write me often on these topics, and
give me your opinion about my women-folk and your own intentions. Were
I writing myself this letter would have been longer, but I dictate it
owing to inflammation of the eyes.
XIV
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Cales, Jan. 25_, B.C. _49_]
On the 25th of January, setting out from Cales to Capua, I write this
letter, though still suffering from slight inflammation of the eyes. L.
Caesar brought Caesar's ultimatum to Pompey on the 23rd, while Pompey
was at Teanum with the consuls. His conditions were accepted with the
reservation that he should withdraw his garrison from the towns he
has occupied outside his own province. That done, they said, we would
return to Rome and settle business in the House. I hope for the present
we may have peace: Caesar is rather sorry for his madness, and Pompey
* * * * *
Page 68
Capuam venire voluit et adiuvare dilectum; in quo parum prolixe
respondent Campani coloni. Gladiatores Caesaris, qui Capuae sunt, de
quibus ante ad te falsum ex A. Torquati litteris scripseram, sane
commode Pompeius distribuit binos singulis patribus familiarum.
Scutorum in ludo IↃↃ fuerunt. Eruptionem facturi fuisse dicebantur.
Sane multum in eo rei publicae provisum est.
De mulieribus nostris, in quibus est tua soror, quaeso videas, ut
satis honestum nobis sit eas Romae esse, cum ceterae illa dignitate
discesserint. Hoc scripsi ad eas et ad te ipsum antea. Velim eas
cohortere, ut exeant, praesertim cum ea praedia in ora maritima
habeamus, cui ego praesum, ut in iis pro re nata non incommode possint
esse. Nam, si quid offendimus in genero nostro--quod quidem ego
praestare non debeo--sed id fit maius, quod mulieres nostrae praeter
ceteras Romae remanserunt. Tu ipse cum Sexto scire velim quid cogites
de exeundo de totaque re quid existimes. Equidem pacem hortari non
desino; quae vel iniusta utilior est quam iustissimum bellum cum
civibus. Sed haec, ut fors tulerit.
XV
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Capuae V K. Febr. a. 705_]
Ut ab urbe discessi, nullum adhuc intermisi diem, quin aliquid ad te
litterarum darem, non quo haberem
* * * * *
Page 69
is uneasy as to our forces. I am wanted at Capua to assist the levy.
The settlers in Campania are hanging back. As for Caesar's professional
fighting men at Capua, about whom I misinformed you on the authority
of A. Torquatus, Pompey has very cleverly distributed them two a-piece
to heads of families. There were 5,000 heavy armed gladiators in the
school. They were said to meditate a sortie. Pompey's was a wise
provision for the safety of the state.
As for my women-folk, among whom is your sister, I entreat you to
consider the propriety of their stay at Rome, when the other ladies
of their rank have departed. I wrote to them and to you on this point
previously. Please urge them to leave the city, especially as I have
those estates on the sea-coast, which is under my care, so that they
can live there without much inconvenience, considering the state of
affairs. For, if I give offence by the conduct of my son-in-law (though
I am not his keeper), the fact that my women-folk stay in Rome after
others have left makes matters worse. I should like to know what you
and Sextus think about leaving town, and to have your opinion of
matters in general. As for me, I cease not to advocate peace. It may be
on unjust terms, but even so it is more expedient than the justest of
civil wars. However, I can but leave it to fate.
XV
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Capua, Jan. 26_, B.C. _49_]
Since I left Rome I have not yet let a day pass without dropping you a
line; not that I had any
* * * * *
Page 70
magno opere, quod scriberem, sed ut loquerer tecum absens; quo mihi,
cum coram id non licet, nihil est iucundius.
Capuam cum venissem a. d. VI Kal. pridie, quam has litteras dedi,
consules conveni multosque nostri ordinis. Omnes cupiebant Caesarem
abductis praesidiis stare condicionibus iis, quas tulisset; uni Favonio
leges ab illo nobis imponi non placebat. Sed is haud auditus[41]
in consilio. Cato enim ipse iam servire quam pugnare mavult; sed
tamen ait in senatu se adesse velle, cum de condicionibus agatur,
si Caesar adductus sit, ut praesidia deducat. Ita, quod maxime opus
est, in Siciliam ire non curat; quod metuo ne obsit, in senatu esse
vult. Postumius autem, de quo nominatim senatus decrevit, ut statim
in Siciliam iret Furfanioque succederet, negat se sine Catone iturum
et suam in senatu operam auctoritatemque quam magni aestimat. Ita
res ad Fannium pervenit. Is cum imperio in Siciliam praemittitur. In
disputationibus nostris summa varietas est. Plerique negant Caesarem
in condicione mansurum postulataque haec ab eo interposita esse, quo
minus, quod opus esset ad bellum, a nobis pararetur. Ego autem eum puto
facturum, ut praesidia deducat. Vicerit enim, si consul factus erit, et
minore scelere vicerit, quam quo ingressus est. Sed accipienda plaga
est. Sumus enim flagitiose imparati cum a militibus tum a pecunia; quam
quidem omnem non modo privatam, quae in urbe est, sed etiam publicam,
quae in aerario est, illi reliquimus. Pompeius ad legiones Appianas[42]
est profectus; Labienum secum habet. Ego tuas opiniones de his rebus
exspecto. Formias me continuo recipere cogitabam.
[41] haud auditus _Bosius_: auditus auditus _M_: a nullo auditus
_Müller_.
[42] Appianas _Lipsius_: acianas _M_¹: actianas _M_²: Attianas _most
editors_.
* * * * *
Page 71
particular news, but I wanted to talk with you in my absence. When we
cannot talk face to face, there is nothing I like better.
I reached Capua yesterday, the 25th, where I met the consuls and many
fellow-members. All hope that Caesar will abide by his conditions,
accepting the withdrawal of his garrisons: only Favonius objects to
his dictating to us. But no one listened to him. For even Cato now
prefers slavery to war: but he wants to be in the House when the terms
are debated, if Caesar can be induced to withdraw his garrisons. So he
does not care to do what would be most useful, and go to Sicily: and
he wants to be in the House, where I fear he will cause trouble. The
Senate definitely decreed that Postumius should set out for Sicily at
once and succeed Furfanius. Postumius replied he would not go without
Cato; he has a great idea of his own value and influence in the House.
So choice fell on Fannius; he is dispatched to Sicily with military
power. In our debates there is great difference of opinion. Most
declare that Caesar will not stick to his compact, and that his demands
were only introduced to hinder our preparations for war. I fancy,
however, that he will withdraw his garrisons. For he will win his
point, if he is elected consul, and win it with less scandal than by
his first course. But the blow must be borne. We are sinfully unready
in men and money: for we have left him not only our private purses
in the city, but the state funds in the treasury. Pompey along with
Labienus has set out for Appius' legions. I want your views on this. I
think of returning to Formiae at once.
* * * * *
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XVI
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Calibus III K. Febr. a. 705_]
Omnes arbitror mihi tuas litteras redditas esse, sed primas
praepostere, reliquas ordine, quo sunt missae per Terentiam. De
mandatis Caesaris adventuque Labieni et responsis consulum ac Pompei
scripsi ad te litteris iis, quas a. d. V Kal. Capua dedi, pluraque
praeterea in eandem epistulam conieci. Nunc has exspectationes habemus
duas, unam, quid Caesar acturus sit, cum acceperit ea, quae referenda
ad illum data sunt L. Caesari, alteram, quid Pompeius agat. Qui quidem
ad me scribit paucis diebus se firmum exercitum habiturum, spemque
adfert, si in Picenum agrum ipse venerit, nos Romam redituros esse.
Labienum secum habet non dubitantem de imbecillitate Caesaris copiarum;
cuius adventu Gnaeus noster multo animi plus habet. Nos a consulibus
Capuam venire iussi sumus ad Nonas Febr.
Capua profectus sum Formias a. d. III Kal. Eo die cum Calibus tuas
litteras hora fere nona accepissem, has statim dedi. De Terentia et
Tullia tibi adsentior. Ad quas scripseram, ad te ut referrent. Si
nondum profectae sunt, nihil est, quod se moveant, quoad perspiciamus,
quo loci sit res.
XVII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano IV Non. Febr. a. 705_]
Tuae litterae mihi gratae iucundaeque sunt. De pueris in Graeciam
transportandis tum cogitabam,
* * * * *
Page 73
XVI
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Cales, Jan. 28_, B.C. _49_]
I think all your letters reached me, but the first out of proper
order, the others as they were dispatched by Terentia. About Caesar's
ultimatum, the arrival of Labienus, and the reply of Pompey and the
consuls, I informed you in my letter of the 26th of January from Capua,
and I threw in a deal of other information besides. Now we have two
things to wait for, first what Caesar will do on receipt of the terms
given to L. Caesar to convey to him, and secondly what Pompey is doing
now. Pompey indeed writes to me that in a few days he will have a
strong force, and he encourages me to hope, that, if he enters Picenum,
we shall return to Rome. Labienus accompanies him, confident in the
weakness of Caesar's forces. His arrival has much encouraged Pompey.
The consuls have ordered me to go to Capua by the 5th of February.
I set out from Capua for Formiae on the 28th of January. On receipt of
your letter at Cales on that day about three o'clock I write this by
return. As for Terentia and Tullia I agree with you, and I have written
to them to consult you. If they have not yet started, there is no
reason for them to bestir themselves, till we see how things are.
XVII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 2_, B.C. _49_]
Your welcome letter I received with delight. I thought of sending the
boys to Greece when Pompey's
* * * * *
Page 74
cum fuga ex Italia quaeri videbatur. Nos enim Hispaniam peteremus;
illis hoc aeque commodum non erat. Tu ipse cum Sexto etiam nunc mihi
videris Romae recte esse posse; etenim minime amici Pompeio nostro esse
debetis. Nemo enim umquam tantum de urbanis praediis detraxit. Videsne
me etiam iocari?
Scire iam te oportet, L. Caesar quae response referat a Pompeio, quas
ab eodem ad Caesarem ferat litteras. Scriptae enim et datae ita sunt,
ut proponerentur in publico. In quo accusavi mecum ipse Pompeium, qui,
cum scriptor luculentus esset, tantas res atque eas, quae in omnium
manus venturae essent, Sestio nostro scribendas dederit. Itaque nihil
umquam legi scriptum σηστιωδέστερον. Perspici tamen ex litteris Pompei
potest nihil Caesari negari omniaque ei cumulate, quae postulet,
dari. Quae ille amentissimus fuerit nisi acceperit, praesertim cum
impudentissime postulaverit. Quis enim tu es, qui dicas: "Si in
Hispaniam profectus erit, si praesidia dimiserit"? Tamen conceditur
minus honeste nunc quidem violata iam ab illo re publica illatoque
bello, quam si olim de ratione habenda impetrasset. Et tamen vereor,
ut his ipsis contentus sit. Nam, cum ista mandata dedisset L. Caesari,
debuit esse paulo quietior, dum responsa referrentur; dicitur autem
nunc esse acerrimus.
Trebatius quidem scribit se ab illo VIIII Kal. Febr.
* * * * *
Page 75
flight from Italy seemed likely. For I myself should have gone to
Spain, but it would not have been so suitable for them. I fancy you and
Sextus may well stay in Rome even now; for you are not in the least
bound to be Pompey's friends: no one has ever depreciated city property
so much as Pompey. I must have my joke still, you see.
You should know already the reply that Pompey is sending by Lucius
Caesar, and the nature of his letter to Caesar; for it was written and
sent on purpose to be published. Mentally I blamed Pompey who, though a
clear writer himself, gave Sestius the task of drawing up documents of
such importance, which were to come into every one's hands. Accordingly
I have never seen anything more Sestian in its style.[43] Still it is
plain from the letter that nothing can be denied to Caesar, and that
the whole bulk of his demands are to be granted. He will be utterly mad
to reject the terms, particularly when his demands are most impudent.
Pray, who are you, Caesar, to insist "Provided Pompey go to Spain,
provided he dismiss his garrisons"? Still the demand is being granted,
but it has cost us more loss of dignity now that he has outraged the
sanctity of the state and waged war against it, than if he had obtained
his previous request to be admitted a candidate. And yet I fear he may
want more. For when he entrusted his ultimatum to L. Caesar, he should
have kept a little quiet until he received a reply. But he is said now
to be more energetic than ever.
[43] Cf. Catullus xliv for comments on Sestius' style. Sestius was
defended by Cicero in 56 B.C. with a speech which is extant.
Trebatius indeed writes to me that Caesar requested
* * * * *
Page 76
rogatum esse, ut scriberet ad me, ut essem ad urbem, nihil ei me
gratius facere posse. Haec verbis plurimis. Intellexi ex dierum
ratione, ut primum de discessu nostro Caesar audisset, laborare eum
coepisse, ne omnes abessemus. Itaque non dubito, quin ad Pisonem, quin
ad Servium scripserit; illud admiror, non ipsum ad me scripsisse, non
per Dolabellam, non per Caelium egisse. Quamquam non aspernor Trebati
litteras; a quo me unice diligi scio. Rescripsi ad Trebatium (nam ad
ipsum Caesarem, qui mihi nihil scripsisset, nolui), quam illud hoc
tempore esset difficile; me tamen in praediis meis esse neque dilectum
ullum neque negotium suscepisse. In quo quidem manebo, dum spes
pacis erit; sin bellum geretur, non deero officio nec dignitati meae
pueros ὑπεκθέμενος in Graeciam. Totam enim Italiam flagraturam bello
intellego. Tantum mali est excitatum partim ex improbis, partim ex
invidis civibus. Sed haec paucis diebus ex illius ad nostra responsa
responsis intellegentur quorsum evasura sint. Tum ad te scribam plura,
si erit bellum; sin otium aut[44] etiam indutiae, te ipsum, ut spero,
videbo.
[44] otium aut _Tyrrell and Purser_: autem _MSS._
Ego IIII Nonas Febr., quo die has litteras dedi, in Formiano, quo Capua
redieram, mulieres exspectabam. Quibus quidem scripseram tuis litteris
admonitus, ut Romae manerent. Sed audio maiorem quendam in urbe timorem
esse. Capuae Nonis Febr. esse volebam, quia consules iusserant.
Quicquid huc erit a Pompeio allatum, statim ad te scribam tuasque de
istis rebus litteras exspectabo.
* * * * *
Page 77
him on the 22nd of January to write and beg me to remain near the
city; that would win me his best thanks. All this at great length. I
calculated from the date, that as soon as he heard of my departure
Caesar began to be concerned lest we should all go from town. So I have
no doubt he wrote to Piso and to Servius. One thing surprises me that
he did not write to me himself, or approach me through Dolabella or
Caelius. However, I am not offended at a letter from Trebatius, who is
my particular wellwisher. I would not reply to Caesar himself, as he
had not written to me; but I wrote to Trebatius how difficult such a
course would be at this juncture, but that I was staying on my country
estates, and had not undertaken any part in the levy or any business.
To this I will stand so long as there is any prospect of peace; but, if
it comes to war, I shall act as becomes my duty and rank, after stowing
away my boys to Greece. For all Italy, I gather, will blaze with war.
Such a catastrophe is caused partly by disloyalty, partly by jealousy
amongst her citizens. The outcome will be known in a few days from
Caesar's answer to our letter. Then, if it be war, I will write again:
if it be peace or a respite, I shall hope to see you.
On the 2nd of February, the date of this letter, I await my women-folk
in my place at Formiae, whence I have returned from Capua. I wrote to
them on your advice to stay in Rome. But I hear that panic has rather
increased there. I want to be at Capua on the 5th of February, as the
consuls have ordered. Any news we get here from Pompey I will let you
know at once, and I shall look to letters from you for news from the
city.
* * * * *
Page 78
XVIII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano III Non. Febr. a. 705_]
IIII Non. Febr. mulieres nostrae Formias venerunt tuaque erga se
officia plena tui suavissimi studii ad me pertulerunt. Eas ego, quoad
sciremus, utrum turpi pace nobis an misero bello esset utendum, in
Formiano esse volui et una Cicerones. Ipse cum fratre Capuam ad
consules (Nonis enim adesse iussi sumus) III Nonas profectus sum, cum
has litteras dedi.
Responsa Pompei grata populo et probata contioni esse dicuntur. Ita
putaram. Quae quidem ille si repudiarit, iacebit; si acceperit--.
"Utrum igitur," inquies, "mavis"? Responderem, si, quem ad modum parati
essemus, scirem. Cassium erat hic auditum expulsum Ancona eamque urbem
a nobis teneri. Si bellum futurum est, negotium utile. Caesarem quidem
L. Caesare cum mandatis de pace misso tamen aiunt acerrime dilectum
habere, loca occupare, vincire praesidiis. O perditum latronem! o vix
ullo otio compensandam hanc rei publicae turpitudinem! Sed stomachari
desinamus, tempori pareamus, cum Pompeio in Hispaniam eamus. Haec
opto[45] in malis, quoniam illius alterum consulatum a re publica ne
data quidem occasione reppulimus. Sed haec hactenus.
[45] optima _Lipsius and recent editors_.
* * * * *
Page 79
XVIII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 3_, B.C. _49_]
On the 2nd of February my women-folk came to Formiae and brought me an
account of your very kind and zealous attentions. I wished them to stay
in my villa here along with the boys, till we know whether we are to
have peace with dishonour, or war with its horrors. I and my brother
start for Capua on the 3rd of February, the date of this letter, to
meet the consuls on the 5th according to their instructions.
Pompey's reply to Caesar is said to please the people, and to have won
the approval of a public meeting. I expected it. If Caesar rejects
this condition, he will fall in esteem: if he accept----. You will
ask my choice in the matter. I would answer, if I knew our state of
preparation. It is reported here that Cassius has been driven from
Ancona, and that our party hold the town. That will be a useful thing
in the event of war. As for Caesar, though he has sent L. Caesar
with negotiations for peace, nevertheless reports declare that he is
collecting levies with the greatest energy, seizing posts, and securing
the country with garrisons. What a villain robber! What a disgrace to
the country, too dear a price to pay for any peace! But let us restrain
our anger, yield to circumstance and accompany Pompey to Spain. That
is my choice in our straits, since we did not take the chance when we
had it of keeping him from his second consulship.[46] But enough of
politics.
[46] Or "since we refused him his second consulship, when we had no
choice in the matter."
* * * * *
Page 80
De Dionysio fugit me ad te antea scribere; sed ita constitui,
exspectare responsa Caesaris, ut, si ad urbem rediremus, ibi nos
exspectaret, sin tardius id fieret, tum eum arcesseremus. Omnino, quid
ille facere debuerit in nostra illa fuga, quid docto homine et amico
dignum fuerit, cum praesertim rogatus esset, scio, sed haec non nimis
exquiro a Graecis. Tu tamen videbis, si erit, quod nolim, arcessendus,
ne molesti simus invito.
Quintus frater laborat, ut tibi, quod debet, ab Egnatio solvat; nec
Egnatio voluntas deest, nec parum locuples est, sed, cum tale tempus
sit, ut Q. Titinius (multum enim est nobiscum) viaticum se neget habere
idemque debitoribus suis denuntiarit, ut eodem faenore uterentur, atque
hoc idem etiam L. Ligus fecisse dicatur, nec hoc tempore aut domi
nummos Quintus habeat aut exigere ab Egnatio aut versuram usquam facere
possit, miratur te non habuisse rationem huius publicae difficultatis.
Ego autem, etsi illud ψευδησιόδειον (ita enim putatur) observo μηδὲ
δίκην, praesertim in te, a quo nihil umquam vidi temere fieri, tamen
illius querela movebar. Hoc quicquid est, te scire volui.
* * * * *
Page 81
It escaped my memory to write to you about Dionysius before: but my
determination is this, to await Caesar's answer, so that, if I return
to Rome, Dionysius may await me there; but, if there is delay, then I
would summon him. I am quite aware of what he ought to have done when I
took to flight, what was proper for a scholar and a friend, especially
when he had been asked to do it: but I do not expect much from a Greek.
But please see, if I have to summon him, which I hope I shall not, that
I may not be troubling a reluctant man.
My brother Quintus is anxious to give you a draft on Egnatius for the
money he owes, and Egnatius is willing and has plenty of cash; but when
the times are such that Q. Titinius,[47] whom I see often, declares he
has no money to get along with, and yet has told his debtors that they
may let their debts stand over at the same rate of interest as before,
and when L. Ligus too is said to have taken the same steps, and Quintus
at the present time has no money in hand, and is unable to borrow from
Egnatius or to raise a new loan anywhere, he is surprised that you
have not taken into account our national straits. Though I observe the
saying wrongly ascribed to Hesiod "Hear both sides,"[48] particularly
in the case of yourself, whom I have always found considerate, still I
was affected by his grievance. You ought to know his grievance, such as
it is.
[47] An _eques_ and a money-lender.
[48] μηδὲ δίκην δικάσῃς πρὶν ἃν ἀμφοῖν μῦθον ἀκούσῃς, generally
ascribed to Phocylides.
* * * * *
Page 82
XIX
CICERO ATTICO.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano III Non. Febr. a. 705._]
Nihil habeo, quod ad te scribam, qui etiam eam epistulam, quam eram
elucubratus, ad te non dederim. Erat enim plena spei bonae, quod et
contionis voluntatem audieram et illum condicionibus usurum putabam,
praesertim suis. Ecce tibi III Nonas Febr. mane accepi litteras tuas,
Philotimi, Furni, Curionis ad Furnium, quibus irridet L. Caesaris
legationem. Plane oppressi videmur, nec, quid consilii capiam, scio.
Nec mehercule de me laboro, de pueris quid agam, non habeo. Capuam
tamen proficiscebar haec scribens, quo facilius de Pompei rebus
cognoscerem.
XX
CICERO ATTICO.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Capuae Non. Febr. a. 705_]
Breviloquentem iam me tempus ipsum facit. Pacem enim desperavi, bellum
nostri nullum administrant. Cave enim putes quicquam esse minoris his
consulibus: quorum ego spe audiendi aliquid et cognoscendi nostri
apparatus maximo imbri Capuam veni pridie Nonas, ut eram iussus. Illi
autem nondum venerant, sed erant venturi inanes, imparati. Gnaeus autem
Luceriae dicebatur esse et adire cohortes legionum Appianarum[49] non
firmissimarum. At illum
[49] Appianarum _Lipsius cf._ 15. 3: itinarum _M_¹: itinerum _M_²:
Attianarum _older editors_.
* * * * *
Page 83
XIX
CICERO TO ATTICUS.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 3_, B.C. _49_]
I have no news for you, and have not even sent you my lucubration of
last night: for that was a letter full of good cheer, because I had
heard of the temper shown at the public meeting, and thought that
Caesar would abide by terms which were in fact his own. But now on
this, the morning of the 3rd of February, I have got a letter from you,
one from Philotimus, one from Furnius, and one from Curio to Furnius
ridiculing the mission of L. Caesar. We appear to be crushed utterly,
nor do I know what plan to take. I am not indeed in trouble about
myself, it is the boys that put me in a dilemma. Still I am setting out
for Capua, as I write this, that I may more easily get to know Pompey's
affairs.
XX
CICERO TO ATTICUS.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 5_, B.C. _49_]
The occasion makes me brief. I have abandoned hope of peace: but our
party takes no steps for war. Pray don't suppose that there is anything
of less concern to our present consuls than the war. I came to Capua
on the 4th according to instructions, in heavy rain, with the hope of
hearing something from them and getting to know of our equipment. They
had not yet arrived, but were expected, emptyhanded, unprepared. Pompey
was reported to be at Luceria and close to some cohorts[50] of the shaky
[50] Or "and some cohorts are approaching."
* * * * *
Page 84
ruere nuntiant et iam iamque adesse, non ut manum conserat
(quicum enim?), sed ut fugam intercludat. Ego autem in Italia καὶ
συναποθανεῖν--nec te id consulo; sin extra, quid ago? Ad manendum
hiems, lictores, improvidi et neglegentes duces, ad fugam hortatur
amicitia Gnaei, causa bonorum, turpitudo coniungendi cum tyranno; qui
quidem incertum est Phalarimne an Pisistratum sit imitaturus. Haec
velim explices et me iuves consilio; etsi te ipsum istic iam calere
puto, sed tamen, quantum poteris. Ego si quid hic hodie novi cognoro,
scies; iam enim aderunt consules ad suas Nonas. Tuas cotidie litteras
exspectabo; ad has autem, cum poteris, rescribes. Mulieres et Cicerones
in Formiano reliqui.
XXI
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Calibus VI Id. Febr. ante lucem a. 705_]
De malis nostris tu prius audis quam ego. Istim enim emanant. Boni
autem hinc quod exspectes, nihil est. Veni Capuam ad Nonas Febr.,
ita ut iusserant consules. Eo die Lentulus venit sero. Alter consul
omnino non venerat VII Idus. Eo enim die ego Capua discessi et mansi
Calibus. Inde has litteras postridie ante lucem dedi. Haec, Capuae dum
fui, cognovi, nihil in consulibus, nullum usquam dilectum. Nec enim
conquisitores φαινοπροσωπεῖν audent, cum
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Page 85
Appian troops. Caesar is said to be tearing along, and is nearly on
us, not to join battle--there is no one to join it with--but to cut
us off from flight. Now, if it is to be in Italy, I am ready to die
with her--and on that I need not ask your advice: but if the struggle
is beyond her borders, what am I to do? The winter, my lictors,
the improvidence and neglect of the leaders prompt me to stay: my
friendship with Pompey, the cause of the loyalists, the disgrace of
association with a tyrant, prompt me to flee. One cannot say whether
that tyrant will choose Phalaris or Pisistratus as his model. Please
unravel this and assist me with your advice. Though I suppose you are
in a warm corner in Rome, still help me to the best of your ability. I
will advise you if anything new crops up here to-day. The consuls will
arrive on the 5th as arranged. I shall look for a letter every day: but
answer this one as soon as you can. I have left the ladies and the boys
at Formiae.
XXI
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Cales, Feb. 8_, B.C. _49_]
Of our troubles you hear sooner than I. It is from your quarter they
come. No good news can be expected from here. I reached Capua on the
5th of February, as the consuls bade. Lentulus arrived late in the day.
The other consul had not arrived at all on the 7th: for on that day I
left Capua and stayed at Cales. On the 8th before daybreak I dispatch
you this letter from there. The discovery I made at Capua was that no
reliance is to be placed on the consuls, and that no levy is being made
anywhere. For recruiting officers do not dare to show their faces
* * * * *
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ille adsit, contraque noster dux nusquam sit, nihil agat, nec nomina
dant. Deficit enim non voluntas, sed spes. Gnaeus autem noster (o
rem miseram et incredibilem!) ut totus iacet! Non animus est, non
consilium, non copiae, non diligentia. Mittam illa, fugam ab urbe
turpissimam, timidissimas in oppidis contiones, ignorationem non
solum adversarii, sed etiam suarum copiarum; hoc cuius modi est? VII
Idus Febr. Capuam C. Cassius tribunus pl. venit, attulit mandata ad
consules, ut Romam venirent, pecuniam de sanctiore aerario auferrent,
statim exirent. Urbe relicta redeant; quo praesidio? deinde exeant;
quis sinat? Consul ei rescripsit, ut prius ipse in Picenum. At illud
totum erat amissum; sciebat nemo praeter me ex litteris Dolabellae.
Mihi dubium non erat, quin ille iam iamque foret in Apulia, Gnaeus
noster in navi.
Ego quid agam σκέμμα magnum--neque mehercule mihi quidem ullum, nisi
omnia essent acta turpissime, neque ego ullius consilii particeps--sed
tamen quod me deceat. Ipse me Caesar ad pacem hortatur; sed antiquiores
litterae, quam ruere coepit. Dolabella, Caelius me illi valde satis
facere. Mira me ἀπορία
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when Caesar is at hand, and our leader is nowhere to be found and
takes no action. No one enlists. It is not good will that is lacking,
but hope. What an inconceivable plight is Pompey's, and how utterly
he has broken down! He has neither spirit nor plan, nor forces, nor
energy. I say nothing of his most disgraceful flight from the city,
his timorous speeches in the towns, his ignorance not only of the
strength of his opponent but of his own forces: but what of this? On
the 7th of February C. Cassius the tribune came to Capua, and brought
an order to the consuls to come to Rome, carry off the money from the
reserve treasury[51] and leave at once. On quitting the city they are
to return--but they have no escort: then there is the getting out
of the city--who is going to give them leave? Lentulus replied that
Pompey must first come to Picenum. No one except myself knows it; but
Dolabella has written to me that that district is totally lost. I have
no doubt but that Caesar is on the point of entering Apulia and that
Pompey is on board ship.
[51] This reserve fund was said to have been founded originally to meet
a possible invasion of the Gauls. It was made up from spoils in war
and from the 5 per cent tax on manumitted slaves. It was drawn upon in
the second Punic War (cf. Livy XXVII, 11). Caesar (_Bellum Civ._ 14)
says the consuls intended to open it before they left Rome; but fled in
haste at a report of his approach.
What I am to do is a big problem. It would be no problem for me at
all, if everything had not been disgracefully managed; and I had no
part in the plan: still my proper course is a problem. Caesar himself
invites to peace: but the letter is dated before he began to run amuck.
Dolabella and Caelius declare that he is well satisfied with me. I am
at my wits'
* * * * *
Page 88
torquet. Iuva me consilio, si potes, et tamen ista, quantum potes,
provide. Nihil habeo tanta rerum perturbatione, quod scribam. Tuas
litteras exspecto.
XXII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano VI Id. Febr. vesperi aut V Id. mane a.
705_]
Pedem in Italia video nullum esse, qui non in istius potestate sit.
De Pompeio scio nihil, eumque, nisi in navim se contulerit, exceptum
iri puto. O celeritatem incredibilem! huius autem nostri--sed non
possum sine dolore accusare eum, de quo angor et crucior. Tu caedem
non sine causa times, non quo minus quicquam Caesari expediat ad
diuturnitatem victoriae et dominationis, sed video, quorum arbitrio sit
acturus. Recte sit. Censeo cedendum. De Oppiis eis[52] egeo consilii.
Quod optimum factu videbitur, facies. Cum Philotimo loquere atque
adeo Terentiam habebis Idibus. Ego quid agam? qua aut terra aut mari
persequar eum, qui ubi sit, nescio? Etsi terra quidem qui possum? mari
quo? Tradam igitur isti me? Fac posse tuto (multi enim hortantur), num
etiam honeste? Nullo modo. Equidem a te petam consilium, ut soleo.
Explicari res non potest; sed tamen, si quid in mentem venit, velim
scribas, et ipse quid sis acturus.
[52] cedendum de oppidis iis. _M. The correction_ Oppiis _is due to
Boot_.
* * * * *
Page 89
end. Assist me with your advice, if you can, but guard against events
as much as possible. I have nothing to say in such an anxious crisis:
but I am looking for your letter.
XXII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, the evening of Feb. 8 or morning of Feb. 9_, B.C.
_49_]
I see there is not a foot of ground in Italy which is not in Caesar's
power. I have no news of Pompey, and I imagine he will be captured
unless he has taken to the sea. What marvellous dispatch! While our
leader--: but it grieves me to blame him, as I am in an agony of
suspense on his account. There is reason for you to fear butchery, not
that anything could be less advantageous to secure Caesar a lasting
victory and power; but I see on whose advice he will act. I hope it
will be all right; and I think we shall have to yield. As regards the
Oppii I have no suggestion to make. Do what you think best. You should
speak with Philotimus, and besides you will have Terentia on the 13th.
What can I do? In what land or on what sea can I follow a man, when I
don't know where he is? After all how can I follow on land, and by sea
whither? Shall I then surrender to Caesar? Suppose I could surrender
with safety, as many advise, could I surrender with honour? By no
means. I will ask your advice as usual. The problem is insoluble.
Still, if anything comes into your head, please write; and let me know
what you will do yourself.
* * * * *
Page 90
XXIII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano V Id. Febr. vesp. aut IV Id. mane a. 705_]
V Idus Febr. vesperi a Philotimo litteras accepi Domitium exercitum
firmum habere, cohortes ex Piceno Lentulo et Thermo ducentibus cum
Domiti exercitu coniunctas esse, Caesarem intercludi posse eumque id
timere, bonorum animos recreatos Romae, improbos quasi perculsos. Haec
metuo equidem ne sint somnia, sed tamen M'. Lepidum, L. Torquatum,
C. Cassium tribunum pl. (hi enim sunt nobiscum, id est in Formiano)
Philotimi litterae ad vitam revocaverunt. Ego autem illa metuo ne
veriora sint, nos omnes paene iam captos esse, Pompeium Italia cedere;
quem quidem (o rem acerbam!) persequi Caesar dicitur. Persequi Caesar
Pompeium? quid? ut interficiat? O me miserum! Et non omnes nostra
corpora opponimus? In quo tu quoque ingemiscis. Sed quid faciamus?
Victi, oppressi, capti plane sumus.
Ego tamen Philotimi litteris lectis mutavi consilium de mulieribus.
Quas, ut scripseram ad te, Romam remittebam; sed mihi venit in mentem
multum fore sermonem me iudicium iam de causa publica fecisse;
qua desperata quasi hunc gradum mei reditus esse, quod mulieres
revertissent. De me autem ipso tibi adsentior, ne me dem incertae et
periculosae fugae, cum rei publicae nihil prosim, nihil Pompeio; pro
quo emori cum pie possum tum lubenter. Manebo igitur, etsi vivere--.
* * * * *
Page 91
XXIII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, the evening of Feb. 9 or the morning of Feb. 10_,
B.C. _49_]
On the evening of the 9th of February, I got a letter from Philotimus,
declaring that Domitius has a reliable force, the cohorts from Picenum
under the command of Lentulus and Thermus have joined his army, Caesar
can be cut off and fears the contingency, and the hopes of loyalists
at Rome have been restored, and those of the other party dashed. I am
afraid this may be a dream; but still the news revived M'. Lepidus, L.
Torquatus and C. Cassius the tribune of the plebs--for they are with
me, that is at Formiae. I fear the truer version may be that we are now
all practically prisoners, that Pompey is leaving Italy, pursued it is
said by Caesar. What a bitter thought! Caesar pursue Pompey! What, to
slay him? Woe is me! And we do not all throw our bodies in the way! You
too are sorry about it. But what can we do? We are beaten, ruined and
utterly captive.
Still the perusal of Philotimus' letter has caused me to change my plan
about the women-folk. I wrote you I was sending them back to Rome: but
it has come into my mind that there would be a deal of talk, that I had
now come to a decision on the political situation; and that in despair
of success the return of the ladies of my house was as it were one step
towards my own return. As for myself, I agree with you that I should
not commit myself to the danger and uncertainty of flight, seeing that
it would avail nothing to State or Pompey, for whom I would dutifully
and gladly die. So I shall stay, though life--.
* * * * *
Page 92
Quod quaeris, hic quid agatur, tota Capua et omnis hic dilectus iacet;
desperata res est, in fuga omnes sunt, nisi qui deus iuverit,[53] ut
Pompeius istas Domiti copias cum suis coniungat. Sed videbamur omnia
biduo triduove scituri. Caesaris litterarum exemplum tibi misi; rogaras
enim. Cui nos valde satis facere multi ad me scripserunt; quod patior
facile, dum ut adhuc nihil faciam turpiter.
[53] nisi qui deus iuverit _Tyrrell_: nisi quid eius fuerit _M_: nisi
quid eius modi fuerit _Ascensius_.
XXIV
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano IV Id. Febr. a. 705_]
Philotimi litterae me quidem non nimis, sed eos, qui in his locis
erant, admodum delectarunt. Ecce postridie Cassii litterae Capua a
Lucretio, familiari eius, Nigidium a Domitio Capuam venisse. Eum dicere
Vibullium cum paucis militibus e Piceno currere ad Gnaeum, confestim
insequi Caesarem, Domitium non habere militum III milia. Idem scripsit
Capua consules discessisse. Non dubito quin Gnaeus in fuga sit; modo
effugiat. Ego a consilio fugiendi, ut tu censes, absum.
XXV
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano IV aut III Id. Febr. a. 705_]
Cum dedissem ad te litteras tristes et metuo ne veras de Lucreti ad
Cassium litteris Capua missis, Cephalio venit a vobis. Attulit etiam
a te litteras hilariores nec tamen firmas, ut soles. Omnia facilius
credere possum, quam quod scribitis, Pompeium exercitum habere. Nemo
huc ita adfert omniaque, quae
* * * * *
Page 93
For your query as to the state of affairs in this quarter, Capua
and the levy are in stagnation: our cause is despaired of: every
one is in flight, unless some god help Pompey to join that army of
Domitius with his own. It would seem that we shall know all in a day
or so. As requested I send you a copy of Caesar's letter. Many of my
correspondents say that he is quite satisfied with me. I can allow
that, provided I continue to do nothing to stain my honour.
XXIV
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 10_, B.C. _49_]
Philotimus' letter delighted me little, but those who are here
considerably. Well, on the very next day a letter of Cassius from his
friend Lucretius at Capua announced that Nigidius, an emissary of
Domitius, had reached Capua, bringing news that Vibullius with a few
soldiers was hurrying in from Picenum to Pompey's camp, that Caesar
was pursuing rapidly and that Domitius had less than 3000 men. The
letter stated that the consuls had left Capua. I am sure Pompey must be
fleeing: I only hope he may escape. I accept your advice and have no
intention of flight myself.
XXV
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 10 or 11_, B.C. _49_]
After I had sent you a despondent and, I fear, true report about the
letter Lucretius dispatched to Cassius from Capua, Cephalio came to me
from you with a letter more cheerful, but not as decided as usual. Any
news is more credible than your news of Pompey having an army. No one
brings such a
* * * * *
Page 94
nolim. O rem miseram! malas causas semper obtinuit, in optima concidit.
Quid dicam nisi illud eum scisse (neque enim erat difficile), hoc
nescisse? Erat enim ars difficilis recte rem publicam regere. Sed iam
iamque omnia sciemus et scribemus ad te statim.
XXVI
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano XV K. Mart. a. 705_]
Non venit idem usu mihi, quod tu tibi scribis, "quotiens exorior."
Ego enim nunc paulum exorior et maxime quidem iis litteris, quae Roma
adferuntur de Domitio, de Picentium cohortibus. Omnia erant facta hoc
biduo laetiora. Itaque fuga, quae parabatur, repressa est; Caesaris
interdicta:
"Si te secundo lumine hic offendero--"
respuuntur; bona de Domitio, praeclara de Afranio fama est.
Quod me amicissime admones, ut me integrum, quoad possim, servem,
gratum est; quod addis, ne propensior ad turpem causam videar, certe
videri possum. Ego me ducem in civili bello, quoad de pace ageretur,
negavi esse, non quin rectum esset, sed quia, quod multo rectius
fuit, id mihi fraudem tulit. Plane eum, cui noster alterum consulatum
deferret et triumphum (at quibus verbis! "pro tuis rebus[54] gestis
amplissimis"), inimicum habere nolueram. Ego scio, et quem metuam et
quam ob rem. Sin erit
[54] pro tuis rebus _Lambinus_; ut prorsus _M_.
* * * * *
Page 95
report here, but every kind of unwelcome news. It is a sorry thought
that Pompey has always won in a bad cause, but fails in the best of
causes. The only solution is that he knew the ropes in the former
(which is not a difficult accomplishment), but did not in the latter.
It is a difficult art to rule a republic in the right way. At any
moment we may know all, and I will write you immediately.
XXVI
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 15_, B.C. _49_]
I have not had what you say is your experience:--"as often as my hopes
revive." Only now are mine reviving a little, and especially over
letters from Rome about Domitius and the squadrons of Picenum. Things
have become more cheerful in the last two days. I have given up my
preparation for flight. I spurn Caesar's threat: "If I shall meet thee
here to-morrow morn."[55] The news about Domitius is good, that about
Afranius is splendid.
[55] From a Latin translation of Euripides, _Medea_, 352.
Thanks for your very friendly advice, not to commit myself more than I
can help. You add a caution against showing a leaning towards the wrong
party: well, I confess I may seem to. I refused to take a leading part
in civil war, so long as there were negotiations for peace, not because
the war was unjust, but because former action of mine in a still juster
cause did me harm. I had no desire at all to excite the enmity of a man
to whom our leader offered a second consulship, and a triumph too with
the fulsome flattery "on account of your brilliant achievements." I
know whom I have to fear and why.
* * * * *
Page 96
bellum, ut video fore, partes meae non desiderabuntur.
De HS X̅X̅ Terentia tibi rescripsit. Dionysio, dum existimabam vagos
nos fore, nolui molestus esse; tibi autem crebro ad me scribenti
de eius officio nihil rescripsi, quod diem ex die exspectabam, ut
statuerem, quid esset faciendum. Nunc, ut video, pueri certe in
Formiano videntur hiematuri. Et ego? Nescio. Si enim erit bellum, cum
Pompeio esse constitui. Quod habebo certi, faciam, ut scias. Ego bellum
foedissimum futurum puto, nisi qui, ut tu scribis, Parthicus casus
exstiterit.
* * * * *
Page 97
But if the war I foresee comes, I shall not fail to play my part.
About that £180,[56] Terentia sent you an answer. I did not want to
trouble Dionysius, so long as I expected to be a wanderer. I gave no
answer to your repeated letters about the man's duty, because daily I
was expecting to settle what should be done. Now as far as I can see,
my boys will certainly winter at Formiae. And I? I don't know. For, if
war comes, I am determined to be with Pompey. I will keep you informed
of reliable news. I fancy there will be a most terrible war, unless, as
you remark, some Parthian incident occur again.[57]
[56] 20,000 sesterces.
[57] I.e. a sudden retreat of Caesar, like that of the Parthians. Cf.
VI, 6.
* * * * *
Page 98
M. TULLI CICERONIS
EPISTULARUM AD ATTICUM
LIBER OCTAVUS
I
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Formiis XIV K. Mart. a. 705_]
Cum ad te litteras dedissem, redditae mihi litterae sunt a Pompeio.
Cetera de rebus in Piceno gestis, quae ad se Vibullius scripsisset,
de dilectu Domiti, quae sunt vobis nota nec tamen tam laeta erant in
iis litteris, quam ad me Philotimus scripserat. Ipsam tibi epistulam
misissem, sed iam subito fratris puer proficiscebatur. Cras igitur
mittam. Sed in ea Pompei epistula erat in extremo ipsius manu: "Tu
censeo Luceriam venias. Nusquam eris tutius." Id ego in eam partem
accepi, haec oppida atque oram maritimam illum pro derelicto habere,
nec sum miratus eum, qui caput ipsum reliquisset, reliquis membris non
parcere. Ei statim rescripsi hominemque certum misi de comitibus meis,
non me quaerere, ubi tutissimo essem. Si me vellet sua aut rei publicae
causa Luceriam venire, statim esse venturum; hortatusque sum, ut oram
maritimam retineret, si rem frumentariam sibi ex provinciis suppeditari
vellet. Hoc me frustra scribere videbam; sed uti in urbe retinenda
tunc sic nunc in Italia non relinquenda testificabar sententiam meam.
Sic enim parari video, ut Luceriam omnes copiae contrahantur, et ne is
quidem locus sit stabilis, sed ex eo ipso, si urgeamur, paretur fuga.
* * * * *
Page 99
CICERO'S LETTERS
TO ATTICUS