Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 49 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
On March 3, Aegypta delivered your letters to me. One was an old letter of February 26, which you say you gave to Pinarius, whom I have not seen. In it you were waiting to hear what Vibullius, sent ahead, would accomplish; in fact, he was not seen by Caesar at all, and from your second letter I see you know this. You also ask how I will receive Caesar on his return; I am thinking of avoiding him altogether. You look toward flight on the day of his arrival and a change in your life, which I think you should do. You do not know whether Domitius still has his fasces; when you learn, make sure we know. That answers the first letter.
Two letters followed, both dated February 28. They shook me out of my earlier position, though, as I wrote to you before, I was already wavering. I am not moved by what you write about "unfair even to Jove himself," because the danger lies in both men's anger, while victory is so uncertain that the worse cause seems better prepared to me. Nor am I moved by the consuls, who themselves are more easily moved than down or a leaf. The deliberation over duty tortures me, and has tortured me all along. Staying is certainly safer; crossing the sea is considered more honorable. At times I prefer that many think I acted incautiously rather than that a few think I acted dishonorably.
You ask about Lepidus and Tullus. They do not doubt that they will present themselves to Caesar and come into the Senate. Your freshest letter is dated March 1, in which you wish for a meeting and do not despair of peace. But as I write, I think they will not meet, and if they do meet, Pompey will not come to any terms.
You seem not to doubt what we ought to do if the consuls cross over. They certainly are crossing, or, as matters now stand, have crossed. But remember that apart from Appius there is hardly anyone who does not have a right to cross: either they hold command, as Pompey, Scipio, Sufenas, Fannius, Voconius, Sestius, and the consuls themselves do, who by ancestral custom may go to any province, or they are their legates.
Still, I decide nothing. I understand what pleases you and what is almost the right thing. I would write more if I could write myself; as it seems to me, I will be able to in two days. I have sent you a copy of Cornelius Balbus' letter, which I received on the same day as yours, so that you may feel my pain when you see me being mocked.
On the 3rd of March Aegypta brought me your letters, one an old one dated February 26, which you say you handed to Pinarius, whom I have not seen. In that letter you were waiting to hear the result of Vibullius' advance mission. He did not meet Caesar at all, as I see from your second letter you are aware. You also wanted to know how I shall receive Caesar on his return. I intend to shun him altogether. And you contemplate flight on the day he comes, and a change in your life, which I agree is politic. You wrote too that you do not know if Domitius keeps his fasces. When you do know, please tell me. That settles the first letter.
There follow two more dated the 28th of February, which hurled me from my old position, when I was already tottering, as I had informed you. I am not upset by your phrase "angry with almighty God." There is danger not only in Pompey's anger, but in Caesar's, and the issue is doubtful, though to me the worst cause seems better equipped. Nor am I influenced by the consuls, who themselves are more easily moved than leaf or feather. It is consideration of my duty that tortures me and has been torturing me all along. To remain in Italy is certainly safer: to cross the sea the path of honour. Sometimes I prefer that many should accuse me of rashness, rather than the select few of dishonourable action. For your query about Lepidus and Tullus, they have
decided to meet Caesar and to take their seats in the House.
In your last letter, dated the 1st of March, you long for a meeting between the two leaders, and have hopes of peace. But at the time of writing I fancy they will not meet, and that, if they do, Pompey will not agree to any terms. You seem to have no doubt as to what I ought to do, if the consuls go over-seas; well they will go, or rather have now gone. But bear in mind that of their number it is practically only Appius who has not a right to cross. The rest are either invested with military power, like Pompey, Scipio, Sufenas, Fannius, Voconius, Sestius and the consuls themselves, who by old custom may visit all the provinces; or else they are legates. However I have no positive views. I know what you approve and pretty well what it is right to do.
My letter would be longer, if I could write myself. I fancy I shall be able in two days' time. I have had Cornelius Balbus' letter, which I received on the same day as yours, copied, and I forward it to you, that you may sympathize with me on seeing me mocked.
A. d. v Nonas Martias epistulas mihi tuas Aegypta reddidit, unam veterem iiii Kal. quam te scribis dedisse Pinario quem non vidimus; in qua exspectas quidnam praemissus agat Vibullius qui omnino non est visus a Caesare (id altera epistula video te scire ita esse), et quem ad modum redeuntem excipiam Caesarem quem omnino vitare cogito, et +authemonis+ fugam intendis commutationemque vitae tuae, quod tibi puto esse faciendum, et ignoras Domitius cum fascibusne sit. quod cum scies, facies ut sciamus. habes ad primam epistulam. [2] secutae sunt duae pr. Kal. ambae datae quae me convellerunt de pristino statu iam tamen, ut ante ad te scripsi, labantem. nec me movet quod scribis 'Iovi ipsi iniquum.' nam periculum in utriusque iracundia positum est, victoria autem ita incerta ut deterior causa paratior mihi esse videatur. nec me consules movent qui ipsi pluma aut folio facilius moventur. offici me deliberatio cruciat cruciavitque adhuc. cautior certe est mansio, honestior existimatur traiectio. malo interdum multi me non caute quam pauci non honeste fecisse existiment. de Lepido et Tullo quod quaeris, illi vero non dubitant quin Caesari praesto futuri in senatumque venturi sint recentissima tua est epistula KaL data, in qua optas congressum pacemque non desperas. sed ego cum haec scribebam, nec illos congressuros nec, si congressi essent, Pompeium ad ullam condicionem accessurum putabam. quod videris non dubitare, si consules transeant, quid nos facere oporteat, certe transeunt vel, quo modo nunc est, transierunt. sed memento praeter Appium neminem esse fere qui non ius habeat transeundi. nam aut cum imperio sunt ut Pompeius, ut Scipio, Sufenas, Fannius, Voconius, Sestius, ipsi consules quibus more maiorum concessum est vel omnis adire provincias, aut legati sunt eorum. sed nihil decerno; quid placeat tibi et quid prope modum rectum sit intellego. plura scriberem, si ipse possem. sed, ut mihi videor, potero biduo. Balbi Corneli litterarum exemplum quas eodem die accepi quo tuas misi ad te, ut meam vicem doleres, cum me derideri videres.
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On March 3, Aegypta delivered your letters to me. One was an old letter of February 26, which you say you gave to Pinarius, whom I have not seen. In it you were waiting to hear what Vibullius, sent ahead, would accomplish; in fact, he was not seen by Caesar at all, and from your second letter I see you know this. You also ask how I will receive Caesar on his return; I am thinking of avoiding him altogether. You look toward flight on the day of his arrival and a change in your life, which I think you should do. You do not know whether Domitius still has his fasces; when you learn, make sure we know. That answers the first letter.
Two letters followed, both dated February 28. They shook me out of my earlier position, though, as I wrote to you before, I was already wavering. I am not moved by what you write about "unfair even to Jove himself," because the danger lies in both men's anger, while victory is so uncertain that the worse cause seems better prepared to me. Nor am I moved by the consuls, who themselves are more easily moved than down or a leaf. The deliberation over duty tortures me, and has tortured me all along. Staying is certainly safer; crossing the sea is considered more honorable. At times I prefer that many think I acted incautiously rather than that a few think I acted dishonorably.
You ask about Lepidus and Tullus. They do not doubt that they will present themselves to Caesar and come into the Senate. Your freshest letter is dated March 1, in which you wish for a meeting and do not despair of peace. But as I write, I think they will not meet, and if they do meet, Pompey will not come to any terms.
You seem not to doubt what we ought to do if the consuls cross over. They certainly are crossing, or, as matters now stand, have crossed. But remember that apart from Appius there is hardly anyone who does not have a right to cross: either they hold command, as Pompey, Scipio, Sufenas, Fannius, Voconius, Sestius, and the consuls themselves do, who by ancestral custom may go to any province, or they are their legates.
Still, I decide nothing. I understand what pleases you and what is almost the right thing. I would write more if I could write myself; as it seems to me, I will be able to in two days. I have sent you a copy of Cornelius Balbus' letter, which I received on the same day as yours, so that you may feel my pain when you see me being mocked.
AI-assisted translation - This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek below for scholarly use.
Latin / Greek Original
A. d. v Nonas Martias epistulas mihi tuas Aegypta reddidit, unam veterem iiii Kal. quam te scribis dedisse Pinario quem non vidimus; in qua exspectas quidnam praemissus agat Vibullius qui omnino non est visus a Caesare (id altera epistula video te scire ita esse), et quem ad modum redeuntem excipiam Caesarem quem omnino vitare cogito, et +authemonis+ fugam intendis commutationemque vitae tuae, quod tibi puto esse faciendum, et ignoras Domitius cum fascibusne sit. quod cum scies, facies ut sciamus. habes ad primam epistulam. [2] secutae sunt duae pr. Kal. ambae datae quae me convellerunt de pristino statu iam tamen, ut ante ad te scripsi, labantem. nec me movet quod scribis 'Iovi ipsi iniquum.' nam periculum in utriusque iracundia positum est, victoria autem ita incerta ut deterior causa paratior mihi esse videatur. nec me consules movent qui ipsi pluma aut folio facilius moventur. offici me deliberatio cruciat cruciavitque adhuc. cautior certe est mansio, honestior existimatur traiectio. malo interdum multi me non caute quam pauci non honeste fecisse existiment. de Lepido et Tullo quod quaeris, illi vero non dubitant quin Caesari praesto futuri in senatumque venturi sint recentissima tua est epistula KaL data, in qua optas congressum pacemque non desperas. sed ego cum haec scribebam, nec illos congressuros nec, si congressi essent, Pompeium ad ullam condicionem accessurum putabam. quod videris non dubitare, si consules transeant, quid nos facere oporteat, certe transeunt vel, quo modo nunc est, transierunt. sed memento praeter Appium neminem esse fere qui non ius habeat transeundi. nam aut cum imperio sunt ut Pompeius, ut Scipio, Sufenas, Fannius, Voconius, Sestius, ipsi consules quibus more maiorum concessum est vel omnis adire provincias, aut legati sunt eorum. sed nihil decerno; quid placeat tibi et quid prope modum rectum sit intellego. plura scriberem, si ipse possem. sed, ut mihi videor, potero biduo. Balbi Corneli litterarum exemplum quas eodem die accepi quo tuas misi ad te, ut meam vicem doleres, cum me derideri videres.