Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 49 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
While Servius was with me, Cephalio came on May 10 with your letter, which gave us great hope of better news about the eight cohorts. Even the cohorts in this region are said to be wavering. On the same day Funisulanus brought a letter from you in which the same report was strengthened. I answered him fully about his own business, giving all weight to your recommendation. So far he had not satisfied me; he owes me a large amount and is not considered wealthy. Now he says he will pay, but that the man to whom he credited the amount is delaying. Eros, Philotimus' man, will tell you the sum. But let us return to larger matters.
The Caelian plan you favor is coming to maturity. So I am torn over whether to wait for a wind. A standard is needed; men will fly to it. As for your advice that I act openly, I entirely agree, and I think I will set out. Meanwhile, however, I am waiting for your letter. Nothing is cleared up by Servius' advice. Every view he gives runs into every kind of trap. I have known only one man more timid, Gaius Marcellus, who regrets having been consul. What a depth of ignobility. He is even said to have strengthened Antony in keeping me back, so that his own conduct, I suppose, may look more honorable.
Antony left for Capua on May 10. He sent word to me that shame kept him from coming, because he thought I was angry with him. So I shall go, and openly, as you think, unless hope of assuming some more important role presents itself first. But that will scarcely happen so soon. The praetor Allienus thought one of his colleagues would be chosen if I was not. Anyone will do, provided someone is chosen.
About your sister, I approve. About young Quintus, effort is being made; I hope things are better. As for my brother Quintus, know that he is working hard to arrange a loan, but so far he has extracted nothing from Lucius Egnatius. Axius is modest about the twelve thousand; he often wrote to me to give Gallio whatever he wanted. If he had not written, could I have done otherwise? I often promised, but he wanted so much so quickly. They should rather be helping me in these tight straits. But let the gods deal with them. Another time.
I am glad you are free of your quartan fever, and Pilia too. While bread and the other supplies are being prepared for the ship, I am making a run to Pompeii. Please thank Vettienus for his zeal. If you find anyone to carry it, send a letter before I leave.
While Servius was with me, Cephalio came with your letter of the 10th, which gave me great hope of better news about the eight cohorts. For even the cohorts which are here are said to be wavering. On the same day Funisulanus brought me a letter from you, corroborating the same news. I gave him a full reply about his business, explaining all your kindness. Hitherto he has not been satisfactory; and he owes me a large sum and is not considered safe. Now he says that he will settle; but that a debtor of his was slow in paying, and that you are to pay the money by your letter-carriers, if that debtor has deposited it with you. The amount Philotimus' man Eros will tell you. But to return to more important matters.
That Caelian plan you favour is coming to a head: so I am worried whether to await a favourable wind. It is a standard we want, and men will flock to it. With your advice, that I should set sail openly, I entirely agree: and so I think I will set out. However
I await a letter from you meanwhile. Servius' advice has not been helpful. All sorts of bars meet us in every opinion he expresses. Only one man, C. Marcellus, have I known to be more timid, and he is sorry he was ever a consul. What a lowborn spirit! He is said even to have strengthened Antony's resolution to prevent my departure: so that his own conduct I suppose may appear more honourable. Antony started for Capua on the 10th, sending word that shame prevented his visiting me, because he thought I was annoyed with him. So I shall go, and openly as you advise, unless hope of playing a more important part shall offer. But that can scarcely occur so soon. Allienus the praetor thought one of his colleagues would be chosen, if I were not. Let it be anyone they like so long as it is some one.
As to your sister, I approve. As for young Quintus, I am doing my best, and I hope things are better. As for my brother Quintus, you must know that he is taking extraordinary pains to borrow money to settle his debt; but so far has squeezed nothing out of L. Egnatius. Axius is modest about the £100: for he often requested in his letters that I should pay Gallius as much as he wanted. Even if he had not written, could I have helped it? I have often promised indeed; but he wanted so much at once. They should have helped me rather in my difficulties, confound them. But I will write of this another time. I am glad you are rid of your ague, and Pilia too. While bread and provisions are being put on board, I am going off to my estate at Pompeii. Please thank Vettienus for his trouble. If you can find a messenger, give me a letter before I leave.
[1] Servius cum esset apud me, Cephalio cum tuis litteris vi Idus venit; quae nobis magnam spem attulerunt meliorum rerum de octo cohortibus. etenim eae quoque quae in his locis sunt labare dicuntur. eodem die Funisulanus a te attulit litteras in quibus erat confirmatius idem illud. ei de suo negotio respondi cumulate cum omni tua gratia. adhuc non satis faciebat; debet autem mihi multos nummos nec habetur locuples. nunc ait se daturum; cui expensum tulerit morari; + tabellarius si apud te esse quas satis fecissest dares. quantum sit Eros Philotimi tibi dicet. sed ad maiora redeamus. [2] quod optas, Caelianum illud maturescit. itaque torqueor utrum ventum exspectem. vexillo opus est; convolabunt. quod suades ut palam, prorsus adsentior itaque me profecturum puto. tuas tamen interim litteras exspecto. Servi consilio nihil expeditur. omnes captiones in omni sententia occurrunt. Vnum C. Marcellum cognovi timidiorem; quem consulem fuisse paenitet. O polles agenneias! qui etiam Antonium confirmasse dicitur ut me impediret, quo ipse, credo, honestius. [3] Antonius autem vi Idus Capuam profectus est. ad me misit se pudore deterritum ad me non venisse quod me sibi suscensere putaret. Ibitur igitur et ita quidem ut censes, nisi cuius gravioris personae suscipiendae spes erit ante oblata. sed vix erit tam cito. Allienus autem praetor putabat aliquem, si ego non, ex conlegis suis. quivis licet dum modo aliquis. [4] de sorore laudo. de Quinto puero datur opera; spero esse meliora. de Quinto fratre scito eum non mediocriter laborare de versura sed adhuc nihil a L. Egnatio expressit. Axius de duodecim milibus pudens! saepe enim ad (me) scripsit ut Gallio quantum is vellet darem. quod si non scripsisset, possemne aliter? et quidem saepe sum pollicitus sed tantum voluit cito. me vero adiuvarent his in angustiis. sed di istos! verum alias. te a quartana liberatum gaudeo itemque Piliam. ego, dum panis et cetera in navem parantur, excurro in Pompeianum. Vettieno velim gratias quod studiosus sit; si quemquam nactus eris qui perferat, litteras des ante quam discedimus.
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While Servius was with me, Cephalio came on May 10 with your letter, which gave us great hope of better news about the eight cohorts. Even the cohorts in this region are said to be wavering. On the same day Funisulanus brought a letter from you in which the same report was strengthened. I answered him fully about his own business, giving all weight to your recommendation. So far he had not satisfied me; he owes me a large amount and is not considered wealthy. Now he says he will pay, but that the man to whom he credited the amount is delaying. Eros, Philotimus' man, will tell you the sum. But let us return to larger matters.
The Caelian plan you favor is coming to maturity. So I am torn over whether to wait for a wind. A standard is needed; men will fly to it. As for your advice that I act openly, I entirely agree, and I think I will set out. Meanwhile, however, I am waiting for your letter. Nothing is cleared up by Servius' advice. Every view he gives runs into every kind of trap. I have known only one man more timid, Gaius Marcellus, who regrets having been consul. What a depth of ignobility. He is even said to have strengthened Antony in keeping me back, so that his own conduct, I suppose, may look more honorable.
Antony left for Capua on May 10. He sent word to me that shame kept him from coming, because he thought I was angry with him. So I shall go, and openly, as you think, unless hope of assuming some more important role presents itself first. But that will scarcely happen so soon. The praetor Allienus thought one of his colleagues would be chosen if I was not. Anyone will do, provided someone is chosen.
About your sister, I approve. About young Quintus, effort is being made; I hope things are better. As for my brother Quintus, know that he is working hard to arrange a loan, but so far he has extracted nothing from Lucius Egnatius. Axius is modest about the twelve thousand; he often wrote to me to give Gallio whatever he wanted. If he had not written, could I have done otherwise? I often promised, but he wanted so much so quickly. They should rather be helping me in these tight straits. But let the gods deal with them. Another time.
I am glad you are free of your quartan fever, and Pilia too. While bread and the other supplies are being prepared for the ship, I am making a run to Pompeii. Please thank Vettienus for his zeal. If you find anyone to carry it, send a letter before I leave.
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
[1] Servius cum esset apud me, Cephalio cum tuis litteris vi Idus venit; quae nobis magnam spem attulerunt meliorum rerum de octo cohortibus. etenim eae quoque quae in his locis sunt labare dicuntur. eodem die Funisulanus a te attulit litteras in quibus erat confirmatius idem illud. ei de suo negotio respondi cumulate cum omni tua gratia. adhuc non satis faciebat; debet autem mihi multos nummos nec habetur locuples. nunc ait se daturum; cui expensum tulerit morari; + tabellarius si apud te esse quas satis fecissest dares. quantum sit Eros Philotimi tibi dicet. sed ad maiora redeamus. [2] quod optas, Caelianum illud maturescit. itaque torqueor utrum ventum exspectem. vexillo opus est; convolabunt. quod suades ut palam, prorsus adsentior itaque me profecturum puto. tuas tamen interim litteras exspecto. Servi consilio nihil expeditur. omnes captiones in omni sententia occurrunt. Vnum C. Marcellum cognovi timidiorem; quem consulem fuisse paenitet. O polles agenneias! qui etiam Antonium confirmasse dicitur ut me impediret, quo ipse, credo, honestius. [3] Antonius autem vi Idus Capuam profectus est. ad me misit se pudore deterritum ad me non venisse quod me sibi suscensere putaret. Ibitur igitur et ita quidem ut censes, nisi cuius gravioris personae suscipiendae spes erit ante oblata. sed vix erit tam cito. Allienus autem praetor putabat aliquem, si ego non, ex conlegis suis. quivis licet dum modo aliquis. [4] de sorore laudo. de Quinto puero datur opera; spero esse meliora. de Quinto fratre scito eum non mediocriter laborare de versura sed adhuc nihil a L. Egnatio expressit. Axius de duodecim milibus pudens! saepe enim ad (me) scripsit ut Gallio quantum is vellet darem. quod si non scripsisset, possemne aliter? et quidem saepe sum pollicitus sed tantum voluit cito. me vero adiuvarent his in angustiis. sed di istos! verum alias. te a quartana liberatum gaudeo itemque Piliam. ego, dum panis et cetera in navem parantur, excurro in Pompeianum. Vettieno velim gratias quod studiosus sit; si quemquam nactus eris qui perferat, litteras des ante quam discedimus.