Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 46 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
Marcianus has written to me that I have been excused in the eyes of Appuleius [the praetor presiding over a property case] by Laterensis, Naso, Laenas, Torquatus, and Strabo. I should like you to see that a letter is delivered to them in my name, thanking them for the favor they have done me. As to Flavius's claim that more than twenty-five years ago I went surety for Cornificius, even though the defendant is well off and Appuleius is a generous dealer in confiscated property, I should still like you to take pains to investigate from the records of the co-sureties whether it is so (for before my aedileship I had no dealings whatever with Cornificius; it could be the case, however, but I should like to know for certain), and to call on the agents if you think fit. And yet what is it to me? But still--You will write to me about Pansa's departure when you know of it. Give my greetings to Attica, and look after her, I beg you, carefully. My regards to Pilia.
In trying to escape from the painful sting of recollection I take refuge in recalling something to your memory. Whatever you think of it, please pardon me. The fact is I find that some of the authors over whom I am poring now, consider appropriate the very thing that I have often discussed with you, and I hope you approve of it. I mean the shrine. Please give it all the attention your affection for me dictates. For my part I have no doubt about the design (I like Cluatius' design), nor about the erection (on that I am quite determined); but I have some doubts about the place. So please consider it. I shall use all the opportunities of this enlightened age to consecrate her memory by every kind of memorial borrowed from the genius of all the masters, Greek and Latin. Perhaps it will only gall my wound: but I consider myself pledged by a kind of vow or promise; and I am more concerned about the long ages, when I shall not be here, than about my short day, which, short though it is, seems all too long to me. I have tried everything and find nothing that gives me rest. For, while I was engaged on the essay I mentioned before, I was to some extent fostering my grief. Now I reject everything and find nothing more tolerable than solitude. Philippus has not disturbed it as I feared: for after paying me a visit yesterday he returned at once to Rome.
I have sent you the letter I have written at your suggestion to Brutus. Please have it delivered with your own. However I have sent you a copy of it,
so that, if you don't approve of it, you may not send it.
You say my private affairs are being properly managed. Write and tell me what they are; for there are some things I am expecting to hear about. See that Cocceius does not disappoint me: for I count Libo's promise, of which Eros writes, as trustworthy. My capital of course I leave in Sulpicius' and Egnatius' hands. Why trouble yourself about Appuleius, when my excuse is so easily made?
About coming to me as you suggest, take care not to inconvenience yourself. It is a long way, and it will cost me many a pang to let you go again, when you want to go, which may happen very quickly. But just as you please. Whatever you do, I shall count it right and know you have done it for my sake.
Marcianus ad me scripsit me excusatum esse apud Appuleium a Laterense, Nasone, Laenate, Torquato, Strabone. iis velim meo nomine reddendas litteras cures gratum mihi eos fecisse. quod pro Cornificio me abhinc amplius annis xxv spopondisse dicit Flavius, etsi reus locuples est et Appuleius praediator liberalis, tamen velim des operam ut investiges ex consponsorum tabulis sitne ita (mihi enim ante aedilitatem meam nihil erat cum Cornificio. potest tamen fieri; sed scire certum velim), et appelles procuratores si tibi videtur. quamquam quid ad me? verum tamen--Pansae profectionem scribes cum scies. Atticam salvere iube et eam cura, obsecro, diligenter. Piliae salutem.
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Marcianus has written to me that I have been excused in the eyes of Appuleius [the praetor presiding over a property case] by Laterensis, Naso, Laenas, Torquatus, and Strabo. I should like you to see that a letter is delivered to them in my name, thanking them for the favor they have done me. As to Flavius's claim that more than twenty-five years ago I went surety for Cornificius, even though the defendant is well off and Appuleius is a generous dealer in confiscated property, I should still like you to take pains to investigate from the records of the co-sureties whether it is so (for before my aedileship I had no dealings whatever with Cornificius; it could be the case, however, but I should like to know for certain), and to call on the agents if you think fit. And yet what is it to me? But still--You will write to me about Pansa's departure when you know of it. Give my greetings to Attica, and look after her, I beg you, carefully. My regards to Pilia.
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
Marcianus ad me scripsit me excusatum esse apud Appuleium a Laterense, Nasone, Laenate, Torquato, Strabone. iis velim meo nomine reddendas litteras cures gratum mihi eos fecisse. quod pro Cornificio me abhinc amplius annis xxv spopondisse dicit Flavius, etsi reus locuples est et Appuleius praediator liberalis, tamen velim des operam ut investiges ex consponsorum tabulis sitne ita (mihi enim ante aedilitatem meam nihil erat cum Cornificio. potest tamen fieri; sed scire certum velim), et appelles procuratores si tibi videtur. quamquam quid ad me? verum tamen--Pansae profectionem scribes cum scies. Atticam salvere iube et eam cura, obsecro, diligenter. Piliae salutem.