Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 46 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
A. Silius did well to settle the matter. For I did not want to fail him, yet I was afraid of what I might be able to do. As for Ovia, settle it as you write. With regard to Cicero [Cicero's son, Marcus, studying at Athens], it now seems to be the right time; but I am wondering whether what he will need can be transferred by exchange at Athens, or whether it must be carried to him personally; and on the whole business I should like you to consider in what manner and at what time it ought to be done. You will be able to learn from Aledius whether Publilius is going to set off for Africa, and when. I should like you to make inquiry and write to me.
[2] And, to return to my own trifles, I should like you to inform me whether P. Crassus, the son of Venuleia, died while his father P. Crassus the consular was still living, as I seem to recall, or afterward. Likewise I am wondering, with regard to Regillus the son of Lepidus, whether I rightly remember that he died while his father was still alive.
[3] You will clear up the Cispian business and likewise the Precian one. About Attica, excellent news. Give my greetings both to her and to Pilia.
According to his letter Sicca is coming to me on the 23rd, even if he has not settled anything with A. Silius. You I excuse on the score of business,
knowing what your business is. I have no doubt of your wish, or rather your eager desire, to be with me. You mention Nicias. If I were in a condition to enjoy his cultivated conversation, he is one of the first persons I should wish to have with me. But solitude and retirement are my proper sphere: and it is because Sicca can content himself with that, that I am the more eager for his visit. Besides you know how delicate our Nicias is, and his luxurious way of living. So why should I want to put him to inconvenience, when he cannot give me any pleasure? However I am grateful to him for wishing it. There is one point you wrote about, which I have made up my mind not to answer. For I hope I have prevailed upon you to relieve me from the burden. My greetings to Pilia and Attica.
bene fecit A. Silius qui transegerit. neque enim ei deesse volebam et quid possem timebam. de Ovia confice, ut scribis. de Cicerone tempus esse iam videtur; sed quaero, quod illi opus erit, Athenis permutarine possit an ipsi ferendum sit, de totaque re quem ad modum et quando placeat velim consideres. Publilius iturusne sit in Africam et quando ex Aledio scire poteris. quaeras et ad me scribas velim. [2] et ut ad meas ineptias redeam, velim me certiorem facias P. Crassus Venuleiae filius vivone P. Crasso consulari patre suo mortuus sit, ut ego meminisse videor, an postea. item quaero de Regillo Lepidi filio rectene meminerim patre vivo mortuum. [3] Cispiana explicabis itemque Preciana. de Attica optime. et ei salutem dices et Piliae.
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A. Silius did well to settle the matter. For I did not want to fail him, yet I was afraid of what I might be able to do. As for Ovia, settle it as you write. With regard to Cicero [Cicero's son, Marcus, studying at Athens], it now seems to be the right time; but I am wondering whether what he will need can be transferred by exchange at Athens, or whether it must be carried to him personally; and on the whole business I should like you to consider in what manner and at what time it ought to be done. You will be able to learn from Aledius whether Publilius is going to set off for Africa, and when. I should like you to make inquiry and write to me.
[2] And, to return to my own trifles, I should like you to inform me whether P. Crassus, the son of Venuleia, died while his father P. Crassus the consular was still living, as I seem to recall, or afterward. Likewise I am wondering, with regard to Regillus the son of Lepidus, whether I rightly remember that he died while his father was still alive.
[3] You will clear up the Cispian business and likewise the Precian one. About Attica, excellent news. Give my greetings both to her and 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
bene fecit A. Silius qui transegerit. neque enim ei deesse volebam et quid possem timebam. de Ovia confice, ut scribis. de Cicerone tempus esse iam videtur; sed quaero, quod illi opus erit, Athenis permutarine possit an ipsi ferendum sit, de totaque re quem ad modum et quando placeat velim consideres. Publilius iturusne sit in Africam et quando ex Aledio scire poteris. quaeras et ad me scribas velim. [2] et ut ad meas ineptias redeam, velim me certiorem facias P. Crassus Venuleiae filius vivone P. Crasso consulari patre suo mortuus sit, ut ego meminisse videor, an postea. item quaero de Regillo Lepidi filio rectene meminerim patre vivo mortuum. [3] Cispiana explicabis itemque Preciana. de Attica optime. et ei salutem dices et Piliae.