Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 46 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
You know Lucius Tullius Montanus, who set out with Cicero [the writer's son, then studying in Athens]. I have had a letter from the husband of his sister, saying that Montanus owes Plancus 20,000 sesterces, because he stood surety for Flaminius. On this matter I understand that you have been asked something by Montanus. I should very much like you to help him, whether Plancus is the one to be approached or whether you can assist him in some other way. It is part of our obligation. If the situation happens to be better known to you than to me, or if you think Plancus is the one to be asked, please write to me so that I may know how the matter stands and what request is to be made.
As for the letter to Caesar, I am waiting to hear what you have done. About Silius I am really not so concerned. You must secure for me either the Scapulan or the Clodian gardens. But you seem to be hesitating somehow about Clodia: whether as to when she is coming, or whether the gardens are even for sale? But what is this I hear, that Spinther has obtained a divorce? As for my Latin, set your mind at ease. You will say, "How can you write such things?" They are apographa [transcriptions, copies from Greek originals]; they are produced with less effort. I supply only the words, and of those I have an abundance.
You know Lucius Tullius Montanus, who set out with Cicero. I have received a letter from his sister's husband saying that Montanus owes Plancus a sum of 20,000 sesterces because he stood surety for Flaminius. About this matter I gather you have been asked something by Montanus. I ask you to handle this with your usual care and let me know what you think should be done.
L. Tullium Montanum nosti qui cum Cicerone profectus est. ab eius sororis viro litteras accepi Montanum Planco debere, quod praes pro Flaminio sit, HS x_x_; de ea re nescio quid te a Montano rogatum. sane velim, sive Plancus est rogandus sive qua re potes illum iuvare, iuves. pertinet ad nostrum officium. si res tibi forte notior est quam mihi, aut si Plancum rogandum putas, scribas ad me velim ut quid rei sit et quid rogandum sciam. [2] de epistula ad Caesarem quid egeris exspecto. de Silio non ita sane laboro. tu mi aut Scapulanos aut Clodianos efficias necesse est. sed nescio quid videris dubitare de Clodia; utrum quando veniat an sintne venales? sed quid est quod audio Spintherem fecisse divortium? de lingua Latina securi es animi. dices, qui talia a conscribis?' )Apo/grafa sunt, minore labore fiunt; verba tantum adfero quibus abundo.
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You know Lucius Tullius Montanus, who set out with Cicero [the writer's son, then studying in Athens]. I have had a letter from the husband of his sister, saying that Montanus owes Plancus 20,000 sesterces, because he stood surety for Flaminius. On this matter I understand that you have been asked something by Montanus. I should very much like you to help him, whether Plancus is the one to be approached or whether you can assist him in some other way. It is part of our obligation. If the situation happens to be better known to you than to me, or if you think Plancus is the one to be asked, please write to me so that I may know how the matter stands and what request is to be made.
As for the letter to Caesar, I am waiting to hear what you have done. About Silius I am really not so concerned. You must secure for me either the Scapulan or the Clodian gardens. But you seem to be hesitating somehow about Clodia: whether as to when she is coming, or whether the gardens are even for sale? But what is this I hear, that Spinther has obtained a divorce? As for my Latin, set your mind at ease. You will say, "How can you write such things?" They are apographa [transcriptions, copies from Greek originals]; they are produced with less effort. I supply only the words, and of those I have an abundance.
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
L. Tullium Montanum nosti qui cum Cicerone profectus est. ab eius sororis viro litteras accepi Montanum Planco debere, quod praes pro Flaminio sit, HS x_x_; de ea re nescio quid te a Montano rogatum. sane velim, sive Plancus est rogandus sive qua re potes illum iuvare, iuves. pertinet ad nostrum officium. si res tibi forte notior est quam mihi, aut si Plancum rogandum putas, scribas ad me velim ut quid rei sit et quid rogandum sciam. [2] de epistula ad Caesarem quid egeris exspecto. de Silio non ita sane laboro. tu mi aut Scapulanos aut Clodianos efficias necesse est. sed nescio quid videris dubitare de Clodia; utrum quando veniat an sintne venales? sed quid est quod audio Spintherem fecisse divortium? de lingua Latina securi es animi. dices, qui talia a conscribis?' )Apo/grafa sunt, minore labore fiunt; verba tantum adfero quibus abundo.