Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 45 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
This is the second letter I am sending you today. About Xeno's debt and the Epirote affairs [Atticus's financial interests in Epirus], nothing could be managed more conveniently or more suitably than as you write. Balbus the younger had spoken to me in exactly the same terms.
[2] There is really nothing new, except that Hirtius had a most heated quarrel with Quintus on my behalf: that Quintus rages everywhere about me, especially at dinner parties, where after saying much against me he then comes back to attacking his father; but that nothing he says is so axiopistos [credibly, with such an air of conviction] as the claim that we are utterly estranged from Caesar, that we are not to be trusted, and that I in fact must be watched (it would have been phoberon an en [a frightening thing], if I did not know that the monarch is aware I have no spirit left in me); and that my own son Cicero is being harassed. But that, indeed, is at his own discretion.
[3] As for the eulogy of Porcia, I am glad I gave it to Lepta's courier before I received your letter. So you will see to it, if you love me, provided it is sent at all, that it is dispatched in that form to Domitius and Brutus.
[4] About the gladiators, and about the other matters you write of as anemophoreta [wind-borne trifles, things of no weight], keep me informed daily. I should like you, if you think fit, to approach Balbus and Offilius. Concerning the advertisement of the auction, I myself have spoken with Balbus. The plan was agreeable (I think Offilius has everything drawn up; Balbus has it too), but Balbus favored an early date and at Rome; if Caesar should delay, the date could be put off. But he does seem to be at hand. So consider the whole matter; for it meets with Vestorius's approval.
What incredible hypocrisy! To write to his father that "he had no home owing to his mother," and to his mother a letter full of affection. His father however is already cooling down and says the son has a right to be angry with him. But I will follow your advice; for I see "crooked ways" are what you favour. I will come to Rome, as you think I ought, though against my will; for I cannot tear myself from my writing. You say I shall find Brutus on the way: of course, but without this other reason that would not be strong enough to move me. For he has not come from the place I should wish, nor has he been long away or sent me any letter. Still I should like to know the result of his whole journey. Please send me the books I asked for before, especially Phaedrus On the Gods and On Pallas.
has alteras hodie litteras. de Xenonis nomine et de Epiroticis x_x_x_x_ nihil potest fieri nec commodius nec aptius quam ut scribis. id erat locutus mecum eodem modo Balbus minor. [2] nihil novi sane nisi Hirtium cum Quinto acerrime pro me litigasse; omnibus eum locis furere maximeque in conviviis cum multa de me tum redire ad patrem; nihil autem ab eo <tam> a)ciopi/stwj dici quam alienissimos nos esse a Caesare; fidem nobis habendam non esse, me vero etiam cavendum ( fobero\n a)\n h)=n nisi viderem scire regem me animi nihil habere), Ciceronem vero meum vexari; sed id quidem arbitratu suo. [3] laudationem Porciae gaudeo me ante dedisse Leptae tabellario quam tuas acceperim litteras. eam tu igitur, si me amas, curabis, si modo mittetur, isto modo mittendam Domitio et Bruto. [4] de gladiatoribus, de ceteris quae scribis a)nemofo/rhta , facies me cotidie certiorem. velim, si tibi videtur, appelles Balbum et Offilium. de auctione proscribenda equidem locutus sum cum Balbo. placebat (puto conscripta habere Offilium omnia; habet et Balbus) sed Balbo placebat propinquum diem et Romae; si Caesar moraretur, posse diem differri. sed is quidem adesse videtur. totum igitur considera; placet enim Vestorio.
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This is the second letter I am sending you today. About Xeno's debt and the Epirote affairs [Atticus's financial interests in Epirus], nothing could be managed more conveniently or more suitably than as you write. Balbus the younger had spoken to me in exactly the same terms.
[2] There is really nothing new, except that Hirtius had a most heated quarrel with Quintus on my behalf: that Quintus rages everywhere about me, especially at dinner parties, where after saying much against me he then comes back to attacking his father; but that nothing he says is so axiopistos [credibly, with such an air of conviction] as the claim that we are utterly estranged from Caesar, that we are not to be trusted, and that I in fact must be watched (it would have been phoberon an en [a frightening thing], if I did not know that the monarch is aware I have no spirit left in me); and that my own son Cicero is being harassed. But that, indeed, is at his own discretion.
[3] As for the eulogy of Porcia, I am glad I gave it to Lepta's courier before I received your letter. So you will see to it, if you love me, provided it is sent at all, that it is dispatched in that form to Domitius and Brutus.
[4] About the gladiators, and about the other matters you write of as anemophoreta [wind-borne trifles, things of no weight], keep me informed daily. I should like you, if you think fit, to approach Balbus and Offilius. Concerning the advertisement of the auction, I myself have spoken with Balbus. The plan was agreeable (I think Offilius has everything drawn up; Balbus has it too), but Balbus favored an early date and at Rome; if Caesar should delay, the date could be put off. But he does seem to be at hand. So consider the whole matter; for it meets with Vestorius's approval.
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
has alteras hodie litteras. de Xenonis nomine et de Epiroticis x_x_x_x_ nihil potest fieri nec commodius nec aptius quam ut scribis. id erat locutus mecum eodem modo Balbus minor. [2] nihil novi sane nisi Hirtium cum Quinto acerrime pro me litigasse; omnibus eum locis furere maximeque in conviviis cum multa de me tum redire ad patrem; nihil autem ab eo <tam> a)ciopi/stwj dici quam alienissimos nos esse a Caesare; fidem nobis habendam non esse, me vero etiam cavendum ( fobero\n a)\n h)=n nisi viderem scire regem me animi nihil habere), Ciceronem vero meum vexari; sed id quidem arbitratu suo. [3] laudationem Porciae gaudeo me ante dedisse Leptae tabellario quam tuas acceperim litteras. eam tu igitur, si me amas, curabis, si modo mittetur, isto modo mittendam Domitio et Bruto. [4] de gladiatoribus, de ceteris quae scribis a)nemofo/rhta , facies me cotidie certiorem. velim, si tibi videtur, appelles Balbum et Offilium. de auctione proscribenda equidem locutus sum cum Balbo. placebat (puto conscripta habere Offilium omnia; habet et Balbus) sed Balbo placebat propinquum diem et Romae; si Caesar moraretur, posse diem differri. sed is quidem adesse videtur. totum igitur considera; placet enim Vestorio.