Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 60 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
As you write, so I see that things are no less uncertain in the Republic than in your letter; yet that very diversity of talk and opinions delights me. For I seem to be at Rome when I read your letters and, as happens in such great affairs, to hear now this, now that. This one thing, however, I cannot make out: what could possibly be devised, with no one objecting, to provide a workable solution to the land question.
[2] But as for Bibulus, that loftiness of spirit of his in postponing the elections, what does it contain except his own private judgment, with no correction of the state of the Republic at all? No doubt our hope rests in Publius. Let him become, let him become tribune of the plebs, if for no other reason than that you may return the sooner from Epirus on his account; for I do not see how it can come about that you should do without him, especially if he should want to debate something with me. But this at least is beyond doubt, that if there is anything of that sort, you will come flying. Yet even granting that this should not be so, still, whether he wrecks or governs the Republic, I propose for myself a splendid spectacle, provided I may watch it with you as my fellow-spectator.
[3] Just as I was writing these very words, look you, here is Sebosus! I had not yet fully groaned when Arrius says "Good day!" This is what it means to get away from Rome! What men I fled from, only to fall in with these! I shall indeed make for my native hills and the cradle of my childhood. In short, if I cannot be alone, I would rather be with rustics than with these over-citified gentlemen, yet on this condition: that, since you write nothing definite, I shall wait for you at my place at Formiae right up to the third day before the Nones of May [May 5].
[4] To Terentia your constant attention and diligence in the Mulvian dispute is most welcome. She is altogether unaware that you are defending the common cause of all who hold public lands; but still, you do pay something to the tax-farmers, while she even refuses to do that. So she, then, and Cicero, that most aristocratic boy, send you their greetings.
I fully realize that, as you say, your letter only reflects the general uncertainty of public affairs: but still that very variety of talk and opinion has its charm: for I feel as though I was at Rome, when I read your letter, and was hearing first one thing and then another, as one does on questions of importance. But what I can’t make out is how Caesar can possibly find any solution of the land question which will not meet with opposition. As to Bibulus’ firmness in impeding the comitia, it amounts to nothing but an expression of his opinion and does not improve
the position of affairs at all. Upon my word our only hope rests in Publius. Let him by all means become tribune; if for no other reason, to make you return all the sooner from Epirus. For I don’t see how you can possibly keep away from him, especially if he should choose to quarrel with me. But of course I have no doubt that you would fly to my side, if anything of the kind were to happen. But, even if this does not happen, I am looking forward to a sight worth seeing, whether he runs amuck or saves the state, if I can watch it with you sitting by my side.
Just as I was writing these words, in comes Sebosus: and I had hardly fetched a sigh, when there was Arrius saying “Good day.” This is going out of town! Is it escaping from society to run into people like this? I shall certainly be off to “My native hills, the cradle of my youth.” To put it shortly, if I can’t be alone, I would rather be with countryfolk than with these ultra-city men. However, as you send no definite date, I will wait for you at Formiae till the 5th of May.
Terentia is much gratified by the attention and care you have bestowed on her dispute with Mulvius. She has not the least idea that you are supporting the common cause of all the owners of public land. However you do pay something to the tax-collectors; while she refuses to pay a penny. Accordingly she and my boy, a most conservative lad, send their respects.
Vt scribis ita video non minus incerta in re publica quam in epistula tua, sed tamen ista ipsa me varietas sermonum opinionumque delectat. Romae enim videor esse cum tuas litteras lego et, ut fit in tantis rebus, modo hoc modo illud audire. illud tamen explicare non possum quidnam inveniri possit nullo recusante ad facultatem agrariam. [2] Bibuli autem ista magnitudo animi in comitiorum dilatione quid habet nisi ipsius iudicium sine ulla correctione rei publicae? nimirum in Publio spes est. fiat, fiat tribunus pl., si nihil aliud ut eo citius tu ex Epiro revertare; nam ut illo tu careas non video posse fieri, praesertim si mecum aliquid volet disputare. sed id quidem non dubium est quin si quid erit eius modi sis advolaturus. verum ut hoc non sit, tamen, sive ruet <sive> geret rem publicam, praeclarum spectaculum mihi propono, modo te consessore spectare liceat. [3] Cum haec maxime scriberem, ecce tibi Sebosus! nondum plane ingemueram, 'salve' inquit Arrius. hoc est Roma decedere! quos ego homines effugi cum in hos incidi! ego vero in montis patrios et ad incunabula nostra pergam. denique si solus non potuero, cum rusticis potius quam cum his perurbanis, ita tamen ut, quoniam tu certi nihil scribis, in Formiano tibi praestoler usque ad iii Nonas Maias. [4] Terentiae pergrata est adsiduitas tua et diligentia in controversia Mulviana. nescit omnino te communem causam defendere eorum qui agros publicos possideant; sed tamen tu aliquid publicanis pendis, haec etiam id recusat. ea tibi igitur et Kikeron, aristokratikotatos pais, salutem dicunt.
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As you write, so I see that things are no less uncertain in the Republic than in your letter; yet that very diversity of talk and opinions delights me. For I seem to be at Rome when I read your letters and, as happens in such great affairs, to hear now this, now that. This one thing, however, I cannot make out: what could possibly be devised, with no one objecting, to provide a workable solution to the land question.
[2] But as for Bibulus, that loftiness of spirit of his in postponing the elections, what does it contain except his own private judgment, with no correction of the state of the Republic at all? No doubt our hope rests in Publius. Let him become, let him become tribune of the plebs, if for no other reason than that you may return the sooner from Epirus on his account; for I do not see how it can come about that you should do without him, especially if he should want to debate something with me. But this at least is beyond doubt, that if there is anything of that sort, you will come flying. Yet even granting that this should not be so, still, whether he wrecks or governs the Republic, I propose for myself a splendid spectacle, provided I may watch it with you as my fellow-spectator.
[3] Just as I was writing these very words, look you, here is Sebosus! I had not yet fully groaned when Arrius says "Good day!" This is what it means to get away from Rome! What men I fled from, only to fall in with these! I shall indeed make for my native hills and the cradle of my childhood. In short, if I cannot be alone, I would rather be with rustics than with these over-citified gentlemen, yet on this condition: that, since you write nothing definite, I shall wait for you at my place at Formiae right up to the third day before the Nones of May [May 5].
[4] To Terentia your constant attention and diligence in the Mulvian dispute is most welcome. She is altogether unaware that you are defending the common cause of all who hold public lands; but still, you do pay something to the tax-farmers, while she even refuses to do that. So she, then, and Cicero, that most aristocratic boy, send you their greetings.
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
Vt scribis ita video non minus incerta in re publica quam in epistula tua, sed tamen ista ipsa me varietas sermonum opinionumque delectat. Romae enim videor esse cum tuas litteras lego et, ut fit in tantis rebus, modo hoc modo illud audire. illud tamen explicare non possum quidnam inveniri possit nullo recusante ad facultatem agrariam. [2] Bibuli autem ista magnitudo animi in comitiorum dilatione quid habet nisi ipsius iudicium sine ulla correctione rei publicae? nimirum in Publio spes est. fiat, fiat tribunus pl., si nihil aliud ut eo citius tu ex Epiro revertare; nam ut illo tu careas non video posse fieri, praesertim si mecum aliquid volet disputare. sed id quidem non dubium est quin si quid erit eius modi sis advolaturus. verum ut hoc non sit, tamen, sive ruet <sive> geret rem publicam, praeclarum spectaculum mihi propono, modo te consessore spectare liceat. [3] Cum haec maxime scriberem, ecce tibi Sebosus! nondum plane ingemueram, 'salve' inquit Arrius. hoc est Roma decedere! quos ego homines effugi cum in hos incidi! ego vero in montis patrios et ad incunabula nostra pergam. denique si solus non potuero, cum rusticis potius quam cum his perurbanis, ita tamen ut, quoniam tu certi nihil scribis, in Formiano tibi praestoler usque ad iii Nonas Maias. [4] Terentiae pergrata est adsiduitas tua et diligentia in controversia Mulviana. nescit omnino te communem causam defendere eorum qui agros publicos possideant; sed tamen tu aliquid publicanis pendis, haec etiam id recusat. ea tibi igitur et Kikeron, aristokratikotatos pais, salutem dicunt.