Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 44 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
Your letter is certainly peaceful. If only things stay that way for a while. Matius said they could not. But look: my builders had gone out for grain and came back empty-handed, bringing a great rumor that all the grain at Rome is being carried to Antony's house. It is surely a panic report, or you would have written about it. Still no sign of Balbus' Corumbus. I know the name; he is said to be a fine architect.
You seem to have been brought in as a witness to the sealing of that will for a reason. They want us to think they feel that way, and I do not know why they should not truly feel it too. But what is that to us? Still, sniff out Antony's disposition. I myself think he is more concerned with planning banquets than with planning any harm.
If you have anything of practical importance, write back. If not, give me a full account of the people's applause and the actors' jokes at the mimes. Give my greetings to Pilia and Attica.
Your letter is full of peace, and I only hope peace may last some time.
Matius does not think it can. Here are my builders, who had gone off
harvesting, returning empty-handed and bringing a strong report that all
the corn is being taken to Antony's house at Rome. Of course it is a
false alarm, or I should have heard it from you. Not a sign as yet of
Balbus' man Corumbus. I know the name; he is said to be a good
architect.
It appears to me there was reason in their asking you to be present at
the sealing of that will: for they want us to think them friendly, and I
don't see why that should not be their real feeling. But what does it
matter to us? However, scent out Antony's intentions; I fancy he is more
concerned about his banquets than about plotting any harm.
If you have any news of practical importance, let me hear it; if not,
give me full details as to who were cheered by the people at the mimes,
and the epigrams of the actors. My love to Pilia and Attica.
Tranquillae tuae quidem litterae. quod utinam diutius! nam Matius posse negabat. ecce autem structores nostri ad frumentum profecti, cum inanes redissent, rumorem adferunt magnum Romae domum ad Antonium frumentum omne portari. Paniko\n certe; scripsisses enim. Corumbus Balbi nullus adhuc: est mihi notum nomen; bellus enim esse dicitur architectus. [2] ad obsignandum tu adhibitus non sine causa videris. volunt enim nos ita putare; nescio cur non animo quoque sentiant. sed quid haec ad nos? odorare tamen Antoni dia/qesin ; quem quidem ego epularum magis arbitror rationem habere quam quicquam mali cogitare. tu si quid pragmatiko\n habes rescribe; sin minus, populi e)pishmasi/an et mimorum dicta perscribito. Piliae et Atticae salutem.
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Your letter is certainly peaceful. If only things stay that way for a while. Matius said they could not. But look: my builders had gone out for grain and came back empty-handed, bringing a great rumor that all the grain at Rome is being carried to Antony's house. It is surely a panic report, or you would have written about it. Still no sign of Balbus' Corumbus. I know the name; he is said to be a fine architect.
You seem to have been brought in as a witness to the sealing of that will for a reason. They want us to think they feel that way, and I do not know why they should not truly feel it too. But what is that to us? Still, sniff out Antony's disposition. I myself think he is more concerned with planning banquets than with planning any harm.
If you have anything of practical importance, write back. If not, give me a full account of the people's applause and the actors' jokes at the mimes. Give my greetings to Pilia and Attica.
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
Tranquillae tuae quidem litterae. quod utinam diutius! nam Matius posse negabat. ecce autem structores nostri ad frumentum profecti, cum inanes redissent, rumorem adferunt magnum Romae domum ad Antonium frumentum omne portari. Paniko\n certe; scripsisses enim. Corumbus Balbi nullus adhuc: est mihi notum nomen; bellus enim esse dicitur architectus. [2] ad obsignandum tu adhibitus non sine causa videris. volunt enim nos ita putare; nescio cur non animo quoque sentiant. sed quid haec ad nos? odorare tamen Antoni dia/qesin ; quem quidem ego epularum magis arbitror rationem habere quam quicquam mali cogitare. tu si quid pragmatiko\n habes rescribe; sin minus, populi e)pishmasi/an et mimorum dicta perscribito. Piliae et Atticae salutem.