Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 44 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
On the day after the Ides I saw Paulus at Caieta. He told me some very bad things about Marius and about the republic. From you, of course, nothing; none of my people has arrived. But I hear our Brutus was seen near Lanuvium. Where, finally, is he going to be? Among everything else, I am eager to know every detail about him. I wrote this as I was leaving Formiae on April 15, expecting to be at my Puteoli place the next day.
I have a letter from my son, written in a very polished style and at good length. Other things can be faked; the polish of a letter shows that he is becoming more educated. Now I ask you earnestly, about the matter I recently discussed with you, to see that he lacks nothing. This belongs both to my duty and to my reputation and standing, and I understood that you saw it the same way. If, as I wish, I go to Greece in July, everything is easier. But since the times are such that nothing can be certain, what is honorable for me, what is allowed, what is useful, please see to it that we support him as honorably and generously as possible.
Think over this and everything else that concerns me, as you always do, and write to me either what matters, or, if there is nothing, whatever comes into your mouth.
I saw Paulus at Caieta on the 14th. He told me about Marius and gave me very bad news about the State. From you, of course, I have nothing, as none of my men have arrived. But I hear our friend Brutus has been seen near Lanuvium. Where on earth is he going to be? For I want to know among other things everything about him. I am writing this as I leave Formiae on the 15th, and I hope to reach Puteoli on the next day.
I have had a letter from my son in quite the best style, and fairly long. Other things may be put on, but the style of the letter shows that he is learning something. Now I appeal to you earnestly to see
that he wants for nothing: I had already mentioned the point to you. It is a point that concerns my duty and my reputation and dignity as well; and I see you take that view yourself. Of course, if I go to Greece, as I should like, in July, everything will be easier: but, as the times are such that I cannot be sure what will be honourable, possible, or expedient for me, I beg you to be careful that we supply him with a reasonable and liberal income.
As usual you will consider these points and others that concern me, and will write and tell me the pertinent facts or, if there are none, whatever comes into your head.
postridie Idus Paulum Caietae vidi. is mihi de Mario et de re publica quaedam sane pessima. A te scilicet nihil; nemo enim meorum. sed Brutum nostrum audio visum sub Lanuvio. Vbi tandem est futurus? nam cum reliqua tum de hoc scire aveo omnia. ego e Formiano exiens xvii Kal. ut inde altero die in Puteolanum scripsi haec. [2] A Cicerone mihi litterae sane pepinwme/nai et bene longae. cetera autem vel fingi possunt, pi/noj litterarum significat doctiorem. nunc magno opere a te peto, de quo sum nuper tecum locutus, ut videas ne quid ei desit. id cum ad officium nostrum pertinet tum ad existimationem et dignitatem; quod idem intellexi tibi videri. omnino si ego, ut volo, mense Quintili in Graeciam, sunt omnia faciliora; sed cum sint ea tempora ut certi nihil esse possit quid honestum mihi sit, quid liceat, quid expediat, quaeso, da operam ut illum quam honestissime copiosissimeque tueamur. haec et cetera quae ad nos pertinebunt, ut soles, cogita bis ad meque aut quod ad rem pertineat aut, si nihil erit, quod in buccam venerit scribes.
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On the day after the Ides I saw Paulus at Caieta. He told me some very bad things about Marius and about the republic. From you, of course, nothing; none of my people has arrived. But I hear our Brutus was seen near Lanuvium. Where, finally, is he going to be? Among everything else, I am eager to know every detail about him. I wrote this as I was leaving Formiae on April 15, expecting to be at my Puteoli place the next day.
I have a letter from my son, written in a very polished style and at good length. Other things can be faked; the polish of a letter shows that he is becoming more educated. Now I ask you earnestly, about the matter I recently discussed with you, to see that he lacks nothing. This belongs both to my duty and to my reputation and standing, and I understood that you saw it the same way. If, as I wish, I go to Greece in July, everything is easier. But since the times are such that nothing can be certain, what is honorable for me, what is allowed, what is useful, please see to it that we support him as honorably and generously as possible.
Think over this and everything else that concerns me, as you always do, and write to me either what matters, or, if there is nothing, whatever comes into your mouth.
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
postridie Idus Paulum Caietae vidi. is mihi de Mario et de re publica quaedam sane pessima. A te scilicet nihil; nemo enim meorum. sed Brutum nostrum audio visum sub Lanuvio. Vbi tandem est futurus? nam cum reliqua tum de hoc scire aveo omnia. ego e Formiano exiens xvii Kal. ut inde altero die in Puteolanum scripsi haec. [2] A Cicerone mihi litterae sane pepinwme/nai et bene longae. cetera autem vel fingi possunt, pi/noj litterarum significat doctiorem. nunc magno opere a te peto, de quo sum nuper tecum locutus, ut videas ne quid ei desit. id cum ad officium nostrum pertinet tum ad existimationem et dignitatem; quod idem intellexi tibi videri. omnino si ego, ut volo, mense Quintili in Graeciam, sunt omnia faciliora; sed cum sint ea tempora ut certi nihil esse possit quid honestum mihi sit, quid liceat, quid expediat, quaeso, da operam ut illum quam honestissime copiosissimeque tueamur. haec et cetera quae ad nos pertinebunt, ut soles, cogita bis ad meque aut quod ad rem pertineat aut, si nihil erit, quod in buccam venerit scribes.