Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 44 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
Our friends Brutus and Cassius had written asking me to use my influence to strengthen Hirtius' loyalty to the republic. He has shown some loyalty so far - I knew that - but I doubted whether it would last, since although he is a little annoyed with Antony, he is deeply attached to the cause. Despite my doubts, I wrote to him and commended to his care the position of Brutus and Cassius. I want you to know his answer, and to see whether you agree with me that Caesar's supporters are still afraid our friends have more courage than they actually have.
"You ask whether I have returned from the country. Can I lag behind when the whole world is so excited? In fact I have just left the city, because I thought my absence would be more useful than my presence. I wrote this letter as I set out for Tusculum. Do not think I will do anything so energetic as hurry back for the 5th. I see no need for my protection of anyone, since proper precautions have been taken for so many years. I wish you could get Brutus and Cassius to promise not to enter upon any rash scheme as easily as you can get me to promise. You say they wrote what you mention when they were on the point of leaving the country. Where are they going, and why? Stop them, I beg you, Cicero, and do not let everything go to ruin. On my honor, things are already being overturned by plunder, fire, and slaughter. If they have any fear, let them merely take precautions, not make some new move. On my honor, they will accomplish no more by violence than they will by quiet, provided they are careful. The present unsettled state of affairs cannot last long by its nature. If there is a struggle and they are here, they can do great harm. Write and tell me at Tusculum what your hopes for them are."
There is Hirtius' letter. I answered by affirming that they had no rash scheme. I wanted you to know this for what it is worth. Just as I had sealed this, Balbus writes to me that Servilia has returned and declares that they will not leave Italy. Now I am waiting for a letter from you.
Our friend Brutus and Cassius had written to me to use my authority to improve Hirtius' patriotism, since he had at present shown some (I knew he had, but I doubted if he would continue, for, although he is a little annoyed with Antony, he is very much devoted to the cause); in spite of my doubts I wrote to him and commended to his care the maintenance of Brutus' and Cassius' position. What his answer was I want you to know, to see whether you think the same as I do, that the Caesarians are even now afraid our friends have more courage than they really have.
"You ask if I have returned from the country. Can I play the laggard, when all the world is so excited? In fact I have just left the city, for I thought my absence would be more useful than my presence. This letter I have written as I set out for Tusculum. Don't think I shall do anything so energetic as to hurry back for the 5th. I see no need for my protecting anyone, since proper precautions
have been taken for so many years. I wish you could obtain a promise from Brutus and Cassius, not to enter upon any hot-headed scheme, as easily as you can from me. For you say they wrote what you mention when on the point of leaving the country. Whither and why? Stop them, I beg you, Cicero, and do not let everything go to rack and ruin. For upon my honour things are already being upset by rapine, fire, and slaughter. If they have any fear, let them take some precaution merely, and not make any fresh move. Upon my honour they will not accomplish any more by violent measures than they will by quiet, provided they are careful. The present unsettled state of affairs cannot last long in the nature of things; if there is a struggle and they are here, they have power to do much harm. What your hopes for them are, write and tell me at Tusculum."
There is Hirtius' letter. I answered, affirming that they had no hot-headed scheme. I wanted you to know this for what it is worth.
Just as I had sealed this Balbus writes to me that Servilia has returned, and avers that they will not leave Italy. Now I look for a letter from you.
cum ad me Brutus noster scripsisset et Cassius, ut Hirtium, qui adhuc bonus fuisset (sciebam, neque eum confidebam fore mea auctoritate meliorem; Antonio est enim fortasse iratior, causae vero amicissimus), tamen ad eum scripsi eique dignitatem Bruti et Cassi commendavi. ille quid mihi rescripsisset scire te volui, si forte idem tu quod ego existimares, istos etiam nunc vereri ne forte ipsi nostri plus animi habeant quam habent HIRTIVS CICERONI SVO SAL. [2] rurene iam redierim quaeris. an ego, cum omnes caleant, ignaviter aliquid faciam? etiam ex urbe sum profectus, utilius enim statui abesse. has tibi litteras exiens in Tusculanum scripsi. noli autem me tam strenuum putare ut ad Nonas recurram. nihil enim iam video opus esse nostra cura, quoniam praesidia sunt in tot annos provisa. Brutus et Cassius utinam quam facile a te de me impetrare possunt ita per te exorentur ne quod calidius ineant consilium! cedentis enim haec ais scripsisse--quo aut qua re? [3] retine, obsecro te, Cicero, illos et noli sinere haec omnia perire, quae funditus medius fidius rapinis, incendiis, caedibus pervertuntur. tantum si quid timent caveant, nihil praeterea moliantur. non <medius> fidius acerrimis consiliis plus quam etiam inertissimis, dum modo diligentibus, consequentur. haec enim quae fluunt per se diuturna non sunt; in contentione praesentis ad nocendum habent viris. quid speres de illis in Tusculanum ad me scribe. [4] habes Hirti epistulam. cui rescripsi nil illos calidius cogitare idque confirmavi. hoc qualecumque esset te scire volui. obsignata iam Balbus ad me Serviliam redisse, confirmare non discessuros. nunc exspecto a te litteras.
◆
Our friends Brutus and Cassius had written asking me to use my influence to strengthen Hirtius' loyalty to the republic. He has shown some loyalty so far - I knew that - but I doubted whether it would last, since although he is a little annoyed with Antony, he is deeply attached to the cause. Despite my doubts, I wrote to him and commended to his care the position of Brutus and Cassius. I want you to know his answer, and to see whether you agree with me that Caesar's supporters are still afraid our friends have more courage than they actually have.
"You ask whether I have returned from the country. Can I lag behind when the whole world is so excited? In fact I have just left the city, because I thought my absence would be more useful than my presence. I wrote this letter as I set out for Tusculum. Do not think I will do anything so energetic as hurry back for the 5th. I see no need for my protection of anyone, since proper precautions have been taken for so many years. I wish you could get Brutus and Cassius to promise not to enter upon any rash scheme as easily as you can get me to promise. You say they wrote what you mention when they were on the point of leaving the country. Where are they going, and why? Stop them, I beg you, Cicero, and do not let everything go to ruin. On my honor, things are already being overturned by plunder, fire, and slaughter. If they have any fear, let them merely take precautions, not make some new move. On my honor, they will accomplish no more by violence than they will by quiet, provided they are careful. The present unsettled state of affairs cannot last long by its nature. If there is a struggle and they are here, they can do great harm. Write and tell me at Tusculum what your hopes for them are."
There is Hirtius' letter. I answered by affirming that they had no rash scheme. I wanted you to know this for what it is worth. Just as I had sealed this, Balbus writes to me that Servilia has returned and declares that they will not leave Italy. Now I am waiting for a letter from you.
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
cum ad me Brutus noster scripsisset et Cassius, ut Hirtium, qui adhuc bonus fuisset (sciebam, neque eum confidebam fore mea auctoritate meliorem; Antonio est enim fortasse iratior, causae vero amicissimus), tamen ad eum scripsi eique dignitatem Bruti et Cassi commendavi. ille quid mihi rescripsisset scire te volui, si forte idem tu quod ego existimares, istos etiam nunc vereri ne forte ipsi nostri plus animi habeant quam habent HIRTIVS CICERONI SVO SAL. [2] rurene iam redierim quaeris. an ego, cum omnes caleant, ignaviter aliquid faciam? etiam ex urbe sum profectus, utilius enim statui abesse. has tibi litteras exiens in Tusculanum scripsi. noli autem me tam strenuum putare ut ad Nonas recurram. nihil enim iam video opus esse nostra cura, quoniam praesidia sunt in tot annos provisa. Brutus et Cassius utinam quam facile a te de me impetrare possunt ita per te exorentur ne quod calidius ineant consilium! cedentis enim haec ais scripsisse--quo aut qua re? [3] retine, obsecro te, Cicero, illos et noli sinere haec omnia perire, quae funditus medius fidius rapinis, incendiis, caedibus pervertuntur. tantum si quid timent caveant, nihil praeterea moliantur. non <medius> fidius acerrimis consiliis plus quam etiam inertissimis, dum modo diligentibus, consequentur. haec enim quae fluunt per se diuturna non sunt; in contentione praesentis ad nocendum habent viris. quid speres de illis in Tusculanum ad me scribe. [4] habes Hirti epistulam. cui rescripsi nil illos calidius cogitare idque confirmavi. hoc qualecumque esset te scire volui. obsignata iam Balbus ad me Serviliam redisse, confirmare non discessuros. nunc exspecto a te litteras.