Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 43 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
On the seventh before the Ides I arrived at my place near Sinuessa. That same day people were saying everywhere that Antony was going to stay at Casilinum. So I changed my plan, for I had decided to go straight to Rome by the Appian Way. He would have caught up with me easily, since they say he employs the Caesarian speed. I therefore turned from Menturnae toward Arpinum. I had settled on staying, on the fifth before the Ides, either at Aquinum or at Arcanum.
Now, my dear Atticus, throw your whole mind into this concern, for it is a great matter. There are three options: whether I should stay at Arpinum, or come closer, or go to Rome. Whatever you decide, I will do. But as soon as possible. I eagerly await your letter. On the sixth before the Ides, in the morning, from my place near Sinuessa.
On the 7th I reached my house at Sinuessa, and on that day it was
generally said that Antony was going to stay at Casilinum. So I changed
my plan, for I had intended to go straight on by the Appian way to Rome.
He would easily have caught me up, for they say he travels as fast as
Caesar. So from Menturnae I am turning off towards Arpinum, and I have
made up my mind to stay at Aquinum or in Arcanum on the 9th. Now, my
dear Atticus, throw yourself heart and soul into this question, for it
is an important matter. There are three things open to me: to stay at
Arpinum, to come nearer to Rome, or to go to Rome. What you advise, I
will do? But answer at once. I am eagerly expecting a letter from you.
Sinuessa, Nov. 8 in the morning.
vii id. veni ad me in Sinuessanum. eodem die vulgo loquebantur Antonium mansurum esse Casilini. itaque mutavi consilium; statueram enim recta Appia Romam. facile me ille esset adsecutus. aiunt enim eum Caesariana uti celeritate. verti igitur me a Menturnis Arpinum versus. constitueram ut v Idus aut Aquini manerem aut in Arcano. [2] nunc, mi Attice, tota mente incumbe in hanc curam; magna enim res est. tria sunt autem, maneamne Arpini an propius accedam an veniam Romam. quod censueris faciam. sed quam primum. avide exspecto tuas litteras. vi Idus mane e Sinuessano.
◆
On the seventh before the Ides I arrived at my place near Sinuessa. That same day people were saying everywhere that Antony was going to stay at Casilinum. So I changed my plan, for I had decided to go straight to Rome by the Appian Way. He would have caught up with me easily, since they say he employs the Caesarian speed. I therefore turned from Menturnae toward Arpinum. I had settled on staying, on the fifth before the Ides, either at Aquinum or at Arcanum.
Now, my dear Atticus, throw your whole mind into this concern, for it is a great matter. There are three options: whether I should stay at Arpinum, or come closer, or go to Rome. Whatever you decide, I will do. But as soon as possible. I eagerly await your letter. On the sixth before the Ides, in the morning, from my place near Sinuessa.
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
vii id. veni ad me in Sinuessanum. eodem die vulgo loquebantur Antonium mansurum esse Casilini. itaque mutavi consilium; statueram enim recta Appia Romam. facile me ille esset adsecutus. aiunt enim eum Caesariana uti celeritate. verti igitur me a Menturnis Arpinum versus. constitueram ut v Idus aut Aquini manerem aut in Arcano. [2] nunc, mi Attice, tota mente incumbe in hanc curam; magna enim res est. tria sunt autem, maneamne Arpini an propius accedam an veniam Romam. quod censueris faciam. sed quam primum. avide exspecto tuas litteras. vi Idus mane e Sinuessano.