Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 60 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
How I wish you had stayed in Rome! You certainly would have stayed, if we had thought these things were going to happen. For we would very easily keep our pretty little fellow [Clodius] in check, or at least we would be able to know what he is going to do. As it is, the situation stands thus. He flits about, he rages; he has nothing settled, he makes threats against many; he seems likely to do whatever chance has thrown his way; when he sees how this present state of affairs is hated, he seems likely to make an assault upon those who carried these measures out; but when on the other hand he recalls their resources and their armies, he turns himself toward the loyalists, while against us ourselves he threatens now violence, now a prosecution.
[2] With this fellow Pompey took up the matter and, as he himself reported to me (for I have no other witness), took it up forcefully, when he said that he would be branded with the utmost infamy of treachery and crime if any danger were created for me by the very man whom he himself had armed when he allowed him to become a plebeian; that both he and Appius had given their pledge to him concerning me; that if Clodius did not keep this pledge, he would bear it in such a way that all would understand nothing had been dearer to him than our friendship. When he had said many things to this effect, he kept saying that at first the man for quite a long while argued much against it, but in the end gave in and affirmed that he would do nothing against Pompey's wishes. But afterward, nevertheless, the man did not cease to speak most harshly about us. And even if he were not doing so, still we would put no trust in him and would make all our preparations, just as we are doing.
[3] As it is, we conduct ourselves in such a way that day by day both men's enthusiasm for us and our own resources are increased; we touch the commonwealth in no respect, but in the law courts and in that forensic work of ours we engage ourselves with the utmost industry; which we feel to be remarkably welcome not only to those who make use of our services, but also to the common people. The house is thronged, people come to meet us, the memory of our consulship is renewed, men's goodwill is shown; we are led into such hope that the contest which hangs over us at times seems to us not to be shunned.
[4] Now I have need both of your counsels and of your love and loyalty. Therefore fly to me. Everything will be made easy for me if I have you. Much can be done through our friend Varro which, with you pressing, will be firmer; much can be drawn out from Publius himself; much can be learned which cannot be hidden from you; much also—but it is absurd to set out the particulars one by one when I require you for everything. That one thing I would like you to persuade yourself of: everything will be made clear for me if I see you; but the whole matter rests on this, if it is before he enters upon his magistracy. I think that, with Crassus pressing Pompey, if you are present, who through the ox-eyed lady [Clodia] can understand from the man himself with what good faith they are acting, we shall be either without trouble or at least without error. You have no need of our prayers and exhortation; you understand what my wish, what the occasion, what the magnitude of the matter demands.
[6] About the commonwealth I have nothing to write to you except the utmost hatred of all men toward those who hold everything in their grip. Yet there is no hope of change. But, as you may easily perceive, Pompey himself is wearied and is vehemently sorry. I do not foresee well enough what outcome I should think will come; but these things certainly seem likely to burst out somewhere.
[7] The books of Alexander, a careless man and no good poet, but nevertheless not useless, I have sent back to you. Numerius Numestius I have gladly received into friendship, and I have found him a man serious and prudent and worthy of your recommendation.
How I wish you were in town! You would certainly have stayed, if we had thought this was going to happen. For then we could have easily kept that little Beauty in order or at any rate should have known what he was going to do. As it is he flits about in a frenzy and doesn’t know what he is doing; he threatens lots of people, but will probably do whatever turns up. When he sees the general abhorrence of the present state of affairs he seems to meditate an attack on the authors of it; but when he remembers the armed force behind them, he turns his wrath against the loyalists. As for me, he threatens me now with brute force, and now with a prosecution. Pompey spoke to him about it, and according to his own account—for he is the only witness I have—he remonstrated strongly with him, saying that he would become a byword for treachery and underhandedness, if my life were threatened by one whose weapons he himself had forged by acquiescing in his transference to the plebs: that both he and Appius had pledged their word for me: and that, unless Clodius respected their promise, he would be so annoyed that he would make it plain to the world that he prized my friendship beyond everything. He declared that after he had said this and much more to the same effect, Clodius at first persisted in arguing the point at length, but finally gave way and
promised he would not do anything to offend him. Since then, however, he has not ceased to speak very unpleasantly about me: but, even if he did not, I should not believe him and should continue the preparations which I am making.
At the present time I am managing things so that my popularity and the strength of my position increases daily. Politics I am not touching at all, but am busily engaged in the law courts and in my other forensic work: and thereby I find I win extraordinary favour not only with those who enjoy my services, but with the people in general too. My house is thronged with folk; processions meet me; the days of my consulship are recalled; friendships are not disguised: and my hopes are so raised that I often think there is no reason for me to shrink from the struggle which threatens.
What I want now is your advice and your affection and loyalty: so fly to me. It will simplify everything, if I have you with me. Varro can render me many services, but they would be far surer if you were here to support them: a great deal of information can be extracted from Publius himself, and a great deal found out, which could not possibly be kept from your ears: besides a great deal more—but it is absurd to specify details, when I want you for everything. The one point I want you to grasp is that the mere sight of you would simplify everything for me; but it all depends on your coming before he enters on his office. I think that, though Crassus is egging on Pompey, if you were here and could find out from the enemy through Juno how far the great men are to be trusted, I should either escape molestation altogether or at any rate I should no longer be
in a fog. There is no need of prayers and exhortations between you and me: you know what I wish and what the gravity of the occasion demands.
I have no political news except that the present masters of the world have the world’s hatred: and yet there is no hope of a change. But, as you can easily imagine, Pompey is disgusted and heartily sick of it all. I can’t see what the end of it will be, but I am pretty sure there will be an explosion of some sort.
I have sent back the works of Alexander, who is a careless writer and not much of a poet: still there is some use in him. Numerius Numestius I have admitted to my friendship with pleasure and find he has plenty of sober good sense and is quite worthy of your recommendation.
quam vellem Romae mansisses! <mansisses> profecto si haec fore putassemus. nam pulchellum nostrum facillime teneremus aut certe quid esset facturus scire possemus. nunc se res sic habet. volitat, furit; nihil habet certi, multis denuntiat; quod fors obtulerit id acturus videtur; cum videt quo sit in odio status hic rerum, in eos qui haec egerunt impetum facturus videtur; cum autem rursus opes eorum et exercitus recordatur, convertit se in bonos, nobis autem ipsis tum vim tum iudicium minatur. [2] Cum hoc Pompeius egit et, ut ad me ipse referebat (alium enim habeo neminem testem), vehementer egit, cum diceret in summa se perfidiae et sceleris infamia fore, si mihi periculum crearetur ab eo quem ipse armasset cum plebeium fieri passus esset; fidem recepisse sibi et ipsum et Appium de me; hanc si ille non servaret, ita laturum ut omnes intellegerent nihil sibi antiquius amicitia nostra fuisse. haec et in eam sententiam cum multa dixisset, aiebat illum primo sane diu multa contra, ad extremum autem manus dedisse et adfirmasse nihil se contra eius voluntatem esse facturum. sed postea tamen ille non destitit de nobis asperrime loqui. quod si non faceret tamen ei nihil crederemus atque omnia, sicut facimus, pararemus. [3] nunc ita nos gerimus ut in dies singulos et studia in nos hominum et opes nostrae augeantur; rem publicam nulla ex parte attingimus, in causis atque in illa opera nostra forensi summa industria versamur; quod egregie non modo iis qui utuntur opera, sed etiam in vulgus gratum esse sentimus. domus celebratur, occurritur, renovatur memoria consulatus, studia significantur; in eam spem adducimur ut nobis ea contentio quae impendet interdum non fugienda videatur. [4] nunc mihi et consiliis opus est tuis et amore et fide. qua re advola. expedita mihi erunt omnia si te habebo. multa per Varronem nostrum agi possunt quae te urgente erunt firmiora, multa ab ipso Publio elici, multa cognosci quae tibi occulta esse non poterunt, multa etiam—sed absurdum est singula explicare cum ego requiram te ad omnia. Vnum illud tibi persuadeas velim, omnia mihi fore explicata si te videro; sed totum est in eo si ante quam ille ineat magistratum. puto Pompeium Crasso urgente, si tu aderis qui per boopin ex ipso intellegere possis qua fide ab illis agatur, nos aut sine molestia aut certe sine errore futuros. precibus nostris et cohortatione non indiges; quid mea voluntas, quid tempus, quid rei magnitudo postulet intellegis. [6] de re publica nihil habeo ad te scribere nisi summum odium omnium hominum in eos qui tenent omnia. mutationis tamen spes nulla. sed, quod facile sentias, taedet ipsum Pompeium vehementerque paenitet. non provideo satis quem exitum futurum putem; sed certe videntur haec aliquo eruptura. [7] Libros Alexandri, neglegentis hominis et non boni poetae sed tamen non inutilis, tibi remisi. Numerium Numestium libenter accepi in amicitiam et hominem gravem et prudentem et dignum tua commendatione cognovi.
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How I wish you had stayed in Rome! You certainly would have stayed, if we had thought these things were going to happen. For we would very easily keep our pretty little fellow [Clodius] in check, or at least we would be able to know what he is going to do. As it is, the situation stands thus. He flits about, he rages; he has nothing settled, he makes threats against many; he seems likely to do whatever chance has thrown his way; when he sees how this present state of affairs is hated, he seems likely to make an assault upon those who carried these measures out; but when on the other hand he recalls their resources and their armies, he turns himself toward the loyalists, while against us ourselves he threatens now violence, now a prosecution.
[2] With this fellow Pompey took up the matter and, as he himself reported to me (for I have no other witness), took it up forcefully, when he said that he would be branded with the utmost infamy of treachery and crime if any danger were created for me by the very man whom he himself had armed when he allowed him to become a plebeian; that both he and Appius had given their pledge to him concerning me; that if Clodius did not keep this pledge, he would bear it in such a way that all would understand nothing had been dearer to him than our friendship. When he had said many things to this effect, he kept saying that at first the man for quite a long while argued much against it, but in the end gave in and affirmed that he would do nothing against Pompey's wishes. But afterward, nevertheless, the man did not cease to speak most harshly about us. And even if he were not doing so, still we would put no trust in him and would make all our preparations, just as we are doing.
[3] As it is, we conduct ourselves in such a way that day by day both men's enthusiasm for us and our own resources are increased; we touch the commonwealth in no respect, but in the law courts and in that forensic work of ours we engage ourselves with the utmost industry; which we feel to be remarkably welcome not only to those who make use of our services, but also to the common people. The house is thronged, people come to meet us, the memory of our consulship is renewed, men's goodwill is shown; we are led into such hope that the contest which hangs over us at times seems to us not to be shunned.
[4] Now I have need both of your counsels and of your love and loyalty. Therefore fly to me. Everything will be made easy for me if I have you. Much can be done through our friend Varro which, with you pressing, will be firmer; much can be drawn out from Publius himself; much can be learned which cannot be hidden from you; much also—but it is absurd to set out the particulars one by one when I require you for everything. That one thing I would like you to persuade yourself of: everything will be made clear for me if I see you; but the whole matter rests on this, if it is before he enters upon his magistracy. I think that, with Crassus pressing Pompey, if you are present, who through the ox-eyed lady [Clodia] can understand from the man himself with what good faith they are acting, we shall be either without trouble or at least without error. You have no need of our prayers and exhortation; you understand what my wish, what the occasion, what the magnitude of the matter demands.
[6] About the commonwealth I have nothing to write to you except the utmost hatred of all men toward those who hold everything in their grip. Yet there is no hope of change. But, as you may easily perceive, Pompey himself is wearied and is vehemently sorry. I do not foresee well enough what outcome I should think will come; but these things certainly seem likely to burst out somewhere.
[7] The books of Alexander, a careless man and no good poet, but nevertheless not useless, I have sent back to you. Numerius Numestius I have gladly received into friendship, and I have found him a man serious and prudent and worthy of your recommendation.
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
quam vellem Romae mansisses! <mansisses> profecto si haec fore putassemus. nam pulchellum nostrum facillime teneremus aut certe quid esset facturus scire possemus. nunc se res sic habet. volitat, furit; nihil habet certi, multis denuntiat; quod fors obtulerit id acturus videtur; cum videt quo sit in odio status hic rerum, in eos qui haec egerunt impetum facturus videtur; cum autem rursus opes eorum et exercitus recordatur, convertit se in bonos, nobis autem ipsis tum vim tum iudicium minatur. [2] Cum hoc Pompeius egit et, ut ad me ipse referebat (alium enim habeo neminem testem), vehementer egit, cum diceret in summa se perfidiae et sceleris infamia fore, si mihi periculum crearetur ab eo quem ipse armasset cum plebeium fieri passus esset; fidem recepisse sibi et ipsum et Appium de me; hanc si ille non servaret, ita laturum ut omnes intellegerent nihil sibi antiquius amicitia nostra fuisse. haec et in eam sententiam cum multa dixisset, aiebat illum primo sane diu multa contra, ad extremum autem manus dedisse et adfirmasse nihil se contra eius voluntatem esse facturum. sed postea tamen ille non destitit de nobis asperrime loqui. quod si non faceret tamen ei nihil crederemus atque omnia, sicut facimus, pararemus. [3] nunc ita nos gerimus ut in dies singulos et studia in nos hominum et opes nostrae augeantur; rem publicam nulla ex parte attingimus, in causis atque in illa opera nostra forensi summa industria versamur; quod egregie non modo iis qui utuntur opera, sed etiam in vulgus gratum esse sentimus. domus celebratur, occurritur, renovatur memoria consulatus, studia significantur; in eam spem adducimur ut nobis ea contentio quae impendet interdum non fugienda videatur. [4] nunc mihi et consiliis opus est tuis et amore et fide. qua re advola. expedita mihi erunt omnia si te habebo. multa per Varronem nostrum agi possunt quae te urgente erunt firmiora, multa ab ipso Publio elici, multa cognosci quae tibi occulta esse non poterunt, multa etiam—sed absurdum est singula explicare cum ego requiram te ad omnia. Vnum illud tibi persuadeas velim, omnia mihi fore explicata si te videro; sed totum est in eo si ante quam ille ineat magistratum. puto Pompeium Crasso urgente, si tu aderis qui per boopin ex ipso intellegere possis qua fide ab illis agatur, nos aut sine molestia aut certe sine errore futuros. precibus nostris et cohortatione non indiges; quid mea voluntas, quid tempus, quid rei magnitudo postulet intellegis. [6] de re publica nihil habeo ad te scribere nisi summum odium omnium hominum in eos qui tenent omnia. mutationis tamen spes nulla. sed, quod facile sentias, taedet ipsum Pompeium vehementerque paenitet. non provideo satis quem exitum futurum putem; sed certe videntur haec aliquo eruptura. [7] Libros Alexandri, neglegentis hominis et non boni poetae sed tamen non inutilis, tibi remisi. Numerium Numestium libenter accepi in amicitiam et hominem gravem et prudentem et dignum tua commendatione cognovi.