Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 51 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
I have absolutely nothing to write. I have no commission for you, since nothing has been overlooked; no news to report, since I have heard nothing new; and no room for jokes, because so many things are worrying me.
Still, know this: I sent this letter on the morning of May 15, as I was leaving Venusia. I believe something happened in the Senate that day. So let your letters follow me, telling me not only all the facts but the rumors too. I shall receive them at Brundisium, since my plan is to wait there for Pomptinus until the date you mentioned.
At Tarentum I will write you in detail about the political conversations I have with Pompey. Meanwhile I especially want to know until what date I can safely write to you at Rome - that is, how long you will be in the city - so that I may know where to send letters afterward, or at least avoid sending them uselessly. Before you leave, though, please make sure the business of the smaller sum and the 800,000 sesterces is settled. Treat this as one of the most important and necessary matters: with your help I want to achieve what I began to want on your advice.
I have absolutely nothing to write about. Having forgotten nothing I have no commission for you. Having no news, I have nothing to relate. And this is no place for jests considering the number of my cares. Still you must know that I despatched this letter setting out from Venusia on the morning of the 15th of May. I believe something has been done in the Senate to-day. So send a letter after
me, giving not only all the facts but the gossip too. I shall get it at Brundisium. For it is there that I intend to await Pomptinus up to the date that you have mentioned. I will write you of the causeries I had with Pompey at Tarentum about politics. Although there is one thing I want to know, up to what time I can safely write to you at Rome, that is how long you will be in town, so that I may have your address after your removal and may not send letters in vain. Before you go, settle the business of the £180 and the £7,000. Please count it most important and most necessary, that with your help I may achieve, what I began to wish for at your instance.
plane deest quod scribam; nam nec quod mandem habeo (nihil enim praetermissum est), nec quod narrem (novi enim nihil), nec iocandi locus est; ita me multa sollicitant. tantum tamen scito, Idibus Maus nos Venusia mane proficiscentis has dedisse. eo autem die credo aliquid actum in senatu. sequantur igitur nos tuae litterae quibus non modo res omnis sed etiam rumores cognoscamus. eas accipiemus Brundisi; ibi enim Pomptinum ad eam diem quam tu scripsisti exspectare consilium est. [2] nos Tarenti quos cum Pompeio dialogous de re publica habuerimus ad te perscribemus. etsi id ipsum scire cupio quod ad tempus recte ad te scribere possim, id est quam diu Romae futurus sis, ut aut quo dem posthac litteras sciam aut ne dem frustra. sed ante quam proficiscare, utique explicatum sit illud HS x_x_ et d_c_c_c_. hoc velim in maximis rebus et maxime necessariis habeas, ut quod auctore te velle coepi adiutore adsequar.
◆
I have absolutely nothing to write. I have no commission for you, since nothing has been overlooked; no news to report, since I have heard nothing new; and no room for jokes, because so many things are worrying me.
Still, know this: I sent this letter on the morning of May 15, as I was leaving Venusia. I believe something happened in the Senate that day. So let your letters follow me, telling me not only all the facts but the rumors too. I shall receive them at Brundisium, since my plan is to wait there for Pomptinus until the date you mentioned.
At Tarentum I will write you in detail about the political conversations I have with Pompey. Meanwhile I especially want to know until what date I can safely write to you at Rome - that is, how long you will be in the city - so that I may know where to send letters afterward, or at least avoid sending them uselessly. Before you leave, though, please make sure the business of the smaller sum and the 800,000 sesterces is settled. Treat this as one of the most important and necessary matters: with your help I want to achieve what I began to want on your advice.
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
plane deest quod scribam; nam nec quod mandem habeo (nihil enim praetermissum est), nec quod narrem (novi enim nihil), nec iocandi locus est; ita me multa sollicitant. tantum tamen scito, Idibus Maus nos Venusia mane proficiscentis has dedisse. eo autem die credo aliquid actum in senatu. sequantur igitur nos tuae litterae quibus non modo res omnis sed etiam rumores cognoscamus. eas accipiemus Brundisi; ibi enim Pomptinum ad eam diem quam tu scripsisti exspectare consilium est. [2] nos Tarenti quos cum Pompeio dialogous de re publica habuerimus ad te perscribemus. etsi id ipsum scire cupio quod ad tempus recte ad te scribere possim, id est quam diu Romae futurus sis, ut aut quo dem posthac litteras sciam aut ne dem frustra. sed ante quam proficiscare, utique explicatum sit illud HS x_x_ et d_c_c_c_. hoc velim in maximis rebus et maxime necessariis habeas, ut quod auctore te velle coepi adiutore adsequar.