Letter 14.18

I think, my dear souls, that you must consider again and again, very carefully, what you should do: stay at Rome, join me, or go to some safe place. This is not only my decision but yours as well. These things come to mind. You may be able to stay safely at Rome through Dolabella's protection, and that may help us if violence or plundering begins. But on the other hand, I am troubled because I see all the loyalists absent from Rome and keeping their wives with them. The region where I am consists of towns and also estates belonging to us, so you could spend much time with me and, when you left me, stay conveniently on our own properties. I am still not entirely sure which is better. Watch what other women of your rank are doing, and take care that when you want to leave you are not prevented. I want you to consider this carefully, again and again, among yourselves and with friends. Tell Philotimus to make sure the house has barricades and a guard. Please also arrange reliable letter-carriers, so that I may receive some letter from you every day. Above all, make every effort to be well, if you want us to be well.

CCCV (Fam. XIV, 18) TO TERENTIA AND TULLIA (AT ROME) FORMIAE, 22 JANUARY: TULLIUS to his wife, and her father to his dearest daughter, and Cicero to his mother and sister, send warm greetings. I think, my darlings, you should carefully consider and reconsider what to do, whether to stay at Rome , or to join me, or seek some place of safety. This is not a point for my consideration alone, but for yours also. What occurs to me is this: you may be safe at Rome under Dolabella 's protection, and that Circumstance may prove serviceable to us in case of any violence or plunder Commencing. But, on the other hand, I am shaken in this idea by seeing that all the loyalists have left Rome and have the ladies of their families with them. Again, the district in which I now am consists of towns and estates also which are in my power, so you could be a good deal with me, and, if you quitted me, Could very conveniently stay in domains belonging to us. I cannot as yet quite make up my mind which of the two is the better course for you to take. Please observe for yourselves what other ladies of your rank are doing, and be careful not to be cut off from the power of leaving town when you do wish to do so. I would have you carefully consider it again and again with each other and with your friends. Tell Philotimus to secure the house with barricades and a watch. Also please organize a regular service of letter-carriers, so that I may hear something from you every day. Above all attend to your health, if you wish me to maintain mine. Formiae , 22 January.

XVIII. Scr. Formiis XI. Kal. Februarias a.u.c. 705. TULLIUS TERENTIAE SUAE ET PATER SUAVISSIMAE FILIAE, CICERO MATRI ET SORORI S. D. PLUR. Considerandum vobis etiam atque etiam, animae meae, diligenter puto, quid faciatis, Romaene sitis an mecum an aliquo tuto loco: id non solum meum consilium est, sed etiam vestrum. Mihi veniunt in mentem haec: Romae vos esse tuto posse per Dolabellam eamque rem posse nobis adiumento esse, si quae vis aut si quae rapinae fieri coeperint; sed rursus illud me movet, quod video omnes bonos abesse Roma et eos mulieres suas secum habere, haec autem regio, in qua ego sum, nostrorum est cum oppidorum, tum etiam praediorum, ut et multum esse mecum et, cum abieritis, commode in nostris praediis esse possitis. Mihi plane non satis constat adhuc, utrum sit melius: vos videte, quid aliae faciant isto loco feminae, et ne, cum velitis, exire non liceat; id velim diligenter etiam atque etiam vobiscum et cum amicis consideretis. Domus ut propugnacula et praesidium habeat, Philotimo dicetis; et velim tabellarios instituatis certos, ut quotidie aliquas a vobis litteras accipiam; maxime autem date operam, ut valeatis, si nos vultis valere. VIII Kal. Formiis.