Chapter XVII: Book XVI: I (2)

Binae uno die mihi litterae ab Octaviano, nunc quidem, ut Romam statim veniam; velle se rem agere per senatum. Cui ego non posse senatum ante K. Ianuar., quod quidem ita credo. Ille autem addit "consilio tuo." Quid multa? ille urget, ego autem σκήπτομαι. Non confido aetati, ignoro, quo animo. Nil sine Pansa tuo volo. Vereor, ne valeat Antonius, nec a mari discedere libet, et metuo, ne quae ἀριστεία me absente. Varroni quidem displicet consilium pueri, mihi non. Si firmas copias habet, Brutum habere potest, et rem gerit palam. Centuriat Capuae, dinumerat. Iam iamque video bellum. Ad haec rescribe. Tabellarium meum Kalend. Roma profectum sine tuis litteris miror.

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him. I advised that he should make for Rome. For it seems to me he ought to have the city rabble, and, if he succeeds in inspiring them with confidence, even the loyalists on his side. O Brutus, where are you? What a golden opportunity you are missing! I never foresaw this, but I thought something of the kind would happen. Now, I want your advice. Shall I come to Rome, or stay here, or flee to Arpinum, which would be a harbour of refuge? Rome I think, for fear I be missed, if people think a blow has been struck. Read me this riddle. I never was in a greater quandary.

IX

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Puteoli, Nov. 4_, B.C. _44_]

Two letters on one day from Octavian, now asking me to come to Rome at once, as he wishes to act through the Senate. I told him I did not think the Senate could meet before January, and I really believe that is so. But he adds "with your advice." In short he is pressing, while I am temporizing. I do not trust his age: I do not know his disposition. I do not want to do anything without your friend Pansa's advice. I am afraid Antony may succeed, and I don't like going away from the sea, and I fear some great deed may be done in my absence. Varro, for his part, dislikes the boy's plan; I do not. If he can trust his army, he can have Brutus, and he is playing his game openly. He is dividing his men into companies at Capua, and paying over their bounty money. I see war close upon us. Please answer this letter. I am surprised my messenger left Rome on the 1st without a letter from you.

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X

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. in Sinuessano VI Id. Nov. a. 710_]

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 Caesarina uti celeritate. Verti igitur me a Menturnis Arpinum versus. Constitueram, ut V Idus aut Aquini manerem aut in Arcano. 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 in Sinuessano.

XI

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. in Puteolano Non. Nov. a. 710_]

[Sidenote: _Iliad_, xx. 308]

Nonis accepi a te duas epistulas, quarum alteram Kal. dederas, alteram pridie. Igitur prius ad superiorem. Nostrum opus tibi probari laetor; ex quo ἄνθη ipsa posuisti. Quae mihi florentiora sunt visa tuo iudicio; cerulas enim tuas miniatulas illas extimescebam. De Sicca ita est, ut scribis: ab[318] asta ea aegre me tenui. Itaque perstringam sine ulla contumelia Siccae aut Septimiae, tantum ut sciant "παῖδες παίδων"

Footnote 318:

ab _added by Reid_: asta (=hasta, sensu obscoeno; cf. _Priapea_, 43,
1).

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X

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Sinuessa, Nov. 8_, B.C. _44_]

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.

XI

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Puteoli, Nov. 5_, B.C. _44_]

On the 5th I received two letters from you, one dated the first, the other a day earlier. So I am answering the earlier first. I am glad you like my book, from which you quoted the very gems; and they seemed to me all the more sparkling for your judgment on them. For I was afraid of those red pencils[319] of yours. As for Sicca, it is as you say: I could hardly hold myself in about Antony's lust. So I will touch on it lightly without any opprobrium for Sicca and Septimia, and only let our children's

Footnote 319:

Cf. _Att._ XV. 14, 4.

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sine φαλλῷ Luciliano eum ex C. Fadi filia liberos habuisse. Atque utinam eum diem videam, cum ista oratio ita libere vagetur, ut etiam in Siccae domum introeat! Sed "illo tempore opus est, quod fuit illis III viris." Moriar, nisi facete! Tu vero leges Sexto eiusque iudicium mihi perscribes. "Εἷς ἐμοὶ μύριοι." Caleni interventum et Calvenae cavebis.

Quod vereris, ne ἀδόλεσχος mihi tu, quis minus? Cui, ut Aristophani Archilochi iambus, sic epistula tua longissima quaeque optima videtur. Quod me admones, tu vero etiamsi reprenderes, non modo facile paterer, sed etiam laetarer, quippe cum in reprensione sit prudentia cum εὐμενεία. Ita libenter ea corrigam, quae a te animadversa sunt, "eodem iure quo Rubriana" potius quam "quo Scipionis," et de laudibus Dolabellae deruam cumulum. Ac tamen est isto loco bella, ut mihi videtur, εἰρωνεία, quod eum ter contra cives in acie. Illud etiam malo: "indignissimum est hunc vivere" quam "quid indignius?" Πεπλογραφίαν Varronis tibi probari non moleste fero;

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children know, without taking Lucilian licence, that Antony had children by a daughter of Fadius. I only wish I could see the day when my second _Philippic_ could be sufficiently freely circulated to enter even Sicca's door. "But we want back the days of freedom under the triumvirs."[320] Upon my life that was a neat touch of yours. Please read my book to Sextus and let me know his opinion. I would take his word against all the world. Keep your eyes open for the appearance of Calenus and Calvena.

Footnote 320:

The point of this sentence is not obvious. The translation follows
Watson, who suggests that the pleasantry lies in calling the days of
the triumvirate free in comparison with the date at which Cicero was
writing. Other suggestions are (_a_) that there is a play on the
triumvirate and the fact that Caesar and Pompey each had three wives;
(_b_) that Septimia had three husbands; or (_c_) that it refers to
some earlier date, possibly Cicero's consulate, when Fadia had three
lovers. (Cf. Gurlitt, in _Philologus_, LVII. (1898) pp. 403-8).

You fear I may think you a gas-bag. Who is less of one? I am like Aristophanes[321] with Archilochus' iambics—the longest letter of yours ever seems the best to me. As for your giving me advice, why, if you found fault with me, I should not only put up with it cheerfully, but even be glad of it, since in your fault-finding there is both wisdom and kindly purpose. So I will willingly correct the point you mention, and write "by the same right as you did the property of Rubrius" instead of "the property of Scipio";[322] and I will take the pinnacle off my praises of Dolabella. And yet to my thinking there is fine irony in the passage where I say he had thrice stood up in arms against his fellow-citizens.[323] Again I prefer your "it is most unjust that such a man should live" to "what can be more unjust?"[324] I am not sorry to hear you praise the _Peplographia_[325]

Footnote 321:

The Alexandrine grammarian, not the comic poet.

Footnote 322:

2 _Phil._ 103, where Cicero accuses Antony of obtaining possession of
property by underhand means.

Footnote 323:

2 _Phil._ 75, with Caesar in Thessaly, Africa, and Spain.

Footnote 324:

2 _Phil._ 86. But the original reading is still found in our MSS.

Footnote 325:

A "book of worthies," so-called from the sacred robe, embroidered with
mythological and historical figures, offered once a year to Athene at
Athens. The book was possibly identical with that generally known as
the _Hebdomades sive Imagines_, but that is doubtful.

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a quo adhuc Ἡρακλείδειον illud non abstuli. Quod me hortaris ad scribendum, amice tu quidem, sed me scito agere nihil aliud. Gravedo tua mihi molesta est. Quaeso, adhibe, quam soles diligentiam. "O Tite" tibi prodesse laetor. "Anagnini" sunt Mustela ταξιάρχης et Laco, qui plurimum bibit. Librum, quem rogas, perpoliam et mittam.

Haec ad posteriorem. "Τὰ περὶ τοῦ καθήκοντος," quatenus Panaetius, absolvi duobus. Illius tres sunt; sed, cum initio divisisset ita, tria genera exquirendi officii esse, unum, cum deliberemus, honestum an turpe sit, alterum, utile an inutile, tertium, cum haec inter se pugnare videantur, quo modo iudicandum sit, qualis causa Reguli, redire honestum, manere utile, de duobus primis praeclare disseruit, de tertio pollicetur se deinceps, sed nihil scripsit. Eum locum Posidonius persecutus est. Ego autem et eius librum accersivi et ad Athenodorum Calvum scripsi, ut ad me τὰ κεφάλαια mitteret; quae exspecto. Quem velim cohortere et roges, ut quam primum. In eo est περὶ τοῦ κατὰ περίστασιν καθήκοντος. Quod de inscriptione quaeris, non dubito, quin καθῆκον "officium" sit, nisi quid tu aliud; sed inscriptio plenior "de officiis." Προσφωνῶ autem Ciceroni filio. Visum est non ἀνοίκειον.

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of Varro; I have not yet managed to get the book in the style of Heracleides from him. You exhort me to go on writing. That is friendly of you; but let me tell you I do nothing else. I am sorry to hear of your cold. Please take as much care as usual of it. I am glad my book _On Old Age_[326] does you good. The "men of Anagnia"[327] are Mustela, the swashbuckler, and Laco, the champion toper. The book you ask for I will polish up and send.

Footnote 326:

_O Tite_ are the opening words of the _De Senectute_.

Footnote 327:

2 _Phil._ 106. The names have been inserted, as they are given in our
MSS.

Now for the second letter. The _De Officiis_, so far as Panaetius is concerned, I have finished in two books. He has three: but, though at the beginning he makes a three-fold division of cases in which duty has to be determined, one when the question is between right or wrong, another when it is between expediency and inexpediency, and the third, how we are to decide when it is a conflict between duty and expediency—for example, in Regulus' case to return would be right, to stay expedient—he treated of the first two brilliantly; the third he promises to add, but never wrote it. Posidonius took up that topic: but I have ordered his book and written to Athenodorus Calvus to send me an analysis of it, and that I am expecting. I wish you would spur him on and beg him to let me have it as soon as possible. In it duties under given circumstances are handled. As to your query about the title, I have no doubt that καθῆκον (duty) corresponds with _officium_, unless you have any other suggestion to make. But the fuller title is _De Officiis_. I am dedicating it to my son. It seems to me not inappropriate.

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De Myrtilo dilucide. O quales tu semper istos! Itane? in D. Brutum? Di istis! Ego me, ut scripseram, in Pompeianum non abdidi, primo tempestatibus, quibus nil taetrius; deinde ab Octaviano cotidie litterae, ut negotium susciperem, Capuam venirem, iterum rem publicam servarem, Romam utique statim.

[Sidenote: _Iliad_, vii. 93]

"Αἴδεσθεν μὲν ἀνήνασθαι, δεῖσαν δ' ὑποδέχθαι."

Is tamen egit sane strenue et agit. Romam veniet cum manu magna, sed est plane puer. Putat senatum statim. Quis veniet? Si venerit, quis incertis rebus offendet Antonium? Kal. Ianuar. erit fortasse praesidio, aut quidem ante depugnabitur. Puero municipia mire favent. Iter enim faciens in Samnium venit Cales, mansit Teani. Mirifica ἀπάντησις et cohortatio. Hoc tu putares? Ob hoc ego citius Romam, quam constitueram. Simul et constituero, scribam.

Etsi nondum stipulationes legeram (nec enim Eros venerat), tamen rem pridie Idus velim conficias. Epistulas Catinam, Tauromenium, Syracusas commodius mittere potero, si Valerius interpres ad me nomina gratiosorum scripserit. Alii enim sunt alias, nostrique familiares fere demortui. Publice tamen scripsi, si uti vellet eis Valerius; aut mihi nomina mitteret.

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Page 411

You make it as plain as daylight about Myrtilus. How well you can always take that lot off! Is it so? Do they accuse D. Brutus?[328] A malison on them! I have not hidden myself in Pompeii, as I said I should; first because of the weather, which has been abominable, and secondly because I get a letter from Octavian every day, asking me to take a hand in affairs, to come to Capua, to save the Republic again, and anyhow to go to Rome at once. It is a case of "ashamed to shirk, but yet afraid to take." He, however, has been acting, and still is acting, with great vigour. He will come to Rome with a big army; but he is such a boy. He thinks he can call a Senate at once. Who will come? If anyone comes, who will offend Antony in this uncertainty? Perhaps he may act as a safeguard on the 1st of January, or the battle may be over before then. The country towns are wonderfully enthusiastic for the boy. For, as he was making his way to Samnium, he came to Cales and stopped at Teanum. There was a marvellous crowd to meet him and cheers for him. Should you have thought it? That will make me come to Rome sooner than I had intended. As soon as I have arranged, I will write.

Footnote 328:

Of attempting Antony's life.

Though I have not yet read the agreements—for Eros has not come yet—still I wish you would get the business settled on the 12th. It will make it easier for me to send letters to Catina, Tauromenium, and Syracuse, if Valerius the interpreter will let me know the names of the influential people. For such people vary with the times, and most of my particular friends are dead. However, I have written general letters, if Valerius will content himself with them; otherwise he must send me names.

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De Lepidianis feriis Balbus ad me usque ad III Kal. Exspectabo tuas litteras meque de Torquati negotiolo sciturum puto. Quinti litteras ad te misi, ut scires, quam valde eum amaret, quem dolet a te minus amari. Atticae, quoniam, quod optimum in pueris est, hilarula est, meis verbis suavium des volo.

XII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. in Puteolano VIII Id. Nov. a. 710_]

Oppi epistulae, quia perhumana erat, tibi misi exemplum. De Ocella, dum tu muginaris nec mihi quicquam rescribis, cepi consilium domesticum itaque me pr. Idus arbitror Romae futurum. Commodius est visum frustra me istic esse, cum id non necesse esset, quam, si opus esset, non adesse, et simul, ne intercluderer, metuebam. Ille enim iam adventare potest. Etsi varii rumores multique, quos cuperem veros; nihil tamen certi. Ego vero, quicquid est, tecum potius, quam animi pendeam, cum a te absim, et de te et de me. Sed quid tibi dicam? Bonum animum. De Ἡρακλειδείῳ Varronis negotia salsa. Me quidem nihil umquam sic delectavit. Sed haec et alia maiora coram.

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About the holidays for Lepidus' inauguration,[329] Balbus tells me they will last till the 29th. I am looking for a letter from you, and hope I shall hear about that little affair of Torquatus. I am sending Quintus' letter to show you how strong his affection is for the youth for whom he regrets you have so little. Please give Attica a kiss in my name for being such a merry little thing. It is the best sign in children.

Footnote 329:

As _Pontifex Maximus_.

XII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Puteoli, Nov. 6_, B.C. _44_]

I am sending you a copy of Oppius' letter, because it is so very courteous. About Ocella, while you are messing about and not writing me a line, I have consulted my own wits, and so I think I shall be in Rome on the 12th. I think it better for me to come there to no purpose, even if it is not necessary, than not to be there if it is, and at the same time I am afraid of being shut in there. For Antony may always be getting near. However, there are plenty of different rumours, which I hope may be true; there is no definite news. For my part, whatever it may be, I would rather be with you, than be in suspense both about you and about myself, when I am away from you. But what am I to say to you? Keep up your heart. About Varro's work in Heracleides' vein, that's an amusing business. I was never so pleased with anything. But of this and more important things when we meet.

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XIIIa

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. Aquini IV Id. Nov. a. 710_]

O casum mirificum! V Idus cum ante lucem de Sinuessano surrexissem venissemque diluculo ad pontem Tirenum, qui est Menturnis, in quo flexus est ad iter Arpinas, obviam mihi fit tabellarius; qui me offendit "δολιχὸν πλόον ὁρμαίνοντα." At ego statim "Cedo," inquam, "si quid ab Attico." Nondum legere poteramus; nam et lumina dimiseramus, nec satis lucebat. Cum autem luceret, ante scripta epistula ex duabus tuis prior mihi legi coepta est. Illa omnium quidem elegantissima. Ne sim salvus, si aliter scribo ac sentio. Nihil legi humanius. Itaque veniam, quo vocas, modo adiutore te. Sed nihil tam ἀπροσδιόνυσον mihi primo videbatur quam ad eas litteras, quibus ego a te consilium petieram, te mihi ista rescribere. Ecce tibi altera, qua hortaris [Sidenote: _Odyssey_, iii. 171] "παρ' ἠνεμόεντα Μίμαντα, νήσου ἐπὶ Ψυρίης," Appiam scilicet "ἐπ' ἀριστέρ' ἔχοντα." Itaque eo die mansi Aquini. Longulum sane iter et via mala. Inde postridie mane proficiscens has litteras dedi.

XIIIb

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati III Id. Nov. a. 710_]

... et quidem, ut a me dimitterem invitissimus, fecerunt Erotis litterae. Rem tibi Tiro narrabit. Tu, quid faciendum sit, videbis. Praeterea, possimne

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XIIIa

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Aquinum, Nov. 10_, B.C. _44_]

What a strange coincidence! On the 9th I got up before daybreak to go on from Sinuessa, and before dawn I had reached the Tirenian bridge at Menturnae, where the road for Arpinum branches off, when I met a messenger, who found me "on a far journey bent." I at once enquired: "Pray, is there anything from Atticus?" I could not read as yet, for I had dismissed the link-bearers and it was not yet light enough. But, when it got light, I began to read the first of your two letters, having already written one to you. Your note was a model of elegance. Upon my life I am not saying more than I mean. I never read a kinder. So I will come, when you call me, provided you will assist me. But at first sight I thought nothing could be more _mal à propos_ than such an answer to a letter in which I had asked for your advice. Then there is your other letter, in which you advise me to go "by windy Mimas towards the Psyrian isle,"[330] that is keeping the Appian way on the left side. So I have stayed the day at Aquinum. It was rather a wearisome journey and the road was bad. This letter I am sending the next morning as I am leaving.

Footnote 330:

By Mimas Cicero means the Apennines, and by νῆσος Ψυρίης the _insula
Arpinas_.

XIIIb

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Arpinum, Nov. 11_, B.C. _44_]

... and indeed Eros' letter made me dismiss him most unwillingly. Tiro will explain it to you. Pray see what can be done. Besides let me know whether

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propius accedere (malo enim esse in Tusculano aut uspiam in suburbano), an etiam longius discedendum putes, crebro ad me velim scribas. Erit autem cotidie, cui des. Quod praeterea consulis, quid tibi censeam faciundum, difficile est, cum absim. Verum tamen, si pares aeque inter se, quiescendum, sin, latius manabit et quidem ad nos, deinde communiter.

XIIIc

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati III Id. Nov. a. 710_]

Avide tuum consilium exspecto. Timeo, ne absim, cum adesse me sit honestius; temere venire non audeo. De Antoni itineribus nescio quid aliter audio, atque ut ad te scribebam. Omnia igitur velim explices et ad me certa mittas.

De reliquo quid tibi ego dicam? Ardeo studio historiae (incredibiliter enim me commovet tua cohortatio); quae quidem nec institui nec effici potest sine tua ope. Coram igitur hoc quidem conferemus. In praesentia mihi velim scribas, quibus consulibus C. Fannius M. f. tribunus pl. fuerit. Videor mihi audisse P. Africano, L. Mummio censoribus. Id igitur quaero. Tu mihi de iis rebus, quae novantur, omnia certa, clara. III Idus ex Arpinati.

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you think I can come nearer Rome—for I should prefer to be at Tusculum or somewhere in the neighbourhood of Rome—or whether I ought to go further off. Write frequently about it. There will be someone to give a letter to every day. You ask my advice too as to what I think you ought to do. It is difficult to say, when I am not at Rome. However, if the two[331] seem equal, keep quiet; if not, the news will spread even here; then we will take common counsel.

Footnote 331:

Antony and Octavian.

XIIIc

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Arpinum, Nov. 11_, B.C. _44_]

I am expecting your advice eagerly. I fear I may be absent, when honour demands my presence; yet I dare not come rashly. About Antony's march I hear now rather a different tale from what I wrote. So I wish you would unravel the whole mystery and send me certain news.

For the rest what can I say? I have a burning passion for history—for your suggestion has had a wonderful effect upon me—but it is not easy to begin or to carry it out without your assistance. So we will discuss it when we meet. At the present moment I wish you would tell me in what year C. Fannius, son of Marcus, was tribune. I think I have been told it was in the censorship of Africanus and Mummius. So that is what I want to know. Please send me clear and certain details of all the changes in the constitution. Arpinum, Nov. 11.

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Page 418

XIV

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati medio mense Novembri a. 710_]

Nihil erat plane, quod scriberem. Nam, cum Puteolis essem, cotidie aliquid novi de Octaviano, multa etiam falsa de Antonio. Ad ea autem, quae scripsisti (tres enim acceperam III Idus a te epistulas), valde tibi adsentior, si multum possit Octavianus, multo firmius acta tyranni comprobatum iri quam in Telluris, atque id contra Brutum fore. Sin autem vincitur, vides intolerabilem Antonium, ut, quem velis, nescias. O Sesti tabellarium hominem nequam! Postridie Puteolis Romae se dixit fore. Quod me mones, ut pedetemptim, adsentior; etsi aliter cogitabam. Nec me Philippus aut Marcellus movet. Alia enim eorum ratio est et, si non est, tamen videtur. Sed in isto iuvene, quamquam animi satis, auctoritatis parum est. Tamen vide, si forte in Tusculano recte esse possum, ne id melius sit. Ero libentius; nihil enim ignorabo. An hic, cum Antonius venerit?

Sed, ut aliud ex alio, mihi non est dubium, quin, quod Graeci καθῆκον, nos "officium." Id autem quid dubitas quin etiam in rem publicam praeclare quadret? Nonne dicimus "consulum officium, senatus

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XIV

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Arpinum, middle of Nov._, B.C. _44_]

I have nothing whatever to write about. For, when I was at Puteoli, there was something fresh about Octavian every day, and plenty of false reports about Antony. However, I had three letters from you on the fifth, and I strongly agree with what you said, that if Octavian has much success, the tyrant's proposals will receive stronger confirmation than they did in the temple of Tellus,[332] and that will be against the interests of Brutus. But if, on the other hand, he is conquered, you see Antony will be intolerable; so you don't know which you want. What a rascal Sestius' messenger is! He said he would be in Rome the day after he left Puteoli! You advise me to move slowly, and I agree, though once I thought differently. I am not influenced by Philippus or Marcellus; for their position is different, or, if it is not, it looks as though it were.[333] But that youth, though he has plenty of spirit, has little influence. However, see whether it would not be better for me to be at Tusculum, if I should do right in being there. I would rather be there; for I should get all the news. Or had I better be here when Antony comes?

Footnote 332:

Where the Senate met on March 17, two days after the murder of Caesar.
Cf. _Att._ XIV. 10.

Footnote 333:

Marcellus was Octavian's brother-in-law; Philippus his stepfather.

But, as one thing suggests another,[334] I know that what the Greeks call καθῆκον (duty), we call _officium_. But why should you doubt whether the word fits appropriately in political affairs? Don't we say the

Footnote 334:

Apparently the idea of "duty" was suggested by _recte_ just above,
though it hardly bears that meaning in this case.

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officium, imperatoris officium"? Praeclare convenit; aut da melius. Male narras de Nepotis filio. Valde mehercule moveor et moleste fero. Nescieram omnino esse istum puerum. Caninium perdidi, hominem, quod ad me attinet, non ingratum. Athenodorum nihil est quod hortere. Misit enim satis bellum ὑπόμνημα. Gravedini, quaeso, omni ratione subveni. Avi tui pronepos scribit ad patris mei nepotem se ex Nonis iis, quibus nos magna gessimus; aedem Opis explicaturum idque ad populum. Videbis igitur et scribes. Sexti iudicium exspecto.

XV

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati ante V. Id. Dec. a. 710_]

Noli putare pigritia me facere, quod non mea manu scribam, sed mehercule pigritia. Nihil enim habeo aliud, quod dicam. Et tamen in tuis quoque epistulis Alexim videor adgnoscere. Sed ad rem venio.

Ego, si me non improbissime Dolabella tractasset, dubitassem fortasse, utrum remissior essem an summo iure contenderem. Nunc vero etiam gaudeo mihi causam oblatam, in qua et ipse sentiat et reliqui omnes me ab illo abalienatum, idque prae me feram, et quidem me mea causa facere et rei publicae, ut

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_officium_ of consuls, of the Senate, of generals? It is quite appropriate; if not, suggest a better word. That is bad news about Nepos' son. I am much disturbed and distressed. I had no idea he had such a son. I have lost Canidius, a man who, so far as I was concerned, has not been ungrateful.[335] There is no necessity for you to stir up Athenodorus. He has sent me quite a good memorandum. Pray do all you can for your cold. Your grandfather's greatgrandson writes to my father's grandson[336] that after the 5th of December, the day of my great achievement,[337] he means to explain about the temple of Ops,[338] and that in public. Keep your eyes open then and let me know. I am anxious to hear what Sextus has to say.

Footnote 335:

For Cicero's defence of him in 55 B.C.

Footnote 336:

Young Quintus Cicero to Cicero's son.

Footnote 337:

The arrest of the Catilinarian conspirators in 63 B.C.

Footnote 338:

Antony's seizure of the public funds deposited in that temple. Cf.
XIV. 14.

XV

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Arpinum, before Dec. 9_, B.C. _44_]

Don't think it is laziness that prevents my writing myself; and yet, to be sure, it is nothing but laziness, for I have no other excuse to make. However, I seem to recognize Alexis' hand in your letters too. But to come to the point.

If Dolabella had not treated me most disgracefully, I should perhaps have had some doubt whether to let him down lightly or to claim my full rights. But, as it is, I am glad to have some reason for showing him and other people that I have quarrelled with him; and I will make it clear that I detest him both on my own account and on that of the Republic, because, when at my instigation

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illum oderim, quod, cum eam me auctore defendere coepisset, non modo deseruerit emptus pecunia, sed etiam, quantum in ipso fuerit, everterit. Quod autem quaeris, quo modo agi placeat, cum dies venerit, primum velim eius modi sit, ut non alienum sit me Romae esse; de quo ut de ceteris faciam, ut tu censueris. De summa autem agi prorsus vehementer et severe volo. Etsi sponsores appellare videtur habere quandam δυσωπίαν, tamen, hoc quale sit, consideres velim. Possumus enim, ut sponsores appellemus, procuratorem introducere; neque enim illi litem contestabuntur. Quo facto non sum nescius sponsores liberari. Sed et illi turpe arbitror eo nomine, quod satisdato debeat, procuratores eius non dissolvere et nostrae gravitatis ius nostrum sine summa illius ignominia persequi. De hoc quid placeat, rescribas velim; nec dubito, quin hoc totum lenius administraturus sis.

Redeo ad rem publicam. Multa mehercule a te saepe in πολιτικῷ genere prudenter, sed his litteris nihil prudentius: "Quamquam enim potest et[339] in praesentia belle iste puer retundit Antonium, tamen exitum exspectare debemus." At quae contio! nam est missa mihi. Iurat, ita sibi parentis honores consequi liceat, et simul dextram intendit ad statuam. Μηδὲ σωθείην ὑπό γε τοιούτου! Sed, ut scribis, certissimum esse video discrimen Cascae nostri tribunatum, de quo quidem ipso dixi Oppio, cum me hortaretur,

Footnote 339:

potest et _Gronovius_: postea _MSS._

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he had begun to defend it, he not only accepted a bribe to desert it, but did his best to overthrow it. You ask how I want things to be managed when the day comes. First, I should like them to be so arranged that it may appear natural for me to come to Rome. But about that, and indeed about the rest, I will do as you advise. On the main point, however, I want really active and serious steps to be taken. Though it is counted bad form to call upon the sureties for payment, still consider how that method would do. We can bring his agents into the case in order to call upon the sureties, for the agents will not dispute the suit, though, if they do, I know of course the sureties will escape. But I think it will be a disgrace for him, if his agents do not pay up a debt for which he gave security, and my position demands that I should prosecute my case without extreme humiliation to him. Please write and tell me what you think best; I have no doubt you will carry it through with reasonable moderation.

I return to public affairs. You have often said many a wise thing about politics, but never anything wiser than this letter: "For though the youth is strong and at present holds[340] Antony well in check, still we must wait and see." But what a speech![341] For it has been sent to me. He swears by his hopes of attaining to the honours of his father, and at the same time stretches out his hand towards the statue. Be hanged to salvation with a saviour like that! But, as you say, I see Casca's tribuneship will afford the best criterion of his policy.[342] It was _apropos_ of that that I said to Oppius, when he wanted me to

Footnote 340:

Or "is capable of holding and at present does hold."

Footnote 341:

A _contio_ delivered by Octavian.

Footnote 342:

Casca was one of the murderers of Caesar, and tribune elect.

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ut adulescentem totamque causam manumque veteranorum complecterer, me nullo modo facere posse, ni mihi exploratum esset eum non modo non inimicum tyrannoctonis, verum etiam amicum fore. Cum ille diceret ita futurum, "Quid igitur festinamus?" inquam. "Illi enim mea opera ante Kal. Ian. nihil opus est, nos autem eius voluntatem ante Idus Decembr. perspiciemus in Casca." Valde mihi adsensus est. Quam ob rem haec quidem hactenus. Quod reliquum est, cotidie tabellarios habebis, et, ut ego arbitror, etiam quod scribas, habebis cotidie. Leptae litterarum exemplum tibi misi, ex quo mihi videtur Στρατύλαξ ille deiectus de gradu. Sed tu, cum legeris, existumabis.

Obsignata iam epistula litteras a te et a Sexto accepi. Nihil iucundius litteris Sexti, nihil amabilius. Nam tuae breves, priores erant uberrimae. Tu quidem et prudenter et amice suades, ut in his locis potissimum sim, quoad audiamus, haec, quae commota sunt, quorsus evadant. Sed me, mi Attice, non sane hoc quidem tempore movet res publica, non quo aut sit mihi quicquam carius aut esse debeat, sed desperatis etiam Hippocrates vetat adhibere medicinam. Quare ista valeant; me res familiaris movet. Rem dico; immo vero existimatio. Cum enim tanta reliqua sint, ne Terentiae quidem adhuc quod solvam expeditum est. Terentiam dico; scis nos pridem iam constituisse Montani nomine HS ¯XXV¯ dissolvere. Pudentissime hoc Cicero petierat ut fide sua. Liberalissime, ut tibi quoque placuerat, promiseram,

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open my arms to the youth, the whole cause, and the troop of veterans, that I could not do anything of the kind, until I had made sure that he would not only not be an enemy, but would be a friend to the tyrannicides. He said that would be so, and I replied: "Then, what is the hurry? He does not want my assistance before the 1st of January, and we shall see what he intends before the middle of December in Casca's case." He quite agreed with me. So that's enough of that. For the rest you will have messengers every day, and I think you will have something to write every day too. I am sending a copy of Lepta's letter, and from it you will see that that toy captain[343] has had a fall. But you will judge for yourself when you have read it.

Footnote 343:

Antony.

When I had already sealed this letter, I got one from you and one from Sextus. Nothing could have been pleasanter or more amiable than Sextus' letter. For yours was a short note, the earlier one having been very full. It is wise and friendly advice you give me to stay here by preference, till we hear how this disturbance is going to end. But just at this minute, my dear Atticus, it is not the Republic that I am bothered about—not that any thing is or ought to be dearer to me, but even Hippocrates admits it is useless to apply medicine in desperate cases. So let that go hang—it is my private concerns that bother me. Concerns, do I say? Nay, rather my credit; for, though I have such big balances, I have not even enough money on hand yet to pay Terentia. Do I speak of Terentia? You know we arranged long ago to pay Montanus' debt of £250.[344] My son very considerately begged me to do it out of his credit. As you also agreed, I promised quite freely,

Footnote 344:

25 sestertia.

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Page 426

Erotique dixeram, ut sepositum haberet. Non modo non fecit sed iniquissimo faenore versuram facere Aurelius coactus est. Nam de Terentiae nomine Tiro ad me scripsit te dicere nummos a Dolabella fore. Male eum credo intellexisse, si quisquam male intellegit, potius nihil intellexisse. Tu enim ad me scripsisti Coccei responsum et isdem paene verbis Eros. Veniendum est igitur vel in ipsam flammam. Turpius est enim privatim cadere quam publice. Itaque ceteris de rebus, quas ad me suavissume scripsisti, perturbato animo non potui, ut consueram, rescribere. Consenti hac cura,[345] ubi sum, ut me expediam; quibus autem rebus, venit quidem mihi in mentem, sed certi constituere nihil possum, prius quam te videro. Qui minus autem ego istic recte esse possim, quam est Marcellus? Sed non id agitur, neque id maxime curo; quid curem, vides. Adsum igitur.

Footnote 345:

consenti hac cura _Tyrrell_: consenti in hac cura _MSS._: contendo
Astura _Gurlitt_.

XVI

CICERO SUO SAL. DIC. ATTICO.

[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano inter a. d. V et prid. Non. Quint. a.
710_]

Iucundissimas tuas legi litteras. Ad Plancum scripsi, misi. Habes exemplum. Cum Tirone quid sit locutus, cognoscam ex ipso. Cum sorore ages attentius, si te occupatione ista relaxaris.

* * * * *

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and told Eros to set a sum apart for it. Not only did he fail to do so, but Aurelius[346] had to raise another loan at extortionate interest. For Terentia's debt Tiro tells me you said there would be money from Dolabella. I think he misunderstood you, if anyone can misunderstand anybody, or rather he did not understand at all. For you sent me Cocceius' answer, and so did Eros in nearly the same words. So I must come even into the heart of the conflagration, for private failure is even more disgraceful than public failure. So for the other matters contained in your pleasant letter, I was too perturbed in mind to answer them as usual. Combine with me in extricating me from the tiresome position I am in; how it is to be done I have some idea, but I cannot arrange things with certainty till I see you. However, how can I be less safe in Rome than Marcellus? But that is not the point, nor is it my chief anxiety; what I am anxious about you see. So I am coming.

Footnote 346:

Agent of Montanus.

XVI

CICERO SENDS GREETING TO HIS FRIEND ATTICUS.

[Sidenote: _Tusculum, between July 3 and 6_, B.C. _44_]

I have read your delightful letter. To Plancus I have written and sent the letter. Here is a copy. What he said to Tiro I shall learn from Tiro himself. You will attend more carefully to your sister's affairs, if you have a rest from that other business of yours.

* * * * *

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XVIa

M. CICERO L. PLANCO PRAET. DESIG. SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano eodem tempore_]

Attici nostri te valde studiosum esse cognovi, mei vero ita cupidum, ut mehercule paucos aeque observantes atque amantes me habere existimem. Ad paternas enim magnas et veteres et iustas necessitudines magnam attulit accessionem tua voluntas erga me meaque erga te par atque mutua.

Buthrotia tibi causa ignota non est. Egi enim saepe de ea re tecum tibique totam rem demonstravi; quae est acta hoc modo. Ut primum Buthrotium agrum proscriptum vidimus, commotus Atticus libellum composuit. Eum mihi dedit, ut darem Caesari; eram enim cenaturus apud eum illo die. Eum libellum Caesari dedi. Probavit causam, rescripsit Attico aequa eum postulare, admonuit tamen, ut pecuniam reliquam Buthrotii ad diem solverent. Atticus, qui civitatem conservatam cuperet, pecuniam numeravit de suo. Quod cum esset factum, adiimus ad Caesarem, verba fecimus pro Buthrotiis, liberalissimum decretum abstulimus; quod est obsignatum ab amplissimis viris. Quae cum essent acta, mirari equidem solebam pati Caesarem convenire eos, qui agrum Buthrotium concupissent, neque solum pati, sed etiam ei negotio te praeficere. Itaque et ego cum illo locutus sum et saepius quidem, ut etiam accusarer ab eo, quod parum constantiae suae confiderem, et M. Messallae et ipsi Attico dixit, ut sine cura essent,

* * * * *

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XVIa

M. CICERO TO L. PLANCUS, PRAETOR ELECT, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Tusculum, at the same time_]

I know you are much attached to our friend Atticus, and to my society you are so partial that I am sure I count myself to have few friends so attentive and affectionate. For our ancestral ties, so strong and old and natural, have been strengthened by the equal and reciprocal liking we have, you for me and I for you.

The case of the Buthrotians is not unknown to you. For I have often spoken to you about it and explained the whole affair to you. This is what has happened. When first we saw that the lands of Buthrotum had been confiscated, Atticus was troubled and composed a petition. That he gave to me to hand to Caesar, for I was going to dine with him that day. That petition I handed to Caesar. He approved of the case and wrote back to Atticus that his request was reasonable, but he warned him that the Buthrotians must pay the rest of the money at the proper time. Atticus, who wanted to save the city, paid the money on his own account. When that was done we approached Caesar, said a word for the Buthrotians, and obtained a most generous decree, which was signed by persons of importance. After that I was much astonished that Caesar used to let those who had coveted the land of the Buthrotians hold meetings, and not only allowed them to do so, but even put you at the head of the commission. So I spoke to him about it, and that indeed so often that he even reproached me for having so little faith in his consistency; and he told Messalla and Atticus himself not to worry about it, and admitted candidly

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aperteque ostendebat se praesentium animos (erat enim popularis, ut noras) offendere nolle; cum autem mare transissent, curaturum se, ut in alium agrum deducerentur. Haec illo vivo. Post interitum autem Caesaris, ut primum ex senatus consulto causas consules cognoscere instituerunt, haec, quae supra scripsi, ad eos delata sunt. Probaverunt causam sine ulla dubitatione seque ad te litteras daturos esse dixerunt. Ego autem, mi Plance, etsi non dubitabam, quin et senatus consultum et lex et consulum decretum ac litterae apud te plurimum auctoritatis haberent, teque ipsius Attici causa velle intellexeram, tamen hoc pro coniunctione et benevolentia nostra mihi sumpsi, ut id a te peterem, quod tua singularis humanitas suavissimique mores a te essent impetraturi. Id autem est, ut hoc, quod te tua sponte facturum esse certo scio, honoris nostri causa libenter, prolixe, celeriter facias. Mihi nemo est amicior nec iucundior nec carior Attico. Cuius antea res solum familiaris agebatur eaque magna, nunc accessit etiam existimatio, ut, quod consecutus est magna et industria et gratia et vivo Caesare et mortuo, id te adiuvante obtineat. Quod si a te erit impetratum, sic velim existimes, me de tua liberalitate ita interpretaturum, ut tuo summo beneficio me adfectum iudicem. Ego, quae te velle quaeque ad te pertinere arbitrabor, studiose diligenterque curabo. Da operam, ut valeas.

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that he did not want to offend the people, while they were in Rome—for, as you know, he aimed at popularity—but when they were across the sea, he would see to it that they were transferred to some other land. That was what happened in Caesar's lifetime. But, after Caesar's death, as soon as the consuls in accordance with a decree of the Senate began to investigate cases, the facts as I have stated them were put before them. They approved of the case without any hesitation, and said they would send you letters. Now, my dear Plancus, though I have no doubt that a decree of the Senate, a statute, a decree of the consuls, and their despatch, will have the greatest weight with you, and I understand that you will wish to please Atticus himself, yet I have taken it upon myself in view of our connection and affection, to ask you for what your own exceptional amiability and your goodness of heart would win from you themselves. That is, that you should for my sake do this thing, which I am sure you will do of your own accord, freely, fully, and quickly. I have no greater and no dearer friend than Atticus. At first it was only a question of his money, and a good sum of it too; but now it concerns his credit too, that he should obtain with your assistance what he won by his great persistency and his popularity both in Caesar's lifetime and after his death. If he obtains it from you, I hope you will consider that I shall interpret your liberality as a great favour bestowed upon myself. For my part, I will show care and diligence in anything that I think you desire or that concerns you. Take care of your health.

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XVIb

CICERO PLANCO PRAET. DESIG. SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. paulo post ep. 16a_]

Iam antea petivi abs te per litteras, ut, cum causa Buthrotiorum probata a consulibus esset, quibus et lege et senatus consulto permissum erat, ut de Caesaris actis cognoscerent, statuerent, iudicarent, eam rem tu adiuvares, Atticumque nostrum, cuius te studiosum cognovi, et me, qui non minus laboro, molestia liberares. Omnibus enim rebus magna cura, multa opera et labore confectis in te positum est, ut nostrae sollicitudinis finem quam primum facere possimus. Quamquam intellegimus ea te esse prudentia, ut videas, si ea decreta consulum, quae de Caesaris actis interposita sunt, non serventur, magnam perturbationem rerum fore. Equidem, cum multa, quod necesse erat in tanta occupatione, non probentur, quae Caesar statuerit, tamen otii pacisque causa acerrime illa soleo defendere. Quod tibi idem magno opere faciendum censeo; quamquam haec epistula non suasoris est, sed rogatoris. Igitur, mi Plance, rogo te et etiam atque etiam oro sic medius fidius, ut maiore studio magisque ex animo agere non possim, ut totum hoc negotium ita agas, ita tractes, ita conficias, ut, quod sine ulla dubitatione apud consules obtinuimus propter summam bonitatem et aequitatem causae, id tu nos obtinuisse non modo facile patiare, sed etiam gaudeas. Qua quidem voluntate te esse erga Atticum saepe praesens et illi ostendisti et vero

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XVIb

CICERO TO PLANCUS, PRAETOR ELECT, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Written shortly after 16a_]

I have already written to ask you to render assistance in the matter of the Buthrotians, since the consuls, who had the authority of a statute and a senatorial decree to investigate, determine, and decide on Caesar's proceedings, have approved of their case; and to relieve Atticus, whom I know you admire, and myself, who am as much concerned as he is, from trouble. For now that we have brought the whole business to an end with the expenditure of much care, much labour, and pains, it rests with you to allow us to make an end to our anxiety as early as possible. However, I am sure that you have wisdom enough to see, that, if the decisions delivered by the consuls about Caesar's proceedings are not observed, things will be thrown into great confusion. For my part, though one cannot approve of many of Caesar's arrangements—as was natural in the case of a person so busy—still I am wont to uphold them staunchly for the sake of peace and quietness: and I am strongly of the opinion that you should do the same, though I am not writing as an adviser but as a suppliant. So, my dear Plancus, I beg and beseech you—and I do assure you I could not be more anxious or more in earnest about anything—to take in hand, to conduct, and to carry through all this business in such a way, that, what we have obtained from the consuls without any hesitation solely on the justice and equity of our case, we may obtain from you not only with your kind indulgence but with alacrity on your part. How kindly disposed you are to Atticus you have often shown him and me, too, when we

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etiam mihi. Quod si feceris, me, quem voluntate et paterna necessitudine coniunctum semper habuisti, maximo beneficio devinctum habebis, idque ut facias, te vehementer etiam atque etiam rogo.

XVIc

CICERO CAPITONI SUO SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. eodem tempore quo ep. 16b_]

Numquam putavi fore ut supplex ad te venirem; sed hercule facile patior datum tempus, in quo amorem experirer tuum. Atticum quanti faciam, scis. Amabo te, da mihi et hoc, obliviscere mea causa illum aliquando suo familiari, adversario tuo voluisse consultum, cum illius existimatio ageretur. Hoc primum ignoscere est humanitatis tuae; suos enim quisque debet tueri; deinde, si me amas (omitte Atticum), Ciceroni tuo, quem quanti facias, prae te soles ferre, totum hoc da, ut, quod semper existimavi, nunc plane intellegam, me a te multum amari. Buthrotios cum Caesar decreto suo, quod ego obsignavi cum multis amplissimis viris, liberavisset ostendissetque nobis se, cum agrarii mare transissent, litteras missurum, quem in agrum deducerentur, accidit, ut subito ille interiret. Deinde, quem ad modum tu scis (interfuisti enim), cum consules oporteret ex senatus consulto de actis Caesaris cognoscere, res ab iis in Kal. Iun. dilata est. Accessit ad senatus consultum lex, quae lata est a. d. IIII Non.

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have been together. If you will do this, you will have bound me—who have always been attached to you by my own inclination and by our family friendship—to you under a heavy obligation, and I beg you earnestly and repeatedly to do so.

XVIc

CICERO TO CAPITO, GREETING

[Sidenote: _Written at the same time as 16b_]

I never thought I should have to come before you as a suppliant, but upon my soul I am not sorry that I should have an occasion for testing your affection. You know how fond I am of Atticus. Pray grant me one other favour and forget for my sake that once he wished to support a friend of his, who was an enemy of yours, when his reputation was at stake. In the first place your kindly disposition should bid you forgive that, for everyone ought to look after his own friends; in the next place, leaving Atticus out of the question, if you love me—and you are always declaring how great is the respect you have for your friend Cicero—grant me that now I may know for a certainty what I have always believed, that you have a great affection for me. By a decree, which I and many important persons signed, Caesar set free the Buthrotians, and assured us that, when the land-commissioners had crossed the sea, he would send a despatch about the territory to which they should be transferred; and then it happened that he died suddenly. Then, as you know (for you were present), when the consuls ought to have decided on Caesar's proceedings in accordance with a senatorial decree, they postponed the matter till the 1st of June. On the 2nd of June a law was passed in

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Iun., quae lex earum rerum, quas Caesar statuisset, decrevisset, egisset, consulibus cognitionem dedit. Causa Buthrotiorum delata est ad consules. Decretum Caesaris recitatum est et multi praeterea libelli Caesaris prolati. Consules de consilii sententia decreverunt secundum Buthrotios: litteras ad[347] Plancum dederunt. Nunc, mi Capito (scio enim, quantum semper apud eos, quibuscum sis, posse soleas, eo plus apud hominem facillimum atque humanissimum, Plancum), enitere, elabora vel potius eblandire, effice, ut Plancus, quem spero optimum esse, sit etiam melior opera tua. Omnino res huius modi mihi videtur esse, ut sine cuiusquam gratia Plancus ipse pro ingenio et prudentia sua non sit dubitaturus, quin decretum consulum, quorum et lege et senatus consulto cognitio et iudicium fuit, conservet, praesertim cum hoc genere cognitionum labefactato acta Caesaris in dubium ventura videantur, quae non modo ii, quorum interest, sed etiam ii, qui illa non probant, otii causa confirmari velint. Quod cum ita sit, tamen interest nostra Plancum hoc animo libenti prolixoque facere; quod certe faciet, si tu nervulos tuos mihi saepe cognitos suavitatemque, qua nemo tibi par est, adhibueris. Quod ut facias, te vehementer rogo.

Footnote 347:

litteras ad _added by Manutius_.

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