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diff --git a/old/50692-0.txt b/old/50692-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 67c5aa4..0000000 --- a/old/50692-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,16798 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's Cicero: Letters to Atticus, Vol. 2 of 3, by Cicero - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Cicero: Letters to Atticus, Vol. 2 of 3 - -Author: Cicero - -Translator: E. O. Winstedt - -Release Date: December 15, 2015 [EBook #50692] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CICERO: LETTERS TO ATTICUS *** - - - - -Produced by Richard Tonsing, Charles Aldarondo and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - THE LOEB CLASSICAL LIBRARY - EDITED BY - T. E. PAGE, M.A., AND W. H. D. ROUSE, LITT. D. - - LETTERS TO ATTICUS - II - - - - - CICERO - - LETTERS TO ATTICUS - - - WITH AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION BY - - E. O. WINSTEDT, M.A. - OF MAGDALEN COLLEGE. OXFORD - - IN THREE VOLUMES - II - - LONDON: WILLIAM HEINEMANN - NEW YORK: THE MACMILLAN CO. - MCMXXI - - - - -INTRODUCTION - - -This second volume of Cicero's _Letters to Atticus_ embraces one of the -most important epochs in Roman history, the fall of the Republic in -the struggle between Pompey and Caesar. The storm which had long been -brewing broke just as Cicero returned from Cilicia over the question -of Caesar's resignation of office. By the agreement made in 56 B.C. -Caesar's governorship of Gaul was renewed for five years and he was -then to be re-elected to the consulship in 48 B.C. As the renewal dated -from March 1, 54 B.C., his term of office would naturally expire on -March 1, 49 B.C.: but according to the rule in vogue at the time of the -reappointment he would not be superseded until Jan. 1, 48 B.C., the -date on which he would enter on the consulship. He would therefore hold -office continually, and his enemies, the Senatorial party, would have -no chance of bringing a prosecution against him, which might be fatal -to his career. But in 52 B.C. they had induced Pompey to bring forward -a new law by which ex-magistrates did not proceed to a province as soon -as their office ended but after an interval of five years. Consequently -for the next five years special appointments had to be made by the -Senate--for example Cicero's appointment to Cilicia--and, as they could -be made at any time, it would be perfectly easy to supersede Caesar -on March 1, 49, and secure his prosecution, condemnation and downfall -before he could enter on the consulship. - -Another new law of Pompey's insisted on the personal attendance of -candidates for office, from which Caesar had previously obtained -special exemption. On the remonstrance of Caesar's friends Pompey had -inserted a clause allowing such special exemptions to stand: but this -clause was never properly passed. This again was designed to ensure -Caesar's presence in Rome, with a view to his prosecution. - -During the next two years the question of his resignation was -continually coming up in the House, but no definite conclusion -was reached, owing largely to Curio's spirited attacks on all the -Senatorial party's proposals. That party however was ready to catch at -any trifle to pick a quarrel with Caesar: and they found an opportunity -when in Sept. 50 B.C. Caesar decided to send the 13th legion into -Cisalpine Gaul to replace the 15th, which he had had to surrender, -nominally for the war in Syria, though actually the legion was kept -in Italy. A report was circulated that he was sending four legions to -Placentia with hostile intentions. The report was disproved by Curio: -but, though the majority of the Senate supported the opposition, and -refused to declare Caesar a public enemy, Marcellus, the consul, took -upon himself to appoint Pompey to the command over two legions with -authority to raise more against Caesar. On his return to Cisalpine -Gaul in November, Caesar ignored this illegal commission and privately -offered to give up Transalpine Gaul on March 1, if allowed to keep -Cisalpine Gaul and Illyricum with two legions or even Illyricum with -one. It was at this juncture that Cicero returned to Italy, and he -seems to have spoken in favour of accepting this proposal, though -shocked at Caesar's "impudence" in making it. But neither Pompey nor -the Senatorial party took it seriously, and Caesar was forced to send -an ultimatum stating that he would resign only if Pompey did the same. -The Senate replied that, if he did not resign, he would be declared -a public enemy: and, when their motion to that effect was vetoed by -Antony and Cassius, the latter met with the same treatment and had to -flee to Caesar in company with Curio. - -On hearing their report Caesar took the first step in the war by -crossing the Rubicon. His march southward was so quickly executed that -Pompey and the consuls evacuated Rome. Negotiations for peace failed. -Domitius with eighteen cohorts at Corfinium was taken prisoner, and -Pompey retreated to Brundisium on his way to Greece. Hurrying after -him Caesar blockaded the town: but Pompey succeeded in effecting -his escape. Meantime Cicero was exhibiting the weakest side of his -character. At the first outbreak he offered to go with Pompey: but he -was given the command of Capua and the Campanian coast. This command he -resigned in a few days: later he set out to join Pompey at Brundisium, -but retreated for fear of capture: and thereafter for months he -remained at Formiae shilly-shallying and writing querulous letters to -Atticus for advice. However, when he met Caesar on his return from -Brundisium to Rome, he had sufficient courage to refuse to take a seat -in the House and support his demands. - -Caesar's stay in Rome was short and marked only by his seizure of the -public treasury and the appointment of his friends Lepidus and Antony -as prefect of the city and military commander respectively. Then he -hastened to Spain, where, after nearly meeting with a disaster, he -defeated the five legions under Afranius and Petreius at Ilerda, and -gained the whole peninsula. While the issue was still uncertain -in Spain, and indeed things looked unfavourable to Caesar, Cicero -screwed up his courage and joined Pompey in Epirus. Meantime Sardinia -was occupied by Caesar's adjutant P. Valerius and Sicily gave way to -Curio. The latter passed on to Africa, where after some success he met -with defeat and death at the hands of Juba. It was not till January -48 B.C. that Caesar effected a landing in Epirus, where he proceeded -to surround Pompey's camp near Dyrrachium: but his lines were broken -through and he sustained a slight defeat. He retired towards Thessaly -and there in August won a decisive victory over Pompey at Pharsalus. -Pompey fled to Cyprus and thence to Egypt, there to meet his death. The -rest of the party split up, some going to Africa to carry on the war, -others to Greece and Asia to make terms for themselves with Caesar. -Cicero after a violent quarrel with his brother at Patrae returned to -Brundisium, and there spent many miserable months wondering what his -fate would be when Caesar returned. His misfortunes were increased by -a rupture with his wife Terentia, and the unfaithfulness and general -misconduct of his son-in-law Dolabella, which forced him to procure a -divorce for Tullia. And there this volume leaves him, moaning. - -The following abbreviations are used in the apparatus criticus:-- - -_M_ = the _Codex Mediceus_ 49, 18, written in the year 1389 A.D., and -now preserved in the Laurentian Library at Florence. _M_¹ denotes the -reading of the first hand, and _M_² that of a reviser. - -Δ = the reading of _M_ when supported by that of the _Codex Urbinas -322_, a MS. of the 15th century, preserved in the Vatican Library. - -_N_ = the _Codex ex abbatia Florentina_, n. 14 in the Laurentian -Library, written in the 14th or 15th century. - -_O_ = _Codex_ 1.5.34 in the University Library at Turin, written in the -15th century. - -_P_ = No. 8536 of the Latin MSS. in the Bibliothèque Nationale at -Paris, a MS. of the 15th century. - -_Ant._ = _Codex Antonianus_, used by Malaspina. - -_C_ = the marginal readings in Cratander's edition of 1528, drawn from -a MS. which is lost. - -_F_ = _Codex Faerni_, used by Malaspina. - -_Z_ = the readings of the lost _Codex Tornaesianus_, _Z_ᵇ denoting the -reading as preserved by Bosius, and _Z_ˡ that testified to by Lambinus. - -_I_ = the editio _Jensoniana princeps_ (Venice, 1470). - -_L_ = readings in the text of Lambinus' edition, or conjectures of -Lambinus. - -_Vict._ = the _editio Petri Victori_ (Venice, 1534-37). - - - - -CONTENTS - - - Letters to Atticus Book VII _Page_ 2 - - Letters to Atticus Book VIII 98 - - Letters to Atticus Book IX 176 - - Letters to Atticus Book X 272 - - Letters to Atticus Book XI 352 - - * * * * * - - Page 1 - - - CICERO'S LETTERS - - TO ATTICUS - - BOOK VII - - R VOL. II - - * * * * * - - Page 2 - - - - -M. TULLI CICERONIS - -EPISTULARUM AD ATTICUM - -LIBER SEPTIMUS - - - - -I - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Athenis XVII K. Nov. a. 704_] - -Dederam equidem L. Saufeio litteras et dederam ad te unum, quod, cum -non esset temporis mihi ad scribendum satis, tamen hominem tibi tam -familiarem sine meis litteris ad te venire nolebam; sed, ut philosophi -ambulant, has tibi redditum iri putabam prius. Sin iam illas accepisti, -scis me Athenas venisse pr. Idus Octobres, e navi egressum in Piraeum -tuas ab Acasto nostro litteras accepisse, conturbatum, quod cum febre -Romam venisses, bono tamen animo esse coepisse, quod Acastus ea, quae -vellem, de allevato corpore tuo nuntiaret, cohorruisse autem me eo[1] -quod tuae litterae de legionibus Caesaris adferrent, et egisse tecum, -ut videres, ne quid φιλοτιμία eius, quem nosti, nobis noceret, et, de -quo iam pridem ad te scripseram, Turranius autem secus tibi Brundisi -dixerat (quod ex iis litteris cognovi, quas a Xenone, optimo viro, -accepi), cur fratrem provinciae non praefecissem, exposui breviter. -Haec fere sunt in illa epistula. Nunc audi reliqua. - -[1] me eo _Tyrrell_; me _MSS._; eo _Koch_, _Müller_. - -Per fortunas! omnem tuum amorem, quo me es amplexus, omnemque tuam -prudentiam, quam mehercule - - * * * * * - - Page 3 - - - - -CICERO'S LETTERS - -TO ATTICUS - -BOOK VII - - - - -I - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Athens, Oct. 16_, B.C. _50_] - - -I did give L. Saufeius a letter, one for you alone, because, though I -had no time to write, I was reluctant that so intimate an acquaintance -of yours should come to you without a note from me. But, considering -the pace of philosophers, I imagine the present letter will reach you -first. If, however, you have got that earlier letter now, you will know -that I arrived at Athens on Oct. 14; that on disembarking at the port -I received your letter from our friend Acastus; that, perturbed though -I was at your arrival in Rome with a fever, nevertheless I began to -take heart at Acastus' welcome announcement of your convalescence; but -shivered myself at your news of Caesar's legions, and pleaded with you -to beware lest friend Philotimus' time-serving injure us.[2] As for -the point I touched on long ago (misrepresented to you by Turranius at -Brundisium, as I gathered from a letter received from that good fellow -Xeno), I set forth briefly the reason why I had not put my brother -in charge of the province. Those practically were the topics of that -letter. Now hear what remains. - -[2] Cf. vi, 4, 6, 9. - -In heaven's name, I want all the affection which you have lavished on -me, and all your worldly - - * * * * * - - Page 4 - -in omni genere iudico singularem, confer ad eam curam, ut de omni statu -meo cogites. Videre enim mihi videor tantam dimicationem, nisi idem -deus, qui nos melius, quam optare auderemus, Parthico bello liberavit, -respexerit rem publicam,--sed tantam, quanta numquam fuit. Age, hoc -malum mihi commune est cum omnibus. Nihil tibi mando ut de eo cogites, -illud meum proprium πρόβλεμα, quaeso, suscipe. Videsne, ut te auctore -sim utrumque complexus? Ac vellem a principio te audisse amicissime -monentem. - - Ἀλλ' ἐμὸν οὔποτε θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἔπειθες. - -Sed aliquando tamen persuasisti, ut alterum complecterer, quia de me -erat optume meritus, alterum, quia tantum valebat. Feci igitur itaque -effeci omni obsequio, ut neutri illorum quisquam esset me carior. -Haec enim cogitabamus, nec mihi coniuncto cum Pompeio fore necesse -peccare in re publica aliquando nec cum Caesare sentienti pugnandum -esse cum Pompeio. Tanta erat illorum coniunctio. Nunc impendet, ut et -tu ostendis, et ego video, summa inter eos contentio. Me autem uterque -numerat suum, nisi forte simulat alter. Nam Pompeius non dubitat; vere -enim iudicat ea, quae de re publica nunc sentiat, mihi valde probari. -Utriusque autem accepi eius modi litteras eodem tempore quo tuas, ut -neuter quemquam omnium pluris facere quam me videretur. Verum quid -agam? Non quaero illa ultima (si enim - - * * * * * - - Page 5 - -wisdom, which I swear to my mind is unrivalled in every subject, to -be devoted to a careful estimate of my whole position. For myself, I -seem to foresee a terrific struggle, unless indeed the same god, who -wrought above my boldest hopes in freeing us from a Parthian war, take -pity on the state--anyhow, such a terrific struggle as there never has -been before. True, the calamity would fall not only on me, but on every -one. I don't ask you to consider the wider problem: solve my own little -case, I entreat. Don't you see that it is you who are responsible -for my friendship with both Pompey and Caesar? Ah, would that I had -listened to your friendly admonitions from the outset. - -[Sidenote: Odyssey ix, 33] - -"Thou couldst not sway the spirit in my breast." - -But at last, however, you persuaded me to be friendly with the one, -because he had done so much for me; with the other, because he was -so powerful. Well, I did so, and I have studiously contrived to be -particularly dear to both of them. For my idea was this. Allied with -Pompey, I should never have to be guilty of political impropriety; and, -siding with Caesar, I should not have to fight with Pompey. So close -was the alliance of those two. But now, on your showing and in my view, -there threatens a dire struggle between them. Each of them counts me -his friend--unless, perhaps, Caesar is dissembling; for Pompey has -no doubt, rightly supposing that his present political views have my -strongest approval. But both have sent me letters (which came with -yours) in terms that would appear to make more of me than of anyone at -all. But what am I to do? I don't mean in the long run. If the matter -is to be fought in the - - * * * * * - - Page 6 - -castris res geretur, video cum altero vinci satius esse quam cum -altero vincere), sed illa, quae tum agentur, cum venero, ne ratio -absentis habeatur, ut exercitum dimittat. "DIC, M. TVLLI." Quid -dicam? "Exspecta, amabo te, dum Atticum conveniam"? Non est locus ad -tergiversandum. Contra Caesarem? "Ubi illae sunt densae dexterae?" Nam, -ut illi hoc liceret, adiuvi rogatus ab ipso Ravennae de Caelio tribuno -pl. Ab ipso autem? Etiam a Gnaeo nostro in illo divino tertio consulatu. - -Aliter sensero? Αἰδέομαι non Pompeium modo, sed Τρῶας καὶ Τρωάδας. - - Πουλυδάμας μοι πρῶτος ἐλεγχείην καταθήσει. - -Quis? Tu ipse scilicet, laudator et factorum et scriptorum meorum. Hanc -ergo plagam effugi per duos superiores Marcellorum consulatus, cum est -actum de provincia Caesaris, nunc incido in discrimen ipsum? Itaque ut -stultus[3] primus suam sententiam dicat, mihi valde placet de triumpho -nos moliri aliquid, extra urbem esse cum iustissuma causa. Tamen -dabunt operam, ut eliciant sententiam meam. Ridebis hoc loco fortasse. -Quam vellem etiam nunc in provincia morari! Plane opus fuit, si hoc -impendebat. Etsi nil miserius. Nam, ὁδῦυ πάρεργον, volo te hoc scire. - -[3] _The reading here is debatable._ Sulpicius, Hillus, _and_ alius -_have been suggested in place of_ stultus. - - * * * * * - - Page 7 - -field, I see it would be better to be beaten with Pompey than -to win with Caesar. But what about the points in debate on my -arrival--refusing the claims of a candidate who is away from Rome and -ordering the disbanding of his army. "Your opinion, Marcus Tullius," -will be the question. What am I to say? "Please wait till I meet -Atticus?" There is no chance of evasion. I speak against Caesar? "Where -then the pledge of plighted hands?"[4] For I assisted in getting Caesar -privilege on these two points, when I was asked by him personally at -Ravenna to approach Caelius the tribune to propose a bill. Asked by him -personally, do I say? Yes, and by our friend Pompey in that immortal -third consulship. - -[4] Probably a quotation from some early poet. - -Shall I choose the other course? "I fear" not only Pompey, but "the -men and long-robed dames of Troy": "Polydamas will be the first to -rail."[5] Who's he? Why, you, who praise my work and writings. Have I -then avoided this trap during the last two consulships of the Marcelli, -when the matter of Caesar's province was under debate, only to fall -now into the thick of the trouble? That some fool may have the first -vote on the motion, I feel strongly inclined to devote my energies to -my triumph, a most reasonable excuse for staying outside the city. -Nevertheless they will try to extract my opinion. Perhaps this will -excite your mirth: I wish to goodness I were still staying in my -province. I certainly ought to have stayed, if this was coming: though -it would have been most wretched. For by the way - -[5] _Iliad_ vi, 442, and xxii, 100. - - * * * * * - - Page 8 - -Omnia illa prima, quae etiam tu tuis litteris in caelum ferebas, -ἐπίτηκτα fuerunt. Quam non est facilis virtus! Quam vero difficilis -eius diuturna simulatio! Cum enim hoc rectum et gloriosum putarem, -ex annuo sumptu, qui mihi decretus esset, me C. Caelio quaestori -relinquere annuum, referre in aerarium ad HS CIↃ, ingemuit nostra -cohors omne illud putans distribui sibi oportere, ut ego amicior -invenirer Phrygum et Cilicum aerariis quam nostro. Sed me non moverunt; -nam et mea laus apud me plurimum valuit, nec tamen quicquam honorifice -in quemquam fieri potuit, quod praetermiserim. Sed haec fuerit, ut ait -Thucydides, ἐκβολὴ λόγου non inutilis. - -Tu autem de nostro statu cogitabis, primum quo artificio tueamur -benevolentiam Caesaris, deinde de ipso triumpho; quem video, nisi -rei publicae tempora impedient, εὐπόριστον. Iudico autem cum ex -litteris amicorum tum ex supplicatione. Quam qui non decrevit, plus -decrevit, quam si omnes decresset triumphos. Ei porro adsensus est -unus familiaris meus, Favonius, alter iratus, Hirrus. Cato autem et -scribendo adfuit et ad me de sententia sua iucundissimas litteras -misit. Sed tamen gratulans mihi Caesar de supplicatione triumphat -de sententia Catonis nec scribit, quid ille sententiae dixerit, sed -tantum, supplicationem eum mihi non decrevisse. - - * * * * * - - Page 9 - -there is one thing I want to tell you. All that show of virtue at -first, which even you praised sky high in your letters, was only -superficial. Truly righteousness is hard: hard even to pretend to it -for long. For, when I thought it a fine show of rectitude to leave my -quaestor C. Caelius a year's cash out of what was decreed me for my -budget and to pay back into the treasury £8,800,[6] my staff, thinking -all the money should have been distributed among them, lamented that -I should turn out to be more friendly to the treasuries of Phrygia -and Cilicia than to our own. I was unmoved: for I set my good name -before everything. Yet there is no possible honour that I have omitted -to bestow on any of these knaves. This, in Thucydides' phrase, is a -digression--but not pointless. - -[6] 1,000,000 sesterces. - -[Sidenote: Thuc. i, 97] - -But as to my position. You will consider first by what trick I can -retain Caesar's good will: and then the matter of my triumph, which, -barring political obstacles, seems to me easy to get: I infer as -much from letters from friends and from that business of the public -thanksgiving in my honour. For the man who voted against it,[7] voted -for more than if he had voted for all the triumphs in the world; -moreover his adherents were one a friend of mine, Favonius, and another -an enemy, Hirrus. Cato both took part in drafting the decree, and sent -me a most agreeable letter about his vote. But Caesar, in writing to -congratulate me over the thanksgiving, exults over Cato's vote, says -nothing about the latter's speech on the occasion, and merely remarks -that he opposed the proclamation of a thanksgiving. - -[7] Cato. - - * * * * * - - Page 10 - - -Redeo ad Hirrum. Coeperas eum mihi placare; perfice. Habes Scrofam, -habes Silium. Ad eos ego et iam antea scripsi ad ipsum Hirrum. Locutus -enim erat cum iis commode se potuisse impedire, sed noluisse; adsensum -tamen esse Catoni, amicissimo meo, cum is honorificentissimam in me -sententiam dixisset; nec me ad se ullas litteras misisse, cum ad omnes -mitterem. Verum dicebat. Ad eum enim solum et ad Crassipedem non -scripseram. Atque haec de rebus forensibus; redeamus domum. - -Diiungere me ab illo volo. Merus est φυρατής, germanus Lartidius. - - Ἀλλὰ τὰ μὲν προτετύχθαι ἐάσομεν ἀχνύμενοί περ. - -Reliqua expediamus, hoc primum, quod accessit cura dolori meo. Sed -tamen hoc, quicquid est, Precianum cum iis rationibus, quas ille -meas tractat, admisceri nolo. Scripsi ad Terentiam, scripsi etiam ad -ipsum, me, quicquid possem nummorum, ad apparatum sperati triumphi ad -te redacturum. Ita puto ἄμεμπτα fore; verum ut lubebit. Hanc quoque -suscipe curam, quem ad modum experiamur. Id tu et ostendisti quibusdam -litteris ex Epiro an Athenis datis, et in eo ego te adiuvabo. - - * * * * * - - Page 11 - - -I come back to Hirrus. You have begun to reconcile him to me; -accomplish it. Scrofa and Silius are on your side. I have already -written to them and to Hirrus himself. For Hirrus had told them in a -friendly way that he could easily have prevented the decree, but was -reluctant; that, however, he had sided with Cato, my very good friend, -when the latter recorded a vote complimenting me in the highest terms. -Hirrus added that I had omitted to write to him, though I had sent -letters to every one else. He was right. It was only to him and to -Crassipes that I did not write. So much for public life. Let us come -home. - -I wish to dissociate myself from that fellow Philotimus. He is a -veritable muddler, a regular Lartidius[8]. - -[8] Taken by the older commentators to be a Latin form of Λαερτιάδης -(i.e. Ulysses); but the sense does not seem to warrant the comparison, -which could only mean "as wily as Ulysses." - -"A truce to what is past for all our pain."[9] - -[9] _Iliad_ xviii, 112; xix, 65, "Let bygones be bygones." - -Let us settle what remains; and first this point, which adds anxiety -to my sorrow. This sum, I mean, whatever it is, which comes from -Precius, I do not want mixed up with the accounts of mine of which that -fellow has the handling. I have written to Terentia and to Philotimus -himself that I shall deposit with you any moneys I may collect, for -the equipment of the triumph I anticipate. So I fancy there will be no -_amour propre_ wounded: but as they like. Here is another matter for -your consideration--the steps I am to take to arrange this business. -You outlined them in a letter dated from Epirus or Athens, and I will -support your plan. - - * * * * * - - Page 12 - - - - -II - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi V K. Dec., ut videtur, a. 704_] - -Brundisium venimus VII Kalend. Decembr. usi tua felicitate navigandi; -ita belle nobis - -"Flavit ab Epiro lenissimus Onchesmites." - -Hunc σπονδειάζοντα, si cui voles τῶν νεωτέρων, pro tuo -vendito. Valetudo tua me valde conturbat; significant enim tuae -litterae te prorsus laborare. Ego autem, cum sciam, quam sis fortis, -vehementius esse quiddam suspicor, quod te cogat cedere et prope -modum infringat. Etsi alteram quartanam Pamphilus tuus mihi dixit -decessisse et alteram leviorem accedere. Terentia vero, quae quidem -eodem tempore ad portam Brundisinam venit quo ego in portum mihique -obvia in foro fuit, L. Pontium sibi in Trebulano dixisse narrabat etiam -eam decessisse. Quod si ita est, est, quod maxume mehercule opto, idque -spero tua prudentia et temperantia te consecutum. - -Venio ad epistulas tuas; quas ego sescentas uno tempore accepi, aliam -alia iucundiorem, quae quidem erant tua manu. Nam Alexidis manum -amabam, quod tam prope accedebat ad similitudinem tuae litterae; non -amabam, quod indicabat te non valere. Cuius quoniam mentio facta est, -Tironem Patris aegrum reliqui, adulescentem, ut nosti, et adde, si quid -vis, - - * * * * * - - Page 13 - - - - -II - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Brundisium, Nov. 26_, B.C. _50_] - -I arrived at Brundisium on the 24th of November after enjoying your -proverbial luck at sea: so fair for me "blew from Epirus the softest -of breezes, Onchesmites." There, that verse with its spondaic ending -you can pass off for your own on any of our new school of poets[10] you -like. Your health causes me great anxiety; for I see from your letter -that you really suffer. But, knowing your spirit, I strongly suspect -there is something serious which compels you to give in and nearly -causes a breakdown, although your Pamphilus tells me that one fit of -quartan has passed, and that a second and lighter attack is coming -on. But Terentia (who reached Brundisium's gates as I reached the -harbour, and met me in the forum) told me that L. Pontius had informed -her at Trebula that the second attack also had abated. If that is so, -my utmost hopes are realized, and I expect that consummation has been -attained by your caution and moderate habits. - -[10] Catullus, Cinna, and the other imitators of Alexandrine poetry. - -I come to your letters, which have reached me in shoals, each more -delightful than the last--I mean those in your own handwriting. I like -Alexis' hand; it so closely resembles your own script; but there is one -thing I do not like about it--it shows that you are ill. Talking of -Alexis, I left Tiro sick at Patrae; he is, as you know, a young man, -and you may add, if you like, an honest fellow. Nothing - - * * * * * - - Page 14 - -probum. Nihil vidi melius. Itaque careo aegre et, quamquam videbatur -se non graviter habere, tamen sum sollicitus, maximamque spem habeo in -M'. Curi diligentia, de qua ad me scripsit Tiro et multi nuntiarunt. -Curius autem ipse sensit, quam tu velles se a me diligi, et eo sum -admodum delectatus. Et mehercule est, quam facile diligas, ἀυτόχθων -in homine urbanitas. Eius testamentum deporto trium[11] Ciceronum -signis obsignatum cohortisque praetoriae. Fecit palam te ex libella, -me ex terruncio. In Actio Corcyrae Alexio me opipare muneratus est. Q. -Ciceroni obsisti non potuit, quo minus Thyamim videret. Filiola tua -te delectari laetor et probari tibi φυσικὴι esse τὴν πρὸς τὰ τέκνα. -Etenim, si haec non est, nulla potest homini esse ad hominem naturae -adiunctio; qua sublata vitae societas tollitur, "Bene eveniat!" inquit -Carneades spurce, sed tamen prudentius quam Lucius noster et Patron, -qui, cum omnia ad se referant, numquam quicquam alterius causa fieri -putent et, cum ea re bonum virum oportere esse dicant, ne malum habeat, -non quo id natura rectum sit, non intellegant se de callido homine -loqui, non de bono viro. Sed haec, opinor, sunt in iis libris, quos tu -laudando animos mihi addidisti. - -[11] detortorio _M_; detortorium _CZ_; _corr. by Junius_. - -Redeo ad rem. Quo modo exspectabam epistulam, - - * * * * * - - Page 15 - -could be better than Tiro. So I miss him terribly, and, though he did -not seem very bad, still I am anxious, and build great hopes on the -care of M'. Curius, about which Tiro has written and many people have -told me. Curius himself was aware of your desire that he should win my -esteem: and I am greatly charmed with him. Indeed he is one of nature's -gentlemen, whom it is easy to like. I carry home his will sealed with -the seals of three of my family and of the praetor's staff. In the -presence of witnesses he made you heir to a tenth of his estate and -me to a fortieth.[12] At Actium in Corcyra Alexio made me a splendid -present. Q. Cicero could not be stopped from seeing the river Thyamis. -I am glad you take delight in your baby daughter, and have satisfied -yourself that a desire for children is natural.[13] For, if it is not, -there can be no natural tie between man and man; remove that tie, -and social life is destroyed. "Heaven bless the consequence," says -Carneades naughtily, but with more wisdom than our philosophers Lucius -and Patron, who in sticking to selfish hedonism and denying altruism, -and saying that man must be virtuous for fear of the consequences of -vice and not because virtue is an end in itself, fail to see that they -are describing a type not of goodness but of craftiness. But these -points, I think, are handled in the volumes[14] you have encouraged me -by praising. - -[12] Monetary fractions are generally expressed by parts of the _as_; -but here the _denarius_ is used as the standard. The _libella_ was -one-tenth and the _teruncius_ one-fortieth of a _denarius_. - -[13] With φυσικήν the substantive ὁρμήν must be understood. - -[14] _De Republica._ - -I return to business. How I looked for the letter - - * * * * * - - Page 16 - -quam Philoxeno dedisses! Scripseras enim in ea esse de sermone Pompei -Neapolitano. Eam mihi Patron Brundisi reddidit. Corcyrae, ut opinor, -acceperat. Nihil potuit esse iucundius. Erat enim de re publica, de -opinione, quam is vir haberet integritatis meae, de benevolentia, -quam ostendit eo sermone, quem habuit de triumpho. Sed tamen hoc -iucundissimum, quod intellexi te ad eum venisse, ut eius animum erga me -perspiceres. Hoc mihi, inquam, accidit iucundissimum. De triumpho autem -nulla me cupiditas umquam tenuit ante Bibuli impudentissimas litteras, -quas amplissume supplicatio consecuta est. A quo si ea gesta essent, -quae scripsit, gauderem et honori faverem; nunc illum, qui pedem porta, -quoad hostis cis Euphratem fuit, non extulerit, honore augeri, me, in -cuius exercitu spem illius exercitus habuit, idem non adsequi, dedecus -est nostrum, nostrum inquam te coniungens. Itaque omnia experiar, et ut -spero, adsequar. Quodsi tu valeres, iam mihi quaedam explorata essent. -Sed, ut spero, valebis. - -De raudusculo Numeriano multum te amo. Hortensius quid egerit, aveo -scire, Cato quid agat; qui quidem in me turpiter fuit malevolus. Dedit -integritatis, iustitiae, clementiae, fidei mihi testimonium, quod non -quaerebam; quod postulabam, negavit id. Itaque Caesar eis litteris, -quibus mihi gratulatur et omnia pollicetur, quo modo exsultat Catonis -in me ingratissmi iniuria! At hic idem Bibulo dierum XX. - - * * * * * - - Page 17 - -you said was entrusted to Philoxenus! For it was to contain news of -Pompey's talk at Naples. Patron handed it to me at Brundisium. It was -at Corcyra, I fancy, he had taken charge of it. Nothing could be more -delightful. It touched on politics, the great man's opinion of my -honour, the kindliness he displayed in his remarks about my triumph. -But the most delightful item of all was the intelligence that you had -called on him to find out his feeling towards me. This, I repeat, was -what I found most delightful. As for a triumph, I had no desire for -one up to the time Bibulus sent his shameless despatches and got a -thanksgiving voted in the most complimentary way. Now, if he had done -what he professed to have done, I should have been glad and supported -the honour; but, as it is, it is a disgrace to us--to both of us: for -I include you in the business--that I, on whose army his army relied, -should not get the same rewards as a man who never set foot outside -the city gates so long as there was an enemy this side of Euphrates. -Therefore I shall make every effort, and, as I hope, shall succeed. If -you were well, some points would have been settled already; but I hope -you will soon be well. - -For that twopenny debt to Numerius I am much bounden to you. I long to -know what Hortensius has done about my triumph and what Cato is doing. -Cato's behaviour to me was shamefully spiteful. He gave me a character -for rectitude, equity, clemency, and good faith, for which I did not -ask; what I did want, that he denied me. Accordingly in his letter of -congratulation and lavish assurances, how Caesar exults over the wrong -Cato did me by his deep ingratitude! Yet Cato voted Bibulus a twenty -days' - - * * * * * - - Page 18 - -Ignosce mihi; non possum haec ferre nec feram. - -Cupio ad omnes tuas epistulas, sed nihil necesse est; iam enim te -videbo. Illud tamen de Chrysippo--nam de altero illo minus sum -admiratus, operario homine; sed tamen ne illo quidem quicquam -improbius. Chrysippum vero, quem ego propter litterularum nescio quid -libenter vidi, in honore habui, discedere a puero insciente me! Mitto -alia, quae audio multa, mitto furta; fugam non fero, qua mihi nihil -visum est sceleratius. Itaque usurpavi vetus illud Drusi, ut ferunt, -praetoris, in eo, qui eadem liber non iuraret, me istos liberos non -addixisse, praesertim cum adesset nemo, a quo recte vindicarentur. Id -tu, ut videbitur, ita accipies; ego tibi adsentiar. - -Uni tuae disertissimae epistulae non rescripsi, in qua est de periculis -rei publicae. Quid rescriberem? valde eram perturbatus. Sed ut nihil -magno opere metuam, Parthi faciunt, qui repente Bibulum semivivum -reliquerunt. - - - - -III - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Trebulano V Id. Dec. a. 704_] - -A. d. VIII Idus Decembr. Aeculanum veni et ibi tuas litteras legi, quas -Philotimus mihi reddidit. E quibus hanc primo aspectu voluptatem cepi, -quod - - * * * * * - - Page 19 - -festival. Forgive me, I cannot and I will not bear it. - -I long to answer all your letters; but there is no need, for soon I -shall see you. Still I must tell you about Chrysippus--the conduct of -that other fellow, a mere mechanic, excites my surprise less, though -it could not have been more scandalous. But Chrysippus, whom I was -always glad to see and held in honour, because he had a smattering of -culture, fancy him deserting my son without my knowledge! I can put -up with other things, though I hear of plenty, I can even put up with -embezzlement; but I cannot put up with his flight. It is the most -scandalous thing I ever heard of. So I have taken a leaf from Drusus' -book, when, in his praetorship, as the story goes, a man, who had been -manumitted, refused to take the oaths he had promised: and I have -denied that those fellows ever were freed by me, especially as there -were no legal witnesses to the transaction. Take it any way you will: I -will abide by your decision. - -The only one of your letters, which I have not answered, is the most -eloquent of them all, dealing with the country's peril. I have no -answer to make: I am very much upset. But the Parthians, whose sudden -retreat left Bibulus half dead with fright, have taught me not to be -much alarmed at anything. - - - - -III - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Trebula, Dec. 9_, B.C. _50_] - -On the 6th of December I came to Aeculanum, and there I read your -letter, which Philotimus handed to me. I was pleased at the first -glance to see it was - - * * * * * - - Page 20 - -erant a te ipso scriptae, deinde earum accuratissuma diligentia sum -mirum in modum delectatus. Ac primum illud, in quo te Dicaearcho -adsentiri negas, etsi cupidissume expetitum a me est et te approbante, -ne diutius anno in provincia essem, tamen non est nostra contentione -perfectum. Sic enim scito, verbum in senatu factum esse numquam de ullo -nostrum, qui provincias obtinuimus, quo in iis diutius quam ex senatus -consulto maneremus, ut iam ne istius quidem rei culpam sustineam, quod -minus diu fuerim in provincia, quam fortasse fuerit utile. Sed "quid -si hoc melius?" opportune dici videtur ut in hoc ipso. Sive enim ad -concordiam res adduci potest sive ad bonorum victoriam, utriusvis rei -me aut adiutorem velim esse aut certe non expertem; sin vincuntur -boni, ubicumque essem, una cum iis victus essem. Quare celeritas -nostri reditus ἀμεταμέλητος debet esse. Quodsi ista nobis cogitatio de -triumpho iniecta non esset, quam tu quoque adprobas, ne tu haud multum -requireres illum virum, qui in sexto libro informatus est. Quid enim -tibi faciam, qui illos libros devorasti? Quin nunc ipsum non dubitabo -rem tantam abicere, si id erit rectius. Utrumque vero simul agi non -potest, et de triumpho ambitiose et de re publica libere. Sed ne -dubitaris, quin, quod honestius, id mihi futurum sit antiquius. Nam, -quod putas utilius esse, vel mihi quod tutius sit, vel etiam ut rei -publicae prodesse possim, me esse cum imperio, id coram considerabimus -quale sit. Habet enim res deliberationem; etsi ex parte magna - - * * * * * - - Page 21 - -in your handwriting; and I was highly delighted at the care -and attention it showed. First you say that you disagree with -Dicaearchus.[15] Now, though I was exceedingly anxious, and that with -your approval, not to stay in my province more than a year, it was -not my own efforts that gained the point. For you should know that no -word was ever said in the House about any of us provincial governors -outstaying the term of our appointment; so that now I am not to be -blamed even for making a shorter stay in my province than was perhaps -to my advantage. But "all for the best" is an apt saying, as it is in -this case. For, if peace can be patched up, or the loyalists can be -made to win the victory, I should be sorry not to assist or at any -rate have a hand in the matter. But, if the loyalists are conquered, I -should share their defeat wherever I were. So my speedy return ought -not to cost me any regret. If this idea of a triumph that you approve -had not come into my head, you would find me not far short of the ideal -statesman I sketched in the sixth volume.[16] What would you have me -do, you devourer of those books of mine? Even now I will not hesitate -to throw away my great ambition, if that course is better. One cannot -of course play both parts at once, the selfish candidate for triumph -and the independent politician. But doubt not that I shall take honesty -to be my best policy. As for your point that it were better for me, -whether for my private safety, or for the public welfare, that I should -retain my command, we will talk it over together. It is a matter for -deliberation, - -[15] Cf. II, 16, where Dicaearchus is mentioned as an advocate of an -active life. He was a pupil of Aristotle, and wrote philosophical and -geographical works. - -[16] Of the _De Republica_. - - * * * * * - - Page 22 - -tibi adsentior. De animo autem meo erga rem publicam bene facis quod -non dubitas, et illud probe indicas, nequaquam satis pro meis officiis, -pro ipsius in alios effusione illum in me liberalem fuisse, eiusque -rei causam vere explicas, et eis, quae de Fabio Caninioque acta -scribis, valde consentiunt. Quae si secus essent, totumque se ille in -me profudisset, tamen illa, quam scribis, custos urbis me praeclarae -inscriptionis memorem esse cogeret, nec mihi concederet, ut imitarer -Volcacium aut Servium, quibus tu es contentus, sed aliquid nos vellet -nobis dignum et sentire et defendere. Quod quidem agerem, si liceret, -alio modo, ac nunc agendum est. - -De sua potentia dimicant homines hoc tempore periculo civitatis. Nam, -si res publica defenditur, cur ea consule isto ipso defensa non est? -cur ego, in cuius causa rei publicae salus consistebat, defensus -postero anno non sum? cur imperium illi aut cur illo modo prorogatum -est? cur tanto opere pugnatum est, ut de eius absentis ratione habenda -decem tribuni pl. ferrent? His ille rebus ita convaluit, ut nunc in uno -civi spes ad resistendum sit; qui mallem tantas ei vires non dedisset -quam nunc tam valenti resisteret, - - * * * * * - - Page 23 - -though I agree with you in the main. You do well not to doubt my -attitude towards politics: and you judge rightly that Caesar has -not been liberal to me considering my services, and considering his -lavishness towards others. You explain his reasons rightly: I am in the -same boat with Fabius and Caninius,[17] as your letter shows. But if -things were otherwise and he had been profuse in his generosity towards -me, nevertheless the goddess you mention, the guardian of the city, -would have compelled me to remember her fine inscription, and would -not allow me to imitate Volcacius or Servius,[18] with whom you are -content, but would wish me to express and maintain a policy worthy of -my name. And I should have done it, if I could, in a different way from -the way I must adopt now. - -[17] _Legati_ of Caesar: but nothing is known of any slight on them. - -[18] Before his exile Cicero dedicated a statue of Minerva in the -Capitol with the inscription _Custos Urbis_. Possibly, however, there -was a longer inscription. Volcacius and Servius maintained neutrality -in the civil war. - -It is for their own power men are fighting now to the danger of the -country. For if the constitution is being defended, why was it not -defended when Caesar himself was consul? Why was I, on whose case the -safety of the constitution depended, not defended in the following -year? Why was Caesar's command prolonged, or why was it prolonged in -such a fashion? Why was there such a struggle to get the ten tribunes -to bring in a bill allowing him to stand in his absence? All this has -made him so strong that now hope of resistance depends on one citizen. -I wish that citizen had not given him so much power rather than that he -now resisted him in the hour of - - * * * * * - - Page 24 - -Sed, quoniam res eo deducta est, non quaeram, ut scribis: - - Ποῦ σκάφος τὸ τῶν Ἀτρειδῶν; - -mihi σκάφος unum erit, quod a Pompeio gubernabitur. Illud ipsum quod -ais: "Quid fiet, cum erit dictum: DIC, M. TVLLI?"--σύντομα: "CN. POMPEIO -ADSENTIOR." Ipsum tamen Pompeium separatim ad concordiam hortabor. -Sic enim sentio, maxumo in periculo rem esse. Vos scilicet plura, -qui in urbe estis. Verum tamen haec video, cum homine audacissimo -paratissimoque negotium esse, omnes damnatos omnes ignominia adfectos, -omnes damnatione ignominiaque dignos illac facere, omnem fere -iuventutem omnem illam urbanam ac perditam plebem, tribunos valentes -addito C. Cassio, omnes, qui aere alieno premantur, quos pluris esse -intellego, quam putaram (causam solum ilia causa non habet, ceteris -rebus abundat), hic omnia facere omnes, ne armis decernatur; quorum -exitus semper incerti, nunc vero etiam in alteram partem magis timendi. - -Bibulus de provincia decessit, Veientonem praefecit; in decedendo erit, -ut audio, tardior. Quem cum ornavit Cato, declaravit iis se solis non -invidere, quibus nihil aut non multum ad dignitatem posset accedere. - -Nunc venio ad privata; fere enim respondi tuis litteris de re publica, -et iis, quas in suburbano, et iis, quas postea scripsisti. Ad privata -venio. Unum etiam de Caelio. Tantum abest, ut meam ille sententiam - - * * * * * - - Page 25 - -his strength. But since things have come to such a pass, I shall not -ask, to borrow your quotation, - -"Where is the bark of Atreus' sons?"[19] - -[19] Euripides _Troades_ 455 ποῦ σκάφος τὸ τοῦ στρατηγοῦ - -My only bark will be that which has Pompey for a pilot. For your -query "What will happen when the question is put 'Your vote, Marcus -Tullius'"--briefly "I vote with Pompey." Still I shall exhort Pompey -privately to pacific measures. I feel that there is the greatest -danger. You, who are in town, will know more. Yet I see that we have -to do with a man of the greatest daring and readiness, who has on his -side all the criminal and social outcasts, and all who deserve to be -counted criminals and outcasts; nearly all the younger generation; all -the lowest city rabble; the powerful tribunes including C. Cassius; all -the insolvent, who are more in number than I imagined. All his cause -wants is a good cause: it has everything else in plenty. On our side we -all do everything to avoid battle. You can never be sure of the issue -of war, and it is to be feared it would go against us now. - -Bibulus has quitted the province and left Veiento in charge: he will be -pretty slow, I hear, on his journey. This is the man in whose praise -Cato spoke, when he declared that the only people he did not envy were -those who could not be raised higher or not much higher. - -To come to private matters: for I have fairly answered your letter on -the political situation, both the one you wrote in your town villa and -the one you wrote later. Now for private matters. But one word about -Caelius. So far is he from affecting my - - * * * * * - - Page 26 - -moveat, ut valde ego ipsi, quod de sua sententia decesserit; -paenitendum putem. Sed quid est, quod et vici Luccei sint addicti? Hoc -te praetermisisse miror. De Philotimo faciam equidem, ut mones. Sed -ego mihi ab illo non rationes exspectabam, quas tibi edidit, verum -id reliquum, quod ipse in Tusculano me referre in commentarium mea -manu voluit, quodque idem in Asia mihi sua manu scriptum dedit. Id si -praestaret, quantum mihi aeris alieni esse tibi edidit, tantum et plus -etiam mihi ipse deberet. Sed in hoc genere, si modo per rem publicam -licebit, non accusabimur posthac, neque hercule antea neglegentes -fuimus, sed amicorum multitudine occupati. Ergo utemur, ut polliceris, -et opera et consilio tuo nec tibi erimus, ut spero, in eo molesti. -De serperastris cohortis meae nihil est quod doleas. Ipsi enim se -collegerunt admiratione integritatis meae. Sed me moverat nemo magis -quam is, quem tu neminem putas. Idem et initio fuerat et nunc est -egregius. Sed in ipsa decessione significavit sperasse se aliquid et -id, quod animum induxerat paulisper, non tenuit, sed cito ad se rediit, -meisque honorificentissimis erga se officiis victus pluris ea duxit -quam omnem pecuniam. - -Ego a Curio tabulas accepi, quas mecum porto. Hortensi legata cognovi. -Nunc aveo scire, quid hominis sit et quarum rerum auctionem instituat. - - * * * * * - - Page 27 - -view, that I think he must be sorry he changed his own. But what is -this story of Lucceius' property being knocked down to him? I wonder -you passed that over. As for Philotimus I shall take your advice. But -I was not expecting from him the accounts, which he gave you: I was -expecting the balance, which he wished me to enter in my note-book with -my own hand at Tusculum, and for which he gave me in Asia a certificate -in his own hand. If he should pay up all the money he told you was -owing to me, he would still owe me as much again and even more. But, -if only politics will allow, I shall not incur blame hereafter in -matters of this kind. Indeed I have not been careless hitherto; but my -time has been taken up by a crowd of friends. I shall therefore have -your industry and advice, as you promise, and I hope I shall not be -troublesome in the matter. You have no reason to lament the treatment -that I meted to my crooked staff.[20] They pulled themselves together -in amaze at my honesty. But nobody surprised me more than the man whom -you think a nobody. From first to last he was and is splendid. But just -at my departure he showed me that he had hoped for some reward; and -yet he did not long cling to the idea which had entered his mind, but -quickly came to himself again, and overwhelmed by the honours I had -done him, regarded them as of more worth than any money. - -[20] Lit. "about the knee-splints (I gave) my staff." He refers to -restraining their rapacity. - -I have received his will from Curius and bring it with me. I know the -legacies Hortensius has to pay. Now I want to know the metal of the -man, and what properties he is putting up for sale. When - - * * * * * - - Page 28 - -Nescio enim, cur, cum portam Flumentanam Caelius occuparit, ego -Puteolos non meos faciam. - -Venio ad "Piraeea" in quo magis reprehendendus sum, quod homo Romanus -"Piraeea" scripserim, non "Piraeum" (sic enim omnes nostri locuti -sunt), quam quod addiderim "in." Non enim hoc ut oppido praeposui, sed -ut loco. Et tamen Dionysius noster et, qui est nobiscum, Nicias Cous -non rebatur oppidum esse Piraeea. Sed de re ego[21] videro. Nostrum -quidem si est peccatum, in eo est, quod non ut de oppido locutus sum, -sed ut de loco, secutusque sum non dico Caecilium: - -"Máne ut ex portu ín Piraeum" - -(malus enim auctor Latinitatis est), sed Terentium, cuius fabellae -propter elegantiam sermonis putabantur a C. Laelio scribi: - -"Heri áliquot adulescéntuli coíimus in Piraeum," - -et idem: - -"Mercátor hoc addébat, captam e Súnio." - -[21] re ego _Reid_; re _L (marg.), M (above the line)_; reo _NOPM_¹: eo -_M_². - -Quodsi δήμους oppida volumus esse, tam est oppidum Sunium quam Piraeus. -Sed, quoniam grammaticus es, si hoc mihi ξήτημα persolveris, magna me -molestia liberaris. - -Ille mihi litteras blandas mittit: facit idem pro eo Balbus. Mihi -certum est ab honestissuma sententia digitum nusquam. Sed scis, illi -reliquum quantum sit. Putasne igitur verendum esse, ne aut obiciat id -nobis aliquis, si languidius, aut repetat, si fortius? Quid ad haec -reperis? "Solvamus," inquis. Age, a - - * * * * * - - Page 29 - -Caelius has taken the Porta Flumentana,[22] I don't see why I should -not make Puteoli mine. - -[22] Caelius had bought Lucceius' property near the Porta Flumentana at -the entrance of the Campus Martius. - -Coming to the form _Piraeea_, I am more to be blamed for writing it -thus and not _Piraeum_ in Latin, as all our people do, than I am -for adding the preposition "_in_." I used "_in_" as before a word -signifying a place and not a town. After all Dionysius and Nicias of -Cos, who is with me, do not consider that the Piraeus is a town. I will -look into the question. If I have made a mistake, it is in speaking of -it not as a town but as a place, and I have authority. I do not depend -on a quotation from Caecilius: "_Máne ut ex portu in Piraeum_,"[23] as -he is a poor authority in Latinity; but I will quote Terence, whose -fine style caused his plays to be ascribed to C. Laelius "_Heri áliquot -adulescéntuli coíimus in Piraeum_," and again: "_Mercátor hoc addébat, -captam e Súnio_."[24] If we want to call parishes towns, Sunium is as -much a town as the Piraeus. But, since you are a purist, you will save -me a lot of trouble, if you can solve the problem for me. - -[23] In the morning as I disembarked in the Piraeus. - -[24] Terence, _Eun._ 539 (yesterday while some of us youths met in the -Piraeus), and 115 (The merchant added one thing more, a female slave -from Sunium). In the first the MSS. of Terence read _Piraeo_. - -Caesar sends me a friendly letter. Balbus does the same on his account. -Certainly I shall not swerve a finger's breadth from the strictest -honour; but you know how much I still owe him. Don't you think there is -fear that this may be cast in my teeth, if I am slack; and repayment -demanded from me, if I am energetic? What solution is there? - - * * * * * - - Page 30 - -Caelio mutuabimur. Hoc tu tamen consideres velim; puto enim, in senatu -si quando praeclare pro re publica dixero, Tartessium istum tuum mihi -exeunti: "Iube sodes nummos curare." - -Quid superest? Etiam. Gener est suavis mihi, Tulliae, Terentiae. -Quantumvis vel ingenii vel humanitatis: satis est[25]; reliqua, quae -nosti, ferenda. Scis enim, quos aperuerimus. Qui omnes praeter eum, de -quo per te egimus, reum me[26] facerent.[27] Ipsis enim expensum nemo -feret. Sed haec coram; nam multi sermonis sunt. Tironis reficiendi spes -est in M'. Curio; cui ego scripsi tibi eum gratissimum facturum. - -[25] satis est _Mommsen_: satis _MSS._: comitatis satis _or_ satis -dignitatis _Lehmann_. - -[26] rem _Bosius_; rem a me _Purser_. - -[27] facere rentur Δ _Bosius_; facerentur _O_². - -Data v Idus Decembr. a Pontio ex Trebulano. - - - - -IV - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Pompeiano IV aut III Id. Dec. a 704_] - -Dionysium flagrantem desiderio tui misi ad te nec mehercule aequo -animo, sed fuit concedendum. Quem quidem cognovi cum doctum, quod -mihi iam ante erat notum, tum sane plenum officii, studiosum etiam -meae laudis, frugi hominem, ac, ne libertinum laudare videar, plane -virum bonum. Pompeium vidi IIII Idus Decembres. Fuimus una horas duas -fortasse. Magna laetitia mihi visus est adfici meo adventu, de - - * * * * * - - Page 31 - -"Pay up," say you. Well, I will borrow from the bank.[28] But there -is a point you might consider. If I ever make a notable speech in the -House on behalf of the constitution, your friend from Tarshish[29] will -be pretty sure to say to me as I go out: "Kindly send me a draft." - -[28] Caelius the banker is again referred to in XII, 5. - -[29] L. Cornelius Balbus of Tartessus. - -Anything else? Yes. My son-in-law is agreeable to me, to Tullia, and -to Terentia. He has any amount of native charm or shall I say culture: -and that is enough. We must put up with the faults you know of. For -you know what we have found the others to be on inspection. All of -them except the one with whom you negotiated for us would get me into -the law courts. No one will lend them money on their own security. But -this when we meet: it is a long story. My hope of Tiro's recovery lies -in M'. Curius. I have written to him that he will be doing you the -greatest favour. - -Dec. 9, at Pontius' villa at Trebula. - - - - -IV - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Pompeii, Dec. 10 or 11_, B.C. _50_] - -Dionysius burned to be with you, so I sent him, with some misgivings I -must admit; but it had to be. I knew him before to be a scholar: I find -him very obliging, careful of my good name, an honest fellow, and, not -to give him a mere freedman's character, evidently a man of honour. -Pompey I interviewed on the 10th of December. We were together a matter -of two hours: he seemed greatly delighted with - - * * * * * - - Page 32 - -triumpho hortari, suscipere partes suas, monere, ne ante in senatum -accederem, quam rem confecissem, ne dicendis sententiis aliquem -tribunum alienarem. Quid quaeris? in hoc officio sermonis nihil potuit -esse prolixius. De re publica autem ita mecum locutus est, quasi -non dubium bellum haberemus. Nihil ad spem concordiae. Plane illum -a se alienatum cum ante intellegeret, tum vero proxume iudicasse. -Venisse Hirtium a Caesare, qui esset illi familiarissimus, ad se non -accessisse, et, cum ille a. d. VIII Idus Decembr. vesperi venisset, -Balbus de tota re constituisset a. d. VII ad Scipionem ante lucem -venire, multa de nocte eum profectum esse ad Caesarem. Hoc illi -τεκμηριῶδες videbatur esse alienationis. Quid multa? nihil me aliud -consolatur, nisi quod illum, cui etiam inimici alterum consulatum, -fortuna summam potentiam dederit, non arbitror fore tam amentem, ut -haec in discrimen adducat. Quodsi ruere coeperit, ne ego multa timeo; -quae non audeo scribere. Sed, ut nunc est, a. d. III Nonas Ian. ad -urbem cogito. - - - - -V - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano XV K. Ian., ut videtur, a. 704_] - -Multas uno tempore accepi epistulas tuas; quae mihi, quamquam -recentiora audiebam ex iis, qui ad me veniebant, tamen erant iucundae; -studium enim et benevolentiam declarabant. Valetudine tua moveor et -Piliam in idem genus morbi delapsam curam tibi - - * * * * * - - Page 33 - -my arrival, encouraged me about my triumph, promised to do his part, -warned me not to enter the House till my business was finished, -for fear I should make an enemy of some tribune by the opinions I -expressed. In short, promises could go no further. As to the political -situation, he hinted certain war, without hope of agreement. It -appeared that, though he had long understood there was a split between -himself and Caesar, he had had very recent proof of it. Hirtius, a -very intimate friend of Caesar's, had come and had not called on -Pompey. Besides Hirtius had arrived on the evening of the 6th of -December and Balbus had arranged a meeting with Pompey's father-in-law -before daybreak on the 7th to discuss affairs, when, lo, late on the -night before, Hirtius set out to go to Caesar. This seemed to Pompey -proof positive of a split. In a word I have no consolation except the -thought, that, when even his enemies have renewed his term of office -and fortune has bestowed on him supreme power, Caesar will not be so -mad as to jeopardize these advantages. If he begins to run amuck, my -fears are more than I can commit to paper. As things are, I meditate a -visit to town on the 3rd of January. - - - - -V - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae Dec. 16_, B.C. _50_] - -A number of your letters have reached me at the same time: and, -although visitors bring me later news, they are delightful, as they -show your affection and good will. I am concerned about your illness, -and I suppose Pilia's attack of the same complaint will increase - - * * * * * - - Page 34 - -adferre maiorem sentio. Date igitur operam, ut valeatis. De Tirone -video tibi curae esse. Quem quidem ego, etsi mirabilis utilitates -mihi praebet, cum valet, in onmi genere vel negotiorum vel studiorum -meorum, tamen propter humanitatem et modestiam malo salvum quam propter -usum meum. Philogenes mecum nihil umquam de Luscenio locatus est; de -ceteris rebus habes Dionysium. Sororem tuam non venisse in Arcanum -miror. De Chrysippo meum consilium probari tibi non moleste fero. Ego -in Tusculanum nihil sane hoc tempore; devium est τοῖς ἀπαντῶσιν et -habet alia δύσχρεστα. Sed de Formiano Tarracinam pridie Kal. Ian. Inde -Pomptinam summam, inde in Albanum Pompei. Ita ad urbem III Nonas natali -meo. - -De re publica cotidie magis timeo. Non enim boni, ut putant, -consentiunt. Quos ego equites Romanos, quos senatores vidi, qui -acerrime cum cetera tum hoc iter Pompei vituperarent! Pace opus est. -Ex victoria cum multa mala tum certe tyrannus exsistet. Sed haec prope -diem coram. Iam plane mihi deest, quod ad te scribam; nec enim de -re publica, quod uterque nostrum scit eadem, et domestica nota sunt -ambobus. - -Reliquum est iocari, si hic sinat. Nam ego is sum, qui illi concedi -putem utilius esse, quod postulat, quam signa conferri. Sero enim -resistimus ei, quem per annos decem aluimus contra nos. "Quid sentis -igitur?" inquis. Nihil scilicet nisi de sententia tua nec prius quidem, -quam nostrum negotium aut confecerimus - - * * * * * - - Page 35 - -your trouble. Both of you do your best to get well. As for Tiro I see -you are attending to him. Though when in health, he is marvellously -useful to me in every department of business and literature, it is not -a selfish motive, but his own charming character and modest bearing -that prompts my hope for his recovery. Philogenes has never said -anything to me about Luscenius. As for other matters Dionysius is with -you. I am astonished your sister has not come to Arcanum. I am glad you -approve my plan about Chrysippus. I shall not go to Tusculum at such a -time as this, not I. It is out of the way for chance _rencontres_ and -has other drawbacks. But from Formiae I go to Tarracina on the last -of December. Thence to the upper end of the Pomptine marsh: thence to -Pompey's Alban villa: and so to Rome on the 3rd, my birthday. - -The political crisis is causing me greater fear every day. The -loyalists are not, as is imagined, in agreement. I have met numbers -of Roman knights, and numbers of Members, ready to inveigh bitterly -against everything and especially this journey of Pompey's. Peace is -our want. Victory will bring many evils, and without doubt a tyrant. -But this we shall soon discuss together. I have no news at all now: -each of us knows as much as the other about political affairs, and -domestic details are for us common knowledge. - -All one can do is to jest--if _he_ will allow it. For I am one who -thinks it better to agree to his demands than to enter upon war. It is -late to resist him, when for ten years we have nurtured this viper in -our bosom. Then you ask my view. It is the same as yours; and I shall -express none till my own affairs - - * * * * * - - Page 36 - -aut deposuerimus. Cura igitur, ut valeas. Aliquando ἀπότριψαι quartanam -istam diligentia, quae in te summa est. - - - - -VI - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano XIV K. Ian., ut videtur, a. 704_] - -Plane deest, quod ad te scribam; nota omnia tibi sunt; nee ipse habeo, -a te quod exspectem. Tantum igitur nostrum illud sollemne servemus, -ut ne quem istuc euntem sine litteris dimittamus. De re publica valde -timeo, nec adhuc fere inveni, qui non concedendum putaret Caesari, -quod postularet, potius quam depugnandum. Est illa quidem impudens -postulatio, opinione valentior. Cur autem nunc primum ei resistamus? - - Οὐ γὰρ δὴ τόδε μεῖζον ἔπι κακόν - -quam cum quinquennium prorogabamus, aut cum, ut absentis ratio -haberetur, ferebamus, nisi forte haec illi tum arma dedimus, ut nunc -cum bene parato pugnaremus. Dices: "Quid tu igitur sensurus es?" Non -idem quod dicturus; sentiam enim omnia facienda, ne armis decertetur, -dicam idem quod Pompeius neque id faciam humili animo. Sed rursus hoc -permagnum rei publicae malum est, et quodam modo mihi praeter ceteros -non rectum me in tantis rebus a Pompeio dissidere. - - * * * * * - - Page 37 - -are concluded or abandoned. So be sure to get well. Apply some of your -wonderful capacity for taking pains to shaking off the fever. - - - - -VI - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Dec. 17_, B.C. _50_] - -I have positively no news: all mine is known to you; and there is none -that I can look for from you. Only let me preserve my old ceremony -of letting no visitor go to you without a letter. My fears as to the -political situation are great. And so far I have found hardly a man who -would not yield to Caesar's demand sooner than fight. That demand, it -is true, is shameless, but stronger than we thought. But why should we -choose this occasion to begin resisting? - -[Sidenote: Odyssey xii, 209] - -"No greater evil threatens now" - -than when we prolonged his office for another five years; or when we -agreed to let him stand as a candidate in his absence. But perhaps we -were then giving him these weapons to turn against us now. You will -say; "What then will your view be?" My view will not be what I shall -say; for my view will be that every step should be taken to avoid a -conflict; but I shall say the same as Pompey, nor shall I be actuated -by subserviency. But again it is a very great calamity to the state, -and in a way improper to me beyond others to differ from Pompey in -matters of such importance. - - * * * * * - - Page 38 - - - - -VII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano inter XIII et X K. Ian. a. 704_] - -"Dionysius, vir optumus, ut mihi quoque est perspectus, et doctissumus -tuique amantissumus, Romam venit XV Kalend. Ian. et litteras a te mihi -reddidit." Tot enim verba sunt de Dionysio in epistula tua, illud -putato non adscribis, "et tibi gratias egit." Atqui certe ille agere -debuit, et, si esset factum, quae tua est humanitas, adscripsisses. -Mihi autem nulla de eo παλινωδία datur propter superioris epistulae -testimonium. Sit igitur sane bonus vir. Hoc enim ipsum bene fecit, quod -mihi sui cognoscendi penitus etiam istam facultatem dedit. Philogenes -recte ad te scripsit; curavit enim, quod debuit. Eum ego uti ea -pecunia volui, quoad liceret; itaque usus est menses XIIII. Pomptinum -cupio valere, et, quod scribis in urbem introisse, vereor, quid sit; -nam id nisi gravi de causa non fecisset. Ego, quoniam IIII Non. Ian. -compitalicius dies est, nolo eo die in Albanum venire, ne molestus -familiae veniam. III Non. Ian. igitur; inde ad urbem pridie Nonas. Tua -λῆψις quem in diem incurrat, nescio, sed prorsus te commoveri incommodo -valetudinis tuae nolo. - -De honore nostro nisi quid occulte Caesar per suos tribunos molitus -erit, cetera videntur esse tranquilla; tranquillissimus autem animus -meus, qui totum istuc aequi boni facit, et eo magis, quod iam a multis -audio constitutum esse Pompeio et eius concilio in Siciliam - - * * * * * - - Page 39 - - - - -VII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Dec. 18-21_, B.C. _50_] - -"Dionysius, an excellent fellow--as I too have found him--a good -scholar and your very stanch friend, arrived in Rome on the 16th of -December, and gave me a letter from you." That's all you say about -Dionysius in your letter. You do not add "and he expressed his -gratitude to you." Yet certainly he ought to have done so, and, if he -had, you would have added it with your usual good nature. I cannot make -a _volte face_ about him, owing to the character I gave him in the -former letter. Let us call him then an honest fellow. He has done me -one kindness at any rate in giving me this further chance to know him -thoroughly. Philogenes is correct in what he wrote: he duly settled -his debt. I wanted him to use the money as long as he could; so he has -used it for 14 months. I hope Pomptinus is getting well. You mention -his entrance into town. I am somewhat anxious as to what it means: he -would not have entered the city except for some good reason. As the 2nd -of January is a holiday, I don't wish to reach Pompey's Alban villa on -that date for fear I should be a nuisance to his household. I shall go -there on the 3rd, and then visit the city on the 4th. I forget on what -day the fever will attack you again; but I would not have you stir to -the damage of your health. - -As for my triumph, unless Caesar has been secretly intriguing through -his tribune partisans, all else seems smooth and easy. My mind is -absolutely at ease, and I regard the whole business with indifference, -especially as many people tell me that Pompey and his advisers - - * * * * * - - Page 40 - -me mittere, quod imperium habeam. Id est Ἀβδηριτικόν. Nec enim senatus -decrevit, nec populus iussit me imperium in Sicilia habere. Sin hoc -res publica ad Pompeium refert, qui me magis quam privatum aliquem -mittat? Itaque, si hoc imperium mihi molestum erit, utar ea porta, quam -primam videro. Nam, quod scribis mirificam exspectationem esse mei -neque tamen quemquam bonorum aut satis bonorum dubitare, quid facturus -sim, ego, quos tu bonos esse dicas, non intellego. Ipse nullos novi, -sed ita, si ordines bonorum quaerimus; nam singulares sunt boni viri. -Verum in dissensionibus ordines bonorum et genera quaerenda sunt. -Senatum bonum putas, per quem sine imperio provinciae sunt (numquam -enim Curio sustinuisset, si cum eo agi coeptum esset; quam sententiam -senatus sequi noluit; ex quo factum est, ut Caesari non succederetur), -an publicanos, qui numquam firmi, sed nunc Caesari sunt amicissimi, -an faeneratores an agricolas, quibus optatissimum est otium? nisi -eos timere putas, ne sub regno sint, qui id numquam, dum modo otiosi -essent, recusarunt. Quid ergo? exercitum retinentis, cum legis dies -transierit, rationem haberi placet? Mihi vero ne absentis quidem; sed, -cum id datum est, illud una datum est. Annorum enim decem imperium et -ita latum placet? Placet igitur etiam me expulsum et agrum Campanum - - * * * * * - - Page 41 - -have determined to send me to Sicily, because I still have military -powers. That is a muddle-headed plan.[30] For neither has the House -decreed, nor the people authorized me to have military power in Sicily. -If the state delegates the appointment to Pompey, why should he send -me rather than any unofficial person? So, if this military power is -going to be a nuisance, I shall get rid of it by entering the first -city gate I see. As for your news that there is a wonderful interest -in my arrival and that none of the "right or right enough party" -doubt as to my future action, I don't understand your phrase "the -right party." I don't know of such a party, that is if we look for a -class; of course there are individuals. But in political splits it is -classes and parties we want. Do you think the Senate is "right," when -it has left our provinces without military rule? For Curio could never -have held out, if there had been negotiations with him--a proposal -rejected by the House, which left Caesar without a successor. Is -it the tax-collectors, who have never been loyal and are now very -friendly with Caesar? Or is it the financiers or the farmers, whose -chief desire is peace? Do you suppose they will fear a king, when they -never declined one so long as they were left in peace? Well then, do -I approve of the candidature of a man who keeps his army beyond the -legal term? No, not even of his candidature in absence. But when the -one privilege was granted, the other went with it. Do I then approve of -the extension of his military power for ten years, and that carried as -it was carried? Then I should have to approve of my own banishment, the -throwing away of the Campanian land on the people, the adoption - -[30] Abdera was the classical Gotham. - - * * * * * - - Page 42 - -perisse et adoptatum patricium a plebeio, Gaditanum a Mytilenaeo, et -Labieni divitiae et Mamurrae placent et Balbi horti et Tusculanum. Sed -horum omnium fons unus est. Imbecillo resistendum fuit, et id erat -facile; nunc legiones XI, equitatus tantus, quantum volet, Transpadani, -plebes urbana, tot tribuni pl., tam perdita iuventus, tanta auctoritate -dux, tanta audacia. Cum hoc aut depugnandum est aut habenda e lege -ratio. "Depugna," inquis, "potius quam servias." Ut quid? si victus -eris, proscribare, si viceris, tamen servias? "Quid ergo," inquis, -"facturus es?" Idem quod pecudes, quae dispulsae sui generis sequuntur -greges. Ut bos armenta sic ego bonos viros aut eos, quicumque dicentur -boni, sequar, etiamsi ruent. Quid sit optimum male contractis rebus, -plane video. Nemini est enim exploratum, cum ad arma ventum sit, -quid futurum sit, at illud omnibus, si boni victi sint, nec in caede -principum clementiorem hunc fore quam Cinna fuerit, nec moderatiorem -quam Sulla in pecuniis locupletum. Συμπολιτεύομαί σοι iam dudum et -facerem diutius, nisi me lucerna desereret. Ad summam "DIC, M. TVLLI." -Adsentior Cn. Pompeio, id est T. Pomponio. - -Alexim, humanissimum puerum, nisi forte dum ego absum, adulescens -factus est (id enim agere videbatur), salvere iubeas velim. - - * * * * * - - Page 43 - -of a patrician by a plebeian, of that gentleman of Gades by the man of -Mytilene.[31] And I should have to approve of the wealth of Labienus -and Mamurra and the gardens and Tusculan estate of Balbus. But the -source of all these evils is one. We ought to have resisted him when -he was weak: that would have been easy. Now there are eleven legions, -cavalry as much as he wants, the northern tribes across the Po, the -city riff-raff, all the tribunes of the people, the young profligates, -a leader of such influence and daring. We must either fight him or -allow his candidature according to the law. "Fight," say you, "rather -than be slaves." The result will be proscription if beaten and slavery -even if one wins. "What shall I do then?" What the cattle do, who when -scattered follow flocks of their own kind. As an ox follows the herd, -so shall I follow the "right party," or whoever are said to be the -"right party," even if they rush to destruction. The best course in our -straits is clear to me. No one can tell the issue of war: but every one -can tell that, if the right party are beaten, Caesar will not be more -merciful than Cinna in slaying the nobility, nor more moderate than -Sulla in robbing the rich. I have discussed _la haute politique_ long -enough, and I would do so longer, had not my lamp gone out. The end is -"Your vote, Marcus Tullius." I vote with Pompey, that is with Titus -Pomponius. - -[31] Balbus of Gades was adopted by Theophanes of Mytilene, who had -himself received the citizenship from Pompey. - -Please remember me to Alexis, a very clever boy, unless perhaps in my -absence he has become a man, as he threatened to do. - - * * * * * - - Page 44 - - - - -VIII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano VI aut V K. Ian. a. 704_] - -Quid opus est de Dionysio tam valde adfirmare? An mihi nutus tuus non -faceret fidem? Suspicionem autem eo mihi maiorem tua taciturnitas -attulerat, quod et tu soles conglutinare amicitias testimoniis tuis, et -illum aliter cum aliis de nobis locutum audiebam. Sed prorsus ita esse, -ut scribis, mihi persuades. Itaque ego is in illum sum, quem tu me esse -vis. - -Diem tuum ego quoque ex epistula quadam tua, quam incipiente febricula -scripseras, mihi notaveram et animadverteram posse pro re nata te non -incommode ad me in Albanum venire III Nonas Ianuar. Sed, amabo te, -nihil incommodo valetudinis feceris. Quid enim est tantum in uno aut -altero die? - -Dolabellam video Liviae testamento cum duobus coheredibus esse in -triente, sed iuberi mutare nomen. Est πολιτικὸν σκέμμα, rectumne -sit nobili adulescenti mutare nomen mulieris testamento. Sed id -φιλοσοφώτερον διευκρινήσομεν, cum sciemus, quantum quasi sit in -trientis triente. - -Quod putasti fore ut, antequam istuc venirem, Pompeium viderem, factum -est ita; nam VI Kal. ad Lavernium me consecutus est. Una Formias -venimus et ab hora octava ad vesperum secreto collocuti sumus. Quod -quaeris, ecquae spes pacificationis sit, quantum ex Pompei multo et -accurato sermone perspexi, ne voluntas quidem est. Sic enim existimat, -si ille vel dimisso exercitu consul factus sit, σύγχυσιν - - * * * * * - - Page 45 - - - - -VIII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Dec. 25 or 26_, B.C. _50_] - -There was no need for you to give such strong assurances about -Dionysius. A hint from you would have satisfied me. But your silence -gave me all the more reason for suspicion, because you are used to -cement friendships with good-natured assurances, and because I heard -that he used different language about us to others. However, your -letter convinces me. So I behave to him exactly as you wish. - -Your bad day too I had noted from a letter you wrote at the beginning -of your feverishness, and I had calculated that under the circumstances -you could conveniently meet me at the Alban villa on the 3rd of -January. But please do nothing to affect your health. A day or two will -make no difference. - -Dolabella, I see, by Livia's will shares a third of her estate with two -others, but is asked to change his name. It is a social problem whether -it is proper for a young noble to change his name under a lady's will. -But we can determine that on more scientific grounds, when we know to -how much a third of a third amounts. - -[Sidenote: Iliad xviii, 309] - -Your guess that I should meet Pompey before coming to Rome has come -true. On the 25th he overtook me near the Lavernium. We reached Formiae -together, and were closeted together from two o'clock till evening. For -your query as to the chance of a peaceful settlement, so far as I could -tell from Pompey's full and detailed discourse, he does not even want -peace. Pompey thinks that the constitution will be subverted even if -Caesar is elected consul without - - * * * * * - - Page 46 - -τῆς πολιτείας fore, atque etiam putat eum, cum audierit contra se -diligenter parari, consulatum hoc anno neglecturum ac potius exercitum -provinciamque retenturum. Sin autem ille fureret, vehementer hominem -contemnebat et suis et rei publicae copiis confidebat. Quid quaeris? -etsi mihi crebro ξυνὸς Ἐνυάλιος occurrebat, tamen levabar cura virum -fortem et peritum et plurimum auctoritate valentem audiens πολιτικῶς -de pacis simulatae periculis disserentem. Habebamus autem in manibus -Antoni contionem habitam X Kal. Ianuar., in qua erat accusatio Pompei -usque a toga pura, querela de damnatis, terror armorum. In quibus -ille "Quid censes," aiebat, "facturum esse ipsum, si in possessionem -rei publicae venerit, cum haec quaestor eius infirmus et inops audeat -dicere?" Quid multa? non modo non expetere pacem istam, sed etiam -timere visus est. Ex illa autem sententia ἰδέα[32] relinquendae urbis -movet hominem, ut puto. Mihi autem illud molestissimum est, quod -solvendi sunt nummi Caesari et instrumentum triumphi eo conferendum. -Est enim ἄμορφον ἀντιπολιτευομένου χρεωφειλέτην esse. Sed haec et multa -alia coram. - -[32] ἰδέα _Schmidt_: î _M_; ita, viv, nif, infra _other MSS._ - - - - -IX - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano V aut IV K. Ian. a. 704_] - -"Cotidiene," inquis, "a te accipiendae litterae sunt?" Si habebo, cui -dem, cotidie. "At iam ipse ades." Tum igitur, cum venero, desinam. Unas -video - - * * * * * - - Page 47 - -an army; and he fancies that when Caesar hears of the energetic -preparations against him, he will give up the idea of the consulship -this year, and prefer to keep his army and his province. Still, if -Caesar should play the fool, Pompey has an utter contempt for him, and -firm confidence in his own and the state's resources. Well, although -the "uncertainty of war" came constantly into my mind, I was relieved -of anxiety as I listened to a soldier, a strategist, and a man of the -greatest influence discoursing in a statesmanlike way on the risks of -a hollow peace. We had before us a speech of Antony made on the 21st -of December, which attacked Pompey from boyhood, complained about the -condemnation of certain people and threatened war. Pompey's comment -was "What do you suppose Caesar will do, if he becomes master of the -state, when a wretched, insignificant subordinate dares to talk in -this strain?" In a word, he appeared not only not to seek peace, but -even to fear it. But I fancy the idea of leaving the city shakes his -resolution. What annoys me most is that I have to pay up to Caesar, and -devote to the purpose what I should have used for my triumph. It is -bad form to owe money to a political opponent. But this and many other -topics can wait till we meet. - - - - -IX - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Dec. 26 or 27_, B.C. _50_] - -You ask if you are going to get a letter from me every day. Every day, -if I can find a messenger. True I am at hand myself. Well, I will stop -writing - - * * * * * - - Page 48 - -mihi a te non esse redditas, quas L. Quinctius, familiaris meus, -cum ferret, ad bustum Basili vulneratus et despoliatus est. Videbis -igitur, num quid fuerit in iis, quod me scire opus sit, et simul hoc -διευκρινήσεις πρόβλημα sane πολιτικόν. Cum sit necesse aut haberi -Caesaris rationem illo exercitum vel per senatum vel per tribunos pl. -obtinente; aut persuaderi Caesari, ut tradat provinciam atque exercitum -et ita consul fiat; aut, si id ei non persuadeatur, haberi comitia sine -illius ratione illo patiente atque obtinente provinciam; aut, si per -tribunos pl. non patiatur et tamen quiescat, rem adduci ad interregnum; -aut, si ob eam causam, quod ratio eius non habeatur, exercitum -adducat, armis cum eo contendere, illum autem initium facere armorum -aut statim nobis minus paratis, aut tum, cum comitiis amicis eius -postulantibus, ut e lege ratio habeatur, impetratum non sit, ire autem -ad arma aut hanc unam ob causam, quod ratio non habeatur, aut addita -causa, si forte tribunus pl. senatum impediens aut populum incitans -notatus aut senatus consulto circumscriptus aut sublatus aut expulsus -sit dicensve se expulsum ad illum confugerit, suscepto autem bello -aut tenenda sit urbs aut ea relicta ille commeatu et reliquis copiis -intercludendus--quod horum malorum, quorum aliquod certe subeundum est, -minimum putes. Dices profecto persuaderi illi, ut tradat exercitum et -ita consul fiat. Est omnino id eius modi, ut, si ille eo descendat, -contra dici nihil possit, idque eum, si non obtinet, ut ratio habeatur -retinentis exercitum, non - - * * * * * - - Page 49 - -when I arrive. I see I have missed one of your letters: my friend L. -Quinctius was wounded and robbed near the tomb of Basilus, while he -was bringing it. So you must see if there was any news in it I ought -to have, and you shall solve me this inevitable problem of politics to -boot. It may be necessary for us to admit Caesar as a candidate while -he keeps his army, be it by the favour of the House or the tribunes. Or -we may have to persuade him to take office on condition of giving up -his province and his troops. Or, if he will not yield to persuasion on -that point, we may refuse to admit him as a candidate at the election, -and he may endure the treatment and keep his province. Or, if he -employs the tribunes to interfere, yet keeps the peace, a political -deadlock may be brought about. Or, if he uses force, because we reject -him as a candidate, we may have to fight and he may begin at once -before we are ready, or when his friends fail to get his candidature -allowed at the elections in accordance with his legal privilege. He may -resort to arms solely on account of his rejection as a candidate, or -for a further reason, if a tribune through using obstructionist tactics -or an appeal to popular feeling incur a censure or a limitation of -power or suspension or expulsion from office, or if some tribune fly to -him with a tale of expulsion. War begun, we must either hold the city -or abandon it and cut him off from food and supplies. Of these evils -some one must be borne: consider which in your opinion is the lightest. -Of course you will say, "Induce him to give up his army and so take -the consulship." True there can be no objection to that, if he will -condescend, and I wonder he does not, if he cannot get his candidature -supported - - * * * * * - - Page 50 - -facere miror. Nobis autem, ut quidam putant, nihil est timendum magis -quam ille consul. "At sic malo," inquies, "quam cum exercitu." Certe; -sed istud ipsum "sic" magnum malum putat aliquis, neque ei remedium est -ullum. "Cedendum est, si id volet." Vide consulem illum iterum, quem -vidisti consulatu priore. "At tum imbecillus plus," inquis, "valuit -quam tota res publica." Quid nunc putas? et eo consule Pompeio certum -est esse in Hispania. O rem miseram! si quidem id ipsum deterrimum -est, quod recusari non potest, et quod ille si faciat, iam iam a bonis -omnibus summam ineat gratiam. Tollamus igitur hoc, quo illum posse -adduci negant; de reliquis quid est deterrimum? Concedere illi, quod, -ut idem dicit, impudentissime postulat. Nam quid impudentius? Tenuisti -provinciam per annos decem, non tibi a senatu, sed a te ipso per vim et -per factionem datos; praeteriit tempus non legis, sed libidinis tuae, -fac tamen legis; ut succedatur, decernitur; impedis et ais: "Habe meam -rationem." Habe tu nostram. Exercitum tu habeas diutius, quam populus -iussit, invito senatu? "Depugnes oportet, nisi concedis." Cum bona -quidem spe, ut ait idem, vel vincendi vel in libertate moriendi. Iam, -si pugnandum est, quo tempore, in casu, quo consilio, in temporibus -situm est. Itaque te in ea quaestione non exerceo; ad ea, quae dixi, -adfer, si quid habes. Equidem dies noctesque torqueor. - - * * * * * - - Page 51 - -while he keeps his army. But for us some think that nothing could be -worse than Caesar in office. You may say, "Better so, than with an -army." Certainly: but Pompey thinks that very "so" fatal, and there is -no remedy for it. "We must submit to Caesar's will." But imagine him -in office again after your experience of his former tenure. You will -reflect that, weak as he was, he was too strong for the constitution. -What about him now? And now, if Caesar is consul, Pompey will remain in -Spain. What a plight! since the worst of all is the very alternative -which we cannot refuse him, and the one which, if he takes it, will of -itself win him the favour of the right party. This course it is said -he will not accept; let us put it out of court. Which is the worst -of the remaining alternatives? To concede his impertinent demand, as -Pompey terms it? Impertinent it is indeed. You have had a province for -ten years, not allotted by the Senate, but by yourself through force -and insubordination. This term, not a legal term, but a term of your -own will and pleasure--or say, this legal term--comes to an end. The -House passes a decree for the appointment of a successor. You object -and cry, "Consider my candidature." Consider our case. Are you to dare -the House and keep your army longer than the nation sanctions? "You -must fight or yield." Then as Pompey says, let us hope for victory, -or death with freedom. If we must fight, the time depends on chance, -the plan of campaign on circumstances. So I do not trouble you on that -point. But make any suggestion you can on my remarks. Day and night I -am tormented. - - * * * * * - - Page 52 - - - - -X - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. ad urbem XIV sub noctem aut XIII ante lucem K. Febr. -a. 705_] - -Subito consilium cepi, ut, antequam luceret, exirem, ne qui conspectus -fieret aut sermo, lictoribus praesertim laureatis. De reliquo neque -hercule quid agam neque quid acturus sim, scio; ita sum perturbatus -temeritate nostri amentissimi consilii. Tibi vero quid suadeam, cuius -ipse consilium exspecto? Gnaeus noster quid consilii ceperit capiatve, -nescio, adhuc in oppidis coartatus et stupens. Omnes, si in Italia -consistat, erimus una; sin cedet, consilii res est. Adhuc certe, nisi -ego insanio, stulte omnia et incaute. Tu, quaeso, crebro ad me scribe, -vel quod in buccam venerit. - - - - -XI - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Campania inter XIV et IX K. Febr. a. 705_] - -Quaeso, quid est hoc? aut quid agitur? Mihi enim tenebrae sunt. -"Cingulum," inquit, "nos tenemus, Anconem amisimus; Labienus discessit -a Caesare." Utrum de imperatore populi Romani an de Hannibale loquimur? -O hominem amentem et miserum, qui ne umbram quidem umquam τοῦ καλοῦ -viderit! Atque haec ait omnia facere se dignitatis causa. Ubi est -autem dignitas nisi ubi honestas? Honestum igitur habere exercitum -nullo publico consilio, occupare urbes civium, quo facilior sit aditus -ad patriam, χρεῶν ἀποκοπάς, φυγάδων καθόδους, sescenta alia scelera -moliri, - - * * * * * - - Page 53 - - - - -X - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Near Rome, Jan. 17 or 18_, B.C. _49_] - -I have suddenly determined to leave town before daybreak, so that -I may escape sightseers and gossips, especially with my bay-decked -lictors. For the rest, what to do now or later, upon my word, I do not -know: I am so upset by our rash and lunatic policy. What advice can I -offer you, when it is to you I look for advice? I know not what plan -Pompey has made or is making: so far he is cooped up in the towns, -paralysed. If he makes his stand in Italy, we shall all be together: if -he retires, it will be a matter for debate. So far certainly, unless I -have lost my wits, his policy has been rash and foolish. Please write -to me often, just what comes into your head. - - - - -XI - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _In Campania, Jan. 17-22_, B.C. _49_] - -What in the name of wonder is this? What is happening? I am in the -dark. People say, "Cingulum is ours, Ancona is lost, Labienus has -deserted from Caesar." Are we talking of a Roman officer or of -Hannibal? Wretched madman never to have seen the shadow even of right! -Yet all this, he says, is done to support his honour. Can there be -honour without honesty: and is it honest to retain an army without -sanction, to seize the cities of your country that you may strike the -better at her heart, to contrive abolition of debts, the restoration of -exiles, and scores of other crimes, - - * * * * * - - Page 54 - - - τὴν θεῶν μεγίστην ὥστ' ἔχειν τυραννίδα----; - -Sibi habeat suam fortunam! Unam mehercule tecum apricationem in illo -lucrativo tuo sole malim quam omnia istius modi regna vel potius mori -miliens quam semel istius modi quicquam cogitare. "Quid, si tu velis?" -inquis. Age, quis est, cui velle non liceat? Sed ego hoc ipsum "velle" -miserius esse duco quam in crucem tolli. Una res est ea miserior, -adipisci, quod ita volueris. Sed haec hactenus. Libenter enim in his -molestiis ἐνσχολάζω τόσον.[33] - -[33] COCON _MSS._: τόσον _Tyrrell, Purser_; σοι _Vict._ - -Redeamus ad nostrum. Per fortunas! quale tibi consilium Pompei videtur? -hoc quaero, quod urbem reliquerit. Ego enim ἀπορῶ. Tum nihil absurdius. -Urbem tu relinquas? ergo idem, si Galli venirent? "Non est," inquit, -"in parietibus res publica." At in aris et focis. "Fecit Themistocles." -Fluctum enim totius barbariae ferre urbs una non poterat. At idem -Pericles non fecit annum fere post quinquagesimum, cum praeter moenia -nihil teneret; nostri olim urbe reliqua capta arcem tamen retinuerunt. - - Οὕτο που τῶν πρόσθεν ἐπευθόμεθα κλέα ἀνδρῶν. - -Rursus autem ex dolore municipali sermonibusque eorum, quos convenio, -videtur hoc consilium exitum habiturum. Mira hominum querela est -(nescio an[34] - -[34] an _added by Ernesti_. - - * * * * * - - Page 55 - - -"To win God's greatest gift, a crown?" - -[Sidenote: Euripides, _Phoenissae_, 516] - -Well, let him keep his fortune. For my part, let me bask one hour in -your clime's free gift of[35] sunlight, rather than win any kingdom -of that sort. Better a thousand times to die than once to meditate -such villainy. "Suppose you conceive a desire for it," you say. Desire -is free to anyone; but I would rather be crucified than have such a -desire. There is only one worse fate, to obtain your desire. But enough -of this. It eases me to philosophize a trifle in our present straits. - -[35] Or "precious." The meaning is very doubtful. - -To come back to Pompey. What, in heaven's name, do you think of his -plan? I mean his desertion of Rome. I don't know what to make of it. -Besides nothing could be more ridiculous. Leave the city? Would you -then have done the same if the Gauls were coming? He may object that -the state does not consist of lath and plaster. But it does consist of -hearths and altars. "Themistocles abandoned Athens." Yes, because one -city could not stand the flood of all the barbarians of the East. But -Pericles did not desert her about fifty years later, though he held -nothing but the walls. Once too our ancestors lost the rest of Rome, -but they kept the citadel. - - "Such were the deeds they did, men say, - The heroes of an elder day." - -[Sidenote: Iliad ix, 529] - -On the other hand to judge from the indignation in the towns and the -talk of my acquaintances, it looks to me as if Pompey's flight would be -a success. Here there is an extraordinary outcry (whether in - - * * * * * - - Page 56 - -istic, sed facies, ut sciam) sine magistratibus urbem esse, sine -senatu. Fugiens denique Pompeius mirabiliter homines movet. Quid -quaeris? alia causa acta est. Nihil iam concedendum putant Caesari. -Haec tu mihi explica qualia sint. - -Ego negotio praesum non turbulento. Vult enim me Pompeius esse, quem -tota haec Campania et maritima ora habeat ἐπίσκοπον, ad quem dilectus -et summa negotii referatur. Itaque vagus esse cogitabam. Te puto -iam videre, quae sit ὁρμὴ Caesaris, qui populus, qui totius negotii -status. Ea velim scribas ad me, et quidem, quoniam mutabilia sunt, quam -saepissime. Acquiesco enim et scribens ad te et legens tua. - - - - -XII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Formiis X K. Febr. a. 705_] - -Unam adhuc a te epistulam acceperam datam XII Kal., in qua -significabatur aliam te ante dedisse, quam non acceperam. Sed quaeso, -ut scribas quam saepissime, non modo si quid scies aut audieris, sed -etiam si quid suspicabere, maximeque quid nobis faciendum aut non -faciendum putes. Nam, quod rogas, curem, ut scias, quid Pompeius agat, -ne ipsum quidem scire puto; nostrum quidem nemo. Vidi Lentulum consulem -Formiis X Kal., vidi Libonem; plena timoris et erroris omnia. Ille iter -Larinum; ibi enim cohortes et Luceriae et Teani reliquaque in Apulia. -Inde - - * * * * * - - Page 57 - -Rome also, I do not know: please tell me) at the city being left -without magistrates and without the House. In fact Pompey's flight has -made a marvellous stir. Men's attitude is really quite different: they -object to any concession to Caesar. Explain to me what it all means. - -My task is peaceful. Pompey wishes me to act as surveyor over the whole -of the Campanian coast, to superintend the levy and all important -business. So I expect to be a wanderer. I imagine you realize Caesar's -policy, the temper of the people and the condition of affairs. Pray -keep me informed, and, since things are in a changeable condition, as -often as possible. It soothes me to write to you and read your letters. - - - - -XII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Jan. 21_, B.C. _49_] - -So far I have received one letter from you dated the 19th. In it you -state that you sent me another; but it has not reached me. I entreat -you, write to me as often as possible, not only what you shall know -or hear, but even anything you may suspect; and especially give me -your opinion as to what I ought or ought not to do. As to your request -for information on Pompey's policy, I don't think he knows himself; -certainly none of us know. I saw Lentulus the consul at Formiae on the -21st. I saw Libo. Everywhere there is panic and confusion. Pompey is on -the road to Larinum; for there are cohorts there and also at Luceria -and Teanum and in the rest of Apulia. No one knows whether he - - * * * * * - - Page 58 - -utrum consistere uspiam velit an mare transire, nescitur. Si manet, -vereor, ne exercitam firmum habere non possit; sin discedit, quo aut -qua, aut quid nobis agendum sit, nescio. Nam istum quidem, cuius -φαλαρισμὸν times, omnia taeterrime facturum puto. Nec eum rerum -prolatio nec senatus magistratuumque discessus nec aerarium clausum -tardabit. Sed haec, ut scribis, cito sciemus. - -Interim velim mihi ignoscas quod ad te scribo tam multa totiens. -Acquiesco enim, et tuas volo elicere litteras, maximeque consilium, -quid agam aut quo me pacto geram. Demittamne me penitus in causam? Non -deterreor periculo, sed dirumpor dolore, Tamne nullo consilio aut tam -contra meum consilium gesta esse omnia! An cuncter et tergiverser, -et eis me dem, qui tenent, qui potiuntur? Αἰδέομαι Τρῶας nec solum -civis, sed etiam amici officio revocor; etsi frangor saepe misericordia -puerorum. Ut igitur ita perturbato, etsi te eadem sollicitant, scribe -aliquid, et maxime, si Pompeius Italia cedit, quid nobis agendum putes. -M'. quidem Lepidus (nam fuimus una) eum finem statuit, L. Torquatus -eundem. Me cum multa tum etiam lictores impediunt. Nihil vidi umquam, -quod minus explicari posset. Itaque a te nihildum certi exquiro, sed -quid videatur. Denique ipsam ἀπορίαν tuam cupio cognoscere. Labienum -ab illo discessisse prope modum constat. Si ita factum esset, ut ille -Romam veniens magistratus et senatum - - * * * * * - - Page 59 - -will make a stand anywhere or cross the sea. If he remains in Italy, -I fear it is impossible for him to have a reliable army. If he leaves -Italy, where he will go or stay, and what we are to do I don't know. -For I imagine that Caesar, whom you fear may be a Phalaris, will stick -at no abominations. He will not be deterred by adjournment of public -business, the departure of members and magistrates and the closure of -the treasury. But, as you say, we shall know soon. - -Meanwhile forgive me for writing so much and so often; it soothes -me, and I wish to extract letters from you, and especially advice as -to where to go and what to do. Shall I give myself up heart and soul -to the good cause? I am not terrified by the danger, but tortured -by the anguish. To think that everything has been done with such a -lack of plan, or so contrary to my plan! Or shall I hesitate and play -the turncoat, and join the party that holds the field? "I fear the -Trojans," and I am held back not only by my duty as a citizen, but by -my duty as a friend; though I am often shaken by pity for the boys. So -write a line to me in my distress, although you have the same worries; -and especially as to what you think I should do, if Pompey leaves -Italy. I have met M'. Lepidus and he draws the line there; so does L. -Torquatus. There are many obstacles before me, including my lictors. -I have never seen such an intricate tangle. So I do not look to you -for positive advice: but only for your opinion. In fact I want to know -how the dilemma presents itself to you. It is practically certain that -Labienus has left Caesar. If it could have been arranged that he could -meet magistrates and Senate on his arrival at - - * * * * * - - Page 60 - -Romae offenderet, magno usui causae nostrae fuisset. Damnasse enim -sceleris hominem amicum rei publicae causa videretur, quod nunc quoque -videtur, sed minus prodest. Non enim habet, cui prosit, eumque arbitror -paenitere, nisi forte id ipsum est falsum, discessisse illum. Nos -quidem pro certo habebamus. - -Et velim, quamquam, ut scribis, domesticis te finibus tenes, formam -mihi urbis exponas, ecquod Pompei desiderium, ecquae Caesaris invidia -appareat, etiam quid censeas de Terentia et Tullia, Romae eas esse an -mecum an aliquo tuto loco. Haec et si quid aliud ad me scribas velim -vel potius scriptites. - - - - -XIII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Menturnis IX K. Febr. a. 705_] - -De Vennonianis rebus tibi assentior. Labienum ἥρωα iudico. Facinus iam -diu nullum civile praeclarius, qui, ut aliud nihil, hoc tamen profecit, -dedit illi dolorem. Sed etiam ad summam profectum aliquid puto. Amo -etiam Pisonem. Cuius iudicium de genero suspicor visum iri grave. -Quamquam, genus belli quod sit, vides. Ita civile est, ut non ex civium -dissensione, sed ex unius perditi civis audacia natum sit. Is autem -valet exercitu, tenet multos spe et promissis, omnia omnium concupivit. -Huic tradita urbs est nuda praesidio, referta copiis. Quid est, - - * * * * * - - Page 61 - -Rome, he would have been of great service to our cause. Loyalty it -would have appeared had made him regard his friend a traitor: it -appears so as it is, but it is of less use. For there is no cause to -serve, and I imagine that he is sorry at leaving Caesar, unless perhaps -the report is false. Myself I think it true. - -And please give me a sketch of city affairs, though according to your -account you keep to your house. Is Pompey missed? Does Caesar seem -disliked? What do you think about Terentia and Tullia? Should they -remain in Rome, or join me, or seek some refuge? On these and any other -topics pray write to me, I mean write often. - - - - -XIII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Menturnae, Jan. 22_, B.C. _49_] - -In the matter of Vennonius I agree with you. Labienus I consider a -hero. There has been no public action of such distinction for a long -time. If he has done nothing else, he has at least hurt Caesar's -feelings. But I think he has served our main interests as well. I am -delighted too with Piso. His judgement on his son-in-law[36] should -carry weight. However, you see the nature of our struggle. It is civil -war, though it has not sprung from division among our citizens, but -from daring of one abandoned citizen. He is strong in military forces, -he attracts adherents by hopes and promises, he covets the whole -universe. Rome is delivered to him stripped of defenders, stocked with -supplies: one may - -[36] Caesar. - - * * * * * - - Page 62 - -quod ab eo non metuas, qui illa templa et tecta non patriam, sed -praedam putet? Quid autem sit acturus aut quo modo, nescio, sine -senatu, sine magistratibus. Ne simulare quidem poterit quicquam -πολιτικῶς. Nos autem ubi exsurgere poterimus aut quando? Quorum dux -quam ἀστρατήγητος, tu quoque animadvertis, cui ne Picena quidem nota -fuerint; quam autem sine consilio, res testis. Ut enim alia omittam -decem annorum peccata, quae condicio non huic fugae praestitit? Nec -vero, nunc quid cogitet, scio ac non desino per litteras sciscitari. -Nihil esse timidius constat, nihil perturbatius. Itaque nec praesidium, -cuius parandi causa ad urbem retentus est, nec locum ac sedem praesidii -ullam video. Spes omnis in duabus insidiose retentis paene alienis -legionibus. Nam dilectus adhuc quidem invitorum est et a pugnando -abhorrentium. Condicionum autem amissum tempus est. Quid futurum sit, -non video; commissum quidem a nobis certe est sive a nostro duce, ut e -portu sine gubernaculis egressi tempestati nos traderemus. - -Itaque de Ciceronibus nostris dubito quid agam; nam mihi interdum -amandandi videntur in Graeciam; de Tullia autem et Terentia, cum -mihi barbarorum adventus ad urbem proponitur, omnia timeo; cum autem -Dolabellae venit in mentem, paulum respiro. Sed velim consideres, quid -faciendum putes primum πρὸς τὸ ἀσφαλές (aliter enim mihi de illis ac -de me ipso consulendum est), deinde ad opiniones, ne reprehendamur, -quod eas Romae velimus esse in communi bonorum fuga. Quin etiam tibi et -Peducaeo (scripsit enim ad me), quid faciatis, videndum est. Is enim - - * * * * * - - Page 63 - -fear anything from a man who regards her temples and her homes not as -his native land, but as his loot. What he will do, and how he will do -it, in the absence of House and magistrates, I do not know. He will be -unable even to pretend constitutional methods. But where can our party -raise its head or when? You, too, remark how poor a soldier our leader -is; why, he did not even know how things were in Picenum; and the -crisis shows his lack of policy. Pass over other faults of the last ten -years. What compromise were not better than this flight? I do not know -what he is thinking of doing now, though I inquire by constant letters. -It is agreed that his alarm and confusion has reached the limit. He -was kept in Italy to garrison Rome, but no garrison or place to post a -garrison can I see. We depend entirely on two legions that were kept -here by a trick, and are practically disloyal. For so far the levy has -found unwilling recruits, afraid of war. But the time of compromise is -passed. The future is obscure. We, or our leader, have brought things -to such a pass, that having put to sea without a rudder, we must trust -to the mercy of the storm. - -So I hesitate what to do with the boys. Sometimes I think of sending -them to Greece. As for Tullia and Terentia, when I picture the approach -of the barbarians on Rome, I am terrified. But the thought of Dolabella -is some small relief to my mind. Please consider my best course, in -the first place with an eye to safety, for their safety stands on a -different footing to mine, and then with regard to possible criticism, -if I leave them in Rome, when the loyal are all in flight. Even you and -Peducaeus must be careful what you do, as he writes to me. For your - - * * * * * - - Page 64 - -splendor est vestrum, ut eadem postulentur a vobis quae ab amplissimis -civibus. Sed de hoc tu videbis, quippe cum de me ipso ac de meis te -considerare velim. - -Reliquum est, ut, et quid agatur, quoad poteris, explores scribasque -ad me, et quid ipse coniectura assequare, quod etiam a te magis -exspecto. Nam acta omnibus nuntiantibus, a te exspecto futura. Μάντις -δ' ἄριστος--. Loquacitati ignosces, quae et me levat ad te quidem -scribentem et elicit tuas litteras. Aenigma Oppiorum ex Velia plane non -intellexi; est enim numero Platonis obscurius.[37] - -[37] Aenigma--obscurius, _transferred by O. E. Schmidt from the -beginning of XIIIa_. - - - - -XIIIa - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Menturnis VIII K. Febr. a. 705_] - -Iam intellexi tuum; Oppios enim de Velia saccones dicis. In eo aestuavi -diu. Quo aperto reliqua patebant et cum Terentiae summa congruebant. L. -Caesarem vidi Menturnis a. d. VIII Kal. Febr. mane cum absurdissimis -mandatis, non hominem, sed scopas solutas, ut id ipsum mihi ille -videatur irridendi causa fecisse, qui tantis de rebus huic mandata -dederit; - - * * * * * - - Page 65 - -eminence is such that people will expect the same from you as from -the most distinguished citizens. But you are capable of looking after -yourself. Why, it is to you that I look for advice about myself and my -family. - -For the rest, you must discover, as far as you can, what is happening, -and write to me. Add your conjectures, too, for I look forward still -more eagerly to them. Anybody can inform me of what has happened. From -you I hope to hear what will happen. "The prince of seers...."[38] -Pardon my chatter. It is a relief to write to you, and it gets me a -letter from you. I am at a loss to explain your riddle about the Oppii -of Velia; it is darker than Plato's number.[39] - -[38] The line--in full μάντις δ'ἄριστος ὅστις εἰκάζει καλῶς--is taken -from a lost tragedy of Euripides. - -[39] The "nuptial number" of the _Republic_, 545c foll. - - - - -XIIIa - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Menturnae, Jan 23_, B.C. _49_] - -I understand it now, you call those pursy Oppii the bagmen of -Velia.[40] I was in doubt for a long time. But the riddle solved, the -rest became clear, and tallied with Terentia's reckoning. I met L. -Caesar at Menturnae on the morning of the 23rd of January with the -most ridiculous commission. He is not a man, but a broom untied. I -imagine that Caesar is mocking us by sending such a commissioner on so -important business; but perhaps the fellow has no - -[40] The Oppii were bankers. If _saccones_ is read, it must be taken -as a jocular reference to money-bags. Some, however, read _succones_ -"blood-suckers," suggesting an obscure play upon the words ὀπός (fig -juice) and _sucus_. - - * * * * * - - Page 66 - -nisi forte non dedit, et hic sermone aliquo arrepto pro mandatis abusus -est. - -Labienus, vir mea sententia magnus, Teanum venit a. d. VIIII Kal. -Ibi Pompeium consulesque convenit. Qui sermo fuerit, et quid actum -sit, scribam ad te, cum certum sciam. Pompeius a Teano Larinum versus -profectus est a. d. VIII Kal. Eo die mansit Venafri. Iam aliquantum -animi videtur nobis attulisse Labienus. Sed ego nondum habeo, quod ad -te ex his locis scribam; ista magis exspecto, quid illim adferatur, quo -pacto de Labieno ferat, quid agat Domitius in Marsis, Iguvi Thermus, P. -Attius Cinguli, quae sit populi urbani voluntas, quae tua coniectura de -rebus futuris. Haec velim crebro, et quid tibi de mulieribus nostris -placeat, et quid acturus ipse sis, scribas. Si scriberem ipse, longior -epistula fuisset, sed dictavi propter lippitudinem. - - - - -XIV - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Calibus a. d. VI K. Febr. a. 705_] - -A. d. VI Kal. Febr. Capuam Calibus proficiscens, cum leviter lippirem, -has litteras dedi. L. Caesar mandata Caesaris detulit ad Pompeium a. -d. VIII Kal., cum is esset cum consulibus Teani. Probata condicio -est, sed ita, ut ille de eis oppidis, quae extra suam provinciam -occupavisset, praesidia deduceret. Id si fecisset, responsum est ad -urbem nos redituros esse et rem per senatum confecturos. Spero posse -in praesentia pacem nos habere; nam et illum furoris et hunc nostrum -copiarum suppaenitet. Me Pompeius - - * * * * * - - Page 67 - -authority, and is palming off some chance conversation as a commission. - -Labienus, my hero, arrived at Teanum on the 22nd, where he met Pompey -and the consuls. As soon as I have positive news, I will inform you of -what they have said and done. Pompey set out from Teanum for Larinum -on the 23rd. He spent that day at Venafrum. At last Labienus has given -us some encouragement, but I have no news from this quarter. Rather -I expect news from you of Caesar's doings, how he takes Labienus' -desertion, what Domitius is doing among the Marsi, Thermus at Iguvium, -and P. Attius at Cingulum, what is the city's feeling, and what are -your views as to the future. Please write me often on these topics, and -give me your opinion about my women-folk and your own intentions. Were -I writing myself this letter would have been longer, but I dictate it -owing to inflammation of the eyes. - - - - -XIV - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Cales, Jan. 25_, B.C. _49_] - -On the 25th of January, setting out from Cales to Capua, I write this -letter, though still suffering from slight inflammation of the eyes. L. -Caesar brought Caesar's ultimatum to Pompey on the 23rd, while Pompey -was at Teanum with the consuls. His conditions were accepted with the -reservation that he should withdraw his garrison from the towns he -has occupied outside his own province. That done, they said, we would -return to Rome and settle business in the House. I hope for the present -we may have peace: Caesar is rather sorry for his madness, and Pompey - - * * * * * - - Page 68 - -Capuam venire voluit et adiuvare dilectum; in quo parum prolixe -respondent Campani coloni. Gladiatores Caesaris, qui Capuae sunt, de -quibus ante ad te falsum ex A. Torquati litteris scripseram, sane -commode Pompeius distribuit binos singulis patribus familiarum. -Scutorum in ludo IↃↃ fuerunt. Eruptionem facturi fuisse dicebantur. -Sane multum in eo rei publicae provisum est. - -De mulieribus nostris, in quibus est tua soror, quaeso videas, ut -satis honestum nobis sit eas Romae esse, cum ceterae illa dignitate -discesserint. Hoc scripsi ad eas et ad te ipsum antea. Velim eas -cohortere, ut exeant, praesertim cum ea praedia in ora maritima -habeamus, cui ego praesum, ut in iis pro re nata non incommode possint -esse. Nam, si quid offendimus in genero nostro--quod quidem ego -praestare non debeo--sed id fit maius, quod mulieres nostrae praeter -ceteras Romae remanserunt. Tu ipse cum Sexto scire velim quid cogites -de exeundo de totaque re quid existimes. Equidem pacem hortari non -desino; quae vel iniusta utilior est quam iustissimum bellum cum -civibus. Sed haec, ut fors tulerit. - - - - -XV - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Capuae V K. Febr. a. 705_] - -Ut ab urbe discessi, nullum adhuc intermisi diem, quin aliquid ad te -litterarum darem, non quo haberem - - * * * * * - - Page 69 - -is uneasy as to our forces. I am wanted at Capua to assist the levy. -The settlers in Campania are hanging back. As for Caesar's professional -fighting men at Capua, about whom I misinformed you on the authority -of A. Torquatus, Pompey has very cleverly distributed them two a-piece -to heads of families. There were 5,000 heavy armed gladiators in the -school. They were said to meditate a sortie. Pompey's was a wise -provision for the safety of the state. - -As for my women-folk, among whom is your sister, I entreat you to -consider the propriety of their stay at Rome, when the other ladies -of their rank have departed. I wrote to them and to you on this point -previously. Please urge them to leave the city, especially as I have -those estates on the sea-coast, which is under my care, so that they -can live there without much inconvenience, considering the state of -affairs. For, if I give offence by the conduct of my son-in-law (though -I am not his keeper), the fact that my women-folk stay in Rome after -others have left makes matters worse. I should like to know what you -and Sextus think about leaving town, and to have your opinion of -matters in general. As for me, I cease not to advocate peace. It may be -on unjust terms, but even so it is more expedient than the justest of -civil wars. However, I can but leave it to fate. - - - - -XV - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Capua, Jan. 26_, B.C. _49_] - -Since I left Rome I have not yet let a day pass without dropping you a -line; not that I had any - - * * * * * - - Page 70 - -magno opere, quod scriberem, sed ut loquerer tecum absens; quo mihi, -cum coram id non licet, nihil est iucundius. - -Capuam cum venissem a. d. VI Kal. pridie, quam has litteras dedi, -consules conveni multosque nostri ordinis. Omnes cupiebant Caesarem -abductis praesidiis stare condicionibus iis, quas tulisset; uni Favonio -leges ab illo nobis imponi non placebat. Sed is haud auditus[41] -in consilio. Cato enim ipse iam servire quam pugnare mavult; sed -tamen ait in senatu se adesse velle, cum de condicionibus agatur, -si Caesar adductus sit, ut praesidia deducat. Ita, quod maxime opus -est, in Siciliam ire non curat; quod metuo ne obsit, in senatu esse -vult. Postumius autem, de quo nominatim senatus decrevit, ut statim -in Siciliam iret Furfanioque succederet, negat se sine Catone iturum -et suam in senatu operam auctoritatemque quam magni aestimat. Ita -res ad Fannium pervenit. Is cum imperio in Siciliam praemittitur. In -disputationibus nostris summa varietas est. Plerique negant Caesarem -in condicione mansurum postulataque haec ab eo interposita esse, quo -minus, quod opus esset ad bellum, a nobis pararetur. Ego autem eum puto -facturum, ut praesidia deducat. Vicerit enim, si consul factus erit, et -minore scelere vicerit, quam quo ingressus est. Sed accipienda plaga -est. Sumus enim flagitiose imparati cum a militibus tum a pecunia; quam -quidem omnem non modo privatam, quae in urbe est, sed etiam publicam, -quae in aerario est, illi reliquimus. Pompeius ad legiones Appianas[42] -est profectus; Labienum secum habet. Ego tuas opiniones de his rebus -exspecto. Formias me continuo recipere cogitabam. - -[41] haud auditus _Bosius_: auditus auditus _M_: a nullo auditus -_Müller_. - -[42] Appianas _Lipsius_: acianas _M_¹: actianas _M_²: Attianas _most -editors_. - - * * * * * - - Page 71 - -particular news, but I wanted to talk with you in my absence. When we -cannot talk face to face, there is nothing I like better. - -I reached Capua yesterday, the 25th, where I met the consuls and many -fellow-members. All hope that Caesar will abide by his conditions, -accepting the withdrawal of his garrisons: only Favonius objects to -his dictating to us. But no one listened to him. For even Cato now -prefers slavery to war: but he wants to be in the House when the terms -are debated, if Caesar can be induced to withdraw his garrisons. So he -does not care to do what would be most useful, and go to Sicily: and -he wants to be in the House, where I fear he will cause trouble. The -Senate definitely decreed that Postumius should set out for Sicily at -once and succeed Furfanius. Postumius replied he would not go without -Cato; he has a great idea of his own value and influence in the House. -So choice fell on Fannius; he is dispatched to Sicily with military -power. In our debates there is great difference of opinion. Most -declare that Caesar will not stick to his compact, and that his demands -were only introduced to hinder our preparations for war. I fancy, -however, that he will withdraw his garrisons. For he will win his -point, if he is elected consul, and win it with less scandal than by -his first course. But the blow must be borne. We are sinfully unready -in men and money: for we have left him not only our private purses -in the city, but the state funds in the treasury. Pompey along with -Labienus has set out for Appius' legions. I want your views on this. I -think of returning to Formiae at once. - - * * * * * - - Page 72 - - - - -XVI - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Calibus III K. Febr. a. 705_] - -Omnes arbitror mihi tuas litteras redditas esse, sed primas -praepostere, reliquas ordine, quo sunt missae per Terentiam. De -mandatis Caesaris adventuque Labieni et responsis consulum ac Pompei -scripsi ad te litteris iis, quas a. d. V Kal. Capua dedi, pluraque -praeterea in eandem epistulam conieci. Nunc has exspectationes habemus -duas, unam, quid Caesar acturus sit, cum acceperit ea, quae referenda -ad illum data sunt L. Caesari, alteram, quid Pompeius agat. Qui quidem -ad me scribit paucis diebus se firmum exercitum habiturum, spemque -adfert, si in Picenum agrum ipse venerit, nos Romam redituros esse. -Labienum secum habet non dubitantem de imbecillitate Caesaris copiarum; -cuius adventu Gnaeus noster multo animi plus habet. Nos a consulibus -Capuam venire iussi sumus ad Nonas Febr. - -Capua profectus sum Formias a. d. III Kal. Eo die cum Calibus tuas -litteras hora fere nona accepissem, has statim dedi. De Terentia et -Tullia tibi adsentior. Ad quas scripseram, ad te ut referrent. Si -nondum profectae sunt, nihil est, quod se moveant, quoad perspiciamus, -quo loci sit res. - - - - -XVII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano IV Non. Febr. a. 705_] - -Tuae litterae mihi gratae iucundaeque sunt. De pueris in Graeciam -transportandis tum cogitabam, - - * * * * * - - Page 73 - - - - -XVI - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Cales, Jan. 28_, B.C. _49_] - -I think all your letters reached me, but the first out of proper -order, the others as they were dispatched by Terentia. About Caesar's -ultimatum, the arrival of Labienus, and the reply of Pompey and the -consuls, I informed you in my letter of the 26th of January from Capua, -and I threw in a deal of other information besides. Now we have two -things to wait for, first what Caesar will do on receipt of the terms -given to L. Caesar to convey to him, and secondly what Pompey is doing -now. Pompey indeed writes to me that in a few days he will have a -strong force, and he encourages me to hope, that, if he enters Picenum, -we shall return to Rome. Labienus accompanies him, confident in the -weakness of Caesar's forces. His arrival has much encouraged Pompey. -The consuls have ordered me to go to Capua by the 5th of February. - -I set out from Capua for Formiae on the 28th of January. On receipt of -your letter at Cales on that day about three o'clock I write this by -return. As for Terentia and Tullia I agree with you, and I have written -to them to consult you. If they have not yet started, there is no -reason for them to bestir themselves, till we see how things are. - - - - -XVII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 2_, B.C. _49_] - -Your welcome letter I received with delight. I thought of sending the -boys to Greece when Pompey's - - * * * * * - - Page 74 - -cum fuga ex Italia quaeri videbatur. Nos enim Hispaniam peteremus; -illis hoc aeque commodum non erat. Tu ipse cum Sexto etiam nunc mihi -videris Romae recte esse posse; etenim minime amici Pompeio nostro esse -debetis. Nemo enim umquam tantum de urbanis praediis detraxit. Videsne -me etiam iocari? - -Scire iam te oportet, L. Caesar quae response referat a Pompeio, quas -ab eodem ad Caesarem ferat litteras. Scriptae enim et datae ita sunt, -ut proponerentur in publico. In quo accusavi mecum ipse Pompeium, qui, -cum scriptor luculentus esset, tantas res atque eas, quae in omnium -manus venturae essent, Sestio nostro scribendas dederit. Itaque nihil -umquam legi scriptum σηστιωδέστερον. Perspici tamen ex litteris Pompei -potest nihil Caesari negari omniaque ei cumulate, quae postulet, -dari. Quae ille amentissimus fuerit nisi acceperit, praesertim cum -impudentissime postulaverit. Quis enim tu es, qui dicas: "Si in -Hispaniam profectus erit, si praesidia dimiserit"? Tamen conceditur -minus honeste nunc quidem violata iam ab illo re publica illatoque -bello, quam si olim de ratione habenda impetrasset. Et tamen vereor, -ut his ipsis contentus sit. Nam, cum ista mandata dedisset L. Caesari, -debuit esse paulo quietior, dum responsa referrentur; dicitur autem -nunc esse acerrimus. - -Trebatius quidem scribit se ab illo VIIII Kal. Febr. - - * * * * * - - Page 75 - -flight from Italy seemed likely. For I myself should have gone to -Spain, but it would not have been so suitable for them. I fancy you and -Sextus may well stay in Rome even now; for you are not in the least -bound to be Pompey's friends: no one has ever depreciated city property -so much as Pompey. I must have my joke still, you see. - -You should know already the reply that Pompey is sending by Lucius -Caesar, and the nature of his letter to Caesar; for it was written and -sent on purpose to be published. Mentally I blamed Pompey who, though a -clear writer himself, gave Sestius the task of drawing up documents of -such importance, which were to come into every one's hands. Accordingly -I have never seen anything more Sestian in its style.[43] Still it is -plain from the letter that nothing can be denied to Caesar, and that -the whole bulk of his demands are to be granted. He will be utterly mad -to reject the terms, particularly when his demands are most impudent. -Pray, who are you, Caesar, to insist "Provided Pompey go to Spain, -provided he dismiss his garrisons"? Still the demand is being granted, -but it has cost us more loss of dignity now that he has outraged the -sanctity of the state and waged war against it, than if he had obtained -his previous request to be admitted a candidate. And yet I fear he may -want more. For when he entrusted his ultimatum to L. Caesar, he should -have kept a little quiet until he received a reply. But he is said now -to be more energetic than ever. - -[43] Cf. Catullus xliv for comments on Sestius' style. Sestius was -defended by Cicero in 56 B.C. with a speech which is extant. - -Trebatius indeed writes to me that Caesar requested - - * * * * * - - Page 76 - -rogatum esse, ut scriberet ad me, ut essem ad urbem, nihil ei me -gratius facere posse. Haec verbis plurimis. Intellexi ex dierum -ratione, ut primum de discessu nostro Caesar audisset, laborare eum -coepisse, ne omnes abessemus. Itaque non dubito, quin ad Pisonem, quin -ad Servium scripserit; illud admiror, non ipsum ad me scripsisse, non -per Dolabellam, non per Caelium egisse. Quamquam non aspernor Trebati -litteras; a quo me unice diligi scio. Rescripsi ad Trebatium (nam ad -ipsum Caesarem, qui mihi nihil scripsisset, nolui), quam illud hoc -tempore esset difficile; me tamen in praediis meis esse neque dilectum -ullum neque negotium suscepisse. In quo quidem manebo, dum spes -pacis erit; sin bellum geretur, non deero officio nec dignitati meae -pueros ὑπεκθέμενος in Graeciam. Totam enim Italiam flagraturam bello -intellego. Tantum mali est excitatum partim ex improbis, partim ex -invidis civibus. Sed haec paucis diebus ex illius ad nostra responsa -responsis intellegentur quorsum evasura sint. Tum ad te scribam plura, -si erit bellum; sin otium aut[44] etiam indutiae, te ipsum, ut spero, -videbo. - -[44] otium aut _Tyrrell and Purser_: autem _MSS._ - -Ego IIII Nonas Febr., quo die has litteras dedi, in Formiano, quo Capua -redieram, mulieres exspectabam. Quibus quidem scripseram tuis litteris -admonitus, ut Romae manerent. Sed audio maiorem quendam in urbe timorem -esse. Capuae Nonis Febr. esse volebam, quia consules iusserant. -Quicquid huc erit a Pompeio allatum, statim ad te scribam tuasque de -istis rebus litteras exspectabo. - - * * * * * - - Page 77 - -him on the 22nd of January to write and beg me to remain near the -city; that would win me his best thanks. All this at great length. I -calculated from the date, that as soon as he heard of my departure -Caesar began to be concerned lest we should all go from town. So I have -no doubt he wrote to Piso and to Servius. One thing surprises me that -he did not write to me himself, or approach me through Dolabella or -Caelius. However, I am not offended at a letter from Trebatius, who is -my particular wellwisher. I would not reply to Caesar himself, as he -had not written to me; but I wrote to Trebatius how difficult such a -course would be at this juncture, but that I was staying on my country -estates, and had not undertaken any part in the levy or any business. -To this I will stand so long as there is any prospect of peace; but, if -it comes to war, I shall act as becomes my duty and rank, after stowing -away my boys to Greece. For all Italy, I gather, will blaze with war. -Such a catastrophe is caused partly by disloyalty, partly by jealousy -amongst her citizens. The outcome will be known in a few days from -Caesar's answer to our letter. Then, if it be war, I will write again: -if it be peace or a respite, I shall hope to see you. - -On the 2nd of February, the date of this letter, I await my women-folk -in my place at Formiae, whence I have returned from Capua. I wrote to -them on your advice to stay in Rome. But I hear that panic has rather -increased there. I want to be at Capua on the 5th of February, as the -consuls have ordered. Any news we get here from Pompey I will let you -know at once, and I shall look to letters from you for news from the -city. - - * * * * * - - Page 78 - - - - -XVIII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano III Non. Febr. a. 705_] - -IIII Non. Febr. mulieres nostrae Formias venerunt tuaque erga se -officia plena tui suavissimi studii ad me pertulerunt. Eas ego, quoad -sciremus, utrum turpi pace nobis an misero bello esset utendum, in -Formiano esse volui et una Cicerones. Ipse cum fratre Capuam ad -consules (Nonis enim adesse iussi sumus) III Nonas profectus sum, cum -has litteras dedi. - -Responsa Pompei grata populo et probata contioni esse dicuntur. Ita -putaram. Quae quidem ille si repudiarit, iacebit; si acceperit--. -"Utrum igitur," inquies, "mavis"? Responderem, si, quem ad modum parati -essemus, scirem. Cassium erat hic auditum expulsum Ancona eamque urbem -a nobis teneri. Si bellum futurum est, negotium utile. Caesarem quidem -L. Caesare cum mandatis de pace misso tamen aiunt acerrime dilectum -habere, loca occupare, vincire praesidiis. O perditum latronem! o vix -ullo otio compensandam hanc rei publicae turpitudinem! Sed stomachari -desinamus, tempori pareamus, cum Pompeio in Hispaniam eamus. Haec -opto[45] in malis, quoniam illius alterum consulatum a re publica ne -data quidem occasione reppulimus. Sed haec hactenus. - -[45] optima _Lipsius and recent editors_. - - * * * * * - - Page 79 - - - - -XVIII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 3_, B.C. _49_] - -On the 2nd of February my women-folk came to Formiae and brought me an -account of your very kind and zealous attentions. I wished them to stay -in my villa here along with the boys, till we know whether we are to -have peace with dishonour, or war with its horrors. I and my brother -start for Capua on the 3rd of February, the date of this letter, to -meet the consuls on the 5th according to their instructions. - -Pompey's reply to Caesar is said to please the people, and to have won -the approval of a public meeting. I expected it. If Caesar rejects -this condition, he will fall in esteem: if he accept----. You will -ask my choice in the matter. I would answer, if I knew our state of -preparation. It is reported here that Cassius has been driven from -Ancona, and that our party hold the town. That will be a useful thing -in the event of war. As for Caesar, though he has sent L. Caesar -with negotiations for peace, nevertheless reports declare that he is -collecting levies with the greatest energy, seizing posts, and securing -the country with garrisons. What a villain robber! What a disgrace to -the country, too dear a price to pay for any peace! But let us restrain -our anger, yield to circumstance and accompany Pompey to Spain. That -is my choice in our straits, since we did not take the chance when we -had it of keeping him from his second consulship.[46] But enough of -politics. - -[46] Or "since we refused him his second consulship, when we had no -choice in the matter." - - * * * * * - - Page 80 - - -De Dionysio fugit me ad te antea scribere; sed ita constitui, -exspectare responsa Caesaris, ut, si ad urbem rediremus, ibi nos -exspectaret, sin tardius id fieret, tum eum arcesseremus. Omnino, quid -ille facere debuerit in nostra illa fuga, quid docto homine et amico -dignum fuerit, cum praesertim rogatus esset, scio, sed haec non nimis -exquiro a Graecis. Tu tamen videbis, si erit, quod nolim, arcessendus, -ne molesti simus invito. - -Quintus frater laborat, ut tibi, quod debet, ab Egnatio solvat; nec -Egnatio voluntas deest, nec parum locuples est, sed, cum tale tempus -sit, ut Q. Titinius (multum enim est nobiscum) viaticum se neget habere -idemque debitoribus suis denuntiarit, ut eodem faenore uterentur, atque -hoc idem etiam L. Ligus fecisse dicatur, nec hoc tempore aut domi -nummos Quintus habeat aut exigere ab Egnatio aut versuram usquam facere -possit, miratur te non habuisse rationem huius publicae difficultatis. -Ego autem, etsi illud ψευδησιόδειον (ita enim putatur) observo μηδὲ -δίκην, praesertim in te, a quo nihil umquam vidi temere fieri, tamen -illius querela movebar. Hoc quicquid est, te scire volui. - - * * * * * - - Page 81 - - -It escaped my memory to write to you about Dionysius before: but my -determination is this, to await Caesar's answer, so that, if I return -to Rome, Dionysius may await me there; but, if there is delay, then I -would summon him. I am quite aware of what he ought to have done when I -took to flight, what was proper for a scholar and a friend, especially -when he had been asked to do it: but I do not expect much from a Greek. -But please see, if I have to summon him, which I hope I shall not, that -I may not be troubling a reluctant man. - -My brother Quintus is anxious to give you a draft on Egnatius for the -money he owes, and Egnatius is willing and has plenty of cash; but when -the times are such that Q. Titinius,[47] whom I see often, declares he -has no money to get along with, and yet has told his debtors that they -may let their debts stand over at the same rate of interest as before, -and when L. Ligus too is said to have taken the same steps, and Quintus -at the present time has no money in hand, and is unable to borrow from -Egnatius or to raise a new loan anywhere, he is surprised that you -have not taken into account our national straits. Though I observe the -saying wrongly ascribed to Hesiod "Hear both sides,"[48] particularly -in the case of yourself, whom I have always found considerate, still I -was affected by his grievance. You ought to know his grievance, such as -it is. - -[47] An _eques_ and a money-lender. - -[48] μηδὲ δίκην δικάσῃς πρὶν ἃν ἀμφοῖν μῦθον ἀκούσῃς, generally -ascribed to Phocylides. - - * * * * * - - Page 82 - - - - -XIX - -CICERO ATTICO. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano III Non. Febr. a. 705._] - -Nihil habeo, quod ad te scribam, qui etiam eam epistulam, quam eram -elucubratus, ad te non dederim. Erat enim plena spei bonae, quod et -contionis voluntatem audieram et illum condicionibus usurum putabam, -praesertim suis. Ecce tibi III Nonas Febr. mane accepi litteras tuas, -Philotimi, Furni, Curionis ad Furnium, quibus irridet L. Caesaris -legationem. Plane oppressi videmur, nec, quid consilii capiam, scio. -Nec mehercule de me laboro, de pueris quid agam, non habeo. Capuam -tamen proficiscebar haec scribens, quo facilius de Pompei rebus -cognoscerem. - - - - -XX - -CICERO ATTICO. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Capuae Non. Febr. a. 705_] - -Breviloquentem iam me tempus ipsum facit. Pacem enim desperavi, bellum -nostri nullum administrant. Cave enim putes quicquam esse minoris his -consulibus: quorum ego spe audiendi aliquid et cognoscendi nostri -apparatus maximo imbri Capuam veni pridie Nonas, ut eram iussus. Illi -autem nondum venerant, sed erant venturi inanes, imparati. Gnaeus autem -Luceriae dicebatur esse et adire cohortes legionum Appianarum[49] non -firmissimarum. At illum - -[49] Appianarum _Lipsius cf._ 15. 3: itinarum _M_¹: itinerum _M_²: -Attianarum _older editors_. - - * * * * * - - Page 83 - - - - -XIX - -CICERO TO ATTICUS. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 3_, B.C. _49_] - -I have no news for you, and have not even sent you my lucubration of -last night: for that was a letter full of good cheer, because I had -heard of the temper shown at the public meeting, and thought that -Caesar would abide by terms which were in fact his own. But now on -this, the morning of the 3rd of February, I have got a letter from you, -one from Philotimus, one from Furnius, and one from Curio to Furnius -ridiculing the mission of L. Caesar. We appear to be crushed utterly, -nor do I know what plan to take. I am not indeed in trouble about -myself, it is the boys that put me in a dilemma. Still I am setting out -for Capua, as I write this, that I may more easily get to know Pompey's -affairs. - - - - -XX - -CICERO TO ATTICUS. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 5_, B.C. _49_] - -The occasion makes me brief. I have abandoned hope of peace: but our -party takes no steps for war. Pray don't suppose that there is anything -of less concern to our present consuls than the war. I came to Capua -on the 4th according to instructions, in heavy rain, with the hope of -hearing something from them and getting to know of our equipment. They -had not yet arrived, but were expected, emptyhanded, unprepared. Pompey -was reported to be at Luceria and close to some cohorts[50] of the shaky - -[50] Or "and some cohorts are approaching." - - * * * * * - - Page 84 - -ruere nuntiant et iam iamque adesse, non ut manum conserat -(quicum enim?), sed ut fugam intercludat. Ego autem in Italia καὶ -συναποθανεῖν--nec te id consulo; sin extra, quid ago? Ad manendum -hiems, lictores, improvidi et neglegentes duces, ad fugam hortatur -amicitia Gnaei, causa bonorum, turpitudo coniungendi cum tyranno; qui -quidem incertum est Phalarimne an Pisistratum sit imitaturus. Haec -velim explices et me iuves consilio; etsi te ipsum istic iam calere -puto, sed tamen, quantum poteris. Ego si quid hic hodie novi cognoro, -scies; iam enim aderunt consules ad suas Nonas. Tuas cotidie litteras -exspectabo; ad has autem, cum poteris, rescribes. Mulieres et Cicerones -in Formiano reliqui. - - - - -XXI - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Calibus VI Id. Febr. ante lucem a. 705_] - -De malis nostris tu prius audis quam ego. Istim enim emanant. Boni -autem hinc quod exspectes, nihil est. Veni Capuam ad Nonas Febr., -ita ut iusserant consules. Eo die Lentulus venit sero. Alter consul -omnino non venerat VII Idus. Eo enim die ego Capua discessi et mansi -Calibus. Inde has litteras postridie ante lucem dedi. Haec, Capuae dum -fui, cognovi, nihil in consulibus, nullum usquam dilectum. Nec enim -conquisitores φαινοπροσωπεῖν audent, cum - - * * * * * - - Page 85 - -Appian troops. Caesar is said to be tearing along, and is nearly on -us, not to join battle--there is no one to join it with--but to cut -us off from flight. Now, if it is to be in Italy, I am ready to die -with her--and on that I need not ask your advice: but if the struggle -is beyond her borders, what am I to do? The winter, my lictors, -the improvidence and neglect of the leaders prompt me to stay: my -friendship with Pompey, the cause of the loyalists, the disgrace of -association with a tyrant, prompt me to flee. One cannot say whether -that tyrant will choose Phalaris or Pisistratus as his model. Please -unravel this and assist me with your advice. Though I suppose you are -in a warm corner in Rome, still help me to the best of your ability. I -will advise you if anything new crops up here to-day. The consuls will -arrive on the 5th as arranged. I shall look for a letter every day: but -answer this one as soon as you can. I have left the ladies and the boys -at Formiae. - - - - -XXI - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Cales, Feb. 8_, B.C. _49_] - -Of our troubles you hear sooner than I. It is from your quarter they -come. No good news can be expected from here. I reached Capua on the -5th of February, as the consuls bade. Lentulus arrived late in the day. -The other consul had not arrived at all on the 7th: for on that day I -left Capua and stayed at Cales. On the 8th before daybreak I dispatch -you this letter from there. The discovery I made at Capua was that no -reliance is to be placed on the consuls, and that no levy is being made -anywhere. For recruiting officers do not dare to show their faces - - * * * * * - - Page 86 - -ille adsit, contraque noster dux nusquam sit, nihil agat, nec nomina -dant. Deficit enim non voluntas, sed spes. Gnaeus autem noster (o -rem miseram et incredibilem!) ut totus iacet! Non animus est, non -consilium, non copiae, non diligentia. Mittam illa, fugam ab urbe -turpissimam, timidissimas in oppidis contiones, ignorationem non -solum adversarii, sed etiam suarum copiarum; hoc cuius modi est? VII -Idus Febr. Capuam C. Cassius tribunus pl. venit, attulit mandata ad -consules, ut Romam venirent, pecuniam de sanctiore aerario auferrent, -statim exirent. Urbe relicta redeant; quo praesidio? deinde exeant; -quis sinat? Consul ei rescripsit, ut prius ipse in Picenum. At illud -totum erat amissum; sciebat nemo praeter me ex litteris Dolabellae. -Mihi dubium non erat, quin ille iam iamque foret in Apulia, Gnaeus -noster in navi. - -Ego quid agam σκέμμα magnum--neque mehercule mihi quidem ullum, nisi -omnia essent acta turpissime, neque ego ullius consilii particeps--sed -tamen quod me deceat. Ipse me Caesar ad pacem hortatur; sed antiquiores -litterae, quam ruere coepit. Dolabella, Caelius me illi valde satis -facere. Mira me ἀπορία - - * * * * * - - Page 87 - -when Caesar is at hand, and our leader is nowhere to be found and -takes no action. No one enlists. It is not good will that is lacking, -but hope. What an inconceivable plight is Pompey's, and how utterly -he has broken down! He has neither spirit nor plan, nor forces, nor -energy. I say nothing of his most disgraceful flight from the city, -his timorous speeches in the towns, his ignorance not only of the -strength of his opponent but of his own forces: but what of this? On -the 7th of February C. Cassius the tribune came to Capua, and brought -an order to the consuls to come to Rome, carry off the money from the -reserve treasury[51] and leave at once. On quitting the city they are -to return--but they have no escort: then there is the getting out -of the city--who is going to give them leave? Lentulus replied that -Pompey must first come to Picenum. No one except myself knows it; but -Dolabella has written to me that that district is totally lost. I have -no doubt but that Caesar is on the point of entering Apulia and that -Pompey is on board ship. - -[51] This reserve fund was said to have been founded originally to meet -a possible invasion of the Gauls. It was made up from spoils in war -and from the 5 per cent tax on manumitted slaves. It was drawn upon in -the second Punic War (cf. Livy XXVII, 11). Caesar (_Bellum Civ._ 14) -says the consuls intended to open it before they left Rome; but fled in -haste at a report of his approach. - -What I am to do is a big problem. It would be no problem for me at -all, if everything had not been disgracefully managed; and I had no -part in the plan: still my proper course is a problem. Caesar himself -invites to peace: but the letter is dated before he began to run amuck. -Dolabella and Caelius declare that he is well satisfied with me. I am -at my wits' - - * * * * * - - Page 88 - -torquet. Iuva me consilio, si potes, et tamen ista, quantum potes, -provide. Nihil habeo tanta rerum perturbatione, quod scribam. Tuas -litteras exspecto. - - - - -XXII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano VI Id. Febr. vesperi aut V Id. mane a. -705_] - -Pedem in Italia video nullum esse, qui non in istius potestate sit. -De Pompeio scio nihil, eumque, nisi in navim se contulerit, exceptum -iri puto. O celeritatem incredibilem! huius autem nostri--sed non -possum sine dolore accusare eum, de quo angor et crucior. Tu caedem -non sine causa times, non quo minus quicquam Caesari expediat ad -diuturnitatem victoriae et dominationis, sed video, quorum arbitrio sit -acturus. Recte sit. Censeo cedendum. De Oppiis eis[52] egeo consilii. -Quod optimum factu videbitur, facies. Cum Philotimo loquere atque -adeo Terentiam habebis Idibus. Ego quid agam? qua aut terra aut mari -persequar eum, qui ubi sit, nescio? Etsi terra quidem qui possum? mari -quo? Tradam igitur isti me? Fac posse tuto (multi enim hortantur), num -etiam honeste? Nullo modo. Equidem a te petam consilium, ut soleo. -Explicari res non potest; sed tamen, si quid in mentem venit, velim -scribas, et ipse quid sis acturus. - -[52] cedendum de oppidis iis. _M. The correction_ Oppiis _is due to -Boot_. - - * * * * * - - Page 89 - -end. Assist me with your advice, if you can, but guard against events -as much as possible. I have nothing to say in such an anxious crisis: -but I am looking for your letter. - - - - -XXII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, the evening of Feb. 8 or morning of Feb. 9_, B.C. -_49_] - -I see there is not a foot of ground in Italy which is not in Caesar's -power. I have no news of Pompey, and I imagine he will be captured -unless he has taken to the sea. What marvellous dispatch! While our -leader--: but it grieves me to blame him, as I am in an agony of -suspense on his account. There is reason for you to fear butchery, not -that anything could be less advantageous to secure Caesar a lasting -victory and power; but I see on whose advice he will act. I hope it -will be all right; and I think we shall have to yield. As regards the -Oppii I have no suggestion to make. Do what you think best. You should -speak with Philotimus, and besides you will have Terentia on the 13th. -What can I do? In what land or on what sea can I follow a man, when I -don't know where he is? After all how can I follow on land, and by sea -whither? Shall I then surrender to Caesar? Suppose I could surrender -with safety, as many advise, could I surrender with honour? By no -means. I will ask your advice as usual. The problem is insoluble. -Still, if anything comes into your head, please write; and let me know -what you will do yourself. - - * * * * * - - Page 90 - - - - -XXIII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano V Id. Febr. vesp. aut IV Id. mane a. 705_] - -V Idus Febr. vesperi a Philotimo litteras accepi Domitium exercitum -firmum habere, cohortes ex Piceno Lentulo et Thermo ducentibus cum -Domiti exercitu coniunctas esse, Caesarem intercludi posse eumque id -timere, bonorum animos recreatos Romae, improbos quasi perculsos. Haec -metuo equidem ne sint somnia, sed tamen M'. Lepidum, L. Torquatum, -C. Cassium tribunum pl. (hi enim sunt nobiscum, id est in Formiano) -Philotimi litterae ad vitam revocaverunt. Ego autem illa metuo ne -veriora sint, nos omnes paene iam captos esse, Pompeium Italia cedere; -quem quidem (o rem acerbam!) persequi Caesar dicitur. Persequi Caesar -Pompeium? quid? ut interficiat? O me miserum! Et non omnes nostra -corpora opponimus? In quo tu quoque ingemiscis. Sed quid faciamus? -Victi, oppressi, capti plane sumus. - -Ego tamen Philotimi litteris lectis mutavi consilium de mulieribus. -Quas, ut scripseram ad te, Romam remittebam; sed mihi venit in mentem -multum fore sermonem me iudicium iam de causa publica fecisse; -qua desperata quasi hunc gradum mei reditus esse, quod mulieres -revertissent. De me autem ipso tibi adsentior, ne me dem incertae et -periculosae fugae, cum rei publicae nihil prosim, nihil Pompeio; pro -quo emori cum pie possum tum lubenter. Manebo igitur, etsi vivere--. - - * * * * * - - Page 91 - - - - -XXIII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, the evening of Feb. 9 or the morning of Feb. 10_, -B.C. _49_] - -On the evening of the 9th of February, I got a letter from Philotimus, -declaring that Domitius has a reliable force, the cohorts from Picenum -under the command of Lentulus and Thermus have joined his army, Caesar -can be cut off and fears the contingency, and the hopes of loyalists -at Rome have been restored, and those of the other party dashed. I am -afraid this may be a dream; but still the news revived M'. Lepidus, L. -Torquatus and C. Cassius the tribune of the plebs--for they are with -me, that is at Formiae. I fear the truer version may be that we are now -all practically prisoners, that Pompey is leaving Italy, pursued it is -said by Caesar. What a bitter thought! Caesar pursue Pompey! What, to -slay him? Woe is me! And we do not all throw our bodies in the way! You -too are sorry about it. But what can we do? We are beaten, ruined and -utterly captive. - -Still the perusal of Philotimus' letter has caused me to change my plan -about the women-folk. I wrote you I was sending them back to Rome: but -it has come into my mind that there would be a deal of talk, that I had -now come to a decision on the political situation; and that in despair -of success the return of the ladies of my house was as it were one step -towards my own return. As for myself, I agree with you that I should -not commit myself to the danger and uncertainty of flight, seeing that -it would avail nothing to State or Pompey, for whom I would dutifully -and gladly die. So I shall stay, though life--. - - * * * * * - - Page 92 - - -Quod quaeris, hic quid agatur, tota Capua et omnis hic dilectus iacet; -desperata res est, in fuga omnes sunt, nisi qui deus iuverit,[53] ut -Pompeius istas Domiti copias cum suis coniungat. Sed videbamur omnia -biduo triduove scituri. Caesaris litterarum exemplum tibi misi; rogaras -enim. Cui nos valde satis facere multi ad me scripserunt; quod patior -facile, dum ut adhuc nihil faciam turpiter. - -[53] nisi qui deus iuverit _Tyrrell_: nisi quid eius fuerit _M_: nisi -quid eius modi fuerit _Ascensius_. - - - - -XXIV - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano IV Id. Febr. a. 705_] - -Philotimi litterae me quidem non nimis, sed eos, qui in his locis -erant, admodum delectarunt. Ecce postridie Cassii litterae Capua a -Lucretio, familiari eius, Nigidium a Domitio Capuam venisse. Eum dicere -Vibullium cum paucis militibus e Piceno currere ad Gnaeum, confestim -insequi Caesarem, Domitium non habere militum III milia. Idem scripsit -Capua consules discessisse. Non dubito quin Gnaeus in fuga sit; modo -effugiat. Ego a consilio fugiendi, ut tu censes, absum. - - - - -XXV - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano IV aut III Id. Febr. a. 705_] - -Cum dedissem ad te litteras tristes et metuo ne veras de Lucreti ad -Cassium litteris Capua missis, Cephalio venit a vobis. Attulit etiam -a te litteras hilariores nec tamen firmas, ut soles. Omnia facilius -credere possum, quam quod scribitis, Pompeium exercitum habere. Nemo -huc ita adfert omniaque, quae - - * * * * * - - Page 93 - - -For your query as to the state of affairs in this quarter, Capua -and the levy are in stagnation: our cause is despaired of: every -one is in flight, unless some god help Pompey to join that army of -Domitius with his own. It would seem that we shall know all in a day -or so. As requested I send you a copy of Caesar's letter. Many of my -correspondents say that he is quite satisfied with me. I can allow -that, provided I continue to do nothing to stain my honour. - - - - -XXIV - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 10_, B.C. _49_] - -Philotimus' letter delighted me little, but those who are here -considerably. Well, on the very next day a letter of Cassius from his -friend Lucretius at Capua announced that Nigidius, an emissary of -Domitius, had reached Capua, bringing news that Vibullius with a few -soldiers was hurrying in from Picenum to Pompey's camp, that Caesar -was pursuing rapidly and that Domitius had less than 3000 men. The -letter stated that the consuls had left Capua. I am sure Pompey must be -fleeing: I only hope he may escape. I accept your advice and have no -intention of flight myself. - - - - -XXV - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 10 or 11_, B.C. _49_] - -After I had sent you a despondent and, I fear, true report about the -letter Lucretius dispatched to Cassius from Capua, Cephalio came to me -from you with a letter more cheerful, but not as decided as usual. Any -news is more credible than your news of Pompey having an army. No one -brings such a - - * * * * * - - Page 94 - -nolim. O rem miseram! malas causas semper obtinuit, in optima concidit. -Quid dicam nisi illud eum scisse (neque enim erat difficile), hoc -nescisse? Erat enim ars difficilis recte rem publicam regere. Sed iam -iamque omnia sciemus et scribemus ad te statim. - - - - -XXVI - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano XV K. Mart. a. 705_] - -Non venit idem usu mihi, quod tu tibi scribis, "quotiens exorior." -Ego enim nunc paulum exorior et maxime quidem iis litteris, quae Roma -adferuntur de Domitio, de Picentium cohortibus. Omnia erant facta hoc -biduo laetiora. Itaque fuga, quae parabatur, repressa est; Caesaris -interdicta: - -"Si te secundo lumine hic offendero--" - -respuuntur; bona de Domitio, praeclara de Afranio fama est. - -Quod me amicissime admones, ut me integrum, quoad possim, servem, -gratum est; quod addis, ne propensior ad turpem causam videar, certe -videri possum. Ego me ducem in civili bello, quoad de pace ageretur, -negavi esse, non quin rectum esset, sed quia, quod multo rectius -fuit, id mihi fraudem tulit. Plane eum, cui noster alterum consulatum -deferret et triumphum (at quibus verbis! "pro tuis rebus[54] gestis -amplissimis"), inimicum habere nolueram. Ego scio, et quem metuam et -quam ob rem. Sin erit - -[54] pro tuis rebus _Lambinus_; ut prorsus _M_. - - * * * * * - - Page 95 - -report here, but every kind of unwelcome news. It is a sorry thought -that Pompey has always won in a bad cause, but fails in the best of -causes. The only solution is that he knew the ropes in the former -(which is not a difficult accomplishment), but did not in the latter. -It is a difficult art to rule a republic in the right way. At any -moment we may know all, and I will write you immediately. - - - - -XXVI - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 15_, B.C. _49_] - -I have not had what you say is your experience:--"as often as my hopes -revive." Only now are mine reviving a little, and especially over -letters from Rome about Domitius and the squadrons of Picenum. Things -have become more cheerful in the last two days. I have given up my -preparation for flight. I spurn Caesar's threat: "If I shall meet thee -here to-morrow morn."[55] The news about Domitius is good, that about -Afranius is splendid. - -[55] From a Latin translation of Euripides, _Medea_, 352. - -Thanks for your very friendly advice, not to commit myself more than I -can help. You add a caution against showing a leaning towards the wrong -party: well, I confess I may seem to. I refused to take a leading part -in civil war, so long as there were negotiations for peace, not because -the war was unjust, but because former action of mine in a still juster -cause did me harm. I had no desire at all to excite the enmity of a man -to whom our leader offered a second consulship, and a triumph too with -the fulsome flattery "on account of your brilliant achievements." I -know whom I have to fear and why. - - * * * * * - - Page 96 - -bellum, ut video fore, partes meae non desiderabuntur. - -De HS X̅X̅ Terentia tibi rescripsit. Dionysio, dum existimabam vagos -nos fore, nolui molestus esse; tibi autem crebro ad me scribenti -de eius officio nihil rescripsi, quod diem ex die exspectabam, ut -statuerem, quid esset faciendum. Nunc, ut video, pueri certe in -Formiano videntur hiematuri. Et ego? Nescio. Si enim erit bellum, cum -Pompeio esse constitui. Quod habebo certi, faciam, ut scias. Ego bellum -foedissimum futurum puto, nisi qui, ut tu scribis, Parthicus casus -exstiterit. - - * * * * * - - Page 97 - -But if the war I foresee comes, I shall not fail to play my part. - -About that £180,[56] Terentia sent you an answer. I did not want to -trouble Dionysius, so long as I expected to be a wanderer. I gave no -answer to your repeated letters about the man's duty, because daily I -was expecting to settle what should be done. Now as far as I can see, -my boys will certainly winter at Formiae. And I? I don't know. For, if -war comes, I am determined to be with Pompey. I will keep you informed -of reliable news. I fancy there will be a most terrible war, unless, as -you remark, some Parthian incident occur again.[57] - -[56] 20,000 sesterces. - -[57] I.e. a sudden retreat of Caesar, like that of the Parthians. Cf. -VI, 6. - - * * * * * - - Page 98 - - - - -M. TULLI CICERONIS - -EPISTULARUM AD ATTICUM - -LIBER OCTAVUS - - - - -I - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Formiis XIV K. Mart. a. 705_] - -Cum ad te litteras dedissem, redditae mihi litterae sunt a Pompeio. -Cetera de rebus in Piceno gestis, quae ad se Vibullius scripsisset, -de dilectu Domiti, quae sunt vobis nota nec tamen tam laeta erant in -iis litteris, quam ad me Philotimus scripserat. Ipsam tibi epistulam -misissem, sed iam subito fratris puer proficiscebatur. Cras igitur -mittam. Sed in ea Pompei epistula erat in extremo ipsius manu: "Tu -censeo Luceriam venias. Nusquam eris tutius." Id ego in eam partem -accepi, haec oppida atque oram maritimam illum pro derelicto habere, -nec sum miratus eum, qui caput ipsum reliquisset, reliquis membris non -parcere. Ei statim rescripsi hominemque certum misi de comitibus meis, -non me quaerere, ubi tutissimo essem. Si me vellet sua aut rei publicae -causa Luceriam venire, statim esse venturum; hortatusque sum, ut oram -maritimam retineret, si rem frumentariam sibi ex provinciis suppeditari -vellet. Hoc me frustra scribere videbam; sed uti in urbe retinenda -tunc sic nunc in Italia non relinquenda testificabar sententiam meam. -Sic enim parari video, ut Luceriam omnes copiae contrahantur, et ne is -quidem locus sit stabilis, sed ex eo ipso, si urgeamur, paretur fuga. - - * * * * * - - Page 99 - - - - -CICERO'S LETTERS - -TO ATTICUS - -BOOK VIII - - - - -I - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 16_, B.C. _49_] - -After I sent you my letter, I got one from Pompey. The rest of it was -about what has happened in Picenum, as reported to him by Vibullius in -a note, and about Domitius' levy. That you know already: but in this -letter things were not so grand as in Philotimus' letter. I would have -sent you Pompey's note itself, but my brother's man set out in a hurry, -so I will send it to-morrow. Pompey added a P.S. in his own hand, "I -think you should come to Luceria. You won't be safer anywhere else." -I understood him to mean that he counts as lost the towns here and -the coast. I don't wonder that a man who has given up the head should -throw away the limbs. I sent a reply by return, by the hands of a sure -messenger, that I was not concerned about where I should be safest, -and that I would come to Luceria immediately, if his or the public -interest demanded it. I entreated him to hold the coast, if he wanted -supplies of corn from the provinces. I saw I was writing in vain: but I -wanted to put on record now my opinion about not abandoning Italy, as -I had done before about holding Rome. Evidently all forces are to be -collected at Luceria, and not even there as a permanent base, but as a -starting point for flight, if hard pressed. - - * * * * * - - Page 100 - - -Quo minus mirere, si invitus in eam causam descendo, in qua neque pacis -neque victoriae ratio quaesita sit umquam, sed semper flagitiosae et -calamitosae fugae: eundum, ut, quemcumque fors tulerit casum, subeam -potius cum iis, qui dicuntur esse boni, quam videar a bonis dissentire. -Etsi prope diem video bonorum, id est lautorum et locupletum, urbem -refertam fore, municipiis vero his relictis refertissimam. Quo ego in -numero essem, si hos lictores molestissimos non haberem, nec me M'. -Lepidi, L. Volcaci, Ser. Sulpici comitum paeniteret, quorum nemo nec -stultior est quam L. Domitius nec inconstantior quam Ap. Claudius. -Unus Pompeius me movet beneficio, non auctoritate. Quam enim ille -habeat auctoritatem in hac causa? qui, cum omnes Caesarem metuebamus, -ipse eum diligebat, postquam ipse metuere coepit, putat omnes hostes -illi oportere esse. Ibimus tamen Luceriam. Nec eum fortasse delectabit -noster adventus; dissimulare enim non potero mihi, quae adhuc acta -sint, displicere. Ego, si somnum capere possem, tam longis te epistulis -non obtunderem. Tu, si tibi eadem causa est, me remunerere sane velim. - - - - -II - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Formiis XIII K. Mart. a. 705_] - -Mihi vero omnia grata, et quod scripsisti ad me, quae audieras, et quod -non credidisti, quae digna diligentia mea non erant, et quod monuisti, -quod sentiebas. Ego ad Caesarem unas Capua litteras dedi, quibus ad ea -rescripsi, quae mecum ille de gladiatoribus suis egerat, breves, sed -benevolentiam significantes, non modo sine contumelia, sed etiam cum -maxima - - * * * * * - - Page 101 - - -So you need not wonder, if I am reluctant to embark on a cause, which -has no policy for peace or victory, but always a policy of disastrous -and disgraceful flight. I must go to face whatever fortune bring, with -so-called loyalists rather than seem to disagree with real loyalists. -Yet I see Rome will soon be crammed with loyalists, I mean with men of -wealth and fortune, crammed full, when the towns have been abandoned. I -would be among them, were it not for these tiresome lictors. I should -not be ashamed of the company of M'. Lepidus, L. Volcacius, Ser. -Sulpicius, not one of whom is a bigger fool than L. Domitius, nor a -bigger trimmer than Ap. Claudius. Only Pompey weighs with me, for his -past kindnesses, not for his public influence. For what influence has -he in this case? When we were all afraid of Caesar, he cherished him. -After he has begun to fear Caesar, he thinks all should be Caesar's -enemies. Still I shall go to Luceria. Perhaps he will not be pleased to -meet me, for I shall not be able to disguise my disgust at what he has -done so far. If I could sleep, I would not bother you with such long -letters. If you suffer from the same complaint, I shall be glad if you -will pay me back in the same coin. - - - - -II - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 17_, B.C. _49_] - -Many thanks for everything: for writing me your news, for not believing -a report, which reflected on my energy, and for the expression of your -opinion. I sent Caesar one letter from Capua in answer to his inquiries -about his gladiators.[58] It was short but friendly, and, so far from -abusing Pompey, - -[58] Cf. p. 69. - - * * * * * - - Page 102 - -laude Pompei. Id enim illa sententia postulabat, qua illum ad -concordiam hortabar. Eas si quo ille misit, in publico proponat velim. -Alteras eodem die dedi quo has ad te. Non potui non dare, cum et -ipse ad me scripsisset et Balbus. Earum exemplum ad te misi. Nihil -arbitror fore, quod reprehendas. Si qua erunt, doce me, quo modo -μέμψιν effugere possim. "Nihil," inquies, "onmino scripseris." Qui -magis effugias eos, qui volent fingere? Verum tamen ita faciam, quoad -fieri poterit. Nam, quod me hortaris ad memoriam factorum, dictorum, -scriptorum etiam meorum, facis amice tu quidem mihique gratissimum, -sed mihi videris aliud tu honestum meque dignum in hac causa iudicare, -atque ego existimem. Mihi enim nihil ulla in gente umquam ab ullo -auctore rei publicae ac duce turpius factum esse videtur, quam a nostro -amico factum est. Cuius ego vicem doleo; qui urbem reliquit, id est -patriam, pro qua et in qua mori praeclarum fuit. Ignorare mihi videris, -haec quanta sit clades. Es enim etiam nunc domi tuae, sed invitis -perditissimis hominibus esse diutius non potes. Hoc miserius, hoc -turpius quicquam? Vagamur egentes cum coniugibus et liberis; in unius -hominis quotannis periculose aegrotantis anima positas omnes nostras -spes habemus non expulsi, sed evocati ex patria; quam non servandam ad -reditum nostrum, sed diripiendam et inflammandam reliquimus. Ita multi -nobiscum sunt, non in suburbanis, non in hortis, non in ipsa urbe, et, -si nunc sunt, non erunt. Nos interea ne Capuae quidem, sed Luceriae, -et oram quidem maritimam iam relinquemus, Afranium exspectabimus et -Petreium. Nam in Labieno parum est dignitatis. - - * * * * * - - Page 103 - -praised him highly. I had to do that, as I was an advocate of peace -between them. If Caesar has passed on my letter, good: I should like -him to placard it in public. I have sent him another letter on the -date on which I dispatch this to you. I could not help doing so when -he and Balbus wrote to me. I send you a copy of the letter. I don't -think you can find any fault. If you can find any, tell me how I can -escape criticism. You will say I should have sent no letter at all. -What better plan to escape malicious tongues? However I will do so as -long as I can. Your exhortations to remember my deeds and words and -even writings are friendly and very pleasant; but you seem to have a -different idea to mine as to honour and propriety in this business. To -my mind, no statesman or general has ever been guilty of conduct so -disgraceful as Pompey's. I am sorry for him. He left Rome, his country, -for which and in which it were glorious to die. You don't seem to me -to realize what a disaster that is. You yourself are still in your own -house; but you cannot stay there any longer without the consent of -villains and traitors. It is the depth of misery and shame. We wander -in want with wives and children. Our sole hope lies in the life of -one man, who falls dangerously sick every year. We are not driven, -but summoned to leave our country. And our country which we have left -will not be kept in safety against our return, but abandoned to fire -and plunder. So many Pompeians are with us, not in their suburban -villas, not in Rome, and, if some are still in Rome, they will soon go. -Meantime I shall not stay at Capua, but at Luceria, and of course I -shall abandon the coast at once. I shall wait for the move of Afranius -and Petreius: for Labienus is a - - * * * * * - - Page 104 - -Hic tu in me illud desideras. Nihil de me...dico, alii viderint. Hic -quidem quae est...?[59] Domi vestrae estis et eritis omnes boni. Quis -tum se mihi non ostendit? quis nunc adest hoc bello? Sic enim iam -appellandum est. - -[59] _after_ me _and_ est _there is a space left in M, probably for -some Greek words, e.g._ ἀξίωμα _and_ ἀξίωσις _as Tyrrell and Orelli -suggest_. - -Vibulli res gestae sunt adhuc maximae. Id ex Pompei litteris cognosces; -in quibus animadvertito ilium locum, ubi erit διπλῆ. Videbis, de Gnaeo -nostro ipse Vibullius quid existimet. Quo igitur haec spectat oratio? -Ego pro Pompeio lubenter emori possum; facio pluris omnium hominum -neminem; sed non ita, non in eo iudico spem de salute rei publicae. -Significas enim aliquanto secus, quam solebas, ut etiam Italia, si -ille cedat, putes cedendum. Quod ego nec rei publicae puto esse utile -nec liberis meis, praeterea neque rectum neque honestum. Sed cur -"Poterisne igitur videre tyrannum?" Quasi intersit, audiam an videam, -aut locupletior mihi sit quaerendus auctor quam Socrates; qui, cum XXX -tyranni essent, pedem porta non extulit. Est mihi praeterea praecipua -causa manendi. De qua utinam aliquando tecum loquar! - -Ego XIII Kalend., cum eadem lucerna hanc epistulam scripsissem, -qua inflammaram tuam, Formiis ad Pompeium, si de pace ageretur, -profecturus, si de bello, quid ero? - - * * * * * - - Page 105 - -man of little standing. You may say that I am too. I say nothing -of myself: I leave that to others. Who has standing here? All you -loyalists stay at home, and will continue to stay there. Who failed me -in the old days? Who supports me now in this war, as I must call it. - -So far Vibullius' achievements have been fine. You will see that from -Pompey's letter. _Vide_ the passage marked.[60] You will see Vibullius' -own opinion of Pompey. My point is that I can gladly die for Pompey's -sake--there is no one I hold dearer; but not in that way. In him I -see no hope for the safety of the state. You express a view different -from your usual view, that I must even leave Italy, if he does. That -course seems to me of no advantage to the state or to my children, and, -moreover, neither right nor honourable. But why do you say, "Will you -be able to see a tyrant"? As if it mattered whether I hear of him or -see him, or as if I wanted a better example than Socrates, who never -set foot out of gate during the reign of the Thirty tyrants. Besides I -have a special reason for staying. I wish I could talk it over with you. - -[60] The διπλῆ was a marginal mark of this shape =>= used in MSS. to -mark a special passage or in dialogue to indicate the appearance of a -new speaker. - -After writing this letter on the 17th, by the same lamp as that in -which I burned yours, I set out from Formiae to go to Pompey, and I may -be of use, if the talk is of peace: but, if of war, of what use shall I -be? - - * * * * * - - Page 106 - - - - -III - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Caleno XII K. Mart. a. 705_] - -Maximis et miserrimis rebus perturbatus, cum coram tecum mihi potestas -deliberandi non esset, uti tamen tuo consilio volui. Deliberatio autem -omnis haec est, si Pompeius Italia excedat, quod eum facturum esse -suspicor, quid mihi agendum putes. Et quo facilius consilium dare -possis, quid in utramque partem mihi in mentem veniat, explicabo brevi. - -Cum merita Pompei summa erga salutem meam, familiaritasque, quae -mihi cum eo est, tum ipsa rei publicae causa me adducit, ut mihi vel -consilium meum cum illius consilio vel fortuna mea cum illius fortuna -coniungenda esse videatur. Accedit illud. Si maneo et illum comitatum -optimorum et clarissimorum civium desero, cadendum est in unius -potestatem. Qui etsi multis rebus significat se nobis esse amicum (et, -ut esset, a me est, tute scis, propter suspicionem huius impendentis -tempestatis multo ante provisum), tamen utrumque considerandum est, et -quanta fides ei sit habenda, et, si maxime exploratum sit eum nobis -amicum fore, sitne viri fortis et boni civis esse in ea urbe, in qua -cum summis honoribus imperiisque usus sit, res maximas gesserit, -sacerdotio sit amplissimo praeditus, non futurus sit, qui fuerit, -subeundumque periculum sit cum aliquo forte dedecore, si quando -Pompeius rem publicam recuperarit. In hac parte haec sunt. - -Vide nunc, quae sint in altera. Nihil actum est a Pompeio nostro -sapienter, nihil fortiter, addo etiam nihil nisi contra consilium -auctoritatemque meam. Omitto illa vetera, quod istum in rem publicam -ille - - * * * * * - - Page 107 - - - - -III - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Cales, Feb. 18_, B.C. _49_] - -Upset by this grave and most calamitous crisis, though I have no -opportunity of consulting you personally, still I wish to enjoy your -advice. The whole question under debate is this. What do you think I -should do, if Pompey leaves Italy, as I expect he will? To help you to -a decision, I will briefly recount what occurs to me on both sides of -the question. - -Not only Pompey's great services in bringing about my restoration and -his intimacy with me, but the public welfare, leads me to think that -my policy and his or, if you will, my fortunes and his should be one. -And another thing, if I remain in Italy and desert the company of -loyal and distinguished citizens, I must fall into the power of one -man, and, though he gives me many tokens of regard (and you know well -I took good care that it should be so with this crisis in view), yet -he still leaves me a twofold problem; how much trust can be put in his -promises, and, if I am positive of his good will, is it proper for a -man of courage and loyalty to remain in Rome and lose his position for -the future where he has enjoyed the highest distinctions and commands, -performed deeds of importance, been invested with the highest seat in -the sacred college, and to suffer risks and perhaps some shame, if ever -Pompey restore the constitution? So much for the arguments on one side. - -Now look at those on the other. There is not an atom of prudence or -courage in Pompey's policy--and besides nothing that is not clean -contrary to my counsel and advice. I pass over the old grievance, how -Caesar was Pompey's man: Pompey raised him to - - * * * * * - - Page 108 - -aluit, auxit, armavit, ille legibus per vim et contra auspicia -ferendis auctor, ille Galliae ulterioris adiunctor, ille gener, ille -in adoptando P. Clodio augur, ille restituendi mei quam retinendi -studiosior, ille provinciae propagator, ille absentis in omnibus -adiutor, idem etiam tertio consulatu, postquam esse defensor rei -publicae coepit, contendit, ut decem tribuni pl. ferrent, ut absentis -ratio haberetur, quod idem ipse sanxit lege quadam sua, Marcoque -Marcello consuli finienti provincias Gallias Kalendarum Martiarum die -restitit--sed, ut haec omittam, quid foedius, quid perturbatius hoc ab -urbe discessu sive potius turpissima fuga? Quae condicio non accipienda -fuit potius quam relinquenda patria? Malae condiciones erant, fateor, -sed num quid hoc peius? At recuperabit rem publicam. Quando? aut quid -ad eam spem est parati? Non ager Picenus amissus? non patefactum iter -ad urbem? non pecunia omnis et publica et privata adversario tradita? -Denique nulla causa, nullae vires, nulla sedes, quo concurrent, qui rem -publicam defensam velint. Apulia delecta est, inanissima pars Italiae -et ab impetu huius belli remotissima; fuga et maritima opportunitas -visa quaeri desperatione. Invite cepi Capuam, non quo munus illud -defugerem, sed in ea causa, in qua nullus - - * * * * * - - Page 109 - -place and military power, assisted him in passing laws by force -and despite bad omens, granted him Further Gaul in addition to his -province; Pompey married his daughter, Pompey was augur at the adoption -of Clodius; Pompey was more active in effecting my restoration than -in preventing my banishment; Pompey prolonged the tenure of Caesar's -provincial government; Pompey championed his cause in absence; and -again in his third consulship, when he began to be the defender of -the constitution, struggled to get the ten tribunes to propose a bill -admitting Caesar's candidature in absence; ratified that privilege by -a law of his own; and opposed M. Marcellus the consul, when Marcellus -would have concluded Caesar's government of the provinces of Gaul on -the 1st of March. Putting all this on one side, is not this departure -or rather this disgraceful and iniquitous flight from Rome a most -shameful sign of panic? Any compromise ought to have been accepted -in preference to abandoning our country. I admit the terms were bad, -but could anything be worse than this? If you say he will restore the -constitution, I ask you when and what preparation has been made to -that end? We have lost Picenum: the road lies open to Rome: the funds -of the state and of individuals have been delivered to our enemy. -Finally we have no policy, no forces, no rendezvous for patriots; -Apulia has been chosen, the least populous district in Italy and the -most removed from the brunt of this war, and clearly chosen in despair -for the opportunity of flight which the sea affords. With reluctance -I took charge of Capua, not that I would shirk the duty, but with the -reluctance which one would have in a - - * * * * * - - Page 110 - -esset ordinum, nullus apertus privatorum dolor, bonorum autem esset -aliquis, sed hebes, ut solet, et, ut ipse sensissem, multitudo et -infimus quisque propensus in alteram partem, multi mutationis rerum -cupidi, dixi ipsi me nihil suscepturum sine praesidio et sine pecunia. -Itaque habui nihil omnino negotii, quod ab initio vidi nihil quaeri -praeter fugam. Eam si nunc sequor, quonam? Cum illo non; ad quem cum -essem profectus, cognovi in iis locis esse Caesarem, ut tuto Luceriam -venire non possem. Infero mari nobis incerto cursu hieme maxima -navigandum est. Age iam, cum fratre an sine eo cum filio? at quo modo? -In utraque enim re summa difficultas erit, summus animi dolor; qui -autem impetus illius erit in nos absentis fortunasque nostras! Acrior -quam in ceterorum, quod putabit fortasse in nobis violandis aliquid se -habere populare. Age iam, has compedes, fascis, inquam, hos laureatos -ecferre ex Italia quam molestum est! qui autem locus erit nobis tutus, -ut iam placatis utamur fluctibus, antequam ad illum venerimus? Qua -autem aut quo, nihil scimus. At, si restitero, et fuerit nobis in hac -parte locus, idem fecero quod in Cinnae dominatione L. Philippus, quod -L. Flaccus, quod Q. Mucius, quoquo modo ea res huic - - * * * * * - - Page 111 - -cause in which neither ranks nor individuals had expressed any feeling, -though there was some feeling amongst the loyalists, sluggish as -usual. Besides, as I felt, the crowd and the dregs of the populace -were inclined to the other side, and many were merely desirous of -revolution. I told Pompey himself that I could undertake nothing -without a garrison and without funds. So I have had nothing at all to -do, since I saw from the first, that his only object was flight. If I -would share his flight, whither am I to go? With him I cannot go; for, -when I set out, I learned that Caesar was so posted that I could not -reach Luceria with safety. I should have to go by the Lower Sea[61] -in the depth of winter and with no certain destination. Moreover am -I to take my brother, or leave him and take my son? But how? Either -course would cause me the greatest trouble and the greatest grief: and -how he will wreak his rage on me and my property in my absence! More -vindictively perhaps than in the case of others, because he will think -that vengeance on me will please the people. Consider too my fetters, -I mean my laurelled fasces. How awkward it will be to take them out of -Italy! Suppose I enjoy a calm passage, what place will be safe for me -till I join Pompey? I have no idea of how or where to go. But, if I -stand my ground and find a place on Caesar's side, I shall follow the -example of L. Philippus under the tyranny of Cinna, of L. Flaccus and -of Q. Mucius.[62] Though it ended unfortunately - -[61] I.e. the sea on the west coast of Italy as opposed to _mare -superum_, the Adriatic. - -[62] All these persons stayed in Rome during the Cinnan revolution. -Mucius was put to death by the younger Marius in 82 B.C. - - * * * * * - - Page 112 - -quidem cecidit; qui tamen ita dicere solebat, se id fore videre, quod -factum est, sed malle quam armatum ad patriae moenia accedere. Aliter -Thrasybulus et fortasse melius. Sed est certa quaedam illa Muci ratio -atque sententia, est illa etiam Philippi, et, cum sit necesse, servire -tempori et non amittere tempus, cum sit datum. Sed in hoc ipso habent -tamen idem fasces molestiam. Sit enim nobis amicus, quod incertum -est, sed sit; deferet triumphum. Non accipere vide ne periculosum -sit, accipere invidiosum ad bonos. "O rem," inquis, "difficilem et -inexplicabilem!" Atqui explicanda est. Quid enim fieri potest? Ac, ne -me existimaris ad manendum esse propensiorem, quod plura in eam partem -verba fecerim, potest fieri, quod fit in multis quaestionibus, ut res -verbosior haec fuerit, illa verior. Quam ob rem ut maxima de re aequo -animo deliberanti ita mihi des consilium velim. Navis et in Caieta est -parata nobis et Brundisi. - -Sed ecce nuntii scribente me haec ipsa noctu in Caleno, ecce litterae -Caesarem ad Corfinium, Domitium Corfini cum firmo exercitu et pugnare -cupiente. Non puto etiam hoc Gnaeum nostrum commissurum, ut Domitium -relinquat; etsi Brundisium Scipionem cum cohortibus duabus praemiserat, -legionem Fausto conscriptam in Siciliam sibi placere a consule duci -scripserat ad consules. Sed turpe Domitium deserere erit implorantem -eius auxilium. Est quaedam spes mihi quidem non magna, sed in his locis -firma, Afranium in Pyrenaeo cum Trebonio pugnasse, pulsum Trebonium, -etiam Fabium tuum transisse cum - - * * * * * - - Page 113 - -in the case of Q. Mucius, yet he was wont to say he foresaw the issue, -but preferred it to taking arms against his country. Thrasybulus took -the other and perhaps happier course. But Mucius' decision and views -were quite definite, and so were those of Philippus; that one might do -some time-serving, when it was necessary, but when one's time came, one -should not miss it. But, in that event, still my fasces are a nuisance. -I do not know if Caesar will be friendly; but suppose he is, he will -offer me a triumph. To refuse would damage my chances with Caesar, to -accept would annoy the loyalists. It is a hard and insoluble question; -and yet solve it I must. What else can I do? I have said most in favour -of staying in Italy: but do not infer that I have any particular -inclination towards so doing: it may be, as often happens, that there -are more words on one side and more worth on the other. Then please -give me your advice, counting me openminded on the important question. -There is a boat ready for me at Caieta and at Brundisium. - -But, here are messengers arriving as I write this letter at night in -Cales; and here is a letter saying that Caesar has reached Corfinium -and that Domitius is there with a strong force anxious to fight. I do -not think that Pompey will go so far as to abandon Domitius, though he -sent Scipio ahead to Brundisium with two squadrons, and has informed -the consuls that he wants one of them to take the legion raised for -Faustus into Sicily. But it were base to desert Domitius, when he -entreats for help. There is some hope, small enough to my mind, but -favoured in this district, that Afranius has fought with Trebonius in -the Pyrenees and driven him back, and that your - - * * * * * - - Page 114 - -cohortibus, summa autem Afranium cum magnis copiis adventare. Id si -est, in Italia fortasse manebitur. Ego autem, cum esset incertum iter -Caesaris, quod vel ad Capuam vel ad Luceriam iturus putabatur, Leptam -misi ad Pompeium et litteras; ipse, ne quo inciderem, reverti Formias. - -Haec te scire volui scripsique sedatiore animo, quam proxime -scripseram, nullum meum iudicium interponens, sed exquirens tuum. - - - - -IV - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano VIII K. Mart. ante lucem a. 705_] - -Dionysius quidem tuus potius quam noster, cuius ego cum satis -cognossem mores, tuo tamen potius stabam iudicio quam meo, ne tui -quidem testimonii, quod ei saepe apud me dederas, veritus, superbum -se praebuit in fortuna, quam putavit nostram fore; cuius fortunae -nos, quantum humano consilio effici poterit, motum ratione quadam -gubernabimus. Cui qui noster honos, quod obsequium, quae etiam ad -ceteros contempti cuiusdam hominis commendatio defuit? ut meum iudicium -reprehendi a Quinto fratre volgoque ab omnibus mallem quam illum non -efferrem laudibus, Ciceronesque nostros meo potius labore subdoceri -quam me alium iis magistrum quaerere; ad quem ego quas litteras, dei -immortales, miseram, quantum honoris significantes, quantum amoris! -Dicaearchum mehercule aut Aristoxenum diceres arcessi, non unum hominem -omnium loquacissimum et minime aptum ad docendum. Sed est memoria bona. -Me dicet esse meliore. Quibus litteris ita respondit ut ego nemini, - - * * * * * - - Page 115 - -friend Fabius too has gone over to Pompey with his squadrons: and high -hope, that Afranius is marching hither with large forces. If that is -true, we may stay in Italy. But since no one knows Caesar's route, as -he was supposed to be going towards Capua or Luceria, I am sending -Lepta to Pompey with a letter. Myself I return to Formiae for fear I -should stumble on anyone. - -I wanted you to know the news, and I write with more composure than I -stated above. I advance no views of my own, but ask for yours. - - - - -IV - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 22_, B.C. _49_] - -I count Dionysius your man rather than mine: for, though I was well -acquainted with his character, I held to your opinion of him rather -than to my own. The fellow has paid no respect even to your frequent -certificates of character, but has become arrogant in what he takes -for a fall in my fortune, though so far as human wit can avail, I will -steer my course onward with some skill. I never failed Dionysius in -respect or service, or in a good word for the despicable cad. Nay, -I preferred to have my opinion criticized by Quintus and people in -general rather than omit to praise the fellow; and, sooner than seek -another master for my boys, I took pains to give them private lessons -myself. Good God, what a letter I sent him: how full of respect and -affection! You would think that I was sending for Dicaearchus or -Aristoxenus and not for an arch-chatter-box useless as a teacher. He -has a good memory: he shall have reason to say that mine is better. He -answered the - - * * * * * - - Page 116 - -cuius causam non reciperem. Semper enim: "Si potero, si ante suscepta -causa non impediar." Numquam reo cuiquam tam humili, tam sordido, tam -nocenti, tam alieno tam praecise negavi, quam hic mihi plane sine ulla -exceptione praecidit. Nihil cognovi ingratius; in quo vitio nihil mali -non inest. Sed de hoc nimis multa. - -Ego navem paravi. Tuas litteras tamen exspecto, ut sciam, quid -respondeant consultationi meae. Sulmone C. Atium Paelignum aperuisse -Antonio portas, cum essent cohortes quinque, Q. Lucretium inde -effugisse scis, Gnaeum ire Brundisium, desertum Domitium.[63] Confecta -res est. - -[63] Domitium _is added by Lipsius_. - - - - -V - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano VII, ut videtur, K. Mart. a. 705_] - -Cum ante lucem VIII Kal. litteras ad te de Dionysio dedissem, vesperi -ad nos eodem die venit ipse Dionysius, auctoritate tua permotus, ut -suspicor; quid enim putem aliud? Etsi solet eum, cum aliquid furiose -fecit, paenitere. Numquam autem cerritior fuit quam in hoc negotio. -Nam, quod ad te non scripseram, postea audivi a tertio miliario tum eum -isse - - πολλὰ μάτην κεράεσσιν ἐς ἠέρα θυμήναντα, - -multa, inquam, mala cum dixisset: suo capiti, ut aiunt. Sed en meam -mansuetudinem! Conieceram in fasciculum una cum tua vementem ad illum -epistulam. Hanc ad me referri volo nec ullam ob aliam - - * * * * * - - Page 117 - -letter in a tone I have never used even when I wished to decline a -case. I always say, "if possible," "if no previous engagement hinders -me." I have never given so curt a refusal as his curt unqualified "no" -to any client however humble, however mean, however guilty, however -much a stranger. It is the height of ingratitude, and ingratitude -includes all sins. But enough and more than enough of this. - -I have a boat ready. Still I wait for a letter from you, that I may -know your answer to my problem. You know that at Sulmo C. Atius -Paelignus opened the gates to Antonius, though he had five squadrons, -that Q. Lucretius has escaped from the place, and that Pompey has gone -to Brundisium, deserting Domitius. We are done for. - - - - -V - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 23 (?)_, B.C. _49_] - -After I sent you a letter before daybreak on the 22nd about Dionysius, -on the evening of the same day came Dionysius himself. I cannot but -think that it was by your influence, though he is wont to repent of his -fits of temper, and this is the maddest business he has had a hand in. -I did not tell you before, but I heard later, that, when he had got -three miles from Rome, he took fright, - - "When he had vainly butted with his horns - The vacant air."[64] - -[64] Author unknown. - -I mean he cursed roundly. May his curses fall on his own head, as the -saying goes. But look at my good nature. I enclosed in your packet a -strong letter for him. I should be glad to have it returned; and - - * * * * * - - Page 118 - -causam Pollicem servum a pedibus meis Romam misi. Eo autem ad te -scripsi, ut, si tibi forte reddita esset, mihi curares referendam, ne -in illius manus perveniret. - -Novi si quid esset, scripsissem. Pendeo animi exspectatione -Corfiniensi, in qua de salute rei publicae decernetur. Tu fasciculum, -qui est M'. Curio inscriptus, velim cures ad eum perferendum Tironemque -Curio commendes et, ut det ei, si quid opus erit in sumptum, roges. - - - - -VI - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano IX K. Mart., ut videtur, a. 705_] - -Obsignata iam ista epistula, quam de nocte daturus eram, sicut dedi -(nam eam vesperi scripseram), C. Sosius praetor in Formianum venit ad -M'. Lepidum, vicinum nostrum, cuius quaestor fuit. Pompei litterarum ad -consules exemplum attulit: - -"Litterae mihi a L. Domitio a. d. XIII Kalend. Mart. allatae sunt. -Earum exemplum infra scripsi. Nunc, ut ego non scribam, tua sponte -te intellegere scio, quanti rei publicae intersit omnes copias in -unum locum primo quoque tempore convenire. Tu, si tibi videbitur, -dabis operam, ut quam primum ad nos venias, praesidii Capuae quantum -constitueris satis esse, relinquas." - -Deinde supposuit exemplum epistulae Domiti, quod ego ad te pridie -miseram. Di immortales, qui me horror perfudit! quam sum sollicitus, -quidnam futurum sit! Hoc tamen spero, magnum nomen imperatoris fore, -magnum in adventu terrorem. Spero etiam, quoniam adhuc nihil nobis -obfuit † nihil - - * * * * * - - Page 119 - -only for that reason have I sent my footman Pollux to Rome. So I write -to you that, if it has come into your hands, you may return it and not -let it fall into his possession. - -I would write any fresh news, if there were any. I am a-tiptoe with -anxiety as to the business at Corfinium, which will decide the fate of -the constitution. Please send the packet addressed to M'. Curius, and -please recommend Tiro to Curius, and ask him to supply his wants. - - - - -VI - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 21 (?)_, B.C. _49_] - -After I had sealed that letter to you, which I wanted to dispatch -last night (I wrote it in the evening and did dispatch it), C. Sosius -the praetor came to Formiae to visit my neighbour, M'. Lepidus, whose -quaestor he was. He brought a copy of Pompey's letter to the consuls: -"I have received a dispatch from L. Domitius, dated the 17th of -February. I enclose a copy. Now without a word from me, I know you -realize of your own accord how important it is for the State that all -our forces should concentrate at one spot at the earliest possible -date. If you agree, endeavour to reach me at once, leaving Capua such -garrison as you may consider necessary." - -Then appended is a copy of Domitius' letter which I sent you yesterday. -My God, how terrified I was and how distracted I am as to the future! -I hope his nickname the Great will inspire great panic on his arrival. -I hope too, since nothing has stood in our way at present [except his -negligence, he is not - - * * * * * - - Page 120 - -mutasset neglegentia hoc quod cum fortiter et diligenter tum etiam -mehercule.† - -Modo enim audivi quartanam a te discessisse. Moriar, si magis gauderem, -si id mihi accidisset. Piliae dic non esse aequum eam diutius habere -nec id esse vestrae concordiae. Tironem nostrum ab altera relictum -audio. Sed eum video in sumptum ab aliis mutuatum; ego autem Curium -nostrum, si quid opus esset, rogaram. Malo Tironis verecundiam in culpa -esse quam inliberalitatem Curi. - - - - -VII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano VII K. Mart., ut videtur, a. 705_] - -Unum etiam restat amico nostro ad omne dedecus, ut Domitio non -subveniat. "At nemo dubitat, quin subsidio venturus sit." Ego non puto. -"Deseret igitur talem civem et eos, quos una scis esse, cum habeat -praesertim is ipse cohortes triginta?" Nisi me omnia fallunt, deseret. -Incredibiliter pertimuit, nihil spectat nisi fugam. Cui tu (video enim, -quid sentias) me comitem putas debere esse. Ego vero, quem fugiam, -habeo, quem sequar, non habeo. Quod enim tu meum laudas et memorandum -dicis, malle quod dixerim me cum Pompeio vinci quam cum istis vincere, -ego vero malo, sed cum illo Pompeio, qui tum erat, aut qui mihi esse -videbatur, cum hoc vero, qui ante fugit, quam scit, aut quem fugiat aut -quo, qui nostra tradidit, qui patriam reliquit, Italiam relinquit, - - * * * * * - - Page 121 - -neglecting a point which ought to be carried out vigorously].[65] - -[65] The words in brackets only attempt to give the probable sense of -this hopelessly corrupt passage. - -I have just heard that you have lost your fever. Upon my life I could -not be better pleased, if I had recovered myself. Tell Pilia that such -a perfect helpmeet should not be sick longer than her husband. I hear -that Tiro has recovered from his second attack: but I see he has been -raising money from strangers. I had commissioned Curius to supply him -with funds. I hope it is Tiro's diffidence and not Curius' meanness -that is to blame. - - - - -VII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 23 (?)_, B.C. _49_] - -The one act needed to crown Pompey's disgrace is the desertion of -Domitius. I don't agree with the universal opinion that he is sure to -help him. "Will he desert so distinguished a citizen as Domitius and -those with him, even though he has thirty cohorts at his command?" -Unless I am greatly mistaken he will desert him. He is incredibly -alarmed, and has no thought but flight; and you want me to go with him; -for I see what you think. Yes, I have a foe to flee from, but no friend -to follow. As for your praise of that remark of mine, which you quote -and call so memorable, that I would rather be conquered with Pompey -than conquer with Caesar, well, I would: but it must be with Pompey -my old hero or ideal. As to the Pompey of to-day, who flees before he -knows from whom he is running or where to run; who has betrayed us, -abandoned his country and deserted - - * * * * * - - Page 122 - -si malui, contigit, victus sum. Quod superest, nec ista videre possum, -quae numquam timui ne viderem, nec mehercule istum, propter quem mihi -non modo meis, sed memet ipso carendum est. - -Ad Philotimum scripsi de viatico sive a Moneta (nemo enim solvit) sive -ab Oppiis, tuis contubernalibus. Cetera apposita tibi mandabo. - - - - -VIII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano VI K. Mart. a. 705_] - -O rem turpem et ea re miseram! Sic enim sentio, id demum aut potius id -solum esse miserum, quod turpe sit. Aluerat Caesarem; eundem repente -timere coeperat, condicionem pacis nullam probarat, nihil ad bellum -pararat, urbem reliquerat, Picenum amiserat culpa, in Apuliam se -compegerat, ibat in Graeciam, omnes nos ἀπροσφωνήτους, expertes sui -tanti, tam inusitati consilii relinquebat. Ecce subito litterae Domiti -ad illum, ipsius ad consules. Fulsisse mihi videbatur τὸ καλὸν ad -oculos eius et exclamasse ille vir, qui esse debuit: - - Πρὸς ταῦθ' ὅ τι χρὴ καὶ παλαμάσθων - καὶ πάντ' ἐπ' ἐμοὶ τεκταινέσθων. - τὸ γὰρ εὖ μετ' ἐμοῦ. - - * * * * * - - Page 123 - -Italy,--well, if I wanted to be conquered with him, I have got my wish; -I am conquered. For the rest I cannot bear to look at Caesar's doings. -I never expected to see them, nor the man himself who robs me not only -of my friends, but of myself. - -I have written to Philotimus about money for the journey--either -from the mint,[66] for none of my debtors will pay up, or from -your associates the bankers. I will give you all other requisite -instructions. - -[66] The Roman Mint was at the Temple of Juno Moneta. Apparently money -could be obtained there by exchange for bullion. - - - - -VIII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 24_, B.C. _49_] - -What disgrace, and therefore what misery! For I feel disgrace to be -the crown of misery, or indeed the only real misery. Pompey treated -Caesar as his _protégé_, began suddenly to fear him, declined terms of -peace, made no preparation for war, quitted Rome, lost Picenum by his -own fault, got himself blocked in Apulia, went off to Greece without a -word, leaving us in ignorance of a plan so important and unusual. Then -all of a sudden Domitius' letter to Pompey and Pompey's letter to the -consuls. It seemed to me that the Right had flashed upon his gaze, and -that he, the old heroic Pompey, cried: - - "What subtle craft they will let them devise, - And work their wiliest in my despite. - The right is on my side."[67] - -[67] A fragment of Euripides parodied by Aristophanes, _Acharnians_, -659-661. - - * * * * * - - Page 124 - -At ille tibi πολλὰ χαίρειν τᾷ καλᾷ dicens pergit Brundisium. Domitium -autem aiunt re audita et eos, qui una essent, se tradidisse. O rem -lugubrem! Itaque intercludor dolore, quo minus ad te plura scribam. -Tuas litteras exspecto. - - - - -IX - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano V K. Mart. a. 705_] - -Epistulam meam quod pervulgatam scribis esse, non fero moleste, -quin etiam ipse multis dedi describendam. Ea enim et acciderunt iam -et impendent, ut testatum esse velim, de pace quid senserim. Cum -autem ad eam hortarer eum praesertim hominem, non videbar ullo modo -facilius moturus, quam si id, quod eum hortarer, convenire eius -sapientiae dicerem. Eam si "admirabilem" dixi, cum eum ad salutem -patriae hortabar, non sum veritus, ne viderer adsentari, cui tali in -re lubenter me ad pedes abiecissem. Quod autem est "aliquid inpertias -temporis," non est, de pace, sed de me ipso et de meo officio ut -aliquid cogitet. Nam, quod testificor me expertem belli fuisse, etsi id -re perspectum est, tamen eo scripsi, quo in suadendo plus auctoritatis -haberem; eodemque pertinet, quod causam eius probo. - -Sed quid haec nunc? Utinam aliquid profectum esset! Ne ego istas -litteras in contione recitari velim, si quidem ille ipse ad eundem -scribens in publico proposuit epistulam illam, in qua est "pro tuis -rebus gestis amplissimis" (amplioribusne quam suis, - - * * * * * - - Page 125 - -However Pompey bids a long farewell to honour and away for Brundisium. -They say that Domitius and those with him surrendered on receipt of the -news. What a doleful business! Grief prevents me writing more. I await -a letter from you. - - - - -IX - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 25_, B.C. _49_.] - -I am not upset at the circulation of my letter, indeed I myself let -many people take a copy. Considering what has happened and is likely to -happen, I want my views on peace published. And when I exhorted Caesar -of all men to seek peace, I had no readier argument than to say, that -peace became a man of his wisdom. If I spoke of his "admirable" wisdom, -seeing that I was urging him on to the salvation of our country, I was -not afraid of appearing to flatter him: in such a cause I would gladly -have cast myself at his feet. When I use the phrase "spare time," that -does not mean for the consideration of peace, but for the consideration -of myself and my obligations. As to my statement that I have taken no -part in the war, though the facts are evidence, I wrote it to give -greater weight to my advice and it was for the same reason that I -expressed approbation of his case. - -But this is idle talk now: I only wish it had done some good. Why, I -should not object to the recital of my letter at a public meeting, -when Pompey himself, writing to Caesar, exhibited for public perusal a -letter containing the words "On account of your splendid achievements," -(are they more splendid - - * * * * * - - Page 126 - -quam Africani? Ita tempus ferebat), si quidem etiam vos duo tales ad -quintum miliarium quid nunc ipsum de se recipienti, quid agenti, quid -acturo? Quanto autem ferocius ille causae suae confidet, cum vos, -cum vestri similes non modo frequentes, sed laeto vultu gratulantes -viderit! "Num igitur peccamus?" Minime vos quidem; sed tamen signa -conturbantur, quibus voluntas a simulatione distingui posset. Quae vero -senatus consulta video? Sed apertius, quam proposueram. - -Ego Arpini volo esse pridie Kal., deinde circum villulas nostras -errare, quas visurum me postea desperavi. Εὐγενῆ tua consilia et tamen -pro temporibus non incauta mihi valde probantur. Lepido quidem (nam -fere συνδιημερεύομεν, quod gratissimum illi est) numquam placuit ex -Italia exire, Tullo multo minus. Crebro enim illius litterae ab aliis -ad nos commeant. Sed me illorum sententiae minus movebant; minus -multa dederant illi rei publicae pignora. Tua mehercule auctoritas -vehementer movet; adfert enim et reliqui temporis recuperandi rationem -et praesentis tuendi. Sed, obsecro te, quid hoc miserius quam alterum -plausus in foedissima causa quaerere, alterum offensiones in optima? -alterum existimari conservatorem inimicorum, alterum desertorem -amicorum? Et mehercule, quamvis amemus Gnaeum nostrum, ut et facimus -et debemus, tamen hoc, quod talibus viris non subvenit, laudare non -possum. Nam, sive - - * * * * * - - Page 127 - -than Pompey's own, or those of Africanus? Circumstances made him say -so.) and when two men like you and S. Peducaeus are going to meet him -at the fifth milestone,--and at this moment to what course does he -pledge himself, what is he doing, what is he going to do? Surely his -belief in his rights will grow more vehement, when he sees you and -men like you not only in crowds, but with joy upon your faces. "What -harm in that," you ask? Not a bit, as far as you are concerned: but -still the outward signs of the distinction between genuine feeling and -pretence are all upset. I foresee some strange decrees of the Senate. -But my letter has been more frank than I intended. - -I hope to be at Arpinum on the 28th, and then to visit my country -estates, I fear for the last time. Your policy, gentlemanly, but -not without a touch of caution suited to the times, has my sincere -approval. Lepidus, who has the pleasure of my company almost every day, -never liked the plan of quitting Italy: Tullus detested it: for letters -from him often reach me from other hands. However their views influence -me little: they have given fewer pledges to the state than I: but I am -strongly swayed by the weight of your opinion, which proposes a plan -for betterment in the future and security in the present. Is there a -more wretched spectacle than that of Caesar earning praise in the most -disgusting cause, and of Pompey earning blame in the most excellent: -of Caesar being regarded as the saviour of his enemies, and Pompey -as a traitor to his friends? Assuredly though I love Pompey, from -inclination and duty, still I cannot praise his failure to succour such -men. If it was fear, - - * * * * * - - Page 128 - -timuit, quid ignavius? sive, ut quidam putant, meliorem suam causam -illorum caede fore putavit, quid iniustius? Sed haec omittamus; augemus -enim dolorem retractando. - -VI Kal. vesperi Balbus minor ad me venit occulta via currens ad -Lentulum consulem missu Caesaris cum litteris, cum mandatis, cum -promissione provinciae, Romam ut redeat. Cui persuaderi posse non -arbitror, nisi erit conventus. Idem aiebat nihil malle Caesarem, quam -ut Pompeium adsequeretur (id credo) et rediret in gratiam. Id non credo -et metuo, ne omnis haec clementia ad Cinneam[68] illam crudelitatem -colligatur. Balbus quidem maior ad me scribit nihil malle Caesarem quam -principe Pompeio sine metu vivere. Tu, puto, haec credis. Sed, cum haec -scribebam V Kalend., Pompeius iam Brundisium venisse poterat; expeditus -enim antecesserat legiones XI K. Luceria. Sed hoc τέρας horribili -vigilantia, celeritate, diligentia est. Plane, quid futurum sit, nescio. - -[68] Cinneam _Tyrrell and Purser_: unam _MSS._: Sullanam _Orelli_. - - - - -X - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano IV K. Mart. a. 705_] - -Dionysius cum ad me praeter opinionem meam venisset, locutus sum cum -eo liberalissime; tempora exposui, rogavi, ut diceret, quid haberet in -animo; me nihil ab ipso invito contendere. Respondit se, quod in nummis -haberet, nescire quo loci esset; alios non solvere, aliorum diem nondum -esse. Dixit etiam alia quaedam de servulis suis, quare nobiscum - - * * * * * - - Page 129 - -it was most cowardly; if, as some think, he imagined that their -massacre would assist his cause, it was most iniquitous. But let us -pass over this, for remembrance adds to my sorrow. - -On the evening of the 24th, Balbus the younger came to me, hurrying on -a secret errand to the consul Lentulus from Caesar with a letter, a -commission, and the promise of a province on condition of his returning -to Rome. I don't think that he can be talked over without a personal -interview. Balbus said that Caesar was most anxious to meet Pompey (I -believe it), and to get on good terms with him. This I do not believe -and I fear all his kindness is only a preparation for cruelty like -Cinna's. Balbus the elder writes to me that Caesar wants nothing better -than to live in safety under Pompey. I expect you will believe that. -But while I write this letter on the 25th of February, Pompey may have -reached Brundisium. He set out without baggage, and before his legions, -on the 19th from Luceria. But that bogy-man has terrible wariness, -speed and energy. The future is a riddle to me. - - - - -X - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 26_, B.C. _49_] - -I spoke to Dionysius in the frankest way, when contrary to my -expectations he arrived. I told him how matters stood; asked him his -intentions, and said that I would not press him against his will. He -replied that he did not know where such money as he owned was: that -some creditors did not pay, that other debts were not yet due. He said -something about his wretched slaves that would prevent his - - * * * * * - - Page 130 - -esse non posset. Morem gessi; dimisi a me ut magistrum Ciceronum non -lubenter, ut hominem ingratum non invitus. Volui te scire, et quid ego -de eius facto iudicarem. - - - - -XI - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano III K. Mart. a. 705_] - -Quod me magno animi motu perturbatum putas, sum equidem, sed non tam -magno, quam tibi fortasse videor. Levatur enim omnis cura, cum aut -constitit consilium, aut cogitando nihil explicatur. Lamentari autem -licet illud quidem totos dies; sed vereor, ne, nihil cum proficiam, -etiam dedecori sim studiis ac litteris nostris. Consumo igitur omne -tempus considerans, quanta vis sit illius viri, quem nostris libris -satis diligenter, ut tibi quidem videmur, expressimus. Tenesne igitur -moderatorem illum rei publicae quo referre velimus omnia? Nam sic -quinto, ut opinor, in libro loquitur Scipio: "Ut enim gubernatori -cursus secundus, medico salus, imperatori victoria, sic huic moderatori -rei publicae beata civium vita proposita est, ut opibus firma, copiis -locuples, gloria ampla, virtute honesta sit. Huius enim operis maximi -inter homines atque optimi illum esse perfectorem volo." Hoc Gnaeus -noster cum antea numquam tum in hac causa minime cogitavit. Dominatio -quaesita ab utroque est, non id actum, beata et honesta civitas ut -esset. Nec vero ille urbem reliquit, quod eam tueri non posset, nec -Italiam, quod ea pelleretur, sed hoc a primo cogitavit, omnes terras, -omnia maria movere, reges barbaros incitare, gentes feras armatas in -Italiam - - * * * * * - - Page 131 - -staying with me. I acquiesced, sorry to lose a master for my boys; -but glad to be rid of an ungrateful fellow. I wanted you to know what -happened and my opinion of his conduct. - - - - -XI - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 27_, B.C. _49_] - -As you suppose, I am in great anxiety of mind: but it is not so great -as you may imagine. I am rid of care, as soon as resolve is fixed -or thought proves futile. Still I may lament my lot as I do all day -long. But I fear, since lamentation is idle, I disgrace my philosophy -and my works. So I spend my time considering the character of the -ideal statesman, who is sketched clearly enough, you seem to think, -in my books on the Republic. You remember then the standard by which -our ideal governor was to weigh his acts. Here are Scipio's words, -in the 5th book, I think it is: "As a safe voyage is the aim of the -pilot, health of the physician, victory of the general, so the ideal -statesman will aim at happiness for the citizens of the state to give -them material security, copious wealth, wide-reaching distinction -and untarnished honour. This, the greatest and finest of human -achievements, I want him to perform." Pompey never had this notion -and least of all in the present cause. Absolute power is what he and -Caesar have sought; their aim has not been to secure the happiness and -honour of the community. Pompey has not abandoned Rome, because it was -impossible to defend, nor Italy on forced compulsion; but it was his -idea from the first to plunge the world into war, to stir up barbarous -princes, to bring savage tribes into - - * * * * * - - Page 132 - -adducere, exercitus conficere maximos. Genus illud Sullani regni iam -pridem appetitur multis, qui una sunt, cupientibus. An censes nihil -inter eos convenire, nullam pactionem fieri potuisse? Hodie potest. Sed -neutri σκοπὸς est ille, ut nos beati simus; uterque regnare vult. - -Haec a te invitatus breviter exposui. Voluisti enim me, quid, de his -mails sentirem, ostendere. Προθεσπίζω igitur, noster Attice, non -hariolans ut illa, cui nemo credidit, sed coniectura prospiciens: - -"Iamque mari magno--" - -non multo, inquam, secus possum vaticinari. Tanta malorum impendet -Ἰλιάς. Atque hoc nostra gravior est causa, qui domi sumus, quam -illorum, qui una transierunt, quod illi quidem alterum metuunt, nos -utrumque. "Cur igitur," inquis, "remansimus?" Vel tibi paruimus vel non -occurrimus, vel hoc fuit rectius. Conculcari, inquam, miseram Italiam -videbis proxima aestate aut utriusque in mancipiis ex omni genere -collectis, nec tam proscriptio pertimescenda, quae Luceriae multis -sermonibus denuntiata esse dicitur, quam universae rei p. interitus. -Tantas in confligendo utriusque vires video futuras. Habes coniecturam -meam. Tu autem consolationis fortasse aliquid exspectasti. Nihil -invenio, nihil fieri potest miserius, nihil perditius, nihil foedius. - -Quod quaeris, quid Caesar ad me scripserit, quod saepe, gratissimum -sibi esse, quod quierim, oratque, in eo ut perseverem. Balbus minor -haec eadem mandata. Iter autem eius erat ad Lentulum consulem cum -litteris Caesaris praemiorumque promissis, si - - * * * * * - - Page 133 - -Italy under arms, and to gather a huge army. A sort of Sulla's reign -has long been his object, and is the desire of many of his companions. -Or do you think that no agreement, no compromise between him and Caesar -was possible? Why, it is possible to-day: but neither of them looks to -our happiness. Both want to be kings. - -[Sidenote: Ennius, _Alexander_.] - -At your request I have given an outline of my views; for you wanted an -expression of my opinion on these troubles. So I play the prophet, my -dear Atticus, not at random like Cassandra whom no one believed, but -with imaginative insight. "Now on the great sea" my prophecy runs like -the old tag: such an Iliad of woe hangs over us. The case of us, who -stay at home, is worse than that of those who have gone with Pompey, -for they have only one to fear, while we have both. You ask then, why -I stay. Well, in compliance with your request, or because I could not -meet Pompey on his departure, or because it was the more honourable -course. I say you will see poor Italy trodden down next summer or in -the hands of their slaves drawn from every quarter of the globe. It -will not be a proscription (in spite of the talk and threats we hear -of at Luceria) which we shall have to dread, but general destruction. -So huge are the forces that will join in the struggle. That is my -prophecy. Perhaps you looked for consolation. I see none: we have -reached the limit of misery, ruin and disgrace. - -You inquire what Caesar said in his letter. The usual thing, that my -inaction pleases him, and he begs me to maintain it. Balbus the younger -brought the same message by word of mouth. Balbus was travelling to -Lentulus the consul with letters from Caesar, and - - * * * * * - - Page 134 - -Romam revertisset. Verum, cum habeo rationem dierum, ante puto -tramissurum, quam potuerit conveniri. - -Epistularum Pompei duarum, quas ad me misit, neglegentiam meamque in -rescribendo diligentiam volui tibi notam esse. Earum exempla ad te misi. - -Caesaris hic per Apuliam ad Brundisium cursus quid efficiat, exspecto. -Utinam aliquid simile Parthicis rebus! Simul aliquid audiero, scribam -ad te. Tu ad me velim bonorum sermones. Romae frequentes esse dicuntur. -Scio equidem te in publicum non prodire, sed tamen audire te multa -necesse est. Memini librum tibi adferri a Demetrio Magnete ad te missum -[scio][69] περὶ ὁμονοίας. Eum mihi velim mittas. Vides, quam causam -mediter. - -[69] scio _deleted by Wesenberg_. - - - - -XIa - -CN. MAGNUS PROCOS. S. D. M. CICERONI IMP. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Luceriae IV Id. Febr. a. 705_] - -Q. Fabius ad me venit a. d. IIII Idus Febr. Is nuntiat L. Domitium cum -suis cohortibus XII et cum cohortibus XIIII, quas Vibullius adduxit, -ad me iter habere; habuisse in animo proficisci Corfinio a. d. V Idus -Febr.; C. Hirrum cum V cohortibus subsequi. Censeo, ad nos Luceriam -venias. Nam te hic tutissime puto fore. - - * * * * * - - Page 135 - -promises of reward, if he would go back to Rome. Reckoning the days, -however, I fancy Lepidus will cross the sea, before Balbus can meet him. - -I send copies of Pompey's two dispatches to me. Please note his -careless style and my careful answer. - -I am waiting to see the result of this dash of Caesar's on Brundisium -through Apulia. I should like a repetition of the Parthian -incident.[70] As soon as I get any news, I will write. Please send me -the talk of the loyalists who are said to be numerous at Rome. I know -you do not go out, but talk must reach your ears. I remember a book -being given to you by Demetrius of Magnesia. It was dedicated to you, -and bore the title _On Concord_. I should be glad if you would let me -have it. You see the part I am studying. - -[70] I.e. a sudden retreat. Cf. VI, 6. - - - - -XIa - -THE GREETINGS OF CN. MAGNUS PROCONSUL TO CICERO THE IMPERATOR. - - -[Sidenote: _Luceria, Feb. 10_, B.C. _49_] - -Q. Fabius came to me on the 10th of February. He announces that L. -Domitius with his twelve cohorts and fourteen cohorts brought by -Vibullius is on the march towards me; that he intended to leave -Corfinium on the 9th of February and that C. Hirrus with five cohorts -follows behind. I think you should come to me at Luceria, for here I -imagine will be your safest refuge. - - * * * * * - - Page 136 - - - - -XIb - -M. CICERO IMP. S. D. CN. MAGNO PROCOS. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Formiis XIV K. Mart. a. 705_] - -A. d. XV Kalend. Martias Formiis accepi tuas litteras; ex quibus ea, -quae in agro Piceno gesta erant, cognovi commodiora esse multo, quam ut -erat nobis nuntiatum, Vibullique virtutem industriamque libenter agnovi. - -Nos adhuc in ea ora, ubi praepositi sumus, ita fuimus, ut navem -paratam haberemus. Ea enim audiebamus et ea verebamur, ut, quodcumque -tu consilium cepisses, id nobis persequendum putaremus. Nunc, quoniam -auctoritate et consilio tuo in spe firmiore sumus, si teneri posse -putas Tarracinam et oram maritimam, in ea manebo, etsi praesidia in -oppidis nulla sunt. Nemo enim nostri ordinis in his locis est praeter -M. Eppium, quem ego Menturnis esse volui, vigilantem hominem et -industrium. Nam L. Torquatum, virum fortem et cum auctoritate, Formiis -non habemus, ad te profectum arbitramur. - -Ego omnino, ut proxime tibi placuerat, Capuam veni eo ipso die, quo -tu Teano Sidicino es profectus. Volueras enim me cum M. Considio pro -praetore illa negotia tueri. Cum eo venissem, vidi T. Ampium dilectum -habere diligentissime, ab eo accipere Libonem, summa item diligentia -et in illa colonia auctoritate. Fui Capuae, quoad consules. Iterum, ut -erat edictum a consulibus, veni Capuam ad Nonas Februar. Cum fuissem -triduum, recepi me Formias. - - * * * * * - - Page 137 - - - - -XIb - -M. CICERO IMPERATOR GREETINGS TO CN. MAGNUS PROCONSUL. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 16_, B.C. _49_] - -On the 15th of February I got your letter at Formiae. I gather that -matters in Picenum were much more satisfactory than I had heard, and am -glad to learn of the bravery and energy of Vibullius. - -So far I have stayed on this coast where I was given the command, but -I have kept a boat ready. For the news and my fears were such that I -felt I must follow any plan you should make. But now your influence -and your policy have encouraged me, I will stay in the coast districts -and Tarracina, if you think that the district can be held. The towns, -however, are without garrison, for there is no member of the Senate in -the district except M. Eppius, a man of foresight and energy, whom I -desired to stay at Menturnae. The gallant and influential L. Torquatus -is not at Formiae, but I fancy has set out to join you. - -In entire accord with your latest instructions, I went to Capua on the -very day you left Teanum Sidicinum. For you had desired me to take -part with M. Considius the propraetor in looking after things there. -On arrival I found that T. Ampius was holding a levy with the greatest -energy, and that the troops raised were being taken over by Libo, a -local man of energy and influence. I stayed at Capua as long as the -consuls. Once again in accordance with instructions from the consuls -I went to Capua for the 5th of February. After a stay of three days I -returned to Formiae. - - * * * * * - - Page 138 - - -Nunc quod tuum consilium aut quae ratio belli sit, ignoro. Si tenendam -hanc oram putas, quae et oportunitatem et dignitatem habet et egregios -cives, et, ut arbitror, teneri potest, opus est esse, qui praesit; sin -omnia in unum locum contrahenda sunt, non dubito, quin ad te statim -veniam, quo mihi nihil optatius est, idque tecum, quo die ab urbe -discessimus, locutus sum. Ego, si cui adhuc videor segnior fuisse, dum -ne tibi videar, non laboro, et tamen, si, ut video, bellum gerendum -est, confido me omnibus facile satis facturum. M. Tullium, meum -necessarium, ad te misi, cui tu, si tibi videretur, ad me litteras -dares. - - - - -XIc - -CN. MAGNUS PROCOS. S. D. M. CICERONI IMP. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Canusi X K. Mart. a. 705_] - -S. V. B. Tuas litteras libenter legi. Recognovi enim tuam pristinam -virtutem etiam in salute communi. Consules ad eum exercitum, quem -in Apulia habui, venerunt. Magno opere te hortor pro tuo singulari -perpetuoque studio in rem publicam, ut te ad nos conferas, ut communi -consilio rei publicae adflictae opem atque auxilium feramus. Censeo, -via Appia iter facias et celeriter Brundisium venias. - - - - -XId - -M. CICERO IMP. S. D. CN. MAGNO PROCOS. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Formiis III K. Mart. a. 705_] - -Cum ad te litteras misissem, quae tibi Canusi redditae sunt, -suspicionem nullam habebam te rei publicae - - * * * * * - - Page 139 - - -At the present moment I do not know what are your ideas and plan of -campaign. If you think that this coast should be held--and Capua has -a good position and is an important town, not to speak of its loyal -inhabitants, and to my mind tenable--a commander is wanted. If your -plan is concentration, I will come to you at once without hesitation. -Nothing would delight me more, and I told you so on the day of our -departure from Rome. I do not trouble about criticisms of inactivity -from anyone but yourself. If, as I foresee, war is inevitable, I feel I -can easily satisfy every criticism. I have sent my relative M. Tullius -in case you may wish to send a reply. - - - - -XIc - -CN. MAGNUS PROCONSUL SENDS GREETINGS TO CICERO IMPERATOR. - - -[Sidenote: _Canusium, Febr. 20_, B.C. _49_] - -I hope you are well. I was glad to read your letter, for once again I -recognized your tried courage in the interests of public safety. The -consuls have joined my army in Apulia. I beg you earnestly in the name -of your exceptional and continued zeal for the state to join me as -well, so that we may plan together to benefit and assist the state in -her sore straits. I hold that you should travel by the Appian road and -come with speed to Brundisium. - - - - -XId - -M. CICERO IMPERATOR SENDS GREETINGS TO CN. MAGNUS, PROCONSUL. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Febr. 27_, B.C. _49_] - -When I sent you the letter which was delivered to you at Canusium, I -had no idea that the state's - - * * * * * - - Page 140 - -causa mare transiturum eramque in spe magna fore ut in Italia possemus -aut concordiam constituere qua mihi nihil utilius videbatur, aut rem -publicam summa cum dignitate defendere. Interim nondum meis litteris -ad te perlatis ex iis mandatis, quae D. Laelio ad consules dederas, -certior tui consilii factus non exspectavi, dum mihi a te litterae -redderentur, confestimque cum Quinto fratre et cum liberis nostris -iter ad te in Apuliam facere coepi. Cum Teanum Sidicinum venissem, -C. Messius, familiaris tuus, mihi dixit aliique complures Caesarem -iter habere Capuam et eo ipso die mansurum esse Aeserniae, Sane sum -commotus, quod, si ita esset, non modo iter meum interclusum, sed -me ipsum plane exceptum putabam. Itaque tum Cales processi, ut ibi -potissimum consisterem, dum certum nobis ab Aesernia de eo, quod -audieram, referretur. - -At mihi, cum Calibus essem, adfertur litterarum tuarum exemplum, quas -tu ad Lentulum consulem misisses. Hae scriptae sic erant, litteras tibi -a L. Domitio a. d. XIII Kal. Martias allatas esse (earumque exemplum -subscripseras); magnique interesse rei publicae scripseras omnes copias -primo quoque tempore in unum locum convenire, et ut, praesidio quod -satis esset, Capuae relinqueret. His ego litteris lectis in eadem -opinione fui qua reliqui omnes, te cum omnibus copiis ad Corfinium esse -venturum; quo mihi, cum Caesar ad oppidum castra haberet, tutum iter -esse non abritrabar. - -Cum res in summa exspectatione esset, utrumque simul audivimus, et quae -Corfini acta essent, et te iter Brundisium facere coepisse; cumque nec -mihi nec fratri meo dubium esset, quin Brundisium contenderemus, - - * * * * * - - Page 141 - -welfare would drive you to flight across the seas, and I had great -hopes that it might be in Italy we should either conclude peace -(the wisest course to my mind) or fight for the state with honour -untarnished. My letter cannot have reached you yet, but from the -message which you entrusted to D. Laelius for the consuls I learnt of -your plans. I did not wait for a reply to my letter, but forthwith -set out along with my brother Quintus and the children to join you in -Apulia. On arrival at Teanum Sidicinum I was told by your friend C. -Messius, and many other people, that Caesar was on his way to Capua, -and would bivouac that very day at Aesernia. I was really startled, -as it occurred to me, that, if that was so, my road was closed, and I -myself was quite captured. So I went to Cales, choosing that particular -place to stay at, till I should get certain news from Aesernia as to -the rumour I had heard. - -At Cales I received a copy of your letter to Lentulus the consul. -Its purport was that you had got a letter (of which you subjoined a -copy) from L. Domitius on the 17th of February, and you considered it -of the greatest public importance to concentrate your forces on the -earliest possible occasion, and that a sufficient garrison should be -left at Capua. On the perusal of this dispatch I agreed with others in -supposing that you would come in full force to Corfinium. As Caesar was -encamped against the town, I considered the road thither was not safe -for me. - -Anxiously awaiting news, I heard two reports at the same time: news -of the affair of Corfinium, and that you were coming to Brundisium. -Neither I nor my brother had any hesitation about starting for - - * * * * * - - Page 142 - -a multis, qui e Samnio Apuliaque veniebant, admoniti sumus, ut -caveremus, ne exciperemur a Caesare, quod is in eadem loca, quae -nos petebamus, profectus celerius etiam, quam nos possemus, eo, quo -intenderet, venturus esset. Quod cum ita esset, nec mihi nec fratri meo -nec cuiquam amicorum placuit committere, ut temeritas nostra non solum -nobis, sed etiam rei publicae noceret, cum praesertim non dubitaremus, -quin, si etiam tutum nobis iter fuisset, te tamen iam consequi non -possemus. - -Interim accepimus tuas litteras Canusio a. d. X K. Martias datas, -quibus nos hortaris, ut celerius Brundisium veniamus. Quas cum -accepissemus a. d. III K. Martias, non dubitabamus, quin tu iam -Brundisium pervenisses, nobisque iter illud omnino interclusum -videbamus neque minus nos esse captos, quam qui Corfini fuissent. Neque -enim eos solos arbitrabamur capi, qui in armatorum manus incidissent, -sed ecs nihilo minus, qui regionibus exclusi intra praesidia atque -intra arma aliena venissent. - -Quod cum ita sit, maxime vellem primum semper tecum fuissem; quod -quidem tibi ostenderam, cum a me Capuam reiciebam. Quod feci non -vitandi oneris causa, sed quod videbam teneri illam urbem sine exercitu -non posse, accidere autem mihi nolebam, quod doleo viris fortissimis -accidisse. Quoniam autem, tecum ut essem, non contigit, utinam tui -consilii certior factus essem! Nam suspicione adsequi non potui, quod -omnia prius arbitratus sum fore, quam ut haec rei publicae causa in -Italia non posset duce te consistere. Neque vero nunc consilium tuum -reprehendo, sed fortunam rei publicae lugeo nec, si - - * * * * * - - Page 143 - -Brundisium, when many travellers from Samnium and Apulia warned us to -beware of capture, because Caesar had set out for the same destination, -and was likely to reach there quicker than ourselves. Under those -circumstances, I, my brother and our friends were reluctant to allow -any rashness of ours to damage the state as well as ourselves. -Moreover, we were sure that, even if our path were clear, we could not -overtake you. - -Meanwhile I got a letter from you dated at Canusium, of the 20th of -February, in which you urged me to hasten to Brundisium. Receiving this -on the 27th, I felt confident you must have arrived at Brundisium, -and I saw that our road was quite cut off and we were as completely -captured as the people at Corfinium, for I do not only consider -captured those who fall into the hands of armed bands, but equally -those who, being shut off from a district, find themselves hedged -between a garrison and an enemy in the field. - -This being so, my first and chiefest wish is that I had stayed with you -all the time. I showed you as much when I gave up command at Capua. I -did so, not to shirk my duty, but because I saw that the city could not -be held without troops, and I was reluctant to suffer the fate which I -am sorry to hear has befallen some very brave men. Since, however, I -have not had the fortune to be with you, would that I were acquainted -with your plans, for I cannot imagine them, having hitherto thought -that the last thing to happen would be that the national cause would -not hold its own in Italy under your leadership. I do not criticize -your plan, but I bewail the misfortunes of the state. If I cannot guess -your - - * * * * * - - Page 144 - -ego, quid tu sis secutus, non perspicio, idcirco minus existimo te -nihil nisi summa ratione fecisse. - -Mea quae semper fuerit sententia primum de pace vel iniqua condicione -retinenda, deinde de urbe (nam de Italia quidem nihil mihi umquam -ostenderas), meminisse te arbitror. Sed mihi non sumo, ut meum -consilium valere debuerit; secutus sum tuum neque id rei publicae -causa, de qua desperavi, quae et nunc adflicta est nec excitari sine -civili perniciosissimo bello potest, sed te quaerebam, tecum esse -cupiebam neque eius rei facultatem, si quae erit, praetermittam. - -Ego me in hac omni causa facile intellegebam pugnandi cupidis hominibus -non satis facere. Primum enim prae me tuli me nihil malle quam pacem, -non quin eadem timerem quae illi, sed ea bello civili leviora ducebam. -Deinde suscepto bello, cum pacis condiciones ad te adferri a teque -ad eas honorifice et large responderi viderem, duxi meam rationem; -quam tibi facile me probaturum pro tuo in me beneficio arbitrabar. -Memineram me esse unum, qui pro meis maximis in rem publicam meritis -supplicia miserrima et crudelissima pertulissem, me esse unum, qui, si -offendissem eius animum, cui tum, cum iam in armis essemus, consulatus -tamen alter et triumphus amplissimus deferebatur, subicerer eisdem -proeliis, ut mea persona semper ad improborum civium impetus aliquid -videretur habere populare. Atque haec non ego prius sum suspicatus, -quam mihi palam denuntiata sunt, neque ea tam pertimui, si subeunda -essent, quam declinanda putavi, si honeste vitare possem. Quam brevem -illius temporis, dum in spe pax fuit, - - * * * * * - - Page 145 - -policy, I still suppose that you have done nothing without cogent -reasons. - -I think you remember that my vote has always been for peace, even on -poor terms, and secondly for holding the city. As to Italy you gave -me no inkling. I do not claim that my policy should have prevailed. -I followed yours, not indeed for the sake of the state, of which I -despaired and which even now lies in ruin and cannot be restored -without a most calamitous civil war, but I wanted you, I longed to be -with you, nor will I omit any opportunity that may occur of attaining -my wish. - -In the whole of this crisis I was well aware that my policy of peace -did not please the advocates of war. In the first place I professed to -prefer peace above all things, not because I had not the same fears -as they had, but because I counted those fears of less moment than -intestine war. Then indeed, after war had begun, when I saw terms of -peace offered to you, and met by you in an honourable and generous way, -I began to consider what my own interests were. That line of conduct I -suppose your kindness will easily excuse. I remembered that I was the -one man of all others who had suffered most cruel misery and punishment -for the greatest services to the state; that I was the one man who, if -I had offended Caesar (Caesar to whom was offered even on the eve of -battle a second consulship and a princely triumph), would be subjected -to the same struggle as before; for a personal attack on me seems to be -always popular with the disloyal. This idea only came to me after open -threats. It was not persecution I feared, if it were inevitable, but I -thought I should seek any escape that honour could allow. There is an -outline - - * * * * * - - Page 146 - -rationem nostram vides, reliqui facultatem res ademit. Iis autem, -quibus non satis facio, facile respondeo. Neque enim ego amicior C. -Caesari umquam fui quam illi neque illi amiciores rei publicae quam -ego. Hoc inter me et illos interest, quod, cum et illi cives optimi -sint, et ego ab ista laude non absim, ego condicionibus, quod idem te -intellexeram velle, illi armis disceptari maluerunt. Quae quoniam ratio -vicit, perficiam profecto, ut neque res publica civis a me animum neque -tu amici desideres. - - - - -XII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Formiis prid. K. Mart. a. 705_] - -Mihi molestior lippitudo erat etiam, quam ante fuerat. Dictare tamen -hanc epistulam malui quam Gallo Fadio amantissimo utriusque nostrum -nihil ad te litterarum dare. Nam pridie quidem, quoquo modo potueram, -scripseram ipse eas litteras, quarum vaticinationem falsam esse cupio. -Huius autem epistulae non solum ea causa est, ut ne quis a me dies -intermittatur, quin dem ad te litteras, sed etiam haec iustior, ut a te -impetrarem, ut sumeres aliquid temporis, quo quia tibi perexiguo opus -est, explicari mihi tuum consilium plane volo, ut penitus intellegam. - -Omnia sunt integra nobis; nihil praetermissum est, quod non habeat -sapientem excusationem, non modo probabilem. Nam certe neque tum -peccavi, cum - - * * * * * - - Page 147 - -of my policy while there was hope of peace; its fulfilment was cut -short by circumstances. I have an easy reply to my critics. I have -never been more friendly to Caesar than they, and they are not more -friendly to the state than I. The difference between them and me is -this: they are loyal citizens, and I too deserve the title, but I -wanted settlement on terms which I understood you also desired, and -they wanted settlement by arms. Since their policy has won, I will do -my best that the state may not find me fail in the duties of a citizen, -nor you in the duties of a friend. - - - - -XII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, Febr. 28_, B.C. _49_] - -I am even more troubled by inflammation of the eyes than I was before. -Still I prefer to dictate this letter, rather than let Gallus Fadius, -who has a sincere regard for us both, have no letter to give you. -Yesterday I wrote myself to the best of my ability a letter containing -prognostications, which I hope may prove false. One excuse for the -present missive is my desire to let no day pass without communicating -with you, but there is a still more reasonable excuse, to beg you to -devote a little time to my case, and, as it will be a short business, -I hope you will explain your view thoroughly and make it quite -intelligible to me. - -I have not committed myself at all. There has been no omission on my -part for which I cannot give not merely a plausible but a reasonable -excuse. Assuredly I was not guilty of any fault, when, to avoid - - * * * * * - - Page 148 - -imparatam Capuam non solum ignaviae dedecus, sed etiam perfidiae -suspicionem fugiens accipere nolui, neque cum post condiciones pacis -per L. Caesarem et L. Fabatum allatas cavi, ne animum eius offenderem, -cui Pompeius iam armatus armato consulatum triumphumque deferret. Nec -vero haec extrema quisquam potest iure reprehendere, quod mare non -transierim. Id enim, etsi erat deliberationis, tamen obire non potui. -Neque enim suspicari debui, praesertim cum ex ipsius Pompei litteris, -idem quod video te existimasse, non dubitarim, quin is Domitio -subventurus esset, et plane, quid rectum et quid faciendum mihi esset, -diutius cogitare malui. - -Primum igitur, haec qualia tibi esse videantur, etsi significata sunt -a te, tamen accuratius mihi perscribas velim, deinde aliquid etiam in -posterum prospicias fingasque, quem me esse deceat, et ubi me plurimum -prodesse rei publicae sentias, ecquae pacifica persona desideretur an -in bellatore sint omnia. - -Atque ego, qui omnia officio metior, recordor tamen tua consilia; -quibus si paruissem, tristitiam illorum temporum non subissem. Memini, -quid mihi tum suaseris per Theophanem, per Culleonem, idque saepe -ingemiscens sum recordatus. Quare nunc saltem ad illos calculos -revertamur, quos tum abiecimus, ut non solum gloriosis consiliis -utamur, sed etiam paulo salubrioribus. Sed nihil praescribo; accurate -velim perscribas tuam ad me sententiam. Volo etiam exquiras, quam -diligentissime poteris - - * * * * * - - Page 149 - -blame for cowardice and the charge of treachery to boot, I refused to -take over Capua in its unprepared state. Nor am I to blame, when, after -L. Caesar and L. Fabatus had brought terms of peace, I took precautions -not to incur the enmity of a man to whom Pompey was offering the -consulship and a triumph, when both were under arms. Finally I cannot -rightly be called to account for not crossing the sea: for, though that -was a course which was worthy of consideration, still I could not keep -Pompey's appointment. Nor could I guess his policy, especially as from -his own letter, as I see you inferred, I had no idea that he would fail -to relieve Domitius. And certainly I wanted time to consider what was -right and what I ought to do. - -Firstly, then, I wish you would write me a careful account of your -views, though you have already outlined them, and secondly that you -would glance at the future, and give me an idea of what course you -think would become me, where you suppose I can serve the state best, -and whether the part of a man of peace is required at all, or whether -everything depends on a fighter. - -And I, who test everything by the standard of duty, yet remember -your advice. Had I followed it, I should have been saved from the -wretchedness of that crisis in my life. I call to mind the counsel -you sent me then by Theophanes and Culleo, and the memory of it often -makes me groan. So let me now at last go over the old reckoning which -then I cast aside, to the end that I may follow a plan, which has in -view not only glory, but also some measure of safety. However, I make -no conditions: please give me your candid opinion. And please use your -best energies to - - * * * * * - - Page 150 - -(habebis autem, per quos possis), quid Lentulus noster, quid Domitius -agat, quid acturus sit, quem ad modum nunc se gerant, num quem -accusent, num cui suscenseant--quid dico num cui? num Pompeio. Omnino -culpam omnem Pompeius in Domitium confert, quod ipsius litteris -cognosci potest, quarum exemplum ad te misi. Haec igitur videbis, et, -quod ad te ante scripsi, Demetri Magnetis librum, quem ad te misit de -concordia, velim mihi mittas. - - - - -XIIa - -CN. MAGNUS PROCOS. S. D. C. MARCELLO, L. LENTULO COSS. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Luceriae XIII aut XII K. Mart. a. 705_] - -Ego, quod existimabam dispersos nos neque rei publicae utiles neque -nobis praesidio esse posse, idcirco ad L. Domitium litteras misi, -primum uti ipse cum omni copia ad nos veniret; si de se dubitaret, ut -cohortes XVIIII, quae ex Piceno ad me iter habebant, ad nos mitteret. -Quod veritus sum, factum est, ut Domitius implicaretur et neque ipse -satis firmus esset ad castra facienda, quod meas XVIIII et suas XII -cohortes tribus in oppidis distributas haberet (nam partim Albae, -partim Sulmone collocavit), neque se, si vellet, expedire posset. - -Nunc scitote me esse in summa sollicitudine. Nam et tot et tales viros -periculo obsidionis liberare cupio neque subsidio ire possum, quod his -duabus legionibus - - * * * * * - - Page 151 - -inquire (for you have suitable agents) what our friend Lentulus and -what Domitius is doing, what they intend to do, what is their present -attitude, whether they blame or are annoyed with anyone--why do I say -anyone?--I mean Pompey. Pompey does not hesitate to put the whole blame -on Domitius, as can be inferred from his letter, of which I send you -a copy. So please consider these points, and, as I wrote you before, -kindly send me that volume _On Concord_, by Demetrius of Magnesia, -which he sent to you. - - - - -XIIa - -CN. MAGNUS PROCONSUL SENDS GREETING TO THE CONSULS C. MARCELLUS AND L. -LENTULUS. - - -[Sidenote: _Luceria, Feb. 17 or 18_, B.C. _49_] - -As I considered that with divided forces we could be of no service to -the state and no protection to one another, I sent a dispatch to L. -Domitius to come to me at once with all his forces, and that, if he was -dubious about himself, he should send me the nineteen cohorts, which -as a matter of fact were on the march to me from Picenum. My fears -have been realized. Domitius has been trapped and is not strong enough -himself to pitch a camp, because he has my nineteen and his own twelve -cohorts scattered in three towns (for some he has stationed at Alba and -some at Sulmo), and he is unable to free himself even if he wished. - -I must inform you that this has caused me the greatest anxiety. I am -anxious to free men so numerous and of such importance from the danger -of a siege, and I cannot go to their assistance, because I do not think -that I can trust these two - - * * * * * - - Page 152 - -non puto esse committendum, ut illuc ducantur, ex quibus tamen non -amplius XIIII cohortes contrahere potui, quod duas Brundisium misi -neque Canusium sine praesidio, dum abessem, putavi esse dimittendum. - -D. Laelio mandaram, quod maiores copias sperabam nos habituros, ut, si -vobis videretur, alter uter vestrum ad me veniret, alter in Siciliam -cum ea copia, quam Capuae et circum Capuam comparastis, et cum iis -militibus, quos Faustus legit, proficisceretur, Domitius cum XII -suis cohortibus eodem adiungeretur, reliquae copiae omnes Brundisium -cogerentur et inde navibus Dyrrachium transportarentur. Nunc, cum hoc -tempore nihilo magis ego quam vos subsidio Domitio ire possim, ... -se per montes explicare non est nobis committendum, ut ad has XIIII -cohortes, quas dubio animo habeo, hostis accedere aut in itinere me -consequi possit. - -Quam ob rem placitum est mihi (talia video[71] censeri M. Marcello -et ceteris nostri ordinis, qui hic sunt), ut Brundisium ducerem hanc -copiam, quam mecum habeo. Vos hortor, ut, quodcumque militum contrahere -poteritis, contrahatis et eodem Brundisium veniatis quam primum. Arma -quae ad me missuri eratis, iis censeo armetis milites, quos vobiscum -habetis. Quae arma superabunt, ea si Brundisium iumentis deportaritis, -vehementer rei publicae profueritis. De hac re velim nostros certiores -faciatis. Ego ad P. Lupum et C. Coponium praetores misi, ut se vobis -coniungerent, et militum quod haberent ad vos deducerent. - -[71] talia video _Tyrrell_; altia video _MSS._ - - * * * * * - - Page 153 - -legions to march to that place: moreover I have not been able to bring -together more than fourteen cohorts of them, because two were sent -to Brundisium, and Canusium to my mind could not be left without a -garrison in my absence. - -Hoping to collect larger forces I instructed D. Laelius, that with your -approval one of you should come to me, and the other set out for Sicily -with the force you have collected at Capua and in the neighbourhood, -and with Faustus' recruits; that Domitius with his twelve cohorts -should join up, and all the other troops should concentrate at -Brundisium, and from thence be taken by sea to Dyrrachium. Now, -since at the present time I am no more able than yourselves to go to -Domitius' assistance [and it remains for him][72] to extricate himself -by the mountain route, I must take steps that the enemy may not meet my -fourteen doubtful cohorts or overtake me on the march. - -[72] Some words appear to be missing here. - -Accordingly--and I see M. Marcellus and other members of the House -who are here approve--I am resolved to lead my present forces to -Brundisium. You I urge to concentrate all the forces you can and to -come with them to Brundisium at the first opportunity. I consider that -the arms which you meant to send to me should be used to arm your -troops. If you will have the remaining arms carted to Brundisium, you -will have done the state great service. Please give these instructions -to my supporters. I am sending word to the praetors, P. Lupus and C. -Coponius, to join you with whatever soldiery they have. - - * * * * * - - Page 154 - - - - -XIIb - -CN. MAGNUS PROCOS. S. D. L. DOMITIO PROCOS. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Luceriae III aut prid. Id. Febr. a. 705_] - -Valde miror te ad me nihil scribere et potius ab aliis quam a te de re -publica me certiorem fieri. Nos disiecta manu pares adversario esse -non possumus; contractis nostris copiis spero nos et rei publicae et -communi saluti prodesse posse. Quam ob rem, cum constituisses, ut -Vibullius mihi scripserat, a. d. V Id. Febr. Corfinio proficisci cum -exercitu et ad me venire, miror, quid causae fuerit, quare consilium -mutaris. Nam illa causa, quam mihi Vibullius scribit, levis est, te -propterea moratum esse, quod audieris Caesarem Firmo progressum in -Castrum Truentinum venisse. Quanto enim magis appropinquare adversarius -coepit, eo tibi celerius agendum erat, ut te mecum coniungeres, -priusquam Caesar aut tuum iter impedire aut me abs te excludere posset. - -Quam ob rem etiam atque etiam te rogo et hortor, id quod non destiti -superioribus litteris a te petere, ut primo quoque die Luceriam ad me -venires, antequam copiae, quas instituit Caesar contrahere, in unum -locum coactae vos a nobis distrahant. Sed, si erunt, qui te impediant, -ut villas suas servent, aequum est me a te impetrare, ut cohortes, quae -ex Piceno et Camerino venerunt, quae fortunas suas reliquerunt, ad me -missum facias. - - * * * * * - - Page 155 - - - - -XIIb - -GREETINGS FROM CN. MAGNUS PROCONSUL TO L. DOMITIUS PROCONSUL. - - -[Sidenote: _Luceria, Feb. 11 or 12_, B.C. _49_] - -I am greatly astonished that you send me no letters, and that I am kept -informed of the political situation by others rather than yourself. -With divided forces we cannot hope to cope with the enemy: united, I -trust we may do something for the safety of our country. Wherefore, -as you had arranged, according to Vibullius' letter, to start with -your army from Corfinium on the 9th of February and to come to me, I -wonder what reason there has been for your change of plan. The reason -mentioned by Vibullius is trivial, namely that you were delayed on -hearing that Caesar had left Firmum and arrived at Castrum Truentinum. -For the nearer our enemy begins to approach, the quicker you ought to -have joined forces with me, before Caesar could obstruct your march or -cut me off from you. - -Wherefore again and again I entreat and exhort you--as I did in my -previous letter--to come to Luceria on the first possible day, before -the forces which Caesar has begun to collect can concentrate and divide -us. But, if people try to keep you back to protect their country seats, -I must ask you to dispatch to me the cohorts, which have come from -Picenum and Camerinum abandoning their own interests. - - * * * * * - - Page 156 - - - - -XIIc - -CN. MAGNUS PROCOS. S. D. L. DOMITIO PROCOS. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Luceriae XIV K. Mart. a. 705_] - -Litteras abs te M. Calenius ad me attulit a d. XIIII Kal. Martias; in -quibus litteris scribis tibi in animo esse observare Caesarem, et, si -secundum mare ad me ire coepisset, confestim in Samnium ad me venturum, -sin autem ille circum istaec loca commoraretur, te ei, si propius -accessisset, resistere velle. - -Te animo magno et forti istam rem agere existimo, sed diligentius -nobis est videndum, ne distracti pares esse adversario non possimus, -cum ille magnas copias habeat et maiores brevi habiturus sit. Non enim -pro tua prudentia debes illud solum animadvertere, quot in praesentia -cohortes contra te habeat Caesar, sed quantas brevi tempore equitum -et peditum copias contracturus sit. Cui rei testimonio sunt litterae, -quas Bussenius ad me misit; in quibus scribit, id quod ab aliis quoque -mihi scribitur, praesidia Curionem, quae in Umbria et Tuscis erant, -contrahere et ad Caesarem iter facere. Quae si copiae in unum locum -fuerint coactae, ut pars exercitus ad Albam mittatur, pars ad te -accedat, ut non pugnet, sed locis suis repugnet, haerebis, neque solus -cum ista copia tantam multitudinem sustinere poteris, ut frumentatum -eas. - -Quam ob rem te magno opere hortor, ut quam primum cum omnibus copiis -hoc venias. Consules constituerunt idem facere. Ego M. Tuscilio ad te - - * * * * * - - Page 157 - - - - -XIIc - -CN. MAGNUS PROCONSUL SENDS GREETING TO L. DOMITIUS PROCONSUL. - - -[Sidenote: _Luceria, Feb. 16_, B.C. _49_] - -M. Calenius has brought me a letter from you dated the 16th of -February, in which you express the intention of watching Caesar and -hurrying to join me in Samnium, if he shall begin to march against me -along the coast: but, if he linger in your neighbourhood, you say you -wish to oppose his nearer advance. - -To my mind your policy is ambitious and brave, but we must take great -care that, if divided, we may not be outmatched by the enemy, since -Caesar has numerous troops and in a short time will have more. A man -of your judgement ought to bear in mind not only the size of Caesar's -present array against you but the number of infantry and cavalry that -he will soon collect. Evidence of that contingency is in the letter -which Bussenius dispatched to me, and it agrees with the missives from -others in stating that Curio is concentrating the garrisons which were -in Umbria and Etruria and marching to join Caesar. With these forces -combined, though one division may be sent to Alba, and another advance -on you, and though Caesar may refrain from the offensive and be content -to defend his position, still you will be in a fix, nor will you be -able with your following to make sufficient head against such numbers -to allow of your sending out foraging parties. - -Therefore I beg you earnestly to come here on the first opportunity -with all your forces. The consuls have decided to do the same. I have -instructed - - * * * * * - - Page 158 - -mandata dedi providendum esse, ne duae legiones sine Picentinis -cohortibus in conspectum Caesaris committerentur. Quam ob rem nolito -commoveri, si audieris me regredi, si forte Caesar ad me veniet; -cavendum enim puto esse, ne implicatus haeream. Nam neque castra -propter anni tempus et militum animos facere possum, neque ex omnibus -oppidis contrahere copias expedit, ne receptum amittam. Itaque non -amplius xiiii cohortes Luceriam coegi. Consules praesidia omnia -deducturi sunt aut in Siciliam ituri. Nam aut exercitum firmum habere -oportet, quo confidamus perrumpere nos posse, aut regiones eius modi -obtinere, e quibus repugnemus; id quod neutrum nobis hoc tempore -contigit, quod et magnam partem Italiae Caesar occupavit, et nos non -habemus exercitum tam amplum neque tam magnum quam ille. Itaque nobis -providendum est, ut summam rei publicae rationem habeamus. Etiam -atque etiam te hortor, ut cum omni copia quam primum ad me venias. -Possumus etiam nunc rem publicam erigere, si communi consilio negotium -administrabimus; si distrahemur, infirmi erimus. Mihi hoc constitutum -est. - -His litteris scriptis Sicca abs te mihi litteras et mandata attulit. -Quod me hortare, ut istuc veniam, id me facere non arbitror posse, quod -non magno opere his legionibus confido. - - - - -XIId - -CN. MAGNUS PROCOS. S. D. L. DOMITIO PROCOS. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Luceriae XIII K. Mart. 705_] - -Litterae mihi a te redditae sunt a. d. XIII Kal. Martias, in quibus -scribis Caesarem apud Corfinium - - * * * * * - - Page 159 - -M. Tuscilius to tell you that we must beware lest the two legions -without the cohorts from Picenum come within sight of Caesar. -Accordingly do not be disturbed if you hear of my retreat in the face -of Caesar's possible advance, for I consider that I must take every -step to avoid being trapped. The season of the year and the spirit of -my troops prevents me from making a camp; nor is it wise to collect the -garrisons from all the towns, lest room for retreat be lost. So I have -not mustered more than fourteen cohorts at Luceria. The consuls will -bring in all their garrisons to me or start for Sicily. We must either -have an army strong enough to allow of our breaking through the enemy's -lines, or get and hold localities we can defend. At the present moment -we have neither of those advantages: a large part of Italy is held by -Caesar, and our army is neither so well equipped nor so large as his. -We must therefore take care to look to the main issue. Again and again -I beg you to come to me as soon as possible with all your forces. Even -now the constitution may be restored, if we take common counsel in our -action. Division means weakness: of that I am positive. - -After I had written my letter Sicca brought me a dispatch and message -from you. I fear I cannot comply with your request for assistance, -because I do not put much trust in these legions. - - - - -XIId - -CN. MAGNUS PROCONSUL SENDS SALUTATION TO DOMITIUS PROCONSUL. - - -[Sidenote: _Luceria Feb. 17_, B.C. _49_] - -A dispatch from you reached me on the 17th of February saying that -Caesar had pitched his camp in - - * * * * * - - Page 160 - -castra posuisse. Quod putavi et praemonui, fit, ut nec in praesentia -committere tecum proelium velit et omnibus copiis conductis te -implicet, ne ad me iter tibi expeditum sit atque istas copias -coniungere optimorum civium possis cum his legionibus, de quarum -voluntate dubitamus. Quo etiam magis tuis litteris sum commotus. Neque -enim eorum militum, quos mecum habeo, voluntate satis confido, ut de -omnibus fortunis rei publicae dimicem, neque etiam, qui ex dilectibus -conscripti sunt consulibus, convenerunt. - -Quare da operam, si ulla ratione etiam nunc efficere potes, ut te -explices, hoc quam primum venias, antequam omnes copiae ad adversarium -conveniant. Neque enim celeriter ex dilectibus hoc homines convenire -possunt, et, si convenirent, quantum iis committendum sit, qui inter se -ne noti quidem sunt, contra veteranas legiones, non te praeterit. - - - - -XIII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Formiis K. Mart. a. 705_] - -Lippitudinis meae signum tibi sit librarii manus et eadem causa -brevitatis; etsi nunc quidem, quod scriberem, nihil erat. Omnis -exspectatio nostra erat in nuntiis Brundisinis. Si nanctus hic esset -Gnaeum nostrum, spes dubia pacis, sin ille ante tramisisset, exitiosi -belli metus. Sed videsne, in quem hominem inciderit res publica, quam -acutum, quam vigilantem, quam paratum? Si mehercule neminem occiderit -nec cuiquam quicquam ademerit, ab iis, qui eum maxime timuerant, -maxime diligetur. Multum mecum municipales homines loquuntur, multum -rusticani; nihil - - * * * * * - - Page 161 - -the neighbourhood of Corfinium. What I expected and foretold has -happened: he refuses to meet you in the field at present, and he is -hemming you in with all his forces concentrated, so that the road may -not be clear for you to join me and unite your loyal contingent with -my legions whose allegiance is questionable. Consequently I am all the -more upset by your dispatch: for I cannot place sufficient confidence -in the loyalty of my men to risk a decisive engagement, nor have the -levies recruited for the consuls come here. - -So do your best, if any tactics can extricate you even now, to join me -as soon as possible before our enemy can concentrate all his forces. -The levies cannot reach here at an early date, and, even if they were -concentrated, you must see how little trust can be put in troops, which -do not even know one another by sight, when facing a veteran army. - - - - -XIII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 1_, B.C. _49_] - -Let my secretary's handwriting be proof that I am suffering from -inflammation of the eyes, and that is my reason for brevity, though now -to be sure I have no news. I depend entirely on news from Brundisium. -If Caesar has come up with our friend Pompey, there is some slight hope -of peace: but, if Pompey has crossed the sea, we must look for war and -massacre. Do you see the kind of man into whose hands the state has -fallen? What foresight, what energy, what readiness! Upon my word, if -he refrain from murder and rapine, he will be the darling of those who -dreaded him most. The people of the country towns and the farmers talk -to me a great deal. They care for nothing at all - - * * * * * - - Page 162 - -prorsus aliud curant nisi agros, nisi villulas, nisi nummulos suos. Et -vide, quam conversa res sit; illum, quo antea confidebant, metuunt, -hunc amant, quem timebant. Id quantis nostris peccatis vitiisque -evenerit, non possum sine molestia cogitare. Quae autem impendere -putarem, scripseram ad te et iam tuas litteras exspectabam. - - - - -XIV - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Formiis VI Non. Mart. a. 705_] - -Non dubito, quin tibi odiosae sint epistulae cotidianae, cum praesertim -neque nova de re aliqua certiorem te faciam neque novam denique iam -reperiam scribendi ullam sententiam. Sed, si dedita opera, cum causa -nulla esset, tabellarios ad te cum inanibus epistulis mitterem, facerem -inepte; euntibus vero, domesticis praesertim, ut nihil ad te dem -litterarum, facere non possum et simul, crede mihi, requiesco paulum -in his miseriis, cum quasi tecum loquor, cum vero tuas epistulas lego, -multo etiam magis. Omnino intellego nullum fuisse tempus post has fugas -et formidines nostras, quod magis debuerit mutum esse a litteris, -propterea quod neque Romae quicquam auditur novi nec in his locis, quae -a Brundisio absunt propius quam tu bidui aut tridui.[73] Brundisi autem -omne certamen vertitur huius primi temporis. Qua quidem exspectatione -torqueor. Sed omnia ante Nonas sciemus. Eodem enim die video Caesarem -a Corfinio post meridiem profectum esse, id est Feralibus, quo Canusio -mane Pompeium. Eo modo autem ambulat Caesar et iis congiariis militum -celeritatem incitat, ut timeam, ne citius ad Brundisium, quam - -[73] bidui aut tridui _Reid_: biduum aut triduum _MSS._ - - * * * * * - - Page 163 - -but their lands, their little homesteads and their tiny hoards. And see -how public opinion has changed. They fear the man they once trusted, -and adore the man they once dreaded. It pains me to think of the -mistakes and wrongs of ours that are responsible for this reaction. I -wrote you what I thought would be our fate, and I now await a letter -from you. - - - - -XIV - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 2_ B.C. _49_] - -I have no doubt my daily letter must bore you, especially as I have no -fresh news, nor can I find any new excuse for a letter. If I should -employ special messengers to convey my chatter to you without reason, -I should be a fool: but I cannot refrain from entrusting letters to -folk who are bound for Rome, especially when they are members of my -household. Believe me, too, when I seem to talk with you, I have some -little relief from sorrow, and, when I read a letter from you, far -greater relief. I am quite aware that there has been no time, since -fear drove me to flight, when silence and no letters would have been -more appropriate, for the good reason that there is no fresh news at -Rome, nor here--two or three days' journey nearer Brundisium. The issue -of this first campaign will turn entirely on the action at Brundisium: -and I am on thorns to hear the result. However, all will be known by -the 7th. On the noon of the day (that is the 21st of February), on the -morning of which Pompey left Canusium, I see that Caesar set out from -Corfinium. But Caesar marches in such a way, and so spurs his men with -largess, that I fear he may reach Brundisium sooner than we - - * * * * * - - Page 164 - -opus sit, accesserit. Dices: "Quid igitur proficis, qui anticipes -eius rei molestiam, quam triduo sciturus sis?" Nihil equidem; sed, -ut supra dixi, tecum perlibenter loquor, et simul scito labare meum -consilium illud, quod satis iam fixum videbatur. Non mihi satis idonei -sunt auctores ii, qui a te probantur. Quod enim umquam eorum in re -publica forte factum exstitit? aut quis ab iis ullam rem laude dignam -desiderat? Nec mehercule laudandos existimo, qui trans mare belli -parandi causa profecti sunt. Quamquam haec ferenda non erant. Video -enim, quantum id bellum et quam pestiferum futurum sit. Sed me movet -unus vir; cuius fugientis comes, rem publicam recuperantis socius -videor esse debere. "Totiensne igitur sententiam mutas?" Ego tecum -tamquam mecum loquor. Quis autem est, tanta quidem de re quin varie -secum ipse disputet? simul et elicere cupio sententiam tuam, si manet, -ut firmior sim, si mutata est, ut tibi adsentiar. Omnino ad id, de -quo dubito, pertinet me scire, quid Domitius acturus sit, quid noster -Lentulus. - -De Domitio varia audimus, modo esse in Tiburti haut lepide, modo cum -Lepidis[74] accessisse ad urbem, quod item falsum video esse. Ait enim -Lepidus eum nescio quo penetrasse itineribus occultis occultandi sui -causa an maris apiscendi, ne is quidem scit. Ignorat etiam de filio. -Addit illud sane molestum, pecuniam Domitio satis grandem, quam is -Corfini habuerit, non esse redditam. De Lentulo autem nihil audimus. -Haec velim exquiras ad meque perscribas. - -[74] aut lepidi quo cum lepidus _M_: _the reading of the text is that -of Tyrrell, who suspects a pun on the name Lepidus_. - - * * * * * - - Page 165 - -want. You may wonder why I forestall disagreeable tidings which will be -known in three days' time. I have no reason, except, as I said before, -that I love to talk to you; and at the same time I want you to know -that what I had counted my fixed resolve is shaken. The precedents you -quote with approval don't quite fit my case. They are those of men who -have never distinguished themselves by great political action, and -are not looked up to for any act of merit. Nor, let me tell you, have -I any praise for those who have crossed the sea to make preparations -for war--unbearable as things here were. For I foresee how great and -calamitous that war will be. I am influenced only by one man, whom -I think I ought to accompany in flight, and help in the restoration -of the constitution. I may seem variable; but I talk with you as I -talk with myself, and there is no one who, in such a crisis, does not -view matters in many lights. Moreover, I want to get your opinion, -to encourage me, if you have not changed it, or otherwise to win my -assent. It is particularly necessary for me to know in my dilemma what -course Domitius and my friend Lentulus will take. - -As for Domitius I hear many reports: at one time that he is at Tibur -out of sorts, at another that he has consorted with the Lepidi in -their march to Rome. That I see is untrue. For Lepidus says that he -is following a hidden path, but whether to hide or reach the sea even -he does not know. Lepidus has no news about his son either. He adds a -provoking detail, that Domitius has failed to get back a large sum of -money which he had at Corfinium. Of Lentulus I have no news. Please -make inquiries on these points and inform me. - - * * * * * - - Page 166 - - - - -XV - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Formiis V Non. Mart. a. 705_] - -A. d. V Nonas Martias epistulas mihi tuas Aegypta reddidit, unam -veterem, IIII Kal. quam te scribis dedisse Pinario, quem non vidimus; -in qua exspectas, quidnam praemissus agat Vibullius, qui omnino non est -visus a Caesare (id altera epistula video te scire ita esse), et quem -ad modum redeuntem excipiam Caesarem, quem omnino vitare cogito, et -αὐθήμερον[75] fugam intendis[76] commutationemque vitae tuae, quod tibi -puto esse faciendum, et ignoras, Domitius cum fascibusne sit. Quod cum -scies, facies, ut sciamus. Habes ad primam epistulam. - -[75] _I have ventured to read_ αὐθήμερον _for the corrupt_ authemonis -_of M, as being an easy alteration palæographically. Many suggestions -have been made_ (_e.g._ Automedontis _by Müller_). - -[76] intendis _F. Schütz_: tendis _MSS._ - -Secutae sunt duae pr. Kal. ambae datae, quae me convellerunt de -pristino statu iam tamen, ut ante ad te scripsi, labantem. Nec me -movet, quod scribis "Iovi ipsi iniquum." Nam periculum in utriusque -iracundia positum est, victoria autem ita incerta, ut deterior causa -paratior mihi esse videatur. Nec me consules movent, qui ipsi pluma aut -folio facilius moventur. Officii me deliberatio cruciat cruciavitque -adhuc. Cautior certe est mansio, honestior existimatur traiectio. Malo -interdum, multi me non caute quam pauci non honeste fecisse existiment. -De Lepido et Tullo quod quaeris, illi vero non dubitant, - - * * * * * - - Page 167 - - - - -XV - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 3_ B.C. _49_] - -On the 3rd of March Aegypta[77] brought me your letters, one an old -one dated February 26, which you say you handed to Pinarius, whom I -have not seen. In that letter you were waiting to hear the result of -Vibullius' advance mission. He did not meet Caesar at all, as I see -from your second letter you are aware. You also wanted to know how I -shall receive Caesar on his return. I intend to shun him altogether. -And you contemplate flight on the day he comes, and a change in your -life, which I agree is politic. You wrote too that you do not know -if Domitius keeps his fasces. When you do know, please tell me. That -settles the first letter. - -[77] A slave of Cicero's. - -There follow two more dated the 28th of February, which hurled me from -my old position, when I was already tottering, as I had informed you. -I am not upset by your phrase "angry with almighty God."[78] There -is danger not only in Pompey's anger, but in Caesar's, and the issue -is doubtful, though to me the worst cause seems better equipped. Nor -am I influenced by the consuls, who themselves are more easily moved -than leaf or feather. It is consideration of my duty that tortures me -and has been torturing me all along. To remain in Italy is certainly -safer: to cross the sea the path of honour. Sometimes I prefer that -many should accuse me of rashness, rather than the select few of -dishonourable action. For your query about Lepidus and Tullus, they have - -[78] This probably means that Pompey had said he would be angry with -every one who did not leave Rome, even with Jupiter. - - * * * * * - - Page 168 - -quin Caesari praesto futuri in senatumque venturi sint. - -Recentissima tua est epistula Kal. data, in qua optas congressum -pacemque non desperas. Sed ego, cum haec scribebam, nec illos -congressuros nec, si congressi essent, Pompeium ad ullam condicionem -accessurum putabam. Quod videris non dubitare, si consules transeant, -quid nos facere oporteat, certe transeunt vel, quo modo nunc est, -transierunt. Sed memento praeter Appium neminem esse fere, qui non ius -habeat transeundi. Nam aut cum imperio sunt ut Pompeius, ut Scipio, -Sufenas, Fannius, Voconius, Sestius, ipsi consules, quibus more maiorum -concessum est vel omnes adire provincias, aut legati sunt eorum. Sed -nihil decerno; quid placeat tibi, et quid prope modum rectum sit, -intellego. - -Plura scriberem, si ipse possem. Sed, ut mihi videor, potero biduo. -Balbi Corneli litterarum exemplum, quas eodem die accepi quo tuas, misi -ad te, ut meam vicem doleres, cum me derideri videres. - - - - -XVa - -BALBUS CICERONI IMP. SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Romae ex. m. Febr a. 705_] - -Obsecro te, Cicero, suscipe curam et cogitationem dignissimam tuae -virtutis, ut Caesarem et Pompeium perfidia hominum distractos rursus in -pristinam concordiam reducas. Crede mihi Caesarem non solum fore in tua -potestate, sed etiam maximum beneficium te sibi dedisse iudicaturum, si -hoc te reicis. Velim - - * * * * * - - Page 169 - -decided to meet Caesar and to take their seats in the House. - -In your last letter, dated the 1st of March, you long for a meeting -between the two leaders, and have hopes of peace. But at the time of -writing I fancy they will not meet, and that, if they do, Pompey will -not agree to any terms. You seem to have no doubt as to what I ought -to do, if the consuls go over-seas; well they will go, or rather have -now gone. But bear in mind that of their number it is practically only -Appius who has not a right to cross. The rest are either invested -with military power, like Pompey, Scipio, Sufenas, Fannius, Voconius, -Sestius and the consuls themselves, who by old custom may visit all the -provinces; or else they are legates. However I have no positive views. -I know what you approve and pretty well what it is right to do. - -My letter would be longer, if I could write myself. I fancy I shall -be able in two days' time. I have had Cornelius Balbus' letter, which -I received on the same day as yours, copied, and I forward it to you, -that you may sympathize with me on seeing me mocked. - - - - -XVa - -BALBUS SALUTES CICERO THE IMPERATOR. - - -[Sidenote: _Rome, Feb._, B.C. _49_] - -I beg you, Cicero, to consider a plan eminently suited to your -character, namely to recall Caesar and Pompey to their former state of -friendship, which has been broken by the treachery of others. Believe -me that Caesar will not only meet your wishes, but will esteem any -endeavours of yours in this matter as a very great service. I wish -Pompey would take the same - - * * * * * - - Page 170 - -idem Pompeius faciat. Qui ut adduci tali tempore ad ullam condicionem -possit, magis opto quam spero. Sed, cum constiterit et timere desierit, -tum incipiam non desperare tuam auctoritatem plurimum apud eum -valituram. - -Quod Lentulum consulem meum voluisti hic remanere, Caesari gratum, -mihi vero gratissimum medius fidius fecisti. Nam illum tanti facio, -ut non Caesarem magis diligam. Qui si passus esset nos secum, -ut consueveramus, loqui et non se totum etiam ab sermone nostro -avertisset, minus miser, quam sum, essem. Nam cave putes hoc tempore -plus me quemquam cruciari, quod eum, quem ante me diligo, video in -consulatu quidvis potius esse quam consulem. Quodsi voluerit tibi -obtemperare et nobis de Caesare credere et consulatum reliquum Romae -peragere, incipiam sperare etiam consilio senatus auctore te, illo -relatore Pompeium et Caesarem coniungi posse. Quod si factum erit, me -satis vixisse putabo. - -Factum Caesaris de Corfinio totum te probaturum scio: et, quo modo in -eius modi re, commodius cadere non potuit, quam ut res sine sanguine -confieret. Balbi mei tuique adventu delectatum te valde gaudeo. Is -quaecumque tibi de Caesare dixit, quaeque Caesar scripsit, scio, re -tibi probabit, quaecumque fortuna eius fuerit, verissime scripsisse. - - * * * * * - - Page 171 - -view; but it is rather a dream of mine than a hope, that he can be -persuaded to come to terms at this time. When he becomes settled and -recovers from fright, I shall have better hopes that your influence may -avail with him. - -In desiring my friend the consul Lentulus to remain in Rome, you have -gratified Caesar, and myself too, I may assure you, in the highest -degree. I value Lentulus as much as Caesar. If he had allowed me -to renew my old intercourse, and had not again and again avoided -conversation with me, I should be less unhappy than I am. For do not -think that this crisis causes anyone more torment than it causes me, -when I see him, to whom I am more devoted than to myself, acting in -office in a way quite unfitted for a consul. If he only takes your -advice and believes our professions about Caesar, and serves the -remainder of his office in Rome, then I shall begin to hope that by -the advice of the Senate, on your suggestion and at his formal motion, -there may be effected a reconciliation between Pompey and Caesar. In -that event I shall think my life's mission accomplished. - -I know that you will approve entirely of Caesar's action about -Corfinium. Under the circumstances there could have been nothing -better than a settlement without bloodshed. I am delighted that you -are pleased with the arrival of my and your Balbus. Whatever Balbus -has told you about Caesar, and whatever Caesar has said to you in his -letters, I am confident Caesar will convince you by his acts, be his -fortune what it will, that his professions were quite sincere. - - * * * * * - - Page 172 - - - - -XVI - -CICERO ATTICO, - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Formiis IV Non. Mart. a. 705_] - -Omnia mihi provisa sunt praeter occultum et tutum iter ad mare -superum. Hoc enim mari uti non possumus hoc tempore anni. Illuc autem, -quo spectat animus, et quo res vocat, qua veniam? Cedendum enim est -celeriter, ne forte qua re impediar atque alliger. Nec vero ille me -ducit, qui videtur; quem ego hominem ἀπολιτικώτατον omnium iam ante -cognoram, nunc vero etiam ἀστρατηγητότατον. Non me igitur is ducit, -sed sermo hominum, qui ad me a Philotimo scribitur. Is enim me ab -optimatibus ait conscindi. Quibus optimatibus, di boni! qui nunc -quo modo occurrunt, quo modo autem se venditant Caesari! Municipia -vero deum; nec simulant, ut cum de illo aegroto vota faciebant. Sed -plane, quicquid mali hic Pisistratus non fecerit, tam gratum erit, -quam si alium facere prohibuerit. Propitium hunc sperant, illum -iratum putant. Quas fieri censes ἀπαντήσεις ex oppidis, quos honores! -"Metuunt," inquies. Credo, sed mehercule illum magis. Huius insidiosa -elementia delectantur, illius iracundiam formidant. Iudices de CCCLX, -qui praecipue Gnaeo nostro delectabantur, ex quibus cotidie aliquem -video, nescio quas eius Lucerias horrent. Itaque quaero, qui sint isti -optimates, - - * * * * * - - Page 173 - - - - -XVI - -CICERO TO ATTICUS. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 4_, B.C. _49_] - -[Sidenote: Iliad vi, 442] - -I have made provision for everything except a secret and safe passage -to the Adriatic. The other route I cannot face at this time of the -year. How can I get to that place on which my mind is set, and whither -fate calls? My departure must be in haste, for fear some obstacle and -hindrance should arise. It is not, as one might think, Pompey who -induces me to go. I have long known him to be the poorest of statesmen, -and I now see he is the poorest of generals. I am not induced by him, -but by the common talk of which Philotimus informs me. He says that the -loyalists are tearing me to tatters. Loyalists, good God! And see how -they are running to meet Caesar, and selling themselves to him. The -country towns are treating him as a god, and there is no pretence about -it, as there was in the prayers for Pompey's recovery from illness. -Any mischief this Pisistratus may leave undone will give as much -satisfaction as if he had prevented another from doing it. People hope -to placate Caesar; they think that Pompey is angered. What ovations -from the towns and what honour is paid him! In fright I dare say, but -they are more afraid of Pompey. They are delighted with the cunning -kindness of Caesar, and afraid of the anger of his rival. Those who are -on the jury list of 360 judges, the especial partisans of Pompey, some -of whom I see daily, shudder at vague Lucerias[79] which they conjure -up. So I ask what sort of loyalists are - -[79] Cf. VIII, 11, where Pompey at Luceria is said to have talked of a -proscription. - - * * * * * - - Page 174 - -qui me exturbent, cum ipsi domi maneant. Sed tamen, quicumque sunt, -αἰδέομαι Τρῶας,. Etsi, qua spe proficiscar, video, coniungoque me cum -homine magis ad vastandum Italiam quam ad vincendum parato dominumque -exspecto. Et quidem, cum haec scribebam, IIII Nonas, iam exspectabam -aliquid a Brundisio. Quid autem "aliquid"? quam inde turpiter fugisset, -et victor hic qua se referret et quo. Quod ubi audissem, si ille Appia -veniret, ego Arpinum cogitabam. - - * * * * * - - Page 175 - -these, to banish me, while they remain at home? Still whoever they are -"I fear the Trojans." Yet I see clearly with what a prospect I set out, -and I join myself with a man ready to devastate our country rather than -to conquer its oppressor, and I look to serve a tyrant. And indeed on -March 4, the date of this letter, I am expecting every moment some -news from Brundisium. Why do I say "some news," when it is news of his -disgraceful flight, and the route by which the victor is returning and -the direction in which he is moving. On hearing that, I think of going -to Arpinum, if Caesar comes by the Appian way. - - * * * * * - - Page 176 - - - - -M. TULLI CICERONIS EPISTULARUM AD ATTICUM LIBER NONUS - - - - -I CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano prid. Non. Mart. a. 705_] - -Etsi, cum tu has litteras legeres, putabam fore ut scirem iam, quid -Brundisi actum esset (nam Canusio VIIII Kal. profectus erat Gnaeus; -haec autem scribebam pridie Nonas XIIII die post, quam ille Canusio -moverat), tamen angebar singularum horarum exspectatione mirabarque -nihil allatum esse ne rumoris quidem; nam erat mirum silentium. Sed -haec fortasse κενόσπουδα sunt, quae tamen iam sciantur necesse est; -illud molestum, me adhuc investigare non posse, ubi P. Lentulus noster -sit, ubi Domitius. Quaero autem, quo facilius scire possim, quid acturi -sint, iturine ad Pompeium et, si sunt, qua quandove ituri sint. - -Urbem quidem iam refertam esse optimatium audio, Sosium et Lupum, -quos Gnaeus noster ante putabat Brundisium venturos esse quam se, -ius dicere. Hinc vero vulgo vadunt; etiam M'. Lepidus, quocum diem -conterere solebam, eras cogitabat. Nos autem in Formiano morabamur, -quo citius audiremus; deinde Arpinum volebamus; inde, iter qua -maxime ἀναπάντητον esset, ad mare superum remotis sive omnino missis -lictoribus. Audio enim bonis viris, qui et nunc - - * * * * * - - Page 177 - - - - -CICERO'S LETTERS TO ATTICUS BOOK IX - - - - -I - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 6_, B.C. _49_] - -Although, when you read this letter, I think I shall know what has -been done at Brundisium, since Pompey left Canusium on the 21st of -February and I am writing this on the 6th of March, fourteen days after -his departure from Canusium, still I am in agonies of suspense as to -what each hour may bring, and I am astonished that I do not even get -a rumour. There is a strange hush. But perhaps this is much ado about -nothing, when we must know all about it soon enough. But it does worry -me that so far I have been unable to discover the whereabouts of my -friend Lentulus and of Domitius. I want to know, that I may be able to -find out what they are going to do, whether they are going to Pompey, -and, if so, by what route and on what date. - -Town, I am told, is now crammed full with our party. Sosius and Lupus, -who, Pompey thought, would reach Brundisium before himself, are, it -appears, sitting as magistrates. From here there is a general move: -even M'. Lepidus, with whom I used to spend the day, thinks of starting -to-morrow. I am lingering in my villa at Formiae to get news the -sooner. Then I intend to go to Arpinum: from Arpinum I proceed to the -Adriatic, choosing the least frequented route and leaving behind or -even dismissing my lictors. For I am told that certain - - * * * * * - - Page 178 - -et saepe antea magno praesidio rei publicae fuerunt, hanc cunctationem -nostram non probari multaque in me et severe in conviviis tempestivis -quidem disputari. - -Cedamus igitur et, ut boni cives simus, bellum Italiae terra marique -inferamus et odia improborum rursus in nos, quae iam exstincta erant, -incendamus et Luccei consilia ac Theophani persequamur. Nam Scipio vel -in Syriam proficiscitur sorte vel cum genero honeste vel Caesarem fugit -iratum. Marcelli quidem, nisi gladium Caesaris timuissent, manerent. -Appius est eodem in timore et inimicitiarum recentium etiam. Praeter -hunc et C. Cassium reliqui legati, Faustus pro quaestore; ego unus, -cui utrumvis licet. Frater accedit, quem socium huius fortunae esse -non erat aequum. Cui magis etiam Caesar irascetur, sed impetrare non -possum, ut mancat. Dabimus hoc Pompeio, quod debemus. Nam me quidem -alius nemo movet, non sermo bonorum, qui nulli sunt, non causa quae -acta timide est, agetur improbe. Uni, uni hoc damus ne id quidem -roganti nec suam causam, ut ait, agenti, sed publicam. Tu quid cogites -de transeundo in Epirum, scire sane velim. - - - - -II - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano Non. Mart. a. 705_] - -Etsi Nonis Martiis die tuo, ut opinor, exspectabam epistulam a te -longiorem, tamen ad eam ipsam brevem, - - * * * * * - - Page 179 - -loyalists, who now and formerly have been a bulwark of the Republic, do -not like my staying in Italy, and that they sit half the day over their -festive boards making caustic remarks about me. - -So I must depart, and, to be a good citizen, wage war on Italy, kindle -against myself again the hatred of the disloyal which had died down, -and follow the plans of Lucceius and Theophanes. For Scipio can be -said to set out for Syria, his allotted province, or to accompany his -son-in-law, which is an honourable excuse, or to flee from Caesar's -anger. The Marcelli would of course have stayed, had they not feared -the sword of Caesar. Appius has the same reason for alarm, and -additional reason through a fresh quarrel. Except Appius and C. Cassius -all the others hold military commands, Faustus being proquaestor. I -am the only one who could go or stay as I like. Besides there is my -brother, whom it is not fair to involve in my trouble. With him Caesar -will be even more angry, but I cannot induce him to stay behind. This -sacrifice I will make to Pompey, as loyalty bids. For no one else -influences me, neither talk of loyalists--for there are none--nor our -cause, which has been conducted in panic and will be conducted in -disgrace. To one man, one only, I make this sacrifice, though he does -not even ask it and though the battle he is fighting is, as he says, -not his own but the State's, I should much like to know what you think -about crossing into Epirus. - - - - -II - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 7_, B.C. _49_] - -Though the 7th of March, the day I think for your attack of fever,[80] -should bring me a longer letter - -[80] Or "your birthday." Cf. ix, 5. - - * * * * * - - Page 180 - -quam IIII Nonas ὑπὸ τὴν λῆψιν dedisti, rescribendum putavi. Gaudere -ais te mansisse me et scribis in sententia te manere. Mihi autem -superioribus litteris videbare non dubitare, quin cederem ita, si et -Gnaeus bene comitatus conscendisset, et consules transissent. Utrum -hoc tu parum commeministi, an ego non satis intellexi, an mutasti -sententiam? Sed aut ex epistula, quam exspecto, perspiciam, quid -sentias, aut alias abs te litteras eliciam. Brundisio nihildum erat -allatum. - - - - -IIa - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano VIII Id. Mart. a. 705_] - -O rem difficilem planeque perditam! quam nihil praetermittis in -consilio dando; quam nihil tamen, quod tibi ipsi placeat, explicas! Non -esse me una cum Pompeio gaudes ac proponis, quam sit turpe me adesse, -cum quid de illo detrahatur; nefas esse approbare. Certe; contra -igitur? "Di," inquis, "averruncent!" Quid ergo fiet, si in altero -scelus est, in altero supplicium? "Impetrabis," inquis, "a Caesare, ut -tibi abesse liceat et esse otioso." Supplicandum igitur? Miserum. Quid, -si non impetraro? "Et de triumpho erit," inquis, "integrum." Quid, si -hoc ipso premar? accipiam? Quid foedius? Negem? Repudiari se totum, -magis etiam quam olim in XX viratu, putabit. Ac solet, cum se purgat, -in me - - * * * * * - - Page 181 - -from you, still I suppose I ought to answer the shorter note, which you -sent on the 4th on the eve of your attack. You say you are glad that I -have stayed in Italy, and you write that you abide by your former view. -But an earlier letter led me to think you had no doubt I ought to go, -if Pompey embarked with a good following and the consuls crossed too. -Have you forgotten this, or have I failed to understand you, or have -you changed your mind? But I shall either learn your opinion from the -letter I now await: or I shall extract another letter from you. From -Brundisium so far there is no news. - - - - -IIa - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 8_, B.C. _49_] - -What a difficult and calamitous business! Nothing passed over in the -advice you give, nothing revealed as to your real opinion! You are glad -that I am not with Pompey, and yet you lay down how wrong it would -be for me to be present when he is criticized: it were shameful to -approve his conduct. Agreed. Should I then speak against him? "Heaven -forbid," you say. So, what can happen, if one way lies crime, and the -other punishment? You advise me to get from Caesar leave of absence -and permission to retire. Must I then beg and pray? That would be -humiliating: and suppose I fail? You say the matter of my triumph will -not be prejudiced. But what if I am hampered by that very thing? Accept -it? What dishonour! Refuse it? Caesar will think that I am repudiating -him entirely, more even than when I declined a place among his twenty -land commissioners.[81] And it is his way, when he excuses himself - -[81] The _vigintiviri_ for the distribution of Campanian land in 59 -B.C. Cf. II, 19. - - * * * * * - - Page 182 - -conferre omnem illorum temporum culpam. Ita me sibi fuisse inimicum, ut -ne honorem quidem a se accipere vellem. Quanto nunc hoc idem accipiet -asperius! Tanto scilicet, quanto et honor hic illo est amplior et ipse -robustior. Nam, quod negas te dubitare, quin magna in offensa sim apud -Pompeium hoc tempore, non video causam, cur ita sit hoc quidem tempore. -Qui enim amisso Corfinio denique certiorem me sui consilii fecit, is -queretur Brundisium me non venisse, cum inter me et Brundisium Caesar -esset? Deinde etiam scit ἀπαρρησίαστον esse in ea causa querelam suam. -Me putat de municipiorum imbecillitate, de dilectibus, de pace, de -urbe, de pecunia, de Piceno occupando plus vidisse quam se. Sin, cum -potuero, non venero, tum erit inimicus, quod ego non eo vereor ne mihi -noceat (quid enim faciet? - - Τίς δ' ἐστὶ δοῦλος τοῦ θανεῖν ἄφροντις ὤν;), - -sed quia ingrati animi crimen horreo. Confido igitur adventum nostrum -illi, quoquo tempore fuerit, ut scribis, ἀσμενιστὸν fore. Nam, quod -ais, si hic temperatius egerit, consideratius consilium te daturum, qui -hic potest se gerere non perdite? Vetant vita,[82] mores, ante facta, -ratio suscepti negotii, socii, vires bonorum aut etiam constantia. - -[82] Vetant vita _Purser_: vita _MSS._: vetant _Boot_. - -Vixdum epistulam tuam legeram, cum ad me currens ad illum Postumus -Curtius venit nihil nisi classes loquens et exercitus. Eripiebat -Hispanias, - - * * * * * - - Page 183 - -to throw on me all the blame for that period, and to say I was so -bitter an enemy that I would not even take an office from him. How much -more will this annoy him! Why, as much more as this honour is greater -than that, and he himself is stronger. As for your remark that you -have no doubt I am in bad odour with Pompey at this present time, I -see no reason why it should be so, especially at this time. Pompey did -not tell me his plans till after the loss of Corfinium, and he cannot -complain of my not going to Brundisium, when Caesar was between me and -Brundisium. Besides he knows that complaint on his part is stopped. -He is of opinion that I saw clearer than he did about the weakness of -the municipal towns, the levies, peace, the city, the public funds, -occupying Pisenum. If however I do not go to him, when I can, he will -certainly be angry. From that I shrink--not for fear of harm he may do -me (for what can he do? And who - -"Would be a slave but he who fears to die?"[83]) - -but because I shrink from being charged with ingratitude. So I trust -my arrival will be, as you say, welcome to him, whenever I go. As for -your remark "If Caesar's conduct be more temperate, you will weigh your -advice more carefully," how can Caesar keep himself from a destructive -policy? It is forbidden by his character, his previous career, the -nature of his present enterprise, his associates, the material strength -or even the moral firmness of the loyalist party. - -[83] From an unknown play of Euripides. - -I had scarcely read your letter, when up comes Curtius Postumus -hurrying off to Caesar, talking of nothing but fleets and armies; -"Caesar is wresting - - * * * * * - - Page 184 - -tenebat Asiam, Siciliam, Africam, Sardiniam, confestim in Graeciam -persequebatur. Eundum igitur est, nec tam ut belli quam ut fugae socii -simus. Nec enim ferre potero sermones istorum, quicumque sunt; non sunt -enim certe, ut appellantur, boni. Sed tamen id ipsum scire cupio, quid -loquantur, idque ut exquiras meque certiorem facias, te vehementer -rogo. Nos adhuc, quid Brundisi actum esset, plane nesciebamus. Cum -sciemus, tum ex re et ex tempore consilium capiemus, sed utemur tuo. - - - - -III - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Formiis VII Id. Mart. a. 705_] - -Domiti filius transiit Formias VIII Idus currens ad matrem Neapolim -mihique nuntiari iussit patrem ad urbem esse, cum de eo curiose -quaesisset servus noster Dionysius. Nos autem audieramus eum profectum -sive ad Pompeium sive in Hispaniam. Id cuius modi sit, scire sane -velim. Nam ad id, quod delibero, pertinet, si ille certe nusquam -discessit, intellegere Gnaeum non esse faciles nobis ex Italia exitus, -cum ea tota armis praesidiisque teneatur, hieme praesertim. Nam, si -commodius anni tempus esset, vel infero mari liceret uti. Nunc nihil -potest nisi supero tramitti, quo iter interclusum est. Quaeres igitur -et de Domitio et de Lentulo. - -A Brundisio nulla adhuc fama venerat, et erat hic - - * * * * * - - Page 185 - -the Spains from Pompey, occupying Asia, Sicily, Africa, Sardinia, and -forthwith pursuing Pompey into Greece." So I must set out to take part -not so much in a war as in a flight. For I can never put up with the -talk of your friends, whoever they are, for certainly they are not what -they are called, loyalists. Still that is just what I want to know, -what they do say, and I beg you earnestly to inquire and inform me. So -far I know nothing of what has happened at Brundisium. When I know, I -shall form my plans according to circumstances and the moment; but I -shall use your advice. - - - - -III - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 9_, B.C. _49_] - -The son of Domitius went through Formiae on the 8th of March hastening -to his mother at Naples, and, when my slave Dionysius inquired -particularly from him about his father, he sent me a message that he -was outside the city. But I had heard that he had gone either to Pompey -or to Spain. What the fact is, I should much like to know, for it has -a bearing on the point I am now considering: if it is certain that -Domitius has found no means of departure, Pompey may understand that my -own departure from Italy is difficult, seeing that it is now beset with -troops and garrisons, and especially in the winter season. For, were it -a more convenient time of year, one could even cross the southern sea. -Now there is no choice but the Adriatic, to which passage is barred. So -please inquire both about Domitius and about Lentulus. - -From Brundisium no news has come yet, and to-day - - * * * * * - - Page 186 - -dies VII Idus, quo die suspicabamur aut pridie Brundisium venisse -Caesarem. Nam Kal. Arpis manserat. Sed, si Postumum audire velles, -persecuturus erat Gnaeum; transisse enim iam putabat coniectura -tempestatum ac dierum. Ego nautas eum non putabam habiturum, ille -confidebat, et eo magis, quod audita naviculariis hominis liberalitas -esset. Sed, tota res Brundisina quo modo habeat se, diutius nescire non -possum. - - - - -IV - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Formiis IV Id. Mart. a. 705_] - -Ego etsi tam diu requiesco, quam diu aut ad te scribo aut tuas litteras -lego, tamen et ipse egeo argumento epistularum et tibi idem accidere -certo scio. Quae enim soluto animo familiariter scribi solent, ea -temporibus his excluduntur, quae autem sunt horum temporum, ea iam -contrivimus. Sed tamen, ne me totum aegritudini dedam, sumpsi mihi -quasdam tamquam θέσεις, quae et πολιτικαὶ sunt et temporum horum, ut et -abducam animum ab querelis et in eo ipso, de quo agitur, exercear. Eae -sunt huius modi: - -Εἰ μενετέον ἐν τῇ πατρίδι τυραννουμένης αὐτῆς. Εἰ παντὶ τρόπω -τυραννίδος κατάλυσιν πραγματευτέον, κἄν - - * * * * * - - Page 187 - -is the 9th of March. I expect Caesar reached Brundisium to-day or -yesterday. He stayed at Arpi on the 1st. If you choose to listen to -Postumus, Caesar meant to pursue Pompey; for, by calculating the state -of the weather and the days, he concluded that Pompey had crossed the -sea. I thought that Caesar would be unable to get crews, but Postumus -was quite sure about that, and the more so because ship-owners had -heard of Caesar's liberality. But it cannot be long now before I hear -the full story of what has happened at Brundisium. - - - - -IV - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 12_, B.C. _49_] - -Though now I rest only so long as I am writing to you or reading your -letters, still I am in want of subject matter, and feel sure that -you are in the same position, for the present crisis debars us from -the free and easy topics of friendly correspondence, and the topics -connected with the present crisis we have already exhausted. However, -not to succumb entirely to low spirits, I have taken for myself -certain theses, so to speak, which deal with _la haute politique_ and -are applicable to the present crisis, so that I may keep myself from -querulous thoughts and may practise the subject. Here are some: - -Whether one should remain in one's country, even under a tyranny. -Whether any means are lawful to - - * * * * * - - Page 188 - -μέλλῃ διὰ τοῦτο περὶ τῶν ὅλων ἡ πόλις κινδυνεύσειν. Εἰ εὐλαβητέον -τὸν καταλύοντα μὴ αὐτὸς αἴρηται. Εἰ πειρατέον ἀρήγειν τῇ πατρίδι -τυραννουμένῃ καιρῷ καὶ λογῳ μᾶλλον ἢ πολέμῳ. Εἰ πολιτικὸν τὸ ἡσυχάζειν -ἀναχωρήσαντά ποι τῆς πατρίδος τυραννουμένης ἤ δὶα παντὂς ἰτέον κινδύνου -τῆς ἐλευθερίας πέρι. Εἰ πόλεμον ἐπακτέον τῇ χώρᾳ καὶ πολιορκητέον -αὐτὴν τυραννουμένην. Εἰ καὶ μὴ δοκιμάζοντα τὴν διὰ πολέμου κατάλυσιν -τῆς τυραννίδος συναπογραπτέον ὅμως τοῖς ἀρίστοις. Εἰ τοῖς εὐεργέταις -καὶ φίλοις συγκινδυνευτέον ἐν τοῖς πολιτικοῖς, κἂν μὴ δοκῶσιν εὖ -βεβουλεῦσθαι περὶ τῶν ὃλων. Εἰ ὁ μεγάλα τὴν πατρίδα εὐεργετήσας, δἰ -αὐτὸ δὲ τοῦτο ἀνήκεστα παθὼν καὶ φθονηθεὶς, κινδυνεύσειεν ἄν ἐθελοντὴς -ὑπὲρ τῆς πατρίδος, ἤ ἐφετέον αὐτῷ ἑαυτοῦ ποτε καὶ τῶν οἰκειοτάτων -ποιεῖσθαι πρόνοιαν ἀφεμένω τὰς πρὸς τοὺς ἰσχύοντας διαπολιτείας. - -In his ego me consulationibus exercens et disserens in utramque partem -tum Graece, tum Latine et abduco parumper animum a molestiis et τῶν -προὔργου τι delibero. Sed vereor, ne tibi ἂκαιρος sim. Si enim recte -ambulaverit is, qui hanc epistulam tulit, in ipsum tuum diem incidet. - - * * * * * - - Page 189 - -abolish a tyranny, even if they endanger the existence of the State. -Whether one ought to take care that one who tries to abolish it may -not rise too high himself. Whether one ought to assist one's country, -when under a tyranny, by seizing opportunities and by argument rather -than by war. Whether one is doing one's duty to the State, if one -retires to some other place and there remains inactive, when there is -a tyranny; or whether one ought to run every risk for liberty. Whether -one ought to invade the country and besiege one's native town, when it -is under a tyranny. Whether one ought to enrol oneself in the ranks -of the loyalists, even if one does not approve of war as a means of -abolishing tyranny. Whether one ought in political matters to share the -dangers of one's benefactors and friends, even if one does not believe -their general policy to be wise. Whether one who has done good service -for his country, and by it has won ill-treatment and envy, should -voluntarily put himself into danger for that country, or may at length -take thought for himself and his dear ones and avoid struggles against -the powers that be. - -By employing myself with such questions and discussing the pros and -cons in Greek and Latin, I divert my thoughts a little from my troubles -and at the same time consider a subject which is very pertinent. But -I fear you may find me a nuisance. For, if the bearer makes proper -headway, it will reach you on the very day you have your attack of -ague. - - * * * * * - - Page 190 - - - - -V CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Formiis VI Id. Mart. a. 705_] - -Natali die tuo scripsisti epistulam ad me plenam consilii summaeque -cum benevolentiae tum etiam prudentiae. Eam mihi Philotimus postridie, -quam a te acceperat, reddidit. Sunt ista quidem, quae disputas, -difficillima, iter ad superum, navigatio infero, discessus Arpinum, ne -hunc fugisse, mansio Formiis, ne obtulisse nos gratulationi videamur, -sed miserius nihil quam ea videre, quae tamen iam, iam, inquam, videnda -erunt. - -Fuit apud me Postumus, scripsi ad te, quam gravis. Venit ad me etiam Q. -Fufius quo vultu, quo spiritus properans Brundisium, scelus accusans -Pompei, levitatem et stultitiam senatus. Haec qui in mea villa non -feram, Curtium in curia potero ferre? Age, finge me quamvis εὐστομάχως -haec ferentem, quid? illa "DIC, M. TVLLI" quem habebunt exitum? Et -omitto causam rei publicae, quam ego amissam puto cum vulneribus suis -tum medicamentis eis, quae parantur, de Pompeio quid agam? cui plane -(quid enim hoc negem?) suscensui. Semper enim causae eventorum magis -movent quam ipsa eventa. Haec igitur mala (quibus maiora esse quae -possunt?) considerans, vel potius iudicans eius opera accidisse, et -culpa, inimicior eram huic quam ipsi Caesari. Ut - - * * * * * - - Page 191 - - - - -V - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 10_, B.C. _49_] - -On your birthday you wrote me a letter full of advice, full of -great kindness and of great wisdom. Philotimus delivered it to me -the day after he got it from you. The points you discuss are very -difficult--the route to the upper sea, a voyage by the lower sea, -departure to Arpinum, lest I should seem to have avoided Caesar, -remaining at Formiae, lest I should appear to have put myself forward -to congratulate him; but the most miserable thing of all will be to see -what I tell you must very shortly be seen. - -Curtius Postumus was with me. I wrote you how tiresome he was. Quintus -Fufius also came to see me--what an air! what assurance!--hastening -to Brundisium denouncing Pompey's wrong-doings and the careless folly -of the House. When I cannot stand this under my own roof, how shall -I be able to endure Curtius in the Senate? But suppose I put up with -all this in good humour, what of the question "Your vote, M. Tullius?" -What will come of it? I pass over the cause of the Republic, which I -consider lost, both from the wounds dealt it and the cures prepared for -them; but what am I to do about Pompey? It is no use denying that I am -downright angry with him. For I am always more affected by the causes -of events than by the events themselves. Therefore considering our -incomparable woes, or rather concluding that they have happened by his -doing and his mistakes, I am more angry with Pompey than with Caesar -himself. Just as our ancestors - - * * * * * - - Page 192 - -maiores nostri funestiorem diem esse voluerunt Aliensis pugnae -quam urbis captae, quod hoc malum ex illo (itaque alter religiosus -etiam nunc dies, alter in vulgus ignotus), sic ego decem annorum -peccata recordans, in quibus inerat ille etiam annus, qui nos hoc -non defendente, ne dicam gravius, adflixerat, praesentisque temporis -cognoscens temeritatem, ignaviam, neglegentiam suscensebam. Sed ea iam -mihi exciderunt; beneficia eiusdem cogito, cogito etiam dignitatem; -intellego serius equidem, quam vellem, propter epistulas sermonesque -Balbi, sed video plane nihil aliud agi, nihil actum ab initio, nisi ut -hunc occideret. Ego igitur, sicut ille apud Homerum, cui et mater et -dea dixisset: - - Αὐτίκα γάρ τοι ἔπειτα μεθ' Ἐκτορα πότμος ἕτοιμος, - -matri ipse respondit: - - Αὐτίκα τεθναίην, ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἄρ' ἔμελλον ἑταίρῳ - κτεινομένῳ ἐπαμῦναι. - -Quid, si non ἑταίρῳ solum, sed etiam εὐεργέτῃ adde tali viro talem -causam agenti? Ego vero haec officia mercanda vita puto. Optimatibus -vero tuis nihil confido, nihil iam ne inservio quidem. Video, ut se -huic dent, ut daturi sint. Quicquam tu illa putas fuisse de valetudine -decreta municipiorum prae his de victoria gratulationibus? "Timent," -inquies. At ipsi tum se timuisse dicunt. Sed videamus, quid actum sit -Brundisi. Ex eo fortasse alia consilia nascentur aliaeque litterae. - - * * * * * - - Page 193 - -thought that the day of the battle of Alia was blacker than the day -of the capture of Rome, because the capture was but the consequence -of the battle (and so the former day is still a black letter day and -the latter is commonly unknown), so I too was angry in recalling his -errors of the last ten years, which included the year of my affliction, -when he gave me no help, to put it mildly, and recognizing his -foolhardiness, sloth and carelessness at the present time. But all this -I have forgotten. It is his kindness I think of, and I think of my own -honour too. I understand, later indeed than I could have wished, from -the letters and conversation of Balbus, but I see plainly, that the -sole object is, and has been from the beginning, the death of Pompey. -So I say the same as Achilles to his mother, when she said "For after -Hector's death thy doom is fixed," and he replied, "Then let me die, -since I have failed to save my friend." - -[Sidenote: Iliad XVIII, 96-9] - -And in my case it is not only a friend but a benefactor, a man so great -and championing so great a cause. Indeed I hold that life should be -paid for the kindnesses that he has done me. But in your loyal party I -have no confidence: nor I do even acknowledge any allegiance to them -now. I see how they surrender and will surrender themselves to Caesar. -Do you think that those decrees of the towns about Pompey's health were -anything compared with their congratulatory addresses to Caesar? You -will say, "They are terrorized." Yes, but they themselves declare that -they were terrorized on the former occasion. But let us see what has -happened at Brundisium. Perhaps from that may spring different plans -and a different letter. - - * * * * * - - Page 194 - - - - -VI - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Formiis V Id. Mart. a. 705_] - -Nos adhuc Brundisio nihil. Roma scripsit Balbus putare iam Lentulum -consulem tramisisse, nec eum a minore Balbo conventum, quod is hoc -iam Canusi audisset; inde ad se eum scripsisse; cohortesque sex, -quae Albae fuissent, ad Curium via Minucia transisse; id Caesarem ad -se scripsisse, et brevi tempore eum ad urbem futurum. Ergo utar tuo -consilio neque me Arpinum hoc tempore abdam, etsi, Ciceroni meo togam -puram cum dare Arpini vellem, hanc eram ipsam excusationem relicturus -ad Caesarem. Sed fortasse in eo ipso offendetur, cur non Romae potius. -Ac tamen, si est conveniendus, hic potissimum. Tum reliqua videbimus, -id est et quo et qua et quando. - -Domitius, ut audio, in Cosano est, et quidem, ut aiunt, paratus ad -navigandum, si in Hispaniam, non probo, si ad Gnaeum, laudo; quovis -potius certe, quam ut Curtium videat, quem ego patronus aspicere -non possum. Quid alios? Sed, opinor, quiescamus, ne nostram culpam -coarguamus, qui, dum urbem, id est patriam, amamus dumque rem -conventuram putamus, ita nos gessimus, ut plane interclusi captique -simus. - -Scripta iam epistula Capua litterae sunt allatae hoc exemplo: "Pompeius -mare transiit cum omnibus militibus, quos secum habuit. Hic numerus est - - - * * * * * - - Page 195 - - - - -VI - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 11_, B.C. _49_] - -No news yet from Brundisium. From Rome Balbus has written that he -thinks the consul Lentulus has now gone over, and that the younger -Balbus has not met him, because the latter has just heard the news at -Canusium and from that town has written to him. He adds that the six -cohorts which were at Alba have gone to Curius by the Minucian road, -that Caesar has written to tell him so and will shortly be in Rome. So -I shall follow your advice. I shall not go and bury myself in Arpinum -at the present time, though, since I had wished to celebrate my son's -coming of age there, I thought of leaving that as an excuse to Caesar. -But perhaps that itself will give offence and he might ask why I should -not do it at Rome. Still, if I must meet him, I would much rather meet -him here. Then I shall see the other things, where I am to go, by what -route and when. - -Domitius, I hear, is at Cosa, and ready it is said to sail. If it is to -Spain, I do not approve, but, if to Pompey, he has my praise. Better -to go anywhere than to have to see Curtius, of whom, though I have -defended him, I cannot bear the sight, not to speak of others. But I -suppose I had better keep quiet, for fear of convicting myself of folly -in managing to be cut off wholly and made captive through my love of my -country and an idea that the matter could be patched up. - -Just as I had finished writing, there came a letter from Capua, of -which this is a copy: "Pompey has crossed the sea with all the soldiery -he has. There - - * * * * * - - Page 196 - -hominum milia triginta et consules duo et tribuni pl. et senatores, qui -fuerunt cum eo, omnes cum uxoribus et liberis. Conscendisse dicitur -a. d. IIII Nonas Martias. Ex ea die fuere septemtriones venti. Naves, -quibus usus non est, omnes aut praecidisse aut incendisse dicunt." - -De hac re litterae L. Metello tribuno pl. Capuam allatae sunt a Clodia -socru, quae ipsa transiit. Ante sollicitus eram et angebar, sicut res -scilicet ipsa cogebat, cum consilio explicare nihil possem; nunc autem, -postquam Pompeius et consules ex Italia exierunt, non angor, sed ardeo -dolore, - - οὐδέ μοι ἦτορ - ἔμπεδον, ἀλλ' ἀλαλύκτημαι. - -Non sum, inquam, mihi crede, mentis compos; tantum mihi dedecoris -admisisse videor. Mene non primum cum Pompeio qualicumque consilio uso, -deinde cum bonis esse quamvis causa temere instituta? praesertim cum ii -ipsi, quoram ego causa timidius me fortunae committebam, uxor, filia, -Cicerones pueri, me illud sequi mallent, hoc turpe et me indignum -putarent. Nam Quintus quidem frater, quicquid mihi placeret, id rectum -se putare aiebat, id animo aequissimo sequebatur. - -Tuas nunc epistulas a primo lego. Hae me paulum recreant. Primae monent -et rogant, ne me proiciam, proximae gaudere te ostendunt me remansisse. -Eas cum lego, minus mihi turpis videor, sed tam diu, dum lego. Deinde -emergit rursum dolor et ἀισχροῦ φαντασία. Quam ob rem obsecro te, mi -Tite, eripe - - * * * * * - - Page 197 - -are 30,000 men, two consuls, tribunes and the senators who were with -him, all accompanied by wives and children. He is said to have embarked -on the 4th of March. From that day there have been northerly winds. -They say he disabled or burned all the ships he did not use." - -[Sidennote Iliad x, 91] - -On this matter a letter has been received at Capua by Lucius Metellus, -the tribune of the plebs, from Clodia, his mother-in-law, who herself -crossed the sea. I was anxious and distracted before, naturally enough -under the circumstances, when I could find no solution of affairs. -But, now that Pompey and the consuls have left Italy, I am not only -distracted, but I blaze with indignation. "Steady my heart no more, -but wild with grief." Believe me, I say I am no longer responsible, -so great the shame I seem to have incurred. To think that in the -first place I should not be with Pompey, whatever his plan, nor again -with the loyalists, however rashly they have mismanaged their cause! -Particularly when those very people, whose interests kept me cautious, -my wife, my daughter and the boys, preferred that I should follow -Pompey's fortunes, and thought Caesar's cause disgraceful and unworthy -of me. As for my brother Quintus, whatever I thought right, he agreed -to, and he followed my course with perfect contentment. - -Your letters I am reading now from the beginning of the business. They -afford me some little relief. The first warn and entreat me not to -commit myself. The later ones show you are glad I stayed. While I read -them, my conduct seems to me less discreditable; but only so long as -I read: afterwards up rises sorrow again and a vision of shame. So I -beseech you, Titus, - - * * * * * - - Page 198 - -mihi hunc dolorem, aut minue saltem aut consolatione aut consilio, aut -quacumque re potes. Quid tu autem possis? aut quid homo quisquam? Vix -iam deus. - -Equidem illud molior, quod tu mones sperasque fieri posse, ut mihi -Caesar concedat, ut absim, cum aliquid in senatu contra Gnaeum agatur. -Sed timeo, ne non impetrem. Venit ab eo Furnius. Ut quidem scias, quos -sequamur, Q. Titini filium cum Caesare esse nuntiat, sed illum maiores -mihi gratias agere, quam vellem. Quid autem me roget paucis ille quidem -verbis, sed ἐν δυνάμει, cognosce ex ipsius epistula. Me miserum, quod -tu non valuisti! una fuissemus; consilium certe non defuisset; σύν τε -δύ' ἐρχομένω----. - -Sed acta ne agamus, reliqua paremus. Me adhuc haec duo fefellerunt, -initio spes compositionis, qua facta volebam uti populari vita, -sollicitudine senectutem nostram liberari; deinde bellum crudele et -exitiosum suscipi a Pompeio intellegebam. Melioris medius fidius -civis et viri putabam quovis supplicio adfici, quam illi crudelitati -non solum praeesse, verum etiam interesse. Videtur vel mori satius -fuisse quam esse cum his. Ad haec igitur cogita, mi Attice, vel potius -excogita. Quemvis eventum fortius feram quam hunc dolorem. - - * * * * * - - Page 199 - -take this grief away from me, or at any rate lessen it by your sympathy -or advice or by any other possible means. Yet what can you or any man -do? God Himself could hardly help now. - -But my own aim now is to achieve what you advise and hope, that Caesar -excuse my absence, when any measure is brought forward against Pompey -in the house. But I fear I may fail. Furnius has come from Caesar. To -show you the sort of men I am following, he tells me that the son of Q. -Titinius is with Caesar, but Caesar expresses greater thanks to me than -I could wish. His request put in a few words, but _ex cathedra_, you -may see from his letter. How grieved I am at your ill-health! We should -have been together; assuredly advice would not have been wanting: "Two -heads are better than one." - -[Sidenote: Iliad X, 224] - -But let us not fight battles over again, let us attend to the future. -Till now two things have led me astray, at first the hope of a -settlement, and, if that were secured, I was ready for private life and -an old age quit of public cares; and then I discovered that Pompey was -beginning a bloody and destructive war. On my honour I thought that -it was the part of a better man and a better citizen to suffer any -punishment rather than, I will not say to take a leading part, but even -to take any part in such atrocities. It seems as though it would have -been preferable to die than to be one of such men. So, my dear Atticus, -think on these problems, or rather think them out. I shall bear any -result more bravely than this affliction. - - * * * * * - - Page 200 - - - - -VIa - -CAESAR IMP. S. D. CICERONI IMP. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in itinere in. m. Mart. a. 705_] - -Cum Furnium nostrum tantum vidissem neque loqui neque audire meo -commodo potuissem, properarem atque essem in itinere praemissis iam -legionibus, praeterire tamen non potui, quin et scriberem ad te et -illum mitterem gratiasque agerem, etsi hoc et feci saepe et saepius -mihi facturus videor. Ita de me mereris. In primis a te peto, quoniam -confido me celeriter ad urbem venturum, ut te ibi videam, ut tuo -consilio, gratia, dignitate, ope omnium rerum uti possim. Ad propositum -revertar; festinationi meae brevitatique litterarum ignosces. Reliqua -ex Furnio cognosces. - - - - -VII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiis III Id. Mart. a. 705_] - -Scripseram ad te epistulam, quam darem IIII Idus. Sed eo die is, -cui dare volueram, non est profectus. Venit autem eo ipso die ille -"celeripes," quem Salvius dixerat. Attulit uberrimas tuas litteras; -quae mihi quiddam quasi animulae instillarunt; recreatum enim me non -queo dicere. Sed plane τὸ συνέχον effecisti. Ego enim non iam id ago, -mihi crede, ut prosperos exitus consequar. Sic enim video, nec duobus -his vivis nec hoc uno nos umquam rem publicam habituros. - - * * * * * - - Page 201 - - - - -VIa - -CAESAR THE IMPERATOR SENDS GREETINGS TO CICERO THE IMPERATOR. - - -[Sidenote: _On the march, March_, B.C. _49_] - -Though I have only had a glimpse of our friend Furnius, and have not -yet been able conveniently to speak to him or hear what he has to -say, being in a hurry and on the march, yet I could not neglect the -opportunity of writing to you and sending him to convey my thanks. -Be sure I have often thanked you and I expect to have occasion to do -so still more often in the future: so great are your services to me. -First I beg you, since I trust that I shall quickly reach Rome, to let -me see you there, and employ your advice, favour, position and help -of all kinds. I will return to what I began with: pardon my haste and -the shortness of my letter. All the other information you may get from -Furnius. - - - - -VII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 13_, B.C. _49_] - -I wrote you a letter dated the 12th of March, but on that day the man -to whom I meant to give it did not set out. However, on that very -day there arrived that "sprinter," as Salvius called him, bringing -your very full epistle which has put just a drop of life into me, for -recovered I cannot profess to be. Clearly you have done the one thing -needful. Believe me I am not acting now with a view to a lucky issue; -for I see that we can never enjoy a Republic while these two men live, -or this one alone. So I - - * * * * * - - Page 202 - -Ita neque de otio nostro spero iam nec ullam acerbitatem recuso. Unum -illud extimescebam, ne quid turpiter facerem, vel dicam iam ne fecissem. - -Sic ergo habeto, salutares te mihi litteras misisse neque solum has -longiores, quibus nihil potest esse explicatius, nihil perfectius, sed -etiam illas breviores, in quibus hoc mihi iucundissimum fuit, consilium -factumque nostrum a Sexto probari, pergratumque mihi tu ...[84] -fecisti; a quo et diligi me et, quid rectum sit, intellegi scio. -Longior vero tua epistula non me solum, sed meos omnes aegritudine -levavit. Itaque utar tuo consilio et ero in Formiano, ne aut ad urbem -ἀπάντησις mea animadvertatur, aut, si nec hic nec illic eum videro, -devitatum se a me putet. Quod autem suades, ut ab eo petam, ut mihi -concedat, ut idem tribuam Pompeio, quod ipsi tribuerim, id me iam -pridem agere intelleges ex litteris Balbi et Oppi, quarum exempla tibi -misi. Misi etiam Caesaris ad eos sana mente scriptas quo modo in tanta -insania. Sin mihi Caesar hoc non concedat, video tibi placere illud, me -πολίτευμα de pace suscipere; in quo non extimesco periculum (cum enim -tot impendeant, cur non honestissimo depecisci velim?), sed vereor, ne -Pompeio quid oneris imponam, - - μή μοι γοργείην κεφαλὴν δεινοῖο πελώρου - -intorqueat. Mirandum enim in modum Gnaeus noster Sullani regni -similitudinem concupivit. Εἰδώς σοι λέγω. Nihil ille umquam minus -obscure tulit. - -[84] _After_ tu _there is probably a lacuna which should be filled by -some such words as those suggested by Lehmann_: fecisti, quod me de -iudicio eius certiorem. - - * * * * * - - Page 203 - -have no hope of ease for myself and I do not refuse to contemplate as -possible any bitterness. The one thing I dread is doing, or, perhaps I -should say, having done, anything disgraceful. - -[Sidenote: Odyssey xi, 663] - -So please consider that your letter was good for me, and not only the -longer, most explicit and perfect epistle, but also the shorter, in -which the most delightful thing was to find that my policy and action -is approved by Sextus. You have done me a great kindness....[85] Of -his affection and sense of honour I am sure. But that longer letter of -yours has relieved not only me but all my friends from our sorry state: -so I will follow your advice and remain in the villa at Formiae, that -my meeting with Caesar outside the city may not excite comment, or, if -I do not meet him either here or there, I may not lead him to think -I have shunned him. As for your advice to ask him to allow me to pay -Pompey the same homage as I did to him, you will understand I have been -doing that long since, when you see the copies I forward of letters -of Balbus and Oppius. I send also a letter addressed by Caesar to -them, which is sane enough considering these mad times. But, if Caesar -should refuse my request, I see that you think I should undertake to -be a peace-maker. In that rôle I do not fear danger--for, with so many -dangers overhanging, why should I not compound by taking the most -respectable--but I fear lest I may embarrass Pompey, and he fix on me -"the Gorgon gaze of his dread eye." It is wonderful to see how Pompey -desires to imitate Sulla's reign. I know what I am saying. He has made -no secret of it. Then why - -[85] Adopting Lehmann's suggestion "in telling me of his opinion." - - * * * * * - - Page 204 - -"Cum hocne igitur," inquies, "esse vis?" Beneficium sequor, mihi crede, -non causam, [ut in Milone, ut in.... Sed hactenus].[86] "Causa igitur -non bona est?" Immo optima, sed agetur, memento, foedissime. Primum -consilium est suffocare urbem et Italiam fame, deinde agros vastare, -urere, pecuniis locupletum non abstinere. Sed, cum eadem metuam ab hac -parte, si illim beneficium non sit, rectius putem quidvis domi perpeti. -Sed ita meruisse illum de me puto, ut ἀχαριστίας crimen subire non -audeam, quamquam a te eius quoque rei iusta defensio est explicata. - -[86] _The words in brackets are probably a gloss which has crept into -the text._ - -De triumpho tibi adsentior, quem quidem totum facile et lubenter -abiecero. Egregie probo fore ut, dum agamus, ὁ πλόος ὡραῖος obrepat. -"Si modo," inquis, "satis ille erit firmus." Est firmior etiam, quam -putabamus. De isto licet bene speres. Promitto tibi, si valebit, -tegulam illum in Italia nullam relicturum. "Tene igitur socio?" Contra -mehercule meum iudicium et contra omnium antiquorum auctoritatem, nec -tam ut illa adiuvem, quam ut haec ne videam, cupio discedere. Noli -enim putare tolerabiles horum insanias nec unius modi fore. Etsi quid -te horum fugit, legibus, iudicibus, iudiciis senatu sublato libidines, -audacias, sumptus, egestates tot egentissimorum hominum nec privatas -posse res nec rem publicam sustinere? Abeamus igitur inde qualibet -navigatione; etsi id quidem, ut tibi videbitur, - - * * * * * - - Page 205 - -do I wish to be associated with such a man? Believe me I follow -gratitude, not a cause [and I did in the case of Milo and in.... But -enough of this.] "Then the cause is not good?" Yes, the best in the -world; but remember it will be handled in the most disgraceful way. The -first plan is to throttle Rome and Italy and starve them, then to lay -waste and burn the country, and not to keep hands off the riches of -the wealthy. But, since I have the same fears on Caesar's side too, if -it were not for favours on the other side, I should think it better to -stay in Rome and suffer what comes. But so bounden do I consider myself -to Pompey that I cannot endure to risk the charge of ingratitude. But -you have said all that can be said for that course too. - -About my triumph I agree with you. I can throw it away willingly and -with ease. I am delighted with your remark that it may be, while I am -considering, "the chance to sail" may arise. "Yes," you say, "if only -Pompey is firm enough." He is more firm than I imagined. In him you -may be confident. I promise you, if he succeeds, he will not leave a -tile in Italy. "Will you help him, then?" By heaven, against my own -judgement and against all the lessons of the past I desire to depart, -not so much that I may help Pompey, as that I may not see what is being -done here. For please do not think that the madness of these parties -will be endurable or of one kind. However, it is obvious to you that -when laws, juries, courts and Senate are abolished, neither private nor -public resources will be able to bear up against the lusts, daring, -extravagance and necessity of so many needy men. So let me depart on -any kind of voyage: be it whatever you will, only let me depart. - - * * * * * - - Page 206 - -sed certe abeamus. Sciemus enim, id quod exspectas, quid Brundisi actum -sit. - -Bonis viris quod ais probari, quae adhuc fecerimus, scirique ab iis -nos non profectos, valde gaudeo, si est nunc ullus gaudendi locus. De -Lentulo investigabo diligentius. Id mandavi Philotimo, homini forti ac -nimium optimati. - -Extremum est, ut tibi argumentum ad scribendum fortasse iam desit. Nec -enim alia de re nunc ulla scribi potest, et de hac quid iam amplius -inveniri potest? Sed, quoniam et ingenium suppeditat (dico mehercule, -ut sentio) et amor, quo et meum ingenium incitatur, perge, ut facis, et -scribe, quantum potes. - -In Epirum quod me non invitas, comitem non molestum, subirascor. Sed -vale. Nam, ut tibi ambulandum, ungendum, sic mihi dormiendum. Etenim -litterae tuae mihi somnum attulerunt. - - - - -VIIa - -BALBUS ET OPPIUS S. D. M. CICERONI. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Romae VI aut V Id. Mart. a. 705_] - -Nedum hominum humilium, ut nos sumus, sed etiam amplissimorum virorum -consilia ex eventu, non ex voluntate a plerisque probari solent. Tamen -freti tua humanitate, quod verissimum nobis videbitur, de eo, quod ad -nos scripsisti, tibi consilium dabimus. Quod si non fuerit prudens, at -certe ab optima fide et optimo animo proficiscetur. - -Nos, si id, quod nostro iudicio Caesarem facere - - * * * * * - - Page 207 - -For I shall know the news you are waiting for, what has happened at -Brundisium. - -If, as you say, my conduct hitherto has been approved by the loyal -party and they are aware I have not gone away, I am very glad indeed, -if now there is any place for gladness. As for Lentulus I will make -more careful inquiries. I have entrusted the matter to Philotimus, a -man of courage and excessive loyalty. - -The last thing I have to say is, that perhaps you lack a theme for your -letters--for one can write on no other topic, and what more can be said -on this? But since there is plenty of ability in you (and upon my soul -I speak as I feel) and affection which also spurs my own wit, go on as -you are doing and write as much as you can. - -I am rather annoyed that you do not invite me as your guest to Epirus -when you know I should give you no trouble. But good-bye. You want your -walk and perfumery and I want my sleep: for your letter has induced -sleep. - - - - -VIIa - -BALBUS AND OPPIUS TO M. CICERO, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 10 or 11_, B.C. _49_] - -Advice--even the advice of distinguished persons, let alone nobodies -like ourselves--is generally judged by results and not by intentions. -However, relying on your kindness of heart, we will give you the -soundest advice we can on the point about which you wrote, and, even if -its wisdom may be doubted, there will be no doubt that it springs from -good faith and good feeling. - -If we had heard from Caesar's own lips that he - - * * * * * - - Page 208 - -oportere existimamus, ut, simul Romam venerit, agat de reconciliatione -gratiae suae et Pompei, id eum facturum ex ipso cognovissemus, -deberemus[87] te hortari, ut velles iis rebus interesse, quo facilius -et maiore cum dignitate per te, qui utrique es coniunctus, res tota -confieret, aut, si ex contrario putaremus Caesarem id non facturum, -et etiam velle cum Pompeio bellum gerere sciremus, numquam tibi -suaderemus, contra hominem optime de te meritum arma ferres, sicuti -te semper oravimus, ne contra Caesarem pugnares. Sed, cum etiam nunc, -quid facturus Caesar sit, magis opinari quam scire possimus,[88] -non possumus nisi hoc, non videri eam tuam esse dignitatem neque -fidem omnibus cognitam, ut contra alterutrum, cum utrique sis maxime -necessarius, arma feras, et hoc non dubitamus quin Caesar pro sua -humanitate maxime sit probaturus. Nos tamen, si tibi videbitur, ad -Caesarem scribemus, ut nos certiores faciat, quid hac re acturus sit. A -quo si erit nobis rescriptum, statim, quae sentiemus, ad te scribemus, -et tibi fidem faciemus nos ea suadere, quae nobis videntur tuae -dignitati, non Caesaris actioni esse utilissima, et hoc Caesarem pro -sua indulgentia in suos probaturum putamus. - -[87] deberemus _added by Lehmann_. - -[88] possimus _added by Ascensius_. - - - - -VIIb - -BALBUS CICERONI IMP. SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Romae V aut IV Id. Mart. a. 705_] - -S. V. B. Posteaquam litteras communes cum Oppio ad te dedi, ab Caesare -epistulam accepi, cuius exemplum - - * * * * * - - Page 209 - -was going to do, what in our opinion he ought to do, as soon as he -reaches Rome, that is to say try to effect a reconciliation with -Pompey, we should feel it our duty to exhort you to take part in -the negotiations, as the whole thing could most easily and with the -greatest dignity be carried through by you, who have ties with both -parties. If on the contrary we thought Caesar was not going to follow -that course, and knew that he even wished to wage war with Pompey, -we should never advise you to bear arms against a man who has done -you such good service, just as we have always begged you not to -fight against Caesar. But, since Caesar's intentions are still mere -guesswork, we can only say that it does not seem consonant with your -dignity or your well-known sense of honour to bear arms against either -of them, as you are intimate with both: and we have no doubt that -Caesar will be generous enough to approve of this course. If you wish -it, however, we will write to Caesar to ascertain his intentions in -this matter. If he sends us an answer, we will let you know our opinion -at once, and convince you that we are giving the advice which seems -to us to be best for your dignity, not for Caesar's policy, and, such -is Caesar's consideration for his friends, that we feel sure he will -approve of such a course. - - - - -VIIb - -BALBUS TO CICERO, THE IMPERATOR, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Rome, March 11 or 12_, B.C. _49_] - -I hope you are well.[89] After sending you a letter in conjunction with -Oppius I had a note from Caesar, of which I am forwarding a copy. From -it you can - -[89] The letters _S.V.B._ stand for _si vales bene (est)_. - - * * * * * - - Page 210 - -tibi misi. Ex quibus perspicere poteris, quam cupiat concordiam suam -et Pompei reconciliare, et quam remotus sit ab omni crudelitate; quod -eum sentire, ut debeo, valde gaudeo. De te et tua fide et pietate -idem mehercule, mi Cicero, sentio quod tu, non posse tuam famam et -officium sustinere, ut contra eum arma feras, a quo tantum beneficium -te accepisse praedices. Caesarem hoc idem probaturum exploratum pro -singulari eius humanitate habeo, eique cumulatissime satis facturum te -certo scio, cum nullam partem belli contra cum suscipias neque socius -eius adversariis fueris. Atque hoc non solum in te, tali et tanto viro, -satis habebit, sed etiam mihi ipse sua concessit voluntate, ne in iis -castris essem, quae contra Lentulum aut Pompeium futura essent, quorum -beneficia maxima haberem, sibique satis esse dixit, si togatus urbana -officia sibi praestitissem, quae etiam illis, si vellem, praestare -possem. Itaque nunc Romae omnia negotia Lentuli procuro, sustineo, -meumque officium, fidem, pietatem iis praesto. Sed mehercule rursus -iam abiectam compositionis spem non desperatissimam esse puto, quoniam -Caesar est ea mente, quam optare debemus. - -Hac re mihi placet, si tibi videtur, te ad eum scribere et ab eo -praesidium petere, ut petiisti a Pompeio me quidem adprobante -temporibus Milonianis. Praestabo, si Caesarem bene novi, eum prius tuae -dignitatis quam suae utilitatis rationem habiturum. - -Haec quam prudenter tibi scribam, nescio, sed illud - - * * * * * - - Page 211 - -see how eager he is for a reconciliation between himself and Pompey, -and how far removed all cruelty is from his thoughts: and I am, as in -duty bound, very glad that he takes that view. As for yourself and -your honour, and loyalty to your friends, I give you my word, my dear -Cicero, that I think as you do, that your reputation and your duty will -not admit of your bearing arms against a man, from whom you acknowledge -that you have received such favours. I have not the slightest doubt -that Caesar with his extraordinary kindness will agree, and that you -will satisfy him abundantly, by taking no part against him in the war -and not siding with his opponents. And this he will count sufficient -not only in the case of so important a personage as yourself, but even -to me of his own free will he has granted the same permission not to -enter a camp which would be opposed to Lentulus and Pompey, to whom I -am under great obligations: and he has said he is quite satisfied, if I -should perform peaceful civic functions for him, which I am at liberty -to perform for them too, if I wish. So I am acting now as Lentulus' -deputy at Rome and carrying out his business, fulfilling my duty and -maintaining my honour and loyalty to them. But really, though I had -given up hope of peace, I am no longer in despair of it, since Caesar -is in the mood in which we would wish him to be. - -Under the circumstances I see no objection, if you think fit, to -your writing and asking for his protection, as you did for Pompey's, -with my approval, at Milo's trial. If I know anything of Caesar, I -will guarantee that he will consider your dignity more than his own -advantage. - -How far the advice I am sending may be right, I - - * * * * * - - Page 212 - -certe scio, me ab singulari amore ac benevolentia, quaecumque scribo, -tibi scribere, quod te (ita incolumi Caesare moriar!) tanti facio, ut -paucos aeque ac te caros habeam. De hac re cum aliquid constitueris, -velim mihi scribas. Nam non mediocriter laboro, utrique, ut vis, tuam -benevolentiam praestare possis, quam mehercule te praestaturum confide. -Fac valeas. - - - - -VIIc - -CAESAR OPPIO, CORNELIO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in itinere paulo ante ep. 7 B._] - -Gaudeo mehercule vos significare litteris, quam valde probetis ea, -quae apud Corfinium sunt gesta. Consilio vestro utar lubenter, et hoc -lubentius, quod mea sponte facere constitueram, ut quam lenissimum me -praeberem et Pompeium darem operam ut reconciliarem. Temptemus, hoc -modo si possimus omnium voluntates recuperare et diuturna victoria -uti, quoniam reliqui crudelitate odium effugere non potuerunt neque -victoriam diutius tenere praeter unum L. Sullam, quem imitaturus non -sum. Haec nova sit ratio vincendi, ut misericordia et liberalitate -nos muniamus. Id quem ad modum fieri possit, non nulla mi in mentem -veniunt, et multa reperiri possunt. De his rebus rogo vos ut -cogitationem suscipiatis. - -N. Magium, Pompei praefectum, deprehendi. Scilicet meo instituto usus -sum et eum statim missum - - * * * * * - - Page 213 - -do not know; but one thing I do know, that, in sending what I am -sending to you, I am actuated by more than ordinary affection and -goodwill. Though I am ready to die for Caesar's sake, there are few -that I esteem as highly as I esteem you. When you have made up your -mind on the point, I should like you to let me know, for I am much -concerned that you should be able to show your goodwill to both -parties, as you desire: and I have not the faintest doubt that you -will. Take care of your health. - - - - -VIIc - -CAESAR TO OPPIUS AND CORNELIUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _On the road, shortly before 7 B._] - -I am very glad to hear from your letters how strongly you approve -of what happened at Corfinium. I shall follow your advice with -pleasure--with all the more pleasure, because I had myself made up my -mind to act with the greatest moderation, and to do my best to effect -a reconciliation with Pompey. Let us see if by moderation we can win -all hearts and secure a lasting victory, since by cruelty others have -been unable to escape from hatred and to maintain their victory for -any length of time except L. Sulla, whose example I do not intend to -follow. This is a new way of conquering, to strengthen one's position -by kindness and generosity. As to how this can be done, some ideas have -occurred to me and many more can be found. I should like you to turn -some attention to the matter. - -I have taken N. Magius, a praefect of Pompey. Of course I kept to my -policy and set him free at once. - - * * * * * - - Page 214 - -feci. Iam duo praefecti fabrum Pompei in meam potestatem venerunt et -a me missi sunt. Si volent grati esse, debebunt Pompeium hortari, ut -malit mihi esse amicus quam iis, qui et illi et mihi semper fuerunt -inimicissimi; quorum artificiis effectum est, ut res publica in hunc -statum perveniret. - - - - -VIII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano prid. Id. Mart. a. 705_] - -Cenantibus II Idus nobis, ac noctu quidem,, Statius a te epistulam -brevem attulit. De L. Torquato quod quaeris, non modo Lucius, sed -etiam Aulus profectus est, alter multos.[90] De Reatinorum corona quod -scribis, moleste fero in agro Sabino sementem fieri proscriptionis. -Senatores multos esse Romae nos quoque audieramus. Ecquid potes dicere, -cur exierint? In his locis opinio est coniectura magis quam nuntio aut -litteris Caesarem Formiis a. d. XI Kal. Apriles fore. Hic ego vellem -habere Homeri illam Minervam simulatam Mentori, cui dicerem: - -Μέντορ, πῶς τ' ἄρ' ἴω, πῶς τ' ἂρ προσπτύξομαι αὐτόν; - -Nullam rem umquam difficiliorem cogitavi, sed cogito tamen nec ero -ut in malis imparatus. Sed cura, ut valeas. Puto enim diem tuum heri -fuisse. - -[90] _For the unintelligible_ alter multos _Reid suggests_ ante multo; -_Purser_ alter duos aliquos dies abest, alter multos. - - * * * * * - - Page 215 - -So now two of Pompey's praefects of engineers have fallen into my hands -and I have set them free. If they have any gratitude, they ought to -exhort Pompey to prefer my friendship to that of men who were always -the bitterest enemies both to him and to me. It is their machinations -that have brought the State into its present plight. - - - - -VIII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 14_, B.C. _49_] - -[Sidenote: Odyssey iii, 22] - -As I was dining on the 14th, and indeed after nightfall, Statius -brought a short letter from you. For your query about L. Torquatus, not -only Lucius but also Aulus has gone [the former some two days],[91] the -latter a long time ago. For your news about the sale of prisoners at -Reate, I am sorry that the seeds of a proscription should be sown in -the Sabine district. That many members of the House are at Rome, I also -have heard. Can you give any reason why they ever left it? Here there -is an idea based on guesswork rather than message or dispatch that -Caesar will be at Formiae on March the 22nd. I wish I could have here -Homer's Minerva disguised as Mentor, that I might say to her, "Mentor, -how shall I go, and how shall I welcome him, pray?" I have never had a -more difficult step to think of. But I think of it nevertheless: nor -shall I be unprepared, so far as the evil days permit. Take care of -yourself, for I fancy yesterday was the day for your fever. - -[91] Adopting Purser's suggestion. - - * * * * * - - Page 216 - - - - -IX - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano XVI K. Apr. a. 705_] - -Tres epistulas tuas accepi postridie Idus. Erant autem IIII, III, -pridie Idus datae. Igitur antiquissimae cuique primum respondebo. -Adsentio tibi, ut in Formiano potissimum commorer, etiam de supero -mari, temptaboque,[92] ut antea ad te scripsi, ecquonam modo possim -voluntate eius nullam rei publicae partem attingere. Quod laudas, quia -oblivisci me scripsi ante facta et delicta nostri amici, ego vero ita -facio. Quin ea ipsa, quae a te commemorantur, secus ab eo in me ipsum -facta esse non memini. Tanto plus apud me valere beneficii gratiam -quam iniuriae dolorem volo. Faciamus igitur, ut censes, colligamusque -nos. Σοφιστεύω enim, simul ut rus decurro, atque in decursu θέσεις -meas commentari non desino. Sed sunt quaedam earum perdifficiles ad -iudicandum. De optimatibus sit sane ita, ut vis; sed nosti illud -Διονύσιος ἐν Κορίνθω. - -[92] temptaboque _Nipperdey_: plaboque _M_: perlabor _I_. - -Titini filius apud Caesarem est. Quod autem quasi vereri videris, -ne mihi tua consilia displiceant, me vero nihil delectat aliud nisi -consilium et litterae tuae. Quare fac, ut ostendis, ne destiteris ad -me, quicquid tibi in mentem venerit, scribere. Mihi nihil potest esse -gratius. - -Venio ad alteram nunc epistulam. Recte non credis de numero militum; -ipso dimidio plus scripsit - - * * * * * - - Page 217 - - - - -IX - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 17_, B.C. _49_] - -I got three letters from you on the 16th. They were dated the 12th, -13th and 14th. So I will take the earliest first. I agree with you that -it is best for me to stay at Formiae. I also agree about the Adriatic. -But as I wrote you before, I will strive to discover how I may be able -with Caesar's goodwill to keep quite clear of politics. You praise me -for saying that I forget Pompey's former misdeeds and ill-doings, but -it is a fact. Nay, those very actions you call to mind, in which he did -harm to me myself, have no place in my memory. I am so determined to -feel gratitude for his kindness rather than resentment for injuries. -Let me act then as you decree, and pull myself together. For I -philosophize as I walk about my estate, and in my perambulations I do -not cease to ponder my themes. But some of them are very difficult to -decide. As for the loyalists, let it be as you wish. You know the old -saying "Dionysius in Corinth."[93] - -[93] Dionysius, when expelled from the throne of Syracuse, fled to -Corinth and according to some authorities set up a school there. But -whether the saying here mentioned refers merely to his exile and means -"There are ups and downs in life," or to his schoolmastering, as Jeans -suggests, referring to a passage in _Tusc._ III, 27, where Cicero -says Dionysius took to schoolmastering because he wished to tyrannize -over somebody, is uncertain. If the latter, it would mean that the -_optimates_ would ill-use Cicero again as soon as they got the power. - -Titinius' son is with Caesar. You seem to fear that your advice irks -me; but nothing indeed pleases me except your counsel and your letters. -So do as you promise. Do not omit to write to me anything that comes -into your mind; for nothing can delight me more. - -I turn now to your next letter. You are right not - - * * * * * - - Page 218 - -Clodia. Falsum etiam de corruptis navibus. Quod consules laudas, ego -quoque animum laudo, sed consilium reprehendo; dispersu enim illorum -actio de pace sublata est, quam quidem ego meditabar. Itaque postea -Demetri librum de concordia tibi remisi et Philotimo dedi. Nec vero -dubito, quin exitiosum bellum impendeat; cuius initium ducetur a -fame. Et me tamen doleo non interesse huic bello! In quo tanta vis -sceleris futura est, ut, cum parentes non alere nefarium sit, nostri -principes antiquissimam et sanctissimam parentem, patriam, fame -necandam putent. Atque hoc non opinione timeo, sed interfui sermonibus. -Omnis haec classis Alexandria, Colchis, Tyro, Sidone, Arado, Cypro, -Pamphylia, Lycia, Rhodo, Chio, Byzantio, Lesbo, Zmyrna, Mileto, Coo -ad intercludendos commeatus Italiae et ad occupandas frumentarias -provincias comparatur. At quam veniet iratus! et iis quidem maxime, -qui eum maxime salvum volebant, quasi relictus ab iis, quos reliquit. -Itaque mihi dubitanti, quid me facere par sit, permagnum pondus adfert -benevolentia erga illum; qua dempta perire melius esset in patria quam -patriam servando evertere. De septemtrione plane ita est. Metuo, - - * * * * * - - Page 219 - -to believe the reports about the number of Pompey's soldiers. -Clodia's letter made them just double. It was untrue also about the -destruction of the vessels. You praise the consuls; so do I praise -their courage, but I blame their policy. Their departure has destroyed -the negotiations for peace, the very thing which I was contemplating. -So after that I returned you Demetrius' book on Concord and gave it to -Philotimus. And I have no doubt a disastrous war is imminent, which -will be ushered in by famine. And here I am lamenting that I have no -hand in the war, a war which will be so criminal, that though it is -wicked not to support one's parents, yet our chiefs will not hesitate -to destroy by starvation their country, that most reverend and holiest -of parents! And my fears are not based on mere surmise. I have heard -their talk. All this fleet from Alexandria, Colchis, Tyre, Sidon, -Aradus, Cyprus, Pamphylia, Lycia, Rhodes, Chius, Byzantium, Lesbos, -Smyrna, Miletus, Cos, is being got ready to cut off the supplies of -Italy and to blockade the grain-producing provinces. And how angry -Pompey will be when he comes, particularly with those who particularly -desire his safety, as if he were abandoned by those whom he has -abandoned! So in my doubt what I ought to do, I am greatly swayed by my -good feeling towards Pompey. Without that it were better to perish in -my country, than to destroy my country by saving it. As to the north -wind, it is clearly as you write. I fear Epirus - - * * * * * - - Page 220 - -ne vexetur Epirus; sed quem tu locum Graeciae non direptum iri -putas? Praedicat enim palam et militibus ostendit se largitione ipsa -superiorem quam hunc fore. Illud me praeclare admones, cum illum -videro, ne nimis indulgenter, et ut cum gravitate potius loquar. Plane -sic faciendum. Arpinum, cum eum convenero, cogito, ne forte aut absim, -cum veniet, aut cursem huc illuc via deterrima. Bibulum, ut scribis, -audio venisse et redisse pridie Idus. - -Philotimum, ut ais in epistula tertia, exspectabas. At ille Idibus a -me profectus est. Eo serius ad tuam illam epistulam, cui ego statim -rescripseram, redditae sunt meae litterae. De Domitio, ut scibis, -ita opinor esse, ut et in Cosano sit, et consilium eius ignoretur. -Iste omnium turpissimus et sordidissimus, qui consularia comitia a -praetore ait haberi posse, est idem, qui semper in re publica fuit. -Itaque nimirum hoc illud est, quod Caesar scribit in ea epistula, -cuius exemplum ad te misi, se velle uti "consilio" meo (age, esto; -hoc commune est), "gratia" (ineptum id quidem, sed, puto, hoc simulat -ad quasdam senatorum sententias), "dignitate" (fortasse sententiae -consularis). Illud extremum est: "ope omnium rerum." Id ego suspicari -coepi tum ex tuis litteris aut hoc ipsum esse aut non multo secus. Nam -permagni eius interest rem ad interregnum non venire. Id adsequitur, si -per praetorem consules creantur. Nos autem in libris - - * * * * * - - Page 221 - -may be harassed, but do you suppose there is any part of Greece that -will not be robbed? Pompey openly declares and shows his men that he -will be more liberal even than Caesar in largesse. You do well to -advise me, when I see Caesar, not to be too complacent, and to speak -rather with dignity. Clearly I must do so. I am thinking of going to -Arpinum after I have met him; for I do not want to be absent on his -arrival, or to have to travel to and fro in the wretched condition of -the roads. I hear, as you write, that Bibulus came and went back on the -14th. - -[Sidenote: Iliad iv, 182] - -You say in your third letter that you were awaiting Philotimus. He set -out from me on the 15th. That was why my reply to your letter, which -I wrote immediately, was late in reaching you. I think you are right -about Domitius, that he is in his place at Cosa; but what his plan -is, is not known. That disgraceful mean blackguard M. Lepidus, who -says that the consular elections may be held by a praetor, is playing -his old part in politics. So that was the meaning of the passage in -Caesar's letter of which I sent you a copy, that he wanted to enjoy my -"advice" (well, that is a general expression), my "influence" (that -is flattery, but I suppose he affects to want it with a view to the -votes of certain senators), my "position" (perhaps he means my vote as -an ex-consul). His last phrase is "help in every way." I have begun -to suspect from your letter that that is the point, or something very -like it. For it is highly important to him that there should not be -an interregnum. That point is attained, if consuls are created by a -praetor. But in our state books it is set down that it is illegal not -only for - - * * * * * - - Page 222 - -habemus non modo consules a praetore, sed ne praetores quidem creari -ius esse, idque factum esse numquam; consules eo non esse ius, quod -maius imperium a minore rogari non sit ius, praetores autem, quod ita -rogentur, ut collegae consulibus sint, quorum est maius imperium. -Aberit non longe, quin hoc a me decerni velit neque sit contentus -Galba, Scaevola, Cassio, Antonio: - - Τότε μοι χάνοι εὐρεῖα χθών! - -Sed, quanta tempestas impendeat, vides. Qui transierint senatores, -scribam ad te, cum certum habebo. De re frumentaria recte intellegis, -quae nullo modo administrari sine vectigalibus potest; nec sine causa -et eos, qui circum illum sunt, omnia postulantes et bellum nefarium -times. Trebatium nostrum, etsi, ut scribis, nihil bene sperat, tamen -videre sane velim. Quem fac horteris, ut properet; opportune enim ad me -ante adventum Caesaris venerit. De Lanuvino, statim ut audivi Phameam -mortuum, optavi, si modo esset futura res publica, ut id aliquis emeret -meorum, neque tamen de te, qui maxime meus es, cogitavi. Sciebam enim -te "quoto anno" et "quantum in solo" solere quaerere neque solum Romae, -sed etiam Deli tuum διάγραμμα videram.[94] Verum tamen ego illud, -quamquam est bellum, minoris aestimo, quam aestimabatur Marcellino -consule, cum ego istos hortulos propter domum Anti, quam tum habebam, -iucundiores mihi fore putabam et minore impensa, quam si Tusculanum -refecissem. Volui HS. Q. Egi per praedem, ille daret tanti, cum haberet -venale. - -[94] διάγραμμα _Malespina_; digamma _MSS._ - - * * * * * - - Page 223 - -consuls to be created by the praetors, but for the very praetors -themselves, and that it has never been done; that it is illegal for -consuls, because it is illegal for persons with greater powers to be -proposed for election by those with less; for praetors, because they -are proposed as colleagues of the consuls who have the greater powers. -The next thing will be, he will want me to vote for it, and he will -not be content with Galba, Scaevola, Cassius and Antonius, "then let -the wide earth swallow me." But you see what a storm is coming. Which -senators have crossed over to Pompey I will tell you as soon as I -know. You are right about the corn supply: it cannot be done without -taxation: and you have cause to fear the exorbitant demands of Pompey's -associates and a wicked war. I should much like to see my friend -Trebatius, although you tell me he is in despair. Do bid him hurry, -for it will be convenient, if he comes before Caesar's arrival. As for -that estate at Lanuvium, as soon as I heard of the death of Phamea, I -longed, if the constitution was going to last, that one of my friends -should buy it, and yet I did not think of you, my best friend of all. -For I know that it is your custom to inquire in how many years you -may recoup yourself of a purchase, and the value of fixtures, and I -had seen your inventory not only at Rome but at Delos. But, though it -is a pretty property, I rate it at a lower value than it was rated in -Marcellinus' consulship, when I thought that, owing to the house I then -had at Antium, those little gardens would please me better and cost -less than the repair of my villa at Tusculum. I wanted the property for -£4,500.[95] I made an offer to that amount through a third party, when -he was putting - -[95] Q. = quingentis millibus, i.e. 500,000 sesterces. - - * * * * * - - Page 224 - -Noluit. Sed nunc omnia ista iacere puto propter nummorum caritatem. -Mihi quidem erit aptissimum vel nobis potius, si tu emeris; sed eius -dementias cave contemnas. Valde est venustum. Quamquam mihi ista omnia -iam addicta vastitati videntur. - -Respondi epistulis tribus, sed exspecto alias; nam me adhuc tuae -litterae sustentarunt. D. Liberalibus. - - - - -X - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano XV K. Apr. a. 705_] - -Nihil habebam, quod scriberem. Neque enim novi quicquam audieram et -ad tuas omnes rescripseram pridie. Sed, cum me aegritudo non solum -somno privaret, verum ne vigilare quidem sine summo dolore pateretur, -tecum ut quasi loquerer, in quo uno acquiesco, hoc nescio quid nullo -argumento proposito scribere institui. - -Amens mihi fuisse videor a principio, et me una haec res torquet, quod -non omnibus in rebus labentem vel potius ruentem Pompeium tamquam -unus manipularis secutus sim. Vidi hominem XIIII K. Febr. plenum -formidinis. Illo ipso die sensi, quid ageret. Numquam mihi postea -placuit, nec umquam aliud in alio peccare destitit. Nihil interim ad -me scribere, nihil nisi fugam cogitare. Quid quaeris? sicut ἐν τοῖς -ἐρωτικοῖς alienant immundae, insulsae, indecorae, sic me illius fugae -neglegentiaeque deformitas - - * * * * * - - Page 225 - -it up for sale: but he refused. Nowadays I suppose all such property -is depreciated on account of the scarcity of money. It will suit me -admirably, or rather us, if you buy it. Don't despise the late owner's -folly: it is a most charming place. However, all these seats seem now -to be doomed to destruction. - -I have answered three of your letters; but I await others. So far your -letters have been my support. - -March 17. - - - - -X - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 18_, B.C. _49_] - -I have nothing to write. There is no news that I have heard, and all -your letters I answered yesterday. But as a sick heart not only robs -me of sleep, but will not allow me even to keep awake without the -greatest pain, I have begun to write to you something or other without -any definite subject, that I may have a sort of talk with you, the only -thing that gives me relief. - -I seem to myself to have been mad from the very beginning, and the one -thing that tortures me is that I did not follow Pompey like a private -soldier, when he was slipping or rather rushing to ruin. I saw he was -terrified on the 17th of January: on that day I felt what he would do. -Since then I have never approved his course, and he has never ceased to -commit one blunder after another. Meantime not a letter to me, nothing -but thoughts of flight. Well! Just as in love affairs men are repelled -by untidiness, stupidity and indelicacy, so the ugliness of - - * * * * * - - Page 226 - -avertit ab amore. Nihil enim dignum faciebat, quare eius fugae comitem -me adiungerem. Nunc emergit amor, nunc desiderium ferre non possum, -nunc mihi nihil libri, nihil litterae, nihil doctrina prodest. Ita -dies et noctes tamquam avis illa mare prospecto, evolare cupio. Do, do -poenas temeritatis meae. Etsi quae fuit illa temeritas? quid feci non -consideratissime? Si enim nihil praeter fugam quaereretur, fugissem -libentissime, sed genus belli crudelissimi et maximi, quod nondum -vident homines quale futurum sit, perhorrui. Quae minae municipiis, -quae nominatim viris bonis, quae denique omnibus, qui remansissent! -quam crebro illud "Sulla potuit, ego non potero?"! Mihi autem haeserunt -illa. Male Tarquinius, qui Porsenam, qui Octavium Mamilium contra -patriam, impie Coriolanus, qui auxilium petiit a Volscis, recte -Themistocles, qui mori maluit, nefarius Hippias, Pisistrati filius, -qui in Marathonia pugna cecidit arma contra patriam ferens. At Sulla, -at Marius, at Cinna recte, immo iure fortasse; sed quid eorum victoria -crudelius, quid funestius? Huius belli genus fugi, et eo magis, quod -crudeliora etiam cogitari et parari videbam. Me, quem non nulli -conservatorem istius urbis, quem parentem esse dixerunt, Getarum et -Armeniorum et Colchorum copias ad eam adducere? me meis civibus famem, -vastitatem inferre Italiae? Hunc primum mortalem esse, deinde etiam - - * * * * * - - Page 227 - -his flight and his carelessness have estranged my love. For he has -done nothing of a kind to induce me to share his flight. But now my -old love breaks forth: now I miss him intolerably: now books, letters, -philosophy, do not help me one whit. Day and night, like that bird,[96] -I gaze at the sea, and long to take flight. Sorely am I punished for my -rashness. Yet what rashness was there? I acted with all deliberation. -For, if flight were his only object, I would have fled gladly enough. -But I was aghast at warfare so cruel and desperate, the upshot of which -is still unknown. What threats against the country towns, against -the loyalists by name, in fact against all who should stay behind! -How frequently has he remarked "Sulla could do it, and shall not I?" -I could not get rid of thoughts like these. It was base in Tarquin -to egg on Porsena and Octavius Mamilius against his country; it was -wicked in Coriolanus, to seek help from the Volscians. Themistocles -was right who preferred to die. What a dastard was Hippias, the son of -Pisistratus, who fell at the battle of Marathon, bearing arms against -his country! Yes, but Sulla and Marius and Cinna acted rightly, perhaps -one should say within their rights; but then victory brought cruelty -and death. I shrank from a war of that kind, and also because I saw -cruelty even greater was being planned and prepared. Was it for me, -whom some called the saviour and father of Rome, to bring against her -hordes of Getae, Armenians and Colchians? Was it for me to bring famine -on my fellow-townsmen and devastation on Italy? In the first place I -reflected that Caesar was - -[96] Cf. Plato, _Ep._ vii, 348A, καθάπερ ὄρνις ποθῶν ποθὲν ἀναπτᾶσθαι -"Like a bird longing to fly somewhither." - - * * * * * - - Page 228 - -multis modis posse exstingui cogitabam, urbem autem et populum nostrum -servandum ad immortalitatem, quantum in nobis esset, putabam, et tamen -spes quaedam me oblectabat fore ut aliquid conveniret, potius quam aut -hic tantum sceleris aut ille tantum flagitii admitteret. - -Alia res nunc tota est, alia mens mea. Sol, ut est in tua quadam -epistula, excidisse mihi e mundo videtur. Ut aegroto, dum anima est, -spes esse dicitur, sic ego, quoad Pompeius in Italia fuit, sperare non -destiti. Haec, haec me fefellerunt, et, ut verum loquar, aetas iam a -diuturnis laboribus devexa ad otium domesticarum me rerum delectatione -mollivit. Nunc, si vel periculose experiundum erit, experiar certe, -ut hinc avolem. Ante oportuit fortasse; sed ea, quae scripsisti, me -tardarunt, et auctoritas maxime tua. Nam, cum ad hunc locum venissem, -evolvi volumen epistularum tuarum, quod ego sub signo habeo servoque -diligentissime. Erat igitur in ea, quam X K. Febr. dederas, hoc modo: -"Sed videamus, et Gnaeus quid agat, et illius rationes quorsum fluant. -Quodsi iste Italiam relinquet, faciet omnino male, et, ut ego existimo, -ἀλογίστως, sed tum demum consilia nostra commutanda erunt." Hoc scribis -post diem quartum, quam ab urbe discessimus. Deinde VIII K. Febr.: -"Tantum modo Gnaeus noster ne, ut urbem ἀλογίστως reliquit, sic Italiam -relinquat." Eodem die das alteras litteras, quibus mihi consulenti -planissime respondes. Est enim sic: "Sed venio ad consultationem tuam. -Si Gnaeus Italia cedit, in urbem redeundum puto; quae enim finis -peregrinationis?" Hoc mihi - - * * * * * - - Page 229 - -mortal, and besides might be got rid of in many ways. But I thought -that our city and our people should be preserved so far as in us lay -for immortality; and anyhow I cherished a hope that some arrangement -might be made before Caesar perpetrated such a crime or Pompey such -iniquity. - -Now the case is altered and my mind is altered too. The sun, as you -say in one of your letters, seems to me to have fallen out of the -universe. As a sick man is said to have hope, so long as he has breath, -so I did not cease to hope so long as Pompey was in Italy. This, this -was what deceived me, and to speak the truth after my long labours my -life's evening falling peacefully has made me lazy with the thought of -domestic pleasures. But now, even if risk must be run in fleeing hence, -assuredly I will run it. Perhaps I ought to have done it before: but -the points you wrote about delayed me, and especially your influence. -For, when I got so far, I opened the packet of your letters, which -I keep under seal and preserve with the greatest care. In a letter -dated the 21st of January, you make the following remark: "Let us see -Pompey's policy and the drift of his plans. Now if he leave Italy, it -will be wrong and to my mind irrational: but then and not till then -will be the time to change our plans." This you wrote on the fourth day -after I left Rome. Then on the 23rd of January: "I only pray that our -friend Pompey will not leave Italy, as he has irrationally left Rome." -On the same day you wrote another letter, a frank reply to my request -for advice. It runs: "But to answer the question on which you ask -advice, if Pompey leaves Italy, I think you ought to return to Rome: -for what can be the end to his - - * * * * * - - Page 230 - -plane haesit, et nunc ita video, infinitum bellum iunctum miserrima -fuga, quam tu peregrinationem ὑποκορίζη. Sequitur χρησμὸς VI K. -Februarias: "Ego, si Pompeius manet in Italia, nec res ad pactionem -venit, longius bellum puto fore; sin Italiam relinquit, ad posterum -bellum ἄσπονδον strui existimo." Huius igitur belli ego particeps et -socius et adiutor esse cogor, quod et ἄσπονδον est et cum civibus? -Deinde VII Idus Febr., cum iam plura audires de Pompei consilio, -concludis epistulam quandam hoc modo: "Ego quidem tibi non sim -auctor, si Pompeius Italiam relinquit, te quoque profugere. Summo -enim periculo facies nec rei publicae proderis; cui quidem posterius -poteris prodesse, si manseris." Quem φιλόπατριν ac πολιτικὸν hominis -prudentis et amici tali admonitu non moveret auctoritas? Deinceps III -Idus Febr. iterum mihi respondes consulenti sic: "Quod quaeris a me, -fugamne[97] defendam an moram utiliorem putem, ego vero in praesentia -subitum discessum et praecipitem profectionem cum tibi tum ipsi Gnaeo -inutilem et periculosam puto, et satius esse existimo vos dispertitos -et in speculis esse; sed medius fidius turpe nobis puto esse de -fuga cogitare." Hoc turpe Gnaeus noster biennio ante cogitavit. Ita -sullaturit animus eius et proscripturit iam diu. Inde, ut opinor, cum -tu ad me quaedam γενικώτερον scripsisses, et ego mihi a te significari -putassem, ut Italia cederem, detestaris hoc diligenter XI K. Mart.: -"Ego vero nulla epistula significavi, si Gnaeus Italia cederet, ut tu -una cederes, aut, si significavi, non dico fui inconstans, - -[97] fugamne--putem, as _Otto Müller: M reads_ fugamne fidam (_corr. -from_ fedam) an moram defendam utiliorem putem. _Other suggested -emendations are_ fugamne suadeam an moram defendam utilioremque -putem _(Klotz), and_ fugamne foedam an moram desidem utiliorem putem -(_Manutius_). - - * * * * * - - Page 231 - -wanderings?" This gave me pause, and I see now endless war is attached -to that wretched flight, which you playfully called "wandering." There -follows your prophecy of the 25th of January: "If Pompey stays in Italy -and no arrangement is reached, I fancy there will be a very long war. -If he leaves Italy, I think that for the future there will be war _à -l'outrance_." In this war then _à l'outrance_, this civil war, am I -forced to take part and lot and share? Next on the 7th of February, -when you had heard more of Pompey's plans, you end a letter as follows: -"I would not advise you to flee, if Pompey leaves Italy. You will run -a very great risk, and will not help the country, which you may be -able to help hereafter, if you remain." What patriot and politician -would not be influenced by such advice from a wise man and a friend? -Next on the 11th of February you answer my request for counsel again -as follows: "You ask me whether I hold that flight or delay is more -useful. Well, I think that at the present juncture a sudden departure -and hasty journey would be useless and dangerous both to yourself and -to Pompey, and that it were better for you to be apart, and each on -his own watch tower. But upon my honour I hold it disgraceful of us to -think of flight." This disgrace our Pompey meditated two years ago: so -long has he been eager to play at Sulla and proscriptions. Then, as -I fancy, when you had written to me in more general terms and I had -thought that some of your remarks hinted at my departure from Italy, -you protest emphatically against it on the 19th of February: "In no -letter have I hinted that you should accompany Pompey, if he leaves -Italy, or, if I did hint it, I was worse than inconsistent, I was mad." - - - * * * * * - - Page 232 - -sed demens." In eadem epistula alio loco: "Nihil relinquitur nisi -fuga; cui te socium neutiquam puto esse oportere nec umquam putavi." -Totam autem hanc deliberationem evolvis accuratius in litteris VIII -Kal. Mart. datis: "Si M'. Lepidus et L. Volcacius remanent, manendum -puto, ita ut, si salvus sit Pompeius et constiterit alicubi, hanc -νέκυιαν relinquas et te in certamine vinci cum illo facilius patiaris -quam cum hoc in ea, quae perspicitur futura, colluvie regnare." Multa -disputas huic sententiae convenientia. Inde ad extremum: "Quid, si, -inquis", "Lepidus et Volcacius discedunt? Plane ἀπορῶ. Quod evenerit -igitur, et quod egeris, id στερκτέον putabo." Si tum dubitaras, nunc -certe non dubitas istis manentibus. Deinde in ipsa fuga V Kal. Martias: -"Interea non dubito quin in Formiano mansurus sis. Commodissime enim -τὸ μέλλον ibi καραδοκήσεις." Ad K. Mart., cum ille quintum iam diem -Brundisi esset: "Tum poterimus deliberare non scilicet integra re, sed -certe minus infracta, quam si una proieceris te." Deinde IIII Non. -Martias, ὑπὸ τὴν λῆψιν cum breviter scriberes, tamen ponis hoc: "Cras -scribam plura et ad omnia; hoc tamen dicam, non paenitere me consilii -de tua mansione, et, quamquam magna sollicitudine, tamen, quia minus -mali puto esse quam in illa profectione, maneo in sententia et gaudeo -te mansisse." Cum vero iam angerer et timerem, ne quid a me dedecoris -esset admissum, III Nonas Mart.: "Tamen te non esse una cum Pompeio non -fero moleste. Postea, si opus fuerit, non erit difficile, et - - * * * * * - - Page 233 - -In the same letter there is another passage: "Nothing is left for -Pompey but flight, in which I do not think and never have thought that -you should share." This counsel you unroll in detail in your letter -dated the 22nd of February: "If M'. Lepidus and L. Volcacius stay, I -think you should stay, provided, if Pompey wins safety and makes a -stand anywhere, you should leave these _âmes damnées_, and rather share -defeat with him than share Caesar's sovereignty in the mire that will -be." You argue at length in support of this view, then at the end you -say: "What if Lepidus and Volcacius depart? I am quite at a loss. So I -shall think you must face the event and abide by what you have done." -If you had any doubt then, you certainly have no doubt left now, as -those two persons remain in Italy. Next, when the flight was actually -made on Feb. 25: "Meantime I have no doubt you should stay at Formiae. -It will be most convenient there to await the event." On the 1st of -March, when Pompey had been four days at Brundisium: "Then we shall -be able to debate, not indeed with a free hand but assuredly less -hampered, than if you had shared his plunge." Next on the 4th of March, -though you scribbled a line on the eve of your fever bout, nevertheless -you say this: "I will write more to-morrow, and answer all your -questions. But I maintain this, that I am not sorry for advising you -to stay, and, though very anxious, still, because I fancy it is better -than flight, I stick to my opinion and am glad that you have stayed -in Italy." When I was already tortured with fear that my conduct was -disgraceful on the 5th of March you write: "However I am not sorry that -you are not with Pompey. Hereafter, if need arise, it will be easy, - - * * * * * - - Page 234 - -illi, quoquo tempore fiet, erit ἀσμενιστόν. Sed hoc ita dico, si hic, -qua ratione initium fecit, eadem cetera aget, sincere, temperate, -prudenter, valde videro et consideratius utilitati nostrae consuluero." -VII Idus Martias scribis Peducaeo quoque nostro probari, quod quierim; -cuius auctoritas multum apud me valet. His ego tuis scriptis me -consolor, ut nihil a me adhuc delictum putem. Tu modo auctoritatem tuam -defendito; adversus me nihil opus est, sed consciis egeo aliis. Ego, -si nihil peccavi, reliqua tuebor. Ad ea tute hortare et me omnino tua -cogitatione adiuva. Hic nihildum de reditu Caesaris audiebatur. Ego his -litteris hoc tamen profeci, perlegi omnes tuas et in eo acquievi. - - - - -XI - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano XIII K. Apr. a. 705_] - -Lentulum nostrum scis Puteolis esse? Quod cum e viatore quodam -esset auditum, qui se diceret eum in Appia, cum is paulum lecticam -aperuisset, cognosse, etsi vix veri simile, misi tamen Puteolos pueros, -qui pervestigarent, et ad eum litteras. Inventus est vix in hortis suis -se occultans litterasque mihi remisit mirifice gratias agens Caesari; -de suo autem consilio C. Caesio mandata ad me dedisse. Eum ego hodie -exspectabam, id est XIII K. Apriles. - -Venit etiam ad me Matius Quinquatribus, homo - - * * * * * - - Page 235 - -and to him, whenever it happens, acceptable. When I say this, it is -with the reservation, that, if Caesar continues, as he has begun, -acting with good faith, moderation and prudence, I must thoroughly -review the matter and consider more closely what our interests advise." -On the 9th of March you write that my friend Peducaeus too approves my -inaction: and his authority has much weight with me. From these lines -of yours I console myself with the reflection that so far I have done -nothing wrong: but pray support your position. So far as I am concerned -there is no need: but I want others to be my accomplices. If I have not -done wrong so far, I will take care of the future. Do you maintain your -exhortations and assist me with your reflections. Here nothing as yet -has been heard about Caesar's return. For myself I have won thus much -good by my letter, I have read all yours and found rest in the act. - - - - -XI - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 20_, B.C. _49_] - -Do you know that our friend Lentulus is at Puteoli? I heard this from -a passer-by, who declared he recognized him on the Appian road as he -drew aside the curtains of his litter, and, though it seemed hardly -probable, I sent servants to Puteoli to track him and hand him a -letter. He was found with difficulty concealing himself on his estate, -and returned me a letter in which he expressed amazing gratitude to -Caesar. But about his own plans he said he had sent me a message by C. -Caesius. I expect him to-day, the 20th of March. - -Matius also came to me on the 19th of March. - - * * * * * - - Page 236 - -mehercule, ut mihi visus est, temperatus et prudens; existimatus -quidem est semper auctor otii. Quam ille hoc non probare mihi quidem -visus est, quam illam νέκυιαν, ut tu appellas, timere! Huic ego in -multo sermone epistulam ad me Caesaris ostendi, eam cuius exemplum ad -te antea misi, rogavique, ut interpretaretur, quid esset, quod ille -scriberet, "consilio meo se uti velle, gratia, dignitate, ope rerum -omnium." Respondit se non dubitare, quin et opem et gratiam meam ille -ad pacificationem quaereret. Utinam aliquod in hac miseria rei publicae -πολιτικὸν opus efficere et navare mihi liceat! Matius quidem et illum -in ea sententia esse confidebat et se auctorem fore pollicebatur. - -Pridie autem apud me Crassipes fuerat, qui se pridie Non. Martias -Brundisio profectum atque ibi Pompeium reliquisse dicebat, quod etiam, -qui viii Idus illinc profecti erant, nuntiabant; illa vero omnes, -in quibus etiam Crassipes, qui pro sua prudentia potuit attendere, -sermones minaces, inimicos optimatium, municipiorum hostes, meras -proscriptiones, meros Sullas; quae Lucceium loqui, quae totam Graeciam, -quae vero Theophanem! Et tamen omnis spes salutis in illis est, et ego -excubo animo nec partem ullam capio quietis et, ut has pestes effugiam, -cum dissimillimis nostri esse cupio! Quid enim tu illic Scipionem, quid -Faustum, quid Libonem praetermissurum sceleris putas, quorum creditores -convenire dicuntur? quid eos autem, cum vicerint, in cives effecturos? -quam vero μικροψυχίαν Gnaei nostri esse? Nuntiant Aegyptum et Arabiam -εὐδαίμονα et Μεσοποταμίαν - - * * * * * - - Page 237 - -He seemed to me, I do declare, moderate and sensible: certainly he -has always been thought to be in favour of peace. How he disliked -this present pass! How he seemed to fear these _âmes damnées_, as you -call them! In the course of a long talk I showed him Caesar's letter -to me, of which I sent you a copy before, and I asked him to explain -what Caesar meant by writing that he wished "to take advantage of my -advice, my influence, my position and my help of all sorts." Matius -replied that undoubtedly Caesar wanted my help and influence to make -peace. Would that I could succeed in carrying through some political -compromise in this miserable state of affairs! Matius himself declared -that Caesar had that feeling, and promised that he would help such a -course. - -However the day before Crassipes had been with me, and he said that -he had quitted Brundisium on the 6th of March and left Pompey there; -the same tale was brought by those who quitted the place on the 8th. -All of them, and among the rest Crassipes, who was quite capable of -observing what was going on, had the same story, threatening words, -breach with the loyalists, hostility to the municipalities, nothing but -proscriptions, nothing but Sullas. How Lucceius talked, all the Greeks -and Theophanes too! Nevertheless the only hope of safety lies in them, -and I am on the watch and take no rest and long to be with the most -uncongenial associates to escape the plague here. For what crime do -you think that Scipio will stick at, or Faustus and Libo, when their -creditors are said to be selling them up, and what do you suppose they -will do to the citizens when they win? How pusillanimous Pompey is! -They say that he is thinking of Egypt and Arabia Felix and Mesopotamia - - * * * * * - - Page 238 - -cogitare, iam Hispaniam abiecisse. Monstra narrant; quae falsa esse -possunt, sed certe et haec perdita sunt et illa non saltaria. Tuas -litteras iam desidero. Post fugam nostram numquam tam longum earum -intervallum fuit. Misi ad te exemplum litterarum mearum ad Caesarem, -quibus me aliquid profecturum puto. - - - - -XIa - -CICERO IMP. S.D. CAESARI IMP - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano XIV K. Apr._] - -Ut legi tuas litteras, quas a Furnio nostro acceperam, quibus mecum -agebas, ut ad urbem essem, te velle uti "consilio et dignitate mea" -minus sum admiratus; de "gratia" et de "ope" quid significares mecum -ipse quaerebam, spe tamen deducebar ad eam cogitationem, ut te pro tua -admirabili ac singulari sapientia de otio, de pace, de concordia civium -agi velle arbitrarer, et ad eam rationem existimabam satis aptam esse -et naturam et personam meam. Quod si ita est, et si qua de Pompeio -nostro tuendo et tibi ac rei publicae reconciliando cura te attingit, -magis idoneum, quam ego sum, ad eam causam profecto reperies neminem, -qui et illi semper et senatui, cum primum potui, pacis auctor fui, -nec sumptis armis belli ullam partem, attigi, iudicavique eo bello te -violari, contra cuius honorem populi Romani beneficio concessum inimici -atque invidi niterentur. Sed, ut eo tempore non modo ipse fautor -dignitatis tuae fui, verum etiam ceteris auctor ad te adiuvandum, sic -me nunc Pompei - - * * * * * - - Page 239 - -and has given up Spain. The report is monstrous, but may be false. -Certainly all is lost here, and there is not much hope there. I long -for a letter from you. Since my flight there has never been so long a -break in our correspondence. I send you a copy of my letter to Caesar. -I think it will do some good. - - - - -XIa - -CICERO THE IMPERATOR TO CAESAR THE IMPERATOR, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 19_, B.C. _49_] - -On reading your letter, which I got from our friend Furnius, in which -you told me to come near Rome, I was not much surprised at your wishing -to employ "my advice and my position"; but I asked myself what you -meant by my "influence" and "help." However, my hopes led me to think -that a man of your admirable statesmanship would wish to act for the -comfort, peace, and agreement of the citizens, and for that purpose I -considered my own character and inclination very suitable. If that is -the case, and if you are touched by the desire to protect our friend -Pompey and reconcile him to yourself and the State, I am sure you -will find no one more suited for the purpose than I am. I have always -advocated peace both with Pompey and the Senate ever since I have been -able to do so, nor since the outbreak of hostilities have I taken any -part in the war; I have considered that the war was attacking your -rights in that envious and hostile persons were opposing a distinction -conferred on you by the grace of the Roman people. But, as at that time -I not only upheld your rights but urged others to assist you, so now I -am greatly concerned with the rights of Pompey. It is - - * * * * * - - Page 240 - -dignitas vehementer movet. Aliquot enim sunt anni, cum vos duo delegi, -quos praecipue colerem et quibus essem, sicut sum, amicissimus. Quam -ob rem a te peto vel potius omnibus te precibus oro et obtestor, ut in -tuis maximis curis aliquid impertias temporis huic quoque cogitationi, -ut tuo beneficio bonus vir, gratus, pius denique esse in maximi -beneficii memoria possim. Quae si tantum ad me ipsum pertinerent, -sperarem me a te tamen impetraturum, sed, ut arbitror, et ad tuam fidem -et ad rem publicam pertinet, me et pacis et utriusque vestrum amicum, -et ad vestram[98] et ad civium concordiam per te quam accommodatissimum -conservari. Ego, cum antea tibi de Lentulo gratias egissem, cum ei -saluti, qui mihi fuerat, fuisses, tamen lectis eius litteris, quas ad -me gratissimo animo de tua liberalitate beneficioque misit, eandem mi -videor[99] salutem a te accepisse quam ille. In quem si me intellegis -esse gratum, cura, obsecro, ut etiam in Pompeium esse possim. - -[98] amicum, et ad vestram _added by Lehmann_. - -[99] mi videor _Klotz_, _Schmidt_; me _MSS._ - - - - -XII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano XIII K. Apr. a. 705_] - -Legeram tuas litteras XIII K., cum mihi epistula adfertur a Lepta -circumvallatum esse Pompeium, ratibus etiam exitus portus teneri. Non -medius fidius prae lacrimis possum reliqua nec cogitare nec scribere. -Misi ad te exemplum. Miseros nos! cur non omnes fatum illius una -exsecuti sumus? Ecce autem a Matio et Trebatio eadem, quibus Menturnis -obvii Caesaris tabellarii. Torqueor infelix, ut iam illum Mucianum - - * * * * * - - Page 241 - -many years since I chose you two men for my special respect, and to -be my closest friends, as you are. So I ask you, or rather beseech -and entreat you with all urgency, that in spite of all your anxieties -you may devote some time to considering how I may be enabled by your -kindness to be what decency and gratitude, nay good-feeling, require, -in remembering my great debt to Pompey. If this only mattered to -myself, I should yet hope to obtain my request; but to my mind it -touches your honour and the public weal that I, a friend of peace and -of both of you, should be so supported by you that I may be able to -work for peace between you and peace amongst our fellow-citizens. I -thanked you formerly in the matter of Lentulus, for having saved him, -as he had saved me. Yet on reading the letter he has sent me full of -thankfulness for your generous kindness, I feel that his safety is my -debt as much as his. If you understand my gratitude to him, pray give -me the opportunity of showing my gratitude to Pompey too. - - - - -XII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 20_, B.C. _49_] - -I had just read your letter on the 20th, when an epistle was brought to -me from Lepta announcing that Pompey was blockaded and that even escape -from the harbour was cut off by a fleet. Upon my honour tears prevent -me from thinking or writing anything else. I send you a copy of the -letter. Wretches that we are, why did we not all follow his fortunes -together? See now, here are Matius and Trebatius with the same tidings. -Caesar's letter-carriers met them at Menturnae. I am tortured with - - * * * * * - - Page 242 - -exitum exoptem. At quam honesta, at quam expedita tua consilia, quam -evigilata tuis cogitationibus qua itineris, qua navigationis, qua -congressus sermonisque cum Caesare! Omnia cum honesta tum cauta. In -Epirum vero invitatio quam suavis, quam liberalis, quam fraterna! - -De Dionysio sum admiratus, qui apud me honoratior fuit quam apud -Scipionem Panaetius; a quo impurissime haec nostra fortuna despecta -est. Odi hominem et odero; utinam ulcisci possem! Sed illum ulciscentur -mores sui. - -Tu, quaeso, nunc vel maxime, quid agendum nobis sit, cogita. Populi -Romani exercitus Cn. Pompeium circumsedet, fossa et vallo saeptum -tenet, fuga prohibet; nos vivimus, et stat urbs ista, praetores ius -dicunt, aediles ludos parant; viri boni usuras perscribunt, ego ipse -sedeo! Coner illuc ire ut insanus, implorare fidem municipiorum? -Boni non sequentur, leves irridebunt, rerum novarum cupidi, victores -praesertim et armati, vim et manus adferent. Quid censes igitur? -ecquidnam est tui consilii ad finem huius miserrimae vitae? Nunc doleo, -nunc torqueor, cum cuidam aut sapiens videor, quod una non ierim, aut -felix fuisse. Mihi contra. Numquam enim illius victoriae socius esse -volui, calamitatis mallem fuisse. Quid ego nunc tuas litteras, quid -tuam prudentiam aut benevolentiam implorem? Actum est; nulla re iam -possum iuvari, - - * * * * * - - Page 243 - -sorrow, so that now I would choose the end of Mucius.[100] But how -honourable, how simple, how clearly thought out was your advice as to -my land-route and my sea-route and my meeting and talk with Caesar! It -was equally honourable and prudent. Your invitation, too, to Epirus, -how kind and generous and brotherly it is! - -[100] Q. Mucius Scaevola was murdered in 82 B.C. by the order of the -younger Marius. Cf. viii, 3. - -As for Dionysius, I am surprised. I held him in greater honour than -Scipio held Panaetius, yet he has most foully mocked at my bad -fortunes. I hate the fellow and I always shall. I wish I could pay him -out. But his own character will do that. - -I beseech you now give the greatest consideration to my proper course. -An army of the Roman people invests Gnaeus Pompey. It holds him hedged -by trench and mound and keeps him from flight. Yet we live and Rome is -standing, the praetors preside in court, the aediles make preparations -for the games, the conservatives are booking their profits, and I sit -still! Am I to try to cross the sea like a madman, to beg the country -towns to be loyal? The loyalists will not follow me, the irresponsible -will deride me, the revolutionaries, especially now they are armed and -victorious, will lay hands of violence upon me. What do you think then? -Have you any plan to end this life of misery? Now I feel grief, now I -am in agony, when somebody thinks me wise because I did not go with -Pompey, or lucky perhaps. I think the opposite. For never did I wish -to share a victory of his; I should have wished rather to share his -defeat. Why should I entreat a letter from you now, your kindness, your -good sense? It is all over. Nothing can help me - - * * * * * - - Page 244 - -qui, ne quod optem quidem, iam habeo, nisi ut aliqua inimici -misericordia liberemur. - - - - -XIII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano IX K. Apr. a. 705_] - -Οὐκ ἔστ' ἔτυμος λόγος, ut opinor, ille de ratibus. Quid enim esset, -quod Dolabella iis litteris, quas iii Idus Martias a Brundisio dedit, -hanc quasi εὐημερίαν Caesaris scriberet, Pompeium in fuga esse eumque -primo vento navigaturum? Quod valde discrepat ab iis epistulis, quarum -exempla antea ad te misi. Hic quidem mera scelera loquuntur; sed non -erat nec recentior auctor nec huius quidem rei melior Dolabella. - -Tuas XI K. accepi litteras, quibus omnia consilia differs in id tempus, -cum scierimus, quid actum sit. Et certe ita est, nec interim potest -quicquam non modo statui, sed ne cogitari quidem. Quamquam hae me -litterae Dolabellae iubent ad pristinas cogitationes reverti. Fuit enim -pridie Quinquatrus egregia tempestas; qua ego illum usum puto. - -Συναγωγὴ consiliorum tuorum non est a me collecta ad querelam, sed -magis ad consolationem meam. Nec enim me tam haec mala angebant quam -suspicio culpae ac temeritatis meae. Eam nullam puto esse, quoniam -cum consiliis tuis mea facta et consilia consentiunt. Quod mea -praedicatione factum esse scribis magis quam illius merito, ut tantum -ei debere viderer, est ita. Ego illa extuli semper, et eo quidem - - * * * * * - - Page 245 - -more, for I have no desire except that somehow my enemies may take pity -on me and free me from my misery. - - - - -XIII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 24_, B.C. _49_] - -"'Tis no true tale"[101] to my mind that about the fleet. For why -should Dolabella in a letter dated from Brundisium on the 13th of -March call it a kind of windfall for Caesar that Pompey is thinking of -flight and preparing to sail by the first wind? That is very different -from that letter of which I sent you a copy before. Here indeed every -one speaks of sheer disaster; but there is no later nor more reliable -authority on the event than Dolabella. - -[101] The first line of the palinode of Stesichorus in which he -retracted his former views on Helen. - -I have your letter of the 22nd of March, in which you postpone all -advice till we know what has happened. Certainly that is wise; and in -the meantime we cannot think of anything, much less arrange anything. -However, Dolabella's letter compels me to turn to my former thoughts. -For on the 18th of March the weather was excellent and I fancy Pompey -will not have failed to take advantage of it. - -That précis of your advice was not made by me to quarrel with you, but -to console myself, for I suffered less pain from these evil days than -from the idea I had acted wrongly and rashly. But I fancy I have not -done so, since my deeds and policy agree with your advice. You say that -I seem to owe Pompey so much more because I say so than because he -deserves it. You are right. I have always exaggerated - - * * * * * - - Page 246 - -magis, ne quid ille superiorum meminisse me putaret. Quae si maxime -meminissem, tamen illius temporis similitudinem iam sequi deberem. -Nihil me adiuvit, cum posset; sed postea fuit amicus, etiam valde, -nec, quam ob causam, plane scio. Ergo ego quoque illi. Quin etiam -illud par in utroque nostrum, quod ab eisdem illecti sumus. Sed utinam -tantum ego ei prodesse potuissem, quantum mihi ille potuit! Mihi tamen, -quod fecit, gratissimum. Nec ego nunc, eum iuvare qua re possim, -scio nec, si possem, cum tam pestiferum bellum pararet, adiuvandum -putarem. Tantum offendere animum eius hic manens nolo, nec mehercule -ista videre, quae tu potes iam animo providere, nec interesse istis -malis possem. Sed eo tardior ad discedendum fui, quod difficile est de -discessu voluntario sine ulla spe reditus cogitare. Nam ego hunc ita -paratum video peditatu, equitatu, classibus, auxiliis Gallorum, quos -Matius ἐλάπιζεν, ut puto, sed certe dicebat....[102] peditum, equitum -se polliceri sumptu suo annos decem. Sed sit hoc λάπισμα; magnas habet -certe copias et habebit non Italiae vectigal, sed civium bona. Adde -confidentiam hominis, adde imbecillitatem bonorum virorum, qui quidem, -quod illum sibi merito iratum putant, oderunt, ut tu scribis, ludum. Ac -vellem scripsisses, quisnam hoc significasset. Sed et iste, qui[103] -plus ostenderat, quam fecit, et vulgo illum, qui amarunt, non amant; - -[102] CCIↃↃ peditum, equitum sex _Bosius_. - -[103] _The reading is very uncertain. The MSS. have_ cc _for_ ac, -scribis _for_ scripsisses, hic _for_ hoc _and_ qui _for_ quia. - - * * * * * - - Page 247 - -his services for fear he might think I remembered the past. However -much I remembered it, I should feel bound to take the course he took -as an example for my behaviour now. He failed to help me when he -might; but afterwards he was my friend, my very good friend. I don't -quite know why; so I too will be his friend. There is this further -likeness between the two cases; both of us were inveigled by the same -persons. But would that I were able to help him as much as he was -able to help me! However, I am truly grateful for what he did. I do -not know in what way I may be able to help him now; nor, were I able, -should I think it proper to help him in his preparations for such a -disastrous war. Only I do not wish to hurt his feelings by staying -here. I declare I could not behold the days that you can foresee, nor -take part in such iniquity. But my departure was delayed, because -it is hard to think of voluntary departure when there is no hope of -return. For Caesar I see is so equipped with infantry, cavalry, fleet, -auxiliaries from Gaul--Matius may have exaggerated, but certainly -he said that ... infantry and cavalry have promised their services -for ten years at their own expense. However, granted that this was -_gasconnade_, great forces Caesar assuredly has, and he will have not -the inland revenue of Italy, but the property of her citizens. Add to -this the self-confidence of the man, the weakness of the loyalists, -who, thinking Pompey deservedly angry with them, as you say, detest the -game. I wish you had cited your authority. Domitius, who promised more -than he performed,[104] and Pompey's old lovers in general do - -[104] Or as Boot, reading _sedet_, "Domitius, who etc., is doing -nothing." - - * * * * * - - Page 248 - -municipia vero et rustici Romani illum metuunt, hunc adhuc diligunt. -Quare ita paratus est, ut, etiamsi vincere non possit, quo modo tamen -vinci ipse possit, non videam. Ego autem non tam γοητείαν huius timeo -quam πειθανάγκην. "Αἱ γὰρ τῶν τυρᾶννων δεήσεις," inquit Πλάτων, "οἶσθ' -ὅτι μεμιγμέναι ἀνίγκαις." - -Illa ἀλίμενα video tibi non probari. Quae ne mihi quidem placebant; sed -habebam in illis et occultationem et ὑπηρεσίαν fidelem. Quae si mihi -Brundisi suppeterent, mallem; sed ibi occultatio nulla est. Verum, ut -scribis, cum sciemus. - -Viris bonis me non nimis excuso. Quas enim eos cenas et facere et obire -scripsit ad me Sextus, quam lautas, quam tempestivas! Sed sint quamvis -boni, non sunt meliores quam nos. Moverent me, si essent fortiores. - -De Lanuvino Phameae erravi; Troianum somniaveram. Id ego volui Q, sed -pluris est. Istuc tamen mihi cuperem emeres, si ullam spem fruendi -viderem. - -Nos quae monstra cotidie legamus, intelleges ex illo libello, qui in -epistulam coniectus est. Lentulus noster Puteolis est ἀδημονῶν is, ut -Caesius narrat, quid agat. Διατροπὴν Corfiniensem reformidat. Pompeio -nunc putat satis factum, beneficio Caesaris movetur, sed tamen movetur -magis prospecta re. - -Tene haec posse ferre? Omnia misera, sed hoc - - * * * * * - - Page 249 - -not love him. The towns and rural population are afraid of Pompey and -so far worship Caesar. Caesar is so equipped that, even if he fail -to beat, I do not see in what way he can be beaten. I do not fear -his _finesse_ so much as his _force majeure_, for as Plato says, "a -tyrant's requests partake of the nature of mandates."[105] - -[105] Plato, _Ep._ 7. - -Places without harbours, I see, do not meet with your approval. Nor do -I like them, but the place has afforded me hiding and a trusty set of -attendants. If I could have had the same at Brundisium, I should have -preferred it. But there is no hiding place there. But, as you say, when -we know! - -I am not going to excuse myself much to the loyalists. What dinners -according to Sextus they are giving and receiving, how lavish and how -early! They may be loyal, but they are not more loyal than I. They -would influence me more if they had shown more courage. - -I was wrong about Phamea's estate at Lanuvium. I was dreaming about -the Trojan estate.[106] I wanted it for £4,500,[107] but the price is -higher. However, I should have liked you to buy that estate for me, if -I saw any hope of enjoying it. - -[106] Apparently near Antium, cf. ix, 9. - -[107] 500,000 sesterces. - -What portentous news I read daily you may understand from the pamphlet -enclosed in this packet. Lentulus is at Puteoli, and, Caesius says, in -a quandary what to do. He dreads a fiasco like that at Corfinium. He -thinks he has done his duty by Pompey. He is influenced by Caesar's -kindness; but he is influenced more by future prospects. - -To think that you can bear this! Everything is - - * * * * * - - Page 250 - -nihil miserius. Pompeius N. Magium de pace misit et tamen oppugnatur. -Quod ego non credebam, sed habeo a Balbo litteras, quarum ad te -exemplum misi. Lege, quaeso, et illud infimum caput ipsius Balbi -optimi, cui Gnaeus noster locum, ubi hortos aedificaret, dedit, quem -cui nostrum non saepe praetulit? Itaque miser torquetur. Sed, ne bis -eadem legas, ad ipsam te epistulam reicio. Spem autem pacis habeo -nullam. Dolabella suis litteris III Idus Mart. datis merum bellum -loquitur. Maneamus ergo in illa eadem sententia misera et desperata, -quando hoc miserius esse nihil potest. - - - - -XIIIa - -BALBUS CICERONI IMP. SAL. DIC. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Romae circ. X K. Apr. 705._] - -Caesar nobis litteras perbreves misit; quarum exemplum subscripsi. -Brevitate epistulae scire poteris eum valde esse distentum, qui tanta -de re tam breviter scripserit. Si quid praeterea novi fuerit, statim -tibi scribam. - -"CAESAR OPPIO, CORNELIO SAL. - -A. d. VII Idus Martias Brundisium veni, ad murum castra posui. Pompeius -est Brundisi. Misit ad me N. Magium de pace. Quae visa sunt, respondi. -Hoc vos statim scire volui. Cum in spem venero de compositione aliquid -me conficere, statim vos certiores faciam." - -Quo modo me nunc putas, mi Cicero, torqueri, postquam rursus in spem -pacis veni, ne qua res eorum compositionem impediat? Namque, quod -absens - - * * * * * - - Page 251 - -wretched, but nothing more wretched than this. Pompey sent N. Magius to -speak of peace, and yet he is under siege. I did not believe it; but I -have a letter from Balbus of which I send you a copy. Read it, please, -and that clause at the end which contains the remarks of the good -Balbus himself, to whom Pompey gave a site for his estate and whom he -had often preferred to all of us. So he is in an agony of grief. But, -that you may not have to read the same, twice over, I refer you to the -letter. Of peace I have no hope. Dolabella in his letter of the 13th -of March speaks of war pure and simple. So let us stick to the same -opinion, that there is no hope, for nothing can be worse than all this. - - - - -XIIIa - -BALBUS TO CICERO THE IMPERATOR, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Rome, about March 23_, B.C. _49_] - -Caesar has sent me a very short letter of which I subjoin a copy. From -the shortness of the letter you can infer that he is greatly occupied, -to write so briefly about a matter of such importance. If there is any -further news, I will write you immediately. - -"CAESAR TO OPPIUS, CORNELIUS, GREETING. - -"On the 9th of March I came to Brundisium, and under its walls pitched -my camp. Pompey is at Brundisium. He sent N. Magius to me to talk of -peace. I replied as I thought fit. I wanted you to know this at once. -When I have hopes of settled terms, I will inform you immediately." - -My dear Cicero, you can imagine my torture, after I again had hopes -of peace, for fear anything should prevent an arrangement. I long for -peace. It is all I can do in my absence from the scene of action. - - * * * * * - - Page 252 - -facere possum, opto. Quodsi una essem, aliquid fortasse proficere -possem videri. Nunc exspectatione crucior. - - - - -XIV - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano VIII K. Apr. a. 705_] - -Miseram ad te VIIII K. exemplum epistulae Balbi ad me et Caesaris ad -eum. Ecce tibi eodem die Capua litteras accepi ab Q. Pedio Caesarem ad -se pridie Idus Martias misisse hoc exemplo: - -"Pompeius se oppido tenet. Nos ad portas castra habemus. Conamur opus -magnum et multorum dierum propter altitudinem maris. Sed tamen nihil -est, quod potius faciamus. Ab utroque portus cornu moles iacimus, ut -aut illum quam primum traicere, quod habet Brundisi copiarum, cogamus, -aut exitu prohibeamus." - -Ubi est illa pax, de qua Balbus scripserat torqueri se? Ecquid, -acerbius ecquid crudelius? Atque eum loqui quidam αὐθεντικῶς narrabat -Cn. Carbonis, M. Bruti se poenas persequi, omniumque eorum, in quos -Sulla crudelis hoc socio fuisset; nihil Curionem se duce facere, quod -non hic Sulla duce fecisset; se ambire reditionem,[108] quibus exsilii -poena superioribus legibus non fuisset, ab illo patriae proditores de - -[108] se ambire reditionem _Tyrrell and Purser_: ad ambitionem _MSS._ - - * * * * * - - Page 253 - -If I were there, perhaps I might succeed in seeming to be of use. Now I -am tormented with waiting. - - - - -XIV - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae March 25_, B.C. _49_] - -I sent you on the 26th of March a copy of Balbus' letter to me and of -Caesar's letter to him. Then that very day from Capua I got a letter -from Q. Pedius saying that Caesar had written to him on the 14th in the -following terms: - -"Pompey confines himself to the town. My camp is at the gates. I am -attempting a big job which will take many days on account of the depth -of the sea: yet I have no better course. From both wings of the harbour -I am building a mole, so that I may either compel him to transship the -forces he has here as soon as possible, or prevent him from getting out -at all." - -Where is the peace about which Balbus wrote that he was tormenting -himself? Could anything be more bitter, more cruel? Moreover some one -told me with authority that Caesar said in conversation he was the -avenger of Cn. Carbo, M. Brutus,[109] and all those on whom Sulla with -Pompey to help him wreaked his cruelty: Curio under his leadership was -doing nothing but what Pompey had done under Sulla's leadership: what -he wanted was the restoration of those not punished with exile under -the earlier laws, while Pompey had restored those who had - -[109] Carbo was put to death by Pompey in 82 or 81 B.C.; he was consul -for the third time with C. Marius the younger. Brutus, the father of -Caesar's murderer, was killed by Pompey in 77 or 76 B.C., and another -M. Brutus committed suicide sooner than fall into his hands. - - * * * * * - - Page 254 - -exsilio reductos esse; queri de Milone per vim expulso; neminem tamen -se violaturam, nisi qui arma contra. Haec Baebius quidam a Curione III -Id. profectus, homo non infans, sed qui de suo illa[110] non dicat. -Plane nescio, quid agam. Illim equidem Gnaeum profectum puto. Quicquid -est, biduo sciemus. A te nihil ne Anteros quidem litterarum; nec mirum. -Quid enim est, quod scribamus? Ego tamen nullum diem praetermitto. - -[110] qui de suo illa _Tyrrell_: quis ulli _MSS._ - -Scripta epistula litterae mihi ante lucem a Lepta Capua redditae sunt -Idib. Mart. Pompeium a Brundisio conscendisse, at Caesarem a. d, VII -Kal. Apriles Capuae fore. - - - - -XV - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano VIII K. Apr a. 705_] - -Cum dedissem ad te litteras, ut scires Caesarem Capuae VII Kal. fore, -allatae mihi Capua sunt et hic copiam mihi et[111] in Albano apud -Curionem V K. fore. Eum cum videro, Arpinum pergam. Si mihi veniam, -quam peto, dederit, utar illius condicione; si minus, impetrabo aliquid -a me ipso. Ille, ut ad me scripsit, legiones singulas posuit Brundisi, -Tarenti, Siponti. Claudere mihi videtur maritimos exitus et tamen ipse -Graeciam spectare potius quam Hispanias. Sed haec longius absunt. Me -nunc et congressus huius stimulat (is vero adest), et primas eius -actiones - -[111] et hic copiam mihi et _Madvig_; et hoc mihi et _MSS._ - - * * * * * - - Page 255 - -been traitors: he resents Pompey's violent banishment of Milo, but -would only harm those who bear arms against him. This tale was told me -by one Baebius, who came from Curio on the 13th, a man who is no fool, -but not smart enough to invent such a tale. I am quite at a loss what -to do. From Brundisium, I fancy Pompey must have set out. Whatever has -happened, we shall know in a few days. I haven't a letter from you not -even by Anteros, and no wonder. What is there to write about? Still I -do not omit one day. - -When this was written a letter came to me before daylight from Lepta -dated Capua the 15th of March. Pompey has embarked from Brundisium. -Caesar is due at Capua on the 26th. - - - - -XV - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 25_, B.C. _49_] - -After I had sent you a letter informing you that Caesar would be at -Capua on the 26th, a letter reached me from Capua saying that Caesar -would see me either here or in Curio's place at Alba on the 28th. -When I have seen him, I shall go to Arpinum. If he should grant me -the privilege I ask, I shall put up with his terms. If not, then I -shall consult myself as to what to do. As Caesar wrote to me, he has -stationed one legion each at Brundisium, Tarentum and Sipontum. He -seems to me to be cutting off retreat by sea and yet himself to have -Greece in view rather than Spain. But these are remote considerations. -Now I am stirred by the thought of meeting him; for the meeting is -close at hand, and I am alarmed at the first steps he - - * * * * * - - Page 256 - -horreo. Volet enim, credo, S. C. facere, volet augurum decretum -(rapiemur aut absentes vexabimur), vel ut consules roget praetor vel -ut dictatorem dicat; quorum neutrum ius est. Etsi, si Sulla potuit -efficere, ab interrege ut dictator diceretur[112] cur hic non possit? -Nihil expedio, nisi ut aut ab hoc tamquam Q. Mucius aut ab illo tamquam -L. Scipio. - -[112] _After_ diceretur _most MSS. add_ et magister equitum. - -Cum tu haec leges, ego illum fortasse convenero. Τέτλαθι. Κύντερον -ne illud quidem nostrum proprium. Erat enim spes propinqui reditus, -erat hominum querela. Nunc exire cupimus, qua spe reditus, mihi quidem -numquam in mentem venit. Non modo autem nulla querela est municipalium -hominum ac rusticorum, sed contra metuunt ut crudelem, iratum. Nec -tamen mihi quicquam est miserius quam remansisse nec optatius quam -evolare non tam ad belli quam ad fugae societatem. Sed tu, omnia qui -consilia differebas in id tempus, cum sciremus, quae Brundisi acta -essent. Scimus nempe; haeremus nihilo minus. Vix enim spero mihi hunc -veniam daturum, etsi multa adfero iusta ad impetrandum. Sed tibi omnem -illius meumque sermonem omnibus verbis expressum statim mittam. Tu nunc -omni amore enitere, ut nos cura tua et prudentia iuves. Ita subito -accurrit, ut ne T. Rebilum quidem, - - * * * * * - - Page 257 - -will take, for he will want, I am sure, a decree of the Senate and a -decree of the augurs (we shall be hurried off to Rome or harassed, if -we are absent), so that the praetor may hold an election of consuls or -name a dictator, both acts unconstitutional. Though, if Sulla could -arrange to be named dictator by an interrex, why should not Caesar? I -can see no solution of the problem except by meeting the fate of Mucius -at the hand of Caesar, or that of Scipio[113] at the hands of Pompey. - -[113] L. Scipio was proscribed by Sulla. For Mucius cf. VIII, 3. - -[Sidenote: Odyssey iii. 27] - -When you read this, perhaps I shall have met the man. "Endure." My -own exile was no "unkinder cut";[114] for I had prospects of speedy -return and was consoled by the popular outcry. Now I long to go away -and it never strikes me that there is any chance of return. Not only -is there no outcry of any in town or country, but on the contrary all -are afraid of Pompey as cruel in his anger. Nothing causes me more -wretchedness than my having remained, and there is nothing that I want -more than to flee to him to share not his fighting but his flight. But -now what becomes of your counsel to put off decision till we knew how -things went at Brundisium? We do know, but are as badly stuck as ever. -I can scarcely hope that Caesar will give me privilege, though many -are the good reasons I can bring for granting it. But I will send you -immediately a report of our conversation word for word. Use all your -affection to help me with your careful advise. He is coming so fast -that I cannot see even T. Rebilus, as I had arranged. I - -[114] Odyssey XX, 18, τέτλαθι δὴ, κραδίη, κὰι κύντερον ἄλλο ποτ' ἔτλης, -"endure, my heart, worse hast thou borne before." - - * * * * * - - Page 258 - -ut constitueram, possim videre; omnia nobis imparatis agenda. Sed tamen -ἄλλα μὲν αὐτός, ut ait ille, ἄλλα δὲ καὶ δαίμων ὑποθήσεται. Quicquid -egero, continuo scies. Mandata Caesaris ad consules et ad Pompeium, -quae rogas, nulla habeo descripta; quae attulit, illa e via[115] misi -ad te ante; e quibus mandata puto intellegi posse, Philippus Neapoli -est, Lentulus Puteolis. De Domitio, ut facis, sciscitare, ubi sit, quid -cogitet. - -[115] habeo descripta; quae attulit illa e via _Wesenberg_: habeo et -descripta attulit illa e via _MSS._ - -Quod scribis asperius me, quam mei patiantur mores, de Dionysio -scripsisse, vide, quam sim antiquorum hominum. Te medius fidius hanc -rem gravius putavi laturum esse quam me. Nam, praeterquam quod te -moveri arbitror oportere iniuria, quae mihi a quoquam facta sit, -praeterea te ipsum quodam modo hic violavit, cum in me tam improbus -fuit. Sed, tu id quanti aestimes, tuum iudicium est; nec tamen in hoc -tibi quicquam oneris impono. Ego autem illum male sanum semper putavi, -nunc etiam impurum et sceleratum puto nec tamen mihi inimiciorem quam -sibi. Philargyro bene curasti. Causam certe habuisti et veram et bonam, -relictum esse me potius quam reliquisse. - -Cum dedissem iam litteras a. d. VIII Kal., pueri, quos cum Matio et -Trebatio miseram, epistulam mihi attulerunt hoc exemplo: - -"MATIUS ET TREBATIUS CICERONI IMP. SAL. - -Cum Capua exissemus, in itinere audivimus Pompeium Brundisio a. d. XVI -K. Apriles cum omnibus - - * * * * * - - Page 259 - -have to do everything impromptu. But nevertheless as the poet has it, -"Some things I'll venture and some things God will prompt." Whatever -I do you shall know forthwith. The demands Caesar sent to Pompey and -the consuls, for which you ask, are not with me. The copies that were -brought I sent on to you at once.[116] From them I think you can gather -what those demands were. Philippus is at Naples. Lentulus at Puteoli. -As to Domitius, go on inquiring where he is and what he intends to do. - -[116] This doubtful passage probably refers to the document mentioned -in vii, 17. - -You write that my remarks about Dionysius are more bitter than suits my -character. See how old-fashioned I am. Upon my honour I thought that -you would be more angered than I: for, apart from the fact that I think -you should be stirred by any injury done by anyone to me, this man in a -way outraged you in treating me so badly. But it is for you to decide -what weight you should give to the matter. I will not put anything upon -you. I always thought the fellow was not quite sane: now I think he is -an abandoned blackguard. But he is as much his own enemy as mine. You -did well with Philargyrus. You certainly had a good and true case in -contending that I had not abandoned but rather had been abandoned. - -When I had dispatched my letter on the 25th, the servants I had sent to -Matius and Trebatius brought me a letter in the following terms: - -"MATIUS AND TREBATIUS TO CICERO IMPERATOR, - GREETING. - -"After leaving Capua we heard on the way that Pompey with all the -forces he had set out from - - * * * * * - - Page 260 - -copiis, quas habuit, profectum esse; Caesarem postero die in oppidum -introisse, contionatum esse, inde Romam contendisse, velle ante K. -esse ad urbem et pauculos dies ibi commorari, deinde in Hispanias -proficisci. Nobis non alienum visum est, quoniam de adventu Caesaris -pro certo habebamus, pueros tuos ad te remittere, ut id tu quam primum -scires. Mandata tua nobis curae sunt, eaque, ut tempus postularit, -agemus. Trebatius sedulo facit, ut antecedat. - -Epistula conscripta nuntiatum est nobis Caesarem a. d. VIII K. April. -Beneventi mansurum, a. d. VII Capuae, a. d. VI Sinuessae. Hoc pro certo -putamus." - - - - -XVI - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano VII K. Apr. a. 705_] - -Cum, quod scriberem ad te, nihil haberem, tamen, ne quem diem -intermitterem, has dedi litteras. A. d. VI K. Caesarem Sinuessae -mansurum nuntiabant. Ab eo mihi litterae redditae sunt a. d. VII K., -quibus iam "opes" meas, non ut superioribus litteris "opem" exspectat. -Cum eius clementiam Corfiniensem illam per litteras collaudavissem, -rescripsit hoc exemplo: - -"CAESAR IMP. CICERONI IMP. SAL. DIC. - -Recte auguraris de me (bene enim tibi cognitus sum) nihil a me abesse -longius crudelitate. Atque ego cum ex ipsa re magnam capio voluptatem -tum meum factum probari abs te triumpho gaudio. Neque illud me movet, -quod ii, qui a me dimissi sunt, - - * * * * * - - Page 261 - -Brundisium on the 17th of March: that Caesar on the next day entered -the town, made a speech and went off at full speed to Rome, meaning to -be at the city before the 1st of April, to remain there a few days and -then to set out for Spain. It seemed proper since we had sure news of -Caesar's approach to send your servants back to you to give information -as early as possible. Your charges have our attention, and we will act -as circumstances demand. Trebatius is trying hard to reach you before -Caesar. - -"When this letter had been written, news came to us that Caesar would -stop on the 25th at Beneventum, at Capua on the 26th, on the 27th at -Sinuessa. This we consider certain." - - - - -XVI - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 26_, B.C. _49_] - -Though I have nothing to write to you, still, not to miss a day, I send -this letter. On the 27th of March Caesar will stop at Sinuessa, they -say. He sent me a letter dated the 26th, in which he looks forward to -my "resources," not as in the former letter to "my help." I had written -praising to the skies his kindness, his clemency at Corfinium. He -replied as follows: - -"CAESAR IMPERATOR TO CICERO IMPERATOR, GREETING. - -"You are right to infer of me (for I am well known to you) that there -is nothing further from my nature than cruelty. Whilst I take great -pleasure from that fact, I am proud indeed that my action wins your -approval. I am not moved because it is said that those, - - * * * * * - - Page 262 - -discessisse dicuntur, ut mihi rursus bellum inferrent. Nihil enim -malo quam et me mei similem esse et illos sui. Tu velim mihi ad urbem -praesto sis, ut tuis consiliis atque opibus, ut consuevi, in omnibus -rebus utar. Dolabella tuo nihil scito mihi esse iucundius. Hanc adeo -habebo gratiam illi; neque enim aliter facere poterit. Tanta eius -humanitas, is sensus, ea in me est benevolentia." - - - - -XVII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano VI K. Apr. a. 705_] - -Trebatium VI Kal., quo die has litteras dedi, exspectabam. Ex eius -nuntio Matique litteris meditabor, quo modo cum illo loquar. O tempus -miserum! Nec dubito, quin a me contendat, ad urbem veniam. Senatum enim -Kalendis velle se frequentem adesse etiam Formiis proscribi iussit. -Ergo ei negandum est? Sed quid praeripio? Statim ad te perscribam -omnia. Ex illius sermone statuam, Arpinumne mihi eundum sit an quo -alio. Volo Ciceroni meo togam puram dare, istic puto. Tu, quaeso, -cogita, quid deinde. Nam me hebetem molestiae reddiderunt. A Curio -velim scire ecquid ad te scriptum sit de Tirone. Ad me enim ipse Tiro -ita scripsit, ut verear, quid agat. Qui autem veniunt inde, κινδυνώδη -nuntiant. Sane in magnis curis etiam haec me sollicitant. In hac enim -fortuna perutilis eius et opera et fidelitas esset. - - * * * * * - - Page 263 - -whom I let go, have departed to wage war on me again, for there is -nothing I like better than that I should be true to myself and they -to themselves. I could wish you to meet me at Rome that I may avail -myself of your advice and resources, as usual, in everything. You must -know that nothing pleases me more than the presence of your relative -Dolabella. This favour also I shall owe to him; for he will not be able -to do otherwise than arrange it, such is his kindness, his feeling and -goodwill towards me." - - - - -XVII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 27_, B.C. _49_] - -I am awaiting Trebatius on March the 27th, the date of this letter. -From his tidings and Matius' letter I shall consider how to talk to -Caesar. What a wretched age this is! I have no doubt Caesar will urge -me to come to Rome. For he gave orders that notices should be posted -even at Formiae that he wanted a full house on the 1st. Must I refuse? -But why do I anticipate? I will write you all about it at once. From -Caesar's conversation I shall decide whether I ought to go to Arpinum -or elsewhere. I wish to celebrate my son's coming of age. Arpinum, I -think, will be the place. Please consider what I should do next, for -my troubles have made me stupid. From Curius I want to hear whether -you have had news about Tiro. For to me Tiro has written in such a way -that I am anxious to know how he is. Those two who come from his part -say that his condition is critical. In the midst of many great troubles -this also distresses me; for in our present straits his energy and -loyalty would be very serviceable. - - * * * * * - - Page 264 - - - - -XVIII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Arpini V K. Apra. 705_] - -Utrumque ex tuo consilio; nam et oratio fuit ea nostra, ut bene potius -ille de nobis existimaret quam gratias ageret, et in eo mansimus, -ne ad urbem. Illa fefellerunt, facilem quod putaramus. Nihil vidi -minus. Damnari se nostro iudicio, tardiores fore reliquos, si nos non -veniremus, dicere. Ego dissimilem illorum esse causam. Cum multa, -"Veni igitur et age de pace." "Meone," inquam, "arbitratu?" "An tibi," -inquit, "ego praescribam?" "Sic," inquam, "agam, senatui non placere -in Hispanias iri nec exercitus in Graeciam transportari, multaque," -inquam, "de Gnaeo deplorabo." Tum ille: "Ego vero ista dici nolo." "Ita -putabam," inquam; "sed ego eo nolo adesse, quod aut sic mihi dicendum -est, multaque, quae nullo modo possem silere, si adessem, aut non -veniendum." Summa fuit, ut ille quasi exitum quaerens, ut deliberarem. -Non fuit negandum. Ita discessimus. Credo igitur hunc me non amare. At -ego me amavi, quod mihi iam pridem usu non venit. - -Reliqua, o di! qui comitatus, quae, ut tu soles dicere, νέκυια! in -qua erat ἥρως Celer. O rem perditam! o copias desperatas! Quid, quod -Servi filius, quod Titini in iis castris fuerunt, quibus Pompeius -circumsederetur! Sex legiones; multum vigilat, - - * * * * * - - Page 265 - - - - -XVIII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Arpinum, March 28_, B.C. _49_] - -In both respects I followed your advice. I spoke so as to gain Caesar's -respect rather than his gratitude; and I persisted in my resolve not to -go to Rome. We were mistaken in thinking he would be easy to manage. I -have never seen anyone less easy. He kept on saying that my decision -was a slur on him, and that others would be less likely to come, if I -did not come. I pointed out that my case was very unlike theirs. After -much talk he said, "Well, come and discuss peace." "On my own terms?" -I asked. "Need I dictate to you?" said he. "Well," said I, "I shall -contend that the Senate cannot sanction your invasion of Spain or your -going with an army into Greece, and," I added, "I shall lament Pompey's -fate." He replied, "That is not what I want." "So I fancied," said I: -"but I do not want to be in Rome, because either I must say that and -much else, on which I cannot keep silent, if I am present, or else I -cannot come." The upshot was that I was to think over the matter, as -Caesar suggested, with a view to closing our interview. I could not -refuse. So we parted. I am confident then he has no liking for me. But -I like myself, as I have not for a long time. - -For the rest, ye gods what a following! What _âmes damnées_ in your -phrase! Celer is an hero to the rest. What an abandoned cause, and what -desperate gangs! What can one think of a son of Servius and a son of -Titinius being in an army which beset Pompey? Six legions! He is very -wide-awake and - - * * * * * - - Page 266 - -audet. Nullum video finem mali. Nunc certe promenda tibi sunt consilia. -Hoc fuerat extremum. - -Illa tamen κατακλεὶς illius est odiosa, quam paene praeterii, si sibi -consiliis nostris uti non liceret, usurum, quorum posset, ad omniaqae -esse descensurum. "Vidisti igitur virum, ut scripseras? ingemuisti?" -Certe. "Cedo reliqua." Quid? Continuo ipse in Pedanum, ego Arpinum. -Inde exspecto equidem λαλαγεῦσαν[117] illam tuam. "Tu malim," inquies, -"actum ne agas." Etiam illum ipsum, quem sequimur, multa fefellerunt. - -[117] λαλαγεῦσαν _Bosius_: ΑΛΑΤΕΛΓΑΝ _M._ - -Sed ego tuas litteras exspecto. Nihil est enim iam ut antea "Videamus, -hoc quorsum evadat." Extremum fuit de congressu nostro; quo quidem -non dubito quin istum offfenderim. Eo maturius agendum est. Amabo te, -epistulam et πολιτικήν! Valde tuas litteras nunc exspecto. - - - - -XIX - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Arpini prid. K. Apr. a. 705_] - -Ego meo Ciceroni, quoniam Roma earemus, Arpini potissimum togam puram -dedi, idque municipibus nostris fuit gratum. Etsi omnes et illos, et -qua iter feci, maestos adflictosque vidi. Tam tristis et - - * * * * * - - Page 267 - -bold. I see no end to our evil days. Now assuredly you must produce -your advice. This was the limit we contemplated. - -Caesar's _finale_, which I had almost forgotten, was hateful:--"If I -may not use your advice, I shall use the advice I can and go to any -length." You will say: "You have seen him to be as you have described -him: and did you heave a sigh?" Indeed I did. You ask for the rest of -our talk. What more is there to tell? He went straight to Pedum, I to -Arpinum. From thence I await the "twittering swallow"[118] you talk of. -You will say you prefer me not to dwell on past mistakes. Even Pompey, -our leader, has made many. - -[118] A reference to _Anthology_ x, i, ὁ πλόος ὡραῖος καὶ γὰρ λαλαγεῦσα -χελιδὼν Ἤδη μέμβλωκεν χὠ χαριεὶς Ζέφυρος. - -"Fair is the season for sailing: already the twittering swallow -Flitteth around, and soft bloweth the wind from the west." Cf. _Att._ -ix, 7. - -But I await a letter from you. There is no room now, as before, for -your "await the event." The limit we fixed was that interview; and I -have no doubt I annoyed Caesar; so I must act the more quickly. Please -send me a letter and deal with _la haute politique_. I await a letter -from you now very anxiously. - - - - -XIX - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Arpinum, March 31_, B.C. _49_] - -Since Rome was out of bounds, I celebrated my son's coming of age at -Arpinum in preference to any other place, and so doing delighted my -fellow-townsmen. Though they were pleased, yet I must tell you they and -all others I have met are sad and sorry. - - * * * * * - - Page 268 - -tam atrox est ἀναθεώρησις huius ingentis mali. Dilectus habentur, in -hiberna deducuntur. Ea, quae, etiam cum a bonis viris, cum iusto in -bello, cum modeste fiunt, tamen ipsa per se molesta sunt, quam censes -acerba nunc esse, cum a perditis in civili nefario bello petulantissime -fiant! Cave autem putes quemquam hominem in Italia turpem esse, qui -hinc absit. Vidi ipse Formiis universos neque mehercule umquam homines -putavi, et noram omnes, sed numquam uno loco videram. - -Pergamus igitur, quo placet, et nostra omnia relinquamus, proficiscamur -ad eum, cui gratior noster adventus erit, quam si una fuissemus. Tum -enim eramus in maxima spe, nunc ego quidem in nulla; nec praeter me -quisquam Italia cessit, nisi qui hunc inimicum sibi putaret. Nec -mehercule hoc facio rei publicae causa, quam funditus deletam puto, sed -ne quis me putet ingratum in eum, qui me levavit iis incommodis, quibus -idem adfecerat, et simul quod ea, quae fiunt, aut quae certe futura -sunt, videre non possum. Etiam equidem senatus consulta facta quaedam -iam puto, utinam in Volcaci sententiam! Sed quid refert? est enim una -sententia omnium. Sed erit immitissimus Servius, qui filium misit ad -effligendum Cn. Pompeium aut certe capiendum cum Pontio Titiniano. Etsi -hic quidem timoris causa, ille vero? - - * * * * * - - Page 269 - -So dark and direful is the _coup d'oeil_ of this vast calamity. Levies -are being made; troops are being drafted into winter quarters. These -measures are hardships in themselves even when taken by loyalists, when -the war is just, when there is some consideration. You can imagine how -bitter they are when taken quite tyrannically by desperadoes in wicked -civil war. But you must remember that every scoundrel in Italy is of -the party. I saw them all together at Formiae. I could hardly believe -them to be human. I knew every one of them, but I had never seen the -whole collection together. - -Let us go then whither we please, and leave our all behind. Let us set -out to Pompey, who will be more gratified at our arrival than if we -had been with him all along. For then we had great hopes; but now I -at least have none: nor has anyone except myself departed from Italy, -unless he imagines Caesar to be his enemy. Heaven be my witness I do -not take this step for the sake of the Republic, which to my mind is -utterly destroyed, but for fear I may be charged with ingratitude -to one who relieved me from the inconveniences which he himself had -inflicted: and, at the same time, because I cannot endure the sight -of the horrors that are happening and are bound to happen. Moreover -I fancy that now decrees of the Senate have been passed, and my only -hope is that they will agree with Volcacius' proposal. But what does -it matter? There is only one proposal for everybody. But the most -implacable enemy will be Servius, who has sent his son with Pontius -Titinianus to destroy or at least to capture Gnaeus Pompey. Though -Titinianus has the excuse of fear, what excuse has Servius? But let us -cease - - * * * * * - - Page 270 - -Sed stomachari desinamus et aliquando sentiamus nihil nobis nisi, id -quod minime vellem, spiritum reliquum esse. - -Nos, quoniam superum mare obsidetur, infero navigabimus, et, si -Puteolis erit difficile, Crotonem petemus aut Thurios et boni cives -amantes patriae mare infestum habebimus. Aliam rationem huius belli -gerendi nullam video. In Aegyptum nos abdemus. Exercitu pares esse non -possumus; pacis fides nulla est. Sed haec satis deplorata sunt. - -Tu velim litteras Cephalioni des de omnibus rebus actis, denique etiam -de sermonibus hominum, nisi plane obmutuerunt. Ego tuis consiliis usus -sum maximeque, quod et gravitatem in congressu nostro tenui, quam -debui, et, ad urbem ut non accederem, perseveravi. Quod superest, -scribe, quaeso, quam accuratissime (iam enim extrema sunt), quid -placeat, quid censeas; etsi iam nulla dubitatio est. Tamen, si quid vel -potius quicquid veniet in mentem, scribas velim. - - * * * * * - - Page 271 - -from anger and let us reflect that there is nothing left us now except -what to me is least desirable--life. - -As for me, since the Adriatic is beset, I shall sail by the lower sea, -and, if it be difficult to start from Puteoli, I shall seek Croton or -Thurii, and like a loyal and patriotic citizen play the pirate. Other -means of conducting this war I see none. We will go and bury ourselves -in Egypt. We cannot match Caesar on land, and we cannot rely on peace. -But enough of this outcry. - -Please entrust a letter to Cephalio about all that has been done, and -even about people's talk, unless men have become quite dumb. I followed -your advice, especially when I maintained in our conversation a proper -dignity and persisted in my refusal to go to Rome. For the rest please -write to me in as much detail as possible (for the worst has come to -the worst) what you approve and what you think, though now there can be -no doubt. But yet, if anything comes into your mind, or rather whatever -comes into your mind, please write to me. - - * * * * * - - Page 272 - - - - -M. TULLI CICERONIS EPISTULARUM AD ATTICUM LIBER DECIMUS - - - - -I - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Laterio Quinti fratis III Non. Apr. a. 705_] - -III Nonas cum in Laterium fratris venissem, accepi litteras tuas et -paulum respiravi, quod post has ruinas mihi non acciderat. Per enim -magni aestimo tibi firmitudinem animi nostri et factum nostrum probari. -Sexto enim nostro quod scribis probari, ita laetor, ut me quasi patris -eius, cui semper uni plurimum tribui, iudicio comprobari putem. Qui -mihi, quod saepe soleo recordari, dixit olim Nonis illis Decembribus, -cum ego "Sexte, quidnam ergo?" "Μὴ μάν, inquit ille, ἀσπουδί γε καὶ -ἀκλειῶς ἀπολοίμην, ἀλλὰ μέγα ῥέξας τι καὶ ἐσσομένοισι πυθέσθαι." Eius -igitur mihi vivit auctoritas, et simillimus eius filius eodem est apud -me pondere, quo fuit ille. Quem salvere velim iubeas plurimum. - -Tu tuum consilium etsi non in longinquum tempus differs (iam enim illum -emptum pacificatorem perorasse puto, iam actum aliquid esse in consessu -senatorum; senatum enim non puto), tamen suspensum meum detines, sed -eo minus, quod non dubito, quid nobis agendum putes. Qui enim Flavio -legionem et Siciliam dari scribas, et id iam fieri, quae tu scelera - - * * * * * - - Page 273 - - - - -CICERO'S LETTERS TO ATTICUS BOOK X - - - - -I - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Laterium, April 3_, B.C. _49_] - -[Sidenote: Iliad XXII, 304] - -On the third of April coming to my brother's house at Laterium, I got -your letter with some little relief, a thing which had not happened to -me since this disaster began. For I attach very great weight to your -approval of my firmness of mind and my action. As for your writing -that it meets with the approval of my friend Sextus, I am as glad as -if I fancied myself to have won the approval of his father, on whose -judgement I always set the very highest value. I often call to mind how -it was he who said to me on that famous December the 5th, when I asked -him what we were to do next: "Let me not die a coward and shameful -death, but greatly daring live in fame for aye." So his influence lives -for me, and his son, who is very like him, has the same weight as he. -Please give him my best compliments. - -Your plan, it is true, you postpone for a very short time,--for I fancy -by now that that venal peace-maker must have wound up his speech, and -something must have been done in the session of Senators, for I don't -consider it a Senate,--still you keep mine in suspense, but the less so -because I have no doubt as to what you think we should do. For when you -write that Flavius is offered a legion and Sicily, and that the matter -is now in hand, just think what - - * * * * * - - Page 274 - -partim parari iam et cogitari, partim ex tempore futura censes? Ego -vero Solonis, popularis tui, ut puto, etiam mei, legem neglegam, qui -capite sanxit, si qui in seditione non alterius utrius partis fuisset, -et, nisi si tu aliter censes, et hinc abero et illim. Sed alterum mihi -est certius, nec praeripiam tamen. Exspectabo tuum consilium et eas -litteras, nisi alias iam dedisti, quas scripsi ut Cephalioni dares. - -Quod scribis, non quo aliunde audieris, sed te ipsum putare me -attractum iri, si de pace agatur, mihi omnino non venit in mentem, -quae possit actio esse de pace, cum illi certissimum sit, si possit, -exspoliare exercitu et provincia Pompeium; nisi forte iste nummarius -ei potest persuadere, ut, dum oratores eant, redeant, quiescat. Nihil -video, quod sperem aut quod iam putem fieri posse. Sed tamen hominis -hoc ipsum probi est et magnum τι[119] τῶν πολιτικωτάτων σκεμμάτων, -veniendumne sit in consilium tyranni, si is aliqua de re bona -deliberaturus sit. Quare, si quid eius modi evenerit, ut arcessamur -(quod equidem non credo.[120] Quid enim essem de pace dicturus, dixi; -ipse valde repudiavit), sed tamen, si quid acciderit, quid censeas -mihi faciendum, utique scribito. Nihil enini mihi adhuc accidit, quod -maioris consilii esset. - -[119] et magnum τι _Wesenberg_; magnum sit _MSS._ - -[120] credo _Boot_: curo _MSS._ - -Trebati, boni viri et civis, verbis te gaudeo delectatum, tuaque -ista crebra ἐκφώνησις ὑπέρευ me sola adhuc delectavit. Litteras tuas -vehementer - - * * * * * - - Page 275 - -iniquities are being prepared and meditated, some now and some in the -future? I shall certainly neglect the law of Solon, your countryman, -and I imagine mine too soon, who provided the death penalty for -anyone who should not take one side in a revolution, and, unless you -advise otherwise, I shall keep apart both from Caesar and Pompey. The -former course is quite certain: but I shall not forestall events. I -shall await your advice and the letter which I asked you to give to -Cephalio--unless you have now sent another. - -You write, not on the authority of anyone, but as your own idea, -that I shall be drawn into any negotiations there may be for peace. -I cannot imagine that there can be such negotiations, since it is -Caesar's positive determination to rob Pompey, if possible, of army and -province, unless perhaps that hireling can induce him to keep quiet, -pending the passage to and fro of intermediaries. I see nothing that -I can hope for or even imagine is likely to happen. However this is -the very question for an honest man to decide and one of the great -questions of _la haute politique_, whether one may enter the council -of a tyrant, if the subject of debate is good. Therefore, if anything -should happen to cause me to be summoned--I don't in the least expect -anything will, for I have said all I can say about peace, and Caesar -was determined to repudiate it--still, if anything should happen, write -and tell me what you think I should do in any case. For so far nothing -has happened that demands greater deliberation. - -I am glad you are pleased with the words of that loyal citizen -Trebatius, and your frequent bravos have so far been my sole pleasure. -Your letter I - - * * * * * - - Page 276 - -exspecto; quas quidem credo iam datas esse. Tu cum Sexto servasti -gravitatem eandem, quam mihi praecipis. Celer tuus disertus magis -est quam sapiens. De iuvenibus quae ex Tullia audisti, vera sunt. -Mucianum[121] istud, quod scribis, non mihi videtur tam re esse triste -quam verbo. Haec est ἄλη, in qua nunc sumus, mortis instar. Aut enim -mihi libere inter malos πολιτευτέον fuit aut vel periculose cum bonis. -Aut oportet temeritatem bonorum sequamur aut audaciam improborum -insectemur. Utrumque periculosum est, at hoc, quod agimus, turpe nec -tamen tutum. - -[121] Mucianum _Reid_: Maconi _MSS._ - -Istum, qui filium Brundisium de pace misit (de pace idem sentio quod -tu, simulationem esse apertam, parari autem acerrime bellum), me -legatum iri non arbitror, cuius adhuc, ut optavi, mentio facta nulla -sit. Eo minus habeo necesse scribere aut etiam cogitare, quid sim -facturus, si acciderit, ut legarer. - - - - -II - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arcano Quinti fr. postr. Non. Apr. a. 705_] - -Ego cum accepissem tuas litteras Nonis Aprilibus, quas Cephalio -attulerat, essemque Menturnis postridie mansurus, ut inde protinus, -sustinui me in Arcano fratris, ut, dum aliquid certius adferretur, -occultiore in loco essemus, agerenturque nihilo minus, quae sine nobis -agi possunt. - - * * * * * - - Page 277 - -await eagerly. I expect it has been dispatched now. With Sextus you -have preserved the same dignity that you prescribe for me. Your friend -Celer has more wit than wisdom. What you heard from Tullia about the -boys is true. Mucius' ending,[122] which you mention, does not seem to -me so sad as it sounds. It is this distraction in which we now find -ourselves that is like death. For I have the alternative, either to -take part in politics with a free hand among the disloyal, or to side -with the loyal at all costs. I ought either to follow the loyalists in -their rashness or attack the other party in its daring. Either course -spells danger: but my present action brings shame without safety. - -[122] Cf. ix, 12. - -The man who sent his son to Brundisium to negotiate peace (my views -on peace are yours, that it is patent pretence, but that war is being -prosecuted with the utmost activity) that man I think and not I will be -chosen as commissioner. So far to my relief I have heard nothing. So -I fancy it less necessary to write or consider my possible course of -action, if I should happen to be chosen. - - - - -II - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Arcanum, April 6_, B.C. _49_] - -I received your letter brought by Cephalio on the 5th of April. The -next day I intended to stop at Menturnae, and to return thence at once. -I halted at my brother's place at Arcanum in order that I might be in a -more retired place till I get certain news and that such preparations -for the journey, as did not need my presence, might be made. - - * * * * * - - Page 278 - - -Λαλαγεῦσα iam adest, et animus ardet, neque est quicquam, quo et -qua. Sed haec nostra erit cura et peritorum. Tu tamen, quod poteris, -ut adhuc fecisti, nos consiliis iuvabis. Res sunt inexplicabiles. -Fortunae sunt committenda omnia. Sine spe conamur ulla. Melius si quid -acciderit, mirabimur. Dionysium nollem ad me profectum; de quo ad me -Tullia mea scripsit. Sed et tempus alienum est, et homini non amico -nostra incommoda, tanta praesertim, spectaculo esse nollem; cui te meo -nomine inimicum esse nolo. - - - - -III - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arcano VII Id. Apr. a. 705_] - -Cum, quod scriberem, plane nihil haberem, haec autem reliqua essent, -quae scire cuperem, profectusne esset, quo in statu urbem reliquisset, -in ipsa Italia quem cuique regioni aut negotio praefecisset, ecqui -essent ad Pompeium et ad consules ex senatus consulto de pace legati, -cum igitur haec scire cuperem, dedita opera has ad te litteras misi. -Feceris igitur commode mihique gratum, si me de his rebus, et si quid -erit aliud, quod scire opus sit, feceris certiorem. Ego in Arcano -opperior, dum ista cognosco. - - * * * * * - - Page 279 - - -The "bird that twitters of flight"[123] is here and I am afire with -eagerness, though I have no idea of destination or route. But these -will be considered by me and by those who know. You however must assist -me with your advice, so far as possible, as you have before. The tangle -cannot be unravelled. Everything must be entrusted to fortune. We are -simply struggling without hope. If anything better happens, I shall -be surprised. I would rather Dionysius did not come to me: Tullia has -written to me about him. The time is unsuitable, and I should prefer -that discomforts as great as mine should not be seen by a man who is -not my friend. But I do not want you to be his enemy on my account. - -[123] Cf. ix, 18. - - - - -III - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Arcanum, April 7_, B.C. _49_] - -Though I have nothing at all to write about, yet these points remain, -which I want to know. Has Caesar started? In what condition has he -left Rome? In Italy itself whom has he placed in charge of each region -or department? Who were sent to Pompey and the consuls as peace -commissioners according to the decree of the Senate? To make these -inquiries I have taken the trouble to send this letter. So you will do -well and please me, if you inform me on these points and of anything -else which I ought to know. I stay in Arcanum till I get information. - - * * * * * - - Page 280 - - - - -IIIa - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arcano VII Id. Apr. a. 705_] - -A. d. VII Idus alteram tibi eodem die hanc epistulam dictavi et pridie -dederam mea manu longiorem. Visum te aiunt in regia, nec reprehendo, -quippe cum ipse istam reprehensionem non fugerim. Sed exspecto tuas -litteras neque iam sane video, quid exspectem, sed tamen, etiamsi nihil -erit, id ipsum ad me velim scribas. - -Caesar mihi ignoscit per litteras, quod non venerim, seseque in optimam -partem id accipere dicit. Facile patior, quod scribit, secum Titinium -et Servium questos esse, quia non idem sibi quod mihi remisisset. -Homines ridiculos! qui, cum filios misissent ad Cn. Pompeium -circumsedendum, ipsi in senatum venire dubitarint. Sed tamen exemplum -misi ad te Caesaris litterarum. - - - - -IV - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Cumano XVII K. Mai. a. 705_] - -Multas a te accepi epistulas eodem die omnes diligenter scriptas, eam -vero, quae voluminis instar erat, saepe legendam, sicuti facio. In qua -non frustra laborem suscepisti, mihi quidem pergratum fecisti. Quare, -ut id, quoad licebit, id est quoad scies, ubi simus, quam saepissime -facias, te vehementer rogo. Ac deplorandi quidem, quod cotidie facimus, -sit iam nobis aut finis omnino, si potest, aut moderatio quaedam, - - * * * * * - - Page 281 - - - - -IIIa - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Arcanum, April 7_, B.C. _49_] - -On the 7th of April I dictate this letter, the second on the same day, -and yesterday I dispatched a longer one in my own handwriting. It is -said you have been seen in the Regia,[124] and I don't blame you, since -I laid myself open to the same blame. But I await a letter from you. I -don't see what news I can expect; but still, even if there is none, I -wish you would just tell me that. - -[124] The official residence of Caesar as _Pontifex maximus_. - -Caesar has written to excuse me for not coming to Rome, and says -that he takes it in good part. I am not concerned at his saying that -Titinius and Servius have complained to him for not allowing them the -same privilege as he did to me. What fools they are! They send their -sons to besiege Pompey, and themselves hesitate to enter the House. -However, I send you a copy of Caesar's letter. - - - - -IV - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Cumae, April 14_, B.C. _49_] - -I have received a lot of letters from you on the same day, all of them -written with care and one, which is as big as a book, worth reading -several times, as I am doing. Your labour has not been in vain: you -have gratified me very much. And so I beseech you continue to write as -often as you can, so long as it is possible, that is, so long as you -know where I am. And as for our daily lamentations let us make an end -of them once for all, if we can, or at - - * * * * * - - Page 282 - -quod profecto potest. Non enim iam, quam dignitatem, quos honores, -quem vitae statum amiserim, cogito, sed quid consecutus sim, quid -praestiterim, qua in laude vixerim, his denique in malis quid intersit -inter me et istos, quos propter omnia amisimus. Hi sunt, qui, nisi -me civitate expulissent, obtinere se non putaverant posse licentiam -cupiditatum suarum. Quorum societatis et sceleratae consensionis fides -quo eruperit, vides. - -Alter ardet furore et scelere, nec remittit aliquid, sed in dies -ingravescit; modo Italia expulit, nunc alia ex parte persequi, ex -alia provincia exspoliare conatur, nec iam recusat, sed quodam modo -postulat, ut, quem ad modum est, sic etiam appelletur tyrannus. Alter, -is qui nos sibi quondam ad pedes stratos ne sublevabat quidem, qui se -nihil contra huius voluntatem facere posse, elapsus e soceri manibus -ac ferro bellum terra et mari comparat, non iniustum ille quidem, sed -cum pium tum etiam necessarium, suis tamen civibus exitiabile, nisi -vicerit, calamitosum, etiamsi vicerit. Horum ego summorum imperatoram -non modo res gestas non antepono meis, sed ne fortunam quidem ipsam; -qua illi florentissima, nos duriore conflictati videmur. Quis enim -potest aut deserta per se patria aut oppressa beatus esse? Et, si, ut -nos a te admonemur, recte in illis libris diximus nihil esse bonum, -nisi quod honestum, nihil malum, nisi - - * * * * * - - Page 283 - -any rate moderate them, which we certainly can. For I have given up -thinking of the dignity, the honours and the position I have lost: -I think of what I have attained, what I have done, the glory of my -career, in short what a difference there is even in our present straits -between me and those through whom I have lost all. They are the people -who thought they could not attain their extravagant desires without -expelling me from the State: and you see now what has come of their -coalition in a criminal conspiracy. - -The one burns with a madman's lust for crime, which does not cool one -whit, but rather increases day by day. He has just driven Pompey from -Italy, now on one side of the world he is pursuing him, on the other he -is trying to rob him of his province: and he no longer refuses, nay, -he practically demands, to be called a tyrant, as he is. The other, -who once would not even give me a helping hand, when I threw myself at -his feet, declaring he could do nothing against Caesar's will, now, -having slipped from the grasp of his father-in-law's mailed hand, is -preparing war by land and sea. The war is not unjust on his part, nay, -it is even righteous and necessary; but, unless he conquers, it will -be fatal to his fellow-countrymen; and, even if he does conquer, it -will be disastrous. These are our great men; but I do not hold their -achievements one whit superior to mine, nor even their fortune, though -they may seem to have basked in fortune's smiles while I have met her -frowns. For who can be happy, when he has caused his country to be -deserted or enslaved? And if, as you admonish me, I was right in saying -in those books of mine that nothing is good, save - - * * * * * - - Page 284 - -quod turpe sit, certe uterque istorum est miserrimus, quorum utrique -semper patriae salus et dignitas posterior sua dominatione et -domesticis commodis fuit. Praeclara igitur conscientia sustentor, cum -cogito me de re publica aut meruisse optime, cum potuerim, aut certe -numquam nisi pie cogitasse, eaque ipsa tempestate eversam esse rem -publicam, quam ego XIIII annis ante prospexerim. Hac igitur conscientia -comite proficiscar magno equidem cum dolore nec tam id propter me -aut propter fratrem meum, quorum est iam acta aetas, quam propter -pueros, quibus interdum videmur praestare etiam rem publicam debuisse. -Quorum quidem alter non tam quia filius quam,[125] quia maiore pietate -est, me mirabiliter excruciat, alter (o rem miseram! nihil enim mihi -accidit in omni vita acerbius) indulgentia videlicet nostra depravatus -eo progressus est, quo non audeo dicere. Et exspecto tuas litteras; -scripsisti enim te scripturum esse plura, cum ipsum vidisses. Omne -meum obsequium in illum fuit cum multa severitate, neque unum eius -nec parvum, sed multa magna delicta compressi. Patris autem lenitas -amanda potius ab illo quam tam crudeliter neglegenda. Nam litteras -eius ad Caesarem missas ita graviter tulimus, ut te quidem celaremus, -sed ipsius videremur vitam insuavem reddidisse. Hoc vero eius iter -simulatioque pietatis qualis fuerit, non audeo dicere; tantum scio, -post Hirtium conventum - -[125] quia filius quam _added by Malaspina_. - - * * * * * - - Page 285 - -what is honourable, and nothing bad, save what is dishonourable, then -certainly both of them are most miserable, since both of them have -thought less of their country's safety and dignity than of their own -high place and private interests. My conscience then is clear and helps -to support me, when I think that I have always rendered my country -good service, when I could, and assuredly have never harboured any but -loyal thoughts, and that the State has been wrecked by the very storm -which I foresaw fourteen years ago. With a clear conscience then I -shall depart, though the parting will cost me a bitter pang: nor shall -I go so much for my own sake or for my brother's--our day is done--as -for our children, to whom I think at times we ought to have secured -at least a free country. For one of them I feel the most poignant -grief--not so much because he is my son, as because he is exceedingly -dutiful--while the other unfortunately has turned out the bitterest -disappointment of my life. He has been spoiled, I suppose, by our -indulgence, and has gone to lengths that I dare not name. I am waiting -for your letter too; for you promised to write more fully when you -had seen him himself. All my humouring of him has been accompanied by -considerable strictness: and I have had to put my foot down not over -one fault of his or a small one, but over many grave faults. But his -father's kindness should surely have been repaid by affection rather -than by such cruel disregard. For we were more annoyed at his sending -letters to Caesar than we let you see, but I think we made his life a -burden to him. I dare not describe this recent journey of his and his -hypocritical pretence of filial duty: I only know that, after he met -Hirtius, - - * * * * * - - Page 286 - -arcessitum a Caesare, cum eo de meo animo a suis rationibus alienissimo -et consilio relinquendi Italiam; et haec ipsa timide. Sed nulla nostra -culpa est, natura metuenda est. Haec Curionem, haec Hortensi filium, -non patrum culpa corrupit. - -Iacet in maerore meus frater neque tam de sua vita quam de mea metuit. -Huic tu huic tu malo adfer consolationes, si ullas potes; maxime quidem -illam velim, ea, quae ad nos delata sint, aut falsa esse aut minora. -Quae si vera sint, quid futurum sit in hac vita et fuga, nescio. -Nam, si haberemus rem publicam, consilium mihi non deesset nec ad -severitatem nec ad indulgentiam. Nunc haec sive iracundia sive dolore -sive metu permotus gravius scripsi, quam aut tuus in illum amor aut -meus postulabat, si vera sunt, ignosces, si falsa, me libente eripies -mihi hunc errorem. Quoquo modo vero se res habebit, nihil adsignabis -nec patruo nec patri. - -Cum haec scripsissem, a Curione mihi nuntiatum est eum ad me venire. -Venerat enim is in Cumanum vesperi pridie, id est Idibus. Si quid -igitur eius modi sermo eius attulerit, quod ad te scribendum sit, id -his litteris adiungam. - -Praeteriit villam meam Curio iussitque mihi nuntiari mox se venturum -cucurritque Puteolos, ut ibi contionaretur. Contionatus est, rediit, -fuit ad me sane diu. O rem foedam! Nosti hominem; nihil occultavit, in -primis nihil esse certius, quam ut - - * * * * * - - Page 287 - -he was summoned to Caesar's presence, and discussed the difference -between my views and his own and my plan of leaving Italy. Even -that I write with hesitation. But it is no fault of mine: it is his -disposition which must cause us anxiety. That is what corrupted Curio -and Hortensius' son, not their fathers' fault. - -My brother is prostrate with grief, though he does not fear for his own -life so much as for mine. It is to him, to him more than me, I want you -to offer consolation, if you can. The best consolation would be that -what we have heard was false or exaggerated. If it was true, I fail to -see what will come of this runaway existence. For if the constitution -were still intact, I should know what to do both in the way of severity -and in the way of kindness. Now, under the sway of some passion, be it -wrath or sorrow or fear, I have written more bitterly than either your -affection for him or mine warrants. If what I have said is true, you -will pardon me: if it is false, I shall be only too glad to have the -error removed. However it may be, you must not blame his uncle or his -father. - -When I had got so far, I received a message from Curio that he was -coming to see me. He came to his place here yesterday evening, that -is on the 13th. If any point worth mentioning to you occurs in our -conversation, I will add it to this letter. - -Curio passed by my house, and sent a message saying he was coming very -soon. Then he hurried off to make a speech at Puteoli. He made his -speech, returned and stayed a very long time. How disgusting! You know -the sort of man he is: he hid nothing. In the first place he is quite -sure that all - - * * * * * - - Page 288 - -omnes, qui lege Pompeia condemnati essent, restituerentur. Itaque se in -Sicilia eorum opera usurum. De Hispaniis non dubitabat, quin Caesaris -essent. Inde ipsum cum exercitu, ubicumque Pompeius esset. Eius -interitum finem belli[126] fore. Propius factum esse nihil, nisi[127] -plane iracundia elatum voluisse Caesarem occidi Metellum tribunum -pl. Quod si esset factum, caedem magnam futuram fuisse. Permultos -hortatores esse caedis, ipsum autem non voluntate aut natura non esse -crudelem, sed quod popularem putaret esse clementiam. Quodsi populi -stadium amisisset, crudelem fore. Eumque perturbatum, quod intellegeret -se apud ipsam plebem offendisse de aerario. Itaque, ei cum certissimum -fuisset, antequam proficisceretur, contionem habere, ausum non esse -vehementerque animo perturbato profectum. Cum autem ex eo quaererem, -quid videret, quem eventum, quam rem publicam, plane fatebatur nullam -spem reliquam. Pompei classem timebat. Quae si exisset, se de Sicilia -abiturum. "Quid isti," inquam, "sex tui fasces? si a senatu, cur -laureati? si ab ipso, cur sex?" "Cupivi," inquit, "ex senatus consulto -surrupto; nam aliter non poterat. At ille impendio nunc magis odit -senatum. A me," inquit, "omnia proficiscentur," - -[126] belli _Manutius_; illi _MSS._ - -[127] nisi _Schmidt_; ei _MSS._ - - * * * * * - - Page 289 - -those condemned by Pompey's law are going to be recalled: and so he is -going to make use of their services in Sicily. He had no doubt about -Caesar getting the two Spains and said he would start from them with -an army to wherever Pompey might be. Pompey's death would be the end -of the war. Caesar had been carried away by anger into wishing to have -the tribune Metellus killed and he had had a narrow shave. If it had -happened, there would have been an enormous massacre. Many had spoken -in favour of a massacre: and Caesar himself was not by nature and -inclination averse to cruelty, but he thought that mild measures would -win popularity. But, if he lost popular favour, he would be cruel. He -had been put out when he found that he had offended the populace itself -by seizing the treasury: and so, though he had fully made up his mind -to harangue the people before leaving, he had not ventured to do so, -and he had gone off in a very disturbed state of mind. But when I asked -Curio what he looked forward to, what end, and what constitution, he -confessed openly that there was no hope left. He was afraid of Pompey's -fleet, and, if it put to sea, he should desert Sicily. I asked, what -was the meaning of his six lictors, why their staves were laurelled, -if the Senate gave them to him, and why there were six, if Caesar gave -them. [128] He said, "I wanted to snatch a vote from the House for them -(for it could not be done openly): but Caesar hates the Senate like -poison, and declares that all such authority will - -[128] Six lictors were the regular number for the propraetor of Sicily; -but their staves would not be laurelled as Curio had not won a victory -over a public enemy. If appointed a _legatus_ to Caesar he might have -had proconsular powers and twelve lictors. - - * * * * * - - Page 290 - -"Cur autem sex?" "Quia XII nolui; nam licebat." Tum ego "Quam vellem," -inquam, "petisse ab eo, quod audio Philippum impetrasse! Sed veritus -sum, quia ille a me nihil impetrabat." "Libenter," inquit, "tibi -concessisset. Verum puta te impetrasse; ego enim ad eum scribam, ut -tu ipse voles, de ea re nos inter nos locutos. Quid autem illius -interest, quoniam in senatum non venis, ubi sis? Quin nunc ipsum -minime offendisses eius causam, si in Italia non fuisses." Ad quae ego -me recessum et solitudinem quaerere, maxime quod lictores haberem. -Laudavit consilium. "Quid ergo?" inquam; "nam mihi cursus in Graeciam -per tuam provinciam est, quoniam ad mare superum milites sunt." "Quid -mihi," inquit, "optatius?" Hoc loco multa perliberaliter. Ergo hoc -quidem est profectum, ut non modo tuto, verum etiam palam navigaremus. - -Reliqua in posterum diem distulit; ex quibus scribam ad to si quid -erit epistula dignum. Sunt autem, quae praeterii, interregnumne -esset exspectaturus, an, quo modo dixerit ille quidem ad se deferri -consulatum, sed se nolle in proximum annum. Et alia sunt, quae -exquiram. Iurabat ad summam, quod nullo negotio facere solet, -amicissimum mihi Caesarem esse. "Dubito equidem," inquam. "Scripsit -ad me Dolabella." "Dic, quid?" Adfirmabat eum scripsisse, quod me -cuperet ad urbem venire, illum quidem gratias agere maximas et non modo -probare, sed etiam gaudere. Quid quaeris? acquievi, Levata - - * * * * * - - Page 291 - -proceed from him." "But why six?" "Because I didn't want twelve, though -I could have had them." I said: "I wish I had asked for what I hear -Philippus has got from him: but I was afraid to ask, as he got nothing -from me." He replied: "He would willingly have given you permission. -But take it that you did get it. I will write to him just as you wish, -and say we have spoken about the matter. What does it matter to him -where you are, as you do not attend the House? If you were not in Italy -at this very moment, it would not damage his cause in the least." -I responded that I was looking for a retired and solitary retreat, -especially because I still had my lictors in attendance. He agreed -with me. "How about this then," said I. "My way through to Greece lies -through your province, as the Adriatic is guarded." "There is nothing I -should like better," he said, and added many very handsome remarks. So -something has come of it: I could sail not only in safety, but openly. - -The rest he put off for the next day: I will write and tell you if -there is anything worth mentioning. But there are some things I omitted -to ask: whether Caesar was going to wait for an interregnum, or what -he meant by saying that he had been offered the consulship but had -refused it for the next year. And there are other points I must ask -about. Finally he swore--though to be sure he makes no bones about -swearing--that Caesar was very friendly to me. I expressed my doubt. He -said he had heard from Dolabella. I asked what he said, and he declared -he said Caesar had thanked him warmly for wanting me to go to Rome, and -not only approved but showed pleasure. Of course I felt relieved. - - * * * * * - - Page 292 - -est enim suspicio illa domestici mali et sermonis Hirtiani. Quam cupio -illum dignum esse nobis, et quam ipse me invito, quae pro illo sint, ad -suspicandum! Sed opus fuit Hirtio convento? Est profecto nescio quid, -sed velim quam minimo. Et tamen eum nondum redisse miramur. Sed haec -videbimus. - -Tu Oppios Terentiae delegabis.[129] Iam enim urbis unum periculum est. -Me tamen consilio iuva, pedibusne Regium an hinc statim in navem, et -cetera, quoniam commoror. Ego ad te statim habebo, quod scribam, simul -ut videro Curionem. De Tirone cura, quaeso, quod facis, ut sciam, quid -is agat. - -[129] delegabis _Wesenberg_: dabis _MSS._ - - - - -V - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Cumano XV K. Mai. a. 705_] - -De tota mea cogitatione scripsi ad te antea satis, ut mihi visus sum, -diligenter. De die nihil sane potest scribi certi praeter hoc, non ante -lunam novam. Curionis sermo postridie eandem habuit fere summam, nisi -quod apertius significavit se harum rerum exitum non videre. - -Quod mihi mandas de Quinto regendo, Ἀρκαδίαν - - * * * * * - - Page 293 - -The suspicion of domestic treachery and of the talk with Hirtius has -been removed. How I hope young Quintus is worthy of his family, and how -I keep urging myself to note the points in his favour! But need he have -visited Hirtius? There is something in the tale, but I hope it may not -prove of much consequence. Still I wonder he is not back yet. But we -shall see about this. - -Please introduce Terentia to the Oppii: for there is only one danger -in Rome now.[130] As for me, give me the benefit of your advice as to -whether I am to go to Regium on foot or to embark straight from here, -and on all the other points too, as I am staying here. I shall have -something to write as soon as I have seen Curio. Please keep me posted -up in news about Tiro's condition, as you have done. - -[130] The Oppii were moneylenders, and, if the reading _unum_ is right, -Cicero must mean that lack of obtaining ready money was the only danger -in Rome. - - - - -V - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Cumae, April 16_, B.C. 49] - -About the whole of my plans I have written to you before, as I think, -exactly. Of the day I can say no more for certain than this, that it -will not be before the new moon. Curio's conversation on the next day -had practically the same gist, except that he showed still more frankly -that he could not see an end to this state of things. - -[Sidenote: 50,000 sesterces] - -[Sidenote: 30,000 sesterces] - -As for your commission about the control of Quintus, you are asking for -the moon.[131] However I - -[131] Cf. the answer of the Delphic oracle to a Spartan envoy in -Herodotus I, 66, Ἀρκαδίαν μ'αἰτεῖς, μέγα μ'αἰτεῖς, οὖτοι δώσω. "Thou -askest for Arcadia. 'Tis much thou askest for. I will not give it." - - * * * * * - - Page 294 - -Tamen nihil praetermittam. Atque utinam tu ----, sed molestior non -ero. Epistulam ad Vestorium statim detuli, ac valde requirere solebat. -Commodius tecum Vettienus est locutus, quam ad me scripserat. Sed -mirari satis hominis neglegentiam non queo. Cum enim mihi Philotimus -dixisset se HS L̅ emere de Canuleio deversorium illud posse, minoris -etiam empturum, si Vettienum rogassem, rogavi, ut, si quid posset, -ex ea summa detraheret. Promisit. Ad me nuper se HS X̅X̅X̅ emisse; -ut scriberem, cui vellem addici; diem pecuniae Idus Novembr. esse. -Rescripsi ei stomachosius, cum ioco tamen familiari. Nunc, quoniam agit -liberaliter, nihil accuso hominem, scripsique ad eum me a te certiorem -esse factum. Tu, de tuo itinere quid et quando cogites, velim me -certiorem facias. A. d. XV K. Maias. - - - - -VI - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Cumano medio m. Apr. a. 705_] - -Me adhuc nihil praeter tempestatem moratur. Astute nihil sum acturus. -Fiat in Hispania quidlibet; et tamen ire certum est.[132] Meas -cogitationes omnis explicavi tibi superioribus litteris. Quocirca hae -sunt breves, etiam[133] quia festinabam eramque occupatior. - -[132] ire certum est _Wesenberg_: recitet et _MZ_ᵇ: reticeret _Z_ˡ. - -[133] etiam _Malaspina_: et tamen _MSS._ - -De Quinto filio fit a me quidem sedulo; sed nosti - - * * * * * - - Page 295 - -shall be guilty of no omission and would that you----. But I will -not be too troublesome. The letter I forwarded at once to Vestorius; -he kept asking why it was not sent. Vettienus has spoken with you in -a tone more accommodating than his letter to me: but I am greatly -astonished at the man's carelessness. Philotimus informed me that he -could buy that lodge of Canuleius for 400 guineas, and could get it -even for less, if I asked Vettienus to act as purchaser. So I did ask -Vettienus to get a deduction from that sum, if he could. He promised. -Lately he has informed me that he bought it for about £250, and asked -me to inform him to whom I wished to convey it, adding that the day for -payment was the 13th of November. My reply was somewhat cross, but yet -in a familiar joking vein. Now, as he is acting handsomely, I have no -charge against him, and I have written to him that you have informed -me. Please let me know about your journey, what you intend to do and -when. - -April 16. - - - - -VI - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Cumae, April_, B.C. _49_] - -So far nothing stops me beyond the weather. I am not going to play a -sharp game. Let what will happen in Spain, I have made up my mind to -go. My plans have all been unfolded to you in previous letters; so this -is a short one; also because I am in a hurry and rather busy. - -As for young Quintus "surely I do my best,"[134] you - -[134] Possibly a reference to Terence _Adelphi_ 44, "Fit sedulo, nihil -praetermitto, consuefacio." - - * * * * * - - Page 296 - -reliqua. Quod dein me mones, et amice et prudenter me mones, sed erunt -omnia facilia, si ab uno illo cavero. Magnum opus est, mirabilia multa, -nihil simplex, nihil sincerum. Vellem suscepisses iuvenem regendum; -pater enim nimis indulgens, quicquid ego adstrinxi, relaxat. Si sine -illo possem, regerem; quod tu potes. Sed ignosco; magnum, inquam, opus -est. - -Pompeium pro certo habemus per Illyricum proficisci in Galliam. Ego -nunc, qua et quo, videbo. - - - - -VII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Cumano circ. IX K. Mai. a. 705_] - -Ego vero Apuliam et Sipontum et tergiversationem istam probo, nec tuam -rationem eandem esse duco quam meam, non quin in re publica rectum idem -sit utrique nostrum, sed ea non agitur. Regnandi contentio est, in -qua pulsus est modestior rex et probior et integrior et is, qui nisi -vincit, nomen populi Romani deleatur necesse est, sin autem vincit, -Sullano more exemploque vincet. Ergo hac in contentione neutrum tibi -palam sentiendum et tempori serviendum est. Mea causa autem alia est, -quod beneficio vinctus ingratus esse non possum, nec tamen in acie me, -sed Melitae aut alio in loco simili futurum puto. "Nihil," inquies, -"iuvas eum, in quem - - * * * * * - - Page 297 - -know the rest. You go on to advise me, and you advise me like a -prudent friend; but all will be simple, if I beware of the youngster. -It is a big business; he is full of oddities and has no simplicity or -sincerity. I wish you had undertaken his training; for his father is -too kind. If I tighten the rein, he loosens it. If I could act without -his father, I could manage the youngster, as you can do. But I excuse -you. It is, as I say, a big business. - -Pompey, I am certain, is marching through Illyricum into Gaul. By what -route and whither I am now to travel, I shall see. - - - - -VII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Cumae, April 22(?)_, B.C. _49_] - -Yes, I think you are right to hedge, and stay in Apulia and Sipontum: -nor do I consider that your case is the same as mine. Of course in the -matter of the constitution the right course is the same for both of us: -but the constitution is not now in question. It is a struggle between -two kings, in which defeat has overtaken the more moderate king, the -one who is more upright and honest, the one whose failure means that -the very name of the Roman people must be wiped out, though, if he wins -the victory, he will use it after the manner and example of Sulla. -Therefore in a contest like this you must not openly express your -sentiments for either side, but must await the event. My case however -is different. I am under the bond of an obligation, and cannot show -ingratitude. But yet I do not fancy that I shall be found in the line -of battle, but at Malta or some other similar place. You may say I - - * * * * * - - Page 298 - -ingratus esse non vis?" Immo minus fortasse voluisset. Sed de hoc -videbimus; exeamus modo. Quod ut meliore tempore possimus, facit -Adriano mari Dolabella, Fretensi Curio. - -Iniecta autem mihi spes quaedam est velle mecum Ser. Sulpicium -conloqui. Ad eum misi Philotimum libertum cum litteris. Si vir esse -volet, praeclara συνοδία, sin autem ----, erimus nos, qui solemus. -Curio mecum vixit, iacere Caesarem putans offensione populari -Siciliaeque diffidens, si Pompeius navigare coepisset. - -Quintum puerum accepi vehementer. Avaritiam video fuisse et spem magni -congiarii. Magnum hoc malum est, sed scelus illud, quod timueramus, -spero nullum fuisse. Hoc autem vitium puto te existimare non a nostra -indulgentia, sed a natura profectum. Quem tamen nos disciplina regemus. - -De Oppiis Veliensibus quid placeat, cum Philotimo videbis. Epirum -nostram putabimus, sed alios cursus videbamur habituri. - - - - -VIII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Cumano VI Non. Mai. a. 705_] - -Et res ipsa monebat, et tu ostenderas, et ego videbam de iis rebus, -quas intercipi periculosum esset, finem inter nos scribendi fieri -tempus esse. Sed, cum ad me saepe mea Tullia scribat orans, ut, quid in -Hispania geratur, exspectem, et semper - - * * * * * - - Page 299 - -do not help the man to whom I am loth to show ingratitude. No. Perhaps -he would have been glad if I had helped him less. But that we shall -see. Let me only get away. A fair opportunity is offered now that -Dolabella is in the Adriatic and Curio in the straits of Sicily. - -I have conceived some hope that Servius Sulpicius wishes to see me. I -have dispatched Philotimus, my freedman, to him with a letter. If he -wishes to play the man, we shall have a fine time together. But if not, -well, I shall be my own old self. Curio stayed with me. He thinks that -Caesar is falling in popular esteem and he is mistrustful about going -to Sicily, if Pompey should begin a naval action. - -The boy Quintus got it hot when he came. I see it was greed and the -hope of a large bounty. This is a great evil; but disloyalty, which I -feared, there was I hope none. But this flaw, I fancy you will gather, -did not proceed from my spoiling him, but from his own temperament. -Still, I must teach him discipline. - -As to the Oppii of Velia, you will arrange with Philotimus as you think -fit. Your place in Epirus I shall regard as my own; but it seems I -shall go on another tack. - - - - -VIII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Cumae, May 2_, B.C. _49_] - -Circumstances advise, you have pointed out, and I see for myself, that -it is time there was an end to our correspondence on topics which it -is dangerous to have intercepted: but since my daughter often writes -beseeching me to await the issue in Spain and - - * * * * * - - Page 300 - -adscribat idem videri tibi, idque ipse etiam ex tuis litteris -intellexerim, non puto esse alienum me ad te, quid de ea re sentiam, -scribere. - -Consilium istud tunc esset prudens, ut mihi videtur, si nostras -rationes ad Hispaniensem casum accommodaturi essemus; quod fieri non -debet.[135] Necesse est enim aut, id quod maxime velim, pelli istum -ab Hispania, aut trahi id bellum, aut istum, ut confidere videtur, -apprehendere Hispanias. Si pelletur, quam gratus aut quam honestus tum -erit ad Pompeium noster adventus, cum ipsum Curionem ad eum transiturum -putem? Si trahitur bellum, quid exspectem aut quam diu? Relinquitur, -ut, si vincimur in Hispania, quiescamus. Id ego contra puto. Istum -enim victorem magis relinquendum puto quam victum, et dubitantem -magis quam fidentem suis rebus. Nam caedem video, si vicerit, et -impetum in privatorum pecunias et exsulum reditum et tabulas novas et -turpissimorum honores et regnum non modo Romano homini, sed ne Persae -quidem cuiquam tolerabile. Tacita esse poterit indignitas nostra? pati -poterunt oculi me cum Gabinio sententiam dicere, et quidem illum rogari -prius? praesto esse clientem tuum Clodium, C. Atei Plaguleium, ceteros? -Sed cur inimicos conligo, qui meos necessarios a me defensos nec videre -in curia sine dolore nec versari inter eos sine dedecore potero? Quid, -si ne id quidem est exploratum fore ut mihi liceat? Scribunt enim ad me -amici eius me illi nullo modo satis - -[135] non debet _is omitted by the best MSS. and is probably only -supplied by conjecture in P_. - - * * * * * - - Page 301 - -always adds that you think the same, and this is what I have gathered -myself from your letters, I think it is well for me to write to you -what I think about it. - -The advice would be wise, it seems to me, only if I meant to shape my -course according to what happens in Spain. That is impossible. For -either, as I should much prefer, Caesar must be driven from Spain, or -the war will drag on, or Caesar will seize Spain, as he seems to be -confident. If Caesar is driven from Spain, you can imagine how pleasing -and honourable my arrival will seem to Pompey, when I suppose even -Curio will go over to him. If the war drags on, for what am I to wait -or how long? The remaining alternative is that I should keep neutral, -if we are beaten in Spain. I take the opposite view: for I think I am -more bound to desert Caesar as victor than as vanquished, and while -he is still doubtful rather than confident about his fortunes: for I -foresee a massacre, if he conquers, attack on the wealth of private -persons, the recall of exiles, repudiation of debts, high office for -the vilest men, and a tyranny intolerable to a Persian much more to a -Roman. Will my indignation be able to keep silence? Can my eyes endure -to see myself giving my vote along with Gabinius, or indeed Gabinius -being asked his opinion before me? Your client Clodius in waiting? -Plaguleius, the client of C. Ateius, and all the others? But why do I -make a list of opponents, when I shall be unable to see in the House -without pain friends whom I have defended or to mix with them without -shame? And what if even that may not be allowed to me, for all I know? -For Caesar's friends write me that he is not at all - - * * * * * - - Page 302 - -fecisse, quod in senatum non venerim. Tamenne dubitemus, an ei nos -etiam cum periculo venditemus, quicum coniuncti ne cum praemio quidem -voluimus esse? Deinde hoc vide, non esse iudicium de tota contentione -in Hispaniis, nisi forte iis amissis arma Pompeium abiecturum putas, -cuius omne consilium Themistocleum est. Existimat enim, qui mare -teneat, eum necesse esse rerum potiri. Itaque numquam id egit, ut -Hispaniae per se tenerentur, navalis apparatus ei semper antiquissima -cura fuit. Navigabit igitur, cum erit tempus, maximis classibus et -ad Italiam accedet. In qua nos sedentes quid erimus? nam medios esse -iam non licebit. Classibus adversabimur igitur? Quod maius scelus aut -tantum denique? quid turpius? anuival dehic in absentis[136] solus tuli -scelus, eiusdem cum Pompeio et cum reliquis principibus non feram? -Quodsi iam misso officio periculi ratio habenda est, ab illis est -periculum, si peccaro, ab hoc, si recte fecero, nec ullum in his malis -consilium periculo vacuum inveniri potest, ut non sit dubium, quin -turpiter facere cum periculo fugiamus, quod fugeremus etiam cum salute. -Non si[137] simul cum Pompeio mare transierimus? Omnino non potuimus. -Exstat ratio dierum. Sed tamen--fateamur enim, quod est: ne condimus -quidem--ut possimus, fefellit ea me res, quae fortasse non debuit, sed -fefellit. Pacem putavi fore. Quae si esset, iratum mihi Caesarem esse, -cum idem amicus - -[136] _The text here is hopelessly corrupt and no satisfactory -emendation has been made. The translation gives the probable sense._ - -[137] si _added by Tyrrell_. - - * * * * * - - Page 303 - -satisfied because I did not come to the Senate. Am I still to hesitate -whether to sell myself to him at grave risk, when I refused to join -him even with a certainty of reward. Besides consider this that the -verdict on the whole contest does not depend on Spain; unless perhaps -you think that, if Spain is lost, Pompey will throw down his arms, when -his policy has always been that of Themistocles. He considers that the -master of the sea must be master of the empire: so he has never planned -to hold Spain for its own sake. The equipment of the fleet has always -been his first care. So he will take to the sea in due season with a -huge fleet and will come to Italy. What then will be the fate of us, if -we stay here idle? Neutrality will be impossible. Shall we then resist -the fleet? Could there be a crime deeper, greater or baser? Isolated I -ran risks: shall I hesitate with the help of Pompey and the rest of the -nobles. If now I am to take no account of duty but only of danger, it -is from Pompey's party I run risk, if I do wrong, from Caesar, if I do -right: and such is our evil plight that no plan is so free from danger -as to leave a doubt that I should avoid doing with disgrace as well -as danger what I should have avoided, if it had been safe. You will -say I might safely have crossed the sea with Pompey. It was altogether -impossible. It is easy to reckon the days: but nevertheless (for let -me confess the truth: I do not even sugar my confession) supposing I -could, I was mistaken over a point which perhaps ought not to have -misled me; but it did. I thought that peace might be made: and, if it -should be, I did not wish Caesar to be angry with me, when at the same -time he was - - * * * * * - - Page 304 - -esset Pompeio, nolui. Senseram enim, quam idem essent. Hoc verens in -hanc tarditatem incidi. Sed assequor omnia, si propero, si cunctor, -amitto. Et tamen, mi Attice, auguria quoque me incitant quadam spe non -dubia, nec haec collegii nostri ab Atto, sed illa Platonis de tyrannis. -Nullo enim modo posse video stare istum diutius, quin ipse per se etiam -languentibus nobis concidat, quippe qui florentissimus ac novus VI, VII -diebus ipsi illi egenti ac perditae multitudini in odium acerbissimum -venerit, qui duarum rerum simulationem tam cito amiserit, mansuetudinis -in Metello, divitiarum in aerario. Iam quibus utatur vel sociis vel -ministris? ii provincias, ii rem publicam regent, quorum nemo duo -menses potuit patrimonium suum gubernare? - -Non sunt omnia colligenda, quae tu acutissime perspicis, sed tamen ea -pone ante oculos; iam intelleges id regnum vix semenstre esse posse. -Quod si me fefellerit, feram, sicut multi clarissimi homines in re -publica excellentes tulerunt, nisi forti me Sardanapalli vicem [in -suo lectulo][138] mori malle censueris quam exsilio Themistocleo. Qui -com fuisset, ut ait Thucydides, τῶν μὲν παρόντων δι' ἐλαχίστης βουλῆς -κράτιστος γνώμων, τῶν δὲ μελλόντων ἐς πλεῖστον τοῦ γενησομένου ἄριστος -εἰκαστής, tamen incidit in eos - -[138] _The words in brackets are deleted by Nipperdey as a gloss._ - - * * * * * - - Page 305 - -friendly with Pompey. For I had realized how exactly they were alike. -That fear of mine led me to delay. But I gain all now by haste, and, if -I delay, I lose all. Nevertheless, my friend, there are auguries which -urge me on, with hope not uncertain: I do not mean those of my own -college which came down from Attus Navius: but Plato's words about the -tyrant.[139] For I see that Caesar can in no way maintain his position -much longer, without causing his own fall, even if we are backward. -For in his first and flourishing days it did not take him a week to -incur the bitter hatred of the needy abandoned rabble, by letting slip -through his fingers so quickly his fictitious claim to two things, -clemency in the case of Metellus and ample wealth in the case of the -public money. Now what kind of associates and servants can he employ? -Are men to rule provinces and direct affairs not one of whom could -steer his own fortunes for two months? - -[139] Probably _Republic_ VIII, 562. - -I need not put all the points together; you see them clearly enough: -but put them before your eyes and you will understand that his reign -can hardly last for half a year. If I am mistaken, I will bear the -consequences, as many illustrious men, eminent in public life, have -borne them, unless perhaps you consider that I should prefer to die -like Sardanapalus [in his bed] rather than like Themistocles in exile. -For Thucydides tells us that though Themistocles was "the best judge of -current affairs on the shortest reflection, and the shrewdest to guess -at what would happen in the future," yet he fell into misfortunes, -which he would have escaped, had there been no - - * * * * * - - Page 306 - -casus, quos vitasset, si eum nihil fefellisset. Etsi is erat, ut ait -idem, qui τὸ ἄμεινον καὶ τὸ χεῖρον ἐν τῷ ἀφανεῖ ἔτι ἑώρα μάλιστα, -tamen non vidit, nec quo modo Lacedaemoniorum nec quo modo suorum -civium invidiam effugeret nec quid Artaxerxi polliceretur. Non fuisset -illa nox tam acerba Africano, sapientissimo viro, non tam dirus ille -dies Sullanus callidissimo viro, C. Mario, si nihil utrumque eorum -fefellisset. Nos tamen hoc confirmamus illo augurio, quo diximus, -nec nos fallit, nec aliter accidet. Corruat iste necesse est aut -per adversarios aut ipse per se, qui quidem sibi est adversarius -unus acerrimus. Id spero vivis nobis fore; quamquam tempus est nos -de illa perpetua iam, non de hac exigua vita cogitare. Sin quid -accident maturius, haud sane mea multum interfuerit, utrum factum -videam an futurum esse multo ante viderim. Quae cum ita sint, non -est committendum, ut iis paream, quos contra me senatus, ne quid res -publica detrimenti acciperet, armavit. - -Tibi sunt omnia commendata, quae commendationis meae pro tuo in nos -amore non indigent. Nec hercule ego quidem reperio, quid scribam; sedeo -enim πλουδοκῶν. Etsi nihil umquam tam fuit scribendum quam nihil mihi -umquam ex plurimis tuis iucunditatibus - - * * * * * - - Page 307 - -error in his calculations. Though he was, as the same writer says, "a -clear-sighted judge of the better and the worse course in a doubtful -crisis,"[140] yet he failed to see how to avoid the hate of the -Spartans and his own fellow-citizens, nor what promise he ought to make -to Artaxerxes. Africanus would have been spared that cruel night,[141] -and that master of craft C. Marius the fateful day of Sulla's triumph, -if nothing had ever escaped their calculations. So I strengthen myself -by that prophetic remark of Plato: I am not deceived nor will it happen -otherwise. Caesar is bound to fall either through the agency of his -enemies or of himself, and he is his own worst enemy. I hope it will -be in our lifetime, though it is an occasion for us to consider the -lasting future and not our own narrow life. If anything happens to me -before that day, it will not have mattered to me much whether I see it -come about or foresee that it will happen long before. Since this is -so, I must not obey men against whom the Senate armed me with power to -see that the Republic took no harm.[142] - -[140] Thucydides i, 138. - -[141] P. Scipio Africanus the younger was found dead in his bed, and -was supposed to have been murdered at Carbo's instigation. - -[142] Cf. _Ad Fam._ XVI, 11, where he states that the Senate gave -a general commission to all magistrates and ex-consuls "_ne quid -respublica detrimenti caperet_." - -To you all my interests have been entrusted, though they need no -entrusting considering your great affection for me. I have nothing to -write, for I sit waiting to sail. Yet I never wanted so much to write -anything, as I want to tell you that of your - - * * * * * - - Page 308 - -gratius accidisse, quam quod meam Tulliam suavissime diligentissimeque -coluisti. Valde eo ipsa delectata est, ego autem non minus. Cuius -quidem virtus mirifica. Quo modo illa fert publicam cladem, quo modo -domesticas tricas! quantus autem animus in discessu nostro! Est στοργή, -est summa σύντηξις. Tamen nos recte facere et bene audire vult. Sed hac -super re ne nimis, ne meam ipse συμπάθειαν iam evocem. - -Tu, si quid de Hispaniis certius et si quid aliud, dum adsumus, -scribes, et ego fortasse discedens dabo ad te aliquid, eo etiam magis, -quod Tullia te non putabat hoc tempore ex Italia. Cum Antonio item -est agendum ut cum Curione Melitae me velle esse, huic civili bello -nolle interesse. Eo velim tam facili uti possim et tam bono in me quam -Curione. Is ad Misenum VI Nonas venturus dicebatur, id est hodie. Sed -praemisit mihi odiosas litteras hoc exemplo: - - - - -VIIIa - -"ANTONIUS TRIB. PL. PRO PR. CICERONI IMP. SAL. - - -Nisi te valde amarem, et multo quidem plus, quam tu putas, non -extimuissem rumorem, qui de te prolatus est, cum praesertim falsum esse -existimarem. Sed, quia te nimio plus diligo, non possum dissimulare -mihi famam quoque, quamvis sit falsa, magni esse. Te iturum esse[143] -trans mare credere non possum, cum tanti facias Dolabellam et Tulliam -tuam, feminam - -[143] Te iturum esse _added by Baiter_. - - * * * * * - - Page 309 - -many kindnesses none has given me greater pleasure than your very -gracious and constant care of Tullia. She herself has been charmed and -I not less. She has shown admirable qualities, has borne the national -calamity and private worries with great fortitude and displayed it over -my departure. She loves me and sympathizes with me and yet wishes me to -act rightly and keep my good repute. But enough of this, lest I begin -to pity myself. - -If you get more certain tidings about Spain or any other matter, pray -write and tell me while I am here, and perhaps at the time of going I -may send you news, the more so because Tullia fancies that you are not -leaving Italy at the present moment. I must explain to Antony as I did -to Curio that I want to stay in Malta and refuse to take part in this -civil war. I only hope that I may find him as easy and good to me as I -found Curio. He will come it is said to Misenum on the second, that is -to-day; but he has sent in advance a nasty letter of which I subjoin a -copy: - - - - -VIIIa - -"ANTONIUS TRIBUNE PROPRAETOR GREETING TO CICERO IMPERATOR. - - -"Had I not a great affection for you, and much more than you think, I -should not have been alarmed at a report which has been spread about -you, especially as I thought it to be false. But, just because I like -you so very much, I cannot hide from myself that the report, although -it may be false, causes me great concern. That you are about to go over -seas I cannot believe, when you have such dear regard for Dolabella - - * * * * * - - Page 310 - -lectissimam, tantique ab omnibus nobis fias; quibus mehercule dignitas -amplitudoque tua paene carior est quam tibi ipsi. Sed tamen non sum -arbitratus esse amici non commoveri etiam improborum sermone, atque eo -feci studiosius, quod iudicabam duriores partes mihi impositas esse ob -offensione nostra, quac magis a ζηλοτυπίᾳ mea quam ab iniuria tua nata -est. Sic enim volo te tibi persuadere, mihi neminem esse cariorem te -excepto Caesare meo meque illud una indicare, Caesarem maxime in suis -M. Ciceronem reponere. Quare, mi Cicero, te rogo, ut tibi omina integra -serves, eius fidem improbes, qui tibi, ut beneficium daret, prius -iniuriam fecit, contra ne profugias, qui te, esti non amabit, quod -accidere non potest, tamen salvum amplissimumque esse cupiet. - -Dedita opera ad te Calpurnium, familiarissimum meum, misi, ut mihi -magnae curae tuam vitam ac dignitatem esse scires." - -Eodem die a Caesare Philotimus litteras attulit hoc exemplo: - - - - -VIIIb - -"CAESAR IMP. SAL. D. CICERONI IMP. - - -Etsi te nihil temere, nihil imprudenter facturum iudicaram, tamen -permotus hominum fama scribendum ad te existimavi, et pro nostra -benevolentia petendum, ne quo progredereris proclinata iam re, quo -integra - - * * * * * - - Page 311 - -and your daughter Tullia, that queen among women, and you are rated so -highly by all of us, who, I dare swear, care almost more than you do -for your dignity and position. However, I considered that it was no -part of a friend to be unmoved even when scoundrels talked, and I have -been more particular, because I thought that a harder task was laid -upon me by our disagreement, which sprang more from jealousy on my part -than from wrong on yours; for I want you to convince yourself that no -one is dearer to me than you, except Caesar, and at the same time I am -positive that Caesar reckons M. Cicero highly among his friends. So my -dear Cicero I beg you not to commit yourself and not to rely on the -honour of a man, who for the sake of conferring a kindness first did -you a harm, and on the other hand not to flee from a man, who although -he will not love you, which is out of the question, will always wish -you to be safe and in high distinction. - -"I have taken the trouble to send you Calpurnius, an intimate friend -of mine, that you may know I am greatly concerned for your life and -position." - -On the same day Philotimus brought me a letter from Caesar of which -this is a copy: - - - - -VIIIb - -"CAESAR IMPERATOR TO CICERO IMPERATOR, GREETING. - - -"Although I had concluded that you would do nothing rashly or -imprudently, nevertheless I have been so stirred by what people say -that I thought it best to write to you and ask you in the name of our -goodwill to each other not to go anywhere, now that fortune inclines my -way, where you did not think it - - * * * * * - - Page 312 - -etiam progrediendum tibi non existimasses. Namque et amicitiae -graviorem iniuriam feceris et tibi minus commode consulueris, si -non fortunae obsecutus videbere (omnia enim secundissima nobis, -adversissima illis accidisse videntur), nec causam secutus (eadem enim -tum fuit, cum ab eorum consiliis abesse iudicasti), sed meum aliquod -factum condemnavisse; quo mihi gravius abs te nil accidere potest. Quod -ne facias, pro iure nostrae amicitiae a te peto. Postremo quid viro -bono et quieto et bono civi magis convenit quam abesse a civilibus -controversiis? Quod non nulli cum probarent, periculi causa sequi non -potuerunt; tu explorato et vitae meae testimonio et amicitiae iudicio -neque tutius neque honestius reperies quicquam quam ab omni contentione -abesse. - -XV Kal. Maias ex itinere." - - - - -IX - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Cumano V Non. Mai. a. 705_] - -Adventus Philotimi (at cuius hominis, quam insulsi et quam saepe -pro Pompeio mentientis!) exanimavit omnes, qui mecum erant; -nam ipse obdurui. Dubitabat nostrum nemo, quin Caesar itinera -repressisset--volare dicitur; Petreius cum Afranio coniunxisset -se--nihil adfert eius modi. Quid quaeris? etiam illud erat persuasum, -Pompeium cum magnis copiis iter in - - * * * * * - - Page 313 - -necessary to go before anything was certain. For you will have done a -serious injury to our friendship and consulted your own interest very -little, if you show that you are not following fortune (for everything -that has happened seems most favourable to me and most unfavourable -to Pompey), nor yet following the right cause (for the cause was the -same then, when you thought fit to hold aloof from it), but that you -have condemned some act of mine, the greatest harm you could do me. -Do not take such a step, I pray you by the right of our friendship. -Finally what better befits a good and peaceful man and a loyal citizen -than to keep out of civil disturbance. There are some who approved -such a course, but could not follow it because of the danger. But -you may examine the evidence of my life and the opinion given by my -friendship[144]; you will find no safer or more honourable course than -to keep quite clear of the quarrel. - -[144] i.e. my decision to let you be neutral. It may, however, mean -"Your conviction of my friendship." - -"April 16 on the march." - - - - -IX - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Cumae, May 3_, B.C. _49_] - -The arrival of Philotimus (what a fellow he is! how stupid! how often -he lies on Pompey's behalf!) has frightened the rest of us to death. -For myself I am hardened. None of us doubted that Caesar had checked -Pompey's progress: Philotimus says he is simply flying. Nobody doubted -that Petreius had joined Afranius: he brings no such news. In fact we -have all been sure that Pompey had actually made - - * * * * * - - Page 314 - -Germaniam per Illyricum fecisse; id enim αὐθεντικῶς nuntiabatur, -Melitam igitur, opinor, capessamus, dum, quid in Hispania. Quod quidem -prope modum videor ex Caesaris litteris ipsius voluntate facere posse, -qui negat neque honestius neque tutius mihi quicquam esse quam ab omni -contentione abesse. Dices: "Ubi ille ergo tuus animus, quem proximis -litteris?" Adest et idem est; sed utinam meo solum capite decernerem! -Lacrimae meorum me interdum molliunt precantium ut de Hispaniis -exspectemus. M. Caeli quidem epistulam scriptam miserabiliter, cum hoc -idem obsecraret, ut exspectarem, ne fortunas meas, ne unicum filium, -ne meos omnes tam temere proderem non sine magno fletu legerunt pueri -nostri. Etsi meus quidem est fortior, eoque ipso vehementius commovet, -nec quicquam nisi de dignatione laborat. - -Melitam igitur, deinde, quo videbitur. Tu tamen etiam nunc mihi aliquid -litterarum, et maxime, si quid ab Afranio. Ego, si cum Antonio locutus -ero, scribam ad te, quid actum sit. Ero tamen in credendo, ut mones, -cautus; nam occultandi ratio cum difficilis tum etiam periculosa est. -Servium exspecto ad Nonas, et adigit ita Postumia et Servius filius. -Quartanam leviorem esse gaudeo. Misi ad te Caeli etiam litterarum -exemplum. - - - - -IXa = ad fam. VIII 16. - -CAELIUS CICERONI SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Intimili XV K. Mai. a. 705_] - -Exanimatus tuis litteris, quibus te nihil nisi triste cogitare -ostendisti, neque, id quid esset, perscripsisti, - - * * * * * - - Page 315 - -his way with large forces into Germany through Illyricum, for that was -the news _sans doute_. So I think I must make for Malta, until there -is news from Spain. This from Caesar's letter I almost think I may do -without annoying him, for he says there is no more honourable or safe -course open to me than to keep quite clear of the fight. You will say -"Where then is your courage which you showed in recent letters?" It is -there and the same; but would that I had only to decide for myself. The -tears of my family at times weaken me, when they beg me to wait for -news about Spain. The miserable tone of M. Caelius' letter making this -same request that I should wait, not to risk so rashly my fortunes, my -only son and all my family, moved our boys to weeping; although my own -son is made of stronger stuff, and for that very reason he affects me -more deeply, thinking only of my reputation. - -So I shall go to Malta, thence where it seems good. Still even now send -me a line, especially if there is any news from Afranius. If I have an -interview with Antony, I will inform you of the result. However, as you -advise, I will take care how I trust him, for the policy of concealment -is hard and dangerous too. Servius Sulpicius I await till the 7th. Both -his wife Postumia and his son urge me to this. I rejoice that your ague -is better. I send you also a copy of Caelius' letter. - - - - -IXa - -CAELIUS TO CICERO, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Intimile, Apr. 16_, B.C. _49_] - -In my dismay at your letter, in which you show that your thoughts are -set on some unhappy act - - * * * * * - - Page 316 - -neque non tamen, quale esset, quod cogitates, aperuisti, has ad -te ilico litteras scripsi. Per fortunas tuas, Cicero, per liberos -te oro et obsecro, ne quid gravius de salute et incolumitate tua -consulas. Nam deos hominesque amicitiamque nostram testificor me tibi -praedixisse neque temere monuisse, sed, postquam Caesarem convenerim -sententiamque eius, qualis futura esset parta victoria, cognorim, -te certiorem fecisse. Si existimas eandem rationem fore Caesaris in -dimittendis adversariis et condicionibus ferendis, erras; nihil nisi -atrox et saevum cogitat atque etiam loquitur; iratus senatui exiit, his -intercessionibus plane incitatus est; non mehercules erit deprecationi -locus. Quare, si tibi tu, si filius unicus, si domus, si spes tuae -reliquae tibi carae sunt, si aliquid apud te nos, si vir optimus, -gener tuus, valemus, quorum fortunam non debes velle conturbare, noli -committere,[145] ut eam causam, in cuius victoria salus nostra est, -odisse aut relinquere cogamur, aut impiam cupiditatem contra salutem -tuam habeamus. Denique illud cogita, quod offensae fuerit in ista -cunctatione, te subisse. Nunc te contra victorem Caesarem facere, -quem dubiis rebus laedere noluisti, et ad eos fugatos accedere, quos -resistentes sequi nolueris, summae stultitiae est. Vide, ne, dum -pudet te parum optimatem esse, parum diligenter, quid optimum sit, -eligas. Quod si totum tibi persuadere non possum, saltem, dum, quid de -Hispaniis agamus, scitur, - -[145] noli committere _added by Lehmann_. - - * * * * * - - Page 317 - -without saying exactly what it is, though you disclose sufficiently -what kind of an act it is, I write this on the spot. In the name of -your fortunes and your children, I beg and beseech you, Cicero, not to -take any step that may endanger your life and safety. For I call gods -and men and our friendship to witness that I told you before, and that -it was no casual warning that I gave you, but certain information, -after I had met Caesar and found out what his view would be, if he won -the victory. If you imagine that he will maintain his present policy of -letting his adversaries go and making peace, you are mistaken; he is -meditating and even proclaiming nothing but cruelty and severity. He -left Rome in anger with the Senate: these recent vetoes have clearly -provoked him: you may take my word for it there will be no chance -of begging off. Then, if you have any care for yourself, your only -son, your house and what hopes you have left, if I and your excellent -son-in-law have any influence with you--and you ought not to wish to -spoil our fortunes--then do not compel us to hate or relinquish a -cause, in whose victory our safety lies, or to harbour unnatural wishes -for your destruction. Finally consider this: any offence there may -have been in your hesitation, you have already given. Now it is the -height of folly to side against Caesar in his hour of victory, when you -refused to attack him while his fortunes were doubtful; and to join in -the flight of those, whom you would not follow when they stood their -ground. Beware lest for fear of showing too little zeal for the "better -party," you use too little care in choosing the better course. But, if -I cannot persuade you entirely, at least wait till it is known how we -get on in Spain, - - * * * * * - - Page 318 - -exspecta; quas tibi nuntio adventu Caesaris fore nostras. Quam isti -spem habeant amissis Hispaniis, nescio; quod porro tuum consilium sit -ad desperatos accedere, non medius fidius reperio. - -Hoc, quod tu non dicendo mihi significasti, Caesar audierat, ac, simul -atque "have" mihi dixit, statim, quid de te audisset, exposuit. Negavi -me scire, sed tamen ab eo petivi, ut ad te litteras mitteret, quibus -maxime ad remanendum commoveri posses. Me secum in Hispaniam ducit. -Nam, nisi ita faceret, ego, priusquam ad urbem accederem, ubicumque -esses, ad te percucurrissem, et hoc a te praesens contendissem atque -omni vi te retinuissem. Etiam atque etiam, Cicero, cogita, ne te -tuosque omnis funditus evertas, ne te sciens prudensque eo demittas, -unde exitum vides nullum esse. Quodsi te aut voces optimatium -commovent, aut non nullorum hominum insolentiam et iactationem -ferre non potes, eligas censeo aliquod oppidum vacuum a bello, dum -haec decernuntur; quae iam erunt confecta. Id si feceris, et ego te -sapienter fecisse iudicabo, et Caesarem non offendes. - - - - -X - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Cumano V Non. Mai. a. 705_] - -Me caecum, qui haec ante non viderim! Misi ad te epistulam Antoni. -Ei cum ego saepissime scripsissem nihil me contra Caesaris rationes -cogitare, meminisse me generi mei, meminisse amicitiae, potuisse, - - * * * * * - - Page 319 - -which I assure you will be ours as soon as Caesar arrives. What your -friends' hopes are, when they have lost Spain, is more than I know; and -what your idea is in joining them, when they have no hopes, is more -than I can imagine. - -What you hinted at without speaking plainly, Caesar had heard, and -as soon as ever he had said "good day," he told me what he had heard -about you. I said I knew nothing about it: but I asked him to send you -a letter as the best means of inducing you to stay. He is taking me -with him to Spain. If he were not, I should have hurried to you, before -going to Rome, wherever you might have been, and should have pressed -this view on you personally and done all in my power to restrain you. -Once more and yet once more, Cicero, think before you utterly destroy -yourself and all your family: do not wittingly and with your eyes open -put yourself in a position from which you see there is no escape. But, -if you are moved by the call of the conservative party, or if you -cannot endure the insolence and arrogant behaviour of certain persons, -I think you should choose some town remote from the war, until the -matter is settled: and settled it will be at once. If you do that, I -shall consider you have acted wisely, and Caesar will not be offended. - - - - -X - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Cumae, May 3_, B.C. _49_] - -How blind I am not to have foreseen it! I send you Antony's letter. -I have often written to him that I planned nothing against Caesar's -policy, that I was mindful of my son-in-law, of our friendship, - - * * * * * - - Page 320 - -si aliter sentirem, esse cum Pompeio; me autem, quia cum lictoribus -invitus cursarem, abesse velle, nec id ipsum certum etiam nunc habere, -vide, quam ad haec παραινετικῶς: - -"Tuum consilium quam verum est. Nam, qui se medium esse vult, in -patria manet, qui proficiscitur, aliquid de altera utra parte -iudicare videtur. Sed ego is non sum, qui statuere debeam, iure quis -proficiscatur necne; partes mihi Caesar has imposuit, ne quem omnino -discedere ex Italia paterer. Quare parvi refert me probare cogitationem -tuam, si nihil tamen tibi remittere possum. Ad Caesarem mittas censeo -et ab eo hoc petas. Non dubito, quin impetraturus sis, cum praesertim -te amicitiae nostrae rationem habiturum esse pollicearis." - -Habes σκυτάλην Λακωνικήν. Omnino excipiam hominem. Erat autem v Nonas -venturus vesperi, id est hodie. Cras igitur ad me fortasse veniet. -Temptabo, audiam: nihil properare; missurum ad Caesarem. Clam agam, cum -paucissimis alicubi occultabor, certe hinc istis invitissimis evolabo, -atque utinam ad Curionem! Σύνες ὅ τοι λέγω. Magnus dolor accessit. -Efficietur aliquid dignum nobis. - -Δυσουρία tua mihi valde molesta. Medere, amabo, - - * * * * * - - Page 321 - -that, if I had thought otherwise, I could have been with Pompey, that -I wished to leave Italy because I was loth to wander about with my -lictors, though I had not made up my mind definitely even to that. See -in what an _ex cathedra_ tone he answers me:--"Your policy is quite -right. For a man who wishes to be neutral remains in his country; the -man who leaves his country seems to express his conviction on one side -or the other; but it is not for me to determine, whether anyone has -the right to leave or not. The part Caesar has given me is not to let -anyone at all leave Italy; so it is of little use for me to approve -your plan, if all the same I cannot make an exception for you. I think -you should send to Caesar and ask him this favour. I have no doubt -that you will succeed, especially as you promise not to forget our -friendship." - -That is a laconic epistle.[146] I will certainly take my cue from the -man. He is to come on the evening of the 3rd, that is to-day. To-morrow -therefore he will perhaps come to me. I will sound him: I will hear -him: say I am in no hurry: that I will send to Caesar. I will act -secretly, with a very few attendants I will lie hidden somewhere; but -assuredly, however unwilling these people are, I will fly off; and -would that it may be to Curio! "Mark what I say."[147] Another great -grief has come upon me. I will do something worthy of my reputation. - -[146] Lit. "Laconian staff." Spartan dispatches were wound round a -staff in such a way that they could not be read when taken off it. -Here, however, Cicero only refers to their brevity. - -[147] Probably a quotation from Pindar, _Frag._ 105. - -Your malady gives me grave anxiety. I pray you - - * * * * * - - Page 322 - -dum est ἀρχή. De Massiliensibus gratae tuae mihi litterae. Quaeso, -ut sciam, quicquid audieris. Ocellam cuperem, si possem palam, quod -a Curione effeceram, Hic ego Servium exspecto; rogor enim ab eius -uxore et filio, et puto opus esse. Hic tamen Cytherida secum lectica -aperta portat, alteram uxorem. Septem praeterea coniunctae lecticae -amicarum sunt an amicorum. Vide, quam turpi leto pereamus, et dubita, -si potes, quin ille, seu victus seu victor redierit, caedem facturus -sit. Ego vero vel luntriculo, si navis non erit, eripiam me ex istorum -parricidio. Sed plura scribam, cum illum convenero. - -Iuvenem nostrum non possum non amare, sed ab eo nos non amari plane -intellego. Nihil ego vidi tam ἀνηθοποίητον, tam aversum a suis, tam -nescio quid cogitans. O vim incredibilem molestiarum! Sed erit curae, -et est, ut regatur. Mirum est enim ingenium, ἤθους ἐπιμελητέον. - - - - -XI - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Cumano IV Non. Mai. a 705_] - -Obsignata iam epistula superiore, non placuit ei dari, cui -constitueram, quod erat alienus. Itaque eo die data non est. Interim -venit Philotimus et mihi - - * * * * * - - Page 323 - -get medical advice in its initial stage. Your letter about the -Massilians[148] pleased me. Let me know whatever you hear. I should -have liked to have Ocella, if it could be done openly, and I had got -Curio to allow it. Here I am awaiting Servius Sulpicius, for it is at -the request of his wife and son, and I think it is necessary. Antony -carries about Cytheris[149] with him in an open litter as his second -wife, and besides he had seven other litters of friends male or female. -See what a disgraceful death we die, and doubt, if you can, that, -whether Caesar returns victor or vanquished, he will perpetrate a -massacre. Even in an open boat, if I cannot get a vessel, I will tear -myself away from these parricides and their doings. But I will write -more when I have met him. - -[148] They had shut their gates to Caesar and were being besieged. - -[149] An actress. - -My nephew I cannot but love, though I see clearly that he has no -affection for me. I never saw anyone so unprincipled, so averse to his -own relations, with such mysterious plans. What a weight of anxiety! -But it will be my business, as it is now, to discipline him: he has -wonderful ability, but his character requires training. - - - - -XI - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Cumae, May 4_, B.C. _49_] - -After sealing my former letter, I did not feel inclined to hand it to -the person that I had intended, as he was a stranger; so it was not -despatched on that day. Meantime Philotimus came and gave me - - * * * * * - - Page 324 - -a te litteras reddidit. Quibus quae de fratre meo scribis, sunt ea -quidem parum firma, se habent nihil ὕπουλον, nihil fallax, nihil non -flexibile ad bonitatem, nihil, quod non, quo velis, uno sermone possis -perducere; ne multa, omnes suos, etiam quibus irascitur crebrius, tamen -caros habet, me quidem se ipso cariorem. Quod de puero aliter ad te -scripsit et ad matrem de filo, non reprehendo. De itinere[150] et de -sorore quae scribis, molesta sunt, eoque magis, quod ea tempora nostra -sunt, ut ego iis mederi non possim. Nam certe mederer; sed, quibus in -malis et qua in desperatione rerum simus, vides. - -[150] itinere _most editors_: itine _MZ_: Quinto _Tyrrell_. - -Illa de ratione nummaria non sunt eius modi (saepe enim audio ex ipso), -ut non cupiat tibi praestare et in eo laboret. Sed, si mihi Q. Axius -in hac mea fuga HS X̅I̅I̅I̅ non reddit, quae dedi eius filio mutua, et -utitur excusatione temporis, si Lepta, si ceteri, soleo mirari, de -nescio quis HS X̅X̅ cum audio ex illo se urgeri. Vides enim profecto -angustias. Curari tamen ea tibi utique iubet. An existimas illum in -isto genere lentulum aut restrictum? Nemo est minus. De fratre satis. - -De eius iuvene filio, indulsit illi quidem suus pater semper, sed non -facit indulgentia mendacem aut avarum aut non amantem suorum, ferocem -fortasse atque arrogantem et infestum facit. Itaque habet haec quoque, -quae nascuntur ex indulgentia, sed ea sunt tolerabilia (quid enim -dicam?) hac inventute; ea vero, - - * * * * * - - Page 325 - -a letter from you. The conduct of my brother about which you write -shows little firmness, but no chicanery, no treachery, nothing -inflexibly opposed to goodness, nothing that cannot be turned where you -will by a single conversation. In short all his relations, even those -with whom he is so often angry, are nevertheless dear to him, and I -to be sure am dearer than life. I do not blame him for writing in one -strain about his boy to you and in another to the boy's mother. I am -distressed by what you say about the journey and your sister, and the -more so because the times are such that I cannot remedy the matter. For -certainly I would have done so: but you see in what trouble I am, what -desperation. - -[Sidenote: 13,000 sesterces] - -[Sidenote: 20,000 sesterces] - -As for his financial affairs, I often hear from him, and they are -not in such a state as to prevent him from being anxious to pay you -and from making efforts to that end: but if Q. Axius does not pay me -in this my flight the £100 I lent his son, and pleads in excuse the -state of the times, and if Lepta and others do the same, I confess I -am always surprised to hear from Quintus that he is pressed for some -£175. For of course you see his straits. However he has ordered the -sum to be paid to your account. Perhaps you suppose that he is slow or -close-fisted in money matters. No one is less so: but enough about my -brother. - -As for his son, the father has certainly always indulged him; but -indulgence does not make him a liar or a miser or disloyal to his -friends, though it does perhaps make him surly, haughty and aggressive. -Accordingly he has these defects which are due to spoiling; but they -are not intolerable, shall I say, as young men go nowadays. But the -defects which, to - - * * * * * - - Page 326 - -quae mihi quidem, qui illum amo, sunt his ipsis malis, in quis sumus, -miseriora, non sunt ab obsequio nostro. Nam suas radices habent; -quas tamen evellerem profecto, si liceret. Sed ea tempora sunt, ut -omnia mihi sint patienda. Ego meum facile teneo; nihil est enim eo -tractabilius. Cuius quidem misericordia languidiora adhuc consilia -cepi, et, quo ille me certiorem vult esse, eo magis timeo, ne in eum -exsistam crudelior. - -Sed Antonius venit heri vesperi. Iam fortasse ad me veniet, aut ne id -quidem, quoniam scripsit, quid fieri vellet. Sed scies continuo, quid -actum sit. Nos iam nihil nisi occulte. - -De pueris quid agam? parvone navigio committam? Quid mihi animi in -navigando censes fore? Recordor enim, aestate cum illis illo Rhodiorum -ἀφράκτῳ navigans quam fuerim sollicitus; quid duro tempore anni -actuariola fore censes? O rem undique miseram! - -Trebatius erat mecum, vir plane et civis bonus. Quae ille monstra, di -immortales! Etiamne Balbus in senatum venire cogitet? Sed ei ipsi cras -ad te litteras dabo. Vettienum mihi amicum, ut scribis, ita puto esse. -Cum eo, quod ἀποτόμως ad me scripserat de nummis curandis, θυμικώτερον -eram iocatus. Id tu, si ille aliter acceperit ac debuit, lenies. -"MONETALI" autem adscripsi, quod ille ad me "PRO COS." Sed, quoniam est -homo et nos diligit, ipse quoque a nobis diligatur. Vale. - - * * * * * - - Page 327 - -me at any rate who love him, are more distressing than even the evils -on which we have fallen, do not proceed from any indulgence of mine; -for they are deep rooted: but I would have rooted them up, had I -been allowed. But the times are such that I must bear everything. My -own son I control easily. He is quite tractable. My own policy has -lacked vigour owing to my pity for him; and the more he wants me to be -unflinching, the more I fear I may prove cruel to him. - -Well Antony came yesterday evening; soon perhaps he will visit me, -perhaps not even that, as he has written what he wanted done; but you -shall know forthwith what has happened. All I do now is done secretly. - -What shall I do about the boys? Shall I entrust them to a small boat? -What courage do you suppose I shall have on the voyage? For I remember -sailing in the summer in an open Rhodian boat with them and how anxious -I was; and how do you suppose it will be in the bad season in a tiny -pinnace? Misery everywhere! - -Trebatius is with me, a real man and a loyal citizen. Ye gods, what -awful news he brings! So even Balbus is thinking of attending the -Senate! But I will give Trebatius himself a letter for you to-morrow. I -agree with your letter that Vettienus is friendly to me. But I made a -rather bitter jest at his expense, because he wrote curtly to me about -paying my debt. Appease him, if he took it in bad part. I addressed -him by his title "commissioner of the mint" because he addressed me as -"proconsul." But since he is a good man and has affection for me, let -me keep my affection for him. Farewell. - - * * * * * - - Page 328 - - - - -XII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Cumano III Non. Mai. a. 705_] - -Quidnam mihi futurum est, aut quis me non solum infelicior, sed iam -etiam turpior? Nominatim de me sibi imperatum dicit Antonius, nec me -tamen ipse adhuc viderat, sed hoc Trebatio narravit. Quid agam nunc, -cui nihil procedit, caduntque ea, quae diligentissime sunt cogitata, -taeterrime? Ego enim Curionem nactus omnia me consecutum putavi. Is -de me ad Hortensium scripserat. Reginus erat totus noster. Huic nihil -suspicabamur cum hoc mari negotii fore. Quo me nunc vertam? Undique -custodior. Sed satis lacrimis. Παρακλεπτέον igitur et occulte in -aliquam onerariam corrependum, non committendum, ut etiam compacto -prohibiti videamur. Sicilia petenda. Quam si erimus nacti, maiora -quaedam consequemur. Sit modo recte in Hispaniis! Quamquam de ipsa -Sicilia utinam sit verum! Sed adhuc nihil secundi. Concursus Siculorum -ad Catonem dicitur factus, orasse, ut resisteret, omnia pollicitos; -commotum illum dilectum habere coepisse. Non credo, ut est luculentus -auctor. Potuisse certe teneri illam provinciam scio. Ab Hispaniis autem -iam audietur. - -Hic nos C. Marcellum habemus, eadem vere cogitantem aut bene -simulantem; quamquam ipsum non videram, sed ex familiarissimo eius -audiebam. Tu, quaeso, si quid habebis novi; ego, si quid moliti erimus, -ad te statim scribam. Quintum filium severius - - * * * * * - - Page 329 - - - - -XII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Cumae, May 5_, B.C. _49_] - -What is to happen to me? Who is there more ill-starred, or even more -humiliated? Antony says he has received orders about me definitely. Yet -I have not seen him myself so far; but he told Trebatius. What can I -do now? Nothing succeeds and all my best laid plans fail abominably. -For, when I had won over Curio, I imagined I had attained my end. He -had written about me to Hortensius. Reginus was wholly my friend. I -never suspected that Antony had anything to do with this part of the -sea. Whither can I turn now? Everywhere I am watched. But enough of -lamentation. I must steal away and creep privily into some cargo boat; -I must not allow it to appear that I connive at being hindered. I must -go to Sicily. If I once get there, I shall have greater ends in view. -If only all goes well in Spain! However, I do hope the news about -Sicily may prove true! Hitherto I have had no luck. It is said the -Sicilians have gathered round Cato, prayed him to resist and promised -every support: and that he has been induced to begin making a levy. I -don't believe it, good as the authority is. I know for a fact that that -province could have been held. But we shall soon hear from Spain. - -Here I have C. Marcellus, who holds the same views as myself or makes a -good pretence of doing so. I have not indeed met him myself; but I hear -it from one of his most intimate friends. Write to me, if you have any -news. If I attempt anything, I shall inform you at once. Young Quintus -I shall handle - - * * * * * - - Page 330 - -adhibebo. Utinam proficere possim! Tu tamen eas epistulas, quibus -asperius de eo scripsi, aliquando concerpito, ne quando quid emanet; -ego item tuas. Servium exspecto, nec ab eo quicquam ὑγιές. Scies, -quicquid erit. - - - - -XIIa - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Cumano prid. Non. Mai. a. 705_] - -Sine dubio errasse nos confitendum est. "At semel, at una in re." Immo -omnia quo diligentius cogitata eo facta sunt imprudentius. - -Ἀλλὰ τὰ μὲν προτετύχθαι ἐάσομεν ἀχνύμενοί περ, in reliquis modo ne -ruamus. Iubes de profectione me providere. Quid provideam? Ita patent -omnia, quae accidere possunt, ut, ea si vitem, sedendum sit cum -dedecore et dolore, si neglegam, periculum sit, ne in manus incidam -perditorum. Sed vide, quantis in miseriis simus. Optandum interdum -videtur, ut aliquam accipiamus ab istis quamvis acerbam iniuriam, ut -tyranno in odio fuisse videamur. Quodsi nobis is cursus, quem speraram, -pateret, effecissem aliquid profecto, ut tu optas et hortaris, dignum -nostra mora. Sed mirificae sunt custodiae, et quidem ille ipse Curio -suspectus. Quare vi aut clam agendum est et, si vi, fortiter cum -tempestate.[151] Clam autem istis? In quo si quod σφάλμα, vides, quam -turpe sit. Trahimur, nec fugiendum, si quid violentius. - -[151] et si vi forte ne cum pestate _M_: et si vi forte et cum -tempestate _Ant._, _F._ _I have adopted Orelli's reading; but it is -very uncertain._ - - * * * * * - - Page 331 - -with severity. I hope my efforts may succeed. But please some time tear -up the letters in which I criticize him severely, for fear anything -ever come to light. I will tear up yours. Servius Sulpicius I am still -awaiting, nor do I hear anything satisfactory from him. You shall know -whatever happens. - - - - -XIIa - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Cumae, May 6_, B.C. _49_] - -Undoubtedly I must admit I have been mistaken. But is it once only or -on one topic? No, in everything. The more carefully I have thought, the -less wisely have I done. "Let bygones be bygones."[152] In the future -only let us not invite disaster. You bid me provide for my journey. -What can I provide? All the possible accidents are so obvious, that, -if I would shun them, I must sit still in shame and grief: and, if I -disregard them, it is odds that I fall into the hands of villains. But -see how miserable I am. Sometimes it seems preferable that I should -receive some damage however bitter from Caesar's party, that people -may see I am hated by the tyrant. But, if the voyage for which I hoped -were open to me, certainly, as you wish and advise, I should have done -something to justify delay. But I am watched with extraordinary care -and even Curio is suspect. So I must make a bold move or use craft. If -a bold move, I need good weather: but, if craft, should there be any -_faux pas_, you see how disgraced I should be. I am carried away by -circumstances and must not be afraid of a bold course. - -[152] Iliad xvii, 112, "But what is past though grieved we will let be." - - * * * * * - - Page 332 - - -De Caelio saepe mecum agito nec, si quid habuero tale, dimittam. -Hispanias spero firmas esse. Massiliensium factum cum ipsum per se -luculentum est, tum mihi argumento est recte esse in Hispaniis. Minus -enim auderent, si aliter esset, et scirent; nam et vicini et diligentes -sunt. Odium autem recte animadvertis significatum in theatro. Legiones -etiam has, quas in Italia assumpsit, alienissimas esse video. Sed -tamen nihil inimicius quam sibi ipse. Illud recte times, ne ruat. Si -desperarit, certe ruet. Quo magis efficiendum aliquid est, fortuna -velim meliore, animo Caeliano. Sed primum quidque. Quod qualecumque -erit, continuo scies. Nos iuveni, ut rogas, suppeditabimus et -Peloponnesum ipsam sustinebimus. Est enim indoles, modo aliquod hoc sit -ἦθος ΑΚΙΜΟΑΟΝ.[153] Quod si adhuc nullum est, esse tamen potest, aut -ἀρετὴ non est διδακτόν, quod mihi persuaderi non potest. - -[153] _The text here is corrupt and no convincing emendation has been -suggested._ - - - - -XIII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Cumano Non. Mai. a. 705_] - -Epistula tua gratissima fuit meae Tulliae et me hercule mihi. Semper -speculam aliquam adferunt tuae litterae. Scribes igitur, ac, si quid ad -spem poteris, ne dimiseris. Tu Antoni leones pertimescas cave. Nihil -est illo homine iucundius. Attende πρᾶξιν πολιτικοῦ. - - * * * * * - - Page 333 - - -I often reflect about Caelius; and if I have such an opportunity, I -will not let it go. I hope Spain is safe. The action of the Massilians -is praiseworthy in itself, and is a proof to me that things are going -well in Spain. They would have been less bold, if it were otherwise, -and they should know, for they live near and are watchful. You are -right to remark the expression of popular feeling in the theatre. Even -the legions which Caesar got in Italy seem to me to be very disloyal -to him. However he is his own worst enemy. You are right to fear that -he may run amuck. Assuredly he will, if he loses hope. That is all the -more inducement for me to do something in the spirit of Caelius, and -I hope with better luck. But everything in due course; and, whatever -it be, I will inform you forthwith. I will do all for young Quintus -that is necessary, and will undertake the task not only of Arcadia but -of the whole Peloponnese.[154] He is able, if only he had character. -However, if he has none so far, he may get it, or virtue is not -teachable, and that I can never believe. - -[154] Cf. x, 5. - - - - -XIII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Cumae, May 7_, B.C. _49_] - -Your letter was very pleasing to my daughter and of course to me, for -your correspondence always brings a gleam of hope. So please write, -and, if you can be hopeful, don't fail to be so. Don't be too much -afraid of Antony's lions.[155] He is a jovial fellow. Just hear - -[155] Plutarch and Pliny state that after Pharsalia Antony had a -chariot drawn by lions: but from this passage it appears that the story -was current earlier. - - * * * * * - - Page 334 - -Evocavit litteris e municipiis decem primos et IIII viros. Venerunt ad -villam eius mane. Primum dormiit ad h. III, deinde, cum esset nuntiatum -venisse Neapolitanos et Cumanos (his enim est Caesar iratus), postridie -redire iussit; lavari se velle et περὶ κοιλιολυσίαν γίνεσθαι. Hoc here -effecit. Hodie autem in Aenariam transire constituit. Exsulibus reditum -pollicetur. - -Sed haec omittamus, de nobis aliquid agamas. A Q. Axio accepi litteras. -De Tirone gratum. Vettienum diligo. Vestorio reddidi. Servius pr. -Nonas Maias Menturnis mansisse dicitur, hodie in Liternino mansurus -apud C. Marcellum. Cras igitur nos mature videbit mihique dabit -argumentum ad te epistulae. Iam enim non reperio, quod tibi scribam. -Illud admiror, quod Antonius ad me ne nuntium quidem, cum praesertim me -valde observarit. Videlicet aliquid atrocius de me imperatum est. Coram -negare mihi non vult, quod ego nec rogaturus eram nec, si impetrassem, -crediturus. Nos tamen aliquid excogitabimus. Tu, quaeso, si quid in -Hispaniis. Iam enim poterit audiri, et omnes ita exspectant, ut, si -recte fuerit, nihil negotii futurum putent. Ego autem nec retentis iis -confectam rem puto, neque amissis desperatam. Silium et Ocellam et -ceteros credo retardatos. Te quoque a Curtio impediri video. Etsi, ut -opinor, habes ἔκπλουν.[156] - -[156] ἔκπλουν _Baiter_: εκιταονον _MSS._ - - * * * * * - - Page 335 - -how he plays the statesman. He summoned by letter ten leading men and -the board of four from the municipal towns. They came to his country -house in the morning. First he slept till nine. Then, when he heard the -men had come from Naples and Cumae (for Caesar is angry with them), -he bade them return on the next day, saying that he wished to take a -bath and a laxative. This he did yesterday. But to-day he has arranged -to cross to Aenaria. He is promising the exiles[157] that they shall -return. - -[157] Banished under Pompey's law _de ambitu_ in 52 B.C. - -But let us pass over this and talk about ourselves. I got a letter -from Q. Axius. As for Tiro, thanks. I like Vettienus. I have repaid -Vestorius. Servius is said to have stopped at Menturnae on the 6th of -May. To-day he will stop with C. Marcellus in his villa at Liternum. -To-morrow early he will see me, and will give me a subject for a letter -to you. Just now I can find nothing to write. I am much astonished that -Antony has not even sent a messenger to me, especially when he has paid -me much attention. I suppose he has some more truculent order about me. -He does not wish to refuse me to my face, but I was not going to ask -the favour, nor, if I had got it, should I have believed him. However -I will think out some plan. Let me know if anything has happened in -Spain; for now there is time for news to have come, and everybody -awaits it with the idea, that, if all go well there, there will be no -more trouble. But I do not think the business is over, if Spain be -kept, nor yet hopeless, if it be lost. Silius and Ocella and the rest -I suppose are detained. I see that you too are hindered by Curtius, -though I think you have a passport. - - * * * * * - - Page 336 - - - - -XIV - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Cumano VIII Id. Mai. a. 705_] - -O vitam miseram, maiusque malum tam diu timere, quam est illud ipsum, -quod timetur! Servius, ut antea scripsi, cum venisset Nonis Maiis, -postridie ad me mane venit. Ne diutius te teneam, nullius consilii -exitum invenimus. Numquam vidi hominem perturbatiorem metu; neque -hercule quicquam timebat, quod non esset timendum; illum sibi iratum, -hunc non amicum; horribilem utriusque victoriam, cum propter alterius -crudelitatem, alterius audaciam tum propter utriusque difficultatem -pecuniariam; quae erui nusquam nisi ex privatorum bonis posset. -Atque haec ita multis cum lacrimis loquebatur, ut ego mirarer eas -tam diuturna miseria non exaruisse. Mihi quidem etiam lippitudo -haec, propter quam non ipse ad te scribo, sine ulla lacrima est, sed -saepius odiosa est propter vigilias. Quam ob rem, quicquid habes ad -consolandum, collige et illa scribe, non ex doctrina neque ex libris -(nam id quidem domi est, sed nescio quo modo imbecillior est medicina -quam morbus), haec potius conquire de Hispaniis, de Massilia; quae -quidem satis bella Servius adfert; qui etiam de duabus legionibus -luculentos auctores esse dicebat. Haec igitur, si habebis, et talia. Et -quidem paucis diebus aliquid audiri necesse est. - -Sed redeo ad Servium. Distulimus omnino sermonem in posterum, sed -tardus ad exeundum "multo se - - * * * * * - - Page 337 - - - - -XIV - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Cumae, May 8_, B.C. _49_] - -What a wretched life this is! and to be so long afraid is more wretched -than the very thing one fears! Servius, as I told you before, came -on the 7th of May and on the next morning visited me. Not to detain -you longer, we could not see our way to a plan. Never have I seen a -man more upset with fear; and upon my soul he feared nothing that did -not deserve to be feared. He pointed out that Pompey was angry with -him, that Caesar was not friendly, that the victory of either would -be terrible, both because Pompey was cruel and Caesar daring, and -because of their money difficulties, which could only be got rid of by -an attack on private property. He bewailed all this with such a flood -of tears, that I was surprised they had not dried up in all that long -time of misery. My own eyes do not shed one single tear, though this -inflammation prevents me from writing to you; but it is often tiresome -by keeping me awake. So please collect all the consolation you can and -send it to me--not from philosophy or books--I have plenty of that, but -I find somehow that the cure is too weak for the disease. Search rather -for any news about Spain or Massilia. What Servius says about them is -quite satisfactory, and he also tells me there is excellent authority -for the story of the two legions. News of this kind then send me, if -you get it, and such like topics. Anyhow in a few days something must -be heard. - -But to return to Servius. We deferred all our conversation to the next -day: but he is reluctant to leave Italy, declaring he would much rather -die in - - * * * * * - - Page 338 - -in suo lectulo malle, quicquid foret." Odiosus scrupulus de filii -militia Brundisina. Unum illud firmissime adseverabat, si damnati -restituerentur, in exsilium se iturum. Nos autem ad haec "et id -ipsum certo fore, et, quae iam fierent, non esse leviora," multaque -colligebamus. Verum ea non animum eius augebant, sed timorem, ut iam -celandus magis de nostro consilio quam adhibendus videretur. Quare in -hoc non multum est. Nos a te admoniti de Caelio cogitabimus. - - - - -XV - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Cumano IV Id. Mai. a. 705_] - -Servius cum esset apud me, Cephalio cum tuis litteris VI Idus venit; -quae nobis magnam spem attulerunt meliorum rerum de octo cohortibus. -Etenim eae quoque, quae in his locis sunt, labare dicuntur. Eodem -die Funisulanus a te attulit litteras, in quibus erat confirmatius -idem illud. Ei de suo negotio respondi cumulate cum omni tua gratia. -Adhuc non satis faciebat; debet autem mihi multos nummos nec habetur -locuples. Nunc ait se daturum; cui expensum tulerit, morari; -tabellariis, si apud te esset qua satis fecisset, dares. Quantum sit, -Eros Philotimi tibi dicet. Sed ad maiora redeamus. - -Quod optas, Caelianum illud maturescit. Itaque torqueor, utrum ventum -exspectem. Vexillo opus est; convolabunt. Quod suades, ut palam, -prorsus adsentior, itaque me profecturum puto. Tuas tamen - - * * * * * - - Page 339 - -his bed whatever happens. He has unpleasant scruples about his son's -military service at Brundisium. On one point he is quite firm, that, -if the condemned are restored, he will go into exile. I for my part -replied "that will certainly happen, and what is happening is equally -disagreeable," and I quoted many examples. My examples however did not -increase his courage but his fear: so that it appears I must rather -conceal from him my design than invite him to share it. He is not to be -depended on. By your advice I will consider about Caelius. - - - - -XV - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Cumae, May 12_, B.C. _49_] - -While Servius was with me, Cephalio came with your letter of the 10th, -which gave me great hope of better news about the eight cohorts. For -even the cohorts which are here are said to be wavering. On the same -day Funisulanus brought me a letter from you, corroborating the same -news. I gave him a full reply about his business, explaining all your -kindness. Hitherto he has not been satisfactory; and he owes me a large -sum and is not considered safe. Now he says that he will settle; but -that a debtor of his was slow in paying, and that you are to pay the -money by your letter-carriers, if that debtor has deposited it with -you. The amount Philotimus' man Eros will tell you. But to return to -more important matters. - -That Caelian plan you favour is coming to a head: so I am worried -whether to await a favourable wind. It is a standard we want, and men -will flock to it. With your advice, that I should set sail openly, I -entirely agree: and so I think I will set out. However - - * * * * * - - Page 340 - -interim litteras exspecto. Servi consilio nihil, expeditur. Omnes -captiones in omni sententia occurrunt. Unum C. Marcellum cognovi -timidiorem; quem consulem fuisse paenitet. Ὢ πολλῆς ἀγεννείας! qui -etiam Antonium confirmasse dicitur, ut me impediret, quo ipse, credo, -honestius. Antonius autem VI Idus Capuam profectus est. Ad me misit, se -pudore deterritum ad me non venisse, quod me sibi suscensere putaret. -Ibitur igitur et ita quidem, ut censes, nisi cuius gravioris personae -suscipiendae spes erit ante oblata. Sed vix erit tam cito. Allienus -autem praetor putabat aliquem, si ego non, ex collegis suis. Quivis -licet, dum modo aliquis. - -De sorore laudo. De Quinto puero datur opera; spero esse meliora. De -Quinto fratre scito eum non mediocriter laborare de versura, sed adhuc -nihil a L. Egnatio expressit. Axius de duodecim milibus pudens! Saepe -enim ad me scripsit, ut Gallio, quantum is vellet, darem. Quodsi non -scripsisset, possemne aliter? Et quidem saepe sum pollicitus, sed -tantum voluit cito. Me vero adiuvarent his in angustiis. Sed di istos! -Verum alias. Te a quartana liberatum gaudeo itemque Piliam. Ego, dum -panis et cetera in navem parantur, excurro in Pompeianum. Vettieno -velim gratias, quod studiosus sit; si quemquam nanctus eris, qui -perferat, litteras des, antequam discedimus. - - * * * * * - - Page 341 - -I await a letter from you meanwhile. Servius' advice has not been -helpful. All sorts of bars meet us in every opinion he expresses. Only -one man, C. Marcellus, have I known to be more timid, and he is sorry -he was ever a consul. What a lowborn spirit! He is said even to have -strengthened Antony's resolution to prevent my departure: so that his -own conduct I suppose may appear more honourable. Antony started for -Capua on the 10th, sending word that shame prevented his visiting me, -because he thought I was annoyed with him. So I shall go, and openly as -you advise, unless hope of playing a more important part shall offer. -But that can scarcely occur so soon. Allienus the praetor thought one -of his colleagues would be chosen,[158] if I were not. Let it be anyone -they like so long as it is some one. - -[158] As peace delegate. - -As to your sister, I approve. As for young Quintus, I am doing my best, -and I hope things are better. As for my brother Quintus, you must know -that he is taking extraordinary pains to borrow money to settle his -debt; but so far has squeezed nothing out of L. Egnatius. Axius is -modest about the £100[159]: for he often requested in his letters that -I should pay Gallius as much as he wanted. Even if he had not written, -could I have helped it? I have often promised indeed; but he wanted so -much at once. They should have helped me rather in my difficulties, -confound them. But I will write of this another time. I am glad you -are rid of your ague, and Pilia too. While bread and provisions are -being put on board, I am going off to my estate at Pompeii. Please -thank Vettienus for his trouble. If you can find a messenger, give me a -letter before I leave. - -[159] 12,000 sesterces. - - * * * * * - - Page 342 - - - - -XVI - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Cumano prid. Id. Mai. a. 705_] - -Commodum ad te dederam litteras de pluribus rebus, cum ad me bene mane -Dionysius fuit. Cui quidem ego non modo placabilem me praebuissem, -sed totum remisissem, si venisset, qua mente tu ad me scripseras. -Erat enim sic in tuis litteris, quas Arpini acceperam, eum venturum -facturumque, quod ego vellem. Ego volebam autem vel cupiebam potius -esse eum nobiscum. Quod quia plane, cum in Formianum venisset, -praeciderat, asperius ad te de eo scribere solebam. At ille perpauca -locutus hanc summam habuit orationis, ut sibi ignoscerem; se rebus -suis impeditum nobiscum ire non posse. Pauca respondi, magnum accepi -dolorem, intellexi fortunam ab eo nostram despectam esse. Quid quaeris? -(fortasse miraberis) in maximis horum temporum doloribus hunc mihi -scito esse. Velim, ut tibi amicus sit. Hoc cum tibi opto, opto, ut -beatus sis; erit enim tam diu. - -Consilium nostrum spero vacuum periculo fore. Nam et dissimulavimus, -et, ut opinor, non acerrime adservabimur. Navigatio modo sit, qualem -opto, cetera, quae quidem consilio provideri poterunt, cavebuntur. Tu, -dum adsumus, non modo quae scies audierisve, sed etiam quae futura -providebis, scribas velim. - -Cato, qui Siciliam tenere nullo negotio potuit (et, si tenuisset, omnes -boni ad eum se contulissent), Syracusis profectus est ante diem VIII K. -Mai., ut ad me - - * * * * * - - Page 343 - - - - -XVI - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Cumae, May 14_, B.C. _49_] - -I had just sent a letter to you about a number of matters, when very -early in the morning Dionysius came to my house. I should not only -have been civil to him, I should have pardoned him altogether, if he -had come in the spirit you described. For the letter I got at Arpinum -said that he was coming and would do whatever I wanted; and I wanted or -rather longed that he should be with me. It was because he had flatly -refused to do so, when he came to my villa at Formiae, I used to write -to you about him rather bitterly. However, after the first greeting, -he said, to put it shortly, that I must excuse him and that business -prevented his going with me. I said little in reply, but I was greatly -hurt, for I understood that he looked down on my fortunes. You may be -astonished, but you must know that this is one of the greatest sorrows -I have suffered in this crisis. I hope that he may be a friend to you. -When I wish that, I wish you prosperity, for just so long he will be -your friend. - -My plan, I hope, will be free from risk, for I have kept the matter a -secret, and, as I think, I shall not be watched very keenly. Only let -the voyage be as good as I want, and all precautions that foresight can -suggest will be taken. While I am here, please write not only anything -you know or hear, but even what you foresee. - -Cato, who could have held Sicily without any trouble--and, if he had -held it, all loyalists would have flocked to him--sailed from Syracuse -on the - - * * * * * - - Page 344 - -Curio scripsit. Utinam, quod aiunt, Cotta Sardiniam teneat! est enim -rumor. O, si id fuerit, turpem Catonem! - -Ego, ut minuerem suspicionem profectionis aut cogitationis meae, -profectus sum in Pompeianum a. d. IIII Idus, ut ibi essem, dum, -quae ad navigandum opus essent, pararentur. Cum ad villam venissem, -relatum[160] est ad me centuriones trium cohortium, quae Pompeiis sunt, -me velle postridie convenire. Haec mecum Ninnius noster, velle eos mihi -se et oppidum tradere. At ego abii postridie a villa ante lucem, ut me -omnino illi ne viderent. Quid enim erat in tribus cohortibus? quid, -si plures? quo apparatu? Cogitavi eadem illa Caeliana, quae legi in -epistula tua, quam accepi, simul et in Cumanum veni eodem die, et simul -fieri poterat, ut temptaremur. Omnem igitur suspicionem sustuli. Sed, -dum redeo, Hortensius venerat et ad Terentiam salutatum deverterat. -Sermone erat usus honorifico erga me. Iam eum, ut puto, videbo; misit -enim puerum se ad me venire. Hoc quidem melius quam collega noster -Antonius, cuius inter lictores lectica mima portatur. - -[160] relatum _Müller_: ventum _MSS._ - -Tu, quoniam quartana cares et novum morbum removisti, sed etiam -gravedinem, teque vegetum nobis in Graecia siste et litterarum aliquid -interea. - - * * * * * - - Page 345 - -23rd of April, as Curio has informed me by letter. I only hope Cotta -may hold Sardinia, as they say, for there is a rumour to that effect. -If that happens, what a reflection of Cato! - -To lessen suspicion of my journey and intentions I started for my -place at Pompeii on the 12th of May to stay there while the necessary -provisions were made for my voyage. When I arrived, I was told the -centurions of the three cohorts here wished to visit me the next day. -That was what my friend Ninnius said--that they wished to hand over -themselves and the town to me. But I left the next morning before -daybreak, so that they should not see me at all: for what was the -use of three cohorts, or more indeed? And what was our equipment? -I pondered too over the matter of Caelius when I read it in your -letter, which I received on the same day as I arrived at Cumae. It was -possible too that it was a mere ruse, so I did away with all grounds -of suspicion. But, while I was on my way back, Hortensius came, and -turned out of his way to greet Terentia, and he had spoken of me with -much courtesy. I think I shall see him soon, for he has sent a servant -to announce his coming. This is better behaviour than that of my fellow -augur Antony, who carries an actress in a sedan among his lictors. - -As you have lost your quartan fever and have not only thrown off your -new malady but also your cold, you must present yourself before me -sound and fit in Greece. Meanwhile drop me a line. - - * * * * * - - Page 346 - - - - -XVII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Cumano XVII K. Iun. a. 705_] - -Pr. Idus Hortensius ad me venit seripta epistula. Vellem cetera eius! -quam in me incredibilem ἐκτένειαν! Qua quidem cogito uti. Deinde -Serapion cum epistula tua. Quam priusquam aperuissem, dixi ei te ad -me de eo scripsisse antea, ut feceras. Deinde epistula lecta[161] -cumulatissime cetera. Et hercule hominem probo; nam et doctum et probum -existimo; quin etiam navi eius me et ipso convectore usurum puto. - -[161] lecta _Manutius_: scripta _MSS._ - -Crebro refricat lippitudo non illa quidem perodiosa, sed tamen quae -impediat scriptionem meam. Valetudinem tuam iam confirmatam esse et a -vetere morbo et a novis temptationibus gaudeo. - -Ocellam vellem haberemus; videntur enim esse haec paulo faciliora -futura. Nunc quidem aequinoctium nos moratur, quod valde perturbatum -erat. Id si transierit,[162] utinam idem maneat Hortensius! si quidem, -ut adhuc erat, liberalius esse nihil potest. - -[162] transierit _Ziehen_: cras erit _MSS._: ἀκραὲς erit _Bosius_. - -De diplomate admiraris quasi nescio cuius te flagitii insimularim. -Negas enim te reperire, qui mihi id in mentem venerit. Ego autem, -quia scripseras te proficisci cogitare (etenim audieram nemini aliter -licere), eo te habere censebam, et quia pueris diploma sumpseras. Habes -causam opinionis meae. Et tamen - - * * * * * - - Page 347 - - - - -XVII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Cumae, May 16_, B.C. _49_] - -On the 14th of May Hortensius came to me, just as I had written my -letter. I wish his conduct were always as it is now.[163] You would -never believe how gushing he was, and I intend to take advantage of it. -Then Serapion came with a letter from you. Before I opened it, I told -him that you had written to me about him before, as you had done. Then -when I had read the letter, I told him the rest in full detail, and -upon my word I like the man; for I think him to be learned and upright. -Moreover I think I will use his ship and make him my fellow-passenger. - -[163] Or "I wish he would always confine himself to writing." But the -passage may be corrupt. - -Inflammation of the eyes often breaks out again, not indeed very -troublesome, but enough to prevent my writing. That your health has -recovered from your old complaint and your new attacks I am glad. - -I wish I had Ocella here: for it looks as if things are going to be -rather easier. Just now the equinox is delaying me. It has been very -boisterous. When that is over, I only hope Hortensius may keep to the -same mind. So far he could not be more generous. - -You wonder about the passport I mentioned, as if I hinted you were -guilty of some crime. You say you can't discover how it came into my -mind. For my part since you wrote that you meditated leaving, and I had -heard that a passport was indispensable, I decided you must have one: -and also because you had taken out a passport for the boys. That was -the reason for my opinion, but please write and tell me - - * * * * * - - Page 348 - -velim scire, quid cogites, in primisque, si quid etiam nunc novi est. - -XVII K. Iun. - - - - -XVIII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Cumano XIV aut XIII K. Iun. a. 705_] - -Tullia mea peperit XIIII K. Iun. puerum ἑπταμηνιαῖον. Quod εὐτόκησεν, -gaudeo; quod quidem est natum, perimbecillum est. Me mirificae -tranquillitates adhuc tenuerunt atque maiori impedimento fuerunt quam -custodiae, quibus adservor. Nam illa Hortensiana omnia fuere infantia. -Ita fiet. Homo nequissimus a Salvio liberto depravatus est. Itaque -posthac non scribam ad te, quid facturus sim, sed quid fecerim; omnes -enim Κωρυκαῖοι videntur subauscultare, quae loquor. - -Tu tamen, si quid de Hispaniis sive quid aliud, perge, quaeso, scribere -nec meas litteras exspectaris, nisi cum, quo opto, pervenerimus, aut si -quid ex cursu. Sed hoc quoque timide scribo. Ita omnia tarda adhuc et -spissa. Ut male posuimus initia, sic cetera sequuntur. - -Formias nunc sequimur; eodem nos fortasse Furiae persequentur. Ex Balbi -autem sermone, quem tecum habuit, non probamus de Melita. Dubitas -igitur, quin nos in hostium numero habeat? Scripsi equidem Balbo te ad -me et de benevolentia scripsisse et de - - * * * * * - - Page 349 - -what you intend, and especially if there is any news. - -May 16. - - - - -XVIII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Cumae, May 19 or 20_, B.C. _49_] - -My daughter was confined on the 19th of May: a boy, a seven months' -child. I am glad she had a safe delivery. As for the thing that has -been born, it is a very poor specimen. So far I have been detained by -an astonishing calm, which has been a greater hindrance than the watch -kept on me. For all that gush of Hortensius proved child's talk. So it -will be found. The villain has been corrupted by Salvius his freeman. -Accordingly hereafter I shall write to you, not what I intend to do but -what I have done. For every eavesdropper[164] seems to be listening to -what I say. - -[164] The people of Corycus in Pamphylia spied on merchant vessels and -betrayed them to pirates. Hence their name became a proverbial term for -spies and eavesdroppers. - -However if you have any news about Spain or any other topic, please -write, but do not count on a letter from me, till I have reached -the desired haven; or possibly I may write something on the voyage. -But even this much I write in fear. How sluggishly and draggingly -everything has gone! The foundation was badly laid and the rest is of a -piece. - -Just now I am going to Formiae; perhaps there too the Furies will -follow me. However according to Balbus' conversation with you my idea -of going to Malta does not win approval. Can you doubt then that Caesar -regards me as an enemy? To be sure I have written to Balbus telling him -that you had informed me of his kindness and his suspicion. I - - * * * * * - - Page 350 - -suspicione. Egi gratias; de altero ei me purga. Ecquem tu hominem -infeliciorem? Non loquor plura, ne te quoque excruciem. Ipse conficior -venisse tempus, cum iam nec fortiter nec prudenter quicquam facere -possim. - - * * * * * - - Page 351 - -thanked him for his kindness: as regards the suspicion, clear me. Is -there a more unlucky man living? I won't say more for fear of hurting -you too. I am tortured by the thought that the time has come when I can -no longer act either with boldness or discretion. - - * * * * * - - Page 352 - - - - -M. TULLI CICERONIS EPISTULARUM AD ATTICUM LIBER UNDECIMUS - - - - -I - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Epiro inter Non. et Id. Ian., ut videtur, a. 706_] - -Accepi a te signatum libellum, quem Anteros attulerat; ex quo nihil -scire potui de nostris domesticis rebus. De quibus acerbissime -adflictor, quod, qui eas dispensavit, neque adest istic, neque, ubi -terrarum sit, scio. Omnem autem spem habeo existimationis privatarumque -rerum in tua erga me mihi perspectissima benevolentia. Quam si his -temporibus miseris et extremis praestiteris, haec pericula, quae mihi -communia sunt cum ceteris, fortius feram; idque ut facias, te obtestor -atque obsecro. Ego in cistophoro in Asia habeo ad sestertium bis et -viciens. Huius pecuniae permutatione fidem nostram facile tuebere; quam -quidem ego nisi expeditam relinquere me putassem credens ei, cui tu -scis iam pridem minime credere me debere, commoratus essem paulisper -nec domesticas res impeditas reliquissem. Ob eamque causam serius ad te -scribo, quod sero intellexi, quid timendum esset. Te etiam atque etiam -oro, ut me totum tuendum suscipias, ut, si ei salvi erunt, quibuscum -sum, una cum iis possim incolumis esse salutemque meam benevolentiae -tuae acceptam referre. - - * * * * * - - Page 353 - - - - -CICERO'S LETTERS TO ATTICUS BOOK XI - - - - -I - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Epirus, January_, B.C. _48_] - -I got your sealed document, which Anteros brought. It gave me no -information about my private affairs. I am exceedingly distressed -about them, because Philotimus, who managed them, is not at Rome, nor -do I know where in the world he is. And my whole hope of preserving -my credit and private property lies in your tried and proved kindness -towards me. If in this last desperate crisis you still show that, I -shall face the dangers which I share with others more courageously: -and I adjure and beseech you to do so. I have in local currency[165] -in Asia nearly £18,000.[166] By a bill of exchange for that amount it -will be easy for you to maintain my credit. Unless I had thought I were -leaving it all square (trusting one, whom you have long since known I -ought not to have trusted), I should have delayed a little longer and -not left my private concerns embarrassed. The reason why I have been -rather long in writing to you about it, is that I was a long time in -gathering what was to be feared. Again and again I beseech you that you -undertake to protect me in every way, so that, supposing my present -associates are spared, I may along with them remain unembarrassed and -put down my safety to your kindness. - -[165] An Asiatic coin bearing as a device the _cista_ of Dionysius half -opened with a snake creeping out of it. - -[166] 2,200,000 sesterces. - - * * * * * - - Page 354 - - - - -II - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in Epiro med. m. Mart., ut videtur, a. 706_] - -Litteras tuas accepi pr. Non. Febr. eoque ipso die ex testamento crevi -hereditatem. Ex multis meis miserrimis curis est una levata, si, ut -scribis, ista hereditas fidem et famam meam tueri potest; quam quidem -intellego te etiam sine hereditate tuis opibus defensurum fuisse. De -dote quod scribis, per omnes deos te obtestor, ut totam rem suscipias -et illam miseram mea culpa et neglegentia tueare meis opibus, si quae -sunt, tuis, quibus tibi molestum non erit, facultatibus. Cui quidem -deesse omnia, quod scribis, obsecro te, noli pati. In quos enim sumptus -abeunt fructus praediorum? Iam illa HS L̅X̅, quae scribis, nemo mihi -umquam dixit ex dote esse detracta; numquam enim essem passus. Sed haec -minima est ex eis iniuriis, quas accepi; de quibus ad te dolore et -lacrimis scribere prohibeor. Ex ea pecunia, quae fuit in Asia, partem -dimidiam fere exegi. Tutius videbatur fore ibi, ubi est, quam apud -publicanos. - -Quod me hortaris, ut firmo sim animo, vellem posses aliquid adferre, -quam ob rem id facere possem. Sed, si ad ceteras miserias accessit -etiam id, quod mihi Chrysippus dixit parari (tu nihil significasti) de - - * * * * * - - Page 355 - - - - -II - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Epirus, March_, B.C. _48_] - -I received your letter on the 4th of February, and on the same day I -accepted the inheritance formally according to the will. Of my many and -miserable anxieties one is taken away, if, as you say, this inheritance -is sufficient to maintain my credit and reputation, though I know you -would have defended it even without the inheritance with all your -resources. As for what you write about the dowry[167] I adjure you for -heaven's sake to manage the whole business and protect the poor girl, -a victim of my culpable carelessness, with my funds, if there are any, -and out of your own, so far as you can without inconvenience. Pray do -not let her remain in the utter want you depict. On what are the rents -of my farms being wasted? That 500 guineas[168] of which you write, no -one ever told me that it had been kept back out of the dowry, for I -would never have allowed it. But that is the least of the blows I have -suffered. I cannot write to you about them for sorrow and tears. Of the -money I had in Asia I have called in nearly half. It would appear to be -safer where it is than with the tax-collectors. - -[167] The second instalment of Tullia's dowry due to Dolabella before -July; cf. xi, 3. Dowries were paid in three instalments. - -[168] 60,000 sesterces. - -As for your exhortations to be of good courage, I wish you could find -some reason why I should be so. If, on the top of my other sorrows, -there comes that which Chrysippus said is under consideration (you gave -me no hint), I mean the confiscation of my town - - * * * * * - - Page 356 - -domo, quis me miserior uno iam fuit? Oro, obsecro, ignosce. Non possum -plura scribere. Quanto maerore urgear, profecto vides. Quod si mihi -commune cum ceteris esset, qui videntur in eadem causa esse, minor -mea culpa videretur et eo tolerabilior esset. Nunc nihil est, quod -consoletur, nisi quid tu efficis, si modo etiam nunc effici potest, ut -ne qua singulari adficiar calamitate et iniuria. - -Tardius ad te remisi tabellarium, quod potestas mittendi non fuit. A -tuis et nummorum accepi HS L̅X̅X̅ et, vestimentorum quod opus fuit. -Quibus tibi videbitur, velim des litteras meo nomine. Nosti meos -familiares. Si signum requirent aut manum, dices me propter custodias -ea vitasse. - - - - -III - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in castris Pompei Id. Iun. a. 706_] - -Quid hic agatur, scire poteris ex eo, qui litteras attulit. Quem -diutius tenui, quia cotidie aliquid novi exspectabamus; neque nunc -mittendi tamen ulla causa fuit praeter eam, de qua tibi rescribi -voluisti, quod ad Kal. Quinct. pertinet, quid vellem. Utrumque grave -est, et tam gravi tempore periculum tantae pecuniae, et dubio rerum -exitu ista, quam scribis, abruptio. Quare ut alia sic hoc vel maxime - - * * * * * - - Page 357 - -house, I am the most wretched man alive. I pray and beseech you pardon -me. I can write no more. You see, I am sure, with what a weight of -misery I am oppressed. If I shared it with others, who seem to be -in the same predicament, I should feel less blameworthy and bear it -better. Now I have no consolation unless you can arrange, if it is now -possible, that I may not be visited with any special disaster and harm. - -I have been rather slow in sending back your letter-carrier, because -there was no opportunity of sending him. From your agents I have -received some £600[169] and the necessary clothing. Please send letters -to any people you think right in my name. You know my intimate friends. -If they notice the absence of my seal or handwriting, please say I have -avoided using them owing to the sentries. - -[169] 70,000 sesterces. - - - - -III - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Camp of Pompey, June 3_, B.C. _48_] - -What is happening here you may gather from the bearer of your letter. -I have kept him longer than I should, because every day I am expecting -something fresh to happen, and there was no reason for sending him even -now, except the subject on which you ask for an answer, namely what -I wish as to the first of July. Both courses are dangerous, both the -risk of such a sum of money at such a dangerous time, and the breaking -with Dolabella, which you mention, while the political issue is still -uncertain. Accordingly I will leave this matter in particular like -others - - * * * * * - - Page 358 - -tuae curae benevolentiaeque permitto et illius consilio et voluntati; -cui miserae consuluissem melius, si tecum olim coram potius quam per -litteras de salute nostra fortunisque deliberavissem. - -Quod negas praecipuum mihi ullum in communibus incommodis impendere, -etsi ista res non nihil habet consolationis, tamen etiam praecipua -multa sunt, quae tu profecto vides et gravissima esse et me facillime -vitare potuisse. Ea tamen erunt minora, si, ut adhuc factum est, -administratione et diligentia tua levabuntur. - -Pecunia apud Egnatium est. Sit a me, ut est. Neque enim hoc, quod -agitur, videtur diuturnum esse posse, ut scire iam possim, quid maxime -opus sit. Etsi egeo rebus omnibus, quod is quoque in angustiis est, -quicum sumus; cui magnam dedimus pecuniam mutuam, opinantes nobis -constitutis rebus eam rem etiam honori fore. Tu, ut antea fecisti, -velim, si qui erunt, ad quos aliquid scribendum a me existimes, ipse -conficias. Tuis salutem die. Cura, ut valeas. In primis id, quod -scribis, omnibus rebus cura et provide, ne quid ei desit, de qua scis -me miserrimum esse. Idibus Iuniis ex castris. - - - - -IV - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. in castris Pompei Id. Quint. a. 706_] - -Accepi ab Isidoro litteras et postea datas binas. Ex proximis cognovi -praedia non venisse. Videbis - - * * * * * - - Page 359 - -to your kind care, and to the consideration and desire of poor Tullia, -whose interests would have been better consulted, if originally I had -discussed our safety and fortunes with you in person rather than by -letter. - -You say there is no trouble threatening me especially in this public -misfortune. There is a little consolation in that, but there are many -circumstances special to me, which you must see are very serious and -might easily have been avoided. However they will be less serious, if, -as hitherto, they are lightened by your care and management. - -The money is with Egnatius. Let it remain there, so far as I am -concerned: for things cannot last long as they are, so that I shall -soon know what is most necessary. However, I am in want of everything, -because the man I am with[170] too is in great straits and I have lent -him a large sum of money, thinking that, when things settle down, that -will bring me honour as well as profit. Please, as before, if there -are any persons to whom you think I ought to write, do it for me. Pay -my greetings to your family. Take care of your health. Above all, as -you say, make every careful provision that nothing maybe wanting to my -daughter, on whose account you know I am very unhappy. - -[170] Pompey. - -June 13, at the camp. - - - - -IV - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _In Pompey's camp, July 15_, B.C. _48_] - -I have received your letter by Isidorus and two written later. From the -last I understand that the - - * * * * * - - Page 360 - -ergo, ut sustentetur per te. De Frusinati, si modo fruituri sumus, erit -mihi res opportuna. Meas litteras quod requiris, impedior inopia rerum, -quas nullas habeo litteris dignas, quippe cui, nec quae accidunt, nec -quae aguntur, ullo modo probentur. Utinam coram tecum olim potius quam -per epistulas! Hic tua, ut possum, tueor apud hos. Cetera Celer. Ipse -fugi adhuc omne munus eo magis, quod ita nihil poterat agi, ut mihi et -meis rebus aptum esset. - - - - -IVa - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Dyrrhachi inter XVI et XII K. Quint. a. 706_] - -Quid sit gestum novi, quaeris. Ex Isidoro scire poteris. Reliqua non -videntur esse difficiliora. Tu id velim quod scis me maxime velle, -cures, ut scribis, ut facis. Me conficit sollicitudo, ex qua etiam -summa infirmitas corporis. Qua levata ero una cum eo, qui negotium -gerit estque in spe magna. Brutus amicus; in causa versatur acriter. - -Hactenus fuit, quod caute a me scribi posset. Vale. De pensione -altera, oro te, omni cura considera quid faciendum sit, ut scripsi iis -litteris, quas Pollex tulit. - - * * * * * - - Page 361 - -property did not sell. So please see to her support yourself. As to -the estate at Frusino, if only I am to enjoy the fruits, it will be -convenient for me. You say I owe you a letter. Well, I am hindered -by want of matter, having nothing worth writing; for nothing that -happens and nothing that is done has my approbation at all. If only I -could talk with you instead of writing! Here to the best of my power -I conserve your interests with these people. The rest Celer will do. -Hitherto I have avoided every office, especially as it was impossible -for anything to be done in a way that suited me and my fortunes. - - - - -IVa - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Dyrrhachium, June 15 to 19_, B.C. _48_] - -You ask what new moves have been made. Isidorus will tell you. I don't -think the rest of the task will be any more difficult. Please pay -attention to what you know is my greatest wish, as you say you are -doing. I am overwhelmed by care, and that brings with it also great -bodily infirmity. When that has passed, I shall go to the man who -is conducting the business and who is in high hopes.[171] Brutus is -friendly; and takes a keen part in the cause. - -[171] I.e. Pompey, who had won a temporary success by piercing Caesar's -lines. - -That is all that I can prudently commit to paper. Farewell. About the -second instalment of Tullia's dowry, pray consider carefully what ought -to be done, as I said in the letter, which Pollex took. - - * * * * * - - Page 362 - - - - -V - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi pr. Non. Nov. a. 706_] - -Quae me causae moverint, quam acerbae, quam graves, quam novae, -coegerintque impetu magis quodam animi uti quam cogitatione, non possum -ad te sine maximo dolore scribere. Fuerunt quidem tantae, ut id, quod -vides, effecerint. Itaque, nec quid ad te scribam de meis rebus nec -quid a te petam reperio; rem et summam negotii vides. - -Equidem ex tuis litteris intellexi, et eis, quas com muniter cum aliis -scripsisti, et eis quas tuo nomine quod etiam mea sponte videbam, te -subita re quas debilitatum novas rationes tuendi mei quaerere. Quod -scribis placere, ut propius accedam iterque per oppida noctu faciam, -non sane video, quern ad modum id fieri possit. Neque enim ita apta -habeo devorsoria, ut tota tempora diurna in iis possim consumere, neque -ad id, quod quaeris, multum interest utrum me homines in oppido videant -an in via. Sed tamen hoc ipsum sicut alia considerabo, quem ad modum -commodissime fieri posse videatur. - -Ego propter incredibilem et animi et corporis molestiam conficere -plures litteras non potui; eis tantum rescripsi, a quibus acceperam. -Tu velim et Basilo et quibus praeterea videbitur, etiam Servilio -conscribas, ut tibi videbitur, meo nomine. Quod tanto intervallo nihil -omnino ad vos scripsi, his litteris profecto - - * * * * * - - Page 363 - - - - -V - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Brundisium, Nov. 4_, B.C. _48_] - -What were the reasons, how bitter, how grave and unforeseen, which -swayed me and compelled me to act by a kind of impulse rather than -by reflection, I cannot bring myself to write without great agony of -mind. So weighty were they that they have brought about what you see. -Accordingly I do not know what to tell you about my affairs nor what -to ask of you. You can see for yourself the sum and substance of the -matter. - -For my part I have gathered from your letters--both that which you -wrote in conjunction with others and the one you wrote in your own -name--what I saw myself too, that you are somewhat disconcerted by -my sudden move, and are looking for some new means of protecting -me. I don't quite see how I can do as you suggest and come nearer -to Rome, travelling through towns at night. For I have not suitable -stopping-places to spend all the days in; nor, for the point you are -aiming at, does it much matter whether I am seen in towns or on the -road. However I will consider how this plan, as well as others, can -most conveniently be carried out. - -I am so fearfully upset both in mind and body that I have not been able -to write many letters; I have only answered those who have written to -me. I should like you to write in my name to Basilus and to anyone else -you like, even to Servilius, and say whatever you think fit. From this -letter you will quite understand that the reason why I have not written -to you at all for such a long time, is that I - - * * * * * - - Page 364 - -intellegis rem mihi desse, de qua scribam, non voluntatem. - -Quod de Vatinio quaeris, neque illius neque cuiusquam mihi praeterea -officium desset, si reperire possent, qua in re me iuvarent. Quintus -aversissimo a me animo Patris fuit. Eodem Corcyra filius venit. Inde -profectos eos una cum ceteris arbitror. - - - - -VI - -CICERO ATTICO SALUTEM DICIT. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi IV K. Dec. a. 706_] - -Sollicitum esse te, cum de tuis communibusque fortunis, tum maxime -de me ac de dolore meo sentio. Qui quidem meus dolor non modo non -minuitur, cum socium sibi adiungit dolorem tuum, sed etiam augetur. -Omnino pro tua prudentia sentis, qua consolatione levari maxime -possim. Probas enim meum consilium negasque mihi quicquam tali tempore -potius faciendum fuisse. Addis etiam (quod etsi mihi levius est quam -tuum iudicium, tamen non est leve) ceteris quoque, id est qui pondus -habeant, factum nostrum probari. Id si ita putarem, levius dolerem. -"Crede," inquis, "mihi." Credo equidem, sed scio, quam cupias minui -dolorem meum. Me discessisse ab armis numquam paenituit. Tanta erat -in illis crudelitas, tanta cum barbaris gentibus coniunctio, ut non -nominatim, sed generatim proscriptio esset informata, ut iam omnium -iudicio constitutum esset omnium vestrum bona praedam esse illius -victoriae. "Vestrum" plane dico; numquam enim de te ipso nisi - - * * * * * - - Page 365 - -had nothing to write about, not that I did not wish to write. - -For your query about Vatinius, neither he nor anyone else would fail -in service to me, if they could find any means of helping me. Quintus -showed the bitterest ill-feeling to me at Patrae. His son came thither -from Corcyra: and I suppose they have set out from there with the -others. - - - - -VI - -CICERO to ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Brundisium, November 27_, B.C. _48_] - -I see you are anxious about your own fate and the fate of us all, and -especially about me and my sorrows; but my sorrows are not lessened one -whit by the addition of yours in sympathy, they are even increased. -Of course your own intelligence makes you feel what consolation can -comfort me most: for you approve of my plan and say that under the -circumstances I could not have done anything better. You add something, -which does not weigh with me so much as your judgement, though it -has some weight, that every one else--I mean every one else who -matters--approves of what I did. If I could persuade myself of that, I -should feel less sorrow. "Believe me," you say. I do believe you; but I -know how anxious you are to relieve my sorrow. I have never regretted -leaving the camp. Cruelty was so rampant there, and there was so close -an alliance with barbarian nations, that a plan was sketched out for -a proscription not of persons but of whole classes; and everybody had -made up their minds that the property of you all was to be the prize of -his victory. I say "you" advisedly, for none - - * * * * * - - Page 366 - -crudelissime cogitatum est. Quare voluntatis me meae numquam -paenitebit, consilii paenitet. In oppido aliquo mallem resedisse, quoad -accerserer: minus sermonis subissem, minus accepissem doloris; ipsum -hoc me non angeret. Brundisi iacere in omnes partes est molestum. -Propius accedere, ut suades, quo modo sine lictoribus, quos populus -dedit, possum? qui mihi incolumi adimi non possunt. Quos ego nunc -paulisper cum bacillis in turbam conieci ad oppidum accedens, ne -quis impetus militum fieret. Reliquo tempore me domi tenui.[172] -Ad Oppium et Balbum scripsi,[173] quonam iis placeret modo propius -accedere, ut hac de re considerarent. Credo fore auctores. Sic enim -recipiunt, Caesari non modo de conservanda, sed etiam de augenda mea -dignitate curae fore, meque hortantur, ut magno animo sim, ut omnia -summa sperem. Ea spondent, confirmant. Quae quidem mihi exploratiora -essent, si remansissem. Sed ingero praeterita; vide, quaeso, igitur -ea, quae restant, et explora cum istis, et, si putabis opus esse, et -si istis placebit, quo magis factam nostrum Caesar probet quasi de -suorum sententia factum, adhibeantur Trebonius, Pansa, si qui alii, -scribantque ad Caesarem me, quicquid fecerim, de sua sententia fecisse. - -[172] Reliquo tempore me domi tenui _Hofmann_: recipio tempore me domo -te nunc _MSS._ - -[173] Balbum scripsi _added by Lambinus and Lehmann_. - -Tulliae meae morbus et imbecillitas corporis me exanimat. Quam tibi -intellego magnae curae esse, quod est mihi gratissimum. De Pompei exitu -mihi - - * * * * * - - Page 367 - -but the cruellest thoughts were entertained about you personally. So -I shall never regret my resolve; but I do regret my plan of action. -I wish I had settled down in some town, till I was called for. There -would have been less talk about me, less pain for me; this particular -regret at any rate would not be worrying me. To remain inactive at -Brundisium is annoying from every point of view. And how can I go -nearer to Rome, as you advise, without the lictors given me by the -people? They cannot be taken from me without depriving me of my rights. -Only lately, as I was approaching Brundisium, I made them mix with the -crowd with nothing but sticks in their hands for fear the soldiery -might attack them: ever since I have kept at home. I have written to -Oppius and to Balbus, asking them to consider how I can move nearer -to Rome. I think they will advise me to do so. For they promise that -Caesar will be anxious not only to preserve my dignity, but even to -increase it; and they bid me be of good cheer and entertain the highest -of hopes. This they warrant and guarantee. Personally I should have -felt surer about it, if I had stayed where I was. But that is harping -on the past; so pray look to the future and investigate the matter -with them, and, if you think it necessary and they approve, call in -Trebonius, Pansa and anyone else you like, that I may win Caesar's -approval by appearing to follow his friends' advice, and let them write -to Caesar, telling him that, what I have done, I did at their advice. - -My dear Tullia's illness and weakness frightens me to death. I -understand you are taking great care of her, and I am very grateful. -About Pompey's end - - * * * * * - - Page 368 - -dubium numquam fuit. Tanta enim desperatio rerum eius omnium regum -et populorum animos occuparat, ut, quocumque venisset, hoc putarem -futurum. Non possum eius casum non dolere; hominem enim integrum et -castum et gravem cognovi. De Fannio consoler te? Perniciosa loquebatur -de mansione tua. L. vero Lentulus Hortensi domum sibi et Caesaris -hortos et Baias desponderat. Omnino haec eodem modo ex hac parte fiunt, -nisi quod illud erat infintum. Omnes enim, qui in Italia manserant, -hostium numero habebantur. Sed velim haec aliquando solutiore animo. - -Quintum fratrem audio profectum in Asiam, ut deprecaretur. De filio -nihil audivi; sed quaere ex Diochare, Caesaris liberto, quem ego non -vidi, qui istas Alexandrea litteras attulit. Is dicitur vidisse Quintum -euntem an iam in Asia. Tuas litteras, prout res postulat, exspecto. -Quas velim cures quam primum ad me perferendas. IIII K. Decembr. - - - - -VII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi XIV Kal. Ian. a. 706_] - -Gratae tuae mihi litterae sunt, quibus accurate perscripsisti omnia, -quae ad me pertinere arbitratus es. Et factum igitur tu scribis istis -placere et placere[174] isdem istis lictoribus me uti, quod concessum -Sestio - -[174] es. Et factum igitur tu scribis istis placere et placere -_Steinkopf_: est ea factum igitur ut scribis istis placere _MSS._ - - * * * * * - - Page 369 - -I never had any doubt. For despair of his success had so completely -taken possession of the minds of all the kings and peoples, that I -thought this would happen to him, wherever he might go. I cannot help -feeling sorry for his fate, for I knew him to be a man of honour and -high moral principle. Am I to condole with you about Fannius? He used -to speak virulently of you for staying in Rome. L. Lentulus, you know, -had promised himself Hortensius' house, Caesar's gardens, and a place -at Baiae. Precisely the same is taking place on this side too, except -that on the other there was no limit. For they counted every one who -stayed in Italy as an enemy. But I would rather speak of this sometime -when I am less worried. - -I hear my brother Quintus has set out for Asia to make his peace. About -his son I have heard nothing; but ask Diochares, Caesar's freedman, who -brought those letters from Alexandria. I have not seen him. He is said -to have seen Quintus either on the way, or was it already in Asia? I am -looking forward to a letter from you, as the occasion demands. Please -try to get it conveyed to me as soon as possible. - -November 27. - - - - -VII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Brundisium, Dec. 17_, B.C. _48_] - -I am much obliged to you for your letter, in which you have recorded -carefully everything you think concerns me. So you say that they -approve both of my actions, and of my keeping my lictors, as Sestius -is allowed to keep his: though in his case I think it is not so much a -question of being allowed to keep - - * * * * * - - Page 370 - -sit; cui non puto suos esse concessos, sed ad ipso datos. Audio enim -eum ea senatus consulta improbare, quae post discessum tribunorum -facta sunt. Quare poterit, si volet sibi constare, nostros lictores -comprobare, - -Quamquam quid ego de lictoribus, qui paene ex Italia decedere sim -iussus? Nam ad me misit Antonius exemplum Caesaris ad se litterarum, -in quibus erat se audisse Catonem et L. Metellum in Italiam venisse, -Romae ut essent palam. Id sibi non placere, ne qui motus ex eo fierent; -prohiberique omnes Italia, nisi quorum ipse causam cognovisset; -deque eo vehementius erat scriptum. Itaque Antonius petebat a me per -litteras, ut sibi ignoscerem; facere se non posse, quin iis litteris -pareret. Tum ad eum misi L. Lamiam, qui demonstraret illum Dolabellae -dixisse, ut ad me scriberet, ut in Italiam quam primum venirem; eius -me litteris venisse. Tum ille edixit ita, ut me exciperet et Laelium -nominatim. Quod sane nollem; poterat enim sine nomine res ipsa excipi. - -O multas et graves offensiones! quas quidem tu das operam ut lenias, -nec tamen nihil proficis, quin hoc ipso minuis dolorem meum, quod, -ut minuas, tam valde laboras; idque velim ne gravere quam saepissime -facere. Maxime autem adsequere, quod vis, si me adduxeris, ut existimem -me bonorum iudicium non funditus perdidisse. Quamquam quid tu in eo -potes? Nihil scilicet. Sed, si quid res dabit tibi facultatis, id me -maxima consolari poterit; quod nunc quidem - - * * * * * - - Page 371 - -them as of their being assigned to him by Caesar himself. For I am told -he repudiates all the decrees of the Senate which were passed after the -departure of the tribunes. So, if he wants to be consistent, he will be -able to approve my lictors. - -However, what is the use of talking about lictors, when I have almost -been ordered to leave Italy. For Antony has sent me a copy of a letter -from Caesar, in which he said he had heard that Cato and L. Metellus -had come to Italy and intended to live openly at Rome: that he did not -like, for fear it might cause some disturbance: and that none may enter -Italy, until he has himself investigated their case. He put the point -very strongly. So Antony wrote asking my pardon, and saying he could -not help obeying the letter. Then I sent L. Lamia to him to point out -that Caesar had told Dolabella to write and tell me to come to Italy as -soon as possible: and that it was on the strength of that letter that -I had come. Then Antony issued an edict excepting myself and Laelius -by name. I wish he had not done that: he might have made an exception -without mentioning names. - -What a heap of troubles and how serious too! And you are doing your -best to make them lighter, and with some success--indeed that you try -so hard to relieve me is some relief in itself. I hope you won't find -it a burden to do so as often as possible. But you will succeed in your -object best, if you can convince me that I have not entirely lost the -good opinion of the loyal party. Yet what can you do in that matter? -Nothing of course. But, if anything gives a chance, that is what will -best console me. I see that at present it is impossible: - - * * * * * - - Page 372 - -video non esse, sed, si quid ex eventis, ut hoc nunc accidit. Dicebar -debuisse cum Pompeio proficisci. Exitus illius minuit eius officii -praetermissi reprehensionem. Sed ex omnibus nihil magis tamem -desideratur, quam quod in Africam non ierim. Iudicio hoc sum usus, non -esse barbaris auxiliis fallacissimae gentis rem publicam defendendam, -praesertim contra exercitum saepe victorem, Non probant fortasse; -multos enim viros bonos in Africam venisse audio et scio fuisse antea. -Valde hoc loco urgeor. Hic quoque opus est casu, ut aliqui sint ex -eis, aut, si potest, omnes qui salutem anteponant. Nam, si perseverant -et obtinent, quid nobis futurum sit, vides. Dices: "Quid illis, si -victi erunt?" Honestior est plaga. Haec me excruciant. Sulpici autem -consilium non scripsisti cur meo non anteponeres. Quod etsi non tam -gloriosum est quam Catonis, tamen et periculo vacuum est et dolore. -Extremum est eorum, qui in Achaia sunt. Ei tamen ipsi se hoc melius -habent quam nos, quod et multi sunt uno in loco, et, cum in Italiam -venerint, domum statim venerint. Haec tu perge, ut facis, mitigare et -probare quam plurimis. - -Quod te excusas, ego vero et tuas causas nosco et mea interesse puto te -istic esse, vel ut cum eis, quibus oportebit, agas, quae erunt agenda -de nobis, - - * * * * * - - Page 373 - -but if anything does turns up, as in this present case. It used to be -said that I ought to have gone with Pompey: but now his death tends to -absolve me from blame for neglecting my duty in that case. But where I -am thought to have been most lacking is in not going to Africa. My view -was that barbarian auxiliaries drawn from a most deceitful race were -not the proper persons to defend the State, especially against an army -which had won so many victories. That view may not meet with approval; -for I hear that many patriots have arrived in Africa, and I know there -were some there before. This is a point that really bothers me: and -here again I must trust to luck, that there may be some of them, or, -if such a thing is possible, all of them, who put safety first. For, -if they hold fast and succeed, you can see what a position I shall be -in. You will say "How about it, if they are defeated?" That is a more -honourable blow. This is what tortures me. However, you have not told -me why you do not prefer Sulpicius' policy to mine. It may not be so -glorious as Cato's: but it is at any rate free from danger and regret. -The last case is that of those who stayed in Achaia. Even they are in -a better position than I am, because there are many of them together, -and, when they do come to Italy, they will go straight home. Please -continue your efforts to ameliorate my position and to win over as many -people as possible to approval. - -You explain why you do not come. Yes, I know your reasons and think it -is to my interest that you should stay where you are, for one thing -that you may be able to carry out any necessary negotiations about me -with the proper persons, as you have done. - - * * * * * - - Page 374 - -ut ea, quae egisti. In primisque hoc velim animadvertas. Multos esse -arbitror, qui ad Caesarem detulerint delaturive sint me aut paenitere -consilli mei aut non probare, quae fiant. Quorum etsi utrumque -verum est, tamen ab illis dicitur animo a me alienato, non quo ita -esse perspexerint. Sed totum in eo est, ut hoc Balbus sustineat et -Oppius, et eorum crebis litteris illius voluntas erga me confirmetur. -Et hoc plane ut fiat, diligentiam adhibeis. Alterum est, cur te -nolim discedere, quod scribis Tulliam te flagitare. O rem miseram! -quid scribam aut quid velim? Breve faciam, lacrimae enim se subito -profunderunt. Tibi permitto, tu consule; tantum vide, ne hoc tempore -isti obesse aliquid possit. Ignosce, obsecro te. Non possum prae fletu -et dolore diutius in hoc loco commorari. Tantum dicam, nihil mihi -gratius esse, quam quod eam diligis. - -Quod litteras, quibus putas opus esse, curas dandas, facis commode. -Quintum filium vidi qui Sami vidisset, patrem Sicyone. Quorum -deprecatio est facilis. Utinam illi qui prius illum viderent, me apud -eum velint adiutum tantum, quantum ego illos vellem, si quid possem! - -Quod rogas, ut in bonam partem accipiam, si qua sint in tuis litteris, -quae me mordeant, ego vero in optimam, teque rogo, ut aperte, quem ad -modum facis, scribas ad me omnia idque facias quam saepissime. Vale -XIIII K. Ian. - - * * * * * - - Page 375 - -And in the first place I should like to call your attention to this -point. I think there are many who have reported or will report to -Caesar either that I am repenting of my policy or that I do not approve -of recent events. Though both are true, they say it out of spite -against me, not because they have seen it to be so. Everything rests -on the support of Balbus and Oppius, and on their confirming Caesar's -good will to me by sending him frequent letters. Please do your best -to bring this about. The other reason why I prefer you not to leave is -that you say Tullia begs for your assistance. What a misfortune? What -can I say? What can I even wish? I will cut the matter short, for tears -spring to my eyes at once. I give you a free hand: do you look to it. -Only take care that nothing is done under the present circumstances to -offend the great man. I crave your pardon. Tears and sorrow prevent me -from dwelling any longer on this topic. I will only add that nothing -makes me feel more grateful to you than your love for her. - -You are quite right to send letters for me to anyone to whom you think -it necessary. I have met a man who saw young Quintus at Samos and his -father at Sicyon. They will easily obtain their pardon. I only hope, -that, as they will see Caesar first, they will think fit to further my -case with him, as much as I should have furthered theirs, if I had been -able. - -You ask me to take it in good part, if there is anything in your -letters that wounds my feelings. I promise you to take it in the best -possible part, and I beg you to write everything quite openly, as you -do, and to do so as often as possible. Farewell. - -Dec. 17. - - * * * * * - - Page 376 - - - - -VIII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi XIII K. Ian. a. 706_] - -Quantis curis conficiar, etsi profecto vides, tamen cognosces ex Lepta -et Trebatio. Maximas poenas pendo temeritatis meae, quam tu prudentiam -mihi videri vis; neque te deterreo, quo minus id disputes scribasque -ad me quam saepissime. Non nihil enim me levant tuae litterae hoc -tempore. Per eos, qui nostra causa volunt valentque apud illum, -diligentissime contendas opus est, per Balbum et Oppium maxime, ut -de me scribant quam diligentissime. Oppugnamur enim, ut audio, et a -praesentibus quibusdam et per litteras. Eis ita est occurrendum, ut -rei magnitudo postulat. Fufius est illic, mihi inimicissimus. Quintus -misit filium non solum sui deprecatorem, sed etiam accusatorem mei. -Dictitat se a me apud Caesarem oppugnari, quod refellit Caesar ipse -omnesque eius amici. Neque vero desistit, ubicumque est, omnia in me -maledicta conferre, Nihil mihi umquam tam incredibile accidit, nihil in -his malis tam acerbum. Qui ex ipso audissent, cum Sicyone palam multis -audientibus loqueretur nefaria quaedam, ad me pertulerunt. Nosti genus, -etiam expertus es fortasse. In me id est omne conversum. Sed augeo -commemorando dolorem et facio etiam tibi. Quare ad illud redeo. Cura, -ut huius rei causa dedita opera mittat - - * * * * * - - Page 377 - - - - -VIII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Brundisium Dec. 18_, B.C. _48_] - -Though of course you see for yourself in what distress I am, you will -learn more about it from Lepta and Trebatius. I am paying very heavily -for my rashness, which you want to persuade me was prudence: and I -don't want to stop you arguing that it was and writing to me to that -effect as often as possible. For your letters afford me a good deal -of relief under the present circumstances. You must use your utmost -endeavour with those who are my supporters and have influence with -him--Balbus and Oppius especially--to make them write about me as -strongly as possible. For I hear that I am being attacked by some who -are with him, and also by letter. Their attack must be met, as the -importance of the matter demands. Fufius, a very bitter enemy of mine, -is there. Quintus sent his son not only to make peace for himself, but -to accuse me. He keeps saying that I am trying to set Caesar against -him, though Caesar and all his friends deny it. And he does not cease, -wherever he is, from heaping all sorts of abuse on me. It is the most -surprising thing that ever happened to me and the bitterest of all -my present sorrows. Those who reported the matter to me professed to -have heard it from his own lips, when he was slandering me at Sicyon -in the hearing of many. You know his way; indeed you may have had some -personal experience of it. Now it is all turned on me. But I increase -my own sorrow, and yours too, by speaking of it. So I return to my -first point. Take care that Balbus sends some one expressly - - * * * * * - - Page 378 - -aliquem Balbus. Ad quos videbitur, velim cures litteras meo nomine. -Vale. XIII Kal. Ian. - - - - -IX - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi III Non. Ian. a. 707_] - -Ego vero et incaute, ut scribis, et celerius, quam oportuit, feci, nec -in ulla sum spe, quippe qui exceptionibus edictorum retinear. Quae si -non essent sedulitate effectae et benevolentia tua, liceret mihi abire -in solitudines aliquas. Nunc ne id quidem licet. Quid autem me iuvat, -quod ante initum tribunatum veni, si ipsum, quod veni, nihil iuvat? Iam -quid sperem ab eo, qui mihi amicus numquam fuit, cum iam lege etiam sim -confectus et oppressus? Cotidie iam Balbi ad me litterae languidiores, -multaeque multorum ad illum fortasse contra me. Meo vitio pereo; nihil -mihi mali casus attulit, omnia culpa contracta sunt. Ego enim, cum -genus belli viderem, imparata et infirma omnia contra paratissimos, -statueram, quid facerem, ceperamque consilium non tam forte quam mihi -praeter ceteros concedendum. Cessi meis vel potius parui. Ex quibus -unus qua mente fuerit, is quem tu mihi commendas, cognosces ex ipsius -litteris, quas ad te et ad alios misit. Quas ego numquam aperuissem, -nisi res acta sic esset. Delatus est ad me fasciculus. Solvi, si quid -ad me esset litterarum. Nihil erat, epistula Vatinio et Ligurio altera. -Iussi ad eos deferri. Illi ad me - - * * * * * - - Page 379 - -for this purpose. Please send letters in my name to anyone you think -should have them. Farewell. - -Dec. 18. - - - - -IX - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Brundisium, Jan. 3_, B.C. _47_] - -I have certainly acted incautiously, as you say, and more hastily than -I should; and I have no hope seeing that I am tied here by the special -clause in the edict. If that had not been inserted by your own kind -efforts, I might have gone to some lonely retreat. Now not even that is -open to me. How does it help me that I came before the tribunes entered -on office, when my coming at all does not help? And what have I now -to hope from a man who never was friendly with me, when my ruin and -humiliation is secured even by law? Balbus' letters to me are becoming -daily cooler, and it may be he receives dozens against me. My own fault -is my ruin. Fortune has brought no ills upon me: I have brought them -all on my own head. For when I saw what kind of war it was going to be, -one side unprepared and weak and the other thoroughly well prepared, I -had made my plan--not a very courageous plan perhaps, but one for which -there were special excuses in my case. I gave way to my relations, or -rather I obeyed them. What the real feelings of one of them were--the -one for whom you speak--you will know from the letters he has sent to -you and to others. I should never have opened them, had it not been -for the following circumstance. A packet was brought to me. I undid -it to see if there was any letter for me. There was none; but one for -Vatinius and another for Ligurius. Those I had - - * * * * * - - Page 380 - -statim ardentes dolore venerunt scelus hominis clamantes; epistulas -mihi legerunt plenas omnium in me probrorum. Hic Ligurius furere. "Se -enim scire summo illum in odio fuisse Caesari. Illum tamen non modo -favisse, sed etiam tantam illi pecuniam dedisse honoris mei causa." Hoc -ego dolore accepto volui scire, quid scripsisset ad ceteros; ipsi enim -illi putavi perniciosum fore, si eius hoc tantum scelus percrebruisset. -Cognovi eiusdem generis. Ad te misi. Quas si putabis illi ipsi utile -esse reddi, reddes. Nil me laedet. Nam, quod resignatae sunt, habet, -opinor, eius signum Pomponia. Hac ille acerbitate initio navigationis -cum usus esset, tanto me dolore adfecit, ut postea iacuerim, neque nunc -tam pro se quam contra me laborare dicitur. - -Ita omnibus rebus urgeor; quas sustinere vix possum vel plane nullo -modo possum. Quibus in miseriis una est pro omnibus, quod istam miseram -patrimonio, fortuna omni spoliatam relinquam. Quare te, ut polliceris, -videre plane velim. Alium enim, cui illam commendem, habeo neminem, -quoniam matri quoque eadem intellexi esse parata quae mihi. Sed, si me -non offendes, satis tamen habeto commendatam, patruumque in ea, quantum -poteris, mitigato. - -Haec ad te die natali meo scripsi. Quo utinam susceptus non essem, -aut ne quid ex eadem matre postea natum esset! Plura scribere fletu -prohibeor. - - * * * * * - - Page 381 - -sent to them. They came to me at once boiling with indignation and -crying shame on him, and they read me letters full of all kinds of -abuse of myself. Then Ligurius burst out with fury, "to his certain -knowledge Caesar detested Quintus and had favoured him and given him -all that money out of compliment to me." After this blow I wanted -to know what he had said to the others: for I thought it would be -disastrous to his own reputation if such a scandal got abroad. I found -they were all of a piece, and have sent them to you. If you think it -will do him any good to have them delivered, have them delivered. It -won't do me any harm. Though the seals are broken, I think Pomponia -has his signet. When, at the beginning of our voyage, he adopted this -bitter tone, I was so upset that I was prostrated afterwards; and now -he is said to be working against me rather than for himself. - -So I am weighed down by such a heavy burden of griefs that I can hardly -bear up under it; indeed, I cannot possibly bear up under it. And among -all my miseries there is one that outweighs all the rest--that I shall -leave that poor girl[175] deprived of her patrimony and penniless. -So I hope you will fulfil your promise and look after her. I have no -one else to entrust her to, for I hear that her mother is threatened -with the same fate as myself. If you do not find me here, take this as -sufficient injunction as regards her, and soften her uncle towards her -as far as you can. - -[175] Tullia. - -This I am writing on my birthday. Would that I had been left to die on -the day of my birth, or that my mother had never had another child. -Tears prevent me from writing more. - - * * * * * - - Page 382 - - - - -X - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi XII K. Febr. a. 707_] - -Ad meas incredibiles aegritudines aliquid novi accedit ex iis, quae de -Q. Q. ad me adferuntur. P. Terentius, meus necessarius, operas in portu -et scriptura Asiae pro magistro dedit. Is Quintum filium Ephesi vidit -VI Idus Decembr. eumque studiose propter amicitiam nostram invitavit; -cumque ex eo de me percontaretur, eum sibi ita dixisse narrabat, se -mihi esse inimicissimum, volumenque sibi ostendisse orationis, quam -apud Caesarem contra me esset habiturus. Multa a se dicta contra eius -amentiam. Multa postea Patris simili scelere secum Quintum patrem -locutum; cuius furorem ex iis epistulis, quas ad te misi, perspicere -potuisti. Haec tibi dolori esse certo scio; me quidem excruciant, et eo -magis, quod mihi cum illis ne querendi quidem locum futurum puto. - -De Africanis rebus longe alia nobis, ac tu scripseras, nuntiantur. -Nihil enim firmius esse dicunt, nihil paratius. Accedit Hispania et -alienata Italia, legionum nec vis eadem nec voluntas, urbanae res -perditae. Quid est, ubi acquiescam, nisi quam diu tuas litteras lego? -Quae essent profecto crebriores, si quid haberes, quo putares meam -molestiam minui posse. Sed tamen te rogo, ut ne intermittas scribere -ad me, quicquid erit, eosque, qui mihi tam crudeliter inimici sunt, si -odisse non potes, accuses tamen - - * * * * * - - Page 383 - - - - -X - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Brundisium Jan. 19_, B.C. _47_] - -To my sorrows, which are incalculable, there has come an addition -in the news that is brought me about the two Quinti. My friend P. -Terentius was acting as deputy to the collector of port-dues and -pasture tax in Asia, and he saw young Quintus at Ephesus on the 8th -of December and gave him a cordial invitation on account of our -friendship. And when he asked him something about me, Quintus told -him that I was his deadliest enemy and showed him the manuscript of a -speech which he said he was going to deliver before Caesar against me. -Terentius said all he could to dissuade him from such folly. Afterwards -at Patrae the elder Quintus talked freely to him in the same scandalous -strain. What a rage he is in you will have inferred from the letters -I sent you. I am sure this will grieve you. To me it is positive -torture, especially as I don't expect I shall even have a chance of -expostulating with them. - -The news I get about the state of affairs in Africa is quite different -to what you sent me. They say that all is as strong and as ready as -possible. Then there are Spain and Italy alienated from Caesar; his -legions are not what they were either in strength or in loyalty; and -in the city things are in a poor plight; I cannot get a moment's -peace except when I am reading your letters. They would certainly be -more frequent, if you had any news which you thought would lighten my -sorrows. Still I beg you not to neglect writing to me, whatever the -news may be; and, if you cannot bring yourself to hate those who have -shown such unfeeling hostility to me, at - - * * * * * - - Page 384 - -non ut aliquid proficias, sed ut tibi me carum esse sentiant. Plura -ad te scribam, si mihi ad eas litteras, quas proxime ad te dedi, -rescripseris. Vale. - -XII K. Febr. - - - - -XI - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi VIII Id. Mart. a. 707_] - -Confectus iam cruciatu maximorum dolorum, ne si sit quidem, quod ad te -debeam scribere, facile id exsequi possim, hoc minus, quod res nulla -est, quae scribenda sit, cum praesertim ne spes quidem ulla ostendatur -fore melius. Ita iam ne tuas quidem litteras exspecto, quamquam semper -aliquid adferunt, quod velim. Quare tu quidem scribito, cum erit, cui -des. Ego tuis proximis, quas tamen iam pridem accepi, nihil habeo quod -rescribam; longo enim intervallo video immutata esse omnia; illa esse -firma, quae debeant, nos stultitiae nostrae gravissimas poenas pendere. - -P. Sallustio curanda sunt HS X̅X̅X̅, quae accepi a Cn. Sallustio. Velim -videas, ut sine mora curentur. De ea re scripsi ad Terentiam. Atque hoc -ipsum iam prope consumptum est. Quare id quoque velim cum illa videas, -ut sit, qui utamur. Hic fortasse potero sumere, si sciam istic paratum -fore; sed, priusquam id scirem, nihil sum ausus sumere. Qui sit omnium -rerum status noster, vides. Nihil est mali, quod non et sustineam et -exspectem. Quarum - - * * * * * - - Page 385 - -any rate reprove them, not in the hope of doing any good, but to make -them feel that I am dear to you. I will write more, if you answer the -last letter I sent. Farewell. - -Jan. 19. - - - - -XI - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Brundisium, March 8_, B.C. _47_] - -Worn out as I am by the agony of my grievous sorrows I should not find -it an easy task to write to you, even if there were anything I ought -to write; and it is far less easy, when I have nothing worth writing, -especially as there is not even a gleam of hope for better days. So -hopeless am I that now I do not look forward even to your letters, -though they always bring me something I like to hear. So pray write, -whenever you have a messenger. I have no answer to give to your last -letter, though it is a long time since I received it, for I see no -change in the long interval: the right cause is strong, and I am paying -very heavily for my folly. - -The £250[176] which I had from Cn. Sallustius are to be paid to P. -Sallustius. Please see that it is done without delay. I have written -to Terentia about it. And now it is nearly all spent: so I wish you -would arrange with her for some money for me to go on with. I shall -possibly be able to get some here, if I know I have a balance at Rome; -but, before I know that, I dare not try. You see the position of all -my affairs. There is no sort of misfortune which I am not enduring and -expecting. For this state of affairs - -[176] 30,000 sesterces. - - * * * * * - - Page 386 - - -rerum eo gravior est dolor, quo culpa maior. Ille in Achaia non cessat -de nobis detrahere. Nihil videlicet tuae litterae profecerunt. Vale. - -VIII Idus Mart. - - - - -XII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi VIII Id. Mart. a. 707_] - -Cephalio mihi a te litteras reddidit a. d. VIII Id. Mart. vespere. Eo -autem die mane tabellarios miseram; quibus ad te dederam litteras. -Tuis tamen lectis litteris putavi iam aliquid rescribendum esse ea re -maxime, quod ostendis te pendere animi, quamnam rationem sim Caesari -allaturus profectionis meae tum, cum ex Italia discesserim. Nihil opus -est mihi nova ratione. Saepe enim ad eum scripsi multisque mandavi, -me non potuisse, cum cupissem, sermones hominum sustinere, multaque -in eam sententiam. Nihil enim erat, quod minus eum vellem existimare, -quam me tanta de re non meo consilio usum esse. Posteaque, cum mihi -litterae a Balbo Cornelio minore missae essent illum existimare Quintum -fratrem "lituum" meae profectionis fuisse (ita enim scripsit), qui -nondum cognossem, quae de me Quintus scripsisset ad multos, etsi multa -praesens in praesentem acerbe dixerat et fecerat, tamen nilo minus his -verbis ad Caesarem scripsi: - -"De Quinto fratre meo non minus laboro quam de me ipso, sed eum tibi -commendare hoc meo tempore non audeo. Illud dumtaxat tamen audebo -petere - - * * * * * - - Page 387 - -I feel the greater sorrow, because my fault is greater. My brother in -Achaia does not cease slandering me. Your letter has of course had no -effect. Farewell. - -March 8. - - - - -XII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Brundisium, March 8_, B.C. _47_] - -Cephalio delivered a letter from you on the 8th of March in the -evening. Now on the morning of the same day I had sent messengers and -had given them a letter for you. But, when I read yours, I thought -I ought to send some answer, particularly because you show you are -in doubt as to what explanation I am going to offer Caesar of my -departure when I did depart from Italy. I have no necessity for a new -explanation, for I have often told him myself and instructed others -to tell him that I could not put up with people's talk, although I -wished it, and much else to the same effect. For there is nothing that -I should be more unwilling for him to imagine than that I did not make -up my own mind on so important a question. Afterwards I received a -letter from Cornelius Balbus the younger saying that Caesar thought my -brother Quintus had sounded the bugle for my departure (that was his -expression). I was not then aware of what Quintus had written about -me to many people; but, though he had spoken and acted with great -bitterness when face to face with me, none the less I wrote to Caesar -as follows: - -"I am as much troubled about my brother Quintus as about myself; but -under the present circumstances I do not venture to recommend him to -you. One thing, however, I will venture to ask you--I - - * * * * * - - Page 388 - -abs te, quod te oro, ne quid existimes ab illo factum esse, quo minus -mea in te officia constarent, minusve te diligerem, potiusque semper -illum auctorem nostrae coniunctionis fuisse, meique itineris comitem, -non ducem. Quare ceteris in rebus tantum ei tribues, quantum humanitas -tua amicitiaque vestra postulat. Ego ei ne quid apud te obsim, id te -vehementer etiam atque etiam rogo." - -Quare, si quis congressus fuerit mihi cum Caesare, etsi non dubito, -quin is lenis in illum futurus sit idque iam declaraverit, ego tamen is -ero, qui semper fui. Sed, ut video, multo magis est nobis laborandum de -Africa; quam quidem tu scribis confirmari cotidie magis ad condicionis -spem quam victoriae. Quod utinam ita esset! Sed longe aliter esse -intellego teque ipsum ita existimare arbitror, aliter autem scribere -non fallendi, sed confirmandi mei causa, praesertim cum adiungatur ad -Africam etiam Hispania. - -Quod me admones, ut scribam ad Antonium et ad ceteros, si quid -videbitur tibi opus esse, velim facias id, quod saepe fecisti. Nihil -enim mihi venit in mentem, quod scribendum putem. Quod me audis -erectiorem esse animo, quid putas, cum videas accessisse ad superiores -aegritudines praeclaras generi - - * * * * * - - Page 389 - -beseech you to acquit him of doing anything to disturb my sense of your -claims on me or to lessen my affection for you, and rather to regard -him as the main factor of our union and the companion, not the leader, -in my departure. And therefore in all other matters you will give -him all the credit that your own kindness and your mutual friendship -demands. What I earnestly beg you again and again is, that you will not -let me stand in his light with you." - -So, if I ever do meet Caesar, though I have no doubt that he will be -lenient to Quintus and that he has already made that plain, I shall -behave as I always have behaved. But, as I see, what I ought to be -most anxious about is Africa, which you say is daily growing stronger, -though only to the extent of raising hopes of a compromise rather -than a victory. If it could only be true! But I read the signs quite -differently, and I think you agree with me, and only say the contrary -to hearten me, not to deceive me, especially as Spain too has now -joined Africa.[177] - -[177] After his victory in Spain in 49 B.C., Caesar left Q. Cassius -Longinus in command there; but Spain went over to Pompey and both -Longinus and his successor, C. Trebonius, were driven out. - -You advise me to write to Antony and others. If you think it necessary, -please do it for me, as you have often done before; for I cannot think -of anything worth writing. You hear I am less broken-spirited; but can -you believe it, when you see that to my former troubles are now added -my son-in-law's fine doings?[178] However, pray do not cease - -[178] Dolabella as tribune endeavoured to introduce a bill for the -relief of debtors, which caused riots. - - * * * * * - - Page 390 - -actiones? Tu tamen velim ne intermittas, quod eius facere poteris, -scribere ad me, etiamsi rem, de qua scribas, non habebis. Semper enim -adferunt aliquid mihi tuae litterae. - -Galeonis hereditatem crevi. Puto enim cretionem simplicem fuisse, -quoniam ad me nulla missa est. - -VIII Idus Martias. - - - - -XIII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi VII Id. Mart. aut paulo post, a. 707_] - -A Murenae liberto nihil adhuc acceperam litterarum. P. Siser reddiderat -eas, quibus rescribo. De Servi patris litteris quod scribis, item -Quintum in Syriam venisse quod ais esse qui nuntient, ne id quidem -verum est. Quod certiorem te vis fieri, quo quisque in me animo sit aut -fuerit eorum, qui huc venerunt, neminem alieno intellexi. Sed, quantum -id mea intersit, existimare te posse certo scio. Mihi cum omnia sint -intolerabilia ad dolorem, tum maxime quod in eam causam venisse me -video, ut sola utilia mihi esse videantur, quae semper nolui. - -P. Lentulum patrem Rhodi esse aiunt, Alexandreae filium, Rhodoque -Alexandream C. Cassium profectum esse constat. Quintus mihi per -litteras satis facit multo asperioribus verbis, quam cum gravissime -accusabat. Ait enim se ex litteris tuis intellegere tibi non placere, -quod ad multos de me asperius scripserit, - - * * * * * - - Page 391 - -doing what you can to hearten me, that is writing to me, even if you -have nothing to say. For a letter from you always brings me something. - -I have accepted Galeo's legacy. I suppose it only required a simple -form of acceptance,[179] since none was sent to me. - -[179] _cretio_ = the formal acceptance of a legacy, and _cretio -simplex_ apparently means that no restrictions on the form of -acceptance were laid down in the will. - -March 8. - - - - -XIII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Brudisium, March 9_ (?), B.C. _47_] - -I have not received any letter from Murena's freedman as yet. It was P. -Siser who delivered the one I am answering. You speak of a letter from -Servius' father, and you tell me some say that Quintus has landed in -Syria: neither is true. You want to be informed how those who have come -here feel or felt towards me. I have not found any ill-disposed: but, -how important that is to me, I am sure you can imagine. To me the whole -state of affairs is insufferably painful; and most of all that I have -got myself into such a case, that the only things that can be of any -use to me are precisely what I have always wished not to happen. - -They say the elder P. Lentulus is at Rhodes, the younger at Alexandria, -and it is certain that C. Cassius has left Rhodes for Alexandria. -Quintus has written to apologize to me in terms much more irritating -than when he was abusing me most violently. For he says that he -understands from your letter that you were annoyed with him for writing - - * * * * * - - Page 392 - -itaque se paenitere, quod animum tuum offenderit; sed se iure fecisse. -Deinde perscribit spurcissime, quas ob causas fecerit. Sed neque hoc -tempore nec antea patefecisset odium suum in me, nisi omnibus rebus me -esse oppressum videret. Atque utinam vel nocturnis, quem ad modum tu -scripseras, itineribus propius te accessissem! Nunc, nec ubi nec quando -te sim visurus, possum suspicari. - -De coheredibus Fufidianis nihil fuit quod ad me scriberes; nam et -aequum postulant, et, quicquid egisses, recte esse actum putarem. De -fundo Frusinati redimendo iam pridem intellexisti voluntatem meam. -Etsi tum meliore loco res erant nostrae neque tam mihi desperatum -iri videbantur, tamen in eadem sum voluntate. Id quem ad modum fiat, -tu videbis. Et velim, quod poteris, consideres, ut sit, unde nobis -suppeditentur sumptus necessarii. Si quas habuimus facultates, eas -Pompeio tum, cum id videbamur sapienter facere, detulimus. Itaque -tum et a tuo vilico sumpsimus et aliunde mutuati sumus; nunc Quintus -queritur per litteras sibi nos nihil dedisse, qui neque ab illo rogati -sumus neque ipsi eam pecuniam aspeximus. Sed velim videas, quid sit, -quod confici possit, quidque mihi de omnibus des consilii; et causam -nosti. - -Plura ne scribam, dolore impedior. Si quid erit, quod ad quos -scribendum meo nomine putes, velim, ut soles, facias, quotiensque -habebis, cui des ad me litteras, nolim praetermittas. Vale. - - * * * * * - - Page 393 - -harshly about me to many people, and so he is sorry that he hurt -your feelings: but he was right in what he did. Then he explains -with the greatest coarseness why he did it. But he would never have -shown his hatred for me either now or before, if he had not seen that -everything was against me. How I wish I had got nearer to you, even by -night-journeys as you suggested. Now I cannot conceive where or when I -shall see you. - -As to my co-heirs in Fufidius' property, there was no reason for you -to write to me: for their demand is quite just, and anything you did -I should think right. As to the repurchase of the estate at Frusino, -you know already what I wish. Though my affairs were then in a better -position, and I did not expect to be in such desperate straits, still -my mind has not altered. How it is to be done, you will arrange. And -please consider to the best of your ability some way of obtaining ready -money for current expenses. All the money I had I handed over to Pompey -at a time when it seemed advisable to do so. So then I took money from -your steward and borrowed from others, and now Quintus complains by -letter that I did not give him a penny, when he never asked for it -and I never set eyes on the money myself. But please see what can be -managed and what advice you have to give me on all points: you know all -about it. - -Grief prevents me from writing more. If there is anything you think -should be written to anyone in my name, please do so as usual; and as -often as you have anyone to whom you can give a letter to me, don't -forget it. Farewell. - - * * * * * - - Page 394 - - - - -XIV - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi circ. VI K. Mai. a. 707_] - -Non me offendit veritas litterarum tuarum, quod me cum communibus tum -praecipuis malis oppressum ne incipis quidem, ut solebas, consolari -faterisque id fieri iam non posse. Nec enim ea sunt, quae erant antea, -cum, ut nihil aliud, comites me et socios habere putabam. Omnes enim -Achaici deprecatores itemque in Asia, quibus non erat ignotum, etiam -quibus erat, in Africam dicuntur navigaturi. Ita praeter Laelium -neminem habeo culpae socium; qui tamen hoc meliore in causa est, quod -iam est receptus. De me autem non dubito quin ad Balbum et ad Oppium -scripserit; a quibus, si quid esset laetius, certior factus essem, -tecum etiam essent locuti. Quibuscum tu de hoc ipso conloquare velim -et ad me, quid tibi responderint, scribas, non quod ab isto salus -data quicquam habitura sit firmitudinis, sed tamen aliquid consuli et -prospici poterit. Etsi omnium conspectum horreo, praesertim hoc genero, -tamen, in tantis malis quid aliud velim, non reperio. Quintus pergit, -ut ad me et Pansa scripsit et Hirtius, isque item Africam petere cum -ceteris dicitur. Ad Minucium Tarentum scribam et tuas litteras mittam; -ad te scribam, num quid egerim. HS X̅X̅X̅ potuisse mirarer, nisi multa -de - - * * * * * - - Page 395 - - - - -XIV - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Brundisium, circa Apr. 25_, B.C. _47_] - -I am not offended with you for telling me the truth in your letter and -not even attempting, as you were wont, to console me under my burden -of public and personal woes, which you confess is impossible now. For -affairs are no longer in the position they were, when, if nothing else, -I thought I had companions and partners in my policy. For all those -in Achaia and in Asia, who petitioned for pardon and did not obtain -it, and even some of those who did, are said to be on the point of -sailing for Africa. So I have no one to share my fault except Laelius, -and even he is in a better position than I am in one respect, as he -has been taken back now.[180] But about me I have no doubt that Caesar -has written to Balbus and Oppius: if the news had been good, I should -have heard from them and they would have spoken to you too. I should -like you to speak to them about it and to let me know what they say, -not that any safeguard given by him can have any certainty, but still -something can be foreseen and provided for. Though I am ashamed to look -anyone in the face, especially with such a son-in-law, still in this -disastrous crisis I see nothing else to wish for. Quintus is still -keeping on, as both Pansa and Hirtius have written to tell me; and he -is said too to be making for Africa with the rest. I will write to -Minucius at Tarentum, and send your letter: I will let you know whether -anything comes of it. I should have been surprised that - -[180] By the loyalist party. - - * * * * * - - Page 396 - -Fufidianis praediis. Sed avide tamen[181] te exspecto; quem videre, si -ullo modo potest (poscit enim res), pervelim. Iam extremum concluditur; -quod quale sit, ibi facile est,[182] hic gravius existimare. Vale. - -[181] Sed avide tamen te _Wesenberg_: et advideo tamen _MSS._ - -[182] quod quale sit, ibi facile est _Purser_: ibi facile est, quod -quale sit _MSS._ - - - - -XV - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi prid. Id. Mai. a. 707_] - -Quoniam iustas causas adfers, cur te hoc tempore videre non possim, -quaere, quaeso, quid sit mihi faciendum. Ille enim ita videtur -Alexandream tenere, ut eum scribere etiam pudeat de illis rebus, hi -autem ex Africa iam adfuturi videntur, Achaici, item ex Asia redituri -ad eos aut libero aliquo loco commoraturi. Quid mihi igitur putas -agendum? Video difficile esse consilium. Sum enim solus aut cum altero, -cui neque ad illos reditus sit neque ab his ipsis quicquam ad spem -ostendatur. Sed tamen scire velim, quid censeas; idque erat cum aliis, -cur te, si fieri posset, cuperem videre. - -Minucium X̅I̅I̅ sola curasse scripsi ad te antea. Quod superest, velim -videas, ut curetur. Quintus non modo non cum magna prece ad me, sed -acerbissime scripsit, filius vero mirifico odio. Nihil fingi - - * * * * * - - Page 397 - -you were able to raise the £250,[183] if there had not been a good -receipt from Fufidius' estates. However I am looking forward eagerly -to your coming: it is my great desire to see you, if it is anyhow -possible--for indeed circumstances demand it. The end is now drawing -near; and, what it will be, it is easy to estimate at Rome, but here it -is more difficult. Farewell. - -[183] 30,000 sesterces. - - - - -XV - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Brundisium, May 14_, B.C. _47_] - -Since you give good reasons why I cannot see you at the present time, -pray consider what I am to do. For although Caesar holds Alexandria, he -seems to be ashamed even to send a dispatch about it, while the others -are apparently on the eve of coming here from Africa, and those in -Achaia too are either going to return from Asia to join them or they -are going to stop in some neutral place. So what do you think I am to -do? I see advice is difficult. For I am the one and only person--except -perhaps one other, who cannot return to the one party and who has no -hope at all offered him from the other. Still I should like to know -what you think: and that was one reason, among others, why I should -have liked to see you, if it were possible. - -I told you before that Minucius has only paid £100.[184] Please see -that the rest is provided. Quintus in his letter instead of an earnest -appeal used the most bitter language, and his son showed extraordinary -animosity. There is no conceivable ill - -[184] 12,000 sesterces. - - * * * * * - - Page 398 - -potest mali, quo non urgear. Omnia tamen sunt faciliora quam peccati -dolor, qui et maximus est et aeternus. Cuius peccati si socios essem -habiturus ego, quos putavi, tamen esset ea consolatio tenuis. Sed -habet aliorum omnium ratio exitum, mea nullum. Alii capti, alii -interclusi non veniunt in dubium de voluntate, eo minus scilicet, cum -se expedierint et una esse coeperint. Ei autem ipsi, qui sua voluntate -ad Fufium venerunt, nihil possunt nisi timidi existimari. Multi autem -sunt, qui, quocumque modo ad illos se recipere volent, recipientur. -Quo minus debes mirari non posse me tanto dolori resistere. Solius -enim meum peccatum corrigi non potest et fortasse Laeli. Sed quid me -id levat? Nam C. quidem Cassium aiunt consilium Alexandream eundi -mutavisse. - -Haec ad te scribo, non ut queas tu demere[185] sollicitudinem, sed ut -cognoscam, ecquid tu ad ea adferas, quae me conficiunt; ad quae gener -accedit et cetera, quae fletu reprimor ne scribam. Quin etiam Aesopi -filius me excruciat. Prorsus nihil abest, quin sim miserrimus. Sed -ad primum revertor, quid putes faciendum, occultene aliquo propius -veniendum an - -[185] queas tu demere _M_ (_margin_): quem tuam demere _M_. - - * * * * * - - Page 399 - -with which I am not oppressed. But all of them are lighter to bear than -my sense of guilt: that is overwhelming and enduring. If I were to have -those, whom I thought I had, to share that guilt, that would still be -some consolation, though a poor one. But every one else's case admits -of some way out, mine of none. Some were captured, some cut off, so -there is no doubt about their intentions, especially since they have -extricated themselves and joined forces again. Nay even those, who of -their own free will came to Fufius,[186] can only be thought cowards. -But there are many who will be taken back, however they choose to take -themselves back to the fold. So you ought not to be surprised that I -cannot bear up against all my sorrow. For I am the one and only person -whose slip cannot be mended, except perhaps Laelius--and what good is -that?--for they say even C. Cassius has changed his mind about going to -Alexandria. - -[186] Q. Fufius Calenus was appointed governor of Greece after -Pharsalia by Caesar, and many Pompeians surrendered to him. - -This I am writing to you not in the hope that you may remove my -care, but to know whether you have any suggestion to make about the -things that are wearing me out: to the rest you may add my son-in-law -and other things which tears prevent me from writing. Why, even -Aesopus'[187] son grieves me sorely. There is absolutely nothing -wanting to make me the most miserable of men. But I return to the first -point. What do you think I ought to do, come secretly - -[187] Aesopus was a famous tragic actor and a friend of Cicero. His son -was dissolute and supposed to have a bad influence on Dolabella. - - * * * * * - - Page 400 - -mare transeundum. Nam hic maneri diutius non potest. - -De Fufidianis quare nihil potuit confici? Genus enim condicionis eius -modi fuit, in quo non solet esse controversia, cum ea pars, quae -videtur esse minor, licitatione expleri posset. Hoc ego non sine causa -quaero. Suspicor enim coheredes dubiam nostram causam putare et eo rem -in integro esse malle. Vale. - -Pr. Idus Maias. - - - - -XVI - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi III Non. Iun. a. 707_] - -Non meo vitio fit hoc quidem tempore (ante enim est peccatum), ut -me ista epistula nihil consoletur. Nam et exigue scripta est et -suspiciones magnas habet non esse ab illo; quas animadvertisse te -existimo. De obviam itione ita faciam, ut suades. Neque enim ulla -de adventu eius opinio est, neque, si qui ex Asia veniunt, quicquam -auditum esse dicunt de pace; cuius ego spe in hanc fraudem incidi. - -Nihil video, quod sperandum putem, nunc praesertim, cum ea plaga in -Asia sit accepta, in Illyrico, in Cassiano negotio, in ipsa Alexandrea, -in urbe, in Italia. Ego vero, etiamsi rediturus ille est, qui adhuc - - * * * * * - - Page 401 - -somewhere nearer Rome, or cross the sea? For stay here any longer I -cannot. - -Why could nothing be settled about Fufidius' estate? For the -arrangement was one about which there is generally no dispute, since -the share, which seems smaller, can be made up by the proceeds of the -sale.[188] I have a reason for asking. For I suspect my co-heirs think -my case is doubtful, and so prefer to keep the matter open. Farewell. - -[188] If property could not be divided fairly among heirs, the -indivisible part was put up for private auction among them and the -proceeds divided. - -May 14. - - - - -XVI - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Brundisium, June 3_, B.C. _47_] - -It is not my fault at the present time (for I did commit an error -before) that the letter you send[189] does not give me any consolation. -For it is grudgingly written, and raises great suspicion that it is -not by Caesar: I expect you noticed that too. About going to meet him -I will do as you advise. For no one thinks he is coming, and those who -come from Asia say there has been no word of peace: and it was hope of -a peace that led me into this error. - -[189] A letter purporting to come from Caesar, but later found to be a -forgery. - -I see nothing to make me think of hope, especially now that that blow -has fallen in Asia, in Illyricum, in the Cassian affair, in Alexandria -itself, in Rome and in Italy.[190] For my part, even if he is on his -return--whereas - -[190] Cicero alludes to the defeat of Domitius Calvinus in Asia, the -failure of Aulus Gabinius in Illyricum, the insurrection of Baetica, -which forced Cassius to leave the province, Caesar's difficulties at -Alexandria, the riots in Rome, and the mutinous state of the army in -Italy. - - * * * * * - - Page 402 - -bellum gerere dicitur, tamen ante reditum eius negotium confectum iri -puto. - -Quod autem scribis quandam laetitiam bonorum esse commotam, ut sit -auditum de litteris, tu quidem nihil praetermittis in quo putes -aliquid solacii esse, sed ego non adducor quemquam bonum ullam salutem -putare mihi tanti fuisse, ut eam peterem ab illo, et eo minus, quod -huius consilii iam ne socium quidem habeo quemquam. Qui in Asia sunt, -rerum exitum exspectant, Achaici etiam Fufio spem deprecationis -afferunt. Horum et timor idem fuit primo qui meus et constitutum; mora -Alexandrina causam illorum correxit, meam evertit. Quam ob rem idem a -te nunc peto quod superioribus litteris, ut, si quid in perditis rebus -dispiceres, quod mihi putares faciendum, me moneres. Si recipior ab -his, quod vides non fieri, tamen, quoad bellum erit, quid agam aut ubi -sim, non reperio; sin iactor, eo minus. Itaque tuas litteras exspecto, -easque ut ad me sine dubitatione scribas, rogo. - -Quod suades, ut ad Quintum scribam de his litteris, facerem, si me -quicquam istae litterae delectarent. Etsi quidam scripsit ad me his -verbis: "Ego ut in his malis Patris sum non invitus; essem libentius, -si frater tuus ea de te loqueretur, quae ego audire vellem." Quod ais -illum ad te scribere me - - * * * * * - - Page 403 - -he is said to be still fighting--still I think the business will be -settled before he does return. - -You say, however, that some feeling of pleasure was aroused among the -loyalists when they heard of this letter. Of course you do not omit -anything in which you think there is the least consolation, but I -cannot bring myself to believe that any of the loyalists supposed that -I prize any salvation highly enough to beg for it of him: especially as -I have not even a single partner in this policy now. Those who are in -Asia are waiting to see how things turn out: those in Achaia too keep -holding out to Fufius the hope that they will petition for pardon. They -at first had the same fear and the same plan as myself; but the hitch -at Alexandria improved their case and ruined mine. So I still make the -same request of you as in former letters: if in these desperate straits -you see anything you think I ought to do, tell me of it. If I am taken -back by the loyalists, which you see is not the case, still, so long as -the war lasts, I don't see what I am to do or where I am to stay; still -less, if I am rejected by them. So I await a letter from you, and I beg -you to write to me without hesitation. - -You advise me to write to Quintus about this letter. I would, if the -letter gave me any pleasure, though some one has written to me saying: -"Considering the evil days, I am pretty comfortable at Patrae, and I -should be more so, if your brother would speak of you as I should like -to hear him." - - * * * * * - - Page 404 - -sibi nullas litteras remittere, semel ab ipso accepi. Ad eas Cephalioni -dedi, qui multos menses tempestatibus retentus est. Quintum filium ad -me acerbissime scripsisse iam ante ad te scripsi. - -Extremum est, quod te orem, si putas rectum esse et a te suscipi posse, -cum Camillo communices, ut Terentiam moneatis de testamento. Tempora -monent, ut videat, ut satis faciat, quibus debeat. Auditum ex Philotimo -est eam scelerate quaedam facere. Credibile vix est, sed certe, si quid -est, quod fieri possit, providendum est. De omnibus rebus velim ad me -scribas, et maxime quid sentias de ea, in qua tuo consilio egeo, etiam -si nihil excogitas. Id enim mihi erit pro desperato. - -III Non. Iun. - - - - -XVII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi prid. Id aut Id. Iun. a. 707_] - -Properantibus tabellariis alienis hanc epistulam dedi. Eo brevior est, -et quod eram missurus nostros. Tullia mea venit ad me pr. Idus Iunias -deque tua erga se observantia benevolentiaque mihi plurima exposuit -litterasque reddidit trinas. Ego autem ex ipsius virtute, humanitate, -pietate non modo eam voluptatem non cepi, quam capere ex singulari -filia debui, sed etiam incredibili sum dolore adfectus tale ingenium in -tam misera fortuna versari idque accidere - - * * * * * - - Page 405 - -As to his writing to you to say that I don't answer any of his letters, -I've only had one from him. To that I gave an answer to Cephalio, but -he was delayed many months by storms. I have already mentioned that -young Quintus has written to me most bitterly. - -The last thing I have to ask you is, that, if you think it right -and care to undertake it, you and Camillus together should advise -Terentia to make her will. Circumstances suggest that she ought to make -provision for satisfying her creditors. I hear from Philotimus that she -is doing some underhand things. I can hardly believe it; but anyhow, if -there is anything of the kind (and there possibly may be), it ought to -be guarded against. Please write to me about everything, and especially -what you think about her. I want your advice about her, even if you -cannot think of any plan: for in that case I shall take it the case is -desperate. - -June 3. - - - - -XVII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Brundisium, June 12 or 13_, B.C. _47_] - -I have given this letter to some one else's messengers, who are in -a hurry. That is why it is short; also because I am just going to -send my own. Tullia came to me on the 12th of June and told me of all -your attention and kindness to her and delivered three letters. I -however have not derived the pleasure from her goodness, kindness and -affection, which I ought to derive from a matchless daughter, nay, my -grief exceeds all bounds when I think that such a fine character should -be involved in such a - - * * * * * - - Page 406 - -nullo ipsius delicto summa culpa mea. Itaque a te neque consolationem -iam, qua cupere te uti video, nec consilium, quod capi nullum potest, -exspecto, teque omnia cum superioribus saepe litteris tam proximis -temptasse intellego. - - - - -Ep. XVIIa - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi XVII K. Quint. a. 707_] - -Ego cum Sallustio Ciceronem ad Caesarem mittere cogitabam; Tulliam -autem non videbam esse causam cur diutius mecum tanto in communi -maerore retinerem. Itaque matri eam, cum primum per ipsam liceret, eram -remissurus. Pro ea, quam ad modum consolantis scripsisti, putato ea me -scripsisse, quae tu ipse intellegis responderi potuisse. - -Quod Oppium tecum scribis locutum, non abhorret a mea suspicione eius -oratio. Sed non dubito, quin istis persuaderi nullo modo possit ea, -quae faciant, mihi probari posse, quoquo modo loquar. Ego tamen utar -moderatione, qua potero; quamquam, quid mea intersit, ut eorum odium -subeam, non intellego. - -Te iusta causa impediri, quo minus ad nos venias, video, idque mihi -valde molestum est. Illum ab Alexandrea discessisse nemo nuntiat, -constatque ne profectum quidem illim quemquam post Idus Martias nec -post Idus Decembr. ab illo datas ullas litteras. Ex quo intellegis -illud de litteris a. d. V Idus Febr. datis, - - * * * * * - - Page 407 - -distressful fate, and that this should happen through no fault of hers, -but through my own grave error. So I do not expect any consolation from -you now, though I see you are ready to offer it, nor any counsel, since -none can be taken: and I realize that you have tried every way in your -former letters and in these last. - - - - -XVIIa - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Brundisium, June 14_, B.C. _47_] - -I am thinking of sending my son with Sallustius to Caesar. As for -Tullia, I see no reason for keeping her with me any longer when both of -us are in such sorrow: so I am going to send her back to her mother, as -soon as she herself will allow me. In return for the letter which you -wrote in a consolatory style, please consider that I have made the only -answer, which, as you yourself know, was possible. - -You tell me Oppius has had a talk with you: and what you say agrees -well enough with my suspicions of him. But I feel sure that party[191] -can never be convinced that their actions can possibly win my approval, -whatever I may say. However, I will be as moderate as I can: though, -what difference it makes to me, if I do incur their enmity, I cannot -conceive. - -[191] Caesar's followers. - -I see you have a good reason for not being able to come to me: and -I am very sorry that is so. There is no news that Caesar has left -Alexandria; and it is well known that no one at all has left that place -since the 15th of March, and that he has despatched no letters since -the 13th of December. So you see it was quite untrue about the letter -dated Febr. 9, - - * * * * * - - Page 408 - -quod inane esset, etiamsi verum esset, non verum esse. L. Terentium -discessisse ex Africa scimus Paestumque venisse. Quid is adferat aut -quo modo exierit, aut quid in Africa fiat, scire velim. Dicitur enim -per Nasidium emissus esse. Id quale sit, velim, si inveneris, ad me -scribas. De HS X̅, ut scribis, faciam. Vale. - -XVII Kal. Quinctiles. - - - - -XVIII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi XII K. Quint. a 707_] - -De illius Alexandrea discessu nihil adhuc rumoris, contraque opinio -valde esse impeditum. Itaqae nec mitto, ut constitueram, Ciceronem, -et te rogo, ut me hinc expedias. Quodvis enim supplicium levius est -hac permansione. Hac de re et ad Antonium scripsi et ad Balbum et ad -Oppium. Sive enim bellum in Italia futurum est, sive classibus utetur, -hic esse me minime convenit; quorum fortasse utrumque erit, alterum -certe. Intellexi omnino ex Oppi sermone, quem tu mihi scripsisti, quae -istorum ira esset, sed, ut eam flectas, te rogo. Nihil omnino iam -exspecto nisi miserum, sed hoc perditius, in quo nunc sum, fieri nihil -potest. Quare et cum Antonio loquare velim et cum istis et rem, ut -poteris, expedias et mihi quam primum de omnibus rebus rescribas. Vale. - -XII Kal. Quinctil. - - * * * * * - - Page 409 - -though it would not have been of any importance, if it had been true. -I hear L. Terentius has left Africa and come to Paestum. What news he -brings, or how he got out, or what is happening in Africa, I should -like to know. For he is said to have been passed out through the agency -of Nasidius. What it all means, I wish you would write and tell me, if -you find out. I will do as you say about the 80 guineas.[192] Farewell. - -[192] 10,000 sesterces. - -June 14. - - - - -XVIII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Brundisium, June 19_, B.C. _47_] - -There is no rumour of his leaving Alexandria as yet: on the contrary, -he is thought to be in great difficulties. So I am not sending my son, -as I had arranged, and I beseech you to get me away from here: for any -punishment is lighter to bear than staying here. On this point I have -written to Antony, to Balbus and to Oppius. For whether there is going -to be a war in Italy, or whether he will employ his fleet--and it may -be either, but one it must be--this is a most inappropriate place for -me. I understood of course from what Oppius said according to your -letter, how angry they are with me: but I beg you to turn their anger. -I don't expect anything now that is not unpleasant: but my present -condition is as desperate as anything can be. So please speak with -Antony and the Caesarians, and see the matter through for me as best -you can: and let me have an answer on all points as soon as possible. -Farewell. - -June 14. - - * * * * * - - Page 410 - - - - -XIX - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi XI K. Sext. a. 707_] - -Cum tuis dare possem litteras, non praetermisi, etsi, quod scriberem, -non habebam. Tu ad nos et rarius scribis, quam solebas, et brevius, -credo, quia nihil habes, quod me putes libenter legere aut audire -posse. Verum tamen velim, si quid erit, qualecumque erit, scribas. Est -autem unum, quod mihi sit optandum, si quid agi de pace possit; quod -nulla equidem habeo in spe; sed, quia tu leviter interdum significas, -cogis me sperare, quod optandum vix est. - -Philotimus dicitur Id. Sext. Nihil habeo de illo amplius. Tu velim ad -ea mihi rescribas, quae ad te antea scripsi. Mihi tantum temporis satis -est, dura ut in pessimis rebus aliquid caveam, qui nihil umquam cavi. -Vale. - -XI Kal. Sexti. - - - - -XX - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi XVI K. Sept. a. 707_] - -XVII K. Septembres venerat die XXVIII Seleucea Pieria C. Trebonius, qui -se Antiocheae diceret apud Caesarem vidisse Quintum filium cum Hirtio. -Eos de Quinto, quae voluissent, impetrasse nullo quidem negotio. Quod -ego magis gauderem, si ista nobis impetrata quicquam ad spem explorati -haberent. Sed - - * * * * * - - Page 411 - - - - -XIX - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Brundisium, July 22_, B.C. _47_] - -As I had a chance of giving a letter to your men, I did not miss it, -though I have nothing to say. You are writing less often than you used -to do and less fully, I suppose because you have nothing that you think -I should be glad to read or hear. However please write, if there is -anything of any kind whatever. There is one thing that I do long for, -any possibility of a peace: myself I have no hope of such a thing: but, -as you sometimes give a slight hint, you compel me to have some hope of -what I hardly dare long for. - -Philotimus is said to be coming on the 13th of August. Of Caesar I -have no further news. Please answer my former letter. I only want time -enough to take some precaution now in my misfortunes, as I have never -taken any before. Farewell. - -July 22. - - - - -XX - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Brundisium, Aug. 15_, B.C. _47_] - -On the 14th of August there arrived from Seleucea Pieria C. Trebonius -after 28 days' journey: and he said he had seen young Quintus at -Antioch in Caesar's train with Hirtius. They had got what they wanted -about my brother without any difficulty at all. I should feel more -joy at that, if what I have got myself gave me some sure ground for -hope.[193] But there are things - -[193] Or, as Tyrrell, "if the granting of such petitions afforded, in -my opinion, any sure basis for hope." - - * * * * * - - Page 412 - -et alia timenda sunt ab aliis Quintisque, et ab hoc ipso quae dantur ut -a domino, rursus in eiusdem sunt potestate. Etiam Sallustio ignovit. -Omnino dicitur nemini negare; quod ipsum est suspectum, notionem eius -differri. M. Gallius Q. f. mancipia Sallustio reddidit. Is venit, ut -legiones in Siciliam traduceret. Eo protinus iturum Caesarem Patris. -Quod si faciet, ego, quod ante mallem, aliquo propius accedam. Tuas -litteras ad eas, quibus a te proxime consilium petivi, vehementer -exspecto. Vale. - -XVI Kal. Septembres. - - - - -XXI - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi VI K. Sept. a. 707_] - -Accepi VI Kal. Sept. litteras a te datas XII Kal. doloremque, quem ex -Quinti scelere iam pridem acceptum iam abieceram, lecta eius epistula -gravissimum cepi. Tu etsi non potuisti ullo modo facere, ut mihi illam -epistulam non mitteres, tamen mallem non esse missam. - -Ad ea autem, quae scribis de testamento, videbis, quid et quo modo. De -nummis et illa sic scripsit ut ego ad te antea, et nos, si quid opus -erit, utemur ex eo, de quo scribis. - - * * * * * - - Page 413 - -I have to fear from the Quinti and others: and Caesar's own regal -concessions are again in his own power to revoke. He has even pardoned -Sallustius. Indeed he is said not to deny anyone, and that in itself -arouses a suspicion that he is only deferring investigation. M. -Gallius, son of Quintus, has given back his slaves to Sallustius. He -came to transport the legions to Sicily, and he says Caesar is going -from Patrae to Sicily. If he does, I shall come nearer Rome, and I wish -I had done so already. I am expecting eagerly your answer to my last -request for advice. Farewell. - -August 15. - - - - -XXI - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Brundisium, Aug. 25_, B.C. _47_] - -On August 25 I received a letter from you dated Aug. 19, and, on -reading it, the sorrow which possessed me long ago at Quintus' shameful -conduct, but which I had now laid aside, was reawakened in all its -force. Though you could not possibly have helped sending me that -letter, I wish it had not been sent. - -For the points you mention about the will, please see what is to be -done and how. About the money, Terentia has written to me just what I -suggested to you before, and, if I need it, I will draw on the sum you -mention. - - * * * * * - - Page 414 - - -Ille ad Kal. Sept. Athenis non videtur fore. Multa eum in Asia dicuntur -morari, maxime Pharnaces. Legio XII, ad quam primam Sulla venit, -lapidibus egisse hominem dicitur. Nullam putant se commoturam. Illum -arbitrabantur protinus Patris in Siciliam. Sed, si hoc ita est, huc -veniat necesse est. Ac mallem illim; aliquo enim modo hinc evasissem. -Nunc metuo, ne sit exspectandum et cum reliquis etiam loci gravitas -huic miserrimae perferenda. - -Quod me mones, ut ea, quae agam, ad tempus accommodem, facerem, si res -pateretur, et si ullo modo fieri posset. Sed in tantis nostris peccatis -tantisque nostrorum iniuriis nihil est, quod aut facere dignum nobis -aut simulare possim. Sullana confers; in quibus omnia genere ipso -praeclarissima fuerunt, moderatione paulo minus temperata. Haec autem -eius modi sunt, ut obliviscar mei, multoque malim, quod omnibus sit -melius, quam[194] quorum utilitati meam adiunxi. Tu ad me tamen velim -quam saepissime scribas eoque magis, quod praeterea nemo scribit, ac, -si omnes, tuas tamen maxime exspectarem. Quod scribis illum per me -Quinto fore placatiorem, scripsi ad te antea eum statim Quinto filio -omnia tribuisse, nostri nullam mentionem. Vale. - -[194] quam _added by Madvig, who also altered the MSS. reading_ -utilitatem _to_ utilitati. - - * * * * * - - Page 415 - - -Caesar probably won't reach Athens by the 1st of September. There are -said to be many things that keep him in Asia, especially Pharnaces. -The 12th legion, which Sulla visited first, is said to have driven -him off with stones, and it is thought none of them will stir. Caesar -it is supposed will go straight from Patrae to Sicily. But, if so, he -must come here. I should have preferred him to go straight there, for I -should have got away from here somehow. Now I am afraid I must wait for -him, and in addition to other afflictions my poor daughter must endure -this unhealthy climate. - -You advise me to make my actions fit the times. I would, if -circumstances permitted, and it were anyhow possible. But what with -all my own mistakes and the wrongs inflicted on me by my family, there -is nothing worthy of myself that I can do or even pretend to do. You -compare Sulla's reign: that in principle was all that could be noble, -but it was rather too lacking in moderation. The present crisis however -is such that I forget myself, and should much prefer the public cause -to win rather than that with which my interests are bound up. However, -please write to me as often as possible, especially as no one else -writes, and, if all the world were writing, I should still look forward -to your letters more than any. You say Caesar will be kinder to Quintus -for my sake: but I told you before he had made every concession to -young Quintus, without mentioning me. Farewell. - - * * * * * - - Page 416 - - - - -XXII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi circa K. Sept. a. 707_] - -Diligenter mihi fasciculum reddidit Balbi tabellarius. Accepi enim a -te litteras, quibus videris vereri, ut epistulas illas acceperim. Quas -quidem vellem mihi numquam redditas; auxerunt enim mihi dolorem, nec, -si in aliquem incidissent, quicquam novi attulissent. Quid enim tam -pervulgatum quam illius in me odium et genus hoc litterarum? quod ne -Caesar quidem ad istos videtur misisse, quasi qui illius improbitate -offenderetur, sed, credo, uti notiora nostra mala essent. Nam, quod te -vereri scribis, ne illi obsint, eique rei mederi, ne rogari quidem se -passus est de illo. Quod quidem mihi molestum non est; illud molestius, -istas impetrationes nostras nihil valere. - -Sulla, ut opinor, cras erit hic cum Messalla. Currunt ad illum pulsi a -militibus, qui se negant usquam, nisi acceperint. Ergo ille huc veniet, -quod non putabant, tarde quidem. Itinera enim ita facit, ut multos -dies in oppido uno[195] ponat. Pharnaces autem, quoquo modo aget, -adferet moram. Quid mihi igitur censes? Iam enim corpore vix sustineo -gravitatem huius caeli, quae mihi laborem adfert in dolore. An his -illuc euntibus mandem, ut me excusent, ipse accedam propius? Quaeso, -attende et me, quod adhuc saepe rogatus - -[195] oppido uno _Peerlkamp_: oppidum _MSS._ - - * * * * * - - Page 417 - - - - -XXII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Brundisium, circa Sept. 1_, B.C. _47_] - -Balbus' letter-carrier delivered the packet quite promptly. For I have -got a letter from you in which you seem to doubt whether I received -those letters. I wish they had never been delivered: for they increased -my sorrow, and, if they had fallen into anyone's hands, they would -not have told them anything new. For his hatred of me and the kind of -letters he writes are common knowledge. Even Caesar, when he sent them -to your friends, seems to have done it, not to show his annoyance at -Quintus' disgraceful conduct, but, I suppose, to make my misfortunes -better known. You say you are afraid they may do Quintus some harm, and -you are trying to remedy it. Why, Caesar did not even wait to be asked -about him. That does not annoy me: what is more annoying is that the -favours granted to me have no sterling value. - -Sulla, I believe, will be here to-morrow with Messalla. They are -hurrying to him, hounded away by the soldiers, who refuse to go -anywhere, until they get their pay. So, though people thought he would -not, he will be coming here; but not in a hurry. For he is travelling -slowly, and he is stopping many days in each town. Then, however he -manages things, Pharnaces must delay him. So what do you think about -me? For already I am scarcely capable physically of bearing this bad -climate, which adds ill-health to my troubles. Shall I commission these -people, who are going to him, to make my excuses, and come nearer Rome? -Please give the point your - - * * * * * - - Page 418 - -non fecisti, consilio iuva. Scio rem difficilem esse, sed ut in -malis etiam illud mea magni interest, te ut videam. Profecto aliquid -profecero, si id acciderit. De testamento, ut scribis, animadvertes. - - - - -XXIII - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi VII Id. Quint. a. 707_] - -Quod ad te scripseram ut cum Camillo communicares, de eo Camillus mihi -scripsit te secum locutum. Tuas litteras exspectabam; nisi illud quidem -mutari, si aliter est et oportet, non video posse. Sed, cum ab illo -accepissem litteras, desideravi tuas (etsi putabam te certiorem factum -non esse), modo valeres; scripseras enim te quodam valetudinis genere -temptari. - -Agusius quidam Rhodo venerat VIII Idus Quinct. Is nuntiabat Quintum -filium ad Caesarem profectum IIII Kal. Iun., Philotimum Rhodum pridie -eam diem venisse, habere ad me litteras. Ipsum Agusium audies. Sed -tardius iter faciebat. Eo feci, ut celeriter eunti darem. Quid sit in -iis litteris, nescio, sed mihi valde Quintus frater gratulatur. Equidem -in meo tanto peccato nihil ne cogitatione quidem adsequi possum, quod -mihi tolerabile possit esse. Te oro - - * * * * * - - Page 419 - -attention and help me with your advice, which you have not done in -spite of many requests. I know it is a knotty question: but, as there -is a choice of evils, the mere sight of you is something to me. If I -get that, I shall have made some advance. Please attend to the will, as -you promise. - - - - -XXIII - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Brundisium, July 9_, B.C. _47_] - -Camillus has written to me saying that you have spoken to him on the -subject about which I suggested you should consult with him. Now I -am expecting a letter from you: only I don't see how the thing is to -be changed, if it is not as it ought to be. But, when I got a letter -from him, I looked for one from you, though I suppose you did not know -the post was going. I only hope you are well: for you said you had an -attack of some kind of illness. - -A man of the name of Agusius came from Rhodes on the 8th of July. -He tells me young Quintus set out to go to Caesar on May 29th, and -Philotimus arrived at Rhodes the day before with a letter for me. You -will hear Agusius himself: but he is travelling rather slowly. So I -arranged to give this to some one who was going more quickly. What -there is in that letter, I don't know, but my brother Quintus offers -me hearty congratulations. For my part after my great mistake I cannot -even imagine anything that can possibly be endurable to me. I beg you -to - - * * * * * - - Page 420 - -ut de hac misera cogites, et illud, de quo ad te proxime scripsi, -ut aliquid conficiatur ad inopiam propulsandam, et etiam de ipso -testamento. Illud quoque vellem antea, sed omnia timuimus. Melius -quidem in pessimis nihil fuit discidio. Aliquid fecissemus ut viri vel -tabularum novarum nomine vel nocturnarum expugnationum vel Metellae -vel omnium malorum; nec res perisset, et videremur aliquid doloris -virilis habuisse. Memini omnino tuas litteras, sed et tempus illud; -etsi quidvis praestitit. Nunc quidem ipse videtur denuntiare; audimus -enim de statua Clodi. Generumne nostrum potissimum vel hoc vel tabulas -novas! Placet mihi igitur et item tibi nuntium remitti. Petet fortasse -tertiam pensionem. Considera igitur, tumne, cum ab ipso nascetur, an -prius. Ego, si ullo modo potuero, vel nocturnis itineribus experiar, -ut te videam. Tu et haec, et si quid erit, quod intersit mea scire, -scribas velim. Vale. - - * * * * * - - Page 421 - -think of my poor girl, both as regards the point about which I wrote -lately--making some arrangement to avoid destitution--and also as -regards the will itself. The other thing too I wish I had attended -to before; but I was afraid of everything. In this very bad business -there was nothing better than a divorce. I should have done something -like a man, either on the score of his cancelling of debts or his -night attacks on houses, or Metella or all his sins together: I should -not have lost the money, and I should have shown some manly spirit. I -remember of course your letter, but I remember the circumstances too: -still anything would have been better than this. Now he seems to be -giving notice of divorce himself; for I have heard about the statue of -Clodius. To think that a son-in-law of mine above all people should do -such a thing as that, or abolish debts! So I agree with you we must -serve a notice of divorce on him. Perhaps he will ask for the third -instalment of the dowry. So consider whether we should wait for a move -of his or act first.[196] If I can possibly manage it, even by night -journeys, I will try to see you. Please write to me about this and -anything else it may interest me to know. Farewell. - -[196] If Dolabella started the divorce proceedings, he could not claim -the rest of the dowry, and would have to refund what had already been -paid. If Tullia began them, part at least of the dowry would remain -with him, unless she could prove misconduct. - - * * * * * - - Page 422 - - - - -XXIV - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi VIII Id. Sext. a. 707_] - -Quae dudum ad me et (quae etiam ad me vis) ad Tulliam de me scripsisti, -ea sentio esse vera. Eo sum miserior, etsi nihil videbatur addi posse, -quod mihi non modo irasci gravissima iniuria accepta, sed ne dolere -quidem impune licet. Quare istuc feramus. Quod cum tulerimus, tamen -eadem erunt perpetienda, quae tu ne accidant ut caveamus mones. Ea enim -est a nobis contracta culpa, ut omni statu omnique populo eundem exitum -habitura videatur. - -Sed ad meam manum redeo; erunt enim haec occultius agenda. Vide, -quaeso, etiam nunc de testamento, quod tum factum cum illa haerere -coeperat. Non, credo, te commovit; neque enim rogavit ne me quidem. -Sed, quasi ita sit, quoniam in sermonem iam venisti, poteris eam -monere, ut alicui committat, cuius extra periculum huius belli fortuna -sit. Equidem tibi potissimum velim, si idem illa vellet. Quam quidem -celo miseram me hoc timere. - -De illo altero scio equidem venire nunc nil posse, sed seponi et -occultari possunt, ut extra ruinam sint eam, quae impendet. Nam, quod -scribis nobis nostra - - * * * * * - - Page 423 - - - - -XXIV - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Brundisium, Aug. 6_, B.C. _47_] - -What you wrote to me some time ago and to Tullia too about me, with -the intention that it should be passed on to me, I feel to be true. -It adds to my misery, though I thought nothing could be added, that, -when I have received the deepest injury, I cannot show anger or even -annoyance with impunity. So I must put up with that. And when I have -borne that blow, I shall still have to suffer what you warn me to guard -against. For I have got myself into such trouble, that, whatever the -state of affairs or the feelings of the people may be, the result for -me apparently will be the same. - -But here I take the pen myself; for I shall have to deal with -confidential matters. Please see to the will even now, as it was made -when she had begun to get into difficulties. She did not bother you, I -think; for she did not even ask me about it. But, supposing that is so, -since you have broached the subject already, you will be able to advise -her to deposit it with some one whose position is not affected by this -war. Myself I would rather you were the person, if she agrees to that. -The fact is I am keeping the poor woman in the dark as to that fear of -mine.[197] - -[197] That her property would be confiscated. - -For that other matter, I know of course that nothing can be put up for -sale now, but things could be put away and hidden, so that they escape -the crash which is threatening. For, when you - - * * * * * - - Page 424 - -et tua Tulliae fore parata, tua credo, nostra quae poterunt esse? De -Terentia autem (mitto cetera, quae sunt innumerabilia) quid ad hoc -addi potest? Scripseras, ut HS X̅I̅I̅ permutaret; tantum esse reliquum -de argento. Misit illa CCIↃↃ mihi et adscripsit tantum esse reliquum. -Cum hoc tam parvum de parvo detraxerit, perspicis, quid in maxima re -fecerit. - -Philotimus non modo nullus venit, sed ne per litteras quidem aut per -nuntium certiorem facit me, quid egerit. Epheso qui veniunt, ibi se eum -de suis controversiis in ius adeuntem vidisse nuntiant; quae quidem -(ita enim veri simile est) in adventum Caesaris fortasse reiciuntur. -Ita aut nihil puto eum habere, quod putet ad me celerius perferendum, -aut adeo me in malis esse despectum, ut, etiamsi quid habet, id nisi -omnibus suis negotiis confectis ad me referre non curet. Ex quo magnum -equidem capio dolorem, sed non tantum, quantum videor debere. Nihil -enim mea minus interesse puto, quam quid illinc adferatur. Id quam ob -rem, te intellegere certo scio. - -Quod me mones de vultu et oratione ad tempus accommodanda, etsi -difficile est, tamen imperarem mihi, a mea quicquam interesse putarem. -Quod scribis litteris putare te Africanum negotium confici posse, -vellem scriberes, cur ita putares; mihi quidem nihil in mentem venit, -quare id putem fieri posse. Tu tamen velim, si quid erit, quod -consolationis aliquid - - * * * * * - - Page 425 - -write that my fortune and yours are at Tullia's service, I believe you -as to yours, but what can there be of mine? Now as to Terentia, I omit -lots of other things, for what can one add to this? You wrote to her -to remit me by bill of exchange £100, saying that was the balance. She -sent me 80 guineas,[198] adding that that was all the balance. If she -purloins so trifling an amount from so small a total, you can see what -she has been doing in the case of larger sums. - -[198] 12,000 and 10,000 sesterces respectively. - -Not a trace of Philotimus as yet: nay, he has not even informed me by -letter or messenger what he has done. Those who come from Ephesus say -they saw him there going into court about some lawsuits of his own, -which possibly--indeed in all probability--are deferred till Caesar's -arrival. So I suppose he either has nothing which he thinks he need -hurry to bring to me, or I have sunk so low in my misfortunes that, -even if he has, he does not take the trouble to bring it until he -has finished all his own business. And that causes me considerable -annoyance, but not so much as I think it ought. For I don't think -anything matters much less to me than what answer he brings back from -that quarter. Why, I am quite sure you know. - -You advise me to mould my looks and words according to circumstances. -It is difficult, but I would put a rein on myself, if I thought it -mattered to me at all. You say you think the African business can be -arranged by an interchange of letters: I wish you would say, why you -think so: for I can't imagine any reason for thinking it possible. -However please write to me, if there is anything that would give me - - * * * * * - - Page 426 - -habeat, scribas ad me; sin, ut perspicio, nihil erit, scribas id ipsum. -Ego ad te, si quid audiero citius, scribam. Vale. - -VIII Idus Sextil. - - - - -XXV - -CICERO ATTICO SAL. - - -[Sidenote: _Scr. Brundisi III Non. Quint. a. 707_] - -Facile adsentior tuis litteris, quibus exponis pluribus verbis nullum -consistere consilium, quo a te possim iuvari. Consolatio certe nulla -est, quae levare possit dolorem meum. Nihil est enim contractum casu -(nam id esset ferendum), sed omnia fecimus eis erroribus et miseriis -et animi et corporis, quibus proximi utinam mederi maluissent! Quam -ob rem, quoniam neque consilii tui neque consolationis cuiusquam spes -ulla mihi ostenditur, non quaeram haec a te posthac; tantum velim, -ne intermittas, scribas ad me, quicquid veniet tibi in mentem, cum -habebis, cui des, et dum erit, ad quem des; quod longum non erit. - -Illum discessisse Alexandria rumor est non firmus ortus ex Sulpici -litteris; quas cuncti postea nuntii confirmarunt. Quod verum an falsum -sit, quoniam mea nihil interest, utrum malim, nescio. - -Quod ad te iam pridem de testamento scripsi, apud εὔπιστόν τινα velim -ut possit adservari.[199] Ego huius miserrumae fatuitate confectus -conflictor. Nihil - -[199] _The MSS. read_ apud epistolas velim ut possim adversas. _I have -followed Boot's emendation, though with doubt. Shuckburgh suggests_ -apud vestales velim depositum adservari. - - * * * * * - - Page 427 - -a crumb of comfort: but, if, as I see is the case, there is nothing, -write and tell me that. If I hear anything first I will write to you. -Farewell. - -August 6. - - - - -XXV - -CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING. - - -[Sidenote: _Brundisium, July 5_, B.C. _47_] - -I can quite believe what you explain at some length in your letter, -that no advice of yours can assist me: and certainly there is no -consolation which can relieve my sorrow. For none of my misfortunes -has come upon me by fate--that would have been endurable--but I -have brought all on myself by my mistakes and my mental and bodily -afflictions, which I only wish my nearest and dearest had thought -fit to remedy. So, as there is no hope of any advice from you or any -consolation, I will not ask for them henceforth: only please do not -cease from writing to me anything that may occur to you, when you have -anyone to send it by, and so long as there is anyone to send it to; -which will not be long. - -There is a rumour, though not a very certain one, that Caesar has left -Alexandria. It came first from a letter of Sulpicius, and has been -confirmed by all subsequent messengers. Whether to prefer it to be -false or true, I don't know, as it does not matter to me. - -As I told you already about the will I should like it to be preserved -in a safe place.[200] I am worn out and harassed by the infatuation of -my unhappy daughter. I don't think there ever was such a child - -[200] This seems to be the sense, though the reading is doubtful. - - * * * * * - - Page 428 - -umquam simile natum puto. Cui si qua re consulere aliquid possum, cupio -a te admoneri. Video eandem esse difficultatem quam in consilio dando -ante. Tamen hoc me magis sollicitat quam omnia. In pensione secunda -caeci fuimus. Aliud mallem; sed praeteriit. Te oro, ut in perditis -rebus si quid cogi, confici potest, quod sit in tuto, ex argento atque -satis multa ex supellectile, des operam. Iam enim mihi videtur adesse -extremum nec ulla fore condicio pacis eaque, quae sunt, etiam sine -adversario peritura. Haec etiam, si videbitur, cum Terentia loquere -opportune. Non queo omnia scribere. Vale. - -III Non. Quinctil. - - * * * * * - - Page 429 - -of misfortune. If I can do anything for her in any way, I wish you -would suggest it to me. I see there will be the same difficulty as -there was before in giving me advice: but this causes me more anxiety -than anything. It was blind of me to pay the second instalment. I wish -I had not: but that is over and done with. I beg you to do your best, -as it is in the last extremity, to collect and get together what you -can from the sale of plate and furniture, of which there is a good -deal, and put it in a safe place. For now I think the end is near, -there will be no peace negotiations, and the present government will -collapse even without an adversary. As to this speak to Terentia too at -your convenience, if you think fit. I cannot write everything. Farewell. - -July 5. - - - - -CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OF THE LETTERS.[201] - - - VII. 1 October 16, 50 - 2 November 26, 50 - 3 December 9, 50 - 4 December 10 or 11, 50 - 5 December 16, 50 - 6 December 17, 50 - 7 December 18-21, 50 - 8 December 25 or 26, 50 - 9 December 26 or 27, 50 - 10 January 17 or 18, 49 - 11 January 17-22, 49 - 12 January 21, 49 - 13 January 22, 49 - 13a January 23, 49 - 14 January 25, 49 - 15 January 26, 49 - 16 January 28, 49 - 17 February 2, 49 - 18 February 3, 49 - 19 February 3, 49 - 20 February 5, 49 - 21 February 8, 49 - 22 February 8 or 9, 49 - 23 February 9 or 10, 49 - VIII. 11a February 10, 49 - VII. 24 February 10, 49 - 25 February 10 or 11, 49 - VIII. 12b February 11 or 12, 49 - VII. 26 February 15, 49 - VIII. 11b February 16, 49 - 1 February 16, 49 - 12c February 16, 49 - 12d February 17, 49 - 2 February 17, 49 - 12a February 17 or 18, 48 - 3 February 18, 49 - 11c February 20, 49 - 6 February 21 (?), 49 - 4 February 22, 49 - 5 February 23 (?), 49 - 7 February 23 (?), 49 - 8 February 24, 49 - 9 February 25, 49 - 10 February 26, 49 - 11 February 27, 49 - 11d February 27, 49 - 12 February 28, 49 - 15a February, 49 - IX. 7c February (?), 49 - VIII. 13 March 1, 49 - 14 March 2, 49 - 15 March 3, 49 - 16 March 4, 49 - IX. 1 March 6, 49 - 2 March 7, 49 - 2a March 8, 49 - 6a March, 49 - 3 March 9, 49 - 5 March 10, 49 - 7a March 10 or 11, 49 - 6 March 11, 49 - 7b March 11 or 12, 49 - 4 March 12, 49 - 7 March 13, 49 - 8 March 14, 49 - 9 March 17, 49 - 10 March 18, 49 - 11a March 19, 49 - 11 March 20, 49 - 12 March 20, 49 - 13a March 23 (?), 49 - 13 March 24, 49 - 14 March 25, 49 - 15 March 25, 49 - 16 March 26, 49 - 17 March 27, 49 - 18 March 28, 49 - 19 March 31, 49 - X. 1 April 3, 49 - 2 April 6, 49 - 3 April 7, 49 - 3a April 7, 49 - 4 April 14, 49 - 5 April 16, 49 - 9a April 16, 49 - 8b April, 49 - 6 April, 49 - 7 April 22(?), 49 - 8a April, 49 - 8 May 2, 49 - 9 May 3, 49 - 10 May 3, 49 - 11 May 4, 49 - 12 May 5, 49 - 12a May 6, 49 - 13 May 7, 49 - 14 May 8, 49 - 15 May 12, 49 - 16 May 14, 49 - 17 May 16, 49 - 18 May 19 or 20, 49 - XI. 1 January, 48 - 2 March, 48 - 3 June 13, 48 - 4a June 15-19, 48 - 4 July 15, 48 - 5 November 4, 48 - 6 November 27, 48 - 7 December 17, 48 - 8 December 18, 48 - 9 January 3, 47 - 10 January 19, 47 - 11 March 8, 47 - 12 March 8, 47 - 13 March 9 (?), 47 - 14 April 25 (?), 47 - 15 May 14, 47 - 16 June 3, 47 - 17 June 12 or 13, 47 - 17a June 14, 47 - 18 June 19, 47 - 25 July 5, 47 - 23 July 9, 47 - 19 July 22, 47 - 24 August 6, 47 - 20 August 15, 47 - 21 August 25, 47 - 22 September 1 (?), 47 - -[201] In many cases the dates and the order are only approximate, and -authorities differ about them. I have generally accepted the dates -given in the Teubner edition. - - - - -INDEX OF NAMES - - - [_The references are to the pages of Latin text._] - - - Ἀβδηριτικόν, 40 - - Acastus, 2 - - Achaia, 372, 386 - - Achaici, 394, 396, 402 - - Actium, 14 - - Adrianum mare, 298 - - Aeculanum, 18 - - Aegypta, 166 - - Aegyptus, 236, 270 - - Aelius Lamia, _see_ Lamia (L. Aelius) - - Aemilius Lepidus (M'.), 58, 100, 118, 126, 164, 166, 176, 232 - - Aenaria, 334 - - Aesernia, 140 - - Aesopus, 398 - - Afranius (L.), 94, 102, 112, 114, 312, 314 - - Africa, 184, 372, 388, 394, 396, 406 - - Africanae res, 382; - -num negotium, 424 - - Africanus, _see_ Cornelius Scipio Africanus - - Agusius, 418 - - Alba, 150, 156, 194 - - Albanum (praedium), 34, 38, 44, 254 - - Alexandrea, 218, 368, 390, 396, 398, 400, 406, 408, 426 - - Alexandrina mora, 402 - - Alexio, 14 - - Alexis, 12, 42 - - Aliensis pugna, 192 - - Allienus, 340 - - Ampius Balbus (T.), 136 - - Ancon(a), 52, 78 - - Annius Milo Papinianus (T.), 204, 254 - - Anteros, 254, 352 - - Antiochea, 410 - - Antium, 222 - - Antonius (M.), _triumvir_, 46, 116, 222, 308, 314, 318, 326, 328, 332, - 334, 340, 344, 370, 388, 408; - _letter from_, 308 - - Appia (via), 138, 174, 234 - - Appianae legiones, 70, 82 - - Appius, _see_ Claudius Pulcher (Appius) - - Apulia, 56, 86, 108, 122, 134, 138, 140, 142, 296 - - Arabia, 236 - - Aradus, 218 - - Arcanum (praedium), 34, 276, 278 - - Aristoxenus, 114 - - Ἀρκαδία, 292 - - Armenii, 226 - - Arpi, 186 - - Arpinum, 126, 174, 176, 190, 194, 220, 254, 262, 266, 342 - - Artaxerxes, 306 - - Asia, 26, 184, 352, 354, 368, 382, 394, 396, 400, 402, 414 - - Ateius Capito (C.), 300 - - Athenae, 2, 10, 414 - - Atius Paelignus (C.), 116 - - Ἀτρείδης, 24 - - Attius Varus (P.), 66 - - Attus Navius, 304 - - Aurelius Cotta (M.), 344 - - Axius (Q.), 324, 334, 340 - - - Baebius, 254 - - Baiae, 368 - - Balbus, _see_ Ampius Balbus _and_ Cornelius Balbus - - Basilus, _see_ Minucius Basilus - - Beneventum, 260 - - Bibulus, _see_ Calpurnius Bibulus - - Brundisina militia, 338; - porta, 12; - res, 186; - -ni nuntii, 160 - - Brundisium, 2, 12, 16, 112, 116, 124, 128, 134, 138, 140, 142, 152, 162, - 174, 176, 180, 182, 184, 186, 190, 192, 194, 206, 232, 236, 244, - 248, 250, 252, 254, 256, 258, 276, 366 - - Brutus, _see_ Iunius Brutus - - Bussenius, 156 - - Byzantium, 218 - - - Caecilius Metellus (L.), 196, 288, 304, 370 - - Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio (_formerly_ P. Cornelius Scipio Nasica), - 32, 112, 168, 178, 236 - - Caecilius Statius (C.), 28 - - Caelianus animus, 332; - -num illud, 338; - -na illa, 344 - - Caelius, 332, 338 - - Caelius, banker, 30 - - Caelius Caldus (C.), 8 - - Caelius Rufus (M.), 6, 24, 28, 76, 86, 314; - _letter from_, 314 - - Caesar, _see_ Iulius Caesar - - Caesius (C.), 234, 248 - - Caieta, 112 - - Calenius (M.), 156 - - Calenum, 112 - - Cales, 66, 72, 84, 140 - - Calpurnius Bibulus (M.), 16, 18, 24, 220 - - Calpurnius Piso (L.), _friend of Antonius_, 310 - - Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus (L.), 60, 76 - - Camerinum, 154 - - Camillus, _see_ Furius Camillus - - Campania, 56 - - Campani coloni, 68; - -nus ager, 40 - - Caninius Rebilus (C.), 22 - - Caninius Rebilus (T.), 256 - - Canuleius, 294 - - Canusium, 138, 142, 152, 162, 176, 194 - - Capito, _see_ Ateius Capito - - Capua, 66, 68, 70, 72, 76, 78, 82, 84, 86, 98, 100, 102, 108, 114, 118, - 136, 140, 142, 148, 152, 194, 196, 252, 254, 258, 260, 340 - - Carbo, _see_ Papirius Carbo - - Carneades, 14 - - Cassianum negotium, 400 - - Cassius Longinus (C.), 86, 90, 92, 178, 222, 390, 398 - - Cassius Longinus (Q.), 24, 78 - - Castrum Truentinum, 154 - - Cato, _see_ Porcius Cato - - Celer, _see_ Pilius Celer - - Cephalio, 92, 270, 274, 276, 338, 386, 404 - - Chios, 218 - - Chrysippus, 18, 34, 354 - - Cicero, _see_ Tullius Cicero; - -nes, _see_ Tullii Cicerones - - Cilices, 8 - - Cingulum, 52, 66 - - Cinna, _see_ Cornelius Cinna - - Cinnea (crudelitas), 128 - - Claudius Marcellus (C.), 150, 328, 334, 340 - - Claudius Marcellus (M.), 108, 152 - - Claudius Pulcher (Appius), 100, 168, 178 - - Clodia, _sister of P. Clodius_, 218 - - Clodia, _mother-in-law of L. Metellus_, 196 - - Clodius, _client of Atticus_, 300 - - Clodius Pulcher (P.), 108, 420 - - Colchi, 218, 226 - - Considius Nonianus (M.), 26 - - Coponius (C.), 152 - - Corcyra, 14, 364 - - Corfiniensis clementia, 260; - διατροπή, 248; - exspectatio, 118 - - Corfinium, 112, 134, 140, 142, 152, 158, 162, 164, 170, 182, 212 - - Coriolanus, 226 - - Cornelius Balbus (L.), 28, 32, 42, 102, 128, 168, 192, 194, 202, 212, - 250, 252, 326, 348, 366, 374, 376, 378, 394, 408, 416; - _letters of_, 168, 206, 208, 250 - - Cornelius Balbus (L.), _son of the last_, 128, 132, 170, 194, 386 - - Cornelius Cinna (L.), 42, 110, 226 - - Cornelius Dolabella (P.), 44, 62, 76, 86, 244, 250, 262, 290, 298, 308, - 370 - - Cornelius Lentulus Crus (L.), 56, 84, 128, 132, 140, 170, 194, 210, 390 - - Cornelius Lentulus Marcellinus (Cn.), 222 - - Cornelius Lentulus Spinther (P.), 90, 150, 164, 176, 184, 206, 234, 240, - 248, 258, 368 - - Cornelius Lentulus Spinther (P.), _son of the last_, 390 - - Cornelius Scipio (L.), 256 - - Cornelius Scipio Africanus Aemilianus (P.), 126, 130, 242, 306 - - Cornelius Scipio Nasica (P.), _see_ Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio (Q.) - - Cornelius Sulla (L.), _dictator_, 42, 212, 226, 236, 252, 256 - - Cornelius Sulla (P.), 414, 416 - - Cornelius Sulla Faustus (L.), 112, 152, 178, 236 - - Cosanum (praedium), 194, 220 - - Cotta, _see_ Aurelius Cotta - - Cous (Nicias), 28; - (insula), 218 - - Crassipes, _see_ Furius Crassipes - - Croto, 270 - - Culleo, _see_ Terentius Culleo - - Cumani, 334; - -num (praedium), 286, 344 - - Curio, _see_ Scribonius Curio - - Curius (M'.), 14, 26, 30, 118, 120, 194, 262 - - Curtius Postumus (M.), 182, 186, 190, 194, 334 - - Cyprus, 218 - - Cytheris, 322 - - - Delos, 222 - - Demetrius Magnes, 134, 150, 218 - - Dicaearchus, 20, 114 - - Diochares, 368 - - Διονύσιος έν Κορίνθω, 216 - - Dionysius, _tutor of young Cicero_, 28, 30, 38, 44, 80, 96, 114, 116, - 128, 242, 258, 278, 342 - - Dionysius, _slave_, 184 - - Dolabella, _see_ Cornelius Dolabella - - Domitius Ahenobarbus (Cn.), 184 - - Domitius Ahenobarbus (L.), 66, 92, 94, 98, 100, 112, 116, 118, 120, 122, - 124, 134, 140, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 164, 166, 176, 194, - 220, 258 - - Drusus, _see_ Livius Drusus - - Dyrrhachium, 152 - - - Egnatius (L.), 80, 340, 358 - - Ἕκτωρ, 192 - - Ἐνυάλιος, 46 - - Ephesus, 382, 424 - - Epirus, 10, 12, 178, 206, 220, 242, 298 - - Eppius (M.), 136 - - Eros, _slave of Philotimus_, 338 - - Euphrates, 16 - - - Fabatus, see Roscius Fabatus - - Fabius (C.), 22, 112 - - Fabius (Q.), 134 - - Fadius Gallus (M.), 146 - - Fannius (C.), 70, 168, 368 - - Faustus, _see_ Cornelius Sulla Faustus - - Favonius (M.), 8, 70 - - Feralia, 162 - - Figulus, _see_ Nigidius Figulus - - Firmum, 154 - - Flaccus, _see_ Valerius Flaccus - - Flavius (L.), 272 - - Flumentana (porta), 28 - - Formiae, 44, 56, 70, 72, 78, 104, 114, 136, 184, 190, 218, 262, 268, 348 - - Formianum (praedium), 34, 76, 78, 84, 90, 96, 118, 176, 202, 216, 232, - 342 - - Fretense (mare), 298 - - Frusinas (fundus), 360, 392 - - Fufidiana, 400; - -- praedia, 396; - -ni coheredes, 392 - - Fufius Calenus (Q.), 190, 376, 398, 402 - - Funisulanus, 338 - - Furfanius Postumus (T.), 70 - - Furiae, 348 - - Furius Camillus (C.), 404, 418 - - Furius Crassipes, 10, 236 - - Furnius (C.), 82, 198, 200, 238 - - - Gabinius (A.), 300 - - Gaditanus (_i.e._ Cornelius Balbus), 42 - - Galba, _see_ Sulpicius Galba - - Galeo, 390 - - Galli, 54, 246 - - Gallia, 108, 296 - - Gallius (M.), 340, 412 - - Gallus, _see_ Fadius Gallus - - Germania, 314 - - Getae, 226 - - Gnaeus, _see_ Pompeius Magnus (C.) - - Graeci, 80; - -e, 188 - - Graecia, 62, 72, 76, 122, 184, 220, 236, 254, 264, 290, 344 - - - Hannibal, 52 - - Hippias, 226 - - Hirrus, _see_ Lucilius Hirrus - - Hirtianus sermo, 292 - - Hirtius, 32, 284, 292, 394, 410 - - Hispania, 50, 74, 78, 184, 194, 238, 254, 260, 264, 288, 294, 298, 300, - 302, 314, 318, 382, 388; - Hispaniae, 182, 300, 308, 314, 316, 318, 328, 332, 334, 336, 348 - - Hispaniensis casus, 300 - - Homerus, 192, 214 - - Hortensiana, 348 - - Hortensius (Q.), _son of the orator_, 16, 126, 286, 328, 344, 346, 368 - - - Ignuvium, 66 - - Ἰλιάς, 132 - - Illyricum, 296, 314, 400 - - Isidorus, 358 - - Italia, 52, 58, 74, 76, 84, 88, 98, 106, 108, 110, 114, 120, 126, 130, - 132, 140, 142, 144, 158, 174, 178, 184, 196, 204, 218, 228, 230, - 268, 278, 282, 290, 302, 308, 320, 332, 368, 370, 372, 382, 386, - 388, 408 - - Iulius Caesar (C.), _dictator_, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 32, 36, 38, 40, 46, 48, - 52, 56, 60, 66, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 86, 88, 92, 94, 100, 110, - 112, 114, 122, 128, 132, 134, 140, 142, 146, 154, 156, 158, 162, - 166, 168, 170, 178, 180, 182, 186, 190, 194, 198, 202, 206, 208, - 210, 212, 214, 216, 220, 222, 234, 236, 238, 240, 242, 244, 248, - 250, 252, 254, 258, 260, 280, 284, 286, 288, 290, 298, 302, 310, - 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 334, 366, 368, 370, 374, 376, 380, 382, - 386, 388, 406, 410, 412, 416, 418, 424; - letters from, 200, 250, 260, 310 - - Iulius Caesar (L.), 64, 66, 68, 72, 74, 78, 82, 148 - - Iunius Brutus (M.), _father of the following_, 252 - - Iunius Brutus (M.), _murderer of Caesar_, 360 - - Iuppiter, 166 - - - Κόρινθος, 216 - - Κωρυκαῖοι, 348 - - - Labienus (T.), 42, 52, 58, 60, 66, 70, 72, 102 - - Lacedaemonii, 306 - - Λακωνικὴ σκυτάλη, 320 - - Laelius (D.), 140, 152, 370, 394, 398 - - Laelius Sapiens (C.), 28 - - Lamia (L. Aelius), 370 - - Lanuvinum (praedium), 222, 248 - - Larinum, 56, 66 - - Lartidius, 10 - - Laterium, 272 - - Latine, 188; - -itas, 28 - - Lavernium, 44 - - Lentulus, _see_ Cornelius Lentulus - - Lepidi, 164 - - Lepidus, _see_ Aemilius Lepidus (M.) - - Lepta (Q.), 114, 240, 254, 324, 376 - - Lesbos, 218 - - Liberalia, 224 - - Libo, _see_ Scribonius Libo - - Licinius Murena (L.), 390 - - Ligur, _or_ Ligus (L.), 80 - - Ligurius (A.), 378, 380 - - Literninum (praedium), 334 - - Livia, 44 - - Livius Drusus (M.), 18 - - Lucceius (L.M.f.), 26 - - Lucceius (L.Q.f.), 176, 236 - - Luceria, 56, 82, 98, 100, 110, 114, 128, 132, 134, 154, 158; - -iae, 102, 172 - - Lucilius Hirrus (C.), 8, 10, 134 - - Lucius, _see_ Manlius Torquatus (L.) - - Lucretius (Q.), 92, 116 - - Lupus, _see_ Rutilius Lupus - - Luscenius, 34 - - Lycia, 218 - - - Magius (N.), 212, 250 - - Mamurra, 42 - - Manlius Torquatus (A.), 68, 214 - - Manlius Torquatus (L.), 14, 58, 136, 214 - - Marathonia pugna, 226 - - Marcelli, 6, 178 - - Marcellinus, _see_ Cornelius Lentulus Marcellinus - - Marcellus, _see_ Claudius Marcellus - - Marcius Philippus (L.), _consul_ 91 B.C., 110, 112 - - Marcius Philippus (L.), 258, 290 - - Marius (C.), 226, 306 - - Marsi, 66 - - Massilia, 336 - - Massilienses, 322, 332 - - Matius (C.), 234, 236, 240, 246, 258, 262; - _letter from_, 258 - - Melita, 296, 308, 314, 348 - - Mentor, 214 - - Menturnae, 64, 136, 240, 276, 334 - - Μεσοποταμία, 236 - - Messalla (_or_ Messala), _see_ Valerius Messalla - - Messius (C.), 140 - - Metella, 420 - - Metellus, _see_ Caecilius Metellus - - Miletus, 218 - - Milo, _see_ Annius Milo - - Miloniana tempora, 210 - - Minerva, 214 - - Minucia via, 194 - - Minucius Basilus, 48 - - Minucius Basilus (L.), 362 - - Minucius Rufus, 394, 396 - - Minucius Thermus (Q.), 66, 394, 396 - - Misenum, 308 - - Moneta, 122 - - Mucianus exitus, 240; - -num istud, 276 - - Mucius Scaevola (Q.), _pontifex maximus_, 110, 112, 256 - - Mucius Scaevola (Q.), _tribune of the plebs_ 54 B.C., 222 - - Murena, _see_ Licinius Murena - - Mytilenaeus (_i.e._ Theophanes), 42 - - - Nasica, _see_ Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio - - Nasidius (L.), 408 - - Neapolis, 258 - - Neapolitanus sermo, 16; - -ni, 334 - - Nicias Curtius, 28 - - Nigidius Figulus (P.), 92 - - Ninnius Quadratus (L.), 344 - - Nonius Sufenas (M.), 168 - - Numerianum raudusculum, 16 - - - Ocella (Ser.), 322, 334, 346 - - Octavius Mamilius, 226 - - Onchesmites, 12 - - Oppii, of Velia, 64, 88, 122, 292, 298 - - Oppius (C.), 202, 208, 212, 250, 366, 374, 376, 394, 406, 408; - _letter of_, 206 - - - Paestum, 408 - - Pamphilus, 12 - - Pamphylia, 218 - - Panaetius, 242 - - Pansa, _see_ Vibius Pansa - - Papirius Carbo (Cn.), 252 - - Parthi, 18 - - Parthicus casus, 96; - -cum bellum, 4; - -cae res, 134 - - Patrae, 12, 364, 382, 402, 412, 414 - - Patron, 14, 16 - - Pedanum, 266 - - Pedius (Q.), 252 - - Peducaeus (Sex.), 272 - - Peducaeus (Sex.), _son of the above_, 62, 68, 74, 202, 234, 248, 272, 276 - - Peloponnesus, 332 - - Pericles, 54 - - Perses, 300 - - Petreius (M.), 102, 312 - - Phalaris, 84 - - Phamea, 222, 248 - - Pharnaces, _king_, 414, 416 - - Philargyrus, 258 - - Philippus, _see_ Marcius Philippus (L.) - - Philogenes, 34, 38 - - Philotimus, _freedman of Terentia_, 18, 26, 82, 88, 98, 122, 172, 190, - 206, 218, 220, 294, 298, 310, 312, 322, 338, 404, 410, 418, 424 - - Philoxenus, _letter-carrier_, 16 - - Phryges, 8 - - Picena, 62 - - Picentes, 94; - -tinae cohortes, 158 - - Picenum, 86, 90, 92, 98, 122, 150, 154, 182 - - Picenus ager, 72, 108, 136 - - Pilia, 32, 120, 340 - - Pilius Celer (Q.), 264, 276, 360 - - Pinarius (T.), 166 - - Piraeus, 2, 28 - - Pisistratus, 84, 172, 226 - - Piso, _see_ Calpurnius Piso - - Plaguleius, 300 - - Plato (Πλάτων), 64, 248, 304 - - Pollex, 118, 360 - - Pompeia lex, 288; - -anum (praedium), 340, 344 - - Pompeius Magnus (Cn.), 4, 6, 16, 24, 30, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 50, - 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 82, 86, 88, 92, - 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 126, 128, - 130, 134, 136, 138, 148, 150, 160, 162, 168, 170, 172, 176, 178, - 180, 182, 184, 186, 190, 194, 196, 198, 202, 208, 210, 212, 214, - 224, 228, 230, 232, 236, 238, 240, 242, 244, 248, 250, 252, 254, - 258, 264, 268, 274, 278, 280, 288, 296, 298, 300, 302, 304, 312, - 320, 344, 366, 372, 392; - _letters of_, 134, 138, 150, 154, 156, 158 - - Pomponia, 380 - - Pomponius Atticus (T.), 6, 42, 132, 196, 198, 304 - - Pomptina (regio ?), 34 - - Pomptinus (C.), 38 - - Pontius Aquila (L.), 12, 30 - - Pontius Titinianus, 268 - - Porcius Cato (M.), 8, 10, 16, 24, 70, 328, 342, 344, 370 - - Porsena, 226 - - Postumia, 314 - - Postumius, 70 - - Postumus, _see_ Curtius Postumus - - Πουλυδάμας, 6 - - Precianum, 10 - - Pulcher, _see_ Clodius Pulcher (P.) - - Puteoli, 28, 234, 248, 258, 270, 286 - - Pyrenaeus, 112 - - - Quinctius (L.), 48 - - Quinti, _see_ Tullius Cicero (Q.) - - Quinquatria (_or_ -trus), 234, 244 - - - Ravenna, 6 - - Reatini, 214 - - Rebilus, _see_ Caninius Rebilus - - Reginus, 328 - - Regium, 292 - - Rhodii, 326 - - Rhodos, 218, 390, 418 - - Roma, 2, 38, 58, 60, 62, 68, 72, 74, 76, 118, 134, 162, 170, 194, 208, - 210, 214, 222 - - Romanus homo, 300; - -nus populus, 52, 238, 242, 260, 266, 296, 370; - -ni, 34; - -ni equites, 34; - -ni rustici, 248 - - Roscius Fabatus (L.), 148 - - Rutilius Lupus (P.), 152, 176 - - - Sabinus ager, 214 - - Sallustius (Cn.), 384, 406, 412 - - Sallustius (P.), 384 - - Salvius, _freedman of Hortensius_, 348 - - Salvius, _librarian of Atticus_, 200 - - Samnium, 142, 156 - - Samus, 374 - - Sardanapalus, 304 - - Sardinia, 184, 344 - - Saufeius (L.), 2 - - Scaevola, _see_ Mucius Scaevola - - Scipio, _see_ Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio _and_ Cornelius Scipio - - Scribonius Curio (C.), 40, 82, 156, 252, 254, 286, 292, 298, 300, 308, - 320, 322, 328, 330, 344 - - Scribonius Libo (L.), 56, 136, 236 - - Scrofa, _see_ Tremellius Scrofa - - Seleucea Pieria, 410 - - Serapion, _letter-carrier_, 346 - - Servilius Vatia Isauricus (P.), 362 - - Servius, _see_ Sulpicius Rufus - - Sestius (P.), 168, 368 - - Sextus, _see_ Peducaeus (Sex.) - - Sicca, 158 - - Sicilia, 40, 70, 112, 152, 158, 184, 272, 288, 298, 328, 342, 412, 414 - - Siculi, 328 - - Sicyon, 374, 376 - - Sidon, 218 - - Silius (A.), 334 - - Silius Nerva (P.), 10 - - Sinuessa, 260 - - Sipontum, 254, 296 - - Siser (P.), 390 - - Socrates, 104 - - Solon, 274 - - Sosius (C.), 118, 176 - - Statius, 214 - - Sufenas, _see_ Nonius Sufenas - - Sulla, _see_ Cornelius Sulla - - Sullanus dies, 306; - -mos, 296; - -num regnum, 132, 202; - -na, 414 - - Sulmo, 116, 150 - - Sulpicius Galba (P.), 222 - - Sulpicius Rufus (Ser.), 22, 76, 100, 264, 268, 280, 298, 314, 322, 330, - 334, 336, 390, 426 - - Sulpicius Rufus (Ser.), _son of the above_, 314 - - Sunium, 28 - - Syracusae, 342 - - Syria, 178, 390 - - - Tarentum, 254, 394 - - Tarquinius Superbus, 226 - - Tarracina, 34, 136 - - Tartessius (_i.e._ Balbus), 30 - - Teanum (_in Apulia_), 56, 66 - - Teanum Sidicinum, 136, 140 - - Terentia, 10, 12, 30, 60, 62, 64, 72, 88, 96, 292, 344, 384, 404, 424, - 428 - - Terentius, _the poet_, 28 - - Terentius (L.), 408 - - Terentius Culleo (Q.), 148 - - Terentius Hispo (P.), 382 - - Themistocles, 54, 226 - - Themistocleum concilium, 302; - -exsilium, 304 - - Theophanes, 148, 178, 236 - - Thermus, _see_ Minucius Thermus - - Thrasybulus, 112 - - Thucydides, 8, 304 - - Thurii, 270 - - Thyamis, 14 - - Tiburs villa, 164 - - Tiro, _see_ Tullius Tiro - - Titinius (Q.), 80, 198, 216, 264, 280 - - Torquatus, _see_ Manlius Torquatus - - Transpadanus, 42 - - Trebatius Testa (C.), 74, 76, 222, 240, 258, 260, 274, 326, 328, 376; - _letter from_, 258 - - Trebonius (C.), 112, 366, 410 - - Trebulanum (praedium), 12, 30 - - Tremellius Scrofa (Cn.), 10 - - Τρωάδες, 6 - - Τρῶες, 6, 58, 174 - - Troianum (praedium), 248 - - Tullia (_or_ Tulliola), 30, 60, 62, 72, 276, 278, 298, 308, 332, 348, - 366, 374, 404, 406, 422, 424 - - Tullii Cicerones, 14, 62, 78, 84, 114, 130, 196 - - Tullius (M.), _relative of Cicero_, 138 - - Tullius Cicero (M.), _the orator_, 6, 24, 42, 168, 190, 210, 250, 310, - 316, 318 - - Tullius Cicero (M.), _son of the orator_, 194, 262, 266, 406, 408 - - Tullius Cicero (Q.), _brother of the orator_, 80, 114, 140, 196, 340, - 364, 368, 376, 382, 386, 390, 392, 394, 396, 400, 412, 414, 418 - - Tullius Cicero (Q.), _son of the above_, 14, 292, 296, 328, 340, 374, - 382, 404, 410, 412, 414, 418 - - Tullius Tiro (M.), 12, 14, 30, 34, 118, 120, 262, 292, 334 - - Tullus, _see_ Volcatius Tullus - - Turranius (D.), 2 - - Tusci, 156 - - Tuscilius (M.), 156 - - Tusculanum (praedium), 26, 34, 42, 222 - - Tyrus, 218 - - - Umbria, 156 - - - Valerius Flaccus (L.), 110 - - Valerius Messalla (_or_ Messala) (M.), 416 - - Vatinius (P.), 364, 378 - - Veiento, 24 - - Velia, 64 - - Venafrum, 66 - - Vennonianae res, 60 - - Vestorius (C.), 294, 334 - - Vettienus, 294, 326, 334, 340 - - Vibius Pansa (C.), 366, 394 - - Vibullius Rufus (L.), 92, 98, 104, 134, 136, 154, 166 - - Voconius, 168 - - Volcatius Tullus (L.), 22, 100, 126, 166, 232, 268 - - Volsci, 226 - - - Xeno, _of Athens_, 2 - - - Zmyrna, 218 - - WOODS AND SONS, LTD., PRINTERS, LONDON, N. 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