part I

am glued to my books, and I don't want to receive him here. I hear his father has gone to-day to Saxa Rubra[168] to meet him in a fury. He was so extraordinarily enraged against him that I remonstrated with him. But I am capable of acting the "giddy goat" too. So it rests with the future. Do you please see what you think about my movements and everything else. If you can see the way to-morrow, let me know early.

Footnote 168:

About ten miles from Rome on the Via Flaminia.

* * * * *

Page 192

XLI

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano VI aut V Id. Sext. a. 709_]

Ego vero Quinto epistulam ad sororem misi. Cum ille quereretur filio cum matre bellum et se ob eam causam domo cessurum filio diceret, dixi illum commodas ad matrem litteras, ad te nullas. Ille alterum mirabatur, de te autem suam culpam, quod saepe graviter ad filium scripsisset de tua in illum iniuria. Quod autem relanguisse se dicit, ego ei tuis litteris lectis σκολιαῖς ἀπάταις significavi me non fore iratum.[169] Tum enim mentio Canae. Omnino, si id consilium placeret, esset necesse; sed, ut scribis, ratio est habenda gravitatis, et utriusque nostrum idem consilium esse debet, etsi in me graviores iniuriae et certe notiores. Si vero etiam Brutus aliquid adferet, nulla dubitatio est. Sed coram. Magna enim res et multae cautionis. Cras igitur, nisi quid a te commeatus.

Footnote 169:

iratum _inserted by Lambinus_.

XLII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano ex. m. Dec. a. 709_]

Venit ille ad me καὶ μάλα κατηφής. Et ego: "Σὺ δὲ δὴ τί σύννους;" "Rogas?" inquit, "cui iter instet et iter ad bellum idque cum periculosum tum etiam

* * * * *

Page 193

XLI

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Tusculum, Aug. 8 or 9_, B.C. _45_]

I sent Quintus your letter for your sister. When he complained that his son was at daggers drawn with his mother and said he should give up the house to his son on that account, I said young Quintus had sent an amiable letter to his mother and none to you. He was surprised at the first, but said it was his fault about you, as he had often written in anger to his son about your unfairness to him. However, he said his anger had abated, so I read your letter, and "by crooked ways" hinted that I should not bear malice. For then he began to mention Cana.[170] To be sure, if that plan found favour, we should have to make it up; but, as you say, we must consider our dignity, and we ought to concert our plans together, though his attacks on me were the worst and certainly the most public. If Brutus, too, should come to our aid, we need not hesitate. But we must discuss it together; for it is an important matter and requires great caution. So to-morrow, unless you give me furlough.

Footnote 170:

Daughter of Q. Gellius Canus. Negotiations for her marriage with young Quintus were going on.

XLII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Tusculum, Dec._ B.C. _45_]

Young Quintus has come to me very down in the mouth. So I asked, why he had the blues. "Need you ask," said he, "when I have a journey before me, a journey to a war, and one that is both

* * * * *

Page 194

turpe!" "Quae vis igitur?" inquam. "Aes," inquit, "alienum et tamen ne viaticum quidem." Hoc loco ego sumpsi quiddam de tua eloquentia; nam tacui. At ille: "Sed me maxime angit avunculus." "Quidnam?" inquam. "Quod mihi," inquit, "iratus est." "Cur pateris?" inquam, "malo enim ita dicere quam cur committis?" "Non patiar," inquit, "causam enim tollam." Et ego: "Rectissume quidem; sed, si grave non est, velim scire, quid sit causae." "Quia, dum dubitabam, quam ducerem, non satis faciebam matri; ita ne illi quidem. Nunc nihil mihi tanti est. Faciam, quod volunt." "Feliciter velim," inquam, "teque laudo. Sed quando?" "Nihil ad me," inquit, "de tempore, quoniam rem probo." "At ego," inquam, "censeo, priusquam proficiscaris. Ita patri quoque morem gesseris." "Faciam," inquit, "ut censes." Hic dialogus sic conclusus est.

Sed heus tu, diem meum scis esse III Nonas Ianuarias; aderis igitur. Scripseram iam: ecce tibi orat Lepidus, ut veniam. Opinor augures velle habere ad templum effandum. Eatur; μὴ σκόρδου.[171] Videbimus te igitur.

Footnote 171:

μὴ σκόρδου _Tyrrell_: ΜΙΑΣΚΟΡΔΟΥ _M_: μίασμα δρύος _Gronovius_.

* * * * *

Page 195

dangerous and even disgraceful." "What is there to compel you then?" I said. "Debt," said he, "and yet not enough money for the journey." At that point I borrowed something from your style of eloquence: I held my tongue. Well, he went on, "But what worries me most is my uncle." "Why?" said I. "Because he is angry with me," he answered. "Why do you let him be so?" I said, "for I would rather put it that way than say, Why do you make him angry?" "I will not let him," he said, "for I will remove the reason." I replied, "Very right of you, too; but, if it is not a serious matter, I should like to know what the reason is." "Because my hesitation which wife I should take annoyed my mother, and consequently him, too. Now nothing is worth that, and I will do anything they like." "I hope you will have luck," I said, "and I approve of your resolution. But when are you going to do it?" "The time doesn't matter to me," said he, "since I have made up my mind to it." "Well, I think you ought to do it before you go," I said. "You would oblige your father, too, by doing so." "I will do as you advise," he said; and there the conversation ended.

But, look here, you know it is my birthday on the 3rd of January. So you must come. I was just writing, and here is a request from Lepidus for me to come to town. I suppose the augurs want me for consecrating a temple. I must go; anything for a quiet life.[172] So you will see me.

Footnote 172:

Tyrrell explains this as an allusion to the proverb ἵνα μὴ σκόροδα μηδὲ κυάμους (φάγω) (that I may not eat garlic or beans), which was applied to persons wishing for a quiet life.

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XLIII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano prid. Id. Quint. a. 709_]

Ego vero utar prorogatione diei, tuque humanissime fecisti, qui me certiorem feceris, atque ita, ut eo tempore acciperem litteras, quo non exspectarem, tuque ut ab ludis scriberes. Sunt omnino mihi quaedam agenda Romae, sed consequemur biduo post.

XLIV

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano XIII aut XII K. Sext. a. 709_]

O suavis tuas litteras! (etsi acerba pompa. Verum tamen scire omnia non acerbum est, vel de Cotta) populum vero praeclarum, quod propter malum vicinum ne Victoriae quidem ploditur! Brutus apud me fuit; cui quidem valde placebat me aliquid ad Caesarem. Adnueram; sed pompa deterret. Tu tamen ausus es Varroni dare! Exspecto, quid iudicet. Quando autem pelleget? De Attica probo. Est quiddam etiam animum levari cum spectatione tum etiam religionis opinione et fama. Cottam mi velim mittas; Libonem mecum habeo et habueram ante Cascam. Brutus mihi T. Ligari verbis nuntiavit, quod appelletur L. Corfidius in oratione Ligariana, erratum esse meum. Sed, ut aiunt, μνημονικὸν ἁμάρτημα. Sciebam Corfidium pernecessarium Ligariorum;

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Page 197

XLIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Tusculum, July 14_, B.C. _45_]

Yes, I will take advantage of the postponement of the day of sale; and it was very kind of you to inform me of it, especially to let me have a letter, when I did not expect one, and to write it at the games. There are, to be sure, some things I have to do at Rome; but I will attend to them two days later.

XLIV

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Tusculum, July 20 or 21_, B.C. _45_]

What a delightful letter yours was! Though the procession[173] was unpleasant news; still it is not unpleasant to know everything, even about Cotta.[174] The people were splendid not even to clap Victory because of her bad neighbour. Brutus was staying with me and highly approved of my writing something to Caesar. I assented; but the procession puts me off. Have you really dared to send my book to Varro! I am eager for his opinion. But when will he finish reading it? I agree about Attica. It is something that the spirits are relieved by the spectacle and by the general feeling of religious associations. I wish you would send me Cotta; I have Libo and before that I had Casca. Brutus brought me a message from T. Ligarius that the mention of L. Corfidius in my speech for Ligarius is a mistake. But it is a _lapsus memoriae_, as they say. I knew that Corfidius was extremely

Footnote 173:

A procession at the Ludi Circenses, in which Caesar's image was carried among the gods, next to Victory.

Footnote 174:

Cotta had suggested that Caesar should adopt the title of king, stating that the Sibylline books said Parthia could only be conquered by a king.

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sed eum video ante esse mortuum. Da igitur, quaeso, negotium Pharnaci, Antaeo, Salvio, ut id nomen ex omnibus libris tollatur.

XLV

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano III Id. Sext. a. 709_]

Fuit apud me Lamia post discessum tuum epistulamque ad me attulit missam sibi a Caesare. Quae quamquam ante data erat quam illae Diocharinae, tamen plane declarabat illum ante ludos Romanos esse venturum. In qua extrema scriptum erat, ut ad ludos omnia pararet, neve committeret, ut frustra ipse properasset. Prorsus ex his litteris non videbatur esse dubium, quin ante eam diem venturus esset, itemque Balbo, cum eam epistulam legisset, videri Lamia dicebat.

Dies feriarum mihi additos video, sed quam multos, fac, si me amas, sciam. De Baebio poteris et de altero vicino Egnatio.

Quod me hortaris, ut eos dies consumam in philosophia explicanda, currentem tu quidem; sed cum Dolabella vivendum esse istis diebus vides. Quodnisi me Torquati causa teneret, satis erat dierum, ut Puteolos excurrere possem et ad tempus redire. Lamia quidem a Balbo, ut videbatur, audiverat multos nummos domi esse numeratos, quos oporteret quam primum dividi, magnum pondus argenti; auctionem praeter praedia primo quoque tempore fieri oportere. Scribas ad me velim, quid tibi placeat.

* * * * *

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friendly with the Ligarii; but I see he was dead before the trial. So please get Pharnaces, Antaeus and Salvius to erase the name from all copies.

XLV

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Tusculum, Aug. 11_, B.C. _45_]

Lamia was with me after you left, and brought me a letter Caesar had sent to him. Though it was despatched earlier than those of Diochares, still it asserted plainly that he would come before the Roman games.[175] At the end he told him to make all preparations for the games and not let him hurry back for nothing. From this letter there certainly seemed no doubt that he would come before that date; and Lamia said that Balbus thought so too, when he read the letter.

Footnote 175:

September 15-19.

I see I have some additional days' holiday, but please let me know how many. You can find out from Baebius or your other neighbour Egnatius.

In exhorting me to spend the days in an exposition of philosophy, you are only spurring a willing horse; but note that I have to spend those days with Dolabella. Now, if I had not been detained on Torquatus' business, there would have been time enough to make an excursion to Puteoli and return in time. Lamia has heard from Balbus, it appears, that there is a good deal of ready money in the house, which ought to be divided as soon as possible, and a considerable amount of silver plate, and that the auction of all but the real property ought to take place at the earliest opportunity. Please write and tell me what you think. Upon

* * * * *

Page 200

Equidem, si ex omnibus esset eligendum, nec diligentiorem nec officiosiorem nec mehercule nostri studiosiorem facile delegissem Vestorio; ad quem accuratissimas litteras dedi; quod idem te fecisse arbitror. Mihi quidem hoc satis videtur. Tu quid dicis? Unum enim pungit, ne neglegentiores esse videamur. Exspectabo igitur tuas litteras.

XLVI

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano prid. Id. Sext. a. 709_]

Pollex quidem, ut dixerat ad Idus Sextiles, ita mihi Lanuvi pridie Idus praesto fuit, sed plane pollex, non index. Cognosces igitur ex ipso. Balbum conveni. Lepta enim de sua munerum[176] curatione laborans me ad eum perduxerat. In eo autem Lanuvino, quod Lepido tradidit. Ex eo hoc primum: "Paulo ante acceperam eas litteras, in quibus magno opere confirmat ante ludos Romanos." Legi epistulam. Multa de meo Catone, quo saepissime legendo se dicit copiosiorem factum, Bruti Catone lecto se sibi visum disertum. Ex eo cognovi cretionem Cluvi (o Vestorium neglegentem!) liberam cretionem testibus praesentibus sexaginta diebus. Metuebam, ne ille arcessendus esset. Nunc mittendum est, ut meo

Footnote 176:

munerum _Schmidt_, _coll. Fam._ vi. 19. 2: viin _M_: vini _vulg._

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Page 201

my word, if I had had the whole world to select from, I could hardly have chosen a man more painstaking, more obliging, nor, I am sure, more devoted to my interests than Vestorius. I have sent him an extremely carefully worded letter; and I think you have done the same. I think that is sufficient. What do you say? The one thing that bothers me is that we may seem too careless. So I will wait for your letter.

XLVI

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Tusculum, Aug. 12_, B.C. _45_]

Pollex, having arranged to meet me on the 13th of August, has done so at Lanuvium on the 12th: but he is a mere thumb, and not a pointing finger.[177] So you must get your news from him himself. I have met Balbus: for Lepta, being anxious about the contract for the shows, took me to him. Well, he was in the place at Lanuvium, which he made over to Lepidus: and the first thing he said to me was, "I have just had a letter in which Caesar definitely asserts that he will be here before the Roman games." I read the letter. It dilated on my _Cato_, and he said that by reading it frequently he had increased his flow of language, and, when he read Brutus' _Cato_, he began to think himself eloquent. I learned from him that the formal acceptance of Cluvius' legacy was an unconditional acceptance within sixty days before witnesses. How careless of Vestorius not to tell me! I was afraid I should have to send for him: but now I must

Footnote 177:

In the Latin there is a play on the proper name, which I am unable to reproduce in English.

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Page 202

iussu cernat. Idem igitur Pollex. Etiam de hortis Cluvianis egi cum Balbo. Nil liberalius. Se enim statim ad Caesarem scripturum, Cluvium autem a T. Hordeonio legare et Terentiae HS IↃↃↃ et sepulcro multisque rebus, nihil a nobis. Subaccusa, quaeso, Vestorium. Quid minus probandum quam Plotium unguentarium per suos pueros omnia tanto ante Balbo, illum mi ne per meos quidem? De Cossinio doleo; dilexi hominem.

Quinto delegabo, si quid aeri meo alieno superabit et emptionibus, ex quibus mi etiam aes alienum faciendum puto. De domo Arpini nil scio.

Vestorium nil est quod accuses. Iam enim obsignata hac epistula noctu tabellarius noster venit, et ab eo litteras diligenter scriptas attulit et exemplum testamenti.

XLVII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano Id. Sext. a. 709_]

"Posteaquam abs te, Agamemno," non "ut venirem" (nam id quoque fecissem, nisi Torquatus esset), sed ut scriberem, "tetigit aures nuntius, extemplo" instituta omisi; ea, quae in manibus habebam, abieci, quod iusseras, edolavi. Tu velim e Pollice cognoscas

* * * * *

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commission him to accept at my orders. So this same Pollex can take the message. I discussed Cluvius' gardens with Balbus too, and he was most obliging. For he said he would write to Caesar at once, but that Cluvius had subtracted from Hordeonius' legacy some £500[178] for Terentia, the cost of his tomb and a lot of other things, but nothing from my share. Please remonstrate with Vestorius. It is surely most out of place for Plotius the perfumer to send his own special messengers with full

## particulars to Balbus so long in advance, while Vestorius does not send

me news even by my messengers. I am sorry about Cossinius; I was fond of him.

Footnote 178:

50,000 sesterces.

I will make over to Quintus anything that may be left after paying my debts and making purchases, for which I am afraid I shall incur more debt. About the house at Arpinum I know nothing.

There is no necessity to grumble at Vestorius, for to-night, after I had sealed this letter, my messenger came bringing a letter full of details and a copy of the will.

XLVII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Tusculum, Aug. 13_, B.C. _45_]

"When from thee, Agamemnon, the message reached my ears," not "that I should come" (though I should have done that too, if it had not been for Torquatus), "straightway" I gave up what I had begun, threw down what I had in hand and made a rough sketch of what you ordered.[179] I should like you to find out from

Footnote 179:

_i.e._ he gave up working at the _De Natura Deorum_, and set about writing a letter to Caesar.

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Page 204

rationes nostras sumptuarias. Turpe est enim nobis illum, qualiscumque est, hoc primo anno egere. Post moderabimur diligentius. Idem Pollex remittendus est, ut ille cernat. Plane Puteolos non fuit eundum, cum ob ea, quae ad te scripsi, tum quod Caesar adest. Dolabella scribit se ad me postridie Idus. O magistrum molestum!

XLVIIa

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. Asturae III K. Sext. a. 709_]

Lepidus ad me heri vesperi litteras misit Antio. Nam ibi erat. Habet enim domum, quam nos vendidimus. Rogat magno opere, ut sim Kal. in senatu; me et sibi et Caesari vehementer gratum esse facturum. Puto equidem nihil esse. Dixisset enim tibi fortasse aliquid Oppius, quoniam Balbus est aeger. Sed tamen malui venire frustra quam desiderari, si opus esset. Moleste ferrem postea. Itaque hodie Anti, cras ante meridiem domi. Tu velim, nisi te impedivisti, apud nos pr. Kal. cum Pilia.

Te spero cum Publilio confecisse. Equidem Kal. in Tusculanum recurram; me enim absente omnia cum illis transigi malo. Quinti fratris epistulam ad te misi, non satis humane illam quidem respondentem meis litteris, sed tamen quod tibi satis sit, ut equidem existimo. Tu videbis.

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Page 205

Pollex the state of my exchequer. It would be a disgrace to me that my son should run short of money in his first year, whatever he may deserve. Afterwards we will restrict him more carefully. Pollex also must be sent back, that Vestorius may accept the inheritance. Clearly I ought not to have gone to Puteoli, both on account of what you say, and because Caesar is getting near. Dolabella tells me he is coming to me on the 14th. What a tiresome school-master!

XLVIIa

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Astura, July 30_, B.C. _45_]

Yesterday evening I had a letter from Lepidus at Antium. That is where he is, for he has the house I sold. He implores me to be in the Senate on the 1st, saying that both he and Caesar would take it as a great favour. I don't think it is of any importance; for Oppius would probably have said something to you, as Balbus is ill. However I would rather come for nothing, if necessary, than have my absence noticed. I should regret it afterwards. So to-day I go to Antium, to-morrow home by midday. I should like you and Pilia to come to dinner on the last of the month, if you are not engaged.

I hope you have settled with Publilius. I shall rush back to Tusculum on the 1st; for I prefer all the transactions with them to take place in my absence. I am sending my brother's letter to you: it is not a very kind answer to mine, but I think it should satisfy you. You will see for yourself.

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Page 206

XLVIII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano IV Non. Sext. a. 709_]

Heri nescio quid in strepitu videor exaudisse, cum diceres te in Tusculanum venturum. Quod utinam! iterum utinam! tuo tamen commodo.

Lepta me rogat, ut, si quid sibi opus sit, accurram; mortuus enim Babullius. Caesar, opinor, ex uncia, etsi nihil adhuc; sed Lepta ex triente. Veretur autem, ne non liceat tenere hereditatem, ἀλόγως omnino, sed veretur tamen. Is igitur si accierit, accurram; si minus, non antequam necesse erit. Tu Pollicem, cum poteris.

Laudationem Porciae tibi misi correctam. Adeo properavi, ut, si forte aut Domitio filio aut Bruto mitteretur, haec mitteretur. Id, si tibi erit commodum, magno opere cures velim et velim M. Varronis et Olli mittas laudationem, Olli utique. Nam illam legi, volo tamen regustare. Quaedam enim vix mihi credo legisse me.

XLIX

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano circ. XI K. Sept. a. 709_]

Atticae primum salutem (quam equidem ruri esse arbitror; multam igitur salutem) et Piliae. De Tigellio, si quid novi. Qui quidem, ut mihi Gallus Fadius scripsit, μέμψιν ἀναφέρει mihi quandam iniquissimam, me Phameae defuisse, cum eius causam recepissem.

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Page 207

XLVIII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Tusculum, Aug. 2_, B.C. _45_]

Yesterday in the midst of all the noise I think I caught some remark of yours about coming to Tusculum. I wish you would. I wish to goodness you would: but at your convenience.

Lepta asks me to go to him, if there is any necessity: for Babullius is dead. Caesar, I fancy, is heir to one-twelfth of his estate—though I know nothing yet: but Lepta to a third. He is afraid he may not be allowed to take the inheritance. It is absurd of course, but still he is afraid. So, if he sends for me, I shall go at once: if not, not till it is necessary. Send back Pollex, when you can.

I am sending you the funeral oration of Porcia corrected. I have hurried about it, so that, if it should be sent to young Domitius or to Brutus, this edition should be sent. If it is convenient, I should much like you to see about it, and please send me the orations of M. Varro, and Ollius, at any rate that of Ollius. I have read it, but I want to dip into it again: for there are things in it that I can hardly believe I read.

XLIX

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Tusculum, circa Aug. 22_, B.C. _45_]

First health to Attica (who I suppose is now in the country, so I wish her a full return to health) and to Pilia too. Let me know about Tigellius, if there is any news. According to a letter of Fadius Gallus, he is very down on me most unjustly for deserting Phamea, when I had undertaken his

* * * * *

Page 208

Quam quidem receperam contra pueros Octavios Cn. filios non libenter; sed Phameae causa volebam. Erat enim, si meministi, in consulatus petitione per te mihi pollicitus, si quid opus esset; quod ego perinde tuebar, ac si usus essem. Is ad me venit dixitque iudicem operam dare sibi constituisse eo die ipso, quo de Sestio nostro lege Pompeia in consilium iri necesse erat. Scis enim dies illorum iudiciorum praestitutos fuisse. Respondi non ignorare eum, quid ego deberem Sestio. Quem vellet alium diem si sumpsisset, me ei non defuturum. Ita tum ille discessit iratus. Puto me tibi narrasse. Non laboravi scilicet nec hominis alieni iniustissimam iracundiam mihi curandam putavi. Gallo autem narravi, cum proxime Romae fui, quid audissem, neque nominavi Balbum minorem. Habuit suum negotium Gallus, ut scribit. Ait illum me animi conscientia, quod Phameam destituissem, de se suspicari. Quare tibi hactenus mando, de illo nostro, si quid poteris, exquiras, de me ne quid labores. Est bellum aliquem libenter odisse et, quem ad modum non omnibus dormire, ita[180] non omnibus servire. Etsi mehercule, ut tu intellegis, magis mihi isti serviunt, si observare servire est.

Footnote 180:

non omnibus dormire, ita _added by Lambinus_.

* * * * *

Page 209

case. It went against the grain with me to take it at all against the sons of Cn. Octavius; but for Phamea's sake I agreed.[181] For, if you remember, when I was standing for the consulship, he sent a promise of any assistance he could render through you; and I appreciated it as much as if I had used it. He came to me and said the judge had undertaken to hear his case on the very same day that the jury were bound by the Pompeian law to settle that of our friend Sestius. For you know the days of those cases have been fixed by law. I answered that he could not but be aware of my obligations to Sestius. If he would choose any other day, I would not fail him. So then he left me in a temper. I think I told you about it. I did not bother myself about it of course, not thinking that a perfectly unwarrantable fit of anger of a stranger concerned me. However I told Gallus the next time I was in town what I had heard, without mentioning young Balbus. Gallus took the matter up, as he tells me. He says Tigellius asserts that I suspect him because of my bad conscience about my desertion of Phamea. Accordingly I commission you to find out what you can from young Balbus, but not to bother your head about me. It is quite a good thing to have somebody to hate with a will, and not to pander to everybody any more than to be asleep for everybody.[182] Though upon my word, as you know, Caesar's party are obsequious to me more than I to them, if attention is obsequiousness.

Footnote 181:

Or "I did also wish well to Phamea," as Shuckburgh.

Footnote 182:

In a letter of about the same date to Gallus (_Ad Fam._ VII. 24) Cicero says, _Cipius, opinor, olim "non omnibus dormio"; sic ego non omnibus, mi Galle, servio_. It is explained that Cipius used to shut his eyes to his wife's barefaced amours in his presence; but when a servant, thinking him asleep, stole a cup before his eyes, he woke up with this remark.

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Page 210

L

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano circ. IX K. Sept. a. 709_]

Admonitus quibusdam tuis litteris, ut ad Caesarem uberiores litteras mittere instituerem, cum mihi Balbus nuper in Lanuvino dixisset se et Oppium scripsisse ad Caesarem me legisse libros contra Catonem et vehementer probasse, conscripsi de iis ipsis libris epistulam Caesari, quae deferretur ad Dolabellam; sed eius exemplum misi ad Oppium et Balbum, scripsique ad eos, ut tum deferri ad Dolabellam iuberent meas litteras, si ipsi exemplum probassent. Ita mihi rescripserunt, nihil umquam se legisse melius, epistulamque meam iusserunt dari Dolabellae.

Vestorius ad me scripsit, ut iuberem mancipio dari servo suo pro mea parte Hetereio cuidam fundum Brinnianum, ut ipse ei Puteolis recte mancipio dare posset. Eum servum, si tibi videbitur, ad me mittes; opinor enim ad te etiam scripsisse Vestorium.

De adventu Caesaris idem quod a te mihi scriptum est ab Oppio et Balbo. Miror te nihildum cum Tigellio. Velut hoc ipsum, quantum acceperit, prorsus aveo scire, nec tamen flocci facio. Quaeris, quid cogitem de obviam itione. Quid censes nisi Alsium? Et quidem ad Murenam de hospitio scripseram, sed opinor cum Matio profectum. Sallustius igitur urgebitur.

Scripto iam superiore versiculo Eros mihi dixit sibi Murenam liberalissime respondisse. Eo igitur utamur. Nam Silius culcitas non habet. Dida autem, opinor, hospitibus totam villam concessit.

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L

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Tusculum, circa Aug. 24_, B.C. _45_]

You suggested in one of your letters that I should set about composing a longer letter to send to Caesar, and Balbus told me lately at Lanuvium that he and Oppius had written to Caesar telling him I had read his books against Cato and strongly approved of them: so I wrote a letter to Caesar about those books to be sent to Dolabella. But I sent a copy to Oppius and Balbus, asking them to send on my letter to Dolabella, if they themselves approved of the copy. So they have answered that they never read anything better and have had my letter forwarded to Dolabella.

Vestorius has written asking me to make over my share in the property of Brinnius to a slave of his on behalf of one Hetereius, so that he can complete the transfer at Puteoli according to law. If you think it right, send the slave to me; for I suppose Vestorius has written to you too.

About Caesar's coming Oppius and Balbus tell me the same as you. I am surprised that you have not yet had a talk with Tigellius. For instance, I should much like to know just how much he got; however I don't really care a straw. You ask what I think about going to meet Caesar. Where are you thinking of, unless it is Alsium? Indeed I have written to Murena asking him to take me in; but I suppose he has gone with Matius. So I shall inflict myself on Sallustius.

When I had written the last line, Eros told me Murena gave him the kindest of answers: so let me make use of him. For Silius has no cushions, while Dida, I believe, has given up his whole villa to guests.

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LI

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano VII K. Sept. a. 709_]

Ad Caesarem quam misi epistulam, eius exemplum fugit me tum tibi mittere. Nec id fuit, quod suspicaris, ut me puderet tui, ne ridicule Μίκυλλος,[183] nec mehercule scripsi aliter, ac si πρὸς ἴσον ὅμοιόν que scriberem. Bene enim existimo de illis libris, ut tibi coram. Itaque scripsi et ἀκολακεύτως et tamen sic, ut nihil eum existimem lecturum libentius.

Footnote 183:

Μίκυλλος _Schmidt, comparing Lucian Gall. I, Tyrann._ 14: micillus _MSS._

De Attica nunc demum mihi est exploratum; itaque ei de integro gratulare. Tigellium totum mihi, et quidem quam primum; nam pendeo animi. Narrabo tibi, Quintus cras; sed, ad me an ad te, nescio. Mi scripsit Romam VIII Kal. Sed misi, qui invitaret. Etsi hercle iam Romam veniendum est, ne ille ante advolet.

LII

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. in Puteolano XII K. Ian. a. 709_]

O hospitem mihi tam gravem ἀμεταμέλητον! Fuit enim periucunde. Sed, cum secundis Saturnalibus ad Philippum vesperi venisset, villa ita completa a militibus est, ut vix triclinium, ubi cenaturus ipse Caesar esset, vacaret, quippe hominum CIↃ CIↃ. Sane sum commotus, quid futurum esset postridie; ac mihi Barba Cassius subvenit, custodes dedit. Castra in

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LI

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Tusculum, Aug. 26_, B.C. _45_]

It escaped my memory to send you a copy of the letter I sent to Caesar at the time. It was not, as you suspect, that I was ashamed of showing it to you, for fear I should seem too much of a flatterer; nor, I assure you, did I write otherwise than I should to an equal. For I have got a high opinion of those books of his, as I told you when we met. So I wrote without flattery, and yet I think he will read it with great pleasure.

At last I have full news of Attica; so please congratulate her again. Tell me all about Tigellius and that too as soon as possible; for I am feeling anxious. There is one thing I must mention. Young Quintus is coming to-morrow; but, whether to me or to you, I don't know. He wrote to me he was coming to Rome on the 25th. I have sent someone to invite him here. Though to be sure I must go to Rome now, for fear Caesar may forestall me.

LII

CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.

[Sidenote: _Puteoli, Dec. 21_, B.C. _45_]

To think that my formidable guest leaves no regret behind! For indeed it passed off splendidly. However, when he reached Philippus on the evening of the 18th, the house was so full of soldiers that there was hardly a room left for Caesar himself to dine in. Two thousand men if you please! I was much disturbed as to what was going to happen the next day; and Cassius Barba came to the rescue and gave me guards. A camp was pitched in the fields,

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agro, villa defensa est. Ille tertiis Saturnalibus apud Philippum ad h. VII nec quemquam admisit; rationes, opinor, cum Balbo. Inde ambulavit in litore. Post h. VIII in balneum. Tum audivit de Mamurra, vultum non mutavit. Unctus est, accubuit. Ἐμετικὴν agebat. Itaque et edit et bibit ἀδεῶς et iucunde, opipare sane et apparate nec id solum, sed

"bene cocto et condito sermone bono et, si quaeris, libenter."

Praeterea tribus tricliniis accepti οἱ περὶ αὐτὸν valde copiose. Libertis minus lautis servisque nihil defuit. Nam lautiores eleganter accepi. Quid multa? homines visi sumus. Hospes tamen non is, cui diceres: "Amabo te, eodem ad me, cum revertere." Semel satis est. Σπουδαῖον οὐδὲν in sermone, φιλόλογα multa. Quid quaeris? delectatus est et libenter fuit. Puteolis se aiebat unum diem fore, alterum ad Baias.

Habes hospitium sive ἐπισταθμείαν odiosam mihi, dixi, non molestam. Ego paulisper hic, deinde in Tusculanum. Dolabellae villam cum praeteriret, omnis armatorum copia dextra, sinistra ad equum nec usquam alibi. Hoc ex Nicia.

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and the house put under guard. On the 19th he stayed with Philippus till one o'clock and admitted no one: at his accounts, I believe, with Balbus. Then he walked on the shore. After two he took his bath. Then he heard about Mamurra without changing countenance. He was anointed and sat down to dinner. He was undergoing a course of emetics, so he ate and drank at his pleasure without fear. It was a lordly dinner and well-served, and not only that, but

"Well cooked, and seasoned, and, the truth to tell, With pleasant discourse all went very well."[184]

Footnote 184:

A quotation from Lucilius.

Besides his chosen circle were entertained very liberally in three rooms: and freedmen of lower degree and slaves could not complain of stint. The upper sort were entertained in style. In fact, I was somebody.[185] Still he was not the sort of guest to whom one would say: "Be sure to look me up on the way back." Once is enough. There was no serious talk, but plenty of literary. In a word he was pleased and enjoyed himself. He said he would spend one day at Puteoli and another near Baiae.

Footnote 185:

Or, as Tyrrell suggests, "we were quite friendly together," _i.e._ Caesar did not "assume the god"; or possibly even "we all felt we were in civilised society."

There you have all about my entertainment, or billeting you might say, objectionable, as I have said, but not uncomfortable. I am staying here a while and then go to Tusculum. As he passed Dolabella's house and nowhere else the whole troop formed up on the right and left of him. So Nicias tells me.

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M. TULLI CICERONIS EPISTULARUM AD ATTICUM LIBER QUARTUS DECIMUS

I

CICERO ATTICO SAL.

[Sidenote: _Scr. in suburbano Mati VII Id. Apr. a. 710_]

Deverti ad illum, de quo tecum mane. Nihil perditius; explicari rem non posse. "Etenim, si ille tali ingenio exitum non reperiebat, quis nunc reperiet?" Quid quaeris? perisse omnia aiebat (quod haud scio an ita sit; verum ille gaudens) adfirmabatque minus diebus XX tumultum Gallicum. In sermonem se post Idus Martias praeterquam Lepido venisse nemini. Ad summam non posse istaec sic abire. O prudentem Oppium! qui nihilo minus illum desiderat, sed loquitur nihil; quod quemquam bonum offendat. Sed haec hactenus.

Tu, quaeso, quicquid novi (multa autem exspecto), scribere ne pigrere, in his, de Sexto satisne certum, maxime autem de Bruto nostro. De quo quidem ille, ad quem deverti, Caesarem solitum dicere: "Magni refert, hic quid velit, sed, quicquid volt, valde volt"; idque eum animadvertisse, cum pro Deiotaro Nicaeae dixerit; valde vehementer eum visum et libere dicere;

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CICERO'S LETTERS TO ATTICUS

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