Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. -60 AD|Cicero|AI-assisted
As you write, so I see: matters in the republic are no less uncertain than in your letter. But still, that very variety of talk and opinion delights me. For I seem to be in Rome when I read your letter, and, as happens in such great affairs, to hear now this, now that. Yet I cannot work out what solution could possibly be found for the agrarian problem with no one objecting.
As for Bibulus, what does that great spirit of his amount to in postponing the elections, except his own protest without any actual correction of the republic? Of course our hope rests in Publius. Let him become tribune of the plebs, let him become one — if for nothing else, so that you return from Epirus all the sooner. For I do not see how you can possibly stay away from him, especially if he wants to pick a quarrel with me. But there is surely no doubt that if anything of that sort arises, you will come flying. Yet even if this does not happen, still, whether he wrecks or steers the republic, I foresee a splendid spectacle for myself — provided I may watch it with you seated beside me.
Just as I was writing this, along comes Sebosus! I had not yet quite finished groaning when Arrius says "Good day!" This is what it means to leave Rome! What men I fled, only to fall in with these! I shall indeed make for my native hills and to the cradle of my birth. In short, if I cannot be alone, I would rather be with country folk than with these ultra-urbane types — though on this condition: since you write nothing definite, I shall wait for you at Formiae until the 5th of May.
Terentia is very grateful for your attentiveness and care in the Mulvian dispute. She has absolutely no idea that you are defending the common cause of those who hold public land. But still, you do pay something to the tax-collectors — she refuses even that. She, therefore, and young Cicero, that most aristocratic boy, send you their greetings.
I fully realize that, as you say, your letter only reflects the general
uncertainty of public affairs: but still that very variety of talk and
opinion has its charm: for I feel as though I was at Rome, when I read
your letter, and was hearing first one thing and then another, as one
does on questions of importance. But what I can’t make out is how Caesar
can possibly find any solution of the land question which will not meet
with opposition. As to Bibulus’ firmness in impeding the comitia, it
amounts to nothing but an expression of his opinion and does not improve
publicae? Nimirum in Publio spes est. Fiat, fiat tribunus pl., si nihil
aliud, ut eo citius tu ex Epiro revertare; nam, ut illo tu careas, non
video posse fieri, praesertim si mecum aliquid volet disputare. Sed id
quidem non dubium est, quin, si quid erit eius modi, sis advolaturus.
Verum, ut hoc non sit, tamen, sive ruet sive eriget rem publicam,
praeclarum spectaculum mihi propono, modo te consessore spectare liceat.
Cum haec maxime scriberem, ecce tibi Sebosus! Nondum plane ingemueram,
“salve,” inquit Arrius. Hoc est Roma decedere! Quos ego homines effugi
cum in hos incidi! Ego vero
“In montes patrios et ad incunabula nostra”
pergam. Denique, si solus non potuero, cum rusticis potius quam cum his
perurbanis, ita tamen, ut, quoniam tu certi nihil scribis, in Formiano
tibi praestoler usque ad III Nonas Maias.
Terentiae pergrata est adsiduitas tua et diligentia in controversia
Mulviana. Nescit omnino te communem causam defendere eorum, qui agros
publicos possideant; sed tamen tu aliquid publicanis pendis, haec etiam
id recusat. Ea tibi igitur et Κικέρων, ἀριστοκρατικώτατος παῖς, salutem
dicunt.
the position of affairs at all. Upon my word our only hope rests in
Publius. Let him by all means become tribune; if for no other reason, to
make you return all the sooner from Epirus. For I don’t see how you can
possibly keep away from him, especially if he should choose to quarrel
with me. But of course I have no doubt that you would fly to my side, if
anything of the kind were to happen. But, even if this does not happen,
I am looking forward to a sight worth seeing, whether he runs amuck or
saves the state, if I can watch it with you sitting by my side.
Just as I was writing these words, in comes Sebosus: and I had hardly
fetched a sigh, when there was Arrius saying “Good day.” This is going
out of town! Is it escaping from society to run into people like this? I
shall certainly be off to “My native hills, the cradle of my youth.” To
put it shortly, if I can’t be alone, I would rather be with countryfolk
than with these ultra-city men. However, as you send no definite date, I
will wait for you at Formiae till the 5th of May.
Terentia is much gratified by the attention and care you have bestowed
on her dispute with Mulvius. She has not the least idea that you are
supporting the common cause of all the owners of public land. However
you do pay something to the tax-collectors; while she refuses to pay a
penny. Accordingly she and my boy, a most conservative lad, send their
respects.
Vt scribis ita video non minus incerta in re publica quam in epistula tua, sed tamen ista ipsa me varietas sermonum opinionumque delectat. Romae enim videor esse cum tuas litteras lego et, ut fit in tantis rebus, modo hoc modo illud audire. illud tamen explicare non possum quidnam inveniri possit nullo recusante ad facultatem agrariam. [2] Bibuli autem ista magnitudo animi in comitiorum dilatione quid habet nisi ipsius iudicium sine ulla correctione rei publicae? nimirum in Publio spes est. fiat, fiat tribunus pl., si nihil aliud ut eo citius tu ex Epiro revertare; nam ut illo tu careas non video posse fieri, praesertim si mecum aliquid volet disputare. sed id quidem non dubium est quin si quid erit eius modi sis advolaturus. verum ut hoc non sit, tamen, sive ruet <sive> geret rem publicam, praeclarum spectaculum mihi propono, modo te consessore spectare liceat. [3] Cum haec maxime scriberem, ecce tibi Sebosus! nondum plane ingemueram, 'salve' inquit Arrius. hoc est Roma decedere! quos ego homines effugi cum in hos incidi! ego vero in montis patrios et ad incunabula nostra pergam. denique si solus non potuero, cum rusticis potius quam cum his perurbanis, ita tamen ut, quoniam tu certi nihil scribis, in Formiano tibi praestoler usque ad iii Nonas Maias. [4] Terentiae pergrata est adsiduitas tua et diligentia in controversia Mulviana. nescit omnino te communem causam defendere eorum qui agros publicos possideant; sed tamen tu aliquid publicanis pendis, haec etiam id recusat. ea tibi igitur et Kikeron, aristokratikotatos pais, salutem dicunt.
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As you write, so I see: matters in the republic are no less uncertain than in your letter. But still, that very variety of talk and opinion delights me. For I seem to be in Rome when I read your letter, and, as happens in such great affairs, to hear now this, now that. Yet I cannot work out what solution could possibly be found for the agrarian problem with no one objecting.
As for Bibulus, what does that great spirit of his amount to in postponing the elections, except his own protest without any actual correction of the republic? Of course our hope rests in Publius. Let him become tribune of the plebs, let him become one — if for nothing else, so that you return from Epirus all the sooner. For I do not see how you can possibly stay away from him, especially if he wants to pick a quarrel with me. But there is surely no doubt that if anything of that sort arises, you will come flying. Yet even if this does not happen, still, whether he wrecks or steers the republic, I foresee a splendid spectacle for myself — provided I may watch it with you seated beside me.
Just as I was writing this, along comes Sebosus! I had not yet quite finished groaning when Arrius says "Good day!" This is what it means to leave Rome! What men I fled, only to fall in with these! I shall indeed make for my native hills and to the cradle of my birth. In short, if I cannot be alone, I would rather be with country folk than with these ultra-urbane types — though on this condition: since you write nothing definite, I shall wait for you at Formiae until the 5th of May.
Terentia is very grateful for your attentiveness and care in the Mulvian dispute. She has absolutely no idea that you are defending the common cause of those who hold public land. But still, you do pay something to the tax-collectors — she refuses even that. She, therefore, and young Cicero, that most aristocratic boy, send you their greetings.
AI-assisted translation — This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek below for scholarly use.
Latin / Greek Original
Vt scribis ita video non minus incerta in re publica quam in epistula tua, sed tamen ista ipsa me varietas sermonum opinionumque delectat. Romae enim videor esse cum tuas litteras lego et, ut fit in tantis rebus, modo hoc modo illud audire. illud tamen explicare non possum quidnam inveniri possit nullo recusante ad facultatem agrariam. [2] Bibuli autem ista magnitudo animi in comitiorum dilatione quid habet nisi ipsius iudicium sine ulla correctione rei publicae? nimirum in Publio spes est. fiat, fiat tribunus pl., si nihil aliud ut eo citius tu ex Epiro revertare; nam ut illo tu careas non video posse fieri, praesertim si mecum aliquid volet disputare. sed id quidem non dubium est quin si quid erit eius modi sis advolaturus. verum ut hoc non sit, tamen, sive ruet <sive> geret rem publicam, praeclarum spectaculum mihi propono, modo te consessore spectare liceat. [3] Cum haec maxime scriberem, ecce tibi Sebosus! nondum plane ingemueram, 'salve' inquit Arrius. hoc est Roma decedere! quos ego homines effugi cum in hos incidi! ego vero in montis patrios et ad incunabula nostra pergam. denique si solus non potuero, cum rusticis potius quam cum his perurbanis, ita tamen ut, quoniam tu certi nihil scribis, in Formiano tibi praestoler usque ad iii Nonas Maias. [4] Terentiae pergrata est adsiduitas tua et diligentia in controversia Mulviana. nescit omnino te communem causam defendere eorum qui agros publicos possideant; sed tamen tu aliquid publicanis pendis, haec etiam id recusat. ea tibi igitur et Kikeron, aristokratikotatos pais, salutem dicunt.