Letter 10: Cicero writes to Quintus returning from Sardinia from Rome in May 56 BC.
Marcus Tullius Cicero→Quintus Tullius Cicero|c. 56 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Returning from Sardinia|AI-assisted
familypoliticsadministration
Imported from the public-domain Shuckburgh translation with Latin text paired from The Latin Library.
Written at Rome in the month of May, 698 from the founding of the city [56 BC].
Marcus to his brother Quintus, greetings.
1. What a most delightful letter of yours that was to me, looked for at first with longing, but now indeed with apprehension as well! And let me tell you that this is the only letter I have received since the one your sailor brought, sent from Olbia. But let the rest, as you write, be kept for our talk when we are face to face. This one thing, however, I cannot put off: on the Ides of May [15 May] the Senate, in full attendance, was nothing short of divine in refusing a public thanksgiving to Gabinius. Procilius swears on oath that this has never befallen anyone. Out of doors there is loud applause. To me it is gratifying in its own right, but all the more gratifying because it happened in my absence; for it was an unbiased [originally in Greek] judgment, free of any onslaught and free of any influence on our part: I was at Antium. 2. As for what had been announced for the Ides and the day after, that the matter of the Campanian land would be brought forward, it was not brought forward: in this case I am at a standstill. But I have said more than I had resolved to say; for we shall speak of it in person. Farewell, my best and most longed-for brother, and fly to me; our boys ask the same of you. And of course this too: you shall dine with us when you come.
How delighted I was to get your letter! It had been expected by me at first, it is true, only with longing, but recently with alarm also. And, in fact, let me tell you that this is the only letter which has reached me since the one brought me by your sailor and dated Olbia. But let everything else, as you say, be reserved till we can talk it over together. One thing, however, I cannot put off: on the 15th of May the senate covered itself with glory by refusing Gabinius a supplicatio. Procilius vows that such a slight was never inflicted on anyone. Out of doors there is much applause. To me, gratifying as it is on its own account, it is even more so because it was done when I was not in the house. For it was an unbiassed judgment of the senate, without any attack or exercise of influence on my part. The debate previously arranged for the 15th and 16th, namely, the question of the Campanian land, did not come on. In this matter I don't quite see my way. But I have said more than I meant to say: for it is best reserved till we meet. Good-bye, best and most longed--for of brothers! Fly to me. Our boys both share my prayer: of course, you will dine with me the day of your arrival.
VI. Scr. Romae mense Maio a.u.c. 698.
MARCUS QUINTO FRATRI SALUTEM.
1. O litteras mihi tuas iucundissimas, exspectatas ac primo quidem cum desiderio, nunc vero etiam cum timore! Atque has scito litteras me solas accepisse post illas, quas tuus nauta attulit Olbia datas. Sed cetera, ut scribis, praesentis sermoni reserventur; hoc tamen non queo differre: Idibus Maiis senatus frequens divinus fuit in supplicatione Gabinio deneganda. Adiurat Procilius hoc nemini accidisse; foris valde plauditur; mihi cum sua sponte iucundum, tum iucundius, quod me absente; est enim e?lixrin¢w iudicium, sine oppugnatione, sine gratia nostra: eram Antii. 2. Quod Idibus et postridie fuerat dictum de agro Campano actum iri, non est actum: in hac causa mihi aqua haeret. Sed plura, quam constitueram; coram enim. Vale, mi optime et optatissime frater, et advola; idem te pueri nostri rogant. Illud scilicet: coenabis, cum veneris.
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Written at Rome in the month of May, 698 from the founding of the city [56 BC].
Marcus to his brother Quintus, greetings.
1. What a most delightful letter of yours that was to me, looked for at first with longing, but now indeed with apprehension as well! And let me tell you that this is the only letter I have received since the one your sailor brought, sent from Olbia. But let the rest, as you write, be kept for our talk when we are face to face. This one thing, however, I cannot put off: on the Ides of May [15 May] the Senate, in full attendance, was nothing short of divine in refusing a public thanksgiving to Gabinius. Procilius swears on oath that this has never befallen anyone. Out of doors there is loud applause. To me it is gratifying in its own right, but all the more gratifying because it happened in my absence; for it was an unbiased [originally in Greek] judgment, free of any onslaught and free of any influence on our part: I was at Antium. 2. As for what had been announced for the Ides and the day after, that the matter of the Campanian land would be brought forward, it was not brought forward: in this case I am at a standstill. But I have said more than I had resolved to say; for we shall speak of it in person. Farewell, my best and most longed-for brother, and fly to me; our boys ask the same of you. And of course this too: you shall dine with us when you come.
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
VI. Scr. Romae mense Maio a.u.c. 698. MARCUS QUINTO FRATRI SALUTEM.
1. O litteras mihi tuas iucundissimas, exspectatas ac primo quidem cum desiderio, nunc vero etiam cum timore! Atque has scito litteras me solas accepisse post illas, quas tuus nauta attulit Olbia datas. Sed cetera, ut scribis, praesentis sermoni reserventur; hoc tamen non queo differre: Idibus Maiis senatus frequens divinus fuit in supplicatione Gabinio deneganda. Adiurat Procilius hoc nemini accidisse; foris valde plauditur; mihi cum sua sponte iucundum, tum iucundius, quod me absente; est enim e?lixrin¢w iudicium, sine oppugnatione, sine gratia nostra: eram Antii. 2. Quod Idibus et postridie fuerat dictum de agro Campano actum iri, non est actum: in hac causa mihi aqua haeret. Sed plura, quam constitueram; coram enim. Vale, mi optime et optatissime frater, et advola; idem te pueri nostri rogant. Illud scilicet: coenabis, cum veneris.