11 July 44 BCE: To Atticus (at Rome) from Cicero (at Puteoli)
Cicero sorts things out in advance of his trip to Greece
[This is the second of two letters form July 11th.]
On the 10th I received two letters, one from my letter-carrier, and the other from Brutus’. The rumour about the Buthrotians was very different in these parts, but like so many other things, we must put up with it. I have sent back Eros sooner than I had thought to, so that he will be there for Hordeonius and Ovia, with whom he says he has arranged to meet on the 15th. Hordeonius is behaving impudently. For I owe him nothing besides the third instalment, which is due on August 1st; he has been paid most of even that instalment some time before it was due. But Eros will see to this on the 15th. About Publilius, however, since the draft is something I must do, I don’t think there should be any delay.1 But when you see how much I have relinquished my legal rights, in that out of 400,000 sesterces, I have paid him 200,000 in cash, and am paying back the rest by draft—if it seems right to you, you can tell him that he ought to wait until it is convenient for me, since I have sacrificed so much of my legal rights.
But, my dear, beloved Atticus (see how I flatter you?), for as long as you are in Rome, please manage, direct, and govern all my affairs, without waiting for any directions from me. For although the balance I am owed should be ready enough for my payments, still, it often happens that debtors do not make their repayments on time. If anything like that happens, put my reputation above all else. Preserve my credit not just by borrowing, but even by selling, if circumstances demand it.
Brutus was grateful for your letter. I spent many hours with him at Nesis a short while after he received it. He seemed pleased about the Tereus, and was more grateful to Accius than to Antonius.2 But to me, the more fortunate these things are, the more angry and annoyed I am that the Roman people use their hands, not to defend the Republic, but to applaud. In fact, it seems to me that it may even provoke that lot into a show of their own wickedness. But ‘it doesn’t matter what hurts them, so long as something hurts them.’3
I am not at all bothered by you saying that my plan is more approved of by the day, and I have been waiting for you to write to me with something of that sort. I myself have heard various similar opinions. In fact, for that reason I have been dragging things out, to avoid having to make the decision over whether to go for as long as possible. But since I am being driven away with pitchforks, I think I shall go to Brundisium. For it seems that there is less difficulty and more certainty in avoiding the legions than the pirates—people say they have been making appearances.
Sestius was expected on the 10th but has not arrived, as far as I know. Cassius has arrived with his little fleet. When I have visited him, I am thinking of going to Pompeii on the 12th, and to Aeculanum from there. You know the rest.
About Tutia, I thought as much. About Aebutius, I don’t believe it, although I don’t care any more than you do. I have written to Plancus and Oppius, since you asked me to, but if you think it right, don’t feel like it’s necessary to forward the letters (for they have done everything they can, for your sake, and I worry that they will think letters from me are redundant), and at any rate not the one to Oppius, whom I know is very friendly towards you. But do as you wish.
Since you write that you are going to spend the winter in Epirus, I would be grateful if you were there before the point when, on your advice, I return to Italy. Write to me as often as possible; by any messenger, if the subject is less important, but send a messenger from my home if it is anything more important. If I reach Brundisium safely, I shall try to start something Herakleidian. I have sent you the ‘On Glory.’ So please keep it safe, as usual; but I have noted two short passages for Salvius to read when he has found a good audience at a dinner party—but no more than that. I really like them, but I would rather that you like them. Goodbye, and again goodbye!
Read Ad Atticum 16.2 in Latin here | Check the glossary here
Publilius was the brother of Publilia, Cicero’s second wife, whom he divorced in 45 BCE. The money that Cicero owes Publilius may be the repayment of Publilia’s dowry.
There had been a display of public support for Brutus at the performance of Accius’ Tereus: ‘Again: did the applause bestowed on the Apollinarian games, or rather the testimony and judgment of the Roman people, appear to you an insignificant thing? Oh, how happy were they who, unable through force of arms to be present in person, yet were present, seated in the hearts and inmost affections of the Roman people ! But perhaps you thought it was Accius that was applauded and sixty years afterwards awarded the prize, and not Brutus—not the man to whom, though not present at the games he himself exhibited, the Roman people in that most elaborate spectacle were yet paying the tribute of their zeal in his absence, and soothing their regret for their liberator with continued applause and shouts.’ (Cic. Phil. 1.36 trans. W.C.A. Ker.). But Appian writes that ‘Although a certain number, who had been hired for the purpose, shouted that Brutus and Cassius should be recalled, and the rest of the spectators were thus wrought up to a feeling of pity for them, crowds ran in and stopped the games until they checked the demand for their recall.’ (App. BC 3.24 trans. Horace White.)
‘Antonius’ was Mark Antony’s brother Gaius, who presided over the games in Brutus’ absence.
A line from an unknown play by Lucius Afranius.