17 April 58 BCE: From Cicero (near Tarentum) to Atticus (in Rome)
The Vast Volume of Cicero's Misfortunes
I had no doubt that I would see you at Tarentum or Brundisium, and a great deal depended on it, including my ability to stay in Epirus and to get your advice on the future.1 Since things aren’t turning out that way, I shall count this among the vast volume of my misfortunes.2
I am heading to Asia, and Cyzicus in particular. I commend my family to you. I am miserably clinging to life, and only just.
Sent April 17th, from near Tarentum.
Latin text of Cic. Att. 3.6 | Glossary | Where is Cicero?
Atticus owned a large estate in Epirus. Cicero worried that without Atticus accompanying him to Epirus, he would be in danger from Autronius, who was in exile there as a result of Cicero’s accusations several years earlier.
E.S. Shuckburgh notes: ‘We suppose that Cicero has heard from Atticus that he is not going to be at Tarentum or Brundisium, for he writes before arriving at either.’ However a pessimist could interpret ‘near Tarentum’ as meaning Cicero had just left Tarentum, where he had been surprised not to meet Atticus. In the absence of Atticus’ letters we cannot know whether or not he was ghosting Cicero. :(
Oh the reproachfulness! It must have been hard work being Cicero’s friend.