18 May 44 BCE: To Atticus (at Rome) from Cicero (at Vescia)
Atticus is very stressed about Buthrotum. Octavius might be becoming worrying
[This is the second of two letters from May 18th.]
I sent you a letter on the 18th as I set out from Sinuessa, and stayed over at [...]’s house in Vescia, where I received your letter from the letter-carrier; there was more than enough about Buthrotum in it. That situation is no greater worry to you than it is to me, and it is right that we should worry about one another’s affairs. So I have taken the matter up myself, and will consider nothing more important. I found out from your letter and others that Lucius Antonius gave a speech—badly—but I don’t know what is was like otherwise, as there is no written version.
That’s good about Menedemus. Quintus is certainly saying what you wrote about. I am glad that you approve of my decision not to write what you demanded of me, and you will approve of it even more if you read the speech I wrote to you about today. What you write about the legions is true. But you don’t seem very persuaded of this yourself, when you still hope the matter of our Buthrotians can be dealt with through the Senate. I think—for I can see this much—we seem unlikely to succeed there. But, if it turns out I am mistaken, you will not be disappointed about Buthrotum.
About Octavius’ speech, I feel the same way as you, and I don’t like the preparations for his games, and Matius and Postumus as his agents.1 Saserna is a worthy colleague. But all of that lot, as you are well aware, dread peace no less than we dread war. I would like it if I could make Balbus less unpopular, but he doesn’t believe it is at all possible. So he is thinking of something else.
I am very pleased that you are reassured by the first Tusculan Disputation; for there is no better or more easily-accessible refuge.2 Flamma speaks well, and I am not troubled by it. What the case of the people of Tyndaris is, which [...] is troubled over, I don’t know. But you will deal with it. These things seem to disturb the Five-Mouthed, the distribution of money in particular.3 I grieve for Alexio, but since he fell to such a serious illness, I think it was for the best for him. But I would like to know who his substitute heirs are, and the date of the will.
Read Ad Atticum 15.2 in Latin here | Check the glossary here
After the civil war, Caesar had vowed victory games to Venus, but had been killed before he could stage them. Octavius staged them in July 44 BCE, at private expense.
The first Tusculan Disputation is on not needing to fear death.
‘The Five-Mouthed’ is Hirtius.