20 July 44 BCE: To Gaius Trebatius Testa (at Rome) from Cicero (at Velia)
Cicero has stolen a book
I love Velia even more because I know that you are loved there. But why should I mention you, whom nobody doesn’t love? Your Rufio, by the god of truth, was as much longed for as if he were one of us.1 But I don’t blame you for taking him over to your building works. Although Velia is no viler than the Lupercal, still, I prefer the place where you are to everything here. But please take my advice, as you usually do—hold on to your family property (for the people of Velia are frightened), and do not abandon the noble river Hales, nor desert the house of Papirius. Though indeed it has a lotus tree, which often captivates visitors, still, if you cut it down, you will have a much better view.2 But I feel it is most useful, especially in these circumstances, to have a place of refuge: firstly, a city where you are dear to the people there, and secondly, your own house and land, and that in a remote, healthy, pleasant location. And I think I am also invested in this, my Trebatius. But be well, and see to my affairs, and expect my return before winter, if the gods are willing.
I have stolen a book from Sextus Fadius, Nico’s student, called Nico on Overeating. What a sweet doctor, and what a ready student I would be to his teaching! But our dear Bassus kept me in the dark about this book—it seems he did not do likewise with you!
The wind is becoming stronger. Take care of your health.
Read Ad Familiares 7.20 in Latin here | Check the glossary here
me dius fidius (by the god of truth) is a common interjection or oath. Dius Fidius might be associated with Jupiter.
Footnote borrowed from Shackleton Bailey: ‘Préchac’s article goes a long way in the right direction. He points out that lotum [lotus tree] is practically certified by the words quo etiam advenae teneri solent [which often captivates visitors], which, as he after Ernesti recognized, allude to Homer’s λωτοφάγοι [lotus-eaters]: he compares Plin. N.H. XIII.105 ut nomen etiam genti terraeque dederit nimis hospitali advenarum oblivione patriae [it has given its name to the people and the land that is too hospitable to visitors, and makes them forget their native land]. He convincingly defends the unusual gender, and perceives that illa quidem is the domus Papiriana. But he breaks down over quamquam because he sticks to the old, futile idea that advenae are unwelcome visitors, intruding on Trebatius’ privacy (cf. T.-P.: ‘this would appear to have been a show lotus which tourists came to see’). Cicero simply means: ‘If you take my advice you won't desert the domus Papiriana - though to be sure it has a lotus, which usually holds even strangers captive’; i.e. ‘I say ‘don’t desert’, but there can be no question of leaving a property with a lotus inside it.’ The following witticism is idle word-play: ‘True, you will take a longer view if you cut it down.’ It is not implied that this would in fact be desirable. It merely occurs to Cicero that the lotus does block the view and that he can make his favourite sort of joke by saying so.’
The tree was probably a ziziphus lotus.
i love when cicero makes jokes that i do not understand at all <3