25 July 44 BCE: To Atticus (at Rome) from Cicero (at Vibo)
Cicero's travel journal, money owed to his ex-wives, and accidental self-plagiarism
So far (for I have reached Sicca’s house at Vibo) my voyage has had more comfort than speed; it has been rowing for the most part, none of the seasonal northerly winds. That’s fortunate enough; there were two bays we had to cross, at Paestum and Vibo, each of which we crossed in a total calm. So I reached Sicca’s house on the eighth day after leaving Pompeii, with one day spent at Velia, where I was made very welcome at our dear Talna’s house. I could not have been received with more generosity, especially given that the man himself was away. So I got to Sicca’s on the 24th. There, of course, it’s as if it’s my own house, and so I have drawn out my stay for another day. But I think when I have reached Regium, I shall have to—‘ponder our long sea journey’1—think about whether to go to Patrae on a merchant vessel or to Tarentine Leucopetra on speedy ships, and from there to Corcyra; and, if on a transport ship, whether I should go at once from the Strait of Messina, or from Syracuse. I shall write to you about this from Regium.
But by Hercules, my Atticus, I often think to myself, ‘what is your journey’s meaning now?’2 Why am I not with you? Why do I not see the sweet sights of Italy, my dear little villas? But it is enough and more that I am not with you. What am I fleeing? Is it danger? But right now, unless I am mistaken, there is none; and the period of danger is the very thing your influence calls me back to. For you write that my journey is praised to the skies, but on the understanding that I return before January 1st—and I shall certainly try to do that. For I would rather be fearful at home than without fear in your Athens. But still, watch the way things lie, and either write to me, or (as I would much prefer) bring me the news yourself. Enough of this.
I hope you won’t be annoyed that I am asking for your help with something which I know you care about more than I do. By the gods, clear my debts, pay them back! I have left a nice balance, but care is needed for my co-heirs for Cluvius’ property to be repaid by August 1st. Publilius should be dealt with however you see fit.3 He ought not to press, since we are not exercising our legal rights. But still, I really want him to be satisfied, too. Terentia—really, what can I say?4 Pay her even before the appointed day, if you can. But if, as I hope, you are soon on your way to Epirus, I ask that before you leave you make provision for my secured debts, and that you completely clear the rest, and leave them repaid. But enough about this—I am afraid that you will overthink it.
Now, understand how careless I have been. I sent you my book On Glory, and in it, the introduction which is in the third book of the Academica. This happened because I have a volume of introductions, from which I usually choose one when I have begun a treatise. And so when I was at Tusculum, because I did not remember that I had used that introduction, I inserted it into that book which I sent you. But when I was reading the Academica on the ship, I recognised my mistake. And so I have scrawled down a new introduction and sent it to you. Please cut that one off, and stick this one on. Health to Pilia and to Attica, my darling loves.
Read Ad Atticum 16.6 in Latin here | Check the glossary here
Odyssey 3.169 (trans. Emily Wilson).
A line from an otherwise unknown Greek tragedy. Cicero has quoted it before.
Publilius was the brother of Cicero’s second (ex)-wife, whose dowry Cicero was obliged to repay.
Terentia was Cicero’s first (ex)-wife. The money Cicero owed her may also have been the repayment of her dowry.