31 May 44 BCE: To Atticus (at Rome) from Cicero (at Tusculum)
Armed men might be being sent to Cicero's house, but it's probably not a big deal
After you left, I received two letters from Balbus (who has no news), and one from Hirtius, who writes that he is not in favour with the veterans. I am waiting to find out what he does regarding the 1st. Therefore I have sent Tiro, and several others along with Tiro, so that you may send each one with letters as events occur. I have also written to Antony about a legation, just in case that irritable man would be angry if I only wrote to Dolabella. But since it is said he is now more difficult to approach, I have written to Eutrapelus, asking him to deliver my letter—that I need a legation. A votive legation would be more respectable, but either is acceptable.1
About yourself, I ask you again, think carefully. I hope we can speak in person; if that is not possible, we can achieve as much by letter. Graeceius has written to me that Gaius Cassius has written to him that armed men are being assembled, to be sent to my villa at Tusculum. This hardly seems likely to me, and yet I still must be on guard, and consider some of my other villas. But tomorrow should give us something to think about.
Read Ad Atticum 15.8 in Latin here | Check the glossary here
From Lewis and Short: A votive legation was ‘a free embassy assumed for the purpose (often a mere pretext) of paying a vow in a province.’ The other type was a free legation, ‘permission granted to a senator to visit one or more provinces on his private affairs in the character of an ambassador, but without performing the duties of one (such an embassy was called free, because while it lasted the holder of it was at liberty to come to the city of Rome and leave it again without resigning his office).’