6 April 58 BCE: From Cicero (at Thurii) to Atticus (in Rome)

Cicero lives, but in utter misery

Cicero greets Atticus.

Terentia thanks you often and forcefully.¹ I am very glad for this. I am alive—in utter misery—and worn out by the magnitude of my pain.

I don’t know what to write to you. If you are in Rome, you can no longer catch up with me; but if you are on the road, then when you have caught up with me we will say what needs to be said face to face.

I only beg you: since you have always loved me for myself, please keep loving me the same way; for I am the same man. My enemies have deprived me of my possessions, not of my self.

Take care of your health. Sent April 6th, at Thurii.

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Latin text of Cic. Att. 3.5 | Glossary

1. Terentia was Cicero’s wife. She stayed in Rome while he was exiled, but they communicated by letter. I assume she was thanking Atticus for preventing Cicero from killing himself.