6 July 44 BCE: To Atticus (at Rome) from Cicero (at Formiae)
Cicero doesn't approve of his nephew's potential fiancée
I have sent you Brutus’ letter. Good gods, how pathetic! You will understand when you have read it. I agree with you about the celebration of Brutus’ games. Don’t go and talk to Marcus Aelius at his house, but only if you happen to meet him anywhere. About Tullius’ worthless debt, consult [...], as you write. What you have said to him about Cosa is very good.1 Thank you for sorting out my affairs as well as your own! I am glad to hear that my legation is approved of. May the gods grant that your promise is fulfilled! For what am I more fond of than my own family? But I am scared of that woman about whom you make an exception.2 When I have met Brutus, I shall write to you in detail about everything. About Plancus and Decimus, I really hope it is true.3 I hope Sextus does not throw away his shield.4 About Mundus, write to me if you know anything.
I have replied to all of your news; now here is mine. The younger Quintus (a remarkable citizen—you would say he is a Favonius5) is coming as far as Puteoli, for two reasons: he wants to keep me company and to make peace with Brutus and Cassius. But what do you say to this? For I know you are friendly with the Othos. Young Quintus says that Tutia is making proposals to him, and that her divorce has been settled. His father asked me what sort of reputation she has. I said (because I didn’t know why he was asking) that I had heard nothing much, except about her mouth and her father. ‘But why do you ask?’ I said. He replied that his son wanted her. Then, although I was disgusted, I still said that I did not think the stories were true. His goal is not to give in to our young man. But she says that she doesn’t care. I still suspect that he is dreaming (as usual), but please ask around—it’s easy for you—and let me know.
Now, please tell me, what’s going on? The letter had already been sealed when some of the people from Formiae who were dining with me said that on the day before I write this (so on the 5th) they saw Plancus—the one involved with Buthrotum—looking dejected, with no decorations, and that his poor slaves said that he and the land-grabbers had been thrown out by the Buthrotians.6 Good for them! But I would love it if you would write to me in detail about the whole affair.
Read Ad Atticum 15.29 in Latin here | Check the glossary here
Lucius Munatius Plancus (a Caesarian) and Decimus Iunius Brutus (one of the assassins of Caesar) were the consuls designate for 42 BCE, and the governors of the neighbouring provinces of Transalpine and Cisalpine Gaul respectively. There may have been a rumour that they were going to cooperate with one another.
i.e. give up on his military aims.
Favonius was known for imitating the character of Cato the Younger, badly. Cicero is joking that in trying to appear as a steadfast Republican/anti-Caesarian, Quintus Jr. only came across as a bad imitator of Cato. (Cato, of course, preferred to be rather than to seem virtuous.)
Lucius Plautius Plancus, who is different from Lucius Munatius Plancus from earlier in the letter.