7 April 44 BCE: To Atticus (at Rome) from Cicero (at Matius’ villa)
Cicero talks to Matius, who has been catastrophising
I have put up at the house of the man I spoke to you about this morning.1 There is nothing more hopeless. He says things can’t be untangled: ‘Indeed, if a man of such genius2 was not able to find a way out, who will find one now?’ In short, he said all is lost (and I almost think this is so, but he was rejoicing when he said it), and asserted that there would be an uprising in Gaul within 20 days. He said that since the Ides of March he has not had a conversation with anyone except Lepidus. In sum, he thinks this whole thing can’t just blow over. Oh prudent Oppius, who misses that man no less, but says nothing which would offend any good man! But enough of these things.
Please do not hesitate to write about whatever news there is (and I expect there will be a lot), including whether the matter about Sextus is certain—but mostly about our Brutus. Indeed about him, the man whom I am staying with said Caesar used to say ‘it is of great interest what he wants, but whatever he wants, he really wants,’3 and he had noticed this when Brutus had spoken on behalf of Deiotarus at Nicea; he had seemed to speak very vehemently and freely, and even (for I feel like writing things as they occur to me) recently, when at the request of Sestius I was at Caesar’s house, and was sitting waiting to be called upon, Caesar said ‘should I doubt that I am so thoroughly hated, when Marcus Cicero should sit, and is not able to see me at his own convenience? And yet, if anyone is easy-going, it is him. Nevertheless, I don’t doubt that he hates me intensely.’ This and more of the same sort.
But back to my point. Whatever happens, write to me—not only about great events, but small ones too. For my part I will leave out nothing.
Read Ad Atticum 14.1 in Latin here | Check the glossary here
Caesar’s friend, Gaius Matius.
Caesar.