9 July 44 BCE: To Atticus (at Rome) from Cicero (at Puteoli)
Cicero promises Atticus that their nephew's behaviour has changed. They both know he is lying
Brutus is waiting to receive your letter. I brought him the news about Accius’ Tereus—he thought it was the Brutus.1 But some rumour had wafted his way that not many people attended the commencement of the Greek games, so I was not at all mistaken about that; for you know what I think about the Greek games.
But now listen to what’s most important.2 The younger Quintus was with me for several days, and if I had wanted it, would have stayed for even longer. But for the extent of his visit, I was unbelievably pleased with him in every respect, and most of all with that which I was previously not at all satisfied. For he has been so completely changed, both by certain writings of mine which I have to hand, and by my constant conversation and teaching, that his feelings towards the Republic are just what we would want. After he had not just promised, but even persuaded me of this, he pleaded with me, carefully and in a great many words, to guarantee to you that he will be worthy of us both. He also said that he did not ask you to believe this immediately, but that when you had seen it for yourself, then you should show him your affection. If I did not have faith in this, and if I had not judged what I say to be well founded, I would not have done what I am about to tell you about. For I took that young man with me to visit Brutus. He approved of him so much that even he believed what I am writing to you about, and refused to let me just assure him of it, and while praising him, he mentioned you in very friendly terms, and sent him away with a hug and a kiss. And so even If I should congratulate you more than I should ask this of you, I do still ask it of you—that, if in the past he has acted less than consistently due to the immaturity of his age, you should think that he has abandoned this behaviour, and you should trust me that your influence will have a great—or rather, the greatest—effect in confirming his decision.
Brutus did not seem to pick up on my frequent hints about a shared voyage as easily as I thought he would. I thought he had his head in the clouds, and by Hercules, he did, and he was particularly distracted about the games. But when I returned to my villa, Gnaeus Lucceius, who is a close friend of Brutus, told me that he was delaying a great deal, not because he was being indecisive, but because he was waiting in case something happened. And so I wonder whether I should make for Venusia and wait for news about the legions there. If they stay far off, as it is thought that they will, I would go to Hydrus; if neither option is safe, I would go back the same way I came. [...] Do you think I am joking? I’ll die if anyone but you holds me back. Really, look around you—but quickly, before I start blushing.
You have distributed the days spent at my hosts so perfectly, and so suitably for my return journey! Your letter really tilts the scales towards me making the journey. I just hope to see you there! But only if you think it right.
I am waiting for a letter from Nepos. Does he really want my works, when he thinks those I am most proud of are not worth reading? And you say, ‘after blameless Achilles.’ But you are really ‘blameless Achilles,’ and he is one of the ‘immortal gods.’3
There is no collection of my letters, but Tiro has around 70, and I must get some from you. But I must look through them and correct them; only then can they be published.
Read Ad Atticum 16.5 in Latin here | Check the glossary here
Brutus had planned to stage the Roman tragedian Accius’ Brutus, a play about his ancestor Lucius Junius Brutus overthrowing the monarchy and founding the Republic, at his games. But since the games were held in Brutus’ absence, and managed in part by the Caesarian Gaius Antonius, the politically charged choice of play was switched to Accius’ Tereus instead.
Remember yesterday, when Cicero wrote to Atticus ‘I shall write [the younger Quintus] whatever letter he thinks he needs. Don’t let it influence you. I am writing you this so that you don’t think I have been influenced.’? This is the (part of the) letter he told Atticus not to believe any of.
Footnote borrowed from Shackleton Bailey: ‘Cf. Il. XVII. 279 Αἴας, ὃς περὶ μὲν εἶδος, περὶ δ᾽ ἔργα τέτυκτο / τῶν ἄλλων Δαναῶν μετ᾽ ἀμύμονα Πηλεΐωνα. [Ajax who in stature and deeds exceeded / the other Danaans after blameless Achilles. (trans. Caroline Alexander.)] The point is obscure. It has been supposed that Atticus had called Nepos an Ajax to [Cicero’s] Achilles, as a historian. Possibly however Atticus was comparing his own historical work with that of Nepos. [Cicero] replies ‘Don’t call yourself an Ajax to his Achilles; if you want to make comparisons in his favour call yourself Achilles (i.e. best among mortals) and him a god’.’ The rituals are intricate.