CICERO:
SELECTED LETTERS 47 B.C.
Cicero
remained till towards the end of September, B.C. 47, at Brundisium, while
Caesar was engaged in the Alexandrine and Pontic wars. The chief causes of
anxiety and distress weighing upon him were the alienation of his brother, the
uncertainty as to his own position, on the one hand with Caesar, and on the
other with the Pompeians, now gathered in great force in Africa,
and lastly the unhappiness of Tullia, whose relations with her husband
Dolabella were very unsatisfactory to him. The clouds lifted greatly in
September, when Caesar, returning to Italy,
met Cicero between Tarentum and Brundisium,
embraced him, and gave him free leave to live anywhere in Italy he chose.
There was still the fear lest, if the Pompeians in Africa
finally triumphed, he would be treated by them as a traitor. But he seems to
have made up his mind that Caesar's favour offered the greater security.
CDXXI (A
XI. 9)
CICERO TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
–
BRUNDISIUM, 3 JANUARY 47 B.C.
Yes, it is quite as you say: I have
acted both incautiously and in too great a hurry; nor have I any hope, seeing
that I am only allowed to remain by special clauses of exemption in the edicts.
If these had not been secured by your industry and kindness, I might have
betaken myself to some lonely places. As it is, I can't even do that. For how
does my having come before the new tribuneship help me, if' my having come at
all is of no service to me?1
Or what am I to expect from a man who was never friendly to me,2 when my ruin and
humiliation are now secured by an actual law? Already Balbus's letters to me
become daily less cordial, and a great number from many hands reach Caesar,
perhaps against me. I am perishing by my own fault. It is not chance that has
caused me any misfortune, everything has been incurred by my own mistakes. The
fact is that when I saw what sort of war it was going to be, and that universal
unreadiness and feebleness were pitted against men in the highest state of
preparation, I had made up my mind to a policy, not so much courageous, as one
that I of all men was justified in adopting. I gave in to my relations, or
rather, I obeyed them. What the real sentiments of one of them was - his whom
you recommend to my forbearance3 - you will learn from his own letters, which
he has sent to you and others. I should never have opened them, had it not been
for the following circumstance. The bundle was brought to me. I untied it to
see whether there was any letter for me. There was none. There was one for
Vatinius, and another for Ligurius.4
I ordered them to be delivered to these persons. They immediately came to me
boiling with indignation, loudly exclaiming against "the villain."
They read me the letters full of every kind of abuse of me. Ligurius raved:
said, that he knew that Quintus was detested by Caesar, and yet that the latter
had not only favoured him, but had also given him all that money out of
compliment to me. Thus outraged I determined to ascertain what he had said in
his letters to the rest. For I thought it would be fatal to Quintus himself if
such a villainy on his part became generally known. I found that they were of
the same kind. I am sending them to you, and if you think that it is for his
interest that they should be delivered, please to deliver them. It won't do me
any harm. For as to their having had their seals broken, Pomponia possesses his
signet, I think.5
When he displayed that exasperation at the beginning of our voyage,6 he grieved me so
deeply that I was quite prostrate after it, and even now he is said to be
working not so much for himself as against me. So I am hard pressed by every
kind of misery, and can hardly bear up against it, or rather cannot do so at
all. Of these miseries there is one which outweighs all the others - that I
shall leave that poor girl deprived of patrimony and every kind of property.
Wherefore pray see to that, according to your promise: for I have no one else
to whom to commend her, since I have discovered that the same treatment is
prepared for her mother as for me. But, in case you don't find me here when you
come, still consider that she has been commended to you with due solemnity, and
soften her uncle in regard to her as much as you can. I am writing this to you
on my birthday: on which day would that I had never been born,7 or that nothing had
afterwards been born of the same mother I Tears prevent my writing more.
1] The new tribunes, among whom was Dolabella,
had, after coming into office, 10th December, B.C. 48, passed some law as to
the Pompeians coming into Italy,
about which we have no information. Atticus had remarked
that Cicero
would not be affected by it, as he had come before. He replies that that is
small consolation, as his having come at all does, not seem to have put him in
any better position, i.e., as to regaining his full rights and the power of
coming to Rome.
2] This has been variously supposed to
refer to Caesar, Antony,
or Dolabella. Hardly Dolabella, I
think. It seems most likely to mean Antony, who
will, he is afraid, take advantage of the law to annoy him, though, as a fact, Antony had at present been
very considerate to him.
3] Quintus. Apparently Atticus
had tried to soften Cicero's
feelings in regard to his brother's unkindness.
4] P. Vatinius was in command at Brundisium. Aulus Ligurius was a prominent Caesarian, who was
also friendly to Cicero.
5] This treatment of his brother's letters addressed to
others it is, of course, impossible to justify, and is indeed condemned by his
own words as to the confldential nature of letters (Phil. 2.7). He seems to have
been inclined to treat Quintus's correspondence with some freedom, for he
advised the young Quintus in his father's absence to open letters addressed to
him.
6] Apparently when they left the Pompeian
fleet at Corcyra, and
proceeded together to Patrae.
7] Lit. "taken up," as it was the
custom of the father to raise an infant from the floor in token that he wished
it reared.
CDXXIII
(A XI. 10)
CICERO TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
–
BRUNDISIUM, 19 JANUARY 47 B.C.
My distresses, already past
calculation, have received an addition by the news brought to me of the elder
and younger Quintus. My connexion Publius Terentius was employed as deputy
master of his company in Asia in collecting
the harbour dues and the pasture rents. He saw the younger Quintus at Ephesus
on the 8th of December, and entertained him warmly for the sake of our
friendship, and on asking some questions about me, he tells me that Quintus
replied that he was bitterly opposed to me, and shewed him a roll containing a speech
which he intended to deliver against me before Caesar.1 Terentius says that he dissuaded him from such
a senseless proceeding at great length; and that afterwards at Patrae the elder
Quintus talked a great deal to him in a similar strain of treachery. The
latter's furious state of mind you have been able to gather from the letters
which I sent on to you. I know
these things are painful to you: they are positive torture to me, and the more
so that I don't think I shall have the opportunity of even remonstrating with
them.
As to the state of things in Africa,2 my information is
widely different from your letter. They say that nothing could be sounder or
better organized. Added to that, there is Spain,
an alienated Italy,
a decline in the loyalty and the strength of the legions, total disorder in the
city.3 Where can I
find any repose except in reading your letters? And they would certainly have
been more frequent, had you had anything to say by which you thought that my
distress might be relieved. But nevertheless I beg you not to omit writing to
tell me whatever occurs; and, if you can't absolutely hate the men who have
shewn themselves so cruelly hostile to me,4
yet do rebuke them: not with the view of doing any good, but to make them feel
that I am dear to you. I will write at greater length to you when you have
answered my last.
Good-bye. 19 January.
1] It was not unusual, it appears, to deliver a set harangue from a
written copy to a great man, though in an informal meeting. Suetonius says that
Augustus always did so on important matters, even with his wife Livia
(Suet. Aug. 84),
and Dio has preserved a conversation of the sort between them (55, 15), and two
speeches of Agrippa and Maecenas of the same kind (52, I,
ff.). Tacitus (Ann. 4.39) says that it was the common custom in the time of
Tiberius.
2] Where Cato and the other Pompeian leaders were
making great head.
3] All these disorders make Cicero
fear that, after all, Caesar will fail, and his own position be worse than
ever, as he has hopelessly offended the Pompeians. The military disorders were
among the legions sent back to Italy
after Pharsalia, who were discontented with their
rewards. The disturbances in the city were caused by the contests between Dolabella and his fellow tribunes - Dolabella endeavouring to
introduce an act for the relief of debtors, which gave rise to bloody faction
fights in Rome, which Antony,
Caesar's Master of the Horse, vainly tried to suppress ([Caesar) Bell. Alex. 65; Dio, 42,
29-32; App. Bell. Civ. 2.92). For the trouble in Spain.
4] Quintus, father and son, whom, as Atticus's brother-in-law and
nephew, he would not cast off, however much he may have disapproved of their
conduct.
CDXXVIII
(A XI. 15)
CICERO TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
–
BRUNDISIUM, 14 MAY 47 B.C.
As you give me good and sufficient
reasons why I cannot see you at this time, I beg you to tell me what I ought to
do. For it seems to me that, though Caesar is holding Alexandria, he is ashamed even to send a
despatch on the operations there. Whereas these men in Africa seem to be on the
point of coming over here: so, too, the Achaean refugees1 seem to intend returning from Asia
to join them, or to stay in some neutral place. What therefore do you think I
ought to do? I quite see that it is difficult to advise. For I am the only one
(or with one other) for whom neither a return to the one party is possible, nor
a gleam of hope visible from the other. But nevertheless I should
like to know what your opinion is, and that was the reason among others why I
wished to see you, if it could be managed.
I wrote before to tell you that Minucius had only paid
twelve sestertia: please see that the balance is provided.
Quintus wrote to me not only without any strong appeal
for pardon, but in the most bitter style, while his son did so with astonishing
malignity. No sorrow can be imagined with which I am not crushed. Yet
everything is more bearable than the pain caused by my error: that is supreme
and abiding. If I were destined to have the partners in that error that I
expected, it would nevertheless be but a poor consolation. But the case of all
the rest admits of some escape, mine of none. Some because they were taken
prisoners, others because their way was barred, avoid having their loyalty called
in question, all the more so, of course, now that they have extricated
themselves and joined forces again. Why, even the very men who of their own
free will went to Fufius2
can merely be counted wanting in courage. Finally, there are many who will be
taken back, in whatever way they return to that party. So you ought to be the
less astonished that I cannot hold up against such violent grief. For I am the
only one whose error cannot be repaired, except perhaps Laelius - but what
alleviation is that to me? - for they say that even Gaius Cassius has changed
his mind about going to Alexandria.
I write this to you, not that you may be able to remove my anxiety, but to know
whether you have any suggestion to make in regard to the distresses that are
sapping my strength, to which are now added my son-in-law, and the rest that I
am prevented by my tears from writing. Nay, even Aesop's son3 wrings my heart.
There is absolutely nothing wanting to make me the most unhappy of men. But to
return to my first question - what do you think I ought to do? Should I remove
secretly to some place nearer Rome,
or should I cross the sea? For remaining here much longer is out of the
question.
Why could no settlement he come to about the property
of Fufidius? For the arrangement was one about which there is not usually any
dispute, when the portion which is thought of the less value can be made up by
putting the property up to auction among the heirs. I have a motive for asking
the question: for I suspect that my co-heirs think that my position is
doubtful, and therefore prefer allowing the matter to remain unsettled.4
Good-bye. 15 May.
1] The Pompeians, who, instead of
keeping with the Pompeian fleet, had taken refuge in Patrae and Sicyon,
and had then crossed to Asia in hopes of
meeting Caesar and obtaining pardon.
2] Q. Fufius Calenus, tribune in B.C. 61, and supporter of Clodius. One
of Caesar's legates in Gaul, he stuck to him in the Civil War, and during B.C.
48 had been engaged in taking possession of Greek cities in Caesar's interest,
among others Patrae, and remained there in command of
troops (Caes. B.C. 3.56,
106; Dio. 42, 14). He was rewarded by the consulship for the last three months
of B.C. 47.
3] The son of the famous actor, who was a great friend of Cicero's. The son appears
to have been dissolute.
4] Apparently he supposes that the other legatees thought it doubtful
whether Cicero
had not incurred confiscation of his property, and so, being disfranchised,
would be unable to take his share: and therefore thought it better not to make
a division. If that were once made they would have great difficulty in
recovering the money.
CDXXIX (A
XI. 16)
CICERO TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
–
BRUNDISIUM, 3 JUNE 47 B.C.
It is by no fault of mine this time
- for I did commit an error formerly - that the letter you forward brings me no
consolation. For it is written in a grudging spirit, and gives rise to strong
suspicions of not really being from Caesar, suspicions which I think have
occurred to yourself. About going to meet him I will do as you advise. The fact
is that there is no belief prevalent as to his coming, nor do those who arrive
from Asia say that anything has been heard
about a peace, the hope of which caused me to fall into this trap. I see no
reason for entertaining hopes, especially in the present circumstances, when
such disaster has been sustained in Asia, in Illyricum, in the Cassius affair,
in Alexandria itself, in the city, in Italy.1 In my opinion, even if he is going to return
(he is said to be still engaged in war) the business will be all settled before
his return.
You say that a certain feeling of exultation on the
part of the loyalists was roused on hearing of the receipt of this letter: you
of course omit nothing in which you think that there is any consolation; but I
cannot be induced to believe that any loyalist could think that any salvation
has been of such value in my eyes, as to make me ask it of Caesar - much less
should I be likely to do so now that I have not a single partner even in this
policy.2 Those in
Asia are waiting to see how things turn out. Those in Achaia also keep dangling
before Fufius the hope that they will petition for pardon. These men had at
first the same reason for fear as I had, and the same policy. The check at Alexandria has improved
their position, it has ruined mine.3
Wherefore I now make the same request to you as in my previous letter, that, if
you can see in the midst of this desperate state of things what you think I
ought to do, you would tell me of it. Supposing me to be received back by this
party,4 which you
see is not the case, yet, as long as there is war, I cannot think what to do or
where to stay: still less, if I am rejected by them. Accordingly, I am anxious
for a letter from you, and beg you to write to me without hesitation.
You advise me to write to Quintus about this letter of
Caesar's: I would have done so, if it had been in any way one agreeable to me;
although I have received a letter from a certain person in these words:
"Considering the evil state of things, I am pretty comfortable at Patrae:
I should be still more so, if your brother spoke of you in terms suited to my
feelings." You say that Quintus writes you word that I never answer his
letters. I have only had one from him; to that I gave an answer to Cephalio,
who, however, was kept back several months by bad weather. I have already told
you that the young Quintus has written to me in the most offensive terms.
The last thing I have to say is to beg you, if you
think it a right thing to do and what you can undertake, to communicate with
Camillus and make a joint representation to Terentia about making a will. The
state of the times is a warning to her to take measures for satisfying all just
claims upon her. Philotimus tells me that she is acting in an unprincipled way.5 I can scarcely
believe it, but at any rate, if there is anything that can be done, measures
should be taken in time. Pray write to me on every sort of subject, and
especially what you think about her, in regard to whom I need your advice, even
though you fail to hit upon any plan: I shall take that to mean that the case
is desperate.
3 June.
1] The various points are here enumerated in which things had gone
against Caesar's interests, and therefore in favour of the ultimate triumph of
the Pompeian party in Africa. They are: (I)
the defeat of Domitius Calvinus by Pharnaces in Asia; (2)
the failure of Aulus Gabinius in Illyricum (App. Illyr. §
12); (3) the insurrection in Baetica which had forced Q.
Cassius to quit the province (he was drowned on the voyage home); (4) the
difficulties Caesar himself had met with at Alexandria; (5) the troubles in the
city caused by the contest between the tribunes Trebellius and Dolabella;
(6) the mutinous conduct of the legions in Italy. What Cicero
did not know was the completeness with which Caesar had overcome his
difficulties in Egypt; nor
could he foresee the rapidity with which he was to put down the war in Asia, for which he was on the point of starting. The
troubles in Italy and Rome disappeared at once on his arrival, and in the next
year (B.C. 46) the victory of Thapsus finally
crushed the hopes of the Pompeians in Africa.
The trouble in Baetica hung on for another year, and
indeed lasted long after his death.
2] Decimus Laelius appears to have returned in some way to his old
Pompeian friends.
3] Because neither those in Asia nor those in Achaia
had as yet taken the final step of reconciling themselves to Caesar, and yet
would be able to do so, if necessary, as not having crossed to the Pompeians in
Africa; whereas Cicero, by coming to Italy, had definitely separated himself
from the Pompeians, and, if Caesar failed, would suffer their vengeance. The
others were safe in either event; he in neither, as he could not trust Caesar,
and yet was lost if Caesar failed.
4] All the commentators explain this to mean the Caesarians, but I think
it more likely that Cicero
means the Pompeians, who just now are in high hopes. "Even suppose they
would admit me as one of themselves again - which they don't - yet (being
resolved against active war) where am I to go? I can't go to Africa,
where there will be war, or stay here if they come in arms." He has used
the same word (recipere） in the previous letters of the
taking back by the Pompeians of those who deserted the fleet and went to Achaia or Asia.
5] Philotimus was the freedman of Terentia, whose
transactions in regard to Milo's property Cicero
thought so suspicious. That he should now be listening to tales against his
wife from this man shews how much the alienation had already grown. Cicero is anxious that she
should make proper provision for her children.
CDXXX (A
XI. 17)
CICERO TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
–
BRUNDISIUM, 14 JUNE 47 B.C.
I am giving this letter to another
man's letter-carriers, who are in a hurry to start; that, and the fact that I
am about to send my own, accounts for its brevity. My daughter Tullia reached
me on the 12th of June, and expatiated at great length on your attention and
kindness to her, and gave me three letters. I, however, have not got the
pleasure from her own virtue, gentleness, and affection which I ought to get
from a matchless daughter, but have even been overwhelmed with extraordinary
sorrow, to think that a character like hers should be involved in circumstances
of such distress,1
and that that should occur from no fault of hers, but from my own consummate
folly. Accordingly, I am not expecting from you now either consolation, which I
see you desire to offer, or advice, which is impossible of adoption; and I
understand on many occasions from your previous, as well as from your last
letters, that you have tried everything practicable.
I am thinking of sending my son with Sallustius2 to Caesar. As for
Tullia, I see no motive for keeping her with me any longer in such a sad state
of mutual sorrow. Accordingly, I am going to send her back to her mother as soon
as she will herself consent to go. In return for the letter which you wrote in
the consolatory style, pray consider that I have made the only answer which you
will yourself understand to have been possible.3 You say that Oppius has had some talk with you:
what he said does not at all disagree with my suspicion about it. But I have no
doubt that it would be impossible to persuade that party4 that their proceedings could have my approval,
whatever language I were to hold. However, I will be as moderate as I can.
Although what it should matter to me that I incur their odium I don't
understand. I perceive that you are prevented by a good reason from coming to
see us, and that is a matter of great regret to me. There is no news of Caesar
having left Alexandria;
but all agree that no one has come from there either since the 15th of March,
and that he has written no letters since the 13th of December. This shews you
that there was nothing genuine about that letter of the 9th of February5 - which would have been quite unimportant,
even if it had been genuine. I am informed that L. Terentius has left Africa
and come to Paestum.
What his mission is, or how he got out of the country, or what is going on in Africa, I should like to know. For he is said to have
been passed out by means of Nasidius. What it all means pray write me word if
you discover it. I will do as you say about the ten sestertia.
Good-bye.
1] According to Plutarch (Cic. 41) Terentia had
allowed Tullia to undertake this journey without proper
provision or escort.
2] Whose arrival at Brundisium we heard of, p. 28
Mueller begins a fresh letter with this sentence. It seems likely that he is
right. Yet it is practically a continuation of the former hasty note.
3] Mueller quite alters the complexion of this sentence, reading Paeto for proea, and quem
ad modum consulenti for quamad modum consolanti.
But there seems no point in a reference to Paetus.
4] The Caesarians in Rome.
5] Illud delitteris,
lit. "the assertion about the letter": it is almost a periphrasis
for litteras.
CDXXXII
(A XI. 18)
CICERO TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
–
BRUNDISIUM, 19 JUNE 47 B.C.
About Caesar's departure from Alexandria there is as yet
no rumour, and, on the contrary, there is an opinion that he is in serious
difficulties. Accordingly, I shall not send my son, as I had intended, and I
beg you to get me out of this place. For any punishment is less galling than a
continuance here. On this subject I have written both to Antony and to Balbus and Oppius. For whether
there is to be war in Italy,
or whether he will employ his
fleet, in either case this is the last place for me. Perhaps it will be both:
certainly there will be one or the other. I understood clearly from Oppius's
remarks, which you reported to me, what the anger of that party against me is:
but I beg you to divert it. I expect nothing at all now that is not unhappy.
But nothing can be more abominable than the place in which I now am. Wherefore
I would like you to speak both to Antony
and to the Caesarians with you, and get the matter through for me as well as
you can, and write to me on all subjects as soon as possible.
Good-bye. 19 June.
CDXXXIV
(A XI. 25)
CICERO TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
–
BRUNDISIUM, 5 JULY 47 B.C.
I have no difficulty in agreeing
with your letter, in which you point out at considerable length that there is
no advice by which I can be aided by you. At least there is no
consolation capable of relieving my sorrow. For
nothing has been brought upon me by chance - for that would have been endurable
- but I have created it all by those mistakes and miserable conditions of mind
and body, to which I only wish those nearest and dearest to me had preferred to
apply remedies! Therefore, since I have no ray of hope either of advice from
you or of any consolation, I will not ask you for them in future. I would only
ask one thing of you - that you should not omit writing to me whatever comes
into your mind, whenever you have anyone to whom you can give a letter, and as
long as there shall be anyone to whom to write, which won't be very long. There
is a rumour of a doubtful sort that Caesar has quitted Alexandria. It arose from a letter from
Sulpicius,1 which
all subsequent messengers have confirmed. Since it makes no difference to me, I
don't know whether I should prefer this news being true or false. As to what I
said some time ago to you about Terentia's will, I should like it preserved in
the custody of the Vestals.2
I am worn out and harassed to death by the folly of
this most unhappy girl.3
I don't think there
was ever such a creature born. If any measure of mine can do her any good, I should like you to tell me of
it. I can see that you will have the same difficulty as you had before in
giving me advice - but this is a matter that causes me more anxiety than
everything else. I was blind to pay the second instalment. I wish I had done
otherwise: but that's past and done with. I beg of you that, considering the
ruinous state of affairs, if any money can be collected or got together and put
in safe hands, from sale of plate and the fairly abundant furniture, you would
take steps to do so.4
For I think that the worst is hard upon us, that there will be no making of
peace, and that the present regime will collapse even without an opponent.
Speak to Terentia also on this subject, if you think it right, at some
convenient opportunity. I can't write all I have to say.
Good-bye. 5 July.
1] The son of Servius Sulpicius Rufus was with Caesar.
2] The MS. reading is apud epistolas velimut possim
adversas. I venture to write - as no satisfactory suggestion has been
made - apud Vestales velim depositum adservari. The
Vestals were frequently the holders of wills (see Suet. Iul. 83; Aug.101 Tac.
Ann. i. 8; Plutarch, Ant. 58), and Terentia
had a half-sister a Vestal virgin, or perhaps apudἀσφαλεῖς
might be suggested from p.47.
3] If the reading fatuitate is right - which is
very doubtful - Cicero
apparently has found Tullia infatuated with her dissolute
husband Dolabella, and unwilling to divorce him, though
reduced to great straits by his extravagance. The "second instalment"
refers to Tullia's dowry.
4] Comparing pp.44 48, I think this must be taken to refer to movables
belonging to Tullia, not Cicero. He wishes them to be
sold and the money deposited in safe hands, in case of her husband repudiating
her, or being himself ruined.
CDXXXV (A
XI. 23)
CICERO TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
–
BRUNDISIUM, 9 JULY 47 B.C.
On the subject on which I wrote to
ask you to consult with Camillus, he has himself written to say that you have
spoken to him. I am waiting for a letter from you - but I do not see how it can
be changed if it is other than it should be. But having received a letter from
him, I wanted one from you, though I think that you have not been informed on
the subject I only hope that you are well! For you mentioned that you were
suffering from a sort of illness. A certain Agusius arrived from Rhodes on the 8th of July. He brings word that young
Quintus started to join Caesar on the 29th of May, that Philotimus arrived at Rhodes on the day previous, and had a letter for me. You
will hear what Agusius himself has to say: but he is travelling rather slowly.
Therefore I have contrived to give this to some one who goes quickly. I don't
know what that letter Contains, but my brother Quintus offers me cordial
congratulations. For my part, considering my egregious blunder, I cannot even
imagine anything happening that can be endurable to me.
I beg you to think about my poor girl, and about what
I wrote to you in my last - that some money should be got together to avert
destitution, and about the will itself. The other thing also I could have
wished that I had done before, but I was afraid of taking any step. The best
alternative in a very bad business was a divorce. I should then have behaved something like
a man - on the ground either of his proposals for abolition of debts, or his
night assaults on houses, or his relations with Metella, or his ill conduct
generally: and then I should not have lost the money, and should have shewn
myself to possess some manly indignation. I quite remember your letter, but I
also remember the circumstance of the time: yet anything would have been
better. As it is, indeed, he seems to intend to divorce her: for I am told
about the statue of Clodius.1
To think that a son-in-law of mine, of all people in the world, should do that,
or propose the abolition of debts! I am of opinion, therefore, and so are you,
that a notice of divorce should be sent by her. He will perhaps claim the third
instalment. Consider, therefore, whether the divorce should be allowed to
originate with him, or whether we should anticipate him.2 If I can do so by any means, even by travelling
at night, I will try to see you. Meanwhile, pray write to me about these
matters, and anything else which it may be my interest to know. Good-bye.
1] De statua Clodi, the reading proposed by
Tyrrell and Purser for the corrupt words of the MS. No better has been
proposed. We have to assume that Dolabella had in some
way countenanced a statue of Clodius being put up. The fact is not otherwise
known. Schütz reads de statu reipublicae.
2] If the divorce originated with Dolabella, he
would have no claim to the third instalment of the dowry, and would have to
refund the other instalments - though in his circumstances Cicero despairs of
getting them, as it would seem; but if the divorce originated with Tullia, unless she could shew misconduct on his part, the dowry
would remain, in part at any rate, with Dolabella. I have
followed Schütz in interpreting this passage; Tyrrell and Purser refer cum abipso nascetur to the demand for the payment of the third
instalment, not to the divorce itself.
CDXXXVIII
(A XI. 19)
CICERO TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
–
BRUNDISIUM, 22 JULY 47 B.C.
As I had the opportunity of giving
a letter to your servants I would not pass it by, though I have nothing to say.
You yourself write to me more rarely than you used, and more briefly: I suppose
because you have nothing to say which you suppose that I can read or hear with
pleasure. But indeed I would have you write, whatever and of what kind soever
it may be. The fact is that there is only one thing capable of exciting a wish
in me - the chance of negociation for peace: and of that I have absolutely no
hope. But because from time to time you hint faintly at it, you compel me to
hope for what hardly admits of a wish.
Philotimus is announced for the 13th of August.1 I have no farther
information about him. Please let me have an answer to my previous letter to
you. All the time I need is just enough to allow of my taking some precautions
- I who never took any.
Good-bye.
22 July.
1] Philotimus was supposed to be
bringing a letter from Caesar to Cicero,
which he thinks may be decisive as to his farther residence at Brundisium.
So he must make preparation as to where to go if obliged to leave Italy.
CDXXXIX
(A XI. 24)
CICERO TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
–
BRUNDISIUM, 6 AUGUST 47 B.C.
What you said some time ago in a
letter to me, and about me to Tullia - with a view of its reaching me also -
feel to be true. It adds to my misery, though I thought no addition possible,
that, when most flagrantly wronged, I cannot with impunity shew, not only any
anger, but even vexation. Let me, therefore, put up with that. But when I have
swallowed it, I shall yet have to endure the very things which you warn me to
be on my guard against. For the blunder I have committed is such, that,
whatever the final settlement and the sentiments of the people may be, its
result seems likely to be the same.
Here I take the pen into my own hands; for what
follows must be treated more confidentially. See, I beg you, even now to the
will, which was made at the time when she began to be in difficulties. She did
not trouble you, for she never asked you even a question, nor me either. But
assuming this to be the case, you will be able - as you have now got to the
point of speaking about it - to suggest to her to deposit it with some one,
whose position is not affected by the result of this war. For my part, I should
prefer you to everybody, if she agreed in wishing it. But the fact is, I keep
the poor woman in the dark as to this particular fear of mine.1
About my other suggestion,2 I know, of course, that nothing can be sold at
present: but they might be stowed away and concealed, so as to be out of reach
of the impending crash. For as to what you say about my fortune and yours being
at Tullia's service - I have no doubt as to yours, but what can there be of
mine?
Again, about Terentia - I omit innumerable other
points - what can go beyond this? You wrote to her to send me a bill of twelve
sestertia (about £94), saying that that was the balance of the money. She sent
me ten, with a note declaring that to be the balance. When she has deducted
such a petty sum from so trifling a total, you can feel pretty sure what she
has done in the case of a very large transaction. Philotimus not only does not
come himself, but does not inform me even by letter or messenger what he has
done. People coming from Ephesus bring word that they saw him there going into
court on some private suits of his own, which are themselves perhaps - for so
it seems likely - being postponed till the arrival of Caesar. Accordingly, I
presume either that he has nothing which he considers that there need be any
hurry about conveying to me, or that I am such an object of contempt in my
misfortunes, that, even if he has anything, he does not trouble himself about
conveying it until he has settled all his own concerns. This annoys me very
much, but not so much as I think it ought. For I consider that nothing matters
less to me than the nature of any communication from that quarter. I feel sure
you understand why I say that. You advise me to accommodate my looks and words
to the circumstances of the time. It
is difficult to do so, yet I would have put that restraint upon myself, had I
thought that it was of any importance to me.
You say that you think that the African affair may be
patched up. I wish you had told me why you think so: for my part, nothing
occurs to my mind to make me think it possible. However, pray write and tell me
if there is anything to suggest any consolation: but if, as I am clear, there
is nothing of that nature, write and tell me even that fact. I, on my side,
will write you word of anything which reaches me first. Good-bye. 6 August.
1] Terentia's will. Cicero's
fear is that Terentia's property would be confiscated, like his own. In that
case obligations acknowledged in her will would be payable out of it.
2] As to the sale of plate and furniture
CDXLII (A
XI. 20)
CICERO TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
–
BRUNDISIUM, 15 AUGUST 47 B.C.
On the 14th of August Gaius
Trebonius arrived from Seleucia Pieria1
after twenty-seven days' journey, to tell me that at Antioch he saw the younger
Quintus in Caesar's company along with Hirtius: that they had got all they
wanted in regard to the elder Quintus, and that without any trouble. I should
have been more rejoiced at this if the concessions to myself2 conveyed any
certainty of hope. But, in the first place, there are others, and among them
Quintus, father and son, from whom I have reason to entertain other fears; and,
in the next place, grants made by Caesar himself as absolute master are again
within his power to revoke. He has pardoned even Sallustius: he is said to
refuse absolutely no one. This in itself suggests the suspicion that judicial
investigation is held over for another time. M. Gallius, son of Quintus, has
restored Sallustius his slaves. He came to transport the legions to Sicily: he said that Caesar intends to go thither
straight from Patrae.3
If he does that I shall come to some place nearer Rome, which I could wish I had done before. I
am eagerly waiting for your answer to my last letter, in which I asked for your
advice.
Good-bye. 15 August.
1] The port
of Antioch. Schmidt reads
C. Treboni libertus. It does seem unlikely that Trebonius
should have gone to Asia between the end of
his praetorship (B.C. 48) and the beginning of his proconsulship in Baetica some time late in B.C. 47, yet it is not impossible,
for he was only sent there when Caesar heard of the misconduct and failure of
Cassius (B. Alex. 64).
2] Those contained in the courteous letter of Caesar, which yet did not
convey a formal pardon.
3] I. e., instead of coming to Italy. Sicily
would be the point of departure for attacking the Pompeians in Africa.
CDXLIII
(A XI. 21)
CICERO TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
–
BRUNDISIUM, 25 AUGUST 47 B.C.
On the 25th of August I received a
letter from you dated the 19th, and I experienced on reading his epistle a very
painful renewal of the sorrow which had been long ago caused me by Quintus's
misconduct, but which I had by this time shaken off. Though it was impossible
for you not to send me that letter, yet I should have preferred that it had not
been sent.
In regard to what you say about the will, please
consider what should be done and how. In regard to the money, she has herself
written in the sense of my previous letter to you, and, if it is necessary, I
will draw on the sum you mention.
Caesar does not seem likely to be at Athens by the 1st of September. Many things
are said to detain him in Asia, 'above all Pharnaces.1 The 12th legion,
which Sulla2
visited first, is said to have driven him off with a shower of stones. It is
thought that none of the legions will stir. Caesar, people think, will go
straight to Sicily
from Patrae3 But
if that is so, he must necessarily come here.4 Yet I should have preferred his going from
there; for in that case I should have got away somehow or other. As it is, I
fear I must wait for him, and, among other misfortunes, my poor Tullia must
also endure the unhealthy climate of the place. You advise me to make my
actions square with the time: I would have done so, had circumstances allowed
of it, and had it been in any way possible. But in view of the prodigious
blunders made by myself, and the wrongs inflicted upon me by my relations,
there is no possibility of doing anything or keeping up any pretext worthy of
my character. You compare the Sullan period: but, if we regard the principle of
that movement, it was everything that was most eminent; where it failed was in
a want of moderation in its execution. The present movement, on the other hand,
is of such a character, that I forget my own position, and much prefer the
general advantage to that of the party, with whose interests I have identified
my own.5
Nevertheless pray write to me as often as possible, and the more so that no one
else writes; and yet, if everybody did, I should still look forward to your
letters most. You say that Caesar will be more kindly disposed to Quintus
thanks to me: I have already told you that he at once granted everything to the
younger Quintus and said never a word about me. Goodbye.
1] Pharnaces, son of Mithradates, left by Pompey
king of part of his father's dominions, was trying to recover Pontus, now
part of a Roman province. He had already defeated Domitius Calvinus (pro Deiot. § 14). He was beaten by Caesar at Zela
on the 2nd of August - = the veni, vidi, vici battle.
2] P. Cornelius Sulla, a nephew of the dictator,
whom Cicero
defended in B.C. 62 on a charge of complicity with Catiline's conspiracy. He
had fought at Pharsalia on the side of Caesar, and was
now sent over to Italy to
conduct legions to Sicily for the war against
the Pompeians in Africa. The mutiny of the
soldiers was for the rewards promised them in the campaign of B.C. 48. See next
letter.
3] Caesar, however, came to Italy
from Asia, landing at Tarentum.
4] He would touch at Brundisium as he was coasting
down the south-eastern shores of Italy.
5] Though it would now be bad for me, I sometimes forget that, and still
wish my old friends, the Pompeians, to triumph. I have adopted Mueller's text, quamquod iis ad quorum utilitatem, etc.
CDXLIV (A
XI. 22)
CICERO TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
–
BRUNDISIUM (LATE IN AUGUST) 47 B.C.
Balbus’s letter-carrier delivered me the packet with
all promptness. I say this because I have a letter from you in which you seem
to fear that I have not received those letters,1 which in fact I could wish had never been
delivered to me. For they increased my misery, and, if they had fallen into
anyone else's hands, they would not have inflicted any fresh harm upon me. For
what can be more universally notorious than his rage against me and the sort of
letter he writes? - a kind of letter which even Caesar appears to have sent to
his friends at Rome, not because he was shocked at his unprincipled conduct,
but, I believe, to make my miserable position better known. You say that you
are afraid that they will do Quintus harm, and that you are trying to remedy
the mischief. Why! Caesar did not even wait to be asked about him. I don't mind
that; but what I mind more is that the favours granted to myself have no
stability.
Sulla, I believe, will be here
tomorrow with Messalla. They are hurrying to Caesar after being driven away by
the soldiers, who say that they will go nowhere until they' have got what was
promised them.2
Therefore he will come here, though slowly: for, though he is keeping on the
move, he devotes many days to the several towns.3 Moreover, Pharnaces, whatever course he takes,
must cause him delay. 4 What, then, do you
think I should do? For by this time I am scarcely strong enough physically to
endure the unhealthiness of this climate, because it adds bodily suffering to
mental pain. Should I commission these two who are going to him, to make my
excuses, and myself go nearer Rome?
I beg you to consider it, and as hitherto, in spite of frequent requests, you
have declined to do, aid me by your advice. I know that it is a difficult
question; but it is a choice of evils, and it is of great importance to me that
I should see you. If that could be brought about, I should certainly make some
advance4. As to the will,5 as you say, pray
attend to it.
1] From Quintus and others inclosed by Atticus.
2] See p. 51 Messalla is M. Valerius Messalla, consul B.C. 53, afterwards condemned for sodalitium
(vol. ii., pp.22, 40). He had been recalled, it seems, with others by Antony, under Caesar's
orders.
3] In oppidum, "town by town," may
possibly be justified by analogy With such a phrase as in diemvivere:
but it is certainly very difficult. Schmidt writes in oppido uno.
4] As a matter of fact, while Cicero
wrote this, Caesar had already overcome all difficulties in Asia
with marvellous rapidity.
5] Terentia's will.
CDXLVI (F
XV. 15)
CICERO TO GAIUS CASSIUS (IN ASIA?)
–
BRUNDISIUM (AUGUST OR EARLY
SEPTEMBER) 47 B.C.
Although both of us, from a hope of
peace and a loathing for Civil bloodshed, desired to hold aloof from an
obstinate prosecution of war, nevertheless, since I think I was the first to
adopt that policy, I am perhaps more bound to give you satisfaction on that
point, than to expect it from you. Although, as I am often wont to recall in my
own mind, my intimate talk with you and yours with me led us both to the conclusion
that it was reasonable that, if not the cause as a whole, yet at least our
judgment should be decided by the result of one battle. Nor does anyone ever
sincerely criticise this opinion of ours, except those who think it better that
the constitution should be utterly destroyed, rather than remain in a maimed
and weakened state. I, on the contrary, saw of course no personal hope from its
destruction, much from its surviving fragments. But a state of things has
followed which makes it more surprising that those events were possible, than
that we did not foresee what was going to happen, and were unable with our
merely human faculties to prophesy it. For my part, I confess that my view was
that, when that battle had been fought, which seemed as it were to be the last
word of fate, the conquerors would desire measures to be taken for the safety
of the community at large, the conquered for their own. But both of these
policies I regarded as depending on the promptness of the victor. If that
promptness had been displayed, Africa would have experienced the same
indulgence which Asia and Achaia too have witnessed,1 you yourself, as I think, acting as agent and
intercessor.2 But
the hours having been allowed to slip away - always most precious, and never
more so than in civil wars – the year that intervened induced
some to hope for victory, others to think lightly of the defeat itself. And the
blame for all this mischief is on the shoulders of fortune. For who would have
thought such a serious delay as that of the Alexandrian war was going to be
added to the war already fought, or that a princeling like that Pharnaces of
yours was going to cause a panic in Asia.
For ourselves, however, though our policy was the same,
our fortune has been different. For you have adopted the rôle of taking an
active part in his councils, and of thus keeping yourself in a position to
foresee what was going to happen, which more than anything else relieves one's
anxiety.3 I, who
was in a hurry to see Caesar in Italy - for that is what I thought would happen
- and, when he returned after sparing many of the most honourable men, to
"spur the willing horse" (as the phrase goes) in the direction of
peace, am now most widely separated from him, and have been so all along.
Moreover, I am living in the hearing of the groans of Italy and the most heartrending complaints in Rome: to which we might
perhaps have contributed some alleviation, I in my way, you in yours, and
everyone in his own, if only the chief man had been there. Wherefore I would
have you, in view of your unbroken affection for me, write and tell me what you
know, what you feel, and what you think I am to expect or ought to do. A letter
from you will be of great value in my eyes, and would that I had obeyed that
first one, which you sent me from Luceria! For I should then have retained my
position without any of this distress.4
[Between the date
of the last letter to Terentia (1 September) and that of the next (1 October) Caesar had landed at Tarentum,
and, meeting Cicero, who was coming to greet him, alighted from his carriage,
embraced him, had a long conversation with him on the road, and gave him free
leave to live where he chose. Cicero seems to
have at once started for his favourite round of visits to his villas, and then
gone to Rome.
This is the end, then, of the episode in his life connected with the Civil War.
Henceforth, till Caesar's assassination, he lives a comparatively retired and
literary life, seldom appearing in the senate or as an advocate.]
1] That is, the
members of the defeated party who had taken up their abode in Asia and Achaia, and the numerous adherents
who had gathered in Africa.
2] Cassius had joined Caesar early with his fleet.
3] Cassius does not appear to have been in Egypt
with Caesar, but to have remained at Rhodes or on the coast of Cilicia with his ships. When Caesar
crossed from Alexandria to Cilicia
in this year, Cassius met him at the mouth of the Cydnus, and, according to a
later assertion of Cicero's
(Phil. 2.26),
contemplated turning against him and destroying him. This is not mentioned by
anyone else.
4] We know nothing of this letter from Cassius. He seems to have advised
Cicero not to leave Italy.
CDXLVIII
(F XV. 21)
CICERO TO GAIUS TREBONIUS (IN SPAIN) –
ROME
(DECEMBER?) 47 B.C.
I found pleasure in reading your
letter, and a very great one in reading your book: yet in the midst of that
pleasure I experienced this sorrow, that, after having inflamed my desire of
increasing the closeness of our intercourse - for as far as affection goes no
addition was possible - you at once quit us, and inspire me with such deep
regret, as to leave me but one consolation, namely, that our mutual regret for
each other's absence may be softened by long and frequent letters.1 This I can
guarantee not only from myself to you, but also from you to me. For you left no
doubt in my mind as to how much you were attached to me. I will pass over what
you did in the sight of the whole state, when you took upon you a share of my
quarrels, when you defended me in your public speeches, when as quaestor you
stood by the consuls in what was at once my cause and that of the constitution,
when as quaestor again you refused to submit to the tribune,2 and that though
your colleague was for obeying him. Yet, to forget your recent services (which
I shall always remember), what anxiety for me did you shew during the war, what
joy at my return, what anxiety, what pain, when my anxieties and sorrows were
reported to you! Lastly, the fact that you had meant to come to Brundisium to
see me had you not been suddenly sent to Spain - to omit, I say, all this,
which in my eyes must be as precious as my own life and safety, what a strong
profession of affection does the book which you have sent me convey. First,
because you think any utterance of mine to be witty, though others perhaps do
not: and, secondly, because those mots, whether witty or the reverse, become
extraordinarily attractive as you tell them. In fact, even before they come
to me, your readers have all but exhausted their power of laughter. But if in
making this compilation there was no more compliment than the inevitable fact
of your having thought for so long a time exclusively about me, I should be
hard-hearted indeed if I did not love you. Seeing, however, that what you have
taken the trouble to write you could never have planned without a very strong
affection, I cannot deem that anyone is dearer to himself than I am to you: to
which affection would that I could respond in other ways! I will at least do so
in affection on my part: with which, after all, I feel certain you will be
fully satisfied.
Now I come to your letter, which, though written in
full and gratifying terms, there is no reason why I should answer at great
length. For, in the first place, I did not send that letter to Calvus,3 any more than the
one you are now reading, with an idea of its getting abroad. For I write in one
style what I expect that the persons addressed only, in another what I expect
that many, will read. In the next place, I praised his genius in higher terms
than you think could have been done with sincerity. To begin with, it was
because that was my real opinion. He had a subtle and active mind: he adhered
to a certain definite style, in which, though his judgment was at fault-generally
his strong point - he yet attained his aim. He had great and uncommon learning:
force he had not. It was in that direction, therefore, that I tried to rouse
his energies. Now, in stimulating and whetting a man's intellect nothing is
more efficacious than to mingle praise with exhortation. That is my judgment on
Calvus, and the motive of my letter: motive, in that I praised in order to
stimulate him; judgment, in that I thought very highly of his ability.
It only remains to follow your journey with
affectionate interest, to look forward to your return with hope, to cherish you
while absent in memory, and to alleviate our regret by an interchange of
letters. I should wish you often to recall your kindnesses and good services to
me; for while you may, and I may not, forget them without positive crime, you
will have reason, not only to think me an honest man, but also to believe that
you are deeply loved by me.
1] Gaius Trebonius had been all along a strong Caesarian. In his
tribuneship (Dec. B.C. 56-Dec. B.C. 55) he proposed the
law for the extension of Caesar's governorship. From B.C. 54 he was his legatus in Gaul. He helped to
conduct the siege of Marseilles
B.C. 49. He was praetor urbanus in the year B.C. 48, and
maintained Caesar's financial enactments against Caelius. Some time in B.C. 47
he was sent to southern Spain
as proconsul in place of Cassius. He seems to have been an admirer of Cicero, in spite of
politics, and to have made s collection of his bons mots. He did not succeed in
Baetica, and though afterwards nominated by Caesar to the
province of Asia, he was one of his assassins.
Of his own miserable death we shall hear later on. He had some tincture of
letters, and wrote verses on the model of Lucilius.
2] As quaestor, B.C. 60, Trebonius had opposed the passing of the law
allowing Clodius's adoption into a plebeian gens.
3] Trebonius seems to have remonstrated on some laudatory expressions in
a letter to Calvus, which he had seen. C. Licinius Calvus, son of the annalist
Licinius Macer, was born B.C. 82. He was a poet and orator. In the latter
capacity Cicero
elsewhere (Brut. § 283) speaks of him as being learned and accurate, but too
much enslaved to the model of the Attic style, which he had set himself to
imitate. That is the "certain definite style" of which he here
speaks.
