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Epistula I.i [1.5]
Date: November 68 B.C.
Place: Rome
Epitome of Contents:
The following is the first preserved letter of the correspondence between Marcus Tullius Cicero and Titus Pomponius, popularly known as Atticus. Cicero, aged 39 at the writing of this letter, and Atticus, three years his senior, had been boyhood friends and school chums (as well as brothers by marriage, for Atticus' sister, Pomponia, was married to Cicero's brother, Quintus).
Atticus, having both lost his father in 86 B.C. and soon afterwards sensed the imminent return of Sulla to Rome, sold many of his assets in Italy and moved to Athens, the city for which he had possessed a life-long passion as well as all things Greek and erudite (hence his self-styled nickname "Man of Attica"). He spent some time in Epirus as well (he owned property off of Corcyra (Corfu)), as Cicero mentions in the subsequent letter. He would return to Italy permanently in 65 B.C.
At this point in his life, Cicero had already served as Quaestor in Sicily (75 B.C.), secured his position as the foremost orator in Rome by his slam-dunk prosecution of the corrupt governor Verres (70 B.C.), and had served out his term as Aedile (69 B.C.).
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Epistula I.ii [1.6]
Date: shortly after December 23rd, 68 B.C.
Place: Rome
Epitome of Contents:
Cicero chides Atticus for not keeping up with their correspondence and then updates him with news from Italy, such as: Cicero's old friend from his army days, C. Rabirius, like all fashionable Romans, had a house in Naples and this property, on which Atticus seemed to have had his eye, has already, unfortunately for Atticus, been sold to another; the marital strife between Quintus and Pomponia mentioned in the previous letter has improved, and both are visiting the Arpinum estate, which, while a villa rustica (a country farm estate or plantation located outside of a day's journey from a metropolitan area), had all the comforts of city living due to alterations made by Marcus and Quintus; in regards to villae, Cicero purchased no less than thirteen (!) properties in his lifetime (two domi in Rome (one on the Palatine!), eight villae, and three or four deversoria ("lodges")), scattered throughout Italy, and, while no means out of step with his peers in terms of how many properties he owned and where they were established, he was preeminent among his peers in evolving the Italian villa rustica and villa urbana (a non-urban plantation which could be reached within a day's travel of a metropolitan area) using the Greek gymnasia as a model. Though the Greeks themselves had already transformed the athletic space into an intellectual one, Cicero can be credited with bringing the style to Italy and merging it with the Italian farmstead.
A note on Cicero's villae:
Epistula I.i [1.5]
Date: November 68 B.C.
Place: Rome
Epitome of Contents:
The following is the first preserved letter of the correspondence between Marcus Tullius Cicero and Titus Pomponius, popularly known as Atticus. Cicero, aged 39 at the writing of this letter, and Atticus, three years his senior, had been boyhood friends and school chums (as well as brothers by marriage, for Atticus' sister, Pomponia, was married to Cicero's brother, Quintus).
Atticus, having both lost his father in 86 B.C. and soon afterwards sensed the imminent return of Sulla to Rome, sold many of his assets in Italy and moved to Athens, the city for which he had possessed a life-long passion as well as all things Greek and erudite (hence his self-styled nickname "Man of Attica"). He spent some time in Epirus as well (he owned property off of Corcyra (Corfu)), as Cicero mentions in the subsequent letter. He would return to Italy permanently in 65 B.C.
At this point in his life, Cicero had already served as Quaestor in Sicily (75 B.C.), secured his position as the foremost orator in Rome by his slam-dunk prosecution of the corrupt governor Verres (70 B.C.), and had served out his term as Aedile (69 B.C.).
Cicero greets Atticus,
How much pain I have felt and how much I have mourned in both private and public concerning the death of my cousin Lucius -- you before anyone else can imagine because you know me. For everything happy which can befall me came from his kindness and temperament. For this reason I do not doubt that it is also frustrating for you, since you are moved by my pain, as well as you have lost a fellow friend yourself, a man bestowed with every valor and service, who loved you both on his own accord and because of how I spoke about you.
As to what you have written me about your sister: she herself will swear how much this of a concern this has been for me that my brother Quintus' temperament towards her be how duty calls him to be. When I deem him to be more at fault, I have sent him a letter to calm him as a brother, advise him as my junior, and rebuke him when he errs. And taking into account the things from the correspondence he has often written me after the fact, I am confident that every is such that it is both proper and what we want.
As to keeping up my correspondence, you lay the charge at my door without evidence, I'm afraid; for I've never been informed by our Pomponia if there is anyone to whom I could give my letters. And furthermore, it's not worked out for me that I have anyone going to Epirus; and I don't hear of you at Athens anymore!
But as to this Acutilianan Affair about which you've entrusted me: I dealt with the matter as soon as I got back to Rome after your last visit; but, as it happens, there was no need for haste in the first place, and secondly, since I've made up my mind that I've given you enough advice, I prefer Peducaeus to give advise you by letter rather than I do so. The reason is that, after many days of giving my ears to Acutilius -- whose kind of chatter you surely have some experience, I feel -- it was not hard for me to come to the conclusion to write to you about his complaints since I thought it a trifling enough thing to listen to them -- and yes, it was a bore. But my I remind you that, though you accuse me, I have only one letter from you, even though you have more frequent and longer bouts of leisure time for writing!
As to what you've written, that even if a certain someone's animosity towards you is on the offensive side, I ought to make an effort to be reconciled with him? -- well, I hear what you say, nor have I neglected it, but the thing has a certain strange effect over him. Whereas I did not forget the things which had to be said about you, it behooved me to make a decision over what exactly ought to be pressed, in light of what I think your wishes are, of course. If you write me fully what those wishes are, you will understand that I have not wished to be more attentive in the matter than you have been, nor will I neglect it more than you wish.
On to the Tadian Affair: Tadius had a chat with me and said you've written him to the effect that there is nothing to fret about any more, since the property was held in prescription easement. But I'm surprised that you don't know that it's under legal wardship, in this case believed to be a young girl -- therefore, prescriptive easement in no way applies.
Concerning your Epirote purchase, I am pleased you like it. The things I asked you after, as in, things which you think will go well in my Tusculanum, I do so wish, as you have written, you procure for me, but only if you are able to do so without any bother. For I find peace and quiet from all the annoyances and toils in that one singular place. I see my brother Quintus daily. Terentia has sharp pain in her joints; you, your sister, and your mother she so very adores and sends along her own emphatic well-wishes to you -- and my little Tullia, my darling, wishes you all well.
Take care and be well -- may you love me and be assured that you are likewise loved by me as a brother.
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Epistula I.ii [1.6]
Date: shortly after December 23rd, 68 B.C.
Place: Rome
Epitome of Contents:
Cicero chides Atticus for not keeping up with their correspondence and then updates him with news from Italy, such as: Cicero's old friend from his army days, C. Rabirius, like all fashionable Romans, had a house in Naples and this property, on which Atticus seemed to have had his eye, has already, unfortunately for Atticus, been sold to another; the marital strife between Quintus and Pomponia mentioned in the previous letter has improved, and both are visiting the Arpinum estate, which, while a villa rustica (a country farm estate or plantation located outside of a day's journey from a metropolitan area), had all the comforts of city living due to alterations made by Marcus and Quintus; in regards to villae, Cicero purchased no less than thirteen (!) properties in his lifetime (two domi in Rome (one on the Palatine!), eight villae, and three or four deversoria ("lodges")), scattered throughout Italy, and, while no means out of step with his peers in terms of how many properties he owned and where they were established, he was preeminent among his peers in evolving the Italian villa rustica and villa urbana (a non-urban plantation which could be reached within a day's travel of a metropolitan area) using the Greek gymnasia as a model. Though the Greeks themselves had already transformed the athletic space into an intellectual one, Cicero can be credited with bringing the style to Italy and merging it with the Italian farmstead.
Cicero greets Atticus,
I shall not give you a chance hereafter whereby you can accuse me of neglecting your correspondence -- you just see to it that you in your leisure-time keep up with me in this venture.
As to the Rabirius house in Naples, which you have long had measured out and refurnished in your mind, M. Fontius bought for 130,000 sestertii. I wanted you to know this in case it might perchance touch on your planning.
My brother Quintus seems to me to be towards Pomponia as we have in mind and is now with her at the Arpinum estate. He also has with him D. Turranium, un savant. Our father passed November 23rd.
This I have is nearly all I wish you to know. I should wish that you not let slip any objets d'arts you can find fit for my gymnasium, my You-Know-Where. I am so pleased by my Tusculanum that I find myself happy when I am there at last. What you are about and what you plan to do, do let me know in careful and every detail.
A note on Cicero's villae:
"It was [Cicero's] custom in the opportunities of his leisure to take some friends with him into the country, where, instead of amusing themselves with idle sports or feasts, their diversions were wholly speculative, tending to improve the mind and enlarge the understanding. In this manner he now spent five days at his Tusculan villa in discussing with his friends [...]. For, after employing the mornings in declaiming and rhetorical exercises, they used to retire in the afternoon into a gallery, called the Academy, which he had built for the purpose of philosophical conferences, where, after the manner of the Greeks, he held a school, as they called it, and invited the company to call for any subject that they desired to hear explained, which being proposed accordingly by some of the audience became immediately the argument of that day’s debate."
- Middleton
Perhaps Jefferson's Virginia estate at Monticello is the closest American example of a Ciceronian villa, built not only for purposes of farming, with its rows of crops, granaries, storehouses, and spaces for vines and herbs, but constructed specifically with intellectual pursuits in mind, where dialectic and dissertation may be ornamented by the surrounding beauty of nature, maintained by artifice or not.
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Epistula I.iii [1.7]
Date: before February 13th, 67 B.C.
Place: Rome
Cicero greets Atticus,
All is well at your mother's -- she is under my care. I have decided to pay L. Cincius 20,400 sestertii by the February Ides. I should wish that the things you write you have bought and readied for me you take care so that I have them as soon as possible. And please think about how you can procure a library for me, as you have promised. Every hope of enjoyment I want to have when I come into some leisure-time I consider to be dependent upon your kindness.
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Epistula I.iv [1.8]
Date: after the previous (February 13th, 67 B.C.)
Place: Rome
Cicero greets Atticus,
The affairs at your place are as I want them. Your mother and sister are cherished by Quintus and me. I chatted with Acutilius. He says that nothing has been written him from his caretaker, and he's amazed that there was a dispute between you because his man had refused to give any further guarantee that no suit would be sought against you. You write that you have settled the Tadius business -- this was pleasing to Tadius, I understand, and he was decidedly delighted. That friend of ours, by Hercules, that excellent fellow who is so friendly to me is right angry with you. Should I know how much you care about this development, then I could know what I ought to work on.
I paid L. Cincius the 20,400 sestertii for the Megarian statues you had written me before. Those Pentelic herms of yours, the ones with heads of bronze about which you wrote me, already (even now) delight me exceedingly. Therefore, I would fain you sent such like, statues, and other things which seem to you to be in line with You-Know-Where, with my interests, and with your fashionable taste -- as many things as possible and as soon as possible, and particularly things which seem to you to be for a gymnasium or its colonnade. For I have been so carried off by an interest in this style that you must help me sate it while it is everyone else's duty to (almost) scold me. If Lentulus doesn't have a ship, then go ahead and put it on any ship you like. Little Tullia, my darling, keeps pestering for your little gift and she names me your guarantor! However, it's more likely I'll deny the claim than pay up.
Notes: A Greek herm:
A note on Greek γυμνάσια (gymnasia) and ξυστoί (xystoi):
The Greek παλαίστρα (palaistra) "wrestling school" was mostly open air, in keeping with the rest of Greek athletics, though in winter or otherwise poor weather the training could be moved to the ξυστός (xystos), the covered colonnade surrounding the space.
One can see the similarities in a Roman garden (below), where the space is used not for athletics, but for walks, natural aesthetics, and, especially in the case of Cicero, intellectual pursuits. The "walkabout" or "promenade" had a prominent role in such academic studies: legend states that due to Aristotle's supposed fondness for walking while discussing, debating, and declaiming, the school which sprang from studying his teachings became known as the Peripatetic ("Walkabout") School, from the adjective περιπατητικός (peripatêtikos), which means "of walking" or "given to walking about"; or, more simply, the name came from the colonnaded covered walks (περίπατοι (peripatoi)) which was a feature of the Λύκειον (Lykaion/Lycaeum - "The Wolf's Den") where Aristotle taught and his students gathered.
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Epistula I.v [1.9]
Date: March/April 67 B.C.
Place: Rome
Cicero greets Atticus,
Too seldom are letters sent to me from you, since both it is easier for you to find someone who is leaving for Rome than I can find going to Athens, and since you are more certain that I am at Rome than I am that you are at Athens; and so, on account of this uncertainty of mine, this letter is rather on the short side because, since I am unsure as to your whereabouts I don't wish our intimate talk to wind up in some stranger's hands.
As to the Megarian statues and herms about which you wrote me -- I eagerly await them. Whatever you come into of the same sort, if they seem to you to be worthy of my Academy, don't hesitate to send them! And have unwavering faith in the depths of my cashbox! This is the object of my fancy now, so I ask you for whatever seems particularly suited to a gymnasion. Lentulus promises his ships! I beg of thee to take care to see to these treasures!
Thyillus asks you (and I am as well since he is asking) about the ancestral rites of the family of Eumolpus.
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Epistula I.vi [1.10]
Date: May 67 B.C.
Place: Tusculum
Epitome of Contents:
Here is the first mention of Cicero's election, this time for the office of Praetor. In the following and subsequent correspondence with regards to his campaigning, Cicero attempts to walk quite a narrow line: he must secure support for his candidacy, naturally, but doing so will often run him afoul of friends and benefactors, supporters he must also keep on his side. As a result, he seems with only mild reluctance to employ deceit on his friend Atticus -- really, nothing about politics has changed much. For example, the opening begins with an excuse for a brief correspondence, where Cicero admits that he has only enough time to scribble down a few things; what follows is a rather lengthy letter, certainly not "so little". This appears to be a ploy to be able to write just enough without having to force oneself to elaborate on details; "hey, I've got someone on the other line -- we'll work out the details later!" is the telephone's version. The main purpose of the following letter is to bring up the subject of his campaigning and Atticus' rôle (or lack thereof) Cicero wishes for him to play in these political calculations.
It takes a bit of time and scribbling to get to the heart of the thing, the election, but first Cicero speaks of his mysterious friend who's still angry with Attiucus, more objets d'arts Cicero wants from abroad, and Atticus' sister Pomponia is pregnant with Quintus Cicero's child (which perhaps should be bigger news, but alas, seems overshadowed by the election update -- "but there was so little time to write further!"). Cicero doesn't want Atticus to come to his election; the whatever-you-call-it business which you are conducting, my friend, must be done so at this very time, Cicero writes, so don't even bother to come to my election. Finishing up with a tidy, "Whatever you decide is what I want," Cicero closes the letter with the usual cute remark about little Tullia. Perhaps Cicero could have written more, but there was apparently no time.
Cicero greets Atticus,
When I was at Tusculum -- this will be a rejoinder to you, answering to your own "when I was at Ceramicus" -- but anyhow, when I was there, a boy sent from Rome by your sister gave me a letter from you and announced that on that very day, that very afternoon, someone would arrive who was heading your way! So, the result is that I am scribbling back some response to your letter, but I am forced to write so little due to the shortness of time!
Firstly, I promise you that I will calm my friend in regards to you or even outright reconcile him to you. This is a thing I have already started of my own accord, but now I shall both engage him more enthusiastically and solicit him more vigorously, as much as, of course, I seem to gather from your letter that it is your wish for this to happen. But this I want you to understand: very seriously has he been offended; but, because I see that there is no serious underlying cause for his behavior, so I am quite confident that he will fall under my influence and power.
I would fain you put my statues and Hermeraclas you have written about on a ship when you are most conveniently able, and if you find anything else approprié à my You-Know-Where, send them along as well -- especially anything which seems to be for a palaestra and gymnasium. I even sat there as I wrote these words, so the very walls and walks gave me a friendly reminder. I especially entrust you to find things I could set into the overlay of my modest foyer, and two engraved puteals as well. Take heed not to promise away your library to however a keen lover you may find for it, for I, that is myself, am setting these aside as if a little vintage to age alongside me and be my crutch in my frail dotage.
Concerning my brother, I have full confidence that everything is as I have ever wished it and worked it out to be. Many are the signs which point to this, least of all is not that your sister is pregnant.
Concerning my election, I recall that I left it up to you. And I, for my part, have been telling this to our shared circle of friends who are expecting you to turn up, that you have not only not been called to do so by my instruction, but I forbade it, since I know that it is much more important that you be there personally to conduct your business which must be done at this time instead of you coming to my election. Therefore, I would fain you be under the impression that you had been sent into where-ever-it-is-you-are for the sake of conducting my own business. But you will find me and hear of me as a man who feels towards you as if any profit you are responsible for making is actually for my benefit, even though you are not actually here.
Little Tullia has named your day in court, without making me your guarantor.
Notes: Ceramicus - The Kerameikos (Grk: Κεραμεικός) was the Potters' Quarter of Athens before the Persian Invasions, which straddled a section of the old wall of the city northwest of the Akropolis and Erekhtheion, and near the river Eridanos. It was because of the clay caused by the river that the potters occupied the portion of the quarter within the walls where they worked and sold their wares, whence comes our English word "ceramic"; the portion outside the walls was a rather famous cemetery where Perikles delivered his funeral oration and was known for its many grave monuments. The Holy Road (Grk:Ἱερὰ Ὁδός) started at the nearby Dipylon Gate and stretched to Eleusis; upon this road, adherents to the Eleusian Mysteries made their procession (this was probably why Atticus was referencing a time he was at Ceramicus -- it is in answer to Cicero and Thyillus' question from the previous letter concerning the Eumolpidai). Following the sack of Athens by Xerxes in 480 B.C, the funerary steles were worked into the city-walls of the Kerameikos at the suggestion of Themistokles (the portion of this wall which remains still bears his name), and two gates were constructed there: the Dipylon Gate was rebuilt and the Sacred Gate became the new starting point for the Sacred Road.
Tusculum (modern-day Tusculo) is located some 16 miles (25 kilometers) outside of Rome; therefore, it was close enough to the city while being far enough away from the city.
A puteal (Lat: puteus -i m.- "well, cistern; pit, dungeon"):
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Place: Rome
Cicero greets Atticus,
I acted both on my own accord beforehand and afterwards after I was moved by the two letters you had very carefully written in the same vein. Adding to that was the incessant urging of Sallustius that I exercise the utmost attention in bringing about the reconciliation of yourself with Lucceius to the old degree of warmth you had. But after everything has been said and done, it not only his feelings towards you which I cannot recover, but I cannot even get the reason out of him as to why his feelings have changed. Even so, he keeps bringing up that arbitration business of his and other things which I already knew insulted him even while you were at Rome, but yet assuredly he has something which has taken root deeper in his heart which neither your letters nor my diplomatic overtures can possible erase as easily as you confronting him face-to-face, employing not only your rhetorical skill, but your familiar countenance. If you think it worthwhile, which, if you hear me out and wish to act according to your accustomed kindness, then you will certainly agree. Furthermore, so that you will not be too shocked by this, let me explain why, even though I had given assurances beforehand to you through my letters that I had hopes he would come into my influence, I now seem to feel despair about the thing: it is unbelievable how much more stubborn his attitude seems to me -- and more obstinate! -- while he is in this tantrum, but this mood of his will either be cured when you arrive, or the blameworthy party will feel a sting.
As to what you wrote in your letter that you already thought me elected -- ha! Let it be known that no one knows how trying it is now for candidates at Rome because of all the injustices flying about. It is also not known when elections will be held. But all of this you will hear from Philadelphus.
I would please have you send whatever it is you have readied for my Academy at once. It is astonishing how not only the work I get done at the place pleases me, but the very thought of the place itself. But as to your books: mind you not to give them away to anyone! They're for me, as you've written in the past, so keep them for me! As great an enthusiasm for them has me in its grip as I have disdain for everything else. It is this "everything else" you will soon appalled with for yourself, just how unbelievably worse things are than when you left.
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Epistula I.viii [1.3]
Place: Rome
Cicero greets Atticus,
I have to inform you about your poor grandmother who has passed away because she was pining away for you -- at the same time she feared that the Latins would not keep their oath and would not bring the victims to the Alban. Ah me! I suppose L. Saufeius will send you further condolences of so grievous an event.
But anyway, I am still awaiting you in January, yes? A certain rumor has indicated as much, as well as the letters you've written others, but to me you've written nothing about it. The statues you've taken care for me have landed at Caieta -- I haven't seen them, as I've not had the chance to leave Rome. I've sent someone to pay for them and have them sent on ahead. Much love to you, for they've been sent with every item seen to, and at little cost.
As to what you have often written me, about pacifying my friend -- well, I've done and tried everything, but he is hostile to a remarkable degree. I think that even if you've heard these suspicions, you shall hear them from me when you arrive. Though I've gone to Sallustius face-to-face, I've been unable to return him to his old friendly place -- I've written you of this because he has been wont to find fault with me concerning you. He has found out for himself that my friend is less easily won over, and that my enthusiasm has failed neither him nor you.
Little Tullia I have betrothed to C. Piso Frugi, L's son.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Epistula I.ix [1.4]
Date: early 66 B.C.
Place: Rome
Cicero greets Atticus,
And again you change the date of your arrival! Indeed, I recently thought you were at the point of showing up, when suddenly I was rebuffed by you until Quintilis! But now I feel you ought to come at the time you now say if you can make it then -- it'll be time for my brother Quintus' election, you will finally see me after such a long time, and you will stick a fork in that Acutilianan quarrel you have. This last is such that even Peducaeus has advised me to write you about it. For I think that it is advantageous for you to at last spindle this affair. My intercession is all ready for you as it has ever been.
Here I did some spindling of my own with C. Macer's case, and with the unbelievable and remarkable consent of the people. Although I was fair with him, I garnered a greater boon in the eyes of the people with his guilt verdict than I would have received from the man's personal gratefulness if he had been acquitted.
As for what you have been writing to me of the Hermathena, I am grateful. It is a decoration appropriate to my Academy, for while Hermes is common enough feature of all gymnasia, Minerva is particular to this one. Because of this, I should wish, as you have written, for you to decorate this place with as many of these ornaments as possible. As for the statues you sent me before, I have not yet seen them -- they're at Formiae, whither I am thinking of departing. I will take everything there to Tusculum. I'll decorate Caieta if I ever begin to fill up the others. Save your books and don't lose hope that I can make them mine. If I accomplish that, I'll conquer Crassus in wealth and despise any man's villages and meadows.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Epistula I.x [I.1]
Date: shortly before July 17th, 65 B.C.
Place: Rome
Cicero greets Atticus,
In regards to my candidacy, which I know is of the highest concern to you, an outline follows, as far as prognostications can be made up 'til this point: the only one canvassing currently is P. Galba, and, without putting any lipstick on the pig or beating around the bush, he is being given a good old-fashioned Roman NO. Though, people are saying that this over-hasty canvassing of his has been not unkind to my own, for they are rebuffing him en masse and saying that they are obligated to me; so, I hope this will be a benefit to me when word starts spreading around that a great many of my friends are popping up. But I had thought of starting to canvass then when Cincius said your lad was to set out with this letter, during the tribunician elections on the Field on July 17th. My opponents -- well, those who are sure bet -- are Galba and Antonius and Q. Cornificius -- I now imagine you laughing or groaning. If you want to smack your forehead, some think even Caesonius! I've not thought of Aquillius, since he's denied it, produced a bill of ill health, and used that dictatorship he has over the law courts as his excuse. Catilina, if his jury rules that the sun doesn't shine at midday, will surely run. In regards to Aufidius and Palicanus -- I don't fancy you will hold your breath for me to write about them running. Concerning the present candidates, Caesar is thought a shoe-in to win. The contest is thought to be between Thermus and Silanus, but both are out of resources in friends and esteem, so it does seem to me to be pas impossible that Curius will run against them -- but no one seems to think this but me. In terms of my strategy, it seems very much the best thing that Thermus wins the Consulship with Caesar. Then none of those who are running appear will be a stronger candidate if he decides to run in my year, particularly because Thermus is the one taking care of the Flaminian Way, which will surely -- absolutely -- be finished by then. I should welcome attaching Thermus to Caesar this year. This is the state of my opponents -- just a rough sketch and some thoughts. For my part, I shall keep supreme care in discharging my duties as a candidate, and, perhaps, since Gallia appears to be rather weighty in the voting, I'll run up there to Piso wearing my Lieutenant's garb in September when the courts have died down at Rome, and then return in January. When I get a better view as to the wants of the nobles, I'll write to you. I do hope the rest goes smoothly, as far as these City-bound candidates are concerned. But as to that faction out where you are, take care that you answer for them for me, since you are closer -- I mean Pompey, of course, our friend. Don't say that I will be angry with him if he doesn't come to my election!
And that's how things are. But there is something for which I should very much like to crave your pardon: Caecilius, your uncle, was cheated out of a good deal of money by P. Varius, and he has started to take legal action against the his cousin, A. Caninius Satyrus, in regards to this property, which Caecilius says that the man received from Varius with a fraudulent bill of sale. The rest of the creditors are joining forces with your uncle in this suit, among them L. Lucullus, P. Scipio, and L. Pontius, whom they fancy will be the adjudicator of the goods if they should come to auction -- but this talk of adjudicator is ridiculous. Now, please pay careful attention: Caecilius asked me to stand against Satyrus. Nearly no day goes by without Satyrus calling on me at home; he pays the most attention to L. Domitius, but I'm next. He has been to both my brother Quintus and me a great advantage in our campaigning. I am, of course, very upset with the degree of closeness I share with Satyrus, and also Domitius, on whom single-handedly my campaign mostly relies. I explained this to Caecilius, while at the same time pointing out that if he were alone in bringing the charge against Satyrus, I would have done what he wanted; but now the case involved all the creditors, men who are particularly very well off, who will keep up the case easily without anyone whom Caecilius would bring on by himself -- I told him it's only fair for him to consider my interest and duties at this time. Well, he seemed to take it harder than I wished and how gentlemen are accustomed to handle such things, and afterwards he has declined any contact with me which had just begun a few days prior. I beg that you forgive me and think me barred from standing against the good reputation of a friend at his most needful hour because of simple kindness, for he has bestowed upon me all his effort and loyalty in discharging his duties. But if you wish to be hard on me, then think the necessities of my campaign made me falter. I think, even if this is the case, that you ought to forgive me, for, as the Poet says, "Since neither for holy sacrifice or an ox...". For you see that I am in the middle of my game and I think how I must keep not only every favor, but add some new ones too. I hope that explaining my side has proved me honest to you -- I certainly desire you to think of me so.
The Hermathena you sent very much pleases me. The objet d'art has been set up beautifully so that the whole room seems to be built around it.
Much love to you.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Epistula I.xi [I.2]
Date: shortly after July 65 B.C.
Place: Rome
Cicero greets Atticus,
I am pleased to inform you that in the Consul(-elect-)ship of L. Julius Caesar and C. Marcius Figulus, I hath been blessed by the birth of a little boy! Terentia thrives.
I've got nothing from you for so long, not even a letter! I, on the other hand, have applied careful attention in writing you concerning my news. At this moment I am giving some thought to defending my opponent, Catilina. I have the jury I want, as well as the go-ahead of the prosecution. I hope that, should he be acquitted, he will join with me in my campaigning; but, if it doesn't work out, I'll be a gentleman about it.
It's really your arrival here I need, and soon, for there is a decidedly strong opinion brewing amongst those high-class family friends of yours that they will be adversarial to my being elected. In order to conform to their wishes, I gather that you would be most instrumental in lending me support. To that end, take care that you will be in Rome in January as you have planned.
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