The translation is by W.G. Williams (1929). Click on the L symbols to go to the Latin text of each section. Click on ** to go to the translator's footnotes.
CONTENTS: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ; all these letters were written by Cicero to his wife Terentia
← Book 13
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TERENTIA, HIS DEAR TULLIOLA AND HIS DEAR CICERO, GREETING **
I am kept informed by the letters of many and the conversation of everybody that your courage and fortitude, Terentia, are beyond belief, and that you are not exhausted by your troubles either of mind or body. Woe is me ! To think that you of all people, virtuous, faithful, upright, and generous as you are, should have fallen into such a morass of misery all on my account ! And that our darling Tullia should feel that the very father who was her greatest delight is now the source of her greatest griefs ! As to Cicero, why should I talk about him, since from the very dawn of his intelligence he has known the bitterest pangs of sorrow and misery ? Could I but imagine that all this is (as you write) the work of destiny, I should bear it a little more easily ; but it has all been brought about by my own fault, because I thought myself beloved by those who were jealous of me, and turned away from those who sought me. **
2 Had I but followed my own judgment, and not been so unduly influenced by the talk of either misguided or unscrupulous friends, I should now be living in perfect happiness. As it is, since my friends bid me have hope, I shall do my best to prevent my health from failing to further your efforts. I quite understand how difficult the thing was, and how much easier remaining at home was than returning. However, if we can count on all the tribunes and if on Lentulus’s ** being as enthusiastic as he appears to be, if above all on Pompey and Caesar, then there is no reason to despair.
3 In the matter of our slaves, we shall do what you say our friends think best. As to this place, the epidemic, it is true, has now passed away, but even while it lasted it did not touch me. That most obliging fellow Plancius ** desires me to live with him and won’t let me go yet. My own wish was to be in some less frequented spot in Epirus where Piso ** and his soldiers might not come, but Plancius won’t let me go yet. He hopes it may be possible for him to leave for Italy in my company. If ever I see that day, and find myself in your arms, and feel that I have regained all of you as well as myself, I shall think that both your loyalty, and mine too, have met with an adequate reward.
4 Piso's ** kindness, excellence of conduct, and affection for us all cannot possibly be exceeded. I pray that it may be a source of pleasure to him ; that it will be a source of pride to him I feel sure. As to my brother Quintus, ** I make no charge against you, but it has ever been my wish that all of you, especially as there are so few of you, should be as closely united as possible.
5 I have thanked those whom you wished me to thank, and have written that you were my informant. You tell me, my dear Terentia, that you intend selling your house-property ; in that case, what, I implore you (I am sadly worried about it), what is going to happen ? And if we are dogged by the same ill-fortune, what will become of our poor boy ?
I cannot write what remains to be written, so irrepressible are my tears, and I would not make you too weep as bitterly. This much I do write - that if our friends remain loyal, money will be forthcoming ; if they do not, your own money will not enable you to do what you want. In the name of our own pitiful misfortunes, beware lest we ruin our already ruined boy. With something to stave off actual want, all he needs to attain everything else is a fair share of merit, and a fair share of luck.
6 Be sure you keep well, and send me letter-carriers to let me know what is being done, and how you all are In any case I have not now long to wait. Give my love to my dearest Tullia and Cicero. Good-bye.
Dyrrachium, Nov. 26th.
7 I have come to Dyrrachium, because it is not only a free state, but devoted to me, and is also the nearest point to Italy. But if the place is too crowded for my liking, I shall betake myself elsewhere, and send you word.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TERENTIA, HIS DEAR TULLIOLA AND HIS DEAR CICERO, GREETING
You must never think that I write longer letters to anybody unless somebody has written to me at unusual length, and I think it my duty to answer him. For I don’t know what to write, and just now there is nothing I find greater difficulty in doing. But to you and our darling Tullia I cannot write without a flood of tears. I see that both of you are utterly wretched, you, whom I have always wished to be completely happy - a happiness it was my duty to have secured, and I should have secured it, had I not been so timorous.
2 For our friend Piso ** I have a profound affection, and it is no more than he deserves. I have done my best to urge him on by letter, and have thanked him as I was bound to do. I gather that you have hopes of the new tribunes of the plebs. On that we may rely, if we can rely on Pompey's friendliness ; and yet I have my fears of Crassus, As for yourself, I see that you are acting in every respect most courageously and lovingly, nor does it surprise me ; but what saddens me is the nature of a calamity in which my own miseries can only be alleviated at the cost of such miseries to you. For that most obliging of men, P. Valerius, had described in a letter to me (and I wept bitterly as I read it) how you were taken away from the temple of Vesta ** to the Valerian Office. ** Alas, light of my life, for whom I yearn, to whom all used to look for help, to think that now, Terentia mine, you are thus harassed, thus laid low in tears and unseemly humiliation ! And to think that it is all my fault, who have saved others to perish myself !
3 As to what you write about our house, ** or rather its site, I assure you that I shall never feel myself fully restored until that has been restored to me. These things however are not in our hands. What distresses me is, that whatever expenditure has to be incurred, you, in your unhappy and impoverished circumstances, should be let in for part of it. Of course, if the business of my restoration is carried through, we shall get all we want ; but if we are to be dogged by the same ill-fortune as heretofore, will you, my poor wife, throw away the little that is left to you ? I implore you, my darling, as far as expense is concerned, to let others, who can if they only will, bear the burden, and do not, as you love me, tax that indifferent health of yours. Day and night you are ever before my eyes. I see you taking upon yourself all our troubles, and I fear it is too much for you. But I also see that everything depends upon you ; and for that reason, in order that we may succeed in what you are hoping and striving for, obey the dictates of health.
4 I know not to whom I should write, unless it is to those who write to me, or to those about whom you and Tullia say anything in your letters to me. Since that is your wish, I am not going farther away ; but I should like you to send me a letter as often as possible, especially if we have any better foundation for our hopes. Good-bye, you dear ones for whom I long, good-bye.
Thessalonica, October 5th.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TERENTIA AND TULLIA AND CICERO, GREETING
Aristocritus has handed me three letters which I have almost blotted out with my tears. I am overwhelmed with grief, my dear Terentia, and I am not more tortured by my own miseries, than by yours and those of my children. But, most miserable as you are, I am more miserable than you, in that, while my own downfall itself is common to both of us, the fault is entirely my own. It was my duty either to avoid danger by accepting the legatio ** or to resist it with what devotion and resources I could, or to fall courageously. Nothing was more pitiful, more dishonourable, or more unworthy of myself than what I did.
2 And that is why I am overcome not only by sorrow but also by shame. I am ashamed of not having given assurance of my courage and devotion to my best of wives and my sweetest of children. Night and day there flit before my eyes the mourning garb and melancholy of all of you, and your own feeble health, and slender indeed is any hope of recall that I can see. My enemies are many, almost everybody is jealous of me. To eject me was a big business, to keep me out is easy. However, as long as you have hope, I shall not falter, lest it should seem that everything has happened ** through my fault.
3 As to your anxiety that I should be personally safe, that presents no difficulty at all to me just now, When even my enemies wish me to go on living in this hopeless misery. I shall act, however, according to your advice. I have thanked those friends whom you desired me to thank and I have put the letters in Dexippus’s hands ; and I have told him that it was you who informed me of their kindness. That our friend Piso has proved himself amazingly zealous and obliging on our behalf is very evident to me, and, besides, everybody is telling me about it. God grant that I may be privileged, together with you and our children, personally to enjoy the society of such a son-in-law ! For the time, the only hope left us is !in the new tribunes of the plebs and indeed in the first days of their office ; if once the matter gets stale, it is the end of all things.
4 My reason for sending Aristocritus to you immediately was to enable you to write and tell me forthwith the first formal steps taken and the general outline of the whole business ; though I gave instructions to Dexippus also to hurry back immediately, and I sent a message to my brother to despatch letter-carriers at frequent intervals. For the excuse I make for being at Dyrrachium just now is, that I may hear with the least possible delay how matters are going on, and I am in no personal danger, since this is a community I have always defended. It will be time enough to go to Epirus when the approach of my enemies is reported.
5 As to your suggestion that, if I wish it, you will join me here, I assure you that, knowing the great proportion of this burden you are bearing on your own shoulders, my wish is that you should stay where you are. If you all succeed in your aims, it is for me to come to you ; but if you do not - well, there is no need to write the rest. Your first, or at least your second letter will give me a clue, and enable me to decide what I must do. All I should like you to do is to write me a full and particular account of all that happens ; though indeed I ought now to be awaiting some definite action rather than a letter. Mind you keep well and assure yourself that nothing is, or ever has been, dearer to me than are you. Good-bye Terentia mine ! I seem to see your very face, and so I break down and weep. Good-bye !
Nov. 29th.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TERENTIA, HIS DEAR TULLIA AND HIS DEAR CICERO, GREETING
Yes, I do send you a letter less often than I might, because, while every hour of my life is a misery to me, yet, when I either write to you, or read a letter from any of you, I am so overcome with weeping that I cannot bear it. Would that I had been less eager to live ! At any rate I should have seen no sorrow or not much of it, in my life. But if fortune has in reserve for me any hope at all of getting back any benefit at any time, the mistake I made is not so serious ; if, however, these ills can never be removed, I assure you, my dearest, that my desire is to see you as soon as possible and die in your arms, since neither the gods, whom you have so virtuously worshipped, nor the men, whom I have ever served, have shown us any gratitude.
2 I have been for thirteen days at Brundisium, at the house of M. Laenius Flaccus, ** an excellent man, who has shown no thought for his fortunes and civil status as compared with my safety, and has not been deterred by the penalty of a most scandalous law from fulfilling the claims and duties of hospitality and friendship. I pray that I may some day be able to show my gratitude to him, - a gratitude I shall never cease to feel.
3 I set out from Brundisium on April 29th, I am making for Cyzicus through Macedonia. Ruined, alas, and prostrate as I am, why should I now ask you to come here, you, an invalid lady, exhausted in body and mind ? Should I not ask you ? Am I then to be without you ? This, I think, is what I shall plead - if there is any hope of my return, encourage it and assist the matter ; but if, as I fear, it is over and done with, make every effort to come here in any way you can. This one thing I would have you know - if I have you, I shall not think that I am absolutely lost. But what will become of my dearest Tullia ? It is now for you to see to that ; I have no suggestion to make. But in any case, however matters turn out, we must do all we can for that poor little damsel’s matrimonial settlement and reputation. Again, what will my boy Cicero do ? He I hope may always be in my bosom and between my arms. I cannot now write more ; grief stays my pen. How you have fared I know not, - whether you retain anything or have been, as I fear, utterly despoiled.
4 Piso will, as you write, always, I hope, be our friend. As to the liberation of the slaves, there is nothing to upset you. In the first place yours have been promised that you will act as each of them severally deserves. Orpheus so far is doing his duty, nobody else in any marked degree. As regards the other slaves the arrangement is this : that if my estate passed out of my hands they were to be my freedmen, provided they could make good this claim **; but if the estate still remains in my hands, that they should continue to be my slaves, with the exception of an extremely small number. But these are minor points.
5 As to your exhorting me to be of good courage and not to abandon the hope of recovering my civil rights, I could only wish that matters were such as to justify the hope. As it is, poor wretch, when shall I at last get a letter from you ? Who will bring it me ? I should have awaited one at Brundisium, had the sailors allowed it, but they did not want to miss the favourable weather. For the rest, bear up, Terentia mine, with all the dignity you can. We have lived ; we have had our day. It was not our failings, but our virtues, that laid us low ; I am guilty of no wrong, except that I did not forfeit my life when I forfeited my honours. But if our children preferred that I should live, let us bear all else, unbearable though it be. But there - I, who am encouraging you, cannot encourage myself.
6 That faithful fellow, Clodius Philetaerus, I have sent home, because he was incapacitated by a weakness of the eyes. Sallustius takes the prize for good service. Pescennius ** is most cordially inclined towards me, and I hope he will always be attentive to you. Sicca ** had declared his intention of remaining with me, but he left me at Brundisium, Take as much care as possible to keep well, and always remember that your misery causes me more distress than my own. Terentia mine, the most faithful and best of wives, and my very dear little daughter and Cicero, our last remaining hope, good-bye.
Brundisium, April 29th.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TERENTIA, GREETING
If you and Tullia, the light of my life, are well, so am I and my darling boy Cicero. We arrived at Athens on October 14th, having found the winds dead against us and having had a slow and uncomfortable passage As we were disembarking Acastus ** was there to meet us with letters on the twenty-first day after he started - very smart work. I got a letter from you from which I gathered that you fear your previous letter had not reached me. All your letters have reached me, and you have given me a full and most painstaking account of everything, and I am extremely obliged to you. And as for this letter brought by Acastus, I am not surprised at its brevity, since you are on the look out for my, or rather, our arrival in person ; and indeed we are anxious to get to you as soon as possible, though I quite understand what the public situation will be when I come. I learn from many friends' letters brought by Acastus that things look like war, so that, when I arrive, it will be impossible for me to conceal my real sentiments, Anyhow, since we must face our fate, I shall make all the more effort to hasten my arrival, so as to have a better chance of considering the whole situation.
2 I should like you, so far as you may without detriment to your health, to come as far to meet me as you possibly can.
3 As regards the legacy left by Precius, ** which, I assure you, is a sore grief to me (for I had a great affection for him), please see that this is done - if the auction takes place before my arrival, let Pomponius, or failing him, Camillus, ** manage the business for us. As soon as I have got safe home, I shall do what remains to be done myself ; but even if you have already started from Rome you will still please see that what I have indicated is done. With heaven’s help, we hope to be in Italy about November 13th. My dearest and sweetest Terentia, and my darling Tullia, as you love me, take care of your health.
Athens, October 16th.
[TULLIUS] TO HIS DEAR ONES, GREETING
There is not often anybody to whom I could entrust a letter, and I have nothing that I should care to write. I learn from the letter I last received from you that no estate could be sold, so please consider, both of you, how the claims of that person are to be satisfied, who, as you both know, I am anxious should be satisfied. As to our daughter’s thanking you, I am not surprised that your services are such as to enable her to thank you with good reason. If Pollex ** has not yet started, be sure you give him a push out as soon as possible. Mind you keep well.
July 15th.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TERENTIA, VERY MANY GREETINGS
All the troubles and anxieties, with which I kept both you in a state of utter misery (which troubles me more than anything) and dear Tullia too, who is sweeter to us both than our very lives - all those, I say, I have put away and got rid of. What the reason was I discovered the day after I left you ; it was undiluted bile ; I got rid of it all that night. My immediate relief was such that I fancied some god or other had doctored me, and to that god I beg you to pay due tribute with piety and purity as you always do - I mean to Apollo and Aesculapius. **
2 I am confident that we have a right good ship ; I wrote this as soon as I had got on board. Later on I shall write a number of letters to our friends, and commend you and our darling Tullia to their care with all the warmth in the world. I should exhort you both to show a more courageous spirit, had I not discovered that you have more courage than any man of us all. Yet, after all, I trust that affairs are such that I may hope not only that you two will be extremely comfortable where you are, but also that one day I shall have men like myself at my side to defend the Republic.
3 As for yourself, I would have you, first of all, take care of your health ; in the next place, if it so please you, you will make use of those villas which will be farthest away from men-in-arms. You can conveniently occupy the farm at Arpinum with our town staff of servants, if the price of provisions has risen. ** Cicero, fine lad that he is, ** sends you his very best love. Again and again, good-bye.
June 7th.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TERENTIA, GREETING
If you are in good health, all is well ; so am I. I would have you pay most particular attention to your health ; for I have been told both by letter and word of mouth that you have had a sudden attack of fever. You did me a kindness in informing me so quickly of Caesar’s letter. From now on also, if there be any need, if anything new has occurred, you will please see that I am apprised of it. Take care to keep well. Good-bye.
June 2nd.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TERENTIA, VERY MANY GREETINGS
To all my other woes must now be added the sorrow caused me by the ill-health of Dolabella and Tullia. Looking all round at everything, I don’t know in the world what steps to take, or what to do. Please take care of your own and Tullia’s health. Good-bye.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TERENTIA, GREETING
I wrote to tell Pomponius what my wishes were later than I should have done. When you have a talk with him, you will understand what I should like to be done. Since I have already written to him, there is no necessity to write here more openly. I should like you to send me a letter as soon as possible about that and everything else. Take particular care of your health. Good-bye.
July 9th.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TERENTIA, GREETING
If you are well, all is right ; I am well. Our daughter Tullia joined me on June 12th. Her consummate excellence and exceptional kindliness have aggravated my regret that my own carelessness is to blame for her being in very different circumstances from what her filial affection and her position demanded. It is my intention to send Cicero to Caesar, and Cn. Sallustius ** with him. If he sets out I shall inform you. Take particular care of your health. Good-bye.
June 15th.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TERENTIA, GREETING
You are glad that I have arrived safe in Italy ; I could wish that you may never cease to be so. But agitated as I was by anguish of mind and the cruel wrongs I had suffered, I fear I adopted a policy from which I cannot easily extricate myself. You must give me all the assistance you can. But what you can do I have no idea. That you should take to the road at this particular time is sheer nonsense. The journey is not only long, but unsafe ; and I fail to see of what good you can be if you do come. Goodbye.
Brundisium, November 4th.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TERENTIA, GREETING
I wrote to you in my last about sending a notice of divorce ** ; well, I don’t quite know what force he has behind him at the moment, and what means of rousing the populace. ** Even if he is to be feared in his anger, he will after all perhaps take the initiative in a peaceful settlement. You will, I am sure, take a comprehensive view of the whole matter, and you will do what you think to be least distressing in these most distressing circumstances. Good-bye.
July 10th.
TULLIUS TO TERENTIA, AND FATHER TO TULLIA, HIS TWO DARLINGS, AND CICERO TO HIS EXCELLENT MOTHER AND HIS DELIGHTFUL SISTER, MANY GREETINGS
Tullius sends his best love to Terentia and her father to Tullia, the two darlings of his heart, as does Cicero to his best of mothers and sweetest of sisters.
If you two are well, so are we. It lies with you now, and not with me alone, to consider what we should do. If Caesar is going to enter Rome in an orderly manner, you can quite well remain at home for the present ; but if in his frenzy the man is going to give up the city to plunder, I fear that even Dolabella may not be able to help us enough. I am afraid also that we may be presently cut off from you, so that when you wish to leave the city, you may not be allowed to do so. There remains the question, which nobody can discuss better than yourselves, whether ladies like you are staying in Rome. For if they are not, we must consider whether you can do so with any propriety. As matters now stand, provided I am allowed to retain those places of mine, you can quite nicely stay either with me, or on one of our estates. Another reason for apprehension is, that before long there may be a famine in the city.
2 I should like you both to consider these matters with Pomponius, with Camillus, with whomever you think best ; above all be of good courage. Labienus has improved the position. ** Piso ** too is helping us by quitting the city and condemning his own son-in-law of criminal conduct. You, the darlings of my soul, must write to me as often as possible, and tell me how you are and what is going on at Rome. Quintus and his son and Rufus ** send you their regards. Good-bye.
Minturnae, January 25th.
TULLIUS TO TERENTIA, GREETING
If you are well, all is right. I had determined, as I wrote to you before, to send Cicero to meet Caesar, but I have changed my intention, because I could hear nothing about the latter’s arrival. About everything else, although there is nothing new, you will yet be able to learn from Sicca what my wishes are and what I think must be done at this juncture. I am still keeping Tullia with me. Take particular care of your health. Good-bye.
June 19th.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TERENTIA, GREETING
If you are well, all is right ; I am well. Although my circumstances are such that I have nothing to look forward to in the way of a letter from you, or to write to you myself, yet somehow or other I do both look forward to getting letters from you myself, and I write to you whenever I find anybody to take you a letter. Volumnia ** ought to have been more obliging to you than she was, and to have done the little she did with more tact and caution. And yet there are other things to cause me greater anxiety and greater grief - things that distress me as much as those persons desired who forced me to abandon my original conviction. Take care to keep well.
January 4th.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TERENTIA, GREETING
If you are well, all is right ; I am well. Had I anything to write to you, I should do so, both at greater length and more frequently. The present state of affairs you can see for yourself ; how they affect me, you can learn from Lepta and Trebatius. ** Be sure you take care of your own and Tullia's health.
Good-bye.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TERENTIA, AND FATHER TO HIS DELIGHTFUL DAUGHTER, AND CICERO TO HIS MOTHER AND HIS SISTER, MANY GREETINGS
Tullius sends his best love to his wife Terentia, and her father to his sweetest of daughters, his darling Tullia, as does Cicero to his mother and sister.
I think you ought carefully to consider again and again, my dearest ones, what you should do - whether to stay in Rome or in some place of safety with me. That is not a question for me alone, but also for you. What suggests itself to me is this - that, thanks to Dolabella, yon can safely stay in Rome, and that his kindness might be of assistance to us if violence or lootings begin. ** On the other hand I am impressed by the evidence I have that all loyalists have left Rome, and have their ladies with them. Now the district in which I am consists not only of towns devoted to me, but also of estates belonging to me, so that you could be constantly with me, and, if you went away, could be housed comfortably, and on our own property.
2 I have not myself quite definitely decided which is the better course. Please observe what other ladies of your standing are doing, and beware lest when you want to get out of Rome, you are not allowed to do so. I would have you seriously consider this again and again among yourselves and with your friends. Please tell Philotimus ** to get the house barricaded and guarded. I would also have you establish a regular succession of letter-carriers, so that I may get some sort of a letter from you every day. But the main point is to do all you can to keep well, if you wish me to do so.
Formiae, Jan. 21st.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TERENTIA, GREETING
Amid all my other overwhelming sorrows, I am kept on the rack by our dear Tullia's ill-health ; but there is no reason why I should write to you further about it, for I am quite sure that your own anxiety is just as great. You both want me to get nearer to you, and I see that I must do so. I should have done so even before ; but I was hindered by many difficulties, which are even now unsolved. But I am waiting for a letter from Pomponius, which please take care is delivered to me as soon as possible. Do your best to keep well.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TERENTIA, GREETING **
I think I shall arrive at my Tusculan villa either on the 7th of this month or on the day after. See that everything is ready there ; for perhaps I shall have several others with me, and I expect we shall stay there for some considerable time. If there is no basin ** in the bath, see that there is one, and so with everything else necessary for everyday life and health. Good- bye.
The district of Venusia, Oct 1st.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TERENTIA, GREETING
If you are well, all is right ; I am well. Make every effort to recover your health. Provide for and take charge of any necessary business, as time and circumstances demand, and send me letters about everything as often as possible. Good-bye.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TERENTIA, GREETING
If you are well all is right ; I am well. I am expecting letter-carriers every day, and if they arrive perhaps I shall get to know what I ought to do, and I shall let you know at once. Take particular care of your health. Good-bye.
September 1st.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TERENTIA, GREETING
If you are well, all is right ; I am well. A letter has at last been handed me from Caesar, quite handsomely worded ; and it is said that he will arrive in person more quickly than was expected. When I have made up my mind whether to go out and meet him, or wait for him here, I shall let you know. I should like you to send back my letter-carriers as soon as possible. Take particular care of your health. Good-bye.
August 12th.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TERENTIA, GREETING
If you are well, all is right ; I am well. I have no certain information as yet either about Caesar’s arrival or about the letter which Philotimus ** is said to have in his hands. If I have such information, I shall let you know at once. Be sure you take care of your health. Good-bye.
August 11th.
1. All the letters in this book are from Cicero to his wife Terentla and his family in Rome. Nothing is known of Terentia before her marriage with Cicero. She was a woman of sound common sense and firmness of character. It is doubtful whether Cicero's suspicions of her extravagance and dishonesty were justified. His letters show a gradual waning of his affection for her, and he divorced her in 46 B.C.
2. He is perhaps alluding to Caesar, who had offered him a legatio in his army.
3. Consul designate for 57 B.C. See i. 1. 1.
4. Quaestor of Macedonia. Cicero never forgot his kindness and successfully defended him when accused of ambitus in 54.
5. L. Piso, father of Caesar’s wife Calpurnia, consul this year, would be coming to Macedonia as proconsul in 57. He was one of Cicero’s bitterest enemies.
6. C. Piso, who married Cicero’s daughter Tullia in 63. He strenuously supported his father-in-law's recall from exile, but died before his return.
7. The circumstances of this disagreement are unknown.
8. See note on letter 1. 4.
9. Terentia seems to have taken refuge on Cicero’s departure in the temple of Vesta, where her half-sister Fabia was among the Vestal Virgins.
10. It is more probable that this was a tribunal for the administration of justice than (as some take it to be) a bank, and that Terentia was taken there to make an affidavit about her property which would be to Cicero’s interest. If it was a bank, she must have gone there to borrow money, though this is inconsistent with 'ducta esses'.
11. On the day he went into exile, Cicero’s house on the Palatine was burnt down, so that nothing but the site was left.
12. Offered him by Caesar in 59 (Att ii. 18). Cicero’s refusal to accept this well-meant offer caused Caesar great offence. Cicero’s acceptance of it would have altered the whole course of his political life.
13. Or, possibly, "has failed."
14. It was to this M. Laenius Flaccus that Cicero, when governor of Cilicia, refused the post of praefectus on the ground that he was a banker. Tyrrell thinks that it was another man of the same name, but it is highly improbable that there should be two men of that name in the East at the same time.
15. "Against those who might urge that the penalties of confiscation were being thus evaded." Tyrrell.
16. Clodius, Sallustius, and Pescennius were probably freedmen of Cicero.
17. A friend of Cicero's who had a villa at Vibro in Bruttium.
18. A slave of Cicero, often mentioned in his letters to Tiro and Terentia.
19. This may have been either the Lucius Precius of Panormus, mentioned by Cicero in Verr. v. 62, or the Precianus mentioned in Fam. vii. 8. 2. It appears from 'auctio' that Cicero had decided to dispose of the estate bequeathed to him by selling it. Pomponius is, of course, Atticus.
20. Cicero’s lawyer friend, for whom he had a high regard. Cf. Fam, v. 30. 3. Pomponius is T. Pomponius Atticus.
21. A servant of Cicero.
22. The words 'id . . . Aesculapio' read like, and probably are, a gloss on the text.
23. Provisions would be cheaper in Arpinum than in Rome.
24. Born in 65, Cicero’s son, Marcus, was now 16 years of age.
25. Otherwise unknown.
26. To Tullia’s husband, Dolabella ; 'nuntium remlttere', "to send back a message" was the regular phrase for a notice of divorce ; the technical form of the message was 'tuas res tibi habeto', "keep what belongs to you," i.e., "act independently of me."
27. At the head of an angry mob, Dolabella would have every opportunity of wreaking his vengeance on Tullia. Dolabella was now openly favouring Caesar, and indeed acting under his orders.
28. By joining the Pompeians, Labienus, Caesar’s lieutenant in Gaul, and subsequently governor of Gallia Togata (Southern Cisalpine Gaul), had now deserted to Pompey. He fought against Caesar at Pharsalia, in Africa, and at Munda, where he was killed.
29. L. Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus, father of Caesar’s wife Calpurnia. See note on letter 1. 3.
30. Mescinius Rufus, who had been Cicero’s quaestor in Cilicia. (See V. 19-!31.)
31. Who this lady was is unknown. She may have been the sister or daughter of P. Volumnius Eutrapeius (vii. 33).
32. They had come to see Cicero at Brundisium and then left for Rome. Q. Lepta was Cicero’s praefectus fabrum, "engineer-in-chief," in Cilicia. Trebatius was Cicero’s familiar friend, the young jurisconsult, so often mentioned in his letters. Cf. vii. 6-32.
33. By Caesar’s orders. Dolabella was on Caesar’s side, but would be able to help Terentia and Tullia.
34. A freedman of Cicero’s, not Terentia’s dishonest steward.
35. This is Cicero’s last letter to Terentia, whom he divorced shortly afterwards. Curt, casual, and inconsiderate in its vagueness, it is enough to madden any self-respecting housewife and hostess. As Long remarks, "A gentleman would write a more civil letter to his housekeeper."
36. The labrum (loutēr) was a large round basin raised about three feet from the ground, in which the bathers washed themselves before they immersed themselves in the piscina.
37. See note on letter 18 § 2 above.
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