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 to Tiro ; 16 from Q. Cicero (senior) ; 17 18 19 20 to Tiro ; 21 from M. Cicero (junior) to Tiro 22 23 24 to Tiro ; 25 from M. Cicero (junior) to Tiro 26 27 from Q. Cicero (senior) to Tiro
← Book 15
TULLIUS AND MY SON CICERO AND MY BROTHER QUINTUS AND HIS SON SEND WARMEST GREETINGS TO TIRO **
I imagined I could bear the loss of your company somewhat easily, but I simply cannot bear it ; and although it is highly important in view of my triumph that I should reach the City as soon as possible, still I think it was a mistake on my part to have left your side ; and as you seemed to be absolutely unwilling to take ship except when you had recovered your strength, I approved your decision, and I am not now changing my mind, if you are still of the same opinion. If however, after you have taken nourishment, you think you can catch me up, well, that is for you to decide. My object in sending Mario ** to you was in order that he might join me as soon as possible and bring you with him, or else, if you stay any longer, that that he might immediately return to me.
2 You must, however, convince yourself of this, that if it can be managed without detriment to your health, nothing would please me more than to have you with me ; if, on the other hand, you feel sure that a short stay at Patrae is essential to your convalescence, that nothing would please me more than to have you well.
If you take ship at once, you will catch me up at Leucas ; but if you desire to establish your health, you must see to it very carefully that you get the fellow- passengers, the weather, and the ship that exactly suit you. Be particularly mindful, my dear Tiro, as you love me, not to let Mario's arrival, and this letter, influence your plans. If you do what is most conducive to your health, you will best obey my wishes. Think it over, and use your own judgment. For myself, I long for your presence, but it is as one who loves you ; love urges "Let me see you in good health" ; longing "Let it be with all speed.” The former consideration then should come first. Above everything, therefore, take care of your health ; of all your countless kindnesses to me this will be the most gratifying.
November 3rd.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TIRO, GREETING
I have neither the power nor the inclination to write and tell you what my feelings are ; I only tell you that the greatest pleasure either you or I can enjoy will be my seeing you in robust health as soon as may be.
We arrived at Alyzia ** on the third day after leaving you. The place is 120 stades on your side of Leucas. At Leucas I am expecting either to welcome yourself in person, or to receive a letter from you, brought by Mario. Let your eagerness to be well be as great as your affection for me, or (if you prefer it) as great as you know my affection for you to be.
Alyzia, November 5.
TULLIUS AND CICERO AND QUINTUS FATHER AND SON TO THEIR DEAR TIRO, GREETING
We stayed at Alyzia - that is the place from which I despatched a letter to you - for one day, because Quintus had not caught us up. That was November 5. We are despatching this letter just as we are setting out from here before dawn on November 6. As you love us all, and especially myself, who taught you, get strong again,
2 I am looking forward with the greatest anxiety, first of all, of course, to seeing you, and in the next place to seeing Mario with a letter from you. We all desire to see you, I in particular, as soon as possible, but only, my dear Tiro, if you are well. So do not hurry at all ; it will be enough, if on the day I see you, you are well. I can dispense with the advantage of your services ; I want you to be well, my dear Tiro, first for your own sake, and then for mine. Farewell.
TULLIUS AND CICERO AND QUINTUS MY BROTHER AND HIS SON SEND WARMEST GREETINGS TO THEIR DEAR TIRO
I was variously affected by your letter, being seriously disturbed by the first page, but a little reassured by the second. I am now therefore in no doubt whatever that, until you are perfectly well, you should not trust yourself to any journeyings by sea or land. I shall see you quite soon enough, when I see you in robust health. About your doctor, ** you yourself write that he is well thought of, and I am told so myself. But as for his treatment of you, I am not at all satisfied with it. For instance, you should never have been given soup, when your stomach was out of order ; anyhow, I have written to him with particular care, and also to Lyso. **
2 To Curius ** however, that most charming, most obliging and most courteous of men, I have written at great length ; among other things too. that if li be your pleasure, he should take you over into his house. For I am afraid our friend Lyso is a bit casual, first, because all Greeks are so, and secondly, because when he had had a letter from me, he sent me no letter in reply. But you speak highly of him ; so you are the best judge as to what should be done. This one thing, my dear Tiro, I beg of you to do - spare no expense in any respect, if it be necessary for your health. I have written to Curius to advance you whatever sum you should name. I think something should be given to the doctor himself, to quicken his interest in you
3 Your services to me are past all reckoning - at home, in the forum, in the City, in my province, in private as in public affairs, in my literary pursuits and performances. You will surpass them all, if I only see you, as I hope to do, in good health. If all goes well, I think you will have a perfectly charming voyage home with the quaestor Mescinius. ** He is no churl, and he has always seemed to me to be fond of you And when you have given the most careful consideration to your health, consider how you may best undertake a voyage. In no respect whatever would I now have you hurry yourself. My one anxiety is for your safety.
4 Take it as a fact, my dear Tiro, that there is nobody who loves me, who does not also love you ; and while your health is of the highest importance to you and me, it is a matter of solicitude to many. So far, in your desire never to fail me anywhere, you have never been able to recover your strength. Now there is nothing to hinder you. Put everything aside ; be the slave of your body. I shall measure your esteem for me by the amount of care you bestow upon your health. Good-bye, my dear Tiro, good-bye, good-bye, and good health to you ! Lepta ** sends you his best wishes, and so do all of us. Good-bye !
Leucas, November 7.
TULLIUS AND CICERO AND QUINTUS FATHER AND SON SEND WARMEST GREETINGS TO TIRO, THE MOST KINDLY AND BEST OF MEN
See what an attractive person you are ! We have been two hours at Thyrreum. ** Xenomenes, my host, is as fond of you as if he had been your life-companion. He has promised to do everything that you require, and I think he will do so. My view was that, should you now be stronger, he should land you in Leucas, so that you might get perfectly well there. You will see what are the views of Curius, of Lyso, and of your doctor. I wanted to send Mario back to you, so that when things are a little better with you, you should send him to me ; but I reflected that Mario could bring me but a single letter, while I was looking forward to a budget.
2 You can therefore, and, if you love me, you will arrange to have Acastus in attendance at the harbour every day. There will be many to whom you can properly entrust a letter, and who would deliver it to me with pleasure. For my own part I shall not pass over anybody who is going to Patrae. I put all my hopes of your being properly attended to in Curius, Nothing can be kinder or more devoted to me than he is. Put yourself entirely in his hands. I had rather see you well a little later on, than poorly in the immediate present. Let your health be your only care : leave everything else to my care. Good-bye again and again. Just setting out from Leucas.
November 7th.
TULLIUS AND CICERO AND QUINTUS FATHER AND SON SEND WARMEST GREETINGS TO TIRO
This is the third letter I have written to you on the same day, more for the sake of keeping to my established practice (having found a man to whom I may entrust it), than because I have anything to write. So I only say this : show as much regard for yourself as is your regard for me. Add this to your countless kindnesses to me, and it wall be the most acceptable of them all ; when you have given full consideration to your health, as I hope you will, then give consideration to your voyage also.
2 Please give letters to me to all who are on their way to Italy ; I never pass over anybody who is on his way to Patrae. Take care, take care of yourself, my dear Tiro. Since you were not fortunate enough to sail in my company, there is no reason why you should hurry, no reason why you should take thought for anything but your health. Again and again, good-bye !
Actium, November 7th , in the evening.
TULLIUS AND CICERO TO THEIR DEAR TIRO, GREETING
This is the seventh day I have been held up at Corcyra, but Quintus (father and son) are at Buthrotum. It would surprise you how anxious I am about your health ; but I am not surprised that there is nothing in the way of a letter from you, for ships sail from where you are when they have just such winds as, if they blew now, would not necessitate our lingering at Corcyra. ** Take care of yourself then, and get strong, and when your health and the season of the year enable you to sail in comfort, come to us, the best friends you have. Nobody loves me who is not fond of you. Dear as you are to us all, your arrival is eagerly awaited. Take care of your health. Again and again, Tiro mine, good-bye.
Corcyra, November 17th.
Q. CICERO TO TIRO, GREETING
Your health is causing us great anxiety. For although those who come from you report that your illness is not dangerous but will last some time, yet, great as that consolation may be, it is marred by an overwhelming anxiety, if we are to be separated for too long a time from one whose usefulness and charm we appreciate the better for missing them. And yet, although my every thought is a desire to see you, I beg you from my heart not to entrust yourself to so long a journey by sea and land unless you are quite strong, and not to sail at all without carefully weighing the chances.
2 Even in houses and towns it is difficult to avoid the cold when one is in poor health ; far less easy is it to escape the cruelty of the winter weather when travelling by sea or land. And "Cold is the tender skin's most bitter foe," as Euripides ** says. How much you believe in him I don't know. I, at any rate, regard all his lines, one after the other, as so many declarations on oath. As you love me, make sure of your health, and of joining us as soon as possible, strong and well. Continue to love us, and good-bye. My son Quintus sends you his greeting.
TULLIUS AND CICERO SEND WARMEST GREETINGS TO THEIR DEAR TIRO
We left, as you are aware, on November 2nd. We arrived at Leucas on November 6th, at Actium on the 7th. There, on account of the weather, we stayed during the 8th. From there we had a particularly nice passage on the 9th to Corcyra. We were at Corcyra until November 16th, being held up by storms. On November 17th we proceeded 120 stades to Cassiope, ** a harbour of the Corcyreans. There we were held up by contrary winds right up to the 22nd. Meanwhile those who impatiently put to sea, and many did so, were shipwrecked.
2 On that day, after dinner, we weighed anchor. Sailing thence with a very gentle breeze from the south, and a cloudless sky, in the course of that night and the following day we reached Hydruntum ** on the coast of Italy in quite a frolicsome mood, and with the same wind on the day after (that is on November 25) at 10 a.m. we arrived at Brundisium, and at the same time, simultaneously with ourselves, Terentia entered the town ; she values you very highly. On the 27th at Brundisium the slave of Cn. Plancius at last put into my hands your most eagerly awaited letter, dated November 13th. It greatly relieved my distress ; would that it had freed me from it altogether ! But anyhow Asclapo, the doctor, declares positively that you will soon be well again.
3 As things now are, why should I urge you to devote yourself with all possible assiduity to your convalescence ? I know your common sense, your self-restraint, and your affection for me, and I have no doubt you will move heaven and earth to join us as soon as possible. But my wish that you should do so is qualified by another - that you should not hurry yourself at all. I should have liked you to have refused to attend Lyso's musical party, for fear you might have a fourth attack of your weekly fever. But since you preferred to consider your sense of obligation rather than your health, be more careful for the future. I am sending directions to Curius that your doctor should be given a douceur, and that he should let you have any money you require, adding that I shall see to its repayment to any agent he may name. I am leaving a horse and a mule for you at Brundusium. I am afraid there will be serious disturbances at Rome after January 1st. As for myself, I shall act with moderation in all things.
4 It remains for me to request you, nay, to entreat you, not to be too hasty in taking ship. Sailors are apt to hurry things with an eye to their own gam. Be cautious, my dear Tiro. You have yet a good bit of sea, and a difficult one, to cross. If you possibly can, come across with Mescinius : he is always cautious in making a voyage. Failing that, have some man of standing with you who can exercise some authority over the shipowner. If you take every precaution in this respect, and put in an appearance among us safe and sound, you will have given me all I want. Again and again, Tiro mine, good-bye. I am writing with the utmost particularity about you to your doctor, to Curius, and to Lyso. Good-bye, and good health to you.
TULLIUS TO TIRO, GREETING
Yes indeed, I am anxious that you should join me, but I am afraid of your travelling. You have been very seriously ill, and you are exhausted from fasting, and taking purgatives, and the violence of the attack itself. Serious illnesses are apt to be followed by serious complications, if any mistake is made. Then, again, to the two days you will have been on the road to Cumae there will be added the five succeeding days needed for your return. I want to be at Formiae on the 29th of this month. See to it, my dear Tiro, that I find you there in robust health.
2 My poor little studies (or if you like, ours) have simply pined away from longing for you. But this letter which Acastus brought me has made them lift up their eyes a little. Pompey is staying with me as I write these words ; he is in good spirits and enjoying himself. When he expresses a desire to hear something of mine, I tell him that, without you, I am altogether dumb. Please be ready to render due services to our Muses. My promise will be fulfilled on the appointed day (I have given you the etymology of the word fides). ** Mind you make a complete recovery. We are "in attendance" ** here. Good-bye !
April 18.
TULLIUS AND CICERO, TERENTIA , TULLIA AND QUINTUS FATHER AND SON SEND WARMEST GREETINGS TO TIRO
Although I miss your timely assistance at every turn, yet it is not on my own account so much as on yours that your illness grieves me. But now that your violent attack has turned into a quartan fever, according to Curius's letter, I hope that with proper care you will recover your strength. Only be sure, and it is no more than your duty as a man, to give your undivided attention during these days to getting well again with all the comfort you can command. I am well aware how much you are harassed by your longing to be with us, but if you only recover your health, all difficulties will vanish. I would not have you hurry yourself, lest you should have to suffer the agonies of sea-sickness in your feeble state, and lest a winter voyage should prove dangerous.
2 I approached the City on January 4. Nothing could be more complimentary than the way I was met by a procession. But my arrival coincided with a very conflagration of civil discord, or rather civil war ; and though I had the eager desire, and I believe, the power, to find a remedy for it, I was thwarted by the passionate desires of certain men ; for there are those on both sides who desire to fight. To sum up, Caesar himself too, our former friend, has sent a threatening and disagreeable despatch to the Senate, and is still so insolent as to defy the Senate in retaining his army and province ; and my old friend Curio eggs him on. Our friend Antony indeed and Q. Cassius, though no violence was used in expelling them, set out in Curio's company to join Caesar, as soon as the Senate had formally charged the consuls, praetors, tribune of the plebs, and us proconsuls with the duty of seeing that "the Republic suffered no injury."
3 Never was the State in greater danger ; never have disloyal citizens had a better prepared man at their head. On the whole very careful preparations are being made on our side also. That is due to the influence and activity of our old friend Pompey, who, now that it is too late, is beginning to be afraid of Caesar. Amid all these disturbing occurrences a full Senate none the less demanded that I should have a triumph, but Lentulus, the consul, in order to enhance the value of his own services, said that, as soon as he had despatched the necessary public business, he would bring forward a motion on the subject. I am doing nothing in a spirit of self-aggrandisement, and my influence is by so much the more esteemed. 4 Italy has been marked out into districts, showing what part is under the charge of each of us. I have chosen Capua. That is all I wanted you to know. Again and again I beg you to take care of your health, and to send me a letter whenever you find a man to entrust with one. Again and again, good-bye.
January 12.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TIRO, GREETING
The extreme peril to which my own personal safety and that of all loyal citizens, and indeed that of the whole body politic is exposed, you may infer from our having abandoned our homes and our very country to either rapine or conflagration. To such a pass have things come, that unless some god, or some chance or other, comes to our aid, we cannot escape ruin.
2 For myself, never, since I came to the city, have I ceased by thought, word, and deed, to help the cause of harmony ; but a mysterious madness had possessed not only the disloyal, but those also who are regarded as loyal, making them eager to fight, in spite of my outcries that the worst of all miseries is a civil war. Consequently, when Caesar was seized with a sort of insanity, and, forgetting his name, and the honours he held, had occupied Ariminum, Pisaurum, Ancona, and Arretium, we left the city ; the wisdom or courage of that course it is now useless to discuss.
3 At any rate you see our position. These, broadly speaking, are the terms Caesar offers - that Pompey should go to Spain, that the recently levied troops, and our garrisons, should be disbanded, that upon this he will surrender Northern Gaul to Domitius, ** and Southern Gaul to Considius Nonianus ** (for it was to them that those provinces have been allotted) ; that he will return to canvass for the consulship, that he no longer washes his candidature to be admitted in his absence, and that he wall be a candidate on the spot for the period covering three nundina. ** These terms we have accepted, but only on condition that he withdraws his garrisons from the places he has occupied, so that the Senate may meet in Rome to discuss these same terms with no sense of apprehension.
4 If he does so, there is some hope of peace, though not with honour ; for they are orders that are laid upon us. But anything is better than that our present plight should continue. If, however, he refuses to stand by his own terms, war is ready at hand, but such a war as he could not possibly face (especially after abandoning his own conditions), if only we cut him off from all chance of approaching the city ; and that we hope can be done, as we are holding levies on an extensive scale ; and we believe that he is afraid, if once he begins to march upon the city, of losing the two Gauls, both of which he finds extremely hostile to him, with the exception of the Transpadani. ** From the direction of Spain too he has six legions and a strong force of auxiliaries under the command of Afranius and Petreius, threatening his rear. Should he play the madman, it looks as though he might be crushed, - if only he could be, and Rome still safe ! The heaviest blow he has had, however, is that the man who held the most influential position in his army, T. Labienus, ** has refused to associate himself with his chief s misdeeds ; he has left him and come over to us, and it is said that many others are likely to do the same.
5 Myself I am still in command of all the sea-coast, south of Formiae ; I was disinclined to undertake any greater responsibility, so that my letters and remonstrances might carry greater weight with our friend ** in favour of peace. If there be a war, however, I foresee that I shall be given the command of a camp and certain legions. I have this also to worry me, that my son-in-law Dolabella is in Caesar's camp. I wanted you to be apprised of all this, but take care that it does not put you out, or stand in the way of your recovery.
6 I have commended you very earnestly to A. Varro, ** whom I have found to be not only a very true friend to myself, but also sincerely devoted to you, asking him to interest himself in your health and voyage, and take you entirely under his charge and protection. All this I feel sure he will do ; for he guaranteed that he would, and spoke to me most charmingly. Since you could not be with me at the very time when I chiefly missed your faithful services, mind you do not hurry now, or make the mistake of sailing when you are ill, or the weather is bad. I shall never think you have come too late, if you are safe and sound when you do come. Up to the present I have seen nobody who saw you since M. Volusius ** did, from whose hands I received your letter, and I am not surprised at it, for I don't think my own letters to you reach their destination in such wintry weather. But do all you can to get well, and if you are well, only sail when a voyage can be made with safety. My boy Cicero is in my house at Formiae, Terentia and Tullia at Rome. Take care of your health.
Capua, January 29
TULLIUS TO TIRO, GREETING
I shall consider that you have done me every possible favour, if I see you in good health. I await with the greatest anxiety the arrival of Menander, ** whom I sent to you. As you love me, take care of your health, and mind you join us when you have made a complete recovery. Good-bye.
April 10th.
TULLIUS TO TIRO, GREETING
Andricus did not join me until the day after I expected him ; so I had a night full of fear and misery. Your letter added nothing at all to my information as to your condition, but all the same it relieved me. I have nothing to amuse me, no literary work on hand ; I cannot bring myself to touch it, until I see you. Please give orders that your doctor shall be promised whatever fee he asks. I am writing to that effect to Ummius. **
2 I am told that you are distressed in mind, and. that your doctor says that you are suffering in health as a result of it. As you love me, arouse from slumber your literary talents, and that culture which makes you so precious to me. You must now be well in mind, so as to be so in body. I beg of you to ensure this as much for my sake as for your own. Retain Acastus's services, so that you may be waited upon with greater comfort. Keep yourself safe for me ; the day of my promise ** is at hand - indeed, I shall definitely fix it now - it will be the day you arrive. Again and again, good-bye.
Noon, April 10.
TULLIUS TO TIRO, GREETING
Aegypta ** joined me here on April 12th. Although he reported that you were entirely rid of your fever and were going on nicely, yet his telling me that you had been unable to write caused me some anxiety ; and all the more so, because Hermia, ** who ought to have arrived on the same day, has not done so. You could not believe how anxious I am about your health : if you relieve me from that anxiety, I will relieve you of all your duties. I should write a longer letter if I thought you were now able to enjoy the reading of it. Concentrate your wits, of which I have the highest opinion, upon keeping yourself safe for my benefit, as well as your own. Use every care (I say it again and again) in looking after your health. Good-bye.
2 P.S, Since the above was written Hermia has turned up. I have got your letter, though your poor handwriting is very shaky ; and no wonder, after so serious an illness. I send you Aegypta to stay with you, because he is not without culture, and is, I believe, fond of you ; and with him a cook, for you to make use of. Good-bye.
QUINTUS TO HIS BROTHER MARCUS, GREETING
In the matter of Tiro, my dear Marcus, as surely as I hope to see you, and my son Cicero, and my darling Tullia, and your son, you have done what gave me extreme pleasure, when you preferred that he whose position was so unworthy of him should be our friend rather than a slave. Believe me, when I had perused your letter, and his, I jumped for joy, and I not only thank, but I congratulate you too.
2 For if Statius's faithful service is so constant a pleasure to me, how inestimable should such good qualities be in your man, when we think too of his literary and conversational powers, and his refinement - merits which outweigh even those qualities which minister to our personal comfort. I have every reason, and each the strongest possible, to love you, and I have this reason also, I mean that you sent me the news ** in precisely the proper way. All of you was revealed to me in your letter. I have promised Sabinus's ** serving-men to do all they asked, and I shall do so.
TULLIUS TO TIRO, GREETING
I see what you are up to ; you want your own letters also to be put into book form. But look you here, sir, you who love to be the "rule" ** of my writings, where did you get such a solecism as ''faithfully ministering to your health ? How comes fideliter ** to be used in such a connexion ? That word's proper home is in the province of duty, though its migrations to foreign territory are frequent - for instance, learning, a house, art, or even a field, can all be called "faithful" provided, as Theophrastus holds, that its metaphorical application is not shockingly extravagant. But of this when we meet.
Demetrius ** came to see me, but I was clever enough to extricate myself from that companionship. You evidently could not have seen him. He will be in Rome to-morrow, so you will see him then. My own intention is not to leave this place till the morning after next.
Your health is a great anxiety to me ; but go on "ministering" to it, and do all you can for it. It is then you are at my side, it is then you give me the most unbounded satisfaction ; remember that.
I am thankful to you for all the assistance you have given Cuspius, ** for I heartily wish him success. Good-bye.
TULLIUS TO TIRO, GREETING
Well, what of it ? ** Should it not be so ? I think it should be so myself, and that even "his dear" should be added. But, since you wish it, let us avoid provoking unfavourable comment, which, I must say, I have often treated with contempt. I am delighted that the sudorifics have done you good. But if my Tusculan villa has done so too, good heavens, how much more charming the place will be to me ! But as you love me - and indeed you either do so, or make a very pretty pretence of doing so, in which, I admit, you succeed very well ** - but however that may be, give your health fair play ; hitherto, while ministering so devotedly to me, you have not ministered to it enough. What it demands you are well aware - good digestion, avoidance of fatigue, a proper amount of walking, massage, ** and free action of the bowels. Mind you return in fine fettle. It would make me fonder, not only of you, but of my Tusculan house
2 Wake up Paredrus ** to hire the garden for himself. Your doing so will give the present gardener a shaking up. Why, that hopeless rascal Helico ** used to pay me 1000 sestertii, when there was no sunny-corner, no water-drain, no wall, no garden-shed. Is he ** to have the laugh of us, when we have gone to all that expense ? Warm the fellow up, as I do Motho here, with the result that I get a glut of cut flowers.
3 As to the Crabra, ** although at present we have more water than we need, still I should like to know what is being done about it. I shall send you the sun-dial and the book, if we have dry weather. But about yourself, have you no light literature with you ? Or are you composing something in the style of Sophocles ? Let us see what you have done.
A. Ligurius, ** the friend of Caesar, is dead - a good man and friendly disposed to me. Be sure to let me know when we are to expect you. Take particular care of yourself. Good-bye.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TIRO, GREETING
I am looking forward to a letter from you on many points, but far more to seeing you in person.
Send me back my Demetrius, ** and send me anything else you can, if it is good. In the matter of Aufidius's ** debt, I put no pressure upon you. I know it is an anxiety to you. But settle the business. If that is what detains you, I accept the excuse ; if that is not holding you back, come here post-haste. I am eagerly awaiting a letter from you. Good-bye.
TULLIUS TO TIRO, GREETING
Upon my life, my dear Tiro, your health worries me ; but I feel sure that if you devote that attention to it which you have begun to do, you will soon be well again. Please arrange my books and make a catalogue of them when Metrodorus ** has no objection : since you have got to live according to his injunctions. Settle with the gardener ** as you think proper. You can see the gladiators on January 1st, and return the next day, and that is what I think you ought to do. But just as you please. Take particular care of yourself, as you love me. Good- bye.
[21] L { August/September 44 }
CICERO JUNIOR ** GREETS HIS SWEETEST TIRO
Although I was anxiously on the look out for your letter-carriers every day, they only came at last forty-six days after they had left you, and their arrival was most welcome to me. For though my most kindly and well-beloved father's epistle gave me the greatest possible pleasure, still it was your most delightful letter that crowned my joy. So I no longer regret having made a break in my correspondence, but rather rejoice at it ; for the silence of my pen has brought me the rich reward of your kindliness. I am, therefore, highly delighted at your unhesitating acceptance of my excuse.
2 That the rumours, which reach you about me, are gratifying and welcome to you, I have no doubt at all, my dearest Tiro ; and I shall make every effort to guarantee that this opinion of me which is springing up more distinctly every day becomes twice as good. For that reason you may with unshaken confidence fulfil your promise of being the trumpeter of my reputation. For the errors of my youth have caused me such grief and agony that not only do my thoughts shrink from what I have done, but my very ears shrink from hearing it talked about. And that you have had your share in that anxiety and grief is well known to me as an ascertained fact ; and I am not surprised at it. For when you wished me every success on my account, you did so at the same on your own, since it has ever been my wish that you should be a partner in any prosperity of mine.
3 Since at that time I caused you grief, I shall now guarantee that the joy I give you is double as much.
I must tell you that my close attachment to Cratippus ** is not so much that of a pupil as that of a son. For not only do I attend his lectures with enjoyment, but I am greatly fascinated also by the charm of his personality. I spend whole days with him, and often a part of the night. Indeed I implore him to dine with me as often as possible. Now that we have become so intimate, he often strolls in upon us when we least expect him and are at dinner, and throwing to the winds all austerity as a philosopher, he bandies jokes with us in the most genial manner possible. Lay yourself out, therefore, to win the acquaintance of such a man - so delightful and so distinguished as he is.
4 As to Bruttius, ** why should I mention him at all ? There is never a moment when I allow him to leave my side. He leads a simple and austere life, hut at the same time he is a most delightful man to live with. For there is no ban upon merry talk in our literary discussions and our daily joint researches. I have hired lodgings for him next door, and, as far as I can, alleviate his penury out of my own narrow means.
5 Besides all this I have begun to practise declaiming in Greek with Cassius ; but I like practising in Latin with Bruttius. I have as daily and intimate companions the men whom Cratippus brought with him from Mitylene - men of learning and highly esteemed by him. Epicrates, for instance , the leading man among the Athenians, is much with me, and so is Leonides, ** and others of that stamp. So much then about myself.
6 As to what you write about Gorgias, ** it is true I found him useful in my practice in declamation : but I thought everything else of secondary importance, provided I obeyed my father's instructions, who had written to me in explicit terms to get rid of Gorgias at once. I did not want to temporise, for fear my making too much of the business might strike my father as somewhat suspicious ; and besides it occurred to me that it was a serious thing for me to pass judgment on the judgment of my father.
7 Anyhow your interest and advice is welcome and acceptable to me. I accept the excuse that your time is strictly limited, being well aware how busy you always are. That you have bought a farm is a great joy to me, and it is my sincere wish that the transaction may turn out happily for you. You must not be surprised at my congratulating you at this point in my letter ; for it was practically at the same point in yours that you informed me of your purchase. Why, you are a land-owner ! ** You have got to drop your city ways. You have become a Roman country gentleman. How I call you up before my eyes this very moment - and a very charming picture it is ! I seem to see you buying rural implements, hobnobbing with your steward, or keeping the pips after dessert in the corner of your cloak. ** But as regards the money part of it, I am as sorry as you are that I was not forthcoming at the time. You must never doubt, however, my dear Tiro, that I shall come to your assistance, if only fortune comes to mine ; especially as I know that that farm of yours was bought as our joint investment.
8 For taking such trouble about my commissions, I am grateful to you. But I beg of you to see that a secretary is sent me as quickly as possible - best of all a Greek ; for that will relieve me of a lot of trouble in writing out lecture-notes. ** Above all, I would have you take care of your health, so that we may have some literary talk together. I commend Anterus ** to you. Farewell.
TULLIUS TO HIS DEAR TIRO, GREETING
Your letter makes me hope that you are better ; that, at any rate, is what I desire. Make every thing subservient to that one object, and on no account be apprehensive that you are acting contrary to my wishes in not being at my side. You are at my side if you are taking care of yourself ; and for that reason I had rather have you the slave of your own health than the slave of my eyes and ears. For though it is a pleasure to me to hear and see you, it will be far more delightful to do so if you are well. I am idling here, because I am not writing anything myself, but reading is a great pleasure to me. Being where you are, I am sure you will explain anything the copyists cannot make out on account of my handwriting. There is certainly one rather difficult inserted passage, which even I myself always find it hard to decipher, about Cato at the age of four. ** About the dinner-table, please see to it, as I am sure you do. Tertia ** will be there, provided Publius has not been asked.
2 That Demetrius ** of yours was never a Demetrius of Phalerum at all, but now he is an absolute Billienus. I therefore appoint you my representative. Please show him some attention. "And yet !" "But nevertheless !" "As for them !" You know how he goes on. ** Anyhow, if you have any talk with him, please write to me, so that I may have the germ of a theme for a letter, and may have as long a letter as possible to read from you. Take care of your health, my dear Tiro. Nothing you can do will give me greater pleasure than that. Good-bye.
TULLIUS TO TIRO, GREETING
Yes, certainty ; finish making up the tax-return if you possibly can ; although this particular money is not under a heading which requires a return. But that is as may be . . . Balbus writes that he has had such an attack of catarrh that he has lost his voice. As for what Antony has done about the law, for all I care, let it stand. ** Only let me be free to enjoy the country. I have written to Bithynicus. **
2 About Servilius ** you will have your own opinion - you, who have a deep respect for old age. And yet our friend Atticus, because he once noticed that I was upset by panic, always thinks the same of me, ** and does not see with what safeguards of philosophy I am hedged round ; and, on my oath, he is so timid himself, that he causes general consternation. For all you say, I am very anxious to keep up my friendship with Antony, which has lasted so long without our falling out, and I shall write to him, but not before I have seen you - not that I would have you forget the payment of your bond **; - "charity begins at home." ** To-morrow I am expecting Lepta ** and N. ** too - and I shall have to avail myself of the sweetness of your conversation to assuage the bitterness of his. **
TULLIUS TO TIRO, GREETING
Although I had sent Harpalus earlier in the day, still, finding that I had a trustworthy letter-carrier, although there is nothing new, I wanted to write to you again and again on the same subjects - not that I have lost confidence in your application, but the importance of the matter makes me restless. The "stem and stern" ** (as the Greek proverb goes) of my sending you away from me was that you might straighten out my financial affairs. It is imperative that Ofillius ** and Aurelius ** should have their claims satisfied. I should like you to wring out of Flamma, if not all the debt, at least some portion it ; and especially to see that the instalment ** is cleared off on January 1st. As to the assignment of debts, make some settlement ; and please see to their paying ready money. So much for my private affairs.
2 On public affairs let me have every possible information that can be trusted - what Octavianus, and what Antony is up to, what is generally thought, and what you suppose is going to happen. I can hardly keep myself from coming to you hot-foot. But I stand still ; ** I patiently await a letter from you ; and let me tell you that Balbus was at Aquinum on the day you were told, and Hirtius on the next day. I imagine both were going there for the waters ; but it is no business of mine ! ** See that Dolabella's agents have their memories jogged. ** Send a reminder to Papia ** also. Good-bye.
[25] L { September/October 44 }
CICERO JUNIOR ** TO HIS DEAR TIRO, GREETING
Although the excuse you offer for the break in your correspondence is a fair and proper one, still I beg you not to make too much of a practice of it. Although rumours and messages keep me informed about the political situation, and my father is always writing to me, and fully too, about his friendly feeling for you, for all that a letter written by you to me about anything, however trivial, has always been most welcome to me. For that reason, seeing that I miss your letters more than anything, don't make the mistake of discharging the obligations of correspondence by making excuses rather than by assiduity in letter-writing. Good-bye.
QUINTUS SENDS WARMEST GREETINGS TO HIS DEAR TIRO
I have just given you a thrashing (so far as I could with the strong but inaudible language of thought), because this is now the second packet that has reached me without a letter from you. That is an offence for which you cannot escape punishment - that is, if you undertake your own defence. No, Marcus ** must be called in : and when he has spent much time and many a night elaborating his speech by lamplight, don't be so sure that even he can prove your innocence.
2 I make a plain request of you ; just as in the old days I remember my mother used to do - she used to seal up her wine-jars even when she had emptied them, so as to prevent its being said that any were empty which had been drained of their contents by a thief ; on the same principle, I ask you, even if you have nothing to write, to write all the same, and so avoid the suspicion of having tried to get a day off by stealing it. ** I assure you, I always find the news in your letters as trustworthy as it is charmingly told. Keep on loving me, and good-bye.
Q. CICERO SENDS WARMEST GREETINGS TO HIS DEAR TIRO
You have given me in your letter a jolly good thrashing for my laziness ; - for what my brother had told me in his letter with some reserve, evidently being modest about it, and also in a hurry, all that you have written to me, stating the facts without sycophancy ; and particularly as regards the consuls-designate, ** who I am absolutely assured are tainted with sensualism and a weak-mindedness that is essentially womanish ; and unless they resign the helm, there is every danger of universal shipwreck.
2 You could never believe what I know those men did in summer quarters, when the camp of the Gauls was right opposite them - men whom that scoundrel, ** unless firmer measures are taken, will captivate by making them share in his vices. Things must be buttressed up by either the tribunes or private persons taking counsel together. For as to those two fellows, they are hardly fit to be entrusted, the one with Caesena, ** and the other with the vaults under Cossutius's wine-shops. ** As I said, I have you ever before my face. ** I shall see you all on the 30th, and as for that face of yours, even if I see you in the middle of the forum on my arrival, I shall smother it with kisses. Keep on loving me. Good-bye.
1. Marcus Tullius Tiro was a slave of Cicero, manumitted by him in 54 or 53. He was a man of amiable disposition and of more than ordinary intellectual ability, and was much beloved by his patron. He was Cicero's amanuensis and literary assistant, and was himself an author of some reputation, among his works being a defensive biography of his patron, a treatise on grammar, and some poetry (xvi. 18, 3). Tiro was the chief agent in compiling and arranging Cicero's work, and in preserving his correspondence. After Cicero's death he bought a farm near Puteoli, where, in spite of his weak health, he reached the age of 100.
2. A slave of Cicero. Cf. letter 3. 9.
3. A town on the coast of Acarnania, midway between Astacus and Anactorium.
4. His name was Asclapo (xiii. 20).
5. The hotel proprietor at Patrae. See note a on xiii. 19. 1.
6. Manius Curius, a money-lender at Patrae. See xiii. 17. 1.
7. Mescinius Rufus, Cicero's quaestor in Cilicia, to whom are addressed v. 19 and 20. Cicero had no high opinion of him as quaestor, but wrote of him in complimentary terms in xiii. 26.
8. Cicero's praefectus fabrum. See iii. 7. 4.
9. In Acarnania, a little south of the Ambracian Gulf.
10. The south-east wind, which would facilitate a crossing from Corcyra to Italy, would also bring a letter from Patrae.
11. This quotation cannot be traced.
12. A town in the north of Corcyra.
13. Now Otranto.
14. 'Cum fit quod dicitur', "when what is said is done." Rep. iv. 21. But in Off. i. 21 he fears the derivation is 'durius', " a little hard to swallow."
15. i.e., "ready to be called upon," a term borrowed from the law-courts.
16. L. Domitius Ahenobarbus.
17. Probably the man who was praetor in 52.
18. A nundinum being a period of eight days, three nundina would be twenty-four days, the time required by law for the professio (public declaration or manifesto) of a candidate for office. 'Trinum nundinum', originally a gen. plur., came to be used (like 'sestertium') as a neuter singular, and is here an accusative of duration of time.
19. Whose claims to the franchise had been warmly supported by Caesar, who carried them into effect when he came to Rome in April.
20. T. Labienus was afterwards slain at Munda.
21. Caesar.
22. For this Varro see note a on xiii. 22. 1.
23. For Volusius see v. 20. 3.
24. Some editors read 'Andrlci' here; others leave 'Menandri' and read 'Menander' at the beginning of the next letter.
25. Perhaps Cicero's dispensator, household steward, at Tusculum,
26. To manumit you.
27. Formerly a slave, now a freedman, of Cicero.
28. Probably a slave of Cicero. Cf. Q. Fr, i. 2. 12,
29. The news of Tiro's manumission.
30. See xv. 20. 1.
31. kanōn = Latin 'norma', the standard by which what is correct is tested. akuron = "an unauthorised or obsolete expression."
32. Cicero's objection seems to us hypercritical ; he appears to argue that because 'fidelis' implies unselfish service to others, its application to the selfish care of one's own health is a contradiction in terms, a confusion of the objective with the subjective. But that 'fideliter' can be used in the wider sense of "thoroughly " or "conscientiously " is proved by Ovid's 'ingenuas didicisse fideliter artes Emollit mores.'
33. Perhaps this is Demetrius of Gadara, a favourite freedman of Pompey's. - Tyrrell.
34. Probably the Cuspius referred to in xiii. 6a. 1.
35. Cicero anticipates Tiro's objection to being addressed without his praenomen (Marcus), as being too familiar and unsuited to their respective positions. Cicero would go a step further in familiarity and write 'Tullius Tironi suo'. For the omission of the praenomen as a mark of intimacy see vii. 32 . 1 .
36. Dr. Reid translates it "which pretence, however, I must say answers your wishes," adding that 'procedere in modum' denotes undisturbed rhythmical movement, hence movement in accordance with one's wishes.
37. Some editors read terpsin, "amusement."
38. Cicero wishes Tiro to urge one Paredrus, a market-gardener, to rent Cicero's garden, and so stir up the present gardener, who is paying a ridiculously small rent, in spite of the improvements Cicero had recently made in it.
39. Apparently another market-gardener.
40. The present gardener.
41. An aqueduct extending from Tusculum to Rome, for the use of which Cicero paid a tax.
42. Mentioned in Q. Fr. iii. 7. 2.
43. Who seems to have taken umbrage at Cicero's avoidance of him.
44. Probably a citizen of Tusculum who owed Cicero money.
45. Tiro's physician.
46. See the last letter.
47. Marcus the younger, Cicero's only son, was born in 65, and was thus nine years younger than his sister Tullia. In 51 Cicero took him and his nephew Quintus with him to Cilicia, with the excellent but irascible Dionysius as their tutor. Writing of the boys to Atticus, Cicero says that Quintus needs the curb, and Marcus the spur ; and this was Marcus's characteristic through life. In 49 his father gave him the toga virilis at Arpinum. He accompanied his father to Greece, and though he was not yet 16 years old, Pompey put him in command of a squadron of cavalry. After Pharsalia he returned with his father to Brundisium. In 46, through Cicero's influence, both he and his cousin Quintus were appointed aediles at Arpinum ; and Marcus, now 20 years old, was sent by his father to study philosophy at Athens under Cratippus, with a handsome allowance of 80,000 sesterces a year. Under the evil influence of an unprincipled Greek teacher Gorgias, he became extravagant and idle, and his father wrote peremptorily ordering him to have nothing more to do with Gorgias. Marcus replied, not to his father, but to Tiro, in this interesting and self-revealing letter, which speaks for itself. Brutus, who had made his acquaintance at Athens, made him commander of a squadron of cavalry, in which capacity he served with some credit against Antony. About this time Cicero desired to see his son among the Pontifices, but decided that he should not return to Italy unless accompanied by Brutus ; it thus fell out that he escaped the proscription, in which perished his father, his uncle, and his cousin. He fought at Philippi in 42, and after that battle fled to Sextus Pompeius, who made much of him. He returned to Rome in 39 and was handsomely treated by Octavian, who in 30 made him consul suffectus ; and it was while holding that office that Marcus had the statues of Antony overthrown, and carried a decree that from that day no Antonius should bear the name of Marcus. Thus it came to pass that, in the words of Plutarch (Cic. 49), "Heaven delivered over to the house of Cicero the final punishment of Antony." Some years later Marcus became proconsul of Asia, and afterwards legatus of Syria. Though he inherited some of his father's wit, Marcus was a man of mediocre intellect and little ambition ; but that he must have possessed considerable military and administrative ability is proved by his fairly successful career.
48. A philosopher of Mitylene, for whom Cicero had a high regard. He accompanied Pompey in his flight after Pharsalia in 48, and afterwards settled at Athens. Through Cicero's influence he obtained from Caesar the Roman citizenship.
49. We know nothing more of Bruttius.
50. It was he who sent Cicero unsatisfactory accounts of Marcus's progress and conduct.
51. Loose liver as he was (see note on § 1), Gorgias was a distinguished rhetorician and wrote the treatise peri schēmatōn dianoias kai lexeōs, of which we still possess the translation by Rutilius Lupus.
52. For this absolute use of 'habere' cf. Att, xii. 23. 3 'habet in Ostiensi Cotta.' But see note on the text.
53. In order to sow them.
54. A characteristic request.
55. The slave who brought the letter.
56. The story was in all probability that told of Cato Uticensis when a boy, by Plutarch (Cat. Min. 2). One Pompaedius Silo tried to induce the little Cato to influence his uncle, Livius Drusus, to advocate the granting of the franchise to the Italians. On the boy's refusing to do so, Pompaedius held him out of window, and threatened to drop him if he would not do as he was told, but the boy remained "undismayed and fearless." It is true that Cato was born in 95, and was therefore just four years old just before the Social War of 91. This is the story which Cicero added to his work on Cato the younger, written in 46, but in so cramped a hand that he always found it hard to make out what he had himself written.
57. Probably Tertia, or Tertulla, wife of Cassius, and Publius is Dolabella ; but this is mere surmise.
58. See letters 17 § 3, and 19. Demetrius of Phalerum was a very different man — cultured and erudite. The name Demetrius suggests the Demetrius whose slave Billienus strangled Domitius at Album Intimilium. For the story see viii. 15. 2.
59. Cicero is evidently mocking at Demetrius's staccato way of talking.
60. Tyrrell thinks that this was probably the Lex Agraria of Lucius Antonius, passed in June of this year. The elliptical phrase 'quod egent' (sc. 'id actum habebo') = " whatever he does I shall regard as done," i.e. "for all I care, let him do what he likes." The phrase also occurs in the next letter.
61. The writer of vi. 16, where see note.
62. Servilius Isauricus, who had just died at an advanced age.
63. i.e., that I am afraid of death.
64. Which Cicero held.
65. Lit. "the knee is nearer home than the shin (Aristot. Eth. Nlc. IX. 8. 2; Cf. Theocrit. xvi. 18). The Latin equivalent is 'tunica proprior pallio', "the coat is nearer than the cloak." Cf English "near is my shirt, but nearer is my skin." There is a Welsh proverb very like the Greek, 'Nes elin nag arddwrn', "the elbow is nearer than the wrist."
66. Cf. VI. 18 and 19.
67. "N." probably stands for 'nostrum,' i.e,, the younger Quintus, so spoken of by Cicero in Att. xv. 29. 2 also.
68. Lit. " to whose rue I must apply the pennyroyal of your conversation."
69. Or "the Alpha and Omega" as Tyrrell renders it, and he quotes Dio Chrys. xxxvii. p. 120 R.
70. A co-heir with Cicero to the estate of Cluvius of Puteoli.
71. An agent of one Montanus, who had become surety to Plancus for Flaminius Flamma, and was now obliged to meet Flamma's liabilities.
72. i.e., of Tullia's dowry by Dolabella.
73. Manutius and other editors read 'st!', but 'sto' is obviously suggested, I think, by the preceding words.
74. See note 6 on § 1 of the last letter.
75. About the repayment of Tullia's dowry.
76. Nothing more is known of Papia.
77. See note at the beginning of letter 21.
78. His brother, the orator.
79. Or, as Tyrrell translates it, "that you may not be suspected of stealing a holiday."
80. Hirtius and Pansa ; what the hot-headed Quintus says of them here and in § 2 must be taken cum grano salis. Whatever their weaknesses (and Quintus doubtlessly exaggerates them), both fell fighting manfully for the Republic.
81. Antony.
82. Hirtius, with the custody of the insignificant little town Caesena, 20 miles north-west of Ariminum, and near the Rubicon.
83. Pansa, with the cellars of the taverns of Cossutius (of whom we know nothing more).
84. Lit. "eyes," here and lower down ; but a literal translation would be open to objection.
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