Humanitext Reader

Cicero · Letters to Atticus §12.19.1-12.19.4

Considering Garden Purchase for Tullia's Shrine and Private Matters

Passage 291 of 461 · Latin

Summary

Cicero considers purchasing a garden across the Tiber for Tullia's shrine to preserve its sanctity through future ownership changes. He also requests Atticus's assistance in managing various private matters, including negotiations with Terentia and his son Marcus's financial interests.

§12.19.1est hic quidem locus amoenus et in mari ipso qui et Antio et Circeiis aspici possit; sed ineunda nobis ratio est quem ad modum in omni mutatione dominorum, quae innumerabiles fieri possunt in infinita posteritate, si modo haec stabunt, illud quasi consecratum remanere possit.
This is indeed a beautiful place, and right on the sea, which can be seen both from Antium and from Circeii; but we must devise a plan as to how, amidst all the changes of owners, of which countless numbers can occur in infinite posterity, if only these things shall stand, that place can remain as if consecrated.
equidem iam nihil egeo vectigalibus et parvo contentus esse possum.
For my part, I no longer have any need for revenues and can be content with little.
cogito interdum trans Tiberim hortos aliquos parare et quidem ob hanc causam maxime: nihil enim video quod tam celebre esse possit.
I sometimes think of purchasing some gardens across the Tiber, and indeed chiefly for this reason: for I see nothing that can be so frequented by the public.
sed quos, coram videbimus, ita tamen ut hac aestate fanum absolutum sit.
But which ones, we shall see when we meet, provided however that the shrine is completed this summer.
tu tamen cum Apella Chio confice de columnis.
You, however, settle with Apelles the Chian about the columns.
§12.19.2de Cocceio et Libone quae scribis approbo, maxime quod de iudicatu meo.
I approve of what you write concerning Cocceius and Libo, especially what concerns my judgeship.
de sponsu si quid perspexeris et tamen quid procuratores Cornifici dicant velim scire, ita ut in ea re te cum tam occupatus sis, non multum operae velim ponere.
If you perceive anything about the guarantee, and yet I should like to know what Cornificius' agents say, provided that since you are so busy, I would not have you bestow much labor on that matter.
de Antonio Balbus quoque ad me cum Oppio conscripsit idque tibi placuisse ne perturbarer.
Regarding Antony, Balbus also wrote to me along with Oppius, saying that it was your wish that I should not be disturbed.
illis egi gratias.
I thanked them.
te tamen, ut iam ante ad te scripsi, scire volo me neque isto nuntio esse perturbatum nec iam ullo perturbatum iri.
However, as I have already written to you before, I want you to know that I was neither disturbed by that news, nor shall I ever be disturbed by any.
§12.19.3Pansa si hodie, ut putabas, profectus est, posthac iam incipito scribere ad me de Bruti adventu quid exspectes, id est quos ad dies.
If Pansa set out today, as you thought, from now on begin to write to me what you expect concerning Brutus' arrival, that is, about what day.
id, si scies ubi iam sit, facile coniectura adsequere.
If you know where he is now, you will easily arrive at it by conjecture.
§12.19.4quod ad Tironem de Terentia scribis, obsecro te, mi Attice, suscipe totum negotium.
As to what you write to Tiro about Terentia, I beseech you, my Atticus, take up the whole business.
vides et officium agi meum quoddam cui tu es conscius et, ut non nulli putant, Ciceronis rem.
You see both that a certain duty of mine is at stake, of which you are aware, and, as some think, Cicero's interest.
me quidem id multo magis movet quod mihi est et sanctius et antiquius, praesertim cum hoc alterum neque sincerum neque firmum putem fore.
For my part, I am much more moved by that which is both more sacred and of greater importance to me, especially since I do not think this other matter will be either sincere or lasting.

Notes

  1. 12.19.1illud quasi consecratum — The pronoun "illud" (neuter singular) does not refer to the preceding masculine noun "locus", but rather to the "shrine (fanum)" (neuter) which Cicero is planning to build for his deceased daughter Tullia, or to the general concept of "that place/property".
  2. 12.19.1tam celebre — Neuter singular of the adjective "celeber". Here it does not mean "famous" in the general sense, but rather "frequented by many people" or "crowded". Cicero wishes to build the shrine in a highly visible, busy area so that his daughter's memory is seen by as many people as possible.
  3. 12.19.2de iudicatu meo — "iudicatus" refers to the "office or duty of a judge/arbiter". It refers to Atticus's report concerning Cicero's appointment as an arbiter (iudex) in a private lawsuit.
  4. 12.19.4antiquius — Neuter singular comparative of the adjective "antiquus" (old). Derived from the meaning of "ancient/older," it is used here in the sense of "more important" or "of greater priority."

Cite this passage

Cicero, Letters to Atticus §12.19.1-12.19.4. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi0474.phi057.humanitext-lat1:12.19.1-12.19.4

Please note the AI-draft status of the translation and the date accessed.

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