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Cicero · Letters to Atticus §13.5.1-13.5.2

Correction on Mummius and Negotiations with Silius

Passage 334 of 461 · Latin

Summary

Cicero corrects his view on Spurius Mummius's role as a legate, urges Atticus to push Silius regarding the debt, and expresses satisfaction that Atticus promises to join him when Brutus arrives.

§13.5.1Sp. Mummium putaram in decem legatis fuisse sed videlicet (etenim εὔλογον) fratri fuisse.
I had thought Spurius Mummius was among the ten legates, but clearly (for indeed it is reasonable) he was [a legate] to his brother.
fuit enim ad Corinthum.
For he was at Corinth.
misi tibi Torquatum.
I have sent you the "Torquatus".
conloquere tu quidem cum Silio, ut scribis, et urge.
Do you indeed confer with Silius, as you write, and urge him.
illam diem negabat esse mense Maio, istam non negabat.
He denied that that date was in the month of May, but he did not deny the other one.
sed tu ut omnia istuc quoque ages diligenter.
But you, as in all things, will handle this matter too with diligence.
de Crispo et Mustela scilicet quom quid egeris.
Let me know, of course, when you have done anything regarding Crispus and Mustela.
§13.5.2quoniam ad Bruti adventum fore te nobiscum polliceris, satis est, praesertim cum hi tibi dies in magno nostro negotio consumantur.
Since you promise that you will be with us at the arrival of Brutus, that is enough, especially since these days are being spent by you on our important business.

Notes

  1. 13.5.1fratri fuisse — This stands in contrast with the preceding 'in decem legatis fuisse'. 'fratri' is a dative of advantage (dativus commodi) meaning 'for his brother', with the omission of a noun like 'legatum'. This indicates that he accompanied his brother (the consul Lucius Mummius) to Corinth as a personal lieutenant/legate rather than as one of the official ten legates.
  2. 13.5.1ut omnia istuc quoque ages — The phrase 'ut omnia' is an elliptical comparative clause, omitting a verb like 'agis' ('as you do in all things'). The future tense 'ages' (second-person singular) functions either as a polite command or as an expression of confident expectation regarding Atticus's diligence.
  3. 13.5.1quom quid egeris — This temporal clause consists of 'quom' (= cum) followed by the perfect subjunctive (or future perfect indicative) 'egeris' ('when you have done anything'). The main clause, expressing a request or command like 'scribes' or 'facias me certiorem' ('let me know' / 'write to me'), is omitted.
  4. 13.5.2ad Bruti adventum — The preposition 'ad' with the accusative here expresses a temporal reference or occasion, meaning 'at the time of Brutus's arrival' or 'in anticipation of Brutus's arrival'.

Cite this passage

Cicero, Letters to Atticus §13.5.1-13.5.2. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi0474.phi057.humanitext-lat1:13.5.1-13.5.2

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