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Cicero · Letters to Atticus §14.3.1-14.3.2

Rumors of Grain Shortage and Antony's Intentions

Passage 386 of 461 · Latin

Summary

Cicero expresses pleasure at Atticus's peaceful letter, but also conveys concern and interest regarding unsettling rumors about a grain crisis in Rome and Antony's activities.

§14.3.1Tranquillae tuae quidem litterae.
Your letter indeed is tranquil.
quod utinam diutius! nam Matius posse negabat.
And would that this last longer! For Matius said it was not possible.
ecce autem structores nostri ad frumentum profecti, cum inanes redissent, rumorem adferunt magnum Romae domum ad Antonium frumentum omne portari.
But look, our builders who had set out for grain, having returned empty-handed, bring a great rumor that at Rome all the grain is being carried to Antony's house.
πανικὸν certe; scripsisses enim.
Surely a panic; for you would have written.
Corumbus Balbi nullus adhuc: est mihi notum nomen; bellus enim esse dicitur architectus.
Balbus's Corumbus is nowhere yet; the name is known to me, for he is said to be a fine architect.
§14.3.2ad obsignandum tu adhibitus non sine causa videris.
You seem to have been called in for the sealing not without cause.
volunt enim nos ita putare; nescio cur non animo quoque sentiant.
For they want us to think so; I do not know why they do not also feel it in their hearts.
sed quid haec ad nos? odorare tamen Antoni διάθεσιν; quem quidem ego epularum magis arbitror rationem habere quam quicquam mali cogitare.
But what are these things to us? Sniff out, however, Antony's disposition; whom indeed I think cares more for banquets than plans any mischief.
tu si quid πραγματικὸν habes rescribe; sin minus, populi ἐπισημασίαν et mimorum dicta perscribito.
If you have anything of practical importance, write back; if not, write in full the demonstration of the people and the sayings of the mime-actors.
Piliae et Atticae salutem.
Greetings to Pilia and Attica.

Notes

  1. §14.3.1quod utinam diutius! — The relative pronoun `quod` is a connecting relative referring to the peaceful state of affairs mentioned in the previous sentence. After `utinam`, a subjunctive verb of duration (such as `duraret`) is omitted, expressing a wish: "would that this lasted longer!"
  2. §14.3.1scripsisses enim — The pluperfect subjunctive `scripsisses` functions as the apodosis of a past contrary-to-fact conditional. The protasis (e.g., "if it had been true") is omitted, implying: "for you would have written [if it were true]."
  3. §14.3.2quem quidem ego epularum magis arbitror rationem habere — The relative pronoun `quem` is a connecting relative referring to Antony, serving as the subject accusative of the infinitive clause (A.C.I.) `quem ... rationem habere`. `epularum` is an objective genitive dependent on the noun `rationem` (concern, regard).

Cite this passage

Cicero, Letters to Atticus §14.3.1-14.3.2. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi0474.phi057.humanitext-lat1:14.3.1-14.3.2

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