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Cicero · Letters to Atticus §16.12.1

Decision to Go to Rome and Varro's Dialogue

Passage 450 of 461 · Latin

Summary

Cicero sends Atticus a copy of Oppius's letter and informs him of his sudden decision to head to Rome. He also mentions the amusing development regarding Varro's Heraclidian work and expresses his eagerness to discuss all matters in person.

§16.12.1Oppi epistulae, quia perhumana erat, tibi misi exemplum.
I have sent you a copy of Oppius's letter, because it was very kind.
de Ocella, dum tu muginaris nec mihi quicquam rescribis, cepi consilium domesticum itaque me pr. Idus arbitror Romae futurum.
As to Ocella, while you are dawdling and writing nothing back to me, I have taken my own decision, and so I think I shall be in Rome on the day before the Ides (12 November).
commodius est visum frustra me istic t esse, cum id non necesse esset, quam, si opus esset, non adesse, et simul ne intercluderer metuebam.
It seemed more convenient for me to be there to no purpose, when it was not necessary, than not to be present if there should be need; and at the same time I was afraid of being cut off.
ille enim iam adventare potest.
For he may already be arriving.
etsi varii rumores multique quos cuperem veros, nihil tamen certi.
Although there are various and many rumors which I should wish to be true, yet there is nothing certain.
ego vero, quicquid est, tecum potius quam animi pendeam, cum a te absim, et de te et de me.
But indeed, whatever it is, I would rather be with you than be in suspense of mind, when I am away from you, both about you and about myself.
sed quid tibi dicam? bonum animum.
But what shall I say to you? Keep up your spirits.
de Ἡρακλειδείῳ Varronis negotia salsa.
The business about Varro's Heraclidian work is a funny affair.
me quidem nihil umquam sic delectavit.
Indeed, nothing has ever delighted me so much.
sed haec et alia maiora coram.
But of these things and other greater matters, when we meet.

Notes

  1. §16.12.1Oppi epistulae — Oppi is the genitive singular of the proper name Oppius. epistulae is also the genitive singular of epistula (letter). Both genitives modify the direct object of the sentence, exemplum (copy), meaning 'a copy of Oppius's letter'.
  2. §16.12.1animi pendeam — animi is a locative (or a genitive of specification) indicating the location of the emotion ('in mind'). Combined with pendeam (the first-person singular present subjunctive of pendeo, 'to hang, be in suspense'), it forms an idiomatic expression meaning 'to be in suspense' or 'to be anxious'.
  3. §16.12.1bonum animum — bonum animum is an accusative phrase meaning 'good courage'. It is an idiomatic exclamation with an omitted verb such as habe (imperative) or habeas (present subjunctive), functioning as an encouraging phrase meaning 'keep up your spirits' or 'be of good cheer'.

Cite this passage

Cicero, Letters to Atticus §16.12.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi0474.phi057.humanitext-lat1:16.12.1

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