Humanitext Reader

Cicero · Letters to Atticus §5.14.1-5.14.3

Journey to Tralles and Urging Term Limits

Passage 111 of 461 · Latin

Summary

Writing on his way from Ephesus to Tralles, Cicero urges Atticus to prevent the extension of his term, reports on the peaceful state of the province, and outlines his plans for upcoming military and judicial activities.

§5.14.1ante quam aliquo loco consedero, neque longas a me neque semper mea manu litteras exspectabis; cum autem erit spatium, utrumque praestabo.
Before I settle down in some place, you will expect from me neither long letters nor always in my own hand; but when there is time, I will perform both.
nunc iter conficiebamus aestuosa et pulverulenta via.
At present we are performing our journey along a hot and dusty road.
dederam Epheso pridie; has dedi Trallibus.
I dispatched a letter from Ephesus yesterday; this one I dispatch from Tralles.
in provincia mea fore me putabam Kal. Sextilibus.
I expect to be in my province on the Kalends of August.
ex ea die, si me amas, παράπηγμα ἐνιαύσιον commoveto.
From that day, if you love me, move the peg of the yearly calendar.
interea tamen haec mihi quae vellem adferebantur, primum otium Parthicum, dein confectae pactiones publicanorum, postremo seditio militum sedata ab Appio stipendiumque eis usque ad Idus Quintilis persolutum.
Meanwhile, however, the following news, such as I could wish, was brought to me: first, peace with the Parthians; next, the settlement of the tax-contractors' agreements; finally, the mutiny of the soldiers quieted by Appius, and their pay fully paid up to the Ides of July.
§5.14.2nos Asia accepit admirabiliter.
Asia welcomed us wonderfully.
adventus noster nemini ne minimo quidem fuit sumptui.
Our arrival was not even of the slightest expense to anyone.
spero meos omnis servire laudi meae.
I hope all my staff are serving my reputation.
tamen magno timore sum sed bene speramus.
Yet I am in great anxiety, but we have good hopes.
omnes iam nostri praeter Tullium tuum venerunt.
All our people have already arrived except your Tullius.
erat mihi in animo recta proficisci ad exercitum, aestivos mensis reliquos rei militari dare, hibernos iuris dictioni.
It was my intention to set out straight for the army, to give the remaining summer months to military affairs, and the winter ones to the administration of justice.
§5.14.3tu velim, si me nihilo minus nosti curiosum in re publica quam te, scribas ad me omnia quae sint, quae futura sint.
I would have you, if you know me to be no less curious about the state than yourself, write to me everything that is and that is to be.
nihil mihi gratius facere potes; nisi tamen id erit mihi gratissimum, si quae tibi mandavi confeceris imprimisque illud ἐνδόμυχον, quo mihi scis nihil esse carius.
You can do nothing more pleasing to me; unless indeed this will be most pleasing to me, if you accomplish what I have commissioned you to do, and especially that secret matter, than which you know nothing is dearer to me.
habes epistulam plenam festinationis et pulveris; reliquae subtiliores erunt.
You have a letter full of haste and dust; the remaining ones will be more detailed.

Notes

  1. 5.14.1παράπηγμα ἐνιαύσιον commoveto — The Greek 'παράπηγμα' refers to a calendar with pegs inserted to mark dates or weather. The expression metaphorically urges Atticus to start counting down Cicero's one-year term and prevent any extension (such as by intercalation). 'commoveto' is a future imperative.
  2. 5.14.2nemini ne minimo quidem fuit sumptui — A construction of double dative. 'nemini' is the dative of interest ('to anyone'), and 'minimo sumptui' is the dative of purpose or effect ('as the slightest expense').
  3. 5.14.2magno timore sum — Ablative of quality (ablativus qualitatis). Used with the copula 'sum' to describe the subject's state of being ('I am in great anxiety/fear').
  4. 5.14.3ἐνδόμυχον — The neuter substantival use of the Greek adjective meaning 'hidden in the innermost part of the house'. It euphemistically refers to the 'domestico scrupulo' (domestic worry, i.e., Tullia's marriage situation) mentioned in the previous letter (5.13.3).

Cite this passage

Cicero, Letters to Atticus §5.14.1-5.14.3. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi0474.phi057.humanitext-lat1:5.14.1-5.14.3

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