DCCCII (A XVI, 14)
TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
ARPINUM (NOVEMBER)
I have absolutely nothing to write about. For
when I was at Puteoli there was always something
new about Octavian, much also that
was false about Antony. However, in regard to what
you have said in your letters—for I
received three from you on the 11th—I
quite agree with you that, if Octavian gets much
power, the acta of the tyrant will be confirmed
much more decisively than they were in the temple
of Tellus, 1 and that
this will be against the interests of Brutus. Yes,
but if he is beaten, you perceive that Antony
becomes intolerable: so that you can't tell which
to prefer. What a rascal
that letter-carrier of Sestius is! He said he
would be at Rome on the day after leaving Puteoli.
You advise me to move cautiously. Yes, I agree
with you; though I had once other ideas. I am not
influenced by Philippus or Marcellus. 2 For
their position is different; and if it isn't, it
is nevertheless thought so. But though that young
man has plenty of spirit, he lacks prestige.
Nevertheless, consider whether I can be safely in
my house at Tusculum, and whether it would be
better for me to be there. I should prefer it: for
then I shall be up to date in my information. Or
had I better stay here when Antony arrives?
But to turn to another
subject—I am quite satisfied that what
the Greeks call καθῆκον (duty) we call officium. Now,
why should you doubt of this being also applicable
to the language of public life? Don't we speak of
the officium of consuls, of senate, or of an
imperator? It is eminently applicable: if not,
suggest some other word. I
am very sorry to hear your news about the son of
Nepos. 3 I am much
disturbed and sincerely sorry. I did not know that
he had a son at all. I have lost Caninius 4 —a man who, as far as I
am concerned, was the reverse of ungrateful. There
is no occasion for you to whip up Athenodorus: he
has sent me a very good précis. 5 Pray use every possible means to get
rid of your cold. The great-grandson
of your grandfather 6 writes to the
grandson of my father, 7 that after the
Nones, in which I made my, famous coup, 8 he
intends to unfold the story of the temple of Ops,
and that too in the face of the whole people. You
will look out, therefore, and write me word. I am
anxious to hear the criticism of Sextus. 9
ARPINUM (NOVEMBER)
