Latin Texts & Translations

CCIII (A V, 14)

TO ATTICUS (AT ROME) TRALLES, 28 JULY

Until I have settled down somewhere you must not expect a long letter from me, nor always written by my own hand. As soon, however, as I have a moment to spare, you shall have both. I am now journeying along a road which is both hot and dusty. I wrote yesterday from Ephesus: this I am despatching from Tralles. ^[Note] I expect to be in my province ^[Note] on the 1st of August. From that date, if you love me, agitate for my era to begin. ^[Note] Meanwhile, however, the following items of news of a welcome nature have reached me: first, that the Parthians are quiet ; secondly, that the contracts of the publicani have been concluded ; lastly, that a mutiny among the soldiers has been suppressed by Appius, and their pay discharged up to the 13th of July. Asia has given me an extraordinarily good reception. My visit there cost no one a farthing. I trust that my staff are respecting my reputation. I am very nervous about it, however, yet hope for the best. All my staff have now joined except your

friend Tullius. My idea is to go straight to the army, to devote the rest of the summer months to military affairs, the winter ones to judicial business. Pray, as you know that I have no less curiosity in politics than yourself, write me word of everything occurring or about to occur. You can do me no greater favour, except, ,indeed, that it will be the greatest favour of all if you fulfil my commissions, especially that "at my own hearth," ^[Note] than which you must know I have nothing more at heart. This letter reeks of hurry and dust. Future ones shall go into greater details.