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CCCCXXI (A XI, 9)

Cicero remained till towards the end of September, B.C. 47, at Brundisium, while Cæsar was engaged in the Alexandrine and Pontic wars. The chief causes of anxiety and distress weighing upon him were the alienation of his brother, B.C. 47. Dict. r.p.c., C. Iulius Cæsar, Mag. Eq., M. Antonius Coss. (for three last months),
Q. Fufius Calenus,
P. Vatinius. the uncertainty as to his own position, on the one hand with Cæsar, and on the other with the Pompeians, now gathered in great force in Africa, and lastly the unhappiness of Tullia, whose relations with her husband Dolabella were very unsatisfactory to him. The clouds lifted greatly in September, when Cæsar, returning to Italy, met Cicero between Tarentum and Brundisium, embraced him, and gave him free leave to live anywhere in Italy he chose. There was still the fear lest, if the Pompeians in Africa finally triumphed, he would be treated by them as a traitor. But he seems to have made up his mind that Cæsar's favour offered the greater security.

TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)

Brundisium, 3 January

Yes, it is quite as you say: I have acted both incautiously and in too great a hurry; nor have I any hope, seeing that I am only allowed to remain by special clauses of exemption in the edicts. If these had not been secured by your industry and kindness, I might have betaken myself to some lonely places. As it is, I can't even do that. For how does my having come before the new tribuneship help me, if my having come at all is of no service to me?^[1] Or what am I to expect from a man who was never friendly to me,^[2]

↑ The new tribunes, among whom was Dolabella, had, after coming into office, 10th December, B.C. 48, passed some law as to the Pompeians coming into Italy, about which we have no information. Atticus had remarked that Cicero would not be affected by it, as he had come before. He replies that that is small consolation, as his having come at all does not seem to have put him in any better position, i.e., as to regaining his full rights and the power of coming to Rome.
↑ This has been variously supposed to refer to Cæsar, Antony, or Dolabella. Hardly Dolabella, I think. It seems most likely to mean Antony, who will, he is afraid, take advantage of the law to annoy him, though, as a fact, Antony had at present been very considerate to him.

[1] The new tribunes, among whom was Dolabella, had, after coming into office, 10th December, B.C. 48, passed some law as to the Pompeians coming into Italy, about which we have no information. Atticus had remarked that Cicero would not be affected by it, as he had come before. He replies that that is small consolation, as his having come at all does not seem to have put him in any better position, i.e., as to regaining his full rights and the power of coming to Rome.

[2] This has been variously supposed to refer to Cæsar, Antony, or Dolabella. Hardly Dolabella, I think. It seems most likely to mean Antony, who will, he is afraid, take advantage of the law to annoy him, though, as a fact, Antony had at present been very considerate to him.

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