Ad Atticum 12.7
Ad Atticum 12.7
Headnote
Cicero to Atticus, written from the Tusculan villa during the intercalary month at the end of 46 BC (the manuscript dateline: Scr.\ in Tusculano m.\ interc.\ post a.\ 708 (46)). Two short sections. The whole turns on what to do about young Marcus Cicero, the orator’s son, who has put it to Atticus that he wants to go to Spain (where Caesar was then campaigning against Pompey’s sons) and that he wants a larger allowance.
Cicero has written the whole business out in a codicil for Eros to carry. He has spoken to the boy “in the most generous terms,” offered an allowance on the scale of Publilius and the young Lentulus, and laid out his two objections to Spain: that having himself laid down arms on Pompey’s side, he should not be seen to take them up on Caesar’s; and that the boy will be eaten alive with envy of his cousin Quintus, who is already at Caesar’s court. The closing line — simplex est manere, illud anceps, “to remain is straightforward; the other is doubtful” — is the tone of the whole letter. A second short section returns to Balbus and a planned three-day trip with Dolabella.