y may
think a measure derogatory to their position. These fears came to
nothing; the tribunes were loyal to Cicero, and the consul Piso
forwarded his recall.]

[Footnote 372: Because the tribunes could have vetoed any measure
brought before the people, and so could have forced the consuls to come
to terms.]

[Footnote 373: _I.e._, that the senate would pass no decree prior to one
recalling Cicero.]

LXXXV (A III, 25)

TO ATTICUS (? IN EPIRUS[374])

DYRRACHIUM (DECEMBER)

[Sidenote: B.C. 58, AET 48]

After you left me I received a letter from Rome, from which I see
clearly that I must rot away in this state of disfranchisement: for I
can't believe (don't be offended at my saying so) that you would have
left town at this juncture, if there had been the least hope left of my
restoration. But I pass over this, that I may not seem to be ungrateful
and to wish everything to share my own ruin. All I ask of you is what
you have faithfully promised, that you will appear before the 1st of
January wherever I may be.

[Footnote 374: There is no indication in the letter as to where Atticus
is. He left Rome late in B.C. 58, and apparently did not return till
after Cicero's recall. The most natural explanation is that he was in
Epirus, or somewhere in Greece, and that he had visited Cicero at
Dyrrachium on his way. I do not quite see how this should be thought
impossible in view of the last sentence of LXXXV or the next letter.
Cicero asks Atticus to join him, but he might do so whether Atticus were
at Buthrotum, or Rome, or anywhere else.]

LXXXVI (A III, 26)

[Sidenote: B.C. 57. Coss., P. Cornelius Lentulus Spinther, Q. Caecilius
Metellus Nepos.

The new year found Cicero still at Dyrrachium, waiting for the law
to pass for his recall, which (owing chiefly to the riotous
opposition of Clodius) did not pass till the 5th of August. We have
no letters in the interval between January and August, but a few
lively ones recounting the nature of his return (4th of September),
and four speeches dealing with his position and that of his
property. He seems at once to have attached himself to Pompey, and
to have promoted his appointment as _praefectus annonae_.

TO ATTICUS (? IN EPIRUS[374])

DYRRACHIUM, JANUARY

[Sidenote: B.C. 57, AET. 49]

I have received a letter from my brother Quintus inclosing the decree of
the senate passed concerning me. My intention is to