lose intimacy with Pompey_. I foresee what you will say. I will use all
necessary precautions, and I will write another time at greater length
about my schemes for managing the Republic. You must know that Lucceius
has it in his mind to stand for the consulship at once; for there are
said to be only two candidates in prospect. Caesar is thinking of coming
to terms with him by the agency of Arrius, and Bibulus also thinks he
may effect a coalition with him by means of C. Piso.[114] You smile?
This is no laughing matter, believe me. What else shall I write to you?
What? I have plenty to say, but must put it off to another time. If you
mean to wait till you hear, let me know. For the moment I am satisfied
with a modest request, though it is what I desire above everything--that
you should come to Rome as soon as possible.

5 December.

[Footnote 112: Cicero is evidently very anxious as to the
misunderstanding between Quintus and his brother-in-law Atticus, caused,
as he hints, or at any rate not allayed, by Pomponia. The letter is very
carefully written, without the familiar tone and mixture of jest and
earnest common to most of the letters to Atticus.]

[Footnote 113: At the end of the _via Egnatia_, which started from
Dyrrachium.]

[Footnote 114: The election in question is that to be held in B.C. 60
for the consulship of B.C. 59. Caesar and Bibulus were elected, and
apparently were the only two candidates declared as yet. They were, of
course, extremists, and Lucceius seems to reckon on getting in by
forming a coalition with either one or the other, and so getting the
support of one of the extreme parties, with the moderates, for himself.
The bargain eventually made was between Lucceius and Caesar, the former
finding the money. But the Optimates found more, and carried Bibulus.
Arrius is Q. Arrius the orator (see Index). C. Piso is the consul of
B.C. 67.]

XXIII (A I, 18)

[Sidenote: B.C. 60. Coss., Q. Caecilius Metellus Celer, L. Afranius.]

This was the year in which Caesar, returning from his propraetorship
in Spain, found Pompey in difficulties with the senate (1) as to
the confirmation _en bloc_ of his _acta_ in the East, (2) as to the
assignation of lands to his veterans; and being met with opposition
himself as to the triumph that he claimed, and his candidatureship
for the consulship, he formed with Pompey and Crassus the agreement
known as the first triumvirate.