I
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 16_, B.C. _49_]
After I sent you my letter, I got one from Pompey. The rest of it was
about what has happened in Picenum, as reported to him by Vibullius in
a note, and about Domitius' levy. That you know already: but in this
letter things were not so grand as in Philotimus' letter. I would have
sent you Pompey's note itself, but my brother's man set out in a hurry,
so I will send it to-morrow. Pompey added a P.S. in his own hand, "I
think you should come to Luceria. You won't be safer anywhere else."
I understood him to mean that he counts as lost the towns here and
the coast. I don't wonder that a man who has given up the head should
throw away the limbs. I sent a reply by return, by the hands of a sure
messenger, that I was not concerned about where I should be safest,
and that I would come to Luceria immediately, if his or the public
interest demanded it. I entreated him to hold the coast, if he wanted
supplies of corn from the provinces. I saw I was writing in vain: but I
wanted to put on record now my opinion about not abandoning Italy, as
I had done before about holding Rome. Evidently all forces are to be
collected at Luceria, and not even there as a permanent base, but as a
starting point for flight, if hard pressed.
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Quo minus mirere, si invitus in eam causam descendo, in qua neque pacis
neque victoriae ratio quaesita sit umquam, sed semper flagitiosae et
calamitosae fugae: eundum, ut, quemcumque fors tulerit casum, subeam
potius cum iis, qui dicuntur esse boni, quam videar a bonis dissentire.
Etsi prope diem video bonorum, id est lautorum et locupletum, urbem
refertam fore, municipiis vero his relictis refertissimam. Quo ego in
numero essem, si hos lictores molestissimos non haberem, nec me M'.
Lepidi, L. Volcaci, Ser. Sulpici comitum paeniteret, quorum nemo nec
stultior est quam L. Domitius nec inconstantior quam Ap. Claudius.
Unus Pompeius me movet beneficio, non auctoritate. Quam enim ille
habeat auctoritatem in hac causa? qui, cum omnes Caesarem metuebamus,
ipse eum diligebat, postquam ipse metuere coepit, putat omnes hostes
illi oportere esse. Ibimus tamen Luceriam. Nec eum fortasse delectabit
noster adventus; dissimulare enim non potero mihi, quae adhuc acta
sint, displicere. Ego, si somnum capere possem, tam longis te epistulis
non obtunderem. Tu, si tibi eadem causa est, me remunerere sane velim.
II
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Formiis XIII K. Mart. a. 705_]
Mihi vero omnia grata, et quod scripsisti ad me, quae audieras, et quod
non credidisti, quae digna diligentia mea non erant, et quod monuisti,
quod sentiebas. Ego ad Caesarem unas Capua litteras dedi, quibus ad ea
rescripsi, quae mecum ille de gladiatoribus suis egerat, breves, sed
benevolentiam significantes, non modo sine contumelia, sed etiam cum
maxima
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So you need not wonder, if I am reluctant to embark on a cause, which
has no policy for peace or victory, but always a policy of disastrous
and disgraceful flight. I must go to face whatever fortune bring, with
so-called loyalists rather than seem to disagree with real loyalists.
Yet I see Rome will soon be crammed with loyalists, I mean with men of
wealth and fortune, crammed full, when the towns have been abandoned. I
would be among them, were it not for these tiresome lictors. I should
not be ashamed of the company of M'. Lepidus, L. Volcacius, Ser.
Sulpicius, not one of whom is a bigger fool than L. Domitius, nor a
bigger trimmer than Ap. Claudius. Only Pompey weighs with me, for his
past kindnesses, not for his public influence. For what influence has
he in this case? When we were all afraid of Caesar, he cherished him.
After he has begun to fear Caesar, he thinks all should be Caesar's
enemies. Still I shall go to Luceria. Perhaps he will not be pleased to
meet me, for I shall not be able to disguise my disgust at what he has
done so far. If I could sleep, I would not bother you with such long
letters. If you suffer from the same complaint, I shall be glad if you
will pay me back in the same coin.
II
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 17_, B.C. _49_]
Many thanks for everything: for writing me your news, for not believing
a report, which reflected on my energy, and for the expression of your
opinion. I sent Caesar one letter from Capua in answer to his inquiries
about his gladiators.[58] It was short but friendly, and, so far from
abusing Pompey,
[58] Cf. p. 69.
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laude Pompei. Id enim illa sententia postulabat, qua illum ad
concordiam hortabar. Eas si quo ille misit, in publico proponat velim.
Alteras eodem die dedi quo has ad te. Non potui non dare, cum et
ipse ad me scripsisset et Balbus. Earum exemplum ad te misi. Nihil
arbitror fore, quod reprehendas. Si qua erunt, doce me, quo modo
μέμψιν effugere possim. "Nihil," inquies, "onmino scripseris." Qui
magis effugias eos, qui volent fingere? Verum tamen ita faciam, quoad
fieri poterit. Nam, quod me hortaris ad memoriam factorum, dictorum,
scriptorum etiam meorum, facis amice tu quidem mihique gratissimum,
sed mihi videris aliud tu honestum meque dignum in hac causa iudicare,
atque ego existimem. Mihi enim nihil ulla in gente umquam ab ullo
auctore rei publicae ac duce turpius factum esse videtur, quam a nostro
amico factum est. Cuius ego vicem doleo; qui urbem reliquit, id est
patriam, pro qua et in qua mori praeclarum fuit. Ignorare mihi videris,
haec quanta sit clades. Es enim etiam nunc domi tuae, sed invitis
perditissimis hominibus esse diutius non potes. Hoc miserius, hoc
turpius quicquam? Vagamur egentes cum coniugibus et liberis; in unius
hominis quotannis periculose aegrotantis anima positas omnes nostras
spes habemus non expulsi, sed evocati ex patria; quam non servandam ad
reditum nostrum, sed diripiendam et inflammandam reliquimus. Ita multi
nobiscum sunt, non in suburbanis, non in hortis, non in ipsa urbe, et,
si nunc sunt, non erunt. Nos interea ne Capuae quidem, sed Luceriae,
et oram quidem maritimam iam relinquemus, Afranium exspectabimus et
Petreium. Nam in Labieno parum est dignitatis.
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praised him highly. I had to do that, as I was an advocate of peace
between them. If Caesar has passed on my letter, good: I should like
him to placard it in public. I have sent him another letter on the
date on which I dispatch this to you. I could not help doing so when
he and Balbus wrote to me. I send you a copy of the letter. I don't
think you can find any fault. If you can find any, tell me how I can
escape criticism. You will say I should have sent no letter at all.
What better plan to escape malicious tongues? However I will do so as
long as I can. Your exhortations to remember my deeds and words and
even writings are friendly and very pleasant; but you seem to have a
different idea to mine as to honour and propriety in this business. To
my mind, no statesman or general has ever been guilty of conduct so
disgraceful as Pompey's. I am sorry for him. He left Rome, his country,
for which and in which it were glorious to die. You don't seem to me
to realize what a disaster that is. You yourself are still in your own
house; but you cannot stay there any longer without the consent of
villains and traitors. It is the depth of misery and shame. We wander
in want with wives and children. Our sole hope lies in the life of
one man, who falls dangerously sick every year. We are not driven,
but summoned to leave our country. And our country which we have left
will not be kept in safety against our return, but abandoned to fire
and plunder. So many Pompeians are with us, not in their suburban
villas, not in Rome, and, if some are still in Rome, they will soon go.
Meantime I shall not stay at Capua, but at Luceria, and of course I
shall abandon the coast at once. I shall wait for the move of Afranius
and Petreius: for Labienus is a
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Hic tu in me illud desideras. Nihil de me...dico, alii viderint. Hic
quidem quae est...?[59] Domi vestrae estis et eritis omnes boni. Quis
tum se mihi non ostendit? quis nunc adest hoc bello? Sic enim iam
appellandum est.
[59] _after_ me _and_ est _there is a space left in M, probably for
some Greek words, e.g._ ἀξίωμα _and_ ἀξίωσις _as Tyrrell and Orelli
suggest_.
Vibulli res gestae sunt adhuc maximae. Id ex Pompei litteris cognosces;
in quibus animadvertito ilium locum, ubi erit διπλῆ. Videbis, de Gnaeo
nostro ipse Vibullius quid existimet. Quo igitur haec spectat oratio?
Ego pro Pompeio lubenter emori possum; facio pluris omnium hominum
neminem; sed non ita, non in eo iudico spem de salute rei publicae.
Significas enim aliquanto secus, quam solebas, ut etiam Italia, si
ille cedat, putes cedendum. Quod ego nec rei publicae puto esse utile
nec liberis meis, praeterea neque rectum neque honestum. Sed cur
"Poterisne igitur videre tyrannum?" Quasi intersit, audiam an videam,
aut locupletior mihi sit quaerendus auctor quam Socrates; qui, cum XXX
tyranni essent, pedem porta non extulit. Est mihi praeterea praecipua
causa manendi. De qua utinam aliquando tecum loquar!
Ego XIII Kalend., cum eadem lucerna hanc epistulam scripsissem,
qua inflammaram tuam, Formiis ad Pompeium, si de pace ageretur,
profecturus, si de bello, quid ero?
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man of little standing. You may say that I am too. I say nothing
of myself: I leave that to others. Who has standing here? All you
loyalists stay at home, and will continue to stay there. Who failed me
in the old days? Who supports me now in this war, as I must call it.
So far Vibullius' achievements have been fine. You will see that from
Pompey's letter. _Vide_ the passage marked.[60] You will see Vibullius'
own opinion of Pompey. My point is that I can gladly die for Pompey's
sake--there is no one I hold dearer; but not in that way. In him I
see no hope for the safety of the state. You express a view different
from your usual view, that I must even leave Italy, if he does. That
course seems to me of no advantage to the state or to my children, and,
moreover, neither right nor honourable. But why do you say, "Will you
be able to see a tyrant"? As if it mattered whether I hear of him or
see him, or as if I wanted a better example than Socrates, who never
set foot out of gate during the reign of the Thirty tyrants. Besides I
have a special reason for staying. I wish I could talk it over with you.
[60] The διπλῆ was a marginal mark of this shape =>= used in MSS. to
mark a special passage or in dialogue to indicate the appearance of a
new speaker.
After writing this letter on the 17th, by the same lamp as that in
which I burned yours, I set out from Formiae to go to Pompey, and I may
be of use, if the talk is of peace: but, if of war, of what use shall I
be?
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III
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Caleno XII K. Mart. a. 705_]
Maximis et miserrimis rebus perturbatus, cum coram tecum mihi potestas
deliberandi non esset, uti tamen tuo consilio volui. Deliberatio autem
omnis haec est, si Pompeius Italia excedat, quod eum facturum esse
suspicor, quid mihi agendum putes. Et quo facilius consilium dare
possis, quid in utramque partem mihi in mentem veniat, explicabo brevi.
Cum merita Pompei summa erga salutem meam, familiaritasque, quae
mihi cum eo est, tum ipsa rei publicae causa me adducit, ut mihi vel
consilium meum cum illius consilio vel fortuna mea cum illius fortuna
coniungenda esse videatur. Accedit illud. Si maneo et illum comitatum
optimorum et clarissimorum civium desero, cadendum est in unius
potestatem. Qui etsi multis rebus significat se nobis esse amicum (et,
ut esset, a me est, tute scis, propter suspicionem huius impendentis
tempestatis multo ante provisum), tamen utrumque considerandum est, et
quanta fides ei sit habenda, et, si maxime exploratum sit eum nobis
amicum fore, sitne viri fortis et boni civis esse in ea urbe, in qua
cum summis honoribus imperiisque usus sit, res maximas gesserit,
sacerdotio sit amplissimo praeditus, non futurus sit, qui fuerit,
subeundumque periculum sit cum aliquo forte dedecore, si quando
Pompeius rem publicam recuperarit. In hac parte haec sunt.
Vide nunc, quae sint in altera. Nihil actum est a Pompeio nostro
sapienter, nihil fortiter, addo etiam nihil nisi contra consilium
auctoritatemque meam. Omitto illa vetera, quod istum in rem publicam
ille
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Page 107
III
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Cales, Feb. 18_, B.C. _49_]
Upset by this grave and most calamitous crisis, though I have no
opportunity of consulting you personally, still I wish to enjoy your
advice. The whole question under debate is this. What do you think I
should do, if Pompey leaves Italy, as I expect he will? To help you to
a decision, I will briefly recount what occurs to me on both sides of
the question.
Not only Pompey's great services in bringing about my restoration and
his intimacy with me, but the public welfare, leads me to think that
my policy and his or, if you will, my fortunes and his should be one.
And another thing, if I remain in Italy and desert the company of
loyal and distinguished citizens, I must fall into the power of one
man, and, though he gives me many tokens of regard (and you know well
I took good care that it should be so with this crisis in view), yet
he still leaves me a twofold problem; how much trust can be put in his
promises, and, if I am positive of his good will, is it proper for a
man of courage and loyalty to remain in Rome and lose his position for
the future where he has enjoyed the highest distinctions and commands,
performed deeds of importance, been invested with the highest seat in
the sacred college, and to suffer risks and perhaps some shame, if ever
Pompey restore the constitution? So much for the arguments on one side.
Now look at those on the other. There is not an atom of prudence or
courage in Pompey's policy--and besides nothing that is not clean
contrary to my counsel and advice. I pass over the old grievance, how
Caesar was Pompey's man: Pompey raised him to
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aluit, auxit, armavit, ille legibus per vim et contra auspicia
ferendis auctor, ille Galliae ulterioris adiunctor, ille gener, ille
in adoptando P. Clodio augur, ille restituendi mei quam retinendi
studiosior, ille provinciae propagator, ille absentis in omnibus
adiutor, idem etiam tertio consulatu, postquam esse defensor rei
publicae coepit, contendit, ut decem tribuni pl. ferrent, ut absentis
ratio haberetur, quod idem ipse sanxit lege quadam sua, Marcoque
Marcello consuli finienti provincias Gallias Kalendarum Martiarum die
restitit--sed, ut haec omittam, quid foedius, quid perturbatius hoc ab
urbe discessu sive potius turpissima fuga? Quae condicio non accipienda
fuit potius quam relinquenda patria? Malae condiciones erant, fateor,
sed num quid hoc peius? At recuperabit rem publicam. Quando? aut quid
ad eam spem est parati? Non ager Picenus amissus? non patefactum iter
ad urbem? non pecunia omnis et publica et privata adversario tradita?
Denique nulla causa, nullae vires, nulla sedes, quo concurrent, qui rem
publicam defensam velint. Apulia delecta est, inanissima pars Italiae
et ab impetu huius belli remotissima; fuga et maritima opportunitas
visa quaeri desperatione. Invite cepi Capuam, non quo munus illud
defugerem, sed in ea causa, in qua nullus
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Page 109
place and military power, assisted him in passing laws by force
and despite bad omens, granted him Further Gaul in addition to his
province; Pompey married his daughter, Pompey was augur at the adoption
of Clodius; Pompey was more active in effecting my restoration than
in preventing my banishment; Pompey prolonged the tenure of Caesar's
provincial government; Pompey championed his cause in absence; and
again in his third consulship, when he began to be the defender of
the constitution, struggled to get the ten tribunes to propose a bill
admitting Caesar's candidature in absence; ratified that privilege by
a law of his own; and opposed M. Marcellus the consul, when Marcellus
would have concluded Caesar's government of the provinces of Gaul on
the 1st of March. Putting all this on one side, is not this departure
or rather this disgraceful and iniquitous flight from Rome a most
shameful sign of panic? Any compromise ought to have been accepted
in preference to abandoning our country. I admit the terms were bad,
but could anything be worse than this? If you say he will restore the
constitution, I ask you when and what preparation has been made to
that end? We have lost Picenum: the road lies open to Rome: the funds
of the state and of individuals have been delivered to our enemy.
Finally we have no policy, no forces, no rendezvous for patriots;
Apulia has been chosen, the least populous district in Italy and the
most removed from the brunt of this war, and clearly chosen in despair
for the opportunity of flight which the sea affords. With reluctance
I took charge of Capua, not that I would shirk the duty, but with the
reluctance which one would have in a
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esset ordinum, nullus apertus privatorum dolor, bonorum autem esset
aliquis, sed hebes, ut solet, et, ut ipse sensissem, multitudo et
infimus quisque propensus in alteram partem, multi mutationis rerum
cupidi, dixi ipsi me nihil suscepturum sine praesidio et sine pecunia.
Itaque habui nihil omnino negotii, quod ab initio vidi nihil quaeri
praeter fugam. Eam si nunc sequor, quonam? Cum illo non; ad quem cum
essem profectus, cognovi in iis locis esse Caesarem, ut tuto Luceriam
venire non possem. Infero mari nobis incerto cursu hieme maxima
navigandum est. Age iam, cum fratre an sine eo cum filio? at quo modo?
In utraque enim re summa difficultas erit, summus animi dolor; qui
autem impetus illius erit in nos absentis fortunasque nostras! Acrior
quam in ceterorum, quod putabit fortasse in nobis violandis aliquid se
habere populare. Age iam, has compedes, fascis, inquam, hos laureatos
ecferre ex Italia quam molestum est! qui autem locus erit nobis tutus,
ut iam placatis utamur fluctibus, antequam ad illum venerimus? Qua
autem aut quo, nihil scimus. At, si restitero, et fuerit nobis in hac
parte locus, idem fecero quod in Cinnae dominatione L. Philippus, quod
L. Flaccus, quod Q. Mucius, quoquo modo ea res huic
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cause in which neither ranks nor individuals had expressed any feeling,
though there was some feeling amongst the loyalists, sluggish as
usual. Besides, as I felt, the crowd and the dregs of the populace
were inclined to the other side, and many were merely desirous of
revolution. I told Pompey himself that I could undertake nothing
without a garrison and without funds. So I have had nothing at all to
do, since I saw from the first, that his only object was flight. If I
would share his flight, whither am I to go? With him I cannot go; for,
when I set out, I learned that Caesar was so posted that I could not
reach Luceria with safety. I should have to go by the Lower Sea[61]
in the depth of winter and with no certain destination. Moreover am
I to take my brother, or leave him and take my son? But how? Either
course would cause me the greatest trouble and the greatest grief: and
how he will wreak his rage on me and my property in my absence! More
vindictively perhaps than in the case of others, because he will think
that vengeance on me will please the people. Consider too my fetters,
I mean my laurelled fasces. How awkward it will be to take them out of
Italy! Suppose I enjoy a calm passage, what place will be safe for me
till I join Pompey? I have no idea of how or where to go. But, if I
stand my ground and find a place on Caesar's side, I shall follow the
example of L. Philippus under the tyranny of Cinna, of L. Flaccus and
of Q. Mucius.[62] Though it ended unfortunately
[61] I.e. the sea on the west coast of Italy as opposed to _mare
superum_, the Adriatic.
[62] All these persons stayed in Rome during the Cinnan revolution.
Mucius was put to death by the younger Marius in 82 B.C.
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quidem cecidit; qui tamen ita dicere solebat, se id fore videre, quod
factum est, sed malle quam armatum ad patriae moenia accedere. Aliter
Thrasybulus et fortasse melius. Sed est certa quaedam illa Muci ratio
atque sententia, est illa etiam Philippi, et, cum sit necesse, servire
tempori et non amittere tempus, cum sit datum. Sed in hoc ipso habent
tamen idem fasces molestiam. Sit enim nobis amicus, quod incertum
est, sed sit; deferet triumphum. Non accipere vide ne periculosum
sit, accipere invidiosum ad bonos. "O rem," inquis, "difficilem et
inexplicabilem!" Atqui explicanda est. Quid enim fieri potest? Ac, ne
me existimaris ad manendum esse propensiorem, quod plura in eam partem
verba fecerim, potest fieri, quod fit in multis quaestionibus, ut res
verbosior haec fuerit, illa verior. Quam ob rem ut maxima de re aequo
animo deliberanti ita mihi des consilium velim. Navis et in Caieta est
parata nobis et Brundisi.
Sed ecce nuntii scribente me haec ipsa noctu in Caleno, ecce litterae
Caesarem ad Corfinium, Domitium Corfini cum firmo exercitu et pugnare
cupiente. Non puto etiam hoc Gnaeum nostrum commissurum, ut Domitium
relinquat; etsi Brundisium Scipionem cum cohortibus duabus praemiserat,
legionem Fausto conscriptam in Siciliam sibi placere a consule duci
scripserat ad consules. Sed turpe Domitium deserere erit implorantem
eius auxilium. Est quaedam spes mihi quidem non magna, sed in his locis
firma, Afranium in Pyrenaeo cum Trebonio pugnasse, pulsum Trebonium,
etiam Fabium tuum transisse cum
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Page 113
in the case of Q. Mucius, yet he was wont to say he foresaw the issue,
but preferred it to taking arms against his country. Thrasybulus took
the other and perhaps happier course. But Mucius' decision and views
were quite definite, and so were those of Philippus; that one might do
some time-serving, when it was necessary, but when one's time came, one
should not miss it. But, in that event, still my fasces are a nuisance.
I do not know if Caesar will be friendly; but suppose he is, he will
offer me a triumph. To refuse would damage my chances with Caesar, to
accept would annoy the loyalists. It is a hard and insoluble question;
and yet solve it I must. What else can I do? I have said most in favour
of staying in Italy: but do not infer that I have any particular
inclination towards so doing: it may be, as often happens, that there
are more words on one side and more worth on the other. Then please
give me your advice, counting me openminded on the important question.
There is a boat ready for me at Caieta and at Brundisium.
But, here are messengers arriving as I write this letter at night in
Cales; and here is a letter saying that Caesar has reached Corfinium
and that Domitius is there with a strong force anxious to fight. I do
not think that Pompey will go so far as to abandon Domitius, though he
sent Scipio ahead to Brundisium with two squadrons, and has informed
the consuls that he wants one of them to take the legion raised for
Faustus into Sicily. But it were base to desert Domitius, when he
entreats for help. There is some hope, small enough to my mind, but
favoured in this district, that Afranius has fought with Trebonius in
the Pyrenees and driven him back, and that your
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cohortibus, summa autem Afranium cum magnis copiis adventare. Id si
est, in Italia fortasse manebitur. Ego autem, cum esset incertum iter
Caesaris, quod vel ad Capuam vel ad Luceriam iturus putabatur, Leptam
misi ad Pompeium et litteras; ipse, ne quo inciderem, reverti Formias.
Haec te scire volui scripsique sedatiore animo, quam proxime
scripseram, nullum meum iudicium interponens, sed exquirens tuum.
IV
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano VIII K. Mart. ante lucem a. 705_]
Dionysius quidem tuus potius quam noster, cuius ego cum satis
cognossem mores, tuo tamen potius stabam iudicio quam meo, ne tui
quidem testimonii, quod ei saepe apud me dederas, veritus, superbum
se praebuit in fortuna, quam putavit nostram fore; cuius fortunae
nos, quantum humano consilio effici poterit, motum ratione quadam
gubernabimus. Cui qui noster honos, quod obsequium, quae etiam ad
ceteros contempti cuiusdam hominis commendatio defuit? ut meum iudicium
reprehendi a Quinto fratre volgoque ab omnibus mallem quam illum non
efferrem laudibus, Ciceronesque nostros meo potius labore subdoceri
quam me alium iis magistrum quaerere; ad quem ego quas litteras, dei
immortales, miseram, quantum honoris significantes, quantum amoris!
Dicaearchum mehercule aut Aristoxenum diceres arcessi, non unum hominem
omnium loquacissimum et minime aptum ad docendum. Sed est memoria bona.
Me dicet esse meliore. Quibus litteris ita respondit ut ego nemini,
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Page 115
friend Fabius too has gone over to Pompey with his squadrons: and high
hope, that Afranius is marching hither with large forces. If that is
true, we may stay in Italy. But since no one knows Caesar's route, as
he was supposed to be going towards Capua or Luceria, I am sending
Lepta to Pompey with a letter. Myself I return to Formiae for fear I
should stumble on anyone.
I wanted you to know the news, and I write with more composure than I
stated above. I advance no views of my own, but ask for yours.
IV
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 22_, B.C. _49_]
I count Dionysius your man rather than mine: for, though I was well
acquainted with his character, I held to your opinion of him rather
than to my own. The fellow has paid no respect even to your frequent
certificates of character, but has become arrogant in what he takes
for a fall in my fortune, though so far as human wit can avail, I will
steer my course onward with some skill. I never failed Dionysius in
respect or service, or in a good word for the despicable cad. Nay,
I preferred to have my opinion criticized by Quintus and people in
general rather than omit to praise the fellow; and, sooner than seek
another master for my boys, I took pains to give them private lessons
myself. Good God, what a letter I sent him: how full of respect and
affection! You would think that I was sending for Dicaearchus or
Aristoxenus and not for an arch-chatter-box useless as a teacher. He
has a good memory: he shall have reason to say that mine is better. He
answered the
* * * * *
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cuius causam non reciperem. Semper enim: "Si potero, si ante suscepta
causa non impediar." Numquam reo cuiquam tam humili, tam sordido, tam
nocenti, tam alieno tam praecise negavi, quam hic mihi plane sine ulla
exceptione praecidit. Nihil cognovi ingratius; in quo vitio nihil mali
non inest. Sed de hoc nimis multa.
Ego navem paravi. Tuas litteras tamen exspecto, ut sciam, quid
respondeant consultationi meae. Sulmone C. Atium Paelignum aperuisse
Antonio portas, cum essent cohortes quinque, Q. Lucretium inde
effugisse scis, Gnaeum ire Brundisium, desertum Domitium.[63] Confecta
res est.
[63] Domitium _is added by Lipsius_.
V
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano VII, ut videtur, K. Mart. a. 705_]
Cum ante lucem VIII Kal. litteras ad te de Dionysio dedissem, vesperi
ad nos eodem die venit ipse Dionysius, auctoritate tua permotus, ut
suspicor; quid enim putem aliud? Etsi solet eum, cum aliquid furiose
fecit, paenitere. Numquam autem cerritior fuit quam in hoc negotio.
Nam, quod ad te non scripseram, postea audivi a tertio miliario tum eum
isse
πολλὰ μάτην κεράεσσιν ἐς ἠέρα θυμήναντα,
multa, inquam, mala cum dixisset: suo capiti, ut aiunt. Sed en meam
mansuetudinem! Conieceram in fasciculum una cum tua vementem ad illum
epistulam. Hanc ad me referri volo nec ullam ob aliam
* * * * *
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letter in a tone I have never used even when I wished to decline a
case. I always say, "if possible," "if no previous engagement hinders
me." I have never given so curt a refusal as his curt unqualified "no"
to any client however humble, however mean, however guilty, however
much a stranger. It is the height of ingratitude, and ingratitude
includes all sins. But enough and more than enough of this.
I have a boat ready. Still I wait for a letter from you, that I may
know your answer to my problem. You know that at Sulmo C. Atius
Paelignus opened the gates to Antonius, though he had five squadrons,
that Q. Lucretius has escaped from the place, and that Pompey has gone
to Brundisium, deserting Domitius. We are done for.
V
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 23 (?)_, B.C. _49_]
After I sent you a letter before daybreak on the 22nd about Dionysius,
on the evening of the same day came Dionysius himself. I cannot but
think that it was by your influence, though he is wont to repent of his
fits of temper, and this is the maddest business he has had a hand in.
I did not tell you before, but I heard later, that, when he had got
three miles from Rome, he took fright,
"When he had vainly butted with his horns
The vacant air."[64]
[64] Author unknown.
I mean he cursed roundly. May his curses fall on his own head, as the
saying goes. But look at my good nature. I enclosed in your packet a
strong letter for him. I should be glad to have it returned; and
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causam Pollicem servum a pedibus meis Romam misi. Eo autem ad te
scripsi, ut, si tibi forte reddita esset, mihi curares referendam, ne
in illius manus perveniret.
Novi si quid esset, scripsissem. Pendeo animi exspectatione
Corfiniensi, in qua de salute rei publicae decernetur. Tu fasciculum,
qui est M'. Curio inscriptus, velim cures ad eum perferendum Tironemque
Curio commendes et, ut det ei, si quid opus erit in sumptum, roges.
VI
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano IX K. Mart., ut videtur, a. 705_]
Obsignata iam ista epistula, quam de nocte daturus eram, sicut dedi
(nam eam vesperi scripseram), C. Sosius praetor in Formianum venit ad
M'. Lepidum, vicinum nostrum, cuius quaestor fuit. Pompei litterarum ad
consules exemplum attulit:
"Litterae mihi a L. Domitio a. d. XIII Kalend. Mart. allatae sunt.
Earum exemplum infra scripsi. Nunc, ut ego non scribam, tua sponte
te intellegere scio, quanti rei publicae intersit omnes copias in
unum locum primo quoque tempore convenire. Tu, si tibi videbitur,
dabis operam, ut quam primum ad nos venias, praesidii Capuae quantum
constitueris satis esse, relinquas."
Deinde supposuit exemplum epistulae Domiti, quod ego ad te pridie
miseram. Di immortales, qui me horror perfudit! quam sum sollicitus,
quidnam futurum sit! Hoc tamen spero, magnum nomen imperatoris fore,
magnum in adventu terrorem. Spero etiam, quoniam adhuc nihil nobis
obfuit † nihil
* * * * *
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only for that reason have I sent my footman Pollux to Rome. So I write
to you that, if it has come into your hands, you may return it and not
let it fall into his possession.
I would write any fresh news, if there were any. I am a-tiptoe with
anxiety as to the business at Corfinium, which will decide the fate of
the constitution. Please send the packet addressed to M'. Curius, and
please recommend Tiro to Curius, and ask him to supply his wants.
VI
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 21 (?)_, B.C. _49_]
After I had sealed that letter to you, which I wanted to dispatch
last night (I wrote it in the evening and did dispatch it), C. Sosius
the praetor came to Formiae to visit my neighbour, M'. Lepidus, whose
quaestor he was. He brought a copy of Pompey's letter to the consuls:
"I have received a dispatch from L. Domitius, dated the 17th of
February. I enclose a copy. Now without a word from me, I know you
realize of your own accord how important it is for the State that all
our forces should concentrate at one spot at the earliest possible
date. If you agree, endeavour to reach me at once, leaving Capua such
garrison as you may consider necessary."
Then appended is a copy of Domitius' letter which I sent you yesterday.
My God, how terrified I was and how distracted I am as to the future!
I hope his nickname the Great will inspire great panic on his arrival.
I hope too, since nothing has stood in our way at present [except his
negligence, he is not
* * * * *
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mutasset neglegentia hoc quod cum fortiter et diligenter tum etiam
mehercule.†
Modo enim audivi quartanam a te discessisse. Moriar, si magis gauderem,
si id mihi accidisset. Piliae dic non esse aequum eam diutius habere
nec id esse vestrae concordiae. Tironem nostrum ab altera relictum
audio. Sed eum video in sumptum ab aliis mutuatum; ego autem Curium
nostrum, si quid opus esset, rogaram. Malo Tironis verecundiam in culpa
esse quam inliberalitatem Curi.
VII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano VII K. Mart., ut videtur, a. 705_]
Unum etiam restat amico nostro ad omne dedecus, ut Domitio non
subveniat. "At nemo dubitat, quin subsidio venturus sit." Ego non puto.
"Deseret igitur talem civem et eos, quos una scis esse, cum habeat
praesertim is ipse cohortes triginta?" Nisi me omnia fallunt, deseret.
Incredibiliter pertimuit, nihil spectat nisi fugam. Cui tu (video enim,
quid sentias) me comitem putas debere esse. Ego vero, quem fugiam,
habeo, quem sequar, non habeo. Quod enim tu meum laudas et memorandum
dicis, malle quod dixerim me cum Pompeio vinci quam cum istis vincere,
ego vero malo, sed cum illo Pompeio, qui tum erat, aut qui mihi esse
videbatur, cum hoc vero, qui ante fugit, quam scit, aut quem fugiat aut
quo, qui nostra tradidit, qui patriam reliquit, Italiam relinquit,
* * * * *
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neglecting a point which ought to be carried out vigorously].[65]
[65] The words in brackets only attempt to give the probable sense of
this hopelessly corrupt passage.
I have just heard that you have lost your fever. Upon my life I could
not be better pleased, if I had recovered myself. Tell Pilia that such
a perfect helpmeet should not be sick longer than her husband. I hear
that Tiro has recovered from his second attack: but I see he has been
raising money from strangers. I had commissioned Curius to supply him
with funds. I hope it is Tiro's diffidence and not Curius' meanness
that is to blame.
VII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 23 (?)_, B.C. _49_]
The one act needed to crown Pompey's disgrace is the desertion of
Domitius. I don't agree with the universal opinion that he is sure to
help him. "Will he desert so distinguished a citizen as Domitius and
those with him, even though he has thirty cohorts at his command?"
Unless I am greatly mistaken he will desert him. He is incredibly
alarmed, and has no thought but flight; and you want me to go with him;
for I see what you think. Yes, I have a foe to flee from, but no friend
to follow. As for your praise of that remark of mine, which you quote
and call so memorable, that I would rather be conquered with Pompey
than conquer with Caesar, well, I would: but it must be with Pompey
my old hero or ideal. As to the Pompey of to-day, who flees before he
knows from whom he is running or where to run; who has betrayed us,
abandoned his country and deserted
* * * * *
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si malui, contigit, victus sum. Quod superest, nec ista videre possum,
quae numquam timui ne viderem, nec mehercule istum, propter quem mihi
non modo meis, sed memet ipso carendum est.
Ad Philotimum scripsi de viatico sive a Moneta (nemo enim solvit) sive
ab Oppiis, tuis contubernalibus. Cetera apposita tibi mandabo.
VIII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano VI K. Mart. a. 705_]
O rem turpem et ea re miseram! Sic enim sentio, id demum aut potius id
solum esse miserum, quod turpe sit. Aluerat Caesarem; eundem repente
timere coeperat, condicionem pacis nullam probarat, nihil ad bellum
pararat, urbem reliquerat, Picenum amiserat culpa, in Apuliam se
compegerat, ibat in Graeciam, omnes nos ἀπροσφωνήτους, expertes sui
tanti, tam inusitati consilii relinquebat. Ecce subito litterae Domiti
ad illum, ipsius ad consules. Fulsisse mihi videbatur τὸ καλὸν ad
oculos eius et exclamasse ille vir, qui esse debuit:
Πρὸς ταῦθ' ὅ τι χρὴ καὶ παλαμάσθων
καὶ πάντ' ἐπ' ἐμοὶ τεκταινέσθων.
τὸ γὰρ εὖ μετ' ἐμοῦ.
* * * * *
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Italy,--well, if I wanted to be conquered with him, I have got my wish;
I am conquered. For the rest I cannot bear to look at Caesar's doings.
I never expected to see them, nor the man himself who robs me not only
of my friends, but of myself.
I have written to Philotimus about money for the journey--either
from the mint,[66] for none of my debtors will pay up, or from
your associates the bankers. I will give you all other requisite
instructions.
[66] The Roman Mint was at the Temple of Juno Moneta. Apparently money
could be obtained there by exchange for bullion.
VIII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 24_, B.C. _49_]
What disgrace, and therefore what misery! For I feel disgrace to be
the crown of misery, or indeed the only real misery. Pompey treated
Caesar as his _protégé_, began suddenly to fear him, declined terms of
peace, made no preparation for war, quitted Rome, lost Picenum by his
own fault, got himself blocked in Apulia, went off to Greece without a
word, leaving us in ignorance of a plan so important and unusual. Then
all of a sudden Domitius' letter to Pompey and Pompey's letter to the
consuls. It seemed to me that the Right had flashed upon his gaze, and
that he, the old heroic Pompey, cried:
"What subtle craft they will let them devise,
And work their wiliest in my despite.
The right is on my side."[67]
[67] A fragment of Euripides parodied by Aristophanes, _Acharnians_,
659-661.
* * * * *
Page 124
At ille tibi πολλὰ χαίρειν τᾷ καλᾷ dicens pergit Brundisium. Domitium
autem aiunt re audita et eos, qui una essent, se tradidisse. O rem
lugubrem! Itaque intercludor dolore, quo minus ad te plura scribam.
Tuas litteras exspecto.
IX
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano V K. Mart. a. 705_]
Epistulam meam quod pervulgatam scribis esse, non fero moleste,
quin etiam ipse multis dedi describendam. Ea enim et acciderunt iam
et impendent, ut testatum esse velim, de pace quid senserim. Cum
autem ad eam hortarer eum praesertim hominem, non videbar ullo modo
facilius moturus, quam si id, quod eum hortarer, convenire eius
sapientiae dicerem. Eam si "admirabilem" dixi, cum eum ad salutem
patriae hortabar, non sum veritus, ne viderer adsentari, cui tali in
re lubenter me ad pedes abiecissem. Quod autem est "aliquid inpertias
temporis," non est, de pace, sed de me ipso et de meo officio ut
aliquid cogitet. Nam, quod testificor me expertem belli fuisse, etsi id
re perspectum est, tamen eo scripsi, quo in suadendo plus auctoritatis
haberem; eodemque pertinet, quod causam eius probo.
Sed quid haec nunc? Utinam aliquid profectum esset! Ne ego istas
litteras in contione recitari velim, si quidem ille ipse ad eundem
scribens in publico proposuit epistulam illam, in qua est "pro tuis
rebus gestis amplissimis" (amplioribusne quam suis,
* * * * *
Page 125
However Pompey bids a long farewell to honour and away for Brundisium.
They say that Domitius and those with him surrendered on receipt of the
news. What a doleful business! Grief prevents me writing more. I await
a letter from you.
IX
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 25_, B.C. _49_.]
I am not upset at the circulation of my letter, indeed I myself let
many people take a copy. Considering what has happened and is likely to
happen, I want my views on peace published. And when I exhorted Caesar
of all men to seek peace, I had no readier argument than to say, that
peace became a man of his wisdom. If I spoke of his "admirable" wisdom,
seeing that I was urging him on to the salvation of our country, I was
not afraid of appearing to flatter him: in such a cause I would gladly
have cast myself at his feet. When I use the phrase "spare time," that
does not mean for the consideration of peace, but for the consideration
of myself and my obligations. As to my statement that I have taken no
part in the war, though the facts are evidence, I wrote it to give
greater weight to my advice and it was for the same reason that I
expressed approbation of his case.
But this is idle talk now: I only wish it had done some good. Why, I
should not object to the recital of my letter at a public meeting,
when Pompey himself, writing to Caesar, exhibited for public perusal a
letter containing the words "On account of your splendid achievements,"
(are they more splendid
* * * * *
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quam Africani? Ita tempus ferebat), si quidem etiam vos duo tales ad
quintum miliarium quid nunc ipsum de se recipienti, quid agenti, quid
acturo? Quanto autem ferocius ille causae suae confidet, cum vos,
cum vestri similes non modo frequentes, sed laeto vultu gratulantes
viderit! "Num igitur peccamus?" Minime vos quidem; sed tamen signa
conturbantur, quibus voluntas a simulatione distingui posset. Quae vero
senatus consulta video? Sed apertius, quam proposueram.
Ego Arpini volo esse pridie Kal., deinde circum villulas nostras
errare, quas visurum me postea desperavi. Εὐγενῆ tua consilia et tamen
pro temporibus non incauta mihi valde probantur. Lepido quidem (nam
fere συνδιημερεύομεν, quod gratissimum illi est) numquam placuit ex
Italia exire, Tullo multo minus. Crebro enim illius litterae ab aliis
ad nos commeant. Sed me illorum sententiae minus movebant; minus
multa dederant illi rei publicae pignora. Tua mehercule auctoritas
vehementer movet; adfert enim et reliqui temporis recuperandi rationem
et praesentis tuendi. Sed, obsecro te, quid hoc miserius quam alterum
plausus in foedissima causa quaerere, alterum offensiones in optima?
alterum existimari conservatorem inimicorum, alterum desertorem
amicorum? Et mehercule, quamvis amemus Gnaeum nostrum, ut et facimus
et debemus, tamen hoc, quod talibus viris non subvenit, laudare non
possum. Nam, sive
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Page 127
than Pompey's own, or those of Africanus? Circumstances made him say
so.) and when two men like you and S. Peducaeus are going to meet him
at the fifth milestone,--and at this moment to what course does he
pledge himself, what is he doing, what is he going to do? Surely his
belief in his rights will grow more vehement, when he sees you and
men like you not only in crowds, but with joy upon your faces. "What
harm in that," you ask? Not a bit, as far as you are concerned: but
still the outward signs of the distinction between genuine feeling and
pretence are all upset. I foresee some strange decrees of the Senate.
But my letter has been more frank than I intended.
I hope to be at Arpinum on the 28th, and then to visit my country
estates, I fear for the last time. Your policy, gentlemanly, but
not without a touch of caution suited to the times, has my sincere
approval. Lepidus, who has the pleasure of my company almost every day,
never liked the plan of quitting Italy: Tullus detested it: for letters
from him often reach me from other hands. However their views influence
me little: they have given fewer pledges to the state than I: but I am
strongly swayed by the weight of your opinion, which proposes a plan
for betterment in the future and security in the present. Is there a
more wretched spectacle than that of Caesar earning praise in the most
disgusting cause, and of Pompey earning blame in the most excellent:
of Caesar being regarded as the saviour of his enemies, and Pompey
as a traitor to his friends? Assuredly though I love Pompey, from
inclination and duty, still I cannot praise his failure to succour such
men. If it was fear,
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Page 128
timuit, quid ignavius? sive, ut quidam putant, meliorem suam causam
illorum caede fore putavit, quid iniustius? Sed haec omittamus; augemus
enim dolorem retractando.
VI Kal. vesperi Balbus minor ad me venit occulta via currens ad
Lentulum consulem missu Caesaris cum litteris, cum mandatis, cum
promissione provinciae, Romam ut redeat. Cui persuaderi posse non
arbitror, nisi erit conventus. Idem aiebat nihil malle Caesarem, quam
ut Pompeium adsequeretur (id credo) et rediret in gratiam. Id non credo
et metuo, ne omnis haec clementia ad Cinneam[68] illam crudelitatem
colligatur. Balbus quidem maior ad me scribit nihil malle Caesarem quam
principe Pompeio sine metu vivere. Tu, puto, haec credis. Sed, cum haec
scribebam V Kalend., Pompeius iam Brundisium venisse poterat; expeditus
enim antecesserat legiones XI K. Luceria. Sed hoc τέρας horribili
vigilantia, celeritate, diligentia est. Plane, quid futurum sit, nescio.
[68] Cinneam _Tyrrell and Purser_: unam _MSS._: Sullanam _Orelli_.
X
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano IV K. Mart. a. 705_]
Dionysius cum ad me praeter opinionem meam venisset, locutus sum cum
eo liberalissime; tempora exposui, rogavi, ut diceret, quid haberet in
animo; me nihil ab ipso invito contendere. Respondit se, quod in nummis
haberet, nescire quo loci esset; alios non solvere, aliorum diem nondum
esse. Dixit etiam alia quaedam de servulis suis, quare nobiscum
* * * * *
Page 129
it was most cowardly; if, as some think, he imagined that their
massacre would assist his cause, it was most iniquitous. But let us
pass over this, for remembrance adds to my sorrow.
On the evening of the 24th, Balbus the younger came to me, hurrying on
a secret errand to the consul Lentulus from Caesar with a letter, a
commission, and the promise of a province on condition of his returning
to Rome. I don't think that he can be talked over without a personal
interview. Balbus said that Caesar was most anxious to meet Pompey (I
believe it), and to get on good terms with him. This I do not believe
and I fear all his kindness is only a preparation for cruelty like
Cinna's. Balbus the elder writes to me that Caesar wants nothing better
than to live in safety under Pompey. I expect you will believe that.
But while I write this letter on the 25th of February, Pompey may have
reached Brundisium. He set out without baggage, and before his legions,
on the 19th from Luceria. But that bogy-man has terrible wariness,
speed and energy. The future is a riddle to me.
X
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 26_, B.C. _49_]
I spoke to Dionysius in the frankest way, when contrary to my
expectations he arrived. I told him how matters stood; asked him his
intentions, and said that I would not press him against his will. He
replied that he did not know where such money as he owned was: that
some creditors did not pay, that other debts were not yet due. He said
something about his wretched slaves that would prevent his
* * * * *
Page 130
esse non posset. Morem gessi; dimisi a me ut magistrum Ciceronum non
lubenter, ut hominem ingratum non invitus. Volui te scire, et quid ego
de eius facto iudicarem.
XI
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano III K. Mart. a. 705_]
Quod me magno animi motu perturbatum putas, sum equidem, sed non tam
magno, quam tibi fortasse videor. Levatur enim omnis cura, cum aut
constitit consilium, aut cogitando nihil explicatur. Lamentari autem
licet illud quidem totos dies; sed vereor, ne, nihil cum proficiam,
etiam dedecori sim studiis ac litteris nostris. Consumo igitur omne
tempus considerans, quanta vis sit illius viri, quem nostris libris
satis diligenter, ut tibi quidem videmur, expressimus. Tenesne igitur
moderatorem illum rei publicae quo referre velimus omnia? Nam sic
quinto, ut opinor, in libro loquitur Scipio: "Ut enim gubernatori
cursus secundus, medico salus, imperatori victoria, sic huic moderatori
rei publicae beata civium vita proposita est, ut opibus firma, copiis
locuples, gloria ampla, virtute honesta sit. Huius enim operis maximi
inter homines atque optimi illum esse perfectorem volo." Hoc Gnaeus
noster cum antea numquam tum in hac causa minime cogitavit. Dominatio
quaesita ab utroque est, non id actum, beata et honesta civitas ut
esset. Nec vero ille urbem reliquit, quod eam tueri non posset, nec
Italiam, quod ea pelleretur, sed hoc a primo cogitavit, omnes terras,
omnia maria movere, reges barbaros incitare, gentes feras armatas in
Italiam
* * * * *
Page 131
staying with me. I acquiesced, sorry to lose a master for my boys;
but glad to be rid of an ungrateful fellow. I wanted you to know what
happened and my opinion of his conduct.
XI
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 27_, B.C. _49_]
As you suppose, I am in great anxiety of mind: but it is not so great
as you may imagine. I am rid of care, as soon as resolve is fixed
or thought proves futile. Still I may lament my lot as I do all day
long. But I fear, since lamentation is idle, I disgrace my philosophy
and my works. So I spend my time considering the character of the
ideal statesman, who is sketched clearly enough, you seem to think,
in my books on the Republic. You remember then the standard by which
our ideal governor was to weigh his acts. Here are Scipio's words,
in the 5th book, I think it is: "As a safe voyage is the aim of the
pilot, health of the physician, victory of the general, so the ideal
statesman will aim at happiness for the citizens of the state to give
them material security, copious wealth, wide-reaching distinction
and untarnished honour. This, the greatest and finest of human
achievements, I want him to perform." Pompey never had this notion
and least of all in the present cause. Absolute power is what he and
Caesar have sought; their aim has not been to secure the happiness and
honour of the community. Pompey has not abandoned Rome, because it was
impossible to defend, nor Italy on forced compulsion; but it was his
idea from the first to plunge the world into war, to stir up barbarous
princes, to bring savage tribes into
* * * * *
Page 132
adducere, exercitus conficere maximos. Genus illud Sullani regni iam
pridem appetitur multis, qui una sunt, cupientibus. An censes nihil
inter eos convenire, nullam pactionem fieri potuisse? Hodie potest. Sed
neutri σκοπὸς est ille, ut nos beati simus; uterque regnare vult.
Haec a te invitatus breviter exposui. Voluisti enim me, quid, de his
mails sentirem, ostendere. Προθεσπίζω igitur, noster Attice, non
hariolans ut illa, cui nemo credidit, sed coniectura prospiciens:
"Iamque mari magno--"
non multo, inquam, secus possum vaticinari. Tanta malorum impendet
Ἰλιάς. Atque hoc nostra gravior est causa, qui domi sumus, quam
illorum, qui una transierunt, quod illi quidem alterum metuunt, nos
utrumque. "Cur igitur," inquis, "remansimus?" Vel tibi paruimus vel non
occurrimus, vel hoc fuit rectius. Conculcari, inquam, miseram Italiam
videbis proxima aestate aut utriusque in mancipiis ex omni genere
collectis, nec tam proscriptio pertimescenda, quae Luceriae multis
sermonibus denuntiata esse dicitur, quam universae rei p. interitus.
Tantas in confligendo utriusque vires video futuras. Habes coniecturam
meam. Tu autem consolationis fortasse aliquid exspectasti. Nihil
invenio, nihil fieri potest miserius, nihil perditius, nihil foedius.
Quod quaeris, quid Caesar ad me scripserit, quod saepe, gratissimum
sibi esse, quod quierim, oratque, in eo ut perseverem. Balbus minor
haec eadem mandata. Iter autem eius erat ad Lentulum consulem cum
litteris Caesaris praemiorumque promissis, si
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Italy under arms, and to gather a huge army. A sort of Sulla's reign
has long been his object, and is the desire of many of his companions.
Or do you think that no agreement, no compromise between him and Caesar
was possible? Why, it is possible to-day: but neither of them looks to
our happiness. Both want to be kings.
[Sidenote: Ennius, _Alexander_.]
At your request I have given an outline of my views; for you wanted an
expression of my opinion on these troubles. So I play the prophet, my
dear Atticus, not at random like Cassandra whom no one believed, but
with imaginative insight. "Now on the great sea" my prophecy runs like
the old tag: such an Iliad of woe hangs over us. The case of us, who
stay at home, is worse than that of those who have gone with Pompey,
for they have only one to fear, while we have both. You ask then, why
I stay. Well, in compliance with your request, or because I could not
meet Pompey on his departure, or because it was the more honourable
course. I say you will see poor Italy trodden down next summer or in
the hands of their slaves drawn from every quarter of the globe. It
will not be a proscription (in spite of the talk and threats we hear
of at Luceria) which we shall have to dread, but general destruction.
So huge are the forces that will join in the struggle. That is my
prophecy. Perhaps you looked for consolation. I see none: we have
reached the limit of misery, ruin and disgrace.
You inquire what Caesar said in his letter. The usual thing, that my
inaction pleases him, and he begs me to maintain it. Balbus the younger
brought the same message by word of mouth. Balbus was travelling to
Lentulus the consul with letters from Caesar, and
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Romam revertisset. Verum, cum habeo rationem dierum, ante puto
tramissurum, quam potuerit conveniri.
Epistularum Pompei duarum, quas ad me misit, neglegentiam meamque in
rescribendo diligentiam volui tibi notam esse. Earum exempla ad te misi.
Caesaris hic per Apuliam ad Brundisium cursus quid efficiat, exspecto.
Utinam aliquid simile Parthicis rebus! Simul aliquid audiero, scribam
ad te. Tu ad me velim bonorum sermones. Romae frequentes esse dicuntur.
Scio equidem te in publicum non prodire, sed tamen audire te multa
necesse est. Memini librum tibi adferri a Demetrio Magnete ad te missum
[scio][69] περὶ ὁμονοίας. Eum mihi velim mittas. Vides, quam causam
mediter.
[69] scio _deleted by Wesenberg_.
XIa
CN. MAGNUS PROCOS. S. D. M. CICERONI IMP.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Luceriae IV Id. Febr. a. 705_]
Q. Fabius ad me venit a. d. IIII Idus Febr. Is nuntiat L. Domitium cum
suis cohortibus XII et cum cohortibus XIIII, quas Vibullius adduxit,
ad me iter habere; habuisse in animo proficisci Corfinio a. d. V Idus
Febr.; C. Hirrum cum V cohortibus subsequi. Censeo, ad nos Luceriam
venias. Nam te hic tutissime puto fore.
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promises of reward, if he would go back to Rome. Reckoning the days,
however, I fancy Lepidus will cross the sea, before Balbus can meet him.
I send copies of Pompey's two dispatches to me. Please note his
careless style and my careful answer.
I am waiting to see the result of this dash of Caesar's on Brundisium
through Apulia. I should like a repetition of the Parthian
incident.[70] As soon as I get any news, I will write. Please send me
the talk of the loyalists who are said to be numerous at Rome. I know
you do not go out, but talk must reach your ears. I remember a book
being given to you by Demetrius of Magnesia. It was dedicated to you,
and bore the title _On Concord_. I should be glad if you would let me
have it. You see the part I am studying.
[70] I.e. a sudden retreat. Cf. VI, 6.
XIa
THE GREETINGS OF CN. MAGNUS PROCONSUL TO CICERO THE IMPERATOR.
[Sidenote: _Luceria, Feb. 10_, B.C. _49_]
Q. Fabius came to me on the 10th of February. He announces that L.
Domitius with his twelve cohorts and fourteen cohorts brought by
Vibullius is on the march towards me; that he intended to leave
Corfinium on the 9th of February and that C. Hirrus with five cohorts
follows behind. I think you should come to me at Luceria, for here I
imagine will be your safest refuge.
* * * * *
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XIb
M. CICERO IMP. S. D. CN. MAGNO PROCOS.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Formiis XIV K. Mart. a. 705_]
A. d. XV Kalend. Martias Formiis accepi tuas litteras; ex quibus ea,
quae in agro Piceno gesta erant, cognovi commodiora esse multo, quam ut
erat nobis nuntiatum, Vibullique virtutem industriamque libenter agnovi.
Nos adhuc in ea ora, ubi praepositi sumus, ita fuimus, ut navem
paratam haberemus. Ea enim audiebamus et ea verebamur, ut, quodcumque
tu consilium cepisses, id nobis persequendum putaremus. Nunc, quoniam
auctoritate et consilio tuo in spe firmiore sumus, si teneri posse
putas Tarracinam et oram maritimam, in ea manebo, etsi praesidia in
oppidis nulla sunt. Nemo enim nostri ordinis in his locis est praeter
M. Eppium, quem ego Menturnis esse volui, vigilantem hominem et
industrium. Nam L. Torquatum, virum fortem et cum auctoritate, Formiis
non habemus, ad te profectum arbitramur.
Ego omnino, ut proxime tibi placuerat, Capuam veni eo ipso die, quo
tu Teano Sidicino es profectus. Volueras enim me cum M. Considio pro
praetore illa negotia tueri. Cum eo venissem, vidi T. Ampium dilectum
habere diligentissime, ab eo accipere Libonem, summa item diligentia
et in illa colonia auctoritate. Fui Capuae, quoad consules. Iterum, ut
erat edictum a consulibus, veni Capuam ad Nonas Februar. Cum fuissem
triduum, recepi me Formias.
* * * * *
Page 137
XIb
M. CICERO IMPERATOR GREETINGS TO CN. MAGNUS PROCONSUL.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, Feb. 16_, B.C. _49_]
On the 15th of February I got your letter at Formiae. I gather that
matters in Picenum were much more satisfactory than I had heard, and am
glad to learn of the bravery and energy of Vibullius.
So far I have stayed on this coast where I was given the command, but
I have kept a boat ready. For the news and my fears were such that I
felt I must follow any plan you should make. But now your influence
and your policy have encouraged me, I will stay in the coast districts
and Tarracina, if you think that the district can be held. The towns,
however, are without garrison, for there is no member of the Senate in
the district except M. Eppius, a man of foresight and energy, whom I
desired to stay at Menturnae. The gallant and influential L. Torquatus
is not at Formiae, but I fancy has set out to join you.
In entire accord with your latest instructions, I went to Capua on the
very day you left Teanum Sidicinum. For you had desired me to take
part with M. Considius the propraetor in looking after things there.
On arrival I found that T. Ampius was holding a levy with the greatest
energy, and that the troops raised were being taken over by Libo, a
local man of energy and influence. I stayed at Capua as long as the
consuls. Once again in accordance with instructions from the consuls
I went to Capua for the 5th of February. After a stay of three days I
returned to Formiae.
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Nunc quod tuum consilium aut quae ratio belli sit, ignoro. Si tenendam
hanc oram putas, quae et oportunitatem et dignitatem habet et egregios
cives, et, ut arbitror, teneri potest, opus est esse, qui praesit; sin
omnia in unum locum contrahenda sunt, non dubito, quin ad te statim
veniam, quo mihi nihil optatius est, idque tecum, quo die ab urbe
discessimus, locutus sum. Ego, si cui adhuc videor segnior fuisse, dum
ne tibi videar, non laboro, et tamen, si, ut video, bellum gerendum
est, confido me omnibus facile satis facturum. M. Tullium, meum
necessarium, ad te misi, cui tu, si tibi videretur, ad me litteras
dares.
XIc
CN. MAGNUS PROCOS. S. D. M. CICERONI IMP.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Canusi X K. Mart. a. 705_]
S. V. B. Tuas litteras libenter legi. Recognovi enim tuam pristinam
virtutem etiam in salute communi. Consules ad eum exercitum, quem
in Apulia habui, venerunt. Magno opere te hortor pro tuo singulari
perpetuoque studio in rem publicam, ut te ad nos conferas, ut communi
consilio rei publicae adflictae opem atque auxilium feramus. Censeo,
via Appia iter facias et celeriter Brundisium venias.
XId
M. CICERO IMP. S. D. CN. MAGNO PROCOS.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Formiis III K. Mart. a. 705_]
Cum ad te litteras misissem, quae tibi Canusi redditae sunt,
suspicionem nullam habebam te rei publicae
* * * * *
Page 139
At the present moment I do not know what are your ideas and plan of
campaign. If you think that this coast should be held--and Capua has
a good position and is an important town, not to speak of its loyal
inhabitants, and to my mind tenable--a commander is wanted. If your
plan is concentration, I will come to you at once without hesitation.
Nothing would delight me more, and I told you so on the day of our
departure from Rome. I do not trouble about criticisms of inactivity
from anyone but yourself. If, as I foresee, war is inevitable, I feel I
can easily satisfy every criticism. I have sent my relative M. Tullius
in case you may wish to send a reply.
XIc
CN. MAGNUS PROCONSUL SENDS GREETINGS TO CICERO IMPERATOR.
[Sidenote: _Canusium, Febr. 20_, B.C. _49_]
I hope you are well. I was glad to read your letter, for once again I
recognized your tried courage in the interests of public safety. The
consuls have joined my army in Apulia. I beg you earnestly in the name
of your exceptional and continued zeal for the state to join me as
well, so that we may plan together to benefit and assist the state in
her sore straits. I hold that you should travel by the Appian road and
come with speed to Brundisium.
XId
M. CICERO IMPERATOR SENDS GREETINGS TO CN. MAGNUS, PROCONSUL.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, Febr. 27_, B.C. _49_]
When I sent you the letter which was delivered to you at Canusium, I
had no idea that the state's
* * * * *
Page 140
causa mare transiturum eramque in spe magna fore ut in Italia possemus
aut concordiam constituere qua mihi nihil utilius videbatur, aut rem
publicam summa cum dignitate defendere. Interim nondum meis litteris
ad te perlatis ex iis mandatis, quae D. Laelio ad consules dederas,
certior tui consilii factus non exspectavi, dum mihi a te litterae
redderentur, confestimque cum Quinto fratre et cum liberis nostris
iter ad te in Apuliam facere coepi. Cum Teanum Sidicinum venissem,
C. Messius, familiaris tuus, mihi dixit aliique complures Caesarem
iter habere Capuam et eo ipso die mansurum esse Aeserniae, Sane sum
commotus, quod, si ita esset, non modo iter meum interclusum, sed
me ipsum plane exceptum putabam. Itaque tum Cales processi, ut ibi
potissimum consisterem, dum certum nobis ab Aesernia de eo, quod
audieram, referretur.
At mihi, cum Calibus essem, adfertur litterarum tuarum exemplum, quas
tu ad Lentulum consulem misisses. Hae scriptae sic erant, litteras tibi
a L. Domitio a. d. XIII Kal. Martias allatas esse (earumque exemplum
subscripseras); magnique interesse rei publicae scripseras omnes copias
primo quoque tempore in unum locum convenire, et ut, praesidio quod
satis esset, Capuae relinqueret. His ego litteris lectis in eadem
opinione fui qua reliqui omnes, te cum omnibus copiis ad Corfinium esse
venturum; quo mihi, cum Caesar ad oppidum castra haberet, tutum iter
esse non abritrabar.
Cum res in summa exspectatione esset, utrumque simul audivimus, et quae
Corfini acta essent, et te iter Brundisium facere coepisse; cumque nec
mihi nec fratri meo dubium esset, quin Brundisium contenderemus,
* * * * *
Page 141
welfare would drive you to flight across the seas, and I had great
hopes that it might be in Italy we should either conclude peace
(the wisest course to my mind) or fight for the state with honour
untarnished. My letter cannot have reached you yet, but from the
message which you entrusted to D. Laelius for the consuls I learnt of
your plans. I did not wait for a reply to my letter, but forthwith
set out along with my brother Quintus and the children to join you in
Apulia. On arrival at Teanum Sidicinum I was told by your friend C.
Messius, and many other people, that Caesar was on his way to Capua,
and would bivouac that very day at Aesernia. I was really startled,
as it occurred to me, that, if that was so, my road was closed, and I
myself was quite captured. So I went to Cales, choosing that particular
place to stay at, till I should get certain news from Aesernia as to
the rumour I had heard.
At Cales I received a copy of your letter to Lentulus the consul.
Its purport was that you had got a letter (of which you subjoined a
copy) from L. Domitius on the 17th of February, and you considered it
of the greatest public importance to concentrate your forces on the
earliest possible occasion, and that a sufficient garrison should be
left at Capua. On the perusal of this dispatch I agreed with others in
supposing that you would come in full force to Corfinium. As Caesar was
encamped against the town, I considered the road thither was not safe
for me.
Anxiously awaiting news, I heard two reports at the same time: news
of the affair of Corfinium, and that you were coming to Brundisium.
Neither I nor my brother had any hesitation about starting for
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Page 142
a multis, qui e Samnio Apuliaque veniebant, admoniti sumus, ut
caveremus, ne exciperemur a Caesare, quod is in eadem loca, quae
nos petebamus, profectus celerius etiam, quam nos possemus, eo, quo
intenderet, venturus esset. Quod cum ita esset, nec mihi nec fratri meo
nec cuiquam amicorum placuit committere, ut temeritas nostra non solum
nobis, sed etiam rei publicae noceret, cum praesertim non dubitaremus,
quin, si etiam tutum nobis iter fuisset, te tamen iam consequi non
possemus.
Interim accepimus tuas litteras Canusio a. d. X K. Martias datas,
quibus nos hortaris, ut celerius Brundisium veniamus. Quas cum
accepissemus a. d. III K. Martias, non dubitabamus, quin tu iam
Brundisium pervenisses, nobisque iter illud omnino interclusum
videbamus neque minus nos esse captos, quam qui Corfini fuissent. Neque
enim eos solos arbitrabamur capi, qui in armatorum manus incidissent,
sed ecs nihilo minus, qui regionibus exclusi intra praesidia atque
intra arma aliena venissent.
Quod cum ita sit, maxime vellem primum semper tecum fuissem; quod
quidem tibi ostenderam, cum a me Capuam reiciebam. Quod feci non
vitandi oneris causa, sed quod videbam teneri illam urbem sine exercitu
non posse, accidere autem mihi nolebam, quod doleo viris fortissimis
accidisse. Quoniam autem, tecum ut essem, non contigit, utinam tui
consilii certior factus essem! Nam suspicione adsequi non potui, quod
omnia prius arbitratus sum fore, quam ut haec rei publicae causa in
Italia non posset duce te consistere. Neque vero nunc consilium tuum
reprehendo, sed fortunam rei publicae lugeo nec, si
* * * * *
Page 143
Brundisium, when many travellers from Samnium and Apulia warned us to
beware of capture, because Caesar had set out for the same destination,
and was likely to reach there quicker than ourselves. Under those
circumstances, I, my brother and our friends were reluctant to allow
any rashness of ours to damage the state as well as ourselves.
Moreover, we were sure that, even if our path were clear, we could not
overtake you.
Meanwhile I got a letter from you dated at Canusium, of the 20th of
February, in which you urged me to hasten to Brundisium. Receiving this
on the 27th, I felt confident you must have arrived at Brundisium,
and I saw that our road was quite cut off and we were as completely
captured as the people at Corfinium, for I do not only consider
captured those who fall into the hands of armed bands, but equally
those who, being shut off from a district, find themselves hedged
between a garrison and an enemy in the field.
This being so, my first and chiefest wish is that I had stayed with you
all the time. I showed you as much when I gave up command at Capua. I
did so, not to shirk my duty, but because I saw that the city could not
be held without troops, and I was reluctant to suffer the fate which I
am sorry to hear has befallen some very brave men. Since, however, I
have not had the fortune to be with you, would that I were acquainted
with your plans, for I cannot imagine them, having hitherto thought
that the last thing to happen would be that the national cause would
not hold its own in Italy under your leadership. I do not criticize
your plan, but I bewail the misfortunes of the state. If I cannot guess
your
* * * * *
Page 144
ego, quid tu sis secutus, non perspicio, idcirco minus existimo te
nihil nisi summa ratione fecisse.
Mea quae semper fuerit sententia primum de pace vel iniqua condicione
retinenda, deinde de urbe (nam de Italia quidem nihil mihi umquam
ostenderas), meminisse te arbitror. Sed mihi non sumo, ut meum
consilium valere debuerit; secutus sum tuum neque id rei publicae
causa, de qua desperavi, quae et nunc adflicta est nec excitari sine
civili perniciosissimo bello potest, sed te quaerebam, tecum esse
cupiebam neque eius rei facultatem, si quae erit, praetermittam.
Ego me in hac omni causa facile intellegebam pugnandi cupidis hominibus
non satis facere. Primum enim prae me tuli me nihil malle quam pacem,
non quin eadem timerem quae illi, sed ea bello civili leviora ducebam.
Deinde suscepto bello, cum pacis condiciones ad te adferri a teque
ad eas honorifice et large responderi viderem, duxi meam rationem;
quam tibi facile me probaturum pro tuo in me beneficio arbitrabar.
Memineram me esse unum, qui pro meis maximis in rem publicam meritis
supplicia miserrima et crudelissima pertulissem, me esse unum, qui, si
offendissem eius animum, cui tum, cum iam in armis essemus, consulatus
tamen alter et triumphus amplissimus deferebatur, subicerer eisdem
proeliis, ut mea persona semper ad improborum civium impetus aliquid
videretur habere populare. Atque haec non ego prius sum suspicatus,
quam mihi palam denuntiata sunt, neque ea tam pertimui, si subeunda
essent, quam declinanda putavi, si honeste vitare possem. Quam brevem
illius temporis, dum in spe pax fuit,
* * * * *
Page 145
policy, I still suppose that you have done nothing without cogent
reasons.
I think you remember that my vote has always been for peace, even on
poor terms, and secondly for holding the city. As to Italy you gave
me no inkling. I do not claim that my policy should have prevailed.
I followed yours, not indeed for the sake of the state, of which I
despaired and which even now lies in ruin and cannot be restored
without a most calamitous civil war, but I wanted you, I longed to be
with you, nor will I omit any opportunity that may occur of attaining
my wish.
In the whole of this crisis I was well aware that my policy of peace
did not please the advocates of war. In the first place I professed to
prefer peace above all things, not because I had not the same fears
as they had, but because I counted those fears of less moment than
intestine war. Then indeed, after war had begun, when I saw terms of
peace offered to you, and met by you in an honourable and generous way,
I began to consider what my own interests were. That line of conduct I
suppose your kindness will easily excuse. I remembered that I was the
one man of all others who had suffered most cruel misery and punishment
for the greatest services to the state; that I was the one man who, if
I had offended Caesar (Caesar to whom was offered even on the eve of
battle a second consulship and a princely triumph), would be subjected
to the same struggle as before; for a personal attack on me seems to be
always popular with the disloyal. This idea only came to me after open
threats. It was not persecution I feared, if it were inevitable, but I
thought I should seek any escape that honour could allow. There is an
outline
* * * * *
Page 146
rationem nostram vides, reliqui facultatem res ademit. Iis autem,
quibus non satis facio, facile respondeo. Neque enim ego amicior C.
Caesari umquam fui quam illi neque illi amiciores rei publicae quam
ego. Hoc inter me et illos interest, quod, cum et illi cives optimi
sint, et ego ab ista laude non absim, ego condicionibus, quod idem te
intellexeram velle, illi armis disceptari maluerunt. Quae quoniam ratio
vicit, perficiam profecto, ut neque res publica civis a me animum neque
tu amici desideres.
XII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Formiis prid. K. Mart. a. 705_]
Mihi molestior lippitudo erat etiam, quam ante fuerat. Dictare tamen
hanc epistulam malui quam Gallo Fadio amantissimo utriusque nostrum
nihil ad te litterarum dare. Nam pridie quidem, quoquo modo potueram,
scripseram ipse eas litteras, quarum vaticinationem falsam esse cupio.
Huius autem epistulae non solum ea causa est, ut ne quis a me dies
intermittatur, quin dem ad te litteras, sed etiam haec iustior, ut a te
impetrarem, ut sumeres aliquid temporis, quo quia tibi perexiguo opus
est, explicari mihi tuum consilium plane volo, ut penitus intellegam.
Omnia sunt integra nobis; nihil praetermissum est, quod non habeat
sapientem excusationem, non modo probabilem. Nam certe neque tum
peccavi, cum
* * * * *
Page 147
of my policy while there was hope of peace; its fulfilment was cut
short by circumstances. I have an easy reply to my critics. I have
never been more friendly to Caesar than they, and they are not more
friendly to the state than I. The difference between them and me is
this: they are loyal citizens, and I too deserve the title, but I
wanted settlement on terms which I understood you also desired, and
they wanted settlement by arms. Since their policy has won, I will do
my best that the state may not find me fail in the duties of a citizen,
nor you in the duties of a friend.
XII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, Febr. 28_, B.C. _49_]
I am even more troubled by inflammation of the eyes than I was before.
Still I prefer to dictate this letter, rather than let Gallus Fadius,
who has a sincere regard for us both, have no letter to give you.
Yesterday I wrote myself to the best of my ability a letter containing
prognostications, which I hope may prove false. One excuse for the
present missive is my desire to let no day pass without communicating
with you, but there is a still more reasonable excuse, to beg you to
devote a little time to my case, and, as it will be a short business,
I hope you will explain your view thoroughly and make it quite
intelligible to me.
I have not committed myself at all. There has been no omission on my
part for which I cannot give not merely a plausible but a reasonable
excuse. Assuredly I was not guilty of any fault, when, to avoid
* * * * *
Page 148
imparatam Capuam non solum ignaviae dedecus, sed etiam perfidiae
suspicionem fugiens accipere nolui, neque cum post condiciones pacis
per L. Caesarem et L. Fabatum allatas cavi, ne animum eius offenderem,
cui Pompeius iam armatus armato consulatum triumphumque deferret. Nec
vero haec extrema quisquam potest iure reprehendere, quod mare non
transierim. Id enim, etsi erat deliberationis, tamen obire non potui.
Neque enim suspicari debui, praesertim cum ex ipsius Pompei litteris,
idem quod video te existimasse, non dubitarim, quin is Domitio
subventurus esset, et plane, quid rectum et quid faciendum mihi esset,
diutius cogitare malui.
Primum igitur, haec qualia tibi esse videantur, etsi significata sunt
a te, tamen accuratius mihi perscribas velim, deinde aliquid etiam in
posterum prospicias fingasque, quem me esse deceat, et ubi me plurimum
prodesse rei publicae sentias, ecquae pacifica persona desideretur an
in bellatore sint omnia.
Atque ego, qui omnia officio metior, recordor tamen tua consilia;
quibus si paruissem, tristitiam illorum temporum non subissem. Memini,
quid mihi tum suaseris per Theophanem, per Culleonem, idque saepe
ingemiscens sum recordatus. Quare nunc saltem ad illos calculos
revertamur, quos tum abiecimus, ut non solum gloriosis consiliis
utamur, sed etiam paulo salubrioribus. Sed nihil praescribo; accurate
velim perscribas tuam ad me sententiam. Volo etiam exquiras, quam
diligentissime poteris
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blame for cowardice and the charge of treachery to boot, I refused to
take over Capua in its unprepared state. Nor am I to blame, when, after
L. Caesar and L. Fabatus had brought terms of peace, I took precautions
not to incur the enmity of a man to whom Pompey was offering the
consulship and a triumph, when both were under arms. Finally I cannot
rightly be called to account for not crossing the sea: for, though that
was a course which was worthy of consideration, still I could not keep
Pompey's appointment. Nor could I guess his policy, especially as from
his own letter, as I see you inferred, I had no idea that he would fail
to relieve Domitius. And certainly I wanted time to consider what was
right and what I ought to do.
Firstly, then, I wish you would write me a careful account of your
views, though you have already outlined them, and secondly that you
would glance at the future, and give me an idea of what course you
think would become me, where you suppose I can serve the state best,
and whether the part of a man of peace is required at all, or whether
everything depends on a fighter.
And I, who test everything by the standard of duty, yet remember
your advice. Had I followed it, I should have been saved from the
wretchedness of that crisis in my life. I call to mind the counsel
you sent me then by Theophanes and Culleo, and the memory of it often
makes me groan. So let me now at last go over the old reckoning which
then I cast aside, to the end that I may follow a plan, which has in
view not only glory, but also some measure of safety. However, I make
no conditions: please give me your candid opinion. And please use your
best energies to
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(habebis autem, per quos possis), quid Lentulus noster, quid Domitius
agat, quid acturus sit, quem ad modum nunc se gerant, num quem
accusent, num cui suscenseant--quid dico num cui? num Pompeio. Omnino
culpam omnem Pompeius in Domitium confert, quod ipsius litteris
cognosci potest, quarum exemplum ad te misi. Haec igitur videbis, et,
quod ad te ante scripsi, Demetri Magnetis librum, quem ad te misit de
concordia, velim mihi mittas.
XIIa
CN. MAGNUS PROCOS. S. D. C. MARCELLO, L. LENTULO COSS.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Luceriae XIII aut XII K. Mart. a. 705_]
Ego, quod existimabam dispersos nos neque rei publicae utiles neque
nobis praesidio esse posse, idcirco ad L. Domitium litteras misi,
primum uti ipse cum omni copia ad nos veniret; si de se dubitaret, ut
cohortes XVIIII, quae ex Piceno ad me iter habebant, ad nos mitteret.
Quod veritus sum, factum est, ut Domitius implicaretur et neque ipse
satis firmus esset ad castra facienda, quod meas XVIIII et suas XII
cohortes tribus in oppidis distributas haberet (nam partim Albae,
partim Sulmone collocavit), neque se, si vellet, expedire posset.
Nunc scitote me esse in summa sollicitudine. Nam et tot et tales viros
periculo obsidionis liberare cupio neque subsidio ire possum, quod his
duabus legionibus
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inquire (for you have suitable agents) what our friend Lentulus and
what Domitius is doing, what they intend to do, what is their present
attitude, whether they blame or are annoyed with anyone--why do I say
anyone?--I mean Pompey. Pompey does not hesitate to put the whole blame
on Domitius, as can be inferred from his letter, of which I send you
a copy. So please consider these points, and, as I wrote you before,
kindly send me that volume _On Concord_, by Demetrius of Magnesia,
which he sent to you.
XIIa
CN. MAGNUS PROCONSUL SENDS GREETING TO THE CONSULS C. MARCELLUS AND L.
LENTULUS.
[Sidenote: _Luceria, Feb. 17 or 18_, B.C. _49_]
As I considered that with divided forces we could be of no service to
the state and no protection to one another, I sent a dispatch to L.
Domitius to come to me at once with all his forces, and that, if he was
dubious about himself, he should send me the nineteen cohorts, which
as a matter of fact were on the march to me from Picenum. My fears
have been realized. Domitius has been trapped and is not strong enough
himself to pitch a camp, because he has my nineteen and his own twelve
cohorts scattered in three towns (for some he has stationed at Alba and
some at Sulmo), and he is unable to free himself even if he wished.
I must inform you that this has caused me the greatest anxiety. I am
anxious to free men so numerous and of such importance from the danger
of a siege, and I cannot go to their assistance, because I do not think
that I can trust these two
* * * * *
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non puto esse committendum, ut illuc ducantur, ex quibus tamen non
amplius XIIII cohortes contrahere potui, quod duas Brundisium misi
neque Canusium sine praesidio, dum abessem, putavi esse dimittendum.
D. Laelio mandaram, quod maiores copias sperabam nos habituros, ut, si
vobis videretur, alter uter vestrum ad me veniret, alter in Siciliam
cum ea copia, quam Capuae et circum Capuam comparastis, et cum iis
militibus, quos Faustus legit, proficisceretur, Domitius cum XII
suis cohortibus eodem adiungeretur, reliquae copiae omnes Brundisium
cogerentur et inde navibus Dyrrachium transportarentur. Nunc, cum hoc
tempore nihilo magis ego quam vos subsidio Domitio ire possim, ...
se per montes explicare non est nobis committendum, ut ad has XIIII
cohortes, quas dubio animo habeo, hostis accedere aut in itinere me
consequi possit.
Quam ob rem placitum est mihi (talia video[71] censeri M. Marcello
et ceteris nostri ordinis, qui hic sunt), ut Brundisium ducerem hanc
copiam, quam mecum habeo. Vos hortor, ut, quodcumque militum contrahere
poteritis, contrahatis et eodem Brundisium veniatis quam primum. Arma
quae ad me missuri eratis, iis censeo armetis milites, quos vobiscum
habetis. Quae arma superabunt, ea si Brundisium iumentis deportaritis,
vehementer rei publicae profueritis. De hac re velim nostros certiores
faciatis. Ego ad P. Lupum et C. Coponium praetores misi, ut se vobis
coniungerent, et militum quod haberent ad vos deducerent.
[71] talia video _Tyrrell_; altia video _MSS._
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legions to march to that place: moreover I have not been able to bring
together more than fourteen cohorts of them, because two were sent
to Brundisium, and Canusium to my mind could not be left without a
garrison in my absence.
Hoping to collect larger forces I instructed D. Laelius, that with your
approval one of you should come to me, and the other set out for Sicily
with the force you have collected at Capua and in the neighbourhood,
and with Faustus' recruits; that Domitius with his twelve cohorts
should join up, and all the other troops should concentrate at
Brundisium, and from thence be taken by sea to Dyrrachium. Now,
since at the present time I am no more able than yourselves to go to
Domitius' assistance [and it remains for him][72] to extricate himself
by the mountain route, I must take steps that the enemy may not meet my
fourteen doubtful cohorts or overtake me on the march.
[72] Some words appear to be missing here.
Accordingly--and I see M. Marcellus and other members of the House
who are here approve--I am resolved to lead my present forces to
Brundisium. You I urge to concentrate all the forces you can and to
come with them to Brundisium at the first opportunity. I consider that
the arms which you meant to send to me should be used to arm your
troops. If you will have the remaining arms carted to Brundisium, you
will have done the state great service. Please give these instructions
to my supporters. I am sending word to the praetors, P. Lupus and C.
Coponius, to join you with whatever soldiery they have.
* * * * *
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XIIb
CN. MAGNUS PROCOS. S. D. L. DOMITIO PROCOS.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Luceriae III aut prid. Id. Febr. a. 705_]
Valde miror te ad me nihil scribere et potius ab aliis quam a te de re
publica me certiorem fieri. Nos disiecta manu pares adversario esse
non possumus; contractis nostris copiis spero nos et rei publicae et
communi saluti prodesse posse. Quam ob rem, cum constituisses, ut
Vibullius mihi scripserat, a. d. V Id. Febr. Corfinio proficisci cum
exercitu et ad me venire, miror, quid causae fuerit, quare consilium
mutaris. Nam illa causa, quam mihi Vibullius scribit, levis est, te
propterea moratum esse, quod audieris Caesarem Firmo progressum in
Castrum Truentinum venisse. Quanto enim magis appropinquare adversarius
coepit, eo tibi celerius agendum erat, ut te mecum coniungeres,
priusquam Caesar aut tuum iter impedire aut me abs te excludere posset.
Quam ob rem etiam atque etiam te rogo et hortor, id quod non destiti
superioribus litteris a te petere, ut primo quoque die Luceriam ad me
venires, antequam copiae, quas instituit Caesar contrahere, in unum
locum coactae vos a nobis distrahant. Sed, si erunt, qui te impediant,
ut villas suas servent, aequum est me a te impetrare, ut cohortes, quae
ex Piceno et Camerino venerunt, quae fortunas suas reliquerunt, ad me
missum facias.
* * * * *
Page 155
XIIb
GREETINGS FROM CN. MAGNUS PROCONSUL TO L. DOMITIUS PROCONSUL.
[Sidenote: _Luceria, Feb. 11 or 12_, B.C. _49_]
I am greatly astonished that you send me no letters, and that I am kept
informed of the political situation by others rather than yourself.
With divided forces we cannot hope to cope with the enemy: united, I
trust we may do something for the safety of our country. Wherefore,
as you had arranged, according to Vibullius' letter, to start with
your army from Corfinium on the 9th of February and to come to me, I
wonder what reason there has been for your change of plan. The reason
mentioned by Vibullius is trivial, namely that you were delayed on
hearing that Caesar had left Firmum and arrived at Castrum Truentinum.
For the nearer our enemy begins to approach, the quicker you ought to
have joined forces with me, before Caesar could obstruct your march or
cut me off from you.
Wherefore again and again I entreat and exhort you--as I did in my
previous letter--to come to Luceria on the first possible day, before
the forces which Caesar has begun to collect can concentrate and divide
us. But, if people try to keep you back to protect their country seats,
I must ask you to dispatch to me the cohorts, which have come from
Picenum and Camerinum abandoning their own interests.
* * * * *
Page 156
XIIc
CN. MAGNUS PROCOS. S. D. L. DOMITIO PROCOS.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Luceriae XIV K. Mart. a. 705_]
Litteras abs te M. Calenius ad me attulit a d. XIIII Kal. Martias; in
quibus litteris scribis tibi in animo esse observare Caesarem, et, si
secundum mare ad me ire coepisset, confestim in Samnium ad me venturum,
sin autem ille circum istaec loca commoraretur, te ei, si propius
accessisset, resistere velle.
Te animo magno et forti istam rem agere existimo, sed diligentius
nobis est videndum, ne distracti pares esse adversario non possimus,
cum ille magnas copias habeat et maiores brevi habiturus sit. Non enim
pro tua prudentia debes illud solum animadvertere, quot in praesentia
cohortes contra te habeat Caesar, sed quantas brevi tempore equitum
et peditum copias contracturus sit. Cui rei testimonio sunt litterae,
quas Bussenius ad me misit; in quibus scribit, id quod ab aliis quoque
mihi scribitur, praesidia Curionem, quae in Umbria et Tuscis erant,
contrahere et ad Caesarem iter facere. Quae si copiae in unum locum
fuerint coactae, ut pars exercitus ad Albam mittatur, pars ad te
accedat, ut non pugnet, sed locis suis repugnet, haerebis, neque solus
cum ista copia tantam multitudinem sustinere poteris, ut frumentatum
eas.
Quam ob rem te magno opere hortor, ut quam primum cum omnibus copiis
hoc venias. Consules constituerunt idem facere. Ego M. Tuscilio ad te
* * * * *
Page 157
XIIc
CN. MAGNUS PROCONSUL SENDS GREETING TO L. DOMITIUS PROCONSUL.
[Sidenote: _Luceria, Feb. 16_, B.C. _49_]
M. Calenius has brought me a letter from you dated the 16th of
February, in which you express the intention of watching Caesar and
hurrying to join me in Samnium, if he shall begin to march against me
along the coast: but, if he linger in your neighbourhood, you say you
wish to oppose his nearer advance.
To my mind your policy is ambitious and brave, but we must take great
care that, if divided, we may not be outmatched by the enemy, since
Caesar has numerous troops and in a short time will have more. A man
of your judgement ought to bear in mind not only the size of Caesar's
present array against you but the number of infantry and cavalry that
he will soon collect. Evidence of that contingency is in the letter
which Bussenius dispatched to me, and it agrees with the missives from
others in stating that Curio is concentrating the garrisons which were
in Umbria and Etruria and marching to join Caesar. With these forces
combined, though one division may be sent to Alba, and another advance
on you, and though Caesar may refrain from the offensive and be content
to defend his position, still you will be in a fix, nor will you be
able with your following to make sufficient head against such numbers
to allow of your sending out foraging parties.
Therefore I beg you earnestly to come here on the first opportunity
with all your forces. The consuls have decided to do the same. I have
instructed
* * * * *
Page 158
mandata dedi providendum esse, ne duae legiones sine Picentinis
cohortibus in conspectum Caesaris committerentur. Quam ob rem nolito
commoveri, si audieris me regredi, si forte Caesar ad me veniet;
cavendum enim puto esse, ne implicatus haeream. Nam neque castra
propter anni tempus et militum animos facere possum, neque ex omnibus
oppidis contrahere copias expedit, ne receptum amittam. Itaque non
amplius xiiii cohortes Luceriam coegi. Consules praesidia omnia
deducturi sunt aut in Siciliam ituri. Nam aut exercitum firmum habere
oportet, quo confidamus perrumpere nos posse, aut regiones eius modi
obtinere, e quibus repugnemus; id quod neutrum nobis hoc tempore
contigit, quod et magnam partem Italiae Caesar occupavit, et nos non
habemus exercitum tam amplum neque tam magnum quam ille. Itaque nobis
providendum est, ut summam rei publicae rationem habeamus. Etiam
atque etiam te hortor, ut cum omni copia quam primum ad me venias.
Possumus etiam nunc rem publicam erigere, si communi consilio negotium
administrabimus; si distrahemur, infirmi erimus. Mihi hoc constitutum
est.
His litteris scriptis Sicca abs te mihi litteras et mandata attulit.
Quod me hortare, ut istuc veniam, id me facere non arbitror posse, quod
non magno opere his legionibus confido.
XIId
CN. MAGNUS PROCOS. S. D. L. DOMITIO PROCOS.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Luceriae XIII K. Mart. 705_]
Litterae mihi a te redditae sunt a. d. XIII Kal. Martias, in quibus
scribis Caesarem apud Corfinium
* * * * *
Page 159
M. Tuscilius to tell you that we must beware lest the two legions
without the cohorts from Picenum come within sight of Caesar.
Accordingly do not be disturbed if you hear of my retreat in the face
of Caesar's possible advance, for I consider that I must take every
step to avoid being trapped. The season of the year and the spirit of
my troops prevents me from making a camp; nor is it wise to collect the
garrisons from all the towns, lest room for retreat be lost. So I have
not mustered more than fourteen cohorts at Luceria. The consuls will
bring in all their garrisons to me or start for Sicily. We must either
have an army strong enough to allow of our breaking through the enemy's
lines, or get and hold localities we can defend. At the present moment
we have neither of those advantages: a large part of Italy is held by
Caesar, and our army is neither so well equipped nor so large as his.
We must therefore take care to look to the main issue. Again and again
I beg you to come to me as soon as possible with all your forces. Even
now the constitution may be restored, if we take common counsel in our
action. Division means weakness: of that I am positive.
After I had written my letter Sicca brought me a dispatch and message
from you. I fear I cannot comply with your request for assistance,
because I do not put much trust in these legions.
XIId
CN. MAGNUS PROCONSUL SENDS SALUTATION TO DOMITIUS PROCONSUL.
[Sidenote: _Luceria Feb. 17_, B.C. _49_]
A dispatch from you reached me on the 17th of February saying that
Caesar had pitched his camp in
* * * * *
Page 160
castra posuisse. Quod putavi et praemonui, fit, ut nec in praesentia
committere tecum proelium velit et omnibus copiis conductis te
implicet, ne ad me iter tibi expeditum sit atque istas copias
coniungere optimorum civium possis cum his legionibus, de quarum
voluntate dubitamus. Quo etiam magis tuis litteris sum commotus. Neque
enim eorum militum, quos mecum habeo, voluntate satis confido, ut de
omnibus fortunis rei publicae dimicem, neque etiam, qui ex dilectibus
conscripti sunt consulibus, convenerunt.
Quare da operam, si ulla ratione etiam nunc efficere potes, ut te
explices, hoc quam primum venias, antequam omnes copiae ad adversarium
conveniant. Neque enim celeriter ex dilectibus hoc homines convenire
possunt, et, si convenirent, quantum iis committendum sit, qui inter se
ne noti quidem sunt, contra veteranas legiones, non te praeterit.
XIII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Formiis K. Mart. a. 705_]
Lippitudinis meae signum tibi sit librarii manus et eadem causa
brevitatis; etsi nunc quidem, quod scriberem, nihil erat. Omnis
exspectatio nostra erat in nuntiis Brundisinis. Si nanctus hic esset
Gnaeum nostrum, spes dubia pacis, sin ille ante tramisisset, exitiosi
belli metus. Sed videsne, in quem hominem inciderit res publica, quam
acutum, quam vigilantem, quam paratum? Si mehercule neminem occiderit
nec cuiquam quicquam ademerit, ab iis, qui eum maxime timuerant,
maxime diligetur. Multum mecum municipales homines loquuntur, multum
rusticani; nihil
* * * * *
Page 161
the neighbourhood of Corfinium. What I expected and foretold has
happened: he refuses to meet you in the field at present, and he is
hemming you in with all his forces concentrated, so that the road may
not be clear for you to join me and unite your loyal contingent with
my legions whose allegiance is questionable. Consequently I am all the
more upset by your dispatch: for I cannot place sufficient confidence
in the loyalty of my men to risk a decisive engagement, nor have the
levies recruited for the consuls come here.
So do your best, if any tactics can extricate you even now, to join me
as soon as possible before our enemy can concentrate all his forces.
The levies cannot reach here at an early date, and, even if they were
concentrated, you must see how little trust can be put in troops, which
do not even know one another by sight, when facing a veteran army.
XIII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 1_, B.C. _49_]
Let my secretary's handwriting be proof that I am suffering from
inflammation of the eyes, and that is my reason for brevity, though now
to be sure I have no news. I depend entirely on news from Brundisium.
If Caesar has come up with our friend Pompey, there is some slight hope
of peace: but, if Pompey has crossed the sea, we must look for war and
massacre. Do you see the kind of man into whose hands the state has
fallen? What foresight, what energy, what readiness! Upon my word, if
he refrain from murder and rapine, he will be the darling of those who
dreaded him most. The people of the country towns and the farmers talk
to me a great deal. They care for nothing at all
* * * * *
Page 162
prorsus aliud curant nisi agros, nisi villulas, nisi nummulos suos. Et
vide, quam conversa res sit; illum, quo antea confidebant, metuunt,
hunc amant, quem timebant. Id quantis nostris peccatis vitiisque
evenerit, non possum sine molestia cogitare. Quae autem impendere
putarem, scripseram ad te et iam tuas litteras exspectabam.
XIV
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Formiis VI Non. Mart. a. 705_]
Non dubito, quin tibi odiosae sint epistulae cotidianae, cum praesertim
neque nova de re aliqua certiorem te faciam neque novam denique iam
reperiam scribendi ullam sententiam. Sed, si dedita opera, cum causa
nulla esset, tabellarios ad te cum inanibus epistulis mitterem, facerem
inepte; euntibus vero, domesticis praesertim, ut nihil ad te dem
litterarum, facere non possum et simul, crede mihi, requiesco paulum
in his miseriis, cum quasi tecum loquor, cum vero tuas epistulas lego,
multo etiam magis. Omnino intellego nullum fuisse tempus post has fugas
et formidines nostras, quod magis debuerit mutum esse a litteris,
propterea quod neque Romae quicquam auditur novi nec in his locis, quae
a Brundisio absunt propius quam tu bidui aut tridui.[73] Brundisi autem
omne certamen vertitur huius primi temporis. Qua quidem exspectatione
torqueor. Sed omnia ante Nonas sciemus. Eodem enim die video Caesarem
a Corfinio post meridiem profectum esse, id est Feralibus, quo Canusio
mane Pompeium. Eo modo autem ambulat Caesar et iis congiariis militum
celeritatem incitat, ut timeam, ne citius ad Brundisium, quam
[73] bidui aut tridui _Reid_: biduum aut triduum _MSS._
* * * * *
Page 163
but their lands, their little homesteads and their tiny hoards. And see
how public opinion has changed. They fear the man they once trusted,
and adore the man they once dreaded. It pains me to think of the
mistakes and wrongs of ours that are responsible for this reaction. I
wrote you what I thought would be our fate, and I now await a letter
from you.
XIV
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 2_ B.C. _49_]
I have no doubt my daily letter must bore you, especially as I have no
fresh news, nor can I find any new excuse for a letter. If I should
employ special messengers to convey my chatter to you without reason,
I should be a fool: but I cannot refrain from entrusting letters to
folk who are bound for Rome, especially when they are members of my
household. Believe me, too, when I seem to talk with you, I have some
little relief from sorrow, and, when I read a letter from you, far
greater relief. I am quite aware that there has been no time, since
fear drove me to flight, when silence and no letters would have been
more appropriate, for the good reason that there is no fresh news at
Rome, nor here--two or three days' journey nearer Brundisium. The issue
of this first campaign will turn entirely on the action at Brundisium:
and I am on thorns to hear the result. However, all will be known by
the 7th. On the noon of the day (that is the 21st of February), on the
morning of which Pompey left Canusium, I see that Caesar set out from
Corfinium. But Caesar marches in such a way, and so spurs his men with
largess, that I fear he may reach Brundisium sooner than we
* * * * *
Page 164
opus sit, accesserit. Dices: "Quid igitur proficis, qui anticipes
eius rei molestiam, quam triduo sciturus sis?" Nihil equidem; sed,
ut supra dixi, tecum perlibenter loquor, et simul scito labare meum
consilium illud, quod satis iam fixum videbatur. Non mihi satis idonei
sunt auctores ii, qui a te probantur. Quod enim umquam eorum in re
publica forte factum exstitit? aut quis ab iis ullam rem laude dignam
desiderat? Nec mehercule laudandos existimo, qui trans mare belli
parandi causa profecti sunt. Quamquam haec ferenda non erant. Video
enim, quantum id bellum et quam pestiferum futurum sit. Sed me movet
unus vir; cuius fugientis comes, rem publicam recuperantis socius
videor esse debere. "Totiensne igitur sententiam mutas?" Ego tecum
tamquam mecum loquor. Quis autem est, tanta quidem de re quin varie
secum ipse disputet? simul et elicere cupio sententiam tuam, si manet,
ut firmior sim, si mutata est, ut tibi adsentiar. Omnino ad id, de
quo dubito, pertinet me scire, quid Domitius acturus sit, quid noster
Lentulus.
De Domitio varia audimus, modo esse in Tiburti haut lepide, modo cum
Lepidis[74] accessisse ad urbem, quod item falsum video esse. Ait enim
Lepidus eum nescio quo penetrasse itineribus occultis occultandi sui
causa an maris apiscendi, ne is quidem scit. Ignorat etiam de filio.
Addit illud sane molestum, pecuniam Domitio satis grandem, quam is
Corfini habuerit, non esse redditam. De Lentulo autem nihil audimus.
Haec velim exquiras ad meque perscribas.
[74] aut lepidi quo cum lepidus _M_: _the reading of the text is that
of Tyrrell, who suspects a pun on the name Lepidus_.
* * * * *
Page 165
want. You may wonder why I forestall disagreeable tidings which will be
known in three days' time. I have no reason, except, as I said before,
that I love to talk to you; and at the same time I want you to know
that what I had counted my fixed resolve is shaken. The precedents you
quote with approval don't quite fit my case. They are those of men who
have never distinguished themselves by great political action, and
are not looked up to for any act of merit. Nor, let me tell you, have
I any praise for those who have crossed the sea to make preparations
for war--unbearable as things here were. For I foresee how great and
calamitous that war will be. I am influenced only by one man, whom
I think I ought to accompany in flight, and help in the restoration
of the constitution. I may seem variable; but I talk with you as I
talk with myself, and there is no one who, in such a crisis, does not
view matters in many lights. Moreover, I want to get your opinion,
to encourage me, if you have not changed it, or otherwise to win my
assent. It is particularly necessary for me to know in my dilemma what
course Domitius and my friend Lentulus will take.
As for Domitius I hear many reports: at one time that he is at Tibur
out of sorts, at another that he has consorted with the Lepidi in
their march to Rome. That I see is untrue. For Lepidus says that he
is following a hidden path, but whether to hide or reach the sea even
he does not know. Lepidus has no news about his son either. He adds a
provoking detail, that Domitius has failed to get back a large sum of
money which he had at Corfinium. Of Lentulus I have no news. Please
make inquiries on these points and inform me.
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XV
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Formiis V Non. Mart. a. 705_]
A. d. V Nonas Martias epistulas mihi tuas Aegypta reddidit, unam
veterem, IIII Kal. quam te scribis dedisse Pinario, quem non vidimus;
in qua exspectas, quidnam praemissus agat Vibullius, qui omnino non est
visus a Caesare (id altera epistula video te scire ita esse), et quem
ad modum redeuntem excipiam Caesarem, quem omnino vitare cogito, et
αὐθήμερον[75] fugam intendis[76] commutationemque vitae tuae, quod tibi
puto esse faciendum, et ignoras, Domitius cum fascibusne sit. Quod cum
scies, facies, ut sciamus. Habes ad primam epistulam.
[75] _I have ventured to read_ αὐθήμερον _for the corrupt_ authemonis
_of M, as being an easy alteration palæographically. Many suggestions
have been made_ (_e.g._ Automedontis _by Müller_).
[76] intendis _F. Schütz_: tendis _MSS._
Secutae sunt duae pr. Kal. ambae datae, quae me convellerunt de
pristino statu iam tamen, ut ante ad te scripsi, labantem. Nec me
movet, quod scribis "Iovi ipsi iniquum." Nam periculum in utriusque
iracundia positum est, victoria autem ita incerta, ut deterior causa
paratior mihi esse videatur. Nec me consules movent, qui ipsi pluma aut
folio facilius moventur. Officii me deliberatio cruciat cruciavitque
adhuc. Cautior certe est mansio, honestior existimatur traiectio. Malo
interdum, multi me non caute quam pauci non honeste fecisse existiment.
De Lepido et Tullo quod quaeris, illi vero non dubitant,
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XV
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, March 3_ B.C. _49_]
On the 3rd of March Aegypta[77] brought me your letters, one an old
one dated February 26, which you say you handed to Pinarius, whom I
have not seen. In that letter you were waiting to hear the result of
Vibullius' advance mission. He did not meet Caesar at all, as I see
from your second letter you are aware. You also wanted to know how I
shall receive Caesar on his return. I intend to shun him altogether.
And you contemplate flight on the day he comes, and a change in your
life, which I agree is politic. You wrote too that you do not know
if Domitius keeps his fasces. When you do know, please tell me. That
settles the first letter.
[77] A slave of Cicero's.
There follow two more dated the 28th of February, which hurled me from
my old position, when I was already tottering, as I had informed you.
I am not upset by your phrase "angry with almighty God."[78] There
is danger not only in Pompey's anger, but in Caesar's, and the issue
is doubtful, though to me the worst cause seems better equipped. Nor
am I influenced by the consuls, who themselves are more easily moved
than leaf or feather. It is consideration of my duty that tortures me
and has been torturing me all along. To remain in Italy is certainly
safer: to cross the sea the path of honour. Sometimes I prefer that
many should accuse me of rashness, rather than the select few of
dishonourable action. For your query about Lepidus and Tullus, they have
[78] This probably means that Pompey had said he would be angry with
every one who did not leave Rome, even with Jupiter.
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Page 168
quin Caesari praesto futuri in senatumque venturi sint.
Recentissima tua est epistula Kal. data, in qua optas congressum
pacemque non desperas. Sed ego, cum haec scribebam, nec illos
congressuros nec, si congressi essent, Pompeium ad ullam condicionem
accessurum putabam. Quod videris non dubitare, si consules transeant,
quid nos facere oporteat, certe transeunt vel, quo modo nunc est,
transierunt. Sed memento praeter Appium neminem esse fere, qui non ius
habeat transeundi. Nam aut cum imperio sunt ut Pompeius, ut Scipio,
Sufenas, Fannius, Voconius, Sestius, ipsi consules, quibus more maiorum
concessum est vel omnes adire provincias, aut legati sunt eorum. Sed
nihil decerno; quid placeat tibi, et quid prope modum rectum sit,
intellego.
Plura scriberem, si ipse possem. Sed, ut mihi videor, potero biduo.
Balbi Corneli litterarum exemplum, quas eodem die accepi quo tuas, misi
ad te, ut meam vicem doleres, cum me derideri videres.
XVa
BALBUS CICERONI IMP. SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Romae ex. m. Febr a. 705_]
Obsecro te, Cicero, suscipe curam et cogitationem dignissimam tuae
virtutis, ut Caesarem et Pompeium perfidia hominum distractos rursus in
pristinam concordiam reducas. Crede mihi Caesarem non solum fore in tua
potestate, sed etiam maximum beneficium te sibi dedisse iudicaturum, si
hoc te reicis. Velim
* * * * *
Page 169
decided to meet Caesar and to take their seats in the House.
In your last letter, dated the 1st of March, you long for a meeting
between the two leaders, and have hopes of peace. But at the time of
writing I fancy they will not meet, and that, if they do, Pompey will
not agree to any terms. You seem to have no doubt as to what I ought
to do, if the consuls go over-seas; well they will go, or rather have
now gone. But bear in mind that of their number it is practically only
Appius who has not a right to cross. The rest are either invested
with military power, like Pompey, Scipio, Sufenas, Fannius, Voconius,
Sestius and the consuls themselves, who by old custom may visit all the
provinces; or else they are legates. However I have no positive views.
I know what you approve and pretty well what it is right to do.
My letter would be longer, if I could write myself. I fancy I shall
be able in two days' time. I have had Cornelius Balbus' letter, which
I received on the same day as yours, copied, and I forward it to you,
that you may sympathize with me on seeing me mocked.
XVa
BALBUS SALUTES CICERO THE IMPERATOR.
[Sidenote: _Rome, Feb._, B.C. _49_]
I beg you, Cicero, to consider a plan eminently suited to your
character, namely to recall Caesar and Pompey to their former state of
friendship, which has been broken by the treachery of others. Believe
me that Caesar will not only meet your wishes, but will esteem any
endeavours of yours in this matter as a very great service. I wish
Pompey would take the same
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Page 170
idem Pompeius faciat. Qui ut adduci tali tempore ad ullam condicionem
possit, magis opto quam spero. Sed, cum constiterit et timere desierit,
tum incipiam non desperare tuam auctoritatem plurimum apud eum
valituram.