you say that you know nothing: but Servilia says that Marcus Scaptius' has arrived, and that he will pay her a secret visit at her house without any parade, and that I shall know everything. Meanwhile, she also tells me that a slave of Bassus has arrived to announce that the legions at Alexandria are in arms; that Bassus is being summoned; Cassius's arrival looked for with eagerness. In short, the Republic seems about to recover its legitimate authority. But no shouting before we are out of the wood! You know what adepts in rascality and how reckless these fellows are.

2

4

DCCXCII (A XV, 13 a)

TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)

PUTEOLI, 26 OCTOBER

DOLABELLA is a fine fellow! Although, as I am writing this with the dessert on the table, I am told that he had arrived at Baiæ, he nevertheless wrote to me from Formiæ -a letter which reached me just as I had left the bath— saying that he had done his best about assigning debtors to me. He lays the blame on Vettienus. Of course he is up to some dodge, like a true business man. But he says that our friend Sestius has undertaken the whole affair. He indeed is an excellent man and very much attached to us. Still, I am at a loss to know what in the world Sestius can do in a business like this which any one of us could not do. But if anything unexpected happens, please let me know. If, on the other hand, the business, as I think, is hopeless, write all the same. It won't disturb me at all.

I am here philosophizing-what else could I do? I am

1 For this agent of Brutus, see vol. ii., p. 129.

2 For Cæcilius Bassus, the Pompeian who had nearly succeeded in occupying the province of Syria, see vol. iii., p. 335.

3 Cassius was on his way to Syria-in spite of the senate having been forced by Antony to deprive him of that province and give him Cyrene.

4 The partisans of Antony.

composing a brilliant essay "On Duties": and addressing it to my son. For on what subject should a father address a son in preference? After that I shall begin other subjects. In short, this tour shall have something to shew for itself. People expect Varro to-day or to-morrow. I, however, am hurrying off to Pompeii, not because anything can be more beautiful than this place, but because interrupters are less troublesome there.

But do tell me distinctly what was the charge against Myrtilus,' for I hear that he has been executed. Is it discovered who suborned him? As I am writing these words I imagine that the speech2 is being delivered to you. Dear, dear! how nervous I am as to what you think of it! And yet, what does it matter to me? For it is not likely to get abroad unless the constitution has been restored. And as to that I do not venture to say what I hope in a letter.

DCCXCIII (F XI, 4)

DECIMUS BRUTUS TO CICERO (AT PUTEOLI)

GALLIA CISALPINA (I NOVEMBER)

3

DECIMUS BRUTUS, imperator, consul-designate, sends regards to Marcus Cicero. If I had had any doubt about your friendly feeling towards myself, I should have begged you at great length to defend my political position.

But I

1 See infra, p. 150. He appears to have been a slave, accused of having attempted Antony's life at the instigation of Decimus Brutus. 2 The second Philippic.

3 For this title see vol. ii., p. 80. It implies that Decimus Brutus had been so greeted by his soldiers in some battle against the Gallic tribes-presumably during the campaign described in this letter in the Alpine district. The aristocratic party at Rome were not pleased at his proceedings, and thought that he should have reserved his forces to oppose Antony. He partly meets that objection, of which no doubt he had heard, by suggesting that his men had gained a training in this campaign which made them better fitted to oppose Antony's party. His real successes were probably unimportant. They are not recorded

elsewhere.

am, in fact, convinced that you are earnest on my behalf. I went on an expedition against the Alpine tribes, not so much because I aimed at the title of imperator, as from a wish to content my soldiers and to render them efficient for supporting our policy. And this, I think, I have accomplished; for they have had practical proof both of my openhanded disposition and of my courage. I fought with the most warlike tribes in the country: I took numerous strong places, and laid waste a wide stretch of country. I had good grounds for sending my despatch to the senate. Assist us by your senatorial support: in doing so you will to a great degree be serving the interests of the state.

DCCXCIV (A XVI, 8)

TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)

PUTEOLI, 2 NOVEMBER

WHEN I know what day I am coming to town I will let you know. I must expect some hindrances, and there is illness among my household. On the evening of the 1st I got a letter from Octavian. He is entering upon a serious undertaking. He has won over to his views all the veterans at Casilinum and Calatia. And no wonder : he gives a bounty of 500 denarii apiece. Clearly, his view is a war with Antony under his leadership. So I perceive that before many days are over we shall be in arms. But whom are we to follow? Consider his name, consider his age! Again, to begin with, he demands a secret interview with me, at Capua of all

1

Augustus was born in September, B.C. 63, and was therefore now nineteen. In the Monumentum Ancyranum, § 1, he begins the record of his achievements thus: "When nineteen years old I collected an army on my own account and at my own expense, by means of which I restored to liberty the Republic, which had been enslaved by the tyranny of a faction." By a "faction" Augustus here means, however, the anti-Cæsarian aristocrats. At this time Cicero hoped that this army was to be used in their interests as against Antony's, though, as we see, he had uneasy doubts about it.

places! It is really quite childish if he supposes that it can be kept private. I have written to explain to him that it is neither necessary nor practicable. He sent a certain Cæcina of Volaterræ1 to me, an intimate friend of his own, who brought me the news that Antony was on his way towards the city with the legion Alauda, was imposing a money contribution on the municipal towns, and was marching at the head of the legion with colours flying. He wanted my opinion whether he should start for Rome with his army of 3,000 veterans, or should hold Capua, and so intercept Antony's advance, or should join the three Macedonian legions now sailing by the Mare Superum, which he hopes are devoted to himself. They refused to accept a bounty offered them by Antony, as my informant at least says. They even used grossly insulting language to him, and moved off when he attempted to address them. In short, Octavian offers himself as our military leader, and thinks that our right policy is to stand by him. On my part I advised his making for Rome. For I think that he will have not only the city mob, but, if he can impress them with confidence, the loyalists also on his side. Oh, Brutus, where are you? What an opportunity you are losing! For my part I did not foresee this, but I thought that something of the sort would happen. Now, I desire to have your advice. Shall I come to Rome or stay on here? Or am I to fly to Arpinum? There is a sense of security about that place! My opinion is-Rome, lest my absence should be remarked, if people think that a blow has been struck. Unravel this difficulty. I was never in greater perplexity.

Of the Cæcinæ of Volaterræ. See vol. iii., p. 123.

DCCXCV (A XVI, 9)

TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)

PUTEOLI, NOVEMBER

Two letters on the same day from Octavian! His present view is that I should come to Rome at once: and that he

wishes to act through the senate. I told him that a meeting of the senate was impossible before the 1st of January:' and I believe it is really so. 66 But he adds also: And by your advice." In short, he insists: while I "suspend judgment." I don't trust his youth. I am in the dark as to his disposition. I am not willing to do anything without your friend Pansa. I am afraid of Antony succeeding, and I don't like going far from the sea and at the same time I fear some great coup without my being there. Varro, for his part, doesn't like the youth's plan. I don't agree with him. He has forces on which he can depend. He can count on Decimus Brutus, and is making no secret of his intentions. He is organizing his men in companies at Capua; he is paying them their bounty-money. War seems to be ever coming nearer and nearer. Do answer this letter. I am surprised that my letter-carrier left Rome on the 1st without anything from you.

2

1 Impossible, that is, with safety to the opponents of Antony, the boni. For Antony as consul would preside, and it would be surrounded by his guards. Several meetings of the senate were, as a matter of fact, held before Antony's term of office was over. On the 1st of January the new consuls, Pansa and Hirtius, would preside.

2 Now governor of Gallia Cisalpina, who would be sure to take Octavian's side, because Antony claimed to have been nominated to his province.