In Defense of the Proposed Manilian Law |
Translator: C. D. Yonge
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61 |
reliquum est ut de Quinti Catuli auctoritate et sententia dicendum esse videatur . qui cum ex vobis quaereret , si in uno Gnaeo Pompeio omnia poneretis , si quid eo factum esset , in quo spem essetis habituri , cepit magnum suae virtutis fructum ac dignitatis , cum omnes una prope voce in eo ipso vos spem habituros esse dixistis . etenim talis est vir ut nulla res tanta sit ac tam difficilis quam ille non et consilio regere et integritate tueri et virtute conficere possit . sed in hoc ipso ab eo vehementissime dissentio , quod quo minus certa est hominum ac minus diuturna vita , hoc magis res publica , dum per deos immortalis licet , frui debet summi viri vita atque virtute .
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It remains for me to speak of the authority and opinion of Quintus Catulus; who, when he asked of you, if you thus placed all your dependence on Cnaeus Pompeius, in whom you would have any hope, if anything were to happen to him, received a splendid reward for his own virtue and worth, when you all, with almost one voice, cried out that you would, in that case, put your trust in him. In truth he is such a man, that no affair can be so important, or so difficult, that, he cannot manage it by his wisdom, or defend it by his integrity, or terminate it by his valour. But, in this case, I entirely differ from him; because, the less certain and the less lasting the life of man is, the more ought the republic to avail itself of the life and valour of any admirable man, as long as the immortal gods allow it to do so. |
62 |
at enim ne quid novi fiat contra exempla atque instituta maiorum . non dicam hoc loco maiores nostros semper in pace consuetudini , in bello utilitati paruisse , semper ad novos casus temporum novorum consiliorum rationes accommodasse , non dicam duo bella maxima , Punicum atque Hispaniense , ab uno imperatore esse confecta duasque urbis potentissimas quae huic imperio maxime minitabantur , Carthaginem atque Numantiam , ab eodem Scipione esse deletas , non commemorabo nuper ita vobis patribusque vestris esse visum ut in uno Gaio Mario spes imperi poneretur , ut idem cum Iugurtha , idem cum Cimbris , idem cum Teutonis bellum administraret ; in ipso Gnaeo Pompeio in quo novi constitui nihil volt Quintus Catulus quam multa sint nova summa Quinti Catuli voluntate constituta recordamini .
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But let no innovation be established contrary to the precedents and principles of our ancestors.— I will not say, at this moment, that our ancestors in peace always obeyed usage, but in war were always guided by expediency, and always accommodated themselves with new plans to the new emergencies of the times. I will not say that two most important wars, the Punic war and the Spanish war, were put an end to by one general; that two most powerful cities, which threatened the greatest danger to this empire— Carthage and Numantia, were destroyed by the same Scipio. I will not remind you that it was but lately determined by you and by your ancestors, to rest all the hopes of the empire on Caius Marius, so that the same man conducted the war against Jugurtha, and against the Cimbri, and against the Teutones. But recollect, in the case of Cnaeus Pompeius himself, with reference to whom Catulus objects to having any new regulations introduced, how many new laws have been made with the most willing consent of Quintus Catulus. |
63 |
quid tam novum quam adulescentulum privatum exercitum difficili rei publicae tempore conficere ? confecit . huic praeesse ? praefuit . rem optime ductu suo gerere ? gessit . quid tam praeter consuetudinem quam homini peradulescenti cuius aetas a senatorio gradu longe abesset imperium atque exercitum dari , Siciliam permitti atque Africam bellumque in ea provincia administrandum ? fuit in his provinciis singulari innocentia , gravitate , virtute , bellum in Africa maximum confecit , victorem exercitum deportavit . quid vero tam inauditum quam equitem Romanum triumphare ? at eam quoque rem populus Romanus non modo vidit sed omnium etiam studio visendam et concelebrandam putavit .
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For what can be so unprecedented as for a young man in a private capacity to levy an army at a most critical time of the republic? He levied one.—To command it? He did command it.—To succeed gloriously in his undertaking? He did succeed. What can be so entirely contrary to usage, as for a very young man, whose age fell far short of that required for the rank of a senator, to have a command and an army entrusted to him? to have Sicily committed to his care, and Africa, and the war which was to be carried on there? He conducted himself in these provinces with singular blamelessness, dignity, and valour; he terminated a most serious war in Africa, and brought away his army victorious. But what was ever so unheard of as for a Roman knight to have a triumph? But even that circumstance the Roman people not only say, but they thought that it deserved to be thronged to and honoured with all possible zeal. |
64 |
quid tam inusitatum quam ut , cum duo consules clarissimi fortissimique essent , eques Romanus ad bellum maximum formidolosissimumque pro consule mitteretur ? Missus est . quo quidem tempore cum esset non nemo in senatu qui diceret 'non oportere mitti hominem privatum pro consule ,' Lucius Philippus dixisse dicitur 'non se illum sua sententia pro consule sed pro consulibus mittere .' tanta in eo rei publicae bene gerendae spes constituebatur ut duorum consulum munus unius adulescentis virtuti committeretur . quid tam singulare quam ut ex senatus consulto legibus solutus consul ante fieret quam ullum alium magistratum per leges capere licuisset ? quid tam incredibile quam ut iterum eques Romanus ex senatus consulto triumpharet ? quae in omnibus hominibus nova post hominum memoriam constituta sunt , ea tam multa non sunt quam haec quae in hoc uno homine vidimus .
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What was ever so unusual, as, when there were two most gallant and most illustrious consuls, for a Roman knight to be sent as proconsul to a most important and formidable war? He was so sent—on which occasion, indeed, when some one in the senate said that a private individual ought not to be sent as proconsul, Lucius Philippus is reported to have answered, that if he had his will he should be sent not for one consul, but for both the consuls. Such great hope was entertained that the affairs of the republic would be prosperously managed by him, that the charge which properly belonged to the two consuls was entrusted to the valour of one young man. What was ever so extraordinary as for a man to be released from all laws by a formal resolution of the senate, and made consul before he was of an age to undertake any other magistracy according to the laws? What could be so incredible, as for a Roman knight to celebrate a second triumph in pursuance of a resolution of the senate? All the unusual circumstances which in the memory of man have ever happened to all other men put together, are not so many as these which we see have occurred in the history of this one man. |
65 |
atque haec tot exempla tanta ac tam nova profecta sunt in eodem homine a Quinti Catuli atque a ceterorum eiusdem dignitatis amplissimorum hominum auctoritate .
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And all these instances, numerous, important and novel as they are, have all occurred in the case of the same man, taking their rise in the authority of Quintus Catulus himself and by that of other most honourable men of the same rank. |
66 |
qua re videant ne sit periniquum et non ferendum illorum auctoritatem de Gnaei Pompei dignitate a vobis comprobatam semper esse , vestrum ab illis de eodem homine iudicium populique Romani auctoritatem improbari , praesertim cum iam suo iure populus Romanus in hoc homine suam auctoritatem vel contra omnis qui dissentiunt possit defendere , propterea quod isdem istis reclamantibus vos unum illum ex omnibus delegistis quem bello praedonum praeponeretis .
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Wherefore, let them take care that it is not considered a most unjust and intolerable thing, that their authority in matters affecting the dignity of Cnaeus Pompeius should hitherto have been constantly approved of by you, but that your judgment, and the authority of the Roman people in the case of the same man, should be disregarded by them. Especially when the Roman people can now, of its own right, defend its own authority with respect to this man against all who dispute it,—because, when those very same men objected, you chose him alone of all men to appoint to the management of the war against the pirates. |
67 |
hoc si vos temere fecistis et rei publicae parum consuluistis , recte isti studia vestra suis consiliis regere conantur . sin autem vos plus tum in re publica vidistis , vos eis repugnantibus per vosmet ipsos dignitatem huic imperio , salutem orbi terrarum attulistis , aliquando isti principes et sibi et ceteris populi Romani universi auctoritati parendum esse fateantur . atque in hoc bello Asiatico et regio , Quirites , non solum militaris illa virtus quae est in Gnaeo Pompeio singularis sed aliae quoque animi virtutes magnae et multae requiruntur . difficile est in Asia , Cilicia , Syria regnisque interiorum nationum ita versari nostrum imperatorem ut nihil aliud nisi de hoste ac de laude cogitet . deinde , etiam si qui sunt pudore ac temperantia moderatiores , tamen eos esse talis propter multitudinem cupidorum hominum nemo arbitratur .
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If you did this at random, and had but little regard for the interests of the republic, then they are right to endeavour to guide your party spirit by their wisdom; but if you at that time showed more foresight in the affairs of the state than they did; if you, in spite of their resistance, by yourselves conferred dignity on the empire, safety on the whole world; then at last let those noble men confess that both they and all other men must obey the authority of the universal Roman people. And in this Asiatic and royal war, not only is that military valour required, which exists in a singular degree in Cnaeus Pompeius, but many other great virtues of mind are also demanded. It is difficult for your commander-in-chief in Asia, Cilicia, Syria, and all the kingdoms of the inland nations, to behave in such a manner as to think of nothing else but the enemy and glory. Then, even if there be some men moderate and addicted to the practice of modesty and self-government, still, such is the multitude of covetous and licentious men, that no one thinks that these are such men. |
68 |
difficile est dictu , Quirites , quanto in odio simus apud exteras nationes propter eorum quos ad eas per hos annos cum imperio misimus libidines et iniurias . quod enim fanum putatis in illis terris nostris magistratibus religiosum , quam civitatem sanctam , quam domum satis clausam ac munitam fuisse ? Vrbes iam locupletes et copiosae requiruntur quibus causa belli propter diripiendi facultatem inferatur .
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It is difficult to tell you, O Romans, how great our unpopularity is among foreign nations, on account of the injurious and licentious behaviour of those whom we have of late years sent among them with military command. For, in all those countries which are now under our dominion, what temple do you think has had a sufficiently holy reputation, what city has been sufficiently sacred, what private house has been sufficiently closed and fortified, to be safe from them? They seek out wealthy and splendid cities to find presence for making war on them for the sake of plundering them. |
69 |
libenter haec coram cum Quinto Catulo et Quinto Hortensio , summis et clarissimis viris , disputarem ; norunt enim sociorum volnera , vident eorum calamitates , querimonias audiunt . pro sociis vos contra hostis exercitus mittere putatis an hostium simulatione contra socios atque amicos ? quae civitas est in Asia quae non modo imperatoris aut legati sed unius tribuni militum animos ac spiritus capere possit ?
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I would willingly argue this with those most eminent and illustrious men, Quintus Catulus and Quintus Hortensius; for they know the distresses of the allies, they see their calamities, they hear their complaints. Do you think that you are sending an army in defence of your allies against their enemies, or rather, under presence of the existence of enemies, against your allies and friends themselves? What city is there in Asia which can stand the ferocity and arrogance, I will not say of the, army, of a commander-in-chief, or of a lieutenant, but of even the brigade of one single military tribune? |
70 |
qua re , etiam si quem habetis qui conlatis signis exercitus regios superare posse videatur , tamen , nisi erit idem qui a pecuniis sociorum , qui ab eorum coniugibus ac liberis , qui ab ornamentis fanorum atque oppidorum , qui ab auro gazaque regia manus , oculos , animum cohibere possit , non erit idoneus qui ad bellum Asiaticum regiumque mittatur .
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So that even if you have any one who may appear able to cope in terms of advantage with the king's armies, still, unless he be also a man who can keep his hands, and eyes, and desires from the treasures of the allies, from their wives and children, from the ornaments of their temples and cities, from the gold and jewels of the king, he will not be a fit person to be sent to this Asiatic and royal war. Do you think that there is any city there peacefully inclined towards us which is rich? |
71 |
ecquam putatis civitatem pacatam fuisse quae locuples sit , ecquam esse locupletem quae istis pacata esse videatur ? Ora maritima , Quirites , Gnaeum Pompeium non solum propter rei militaris gloriam sed etiam propter animi continentiam requisivit . videbat enim praetores locupletari quotannis pecunia publica praeter paucos , neque nos quicquam aliud adsequi classium nomine nisi ut detrimentis accipiendis maiore adfici turpitudine videremur . nunc qua cupiditate homines in provincias , quibus iacturis quibusque condicionibus proficiscantur ignorant videlicet isti qui ad unum deferenda omnia esse non arbitrantur . quasi vero Gnaeum Pompeium non cum suis virtutibus tum etiam alienis vitiis magnum esse videamus .
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Do you think that there is any rich city there, which will appear to those men to be peacefully inclined towards us? The sea-coast, O Romans, begged for Cnaeus Pompeius, not only on account of his renown for military achievements, but also because of the moderation of his disposition. For it saw that it was not the Roman people that was enriched every year by the public money, but only a few individuals, and that we did nothing more by the name of our fleets beyond sustaining losses, and so covering ourselves with additional disgrace. But now, are these men, who think that all these honours and offices are not to be conferred on one person, ignorant with what desires, with what hope of retrieving past losses, and on what conditions, these men go to the provinces? As if Cnaeus Pompeius did not appear great in our eyes, not only on account of his own positive virtues, but by a comparison with the vices of others. |
72 |
qua re nolite dubitare quin huic uni credatis omnia qui inter tot annos unus inventus est quem socii in urbis suas cum exercitu venisse gauderent . quod si auctoritatibus hanc causam , Quirites , confirmandam putatis , est vobis auctor vir bellorum omnium maximarumque rerum peritissimus , Publius Servilius , cuius tantae res gestae terra marique exstiterunt ut , cum de bello deliberetis , auctor vobis gravior esse nemo debeat ; est C . Curio , summis vestris beneficiis maximisque rebus gestis , summo ingenio et prudentia praeditus , est Gnaeus Lentulus in quo omnes pro amplissimis vestris honoribus summum consilium , summam gravitatem esse cognostis , est Gaius Cassius , integritate , veritate , constantia singulari . qua re videte ut horum auctoritatibus illorum orationi qui dissentiunt respondere posse videamur .
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And, therefore, do not you doubt to entrust everything to him alone, when he has been found to be the only man for many years whom the allies are glad to see come to their cities with an army. And if you think that our side of the argument, O Romans, should be confirmed by authorities, you have the authority of Publius Servilius, a man of the greatest skill in all wars, and in affairs of the greatest importance, who has performed such mighty achievements by land and sea, that, when you are deliberating about war, no one's authority ought to have more weight with you. You have the authority of Caius Curio, a man who has received great kindnesses from you, who has performed great exploits, who is endued with the highest abilities and wisdom; and of Cnaeus Lentulus, in whom all of you know there is (as, indeed, there ought to be from the ample honours which you have heaped upon him) the most eminent wisdom, and the greatest dignity of character; and of Caius Cassius, a man of extraordinary integrity, and valour, and virtue. Consider, therefore, whether we do not seem by the authority of these men to give a sufficient answer to the speeches of those men who differ from us. |
73 |
quae cum ita sint , Gaii Manili , primum istam tuam et legem et voluntatem et sententiam laudo vehementissimeque comprobo ; deinde te hortor ut auctore populo Romano maneas in sententia neve cuiusquam vim aut minas pertimescas . primum in te satis esse animi perseverantiaeque arbitror ; deinde , cum tantam multitudinem tanto cum studio adesse videamus quantam iterum nunc in eodem homine praeficiendo videmus , quid est quod aut de re aut de perficiendi facultate dubitemus ? ego autem , quicquid est in me studi , consili , laboris , ingeni , quicquid hoc beneficio populi Romani atque hac potestate praetoria , quicquid auctoritate , fide , constantia possum , id omne ad hanc rem conficiendam tibi et populo Romano polliceor ac defero testorque omnis deos ,
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And as this is the case, O Caius Manilius, in the first place, I exceedingly praise and approve of that law of yours, and of your purpose, and of your sentiments. And in the second place, I exhort you, having the approbation of the Roman people, to persevere in those sentiments, and not to fear the violence or threats of any one. And, first of all, I think you have the requisite courage and perseverance; and, secondly, when we see such a multitude present displaying such zeal in our cause as we now see displayed for the second time, in appointing the same man to the supreme command how can we doubt in the matter, or question our power of carrying our point? As for me, all the zeal, and wisdom, and industry, and ability of which I am possessed, all the influence which I have through the kindness shown for me by the Roman people, and through my power as praetor, as also, through my reputation for authority, good faith, and virtue, all of it I pledge to you and the Roman people, and devote to the object of carrying this resolution. |
74 |
et eos maxime qui huic loco temploque praesident , qui omnium mentis eorum qui ad rem publicam adeunt maxime perspiciunt , me hoc neque rogatu facere cuiusquam , neque quo Gnaei Pompei gratiam mihi per hanc causam conciliari putem , neque quo mihi ex cuiusquam amplitudine aut praesidia periculis aut adiumenta honoribus quaeram , propterea quod pericula facile , ut hominem praestare oportet , innocentia tecti repellemus , honorem autem neque ab uno neque ex hoc loco sed eadem illa nostra laboriosissima ratione vitae , si vestra voluntas feret , consequemur .
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And I call all the gods, to witness, and especially those who preside over this place and temple, who see into the minds of all those who apply themselves to affairs of state, that I am not doing this at the request of any one, nor because I think to conciliate the favour of Cnaeus Pompeius by taking this side, nor in order, through the greatness of any one else, to seek for myself protection against dangers, or aids in the acquirement of honours; because, as for dangers, we shall easily repel them, as a man ought to do, protected by our own innocence; and as for honours, we shall not gain them by the favour of any men, nor by anything that happens in this place, but by the same laborious course of life which I have hitherto adopted, if your favourable inclination assists me. |
75 |
quam ob rem , si quid in hac causa mihi susceptum est , Quirites , id ego omne me rei publicae causa suscepisse confirmo , tantumque abest ut aliquam mihi bonam gratiam quaesisse videar , ut multas me etiam simultates partim obscuras , partim apertas intellegam mihi non necessarias , vobis non inutilis suscepisse . sed ego me hoc honore praeditum , tantis vestris beneficiis adfectum statui , Quirites , vestram voluntatem et rei publicae dignitatem et salutem provinciarum atque sociorum meis omnibus commodis et rationibus praeferre oportere .
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Wherefore, whatever I have undertaken in this cause, O Romans, I assure you that I have undertaken wholly for the sake of the republic; and I am so far from thinking that I have gained by it the favour of any influential man, that I know, on the other hand, that I have brought on myself many enmities, some secret, some undisguised, which I never need have incurred, and which get will not be mischievous to you. But I have considered that I, invested with my present honours, and loaded with so many kindnesses from you, ought to prefer your inclination, and the dignity of the republic, and the safety of our provinces and allies, to all considerations of my own private interest. |