Orations |
Translator: C. D. Yonge
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| 235 |
Quo ille nuntio audito cum senatum vocasset adhibuissetque consularem qui sua sententia C . Caesarem hostem iudicaret , repente concidit . Post autem neque sacrificiis sollemnibus factis neque votis nuncupatis non profectus est , sed profugit paludatus . At quo ? In provinciam firmissimorum et fortissimorum civium qui illum , ne si ita quidem venisset ut nullum bellum inferret , ferre potuissent , impotentem , iracundum , contumeliosum , superbum , semper poscentem , semper rapientem , semper ebrium . At ille cuius ne pacatam quidem nequitiam quisquam ferre posset bellum intulit provinciae Galliae ; circumsedet Mutinam , firmissimam et splendidissimam populi Romani coloniam ; oppugnat D . Brutum , imperatorem , consulem designatum , civem non sibi , sed nobis et rei publicae natum .
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And Antonius, on hearing of this news after he had summoned the senate, and provided a man of consular rank to declare his opinion that Caius. Caesar was an enemy of his country, immediately fainted away. And afterward without either performing the usual sacrifices or offering the customary vows, he, I will not say went forth, but took to flight in his robe as a general. But which way did he flee? To the province of our most resolute and bravest citizens, men who could never have endured him if he had not come bringing war in his train, an intemperate, passionate, insolent, proud man, always making demands, always plundering, always drunk. But he, whose worthlessness even when quiet was more than any one could endure, has declared war upon the province of Gaul; he is besieging Mutina, a valiant and splendid colony of the Roman people; he is blockading Decimus Brutus, the general, the consul-elect, a citizen born not for himself, but for us and the republic. |
| 236 |
Ergo Hannibal hostis , civis Antonius ? Quid ille fecit hostiliter quod hic non aut fecerit aut faciat aut moliatur et cogitet ? Totum iter Antoniorum quid habuit nisi depopulationes , vastationes , caedis , rapinas ? quas non faciebat Hannibal , quia multa ad usum suum reservabat : at hi , qui in horam viverent , non modo de fortunis et de bonis civium , sed ne de utilitate quidem sua cogitaverunt . Ad hunc , di boni ! legatos mitti placet ? Norunt isti homines formam rei publicae , iura belli , exempla maiorum , cogitant quid populi Romani maiestas , quid senatus severitas postulet ? Legatos decernis ? Si , ut deprecere , contemnet ; si , ut imperes , non audiet ; denique quamvis severa legatis mandata dederimus , nomen ipsum legatorum hunc quem videmus populi Romani restinguet ardorem , municipiorum atque Italiae franget animos . Vt omittam haec quae magna sunt , certe ista legatio moram et tarditatem adferet bello .
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Was then Hannibal an enemy, and is Antonius a citizen? What did the one do like an enemy, that the other has not done, or is not doing, or planning, and thinking of? What was there in the whole of the journey of the Antonii; except depopulation, devastation, slaughter, and rapine? Actions which Hannibal never did, because he was reserving many things for his own use, these men do, as men who live merely for the present hour; they never have given a thought not only to the fortunes and welfare of the citizens, but not even to their own advantage. Are we then, O ye good gods, to resolve to send ambassadors to this man? Are those men who propose this acquainted with the constitution of the republic, with the laws of war, with the precedents of our ancestors? Do they give a thought to what the majesty of the Roman people and the severity of the senate requires? Do you resolve to send ambassadors? If to beg his mercy, he will despise you; if to declare your commands, he will not listen to them; and last of all, however severe the message may be which we give the ambassadors, the very name of ambassadors will extinguish this ardor of the Roman people which we see at present, and break the spirit of the municipal towns and of Italy. To say nothing of these arguments, though they are weighty, at all events that sending of an embassy will cause delay and slowness to the war. |
| 237 |
Quamvis dicant quod quosdam audio dicturos : ‘Legati proficiscantur : bellum nihilo minus paretur ,’ tamen legatorum nomen ipsum et animos molliet et belli celeritatem morabitur .
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Although those who propose it should say, as I hear that some intend to say,—“Let the ambassadors go, but let war be prepared for all the same.” Still the very name of ambassadors will damp men's courage, and delay the rapidity of the war. |
| 238 |
Minimis momentis , patres conscripti , maximae inclinationes temporum fiunt , cum in omni casu rei publicae tum in bello et maxime civili quod opinione plerumque et fama gubernatur . Nemo quaeret quibuscum mandatis legatos miserimus : nomen ipsum legationis ultro missae timoris esse signum videbitur . Recedat a Mutina , desinat oppugnare Brutum , decedat ex Gallia ; non est verbis rogandus , cogendus est armis . Non enim ad Hannibalem mittimus ut a Sagunto recedat , ad quem miserat olim senatus P . Valerium Flaccum et Q . Baebium Tampilum —qui , si Hannibal non pareret , Carthaginem ire iussi sunt : nostros quo iubemus ire , si non paruerit Antonius ?—ad nostrum civem mittimus , ne imperatorem , ne coloniam populi Romani oppugnet . Itane vero ? hoc per legatos rogandum est ? Quid interest , per deos immortalis , utrum hanc urbem oppugnet an huius urbis propugnaculum , coloniam populi Romani praesidi causa conlocatam ? Belli Punici secundi quod contra maiores nostros Hannibal gessit causa fuit Sagunti oppugnatio . Recte ad eum legati missi : mittebantur ad Poenum , mittebantur pro Hannibalis hostibus , nostris sociis . Quid simile tandem ? Nos ad civem mittimus ne imperatorem populi Romani , ne exercitum , ne coloniam circumsedeat , ne oppugnet , ne agros depopuletur , ne sit hostis .
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The most important events, O conscript fathers, are often determined by very trivial moving influences in every circumstance that can happen in the republic, and also in war, and especially in civil war, which is usually governed a great deal by men's opinions and by reports. No one will ask what is the commission with which we have sent the ambassadors; the mere name of an embassy, and that sent by us of our, own accord, will appear an indication of fear. Let him depart from Mutina; let him cease to attack Brutus; let him retire from Gaul. He must not be begged in words to do so; he must be compelled by arms. For we are not sending to Hannibal to desire him to retire from before Saguntum; to whom the senate formerly sent Publius Valerius Flaccus and Quintus. Baebius Tampilus; who, if Hannibal did not comply, were ordered to proceed to Carthage. Whither do we order our ambassadors to proceed, if Antonius does not comply? Are we sending an embassy to our own citizen, to beg him not to attack a general and a colony of the Roman people? Is it so? Is it becoming to us to beg this by means of ambassadors? What is the difference in the name of the immortal gods, whether he attacks this city itself or whether he attacks an outpost of this city a colony of the Roman people established for the sake of its being a bulwark and protection to us? The siege of Saguntum was the cause of the second Punic war, which Hannibal carried on against our ancestors. It was quite right to send ambassadors to him They were sent to a Carthaginian, they were sent on behalf of those who were the enemies of Hannibal and our allies. What is there resembling that case here? We are sending to one of our own citizens to beg him not to blockade a general of the Roman army, not to attack our army and our colony,—in short not to be an enemy or ours. Come; suppose he obeys, shall we either be inclined, or shall we be able by any possibility, to treat him as one of our citizens? |
| 239 |
Age , si paruerit , hoc civi uti aut volumus aut possumus ? Ante diem xiii . Kalendas Ianuarias decretis vestris eum concidistis ; constituistis ut haec ad vos Kalendis Ianuariis referrentur quae referri videtis , de honoribus et praemiis bene de re publica meritorum et merentium : quorum principem iudicastis eum qui fuit C . Caesarem , qui M . Antoni impetus nefarios ab urbe in Galliam avertit , tum milites veteranos qui primi Caesarem secuti sunt , tum illas caelestis divinasque legiones , Martiam et quartam comprobastis quibus , cum consulem suum non modo reliquissent , sed bello etiam persequerentur honores et praemia spopondistis ; eodemque die D . Bruti , praestantissimi civis , edicto adlato atque proposito factum eius conlaudastis , quodque ille bellum privato consilio susceperat , id vos auctoritate publica comprobastis .
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On the nineteenth of December, you overwhelmed him with your decrees; you ordained that this motion should be submitted to you on the first of January, which you see is submitted now, respecting the honors and rewards to be conferred on those who have deserved or do deserve well of the republic. And the chief of those men you have adjudged to be the man who really has done so, Caius Caesar, who had diverted the nefarious attacks of Marcus. Antonius against this city, and compelled him to direct them against Gaul; and next to him you consider the veteran soldiers who first followed Caesar; then those excellent and heavenly-minded legions the Martial and the fourth, to whom you have promised honors and rewards, for having not only abandoned their consul, but for having even declared war against him. And on the same day, having a decree brought before you and published on purpose, you praised the conduct of Decimus Brutus, a most excellent citizen, and sanctioned with your public authority this war which he had undertaken of his own head. What else, then, did you do on that day except pronounce Antonius a public enemy? |
| 240 |
Quid igitur illo die aliud egistis nisi ut hostem iudicaretis Antonium ? His vestris decretis aut ille vos aequo animo aspicere poterit aut vos illum sine dolore summo videbitis ? Exclusit illum a re publica , distraxit , segregavit non solum scelus ipsius sed etiam , ut mihi videtur , fortuna quaedam rei publicae . Qui si legatis paruerit Romamque redierit , num umquam perditis civibus vexillum quo concurrant defuturum putatis ? Sed hoc minus vereor : sunt alia quae magis timeam et cogitem . Numquam parebit ille legatis . Novi hominis insaniam , adrogantiam ; novi perdita consilia amicorum , quibus ille est deditus .
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After these decrees of yours, will it be possible for him to look upon you with equanimity, or for you to behold him without the most excessive indignation! He has been excluded and cut off and wholly separated from the republic, not merely by his own wickedness, as it seems to me, but by some especial good fortune of the republic. And if he should comply with the demands of the ambassadors and return to Rome, do you suppose that abandoned citizens will ever be in need of a standard around which to rally? But this is not what I am so much afraid of. There are other things which I am more apprehensive of and more alarmed at. He never will comply with the demands of the ambassadors. I know the man's insanity and arrogance; I know the desperate counsels of his friends, to which he is wholly given up. |
| 241 |
Lucius quidem frater eius , utpote qui peregre depugnarit , familiam ducit . Sit per se ipse sanus , quod numquam erit : per hos esse ei tamen non licebit . Teretur interea tempus ; belli apparatus refrigescent . Vnde est adhuc bellum tractum nisi ex retardatione et mora ? Vt primum post discessum latronis vel potius desperatam fugam libere senatus haberi potuit , semper flagitavi ut convocaremur . Quo die primum convocati sumus , adfui ipse , cum designati consules non adessent , ieci sententia mea maximo vestro consensu fundamenta rei publicae , serius omnino quam decuit —nec enim ante potui —sed tamen si ex eo tempore dies nullus intermissus esset , bellum profecto nullum haberemus .
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Lucius his brother, as being a man who has fought abroad, leads on his household. Even suppose him to be in his senses himself, which he never will be; still he will not be allowed by these men to act as if he were so. In the mean time, time will be wasted. The preparations for war will cool. How is it that the war has been protracted as long as this, if it is not by procrastination and delay? From the very first moment after the departure, or rather after the hopeless flight of that bandit, that the senate could have met in freedom, I have always been demanding that we should be called together. The first day that we were called together, when the consuls elect were not present, I laid, in my opinion, amidst the greatest unanimity on your part, the foundations of the republic; later, indeed, than they should have been laid; for I could not do so before; but still if no time had been lost after that day, we should have no war at all now. |
| 242 |
Omne malum nascens facile opprimitur : inveteratum fit plerumque robustius . Sed tum exspectabantur Kalendae Ianuariae , fortasse non recte .
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Every evil is easily crushed at its birth; when it has become of long standing, it usually gets stronger. But then every body was waiting for the first of January; perhaps not very wisely. |
| 243 |
Verum praeterita omittamus : etiamne hanc moram , dum proficiscantur legati , dum revertantur ? quorum exspectatio dubitationem belli adfert . Bello autem dubio quod potest studium esse dilectus ? Quam ob rem , patres conscripti , legatorum mentionem nullam censeo faciendam ; rem administrandam arbitror sine ulla mora et confestim gerendam ; tumultum decerni , iustitium edici , saga sumi dico oportere , dilectum haberi sublatis vacationibus in urbe et in Italia praeter Galliam tota . Quae si erunt facta , opinio ipsa et fama nostrae severitatis obruet scelerati gladiatoris amentiam . Sentiet sibi bellum cum re publica esse susceptum ; experietur consentientis senatus nervos atque viris ; nam nunc quidem partium contentionem esse dictitat . Quarum partium ? Alteri victi sunt , alteri sunt e mediis C . Caesaris partibus ; nisi forte Caesaris partis a Pansa et Hirtio consulibus et a filio C . Caesaris oppugnari putamus . Hoc vero bellum non est ex dissensione partium , sed ex nefaria spe perditissimorum civium excitatum , quibus bona fortunaeque nostrae notatae sunt et iam ad cuiusque optionem distributae .
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However, let us say no more of what is past Are we still to allow any farther delay while the ambassadors are on their road to him? and while they are coming back again? and the time spent in waiting for them will make men doubt about the war. And while the fact of the war is in doubt, how can men possibly be zealous about the levies for the army? Wherefore, O conscript fathers, I give my vote that there should be no mention made of ambassadors. I think that the business that is to be done must be done without any delay and instantly. I say that it is necessary that we should decree that there is sedition abroad, that we should suspend the regular courts of justice, order all men to wear the garb of war, and enlist men in all quarters suspending all exemptions from military service in the city and in all Italy except in Gaul. And if this be done, the general opinion and report of your severity will overwhelm the insanity of that wicked gladiator. He will feel that he has undertaken a war against the republic; he will experience the sinews and vigor of a unanimous senate. For at present he is constantly saying that it is a mere struggle between parties. Between what parties? One party is defeated, the other is the heart of Caius Caesar's party. Unless, indeed we believe that the party of Caesar is attacked by Pansa and Hirtius the consuls and by Caius Caesar's son. But this war has been kindled not by a struggle between parties, but by the nefarious hopes of the most abandoned citizens; by whom all our estates and properties had been marked down, and already distributed according as every one has thought them desirable. |
| 244 |
Legi epistulam Antoni quam ad quendam vii virum , capitalem hominem , conlegam suum , miserat . ‘Quid concupiscas tu videris : quod concupiveris certe habebis .’ En ad quem legatos mittamus , cui bellum moremur inferre : qui ne sorti quidem fortunas nostras destinavit , sed libidini cuiusque nos ita addixit ut ne sibi quidem quicquam integrum quod non alicui promissum iam sit reliquerit . Cum hoc , patres conscripti , bello , inquam , decertandum est , idque confestim ; legatorum tarditas repudianda est .
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I have read the letter of Antonius which he sent to one of the septemviri, a thorough-paced scoundrel, a. colleague of his own. “Look out, and see what you take a fancy to; what you do fancy you shall certainly have.” See to what a man we are sending ambassadors; against what a man we are delaying to make war; a man who does not even let us draw lots for our fortunes, but hands us over to each man's caprice in such a way, that he has not left even himself any thing untouched, or which has not been promised to somebody. With this man, O conscript fathers, we must wage war,—war, I say, and that instantly. We must reject the slow proceedings of ambassadors. |
| 245 |
Quapropter ne multa nobis cotidie decernenda sint , consulibus totam rem publicam commendandam censeo eisque permittendum ut rem publicam defendant provideantque ne quid res publica detrimenti accipiat , censeoque ut eis qui in exercitu M . Antoni sunt ne sit ea res fraudi , si ante Kalendas Februarias ab eo discesserint . Haec si censueritis , patres conscripti , brevi tempore libertatem populi Romani auctoritatemque vestram recuperabitis . Si autem lenius agetis , tamen eadem , sed fortasse serius decernetis . De re publica quoad rettulistis satis decrevisse videor .
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Therefore, that we may not have a number of decrees to pass every day, I give my vote that the whole republic should be committed to the consuls; and that they should have a charge given them to defend the republic, and to take care “that the republic suffer no injury.” And I give my vote that those men who are in the army of Antonius be not visited with blame, if they leave him before the first of February. If you adopt these proposals or mine, O conscript fathers, you will in a short time recover the liberty of the Roman people and your own authority. But if you act with more mildness, still you will pass those resolutions, but perhaps you will pass them too late. As to the general welfare of the republic, on which you, O consuls, have consulted us, I think that I have proposed what is sufficient. |
| 246 |
Altera res est de honoribus : de quibus deinceps intellego esse dicendum . Sed qui ordo in sententiis rogandis servari solet , eundem tenebo in viris fortibus honorandis . A Bruto igitur , consule designato , more maiorum capiamus exordium . Cuius ut superiora omittam , quae sunt maxima illa quidem sed adhuc hominum magis iudiciis quam publice laudata , quibusnam verbis eius laudes huius ipsius temporis consequi possumus ? Neque enim ullam mercedem tanta virtus praeter hanc laudis gloriaeque desiderat ; qua etiam si careat , tamen sit se ipsa contenta : quamquam in memoria gratorum civium tamquam in luce posita laetetur . Laus igitur iudici testimonique nostri tribuenda Bruto est .
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The next question is about honors. And to this point I perceive that I must speak next. But I will preserve the same order in paying respect to brave men, that is usually preserved in asking their opinions. Let us, therefore, according to the usages of our ancestors, begin with Brutus, the consul elect; and, to say nothing of his former conduct,—which has indeed been most admirable, but still such as has been praised by the individual judgments of men, rather than by public authority,—what words can we find adequate to his praise at this very time? For such great virtue requires no reward except this one of praise and glory; and even if it were not to receive that, still it would be content with itself, and would rejoice at being laid up in the recollection of grateful citizens, as if it were placed in the full light. The praise then of our deliberate opinion, and of our testimony in his favor, must be given to Brutus. |
| 247 |
Quam ob rem his verbis , patres conscripti , senatus consultum faciendum censeo : ‘cum D . Brutus , imperator , consul designatus , provinciam Galliam in senatus populique Romani potestate teneat , cumque exercitum tantum tam brevi tempore summo studio municipiorum coloniarumque provinciae Galliae , optime de re publica meritae merentisque , conscripserit , compararit , id eum recte et ordine exque re publica fecisse , idque D . Bruti praestantissimum meritum in rem publicam senatui populoque Romano gratum esse et fore : itaque senatum populumque Romanum existimare , D . Bruti imperatoris , consulis designati , opera , consilio , virtute incredibilique studio et consensu provinciae Galliae rei publicae difficillimo tempore esse subventum . '
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Therefore, O conscript fathers, I give my vote that a resolution of the senate be passed a these words: “As Decimus Brutus, imperator, consul elect, is maintaining the province of Gaul in obedience to the senate and people of Rome; and as he has enlisted and collected in so short a time a very numerous army, being aided by the admirable zeal of the municipal towns and colonies of the province of Gaul, which has deserved and still does deserve admirably well of the republic; he has acted rightly and virtuously, and greatly for the advantage of the republic. And that most excellent service done by Decimus Brutus to the republic, is and always will be, grateful to the senate and people of Rome. Therefore, the senate and the Roman people is of opinion that the exertions, and prudence, and virtue of Decimus Brutus, imperator and consul-elect, and the incredible zeal and unanimity of the province of Gaul, have been a great assistance to the republic, at a most critical time.” |
| 248 |
Huic tanto merito Bruti , patres conscripti , tantoque in rem publicam beneficio quis est tantus honos qui non debeatur ? Nam si M . Antonio patuisset Gallia , si oppressis municipiis et coloniis imparatis in illam ultimam Galliam penetrare potuisset , quantus rei publicae terror impenderet ? Dubitaret , credo , homo amentissimus atque in omnibus consiliis praeceps et devius non solum cum exercitu suo sed etiam cum omni immanitate barbariae bellum inferre nobis , ut eius furorem ne Alpium quidem muro cohibere possemus . Haec igitur habenda gratia est D . Bruto qui illum , nondum interposita auctoritate vestra , suo consilio atque iudicio , non ut consulem recepit , sed ut hostem arcuit Gallia seque obsideri quam hanc urbem maluit . Habeat ergo huius tanti facti tamque praeclari decreto nostro testimonium sempiternum ; Galliaque quae semper praesidet atque praesedit huic imperio libertatique communi merito vereque laudetur , quod se suasque viris non tradidit , sed opposuit Antonio .
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What honor, O conscript fathers, can be too great to be due to such a mighty service as this of Brutus, and to such important aid as he has afforded the republic? For if Gaul had been open to Marcus Antonius—if after having overwhelmed the municipal towns and colonies unprepared to resist him, he had been able to penetrate into that farther Gaul—what great danger would have hung over the republic! That most insane of men, that man so headlong and furious in all his courses,—would have been likely I suppose to hesitate at waging war against us not only with his own army but with all the savage troops of barbarism, so that even the wall of the Alps would not have enabled us to check his frenzy. These thanks then will be deservedly paid to Decimus Brutus, who, before any authority of yours had been interposed, acting on his own judgment and responsibility, refused to receive him as consul, but repelled him from Gaul as an enemy, and preferred to be besieged himself rather than to allow this city to be so. Let him therefore have, by your decree, an everlasting testimony to this most important and glorious action, and let Gaul, which always is and has been a protection to this empire and to the general liberty be deservedly and truly praised for not having surrendered herself and her power to Antonius but for having opposed him with them. |
| 249 |
Atque etiam M . Lepido pro eius egregiis in rem publicam meritis decernendos honores quam amplissimos censeo . Semper ille populum Romanum liberum voluit maximumque signum illo die dedit voluntatis et iudici sui , cum Antonio diadema Caesari imponente se avertit gemituque et maestitia declaravit quantum haberet odium servitutis , quam populum Romanum liberum cuperet , quam illa quae tulerat temporum magis necessitate quam iudicio tulisset . Quanta vero is moderatione usus sit in illo tempore civitatis quod post mortem Caesaris consecutum est , quis nostrum oblivisci potest ? Magna haec , sed ad maiora properat oratio .
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And, furthermore I give my vote that the most simple honors be decreed to Marcus Lepidus as a reward for his eminent services to the republic. He has at all times wished the Roman people to be free; and he gave the greatest proof of his inclination and opinion on that day, when, while Antonius was placing the diadem on Caesar's head, he turned his face away, and by his groans and sorrow showed plainly what a hatred of slavery he had, how desirous he was for the Roman people to be free, and how he had endured those things which he had endured, more because of the necessity of the times, than because they harmonized with his sentiments. And who of us can forget with what great moderation he behaved during that crisis of the city which ensued after the death of Caesar? These are great merits; but I hasten to speak of greater still. |
| 250 |
Quid enim , o di immortales ! admirabilius omnibus gentibus , quid optatius populo Romano accidere potuit quam , cum bellum civile maximum esset , cuius belli exitum omnes timeremus , sapientia et misericordia id potius exstingui quam armis et ferro rem in discrimen adducere ? Quod si eadem ratio Caesaris fuisset in illo taetro miseroque bello , ut omittam patrem , duos Cn . Pompei , summi et singularis viri , filios incolumis haberemus : quibus certe pietas fraudi esse non debuit . Vtinam omnis M . Lepidus servare potuisset ! facturum fuisse declaravit in eo quod potuit , cum Sex . Pompeium restituit civitati , maximum ornamentum rei publicae , clarissimum monumentum clementiae suae . Gravis illa fortuna populi Romani , grave fatum . Pompeio enim patre , quod imperi populi Romani lumen fuit , exstincto interfectus est patris simillimus filius .
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For (O ye immortal gods!) what could happen more to be admired by foreign nations, or more to be desired by the Roman people than, at a time when there was a most important civil war, the result of which we were all dreading, that it should be extinguished by prudence rather than that arms and violence should be able to put every thing to the hazard of a battle? And if Caesar had been guided by the same principles in that odious and miserable war, we should have—to say nothing of their father—the two sons of Cnaeus Pompeius, that most illustrious and virtuous man, safe among us; men whose piety and filial affection certainly ought not to have been their ruin. Would that Marcus. Lepidus had been able to save them all! He showed that he would have done so, by his conduct in cases where he had the power; when he restored Sextus Pompeius to the state, a great ornament to the republic, and a most illustrious monument of his clemency. Sad was that picture, melancholy was the destiny then of the Roman people. For after Pompeius the father was dead, he who was the light of the Roman people, the son too, who was wholly like his father, was also slain. |
| 251 |
Sed omnia mihi videntur deorum immortalium iudicio expiataSex . Pompeio rei publicae conservato .
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But all these calamities appear to me to have been effaced by the kindness of the immortal gods, Sextus Pompeius being preserved to the republic. |
| 252 |
Quam ob causam iustam atque magnam et quod periculosissimum civile bellum maximumque humanitate et sapientia sua M . Lepidus ad pacem concordiamque convertit , senatus consultum his verbis censeo perscribendum : ‘cum a M . Lepido imperatore , pontifice maximo , saepe numero res publica et bene et feliciter gesta sit , populusque Romanus intellexerit ei dominatum regium maxime displicere , cumque eius opera , virtute , consilio singularique clementia et mansuetudine bellum acerbissimum civile sit restinctum , Sextusque Pompeius , Gnaei filius , Magnus , huius ordinis auctoritate ab armis discesserit et a M . Lepido imperatore , pontifice maximo , summa senatus populique Romani voluntate civitati restitutus sit , senatum populumque Romanum pro maximis plurimisque in rem publicam M . Lepidi meritis magnam spem in eius virtute , auctoritate , felicitate reponere oti , pacis , concordiae , libertatis , eiusque in rem publicam meritorum senatum populumque Romanum memorem fore , eique statuam equestrem inauratam in rostris aut quo alio loco in foro vellet ex huius ordinis sententia statui placere .’ Qui honos , patres conscripti , mihi maximus videtur , primum quia iustus est ; non enim solum datur propter spem temporum reliquorum sed pro amplissimis meritis redditur ; nec vero cuiquam possumus commemorare hunc honorem a senatu tributum iudicio senatus soluto et libero .
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For which cause, reasonable and important as it is, and because Marcus Lepidus, by his humanity and wisdom, has changed a most dangerous and extensive civil war into peace and concord, I give my vote, that a resolution of the senate be drawn up in these words: “Since the affairs of the republic have repeatedly been well and prosperously conducted by Marcus Lepidus, imperator, and Pontifex Maximus, and since the Roman people is fully aware that kingly power is very displeasing to him; and since by his exertions, and virtue, and prudence, and singular clemency and humanity, a most bitter civil war has been extinguished; and Sextus Pompeius Magnus, the son of Cnaeus, having submitted to the authority of this order and laid down his arms, and, in accordance with the perfect good-will of the senate and people of Rome, has been restored to the state by Marcus Lepidus, imperator, and Pontifex Maximus; the senate and people of Rome, in return for the important and numerous services of Marcus Lepidus to the republic, declares that it places great hopes of future tranquillity and peace and concord, in his virtue, authority, and good fortune; and the senate and people of Rome will ever remember his services to the republic; and it is decreed by the vote of this order, that a gilt equestrian statue be erected to him in the Rostra, or in whatever other place in the forum he pleases.” And this honor, O conscript fathers, appears to me a very great one, in the first place, because it is just;—for it is not merely given on account of our hopes of the future, but it is paid, as it were, in requital of his ample services already done. Nor are we able to mention any instance of this honor having been conferred on any one by the senate by their own free and voluntary judgment before. |