Orations |
Translator: C. D. Yonge
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| 415 |
Sed ut ea vestra quoque auctoritate firmetur , censeo : cum P . Dolabella quique eius crudelissimi et taeterrimi facinoris ministri , socii , adiutores fuerunt hostes populi Romani a senatu iudicati sint , cumque senatus P . Dolabellam bello persequendum censuerit , ut is qui omnia deorum hominumque iura novo , inaudito , inexpiabili scelere polluerit nefarioque se patriae parricidio obstrinxerit poenas dis hominibusque meritas debitasque persolvat ,
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But in order that they may be sanctioned by your authority also, I now give my vote, that, “As Publius Dolabella, and those who have been the ministers of and accomplices and assistants in his cruel and infamous crime, have been pronounced enemies of the Roman people by the senate, |
| 416 |
senatui placere C . Cassium pro consule provinciam Syriam obtinere , ut qui optimo iure eam provinciam obtinuerit , eum a Q . Marcio Crispo pro consule , L . Statio Murco pro consule , A . Allieno legato exercitus accipere , eosque ei tradere , cumque eis copiis et si quas praeterea paraverit bello P . Dolabellam terra marique persequi . Eius belli gerendi causa quibus ei videatur navis , nautas , pecuniam ceteraque quae ad id bellum gerendum pertineant , ut imperandi in Syria , Asia , Bithynia , Ponto ius potestatemque habeat , utique , quamcumque in provinciam eius belli gerendi causa advenerit , ibi maius imperium C . Cassi pro consule sit quam eius erit qui eam provinciam tum obtinebit , cum C .
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and as the senate has voted that Publius Dolabella shall be pursued with war, in order that he who has violated all laws of men and gods by a new and unheard of and inexpiable wickedness, and has committed the most infamous treason against his country, may suffer the punishment which is his due, and which he has well deserved at the hands of gods and men; the senate decrees that Caius Cassius, proconsul, shall have the government of Syria as one appointed to that province with all due form; and that he shall receive their armies from Quintus Marcius Crispus, proconsul, from Lucius Statius Marcus, proconsul, from Aulus Allienus, lieutenant, and that they shall deliver them up to him; and that he, with these troops and with any more which he may have got from other quarters, shall pursue Dolabella with war both by sea and land; that, for the sake of carrying on war, he shall have authority and power to buy ships, and sailors, and money, and whatever else may be necessary or useful for the carrying on of the war, in whatever places it seems fitting to him to do so, throughout Syria, Asia, Bithynia, and Pontus; and that, in whatever province he shall arrive for the purpose of carrying on that war, in that province as soon as Caius Cassius, proconsul, shall arrive in it, the power of Caius Cassius, proconsul, shall be superior to that of him who may be the regular governor of the province at the time. |
| 417 |
Cassius pro consule in eam provinciam venerit ; regem Deiotarum patrem et regem Deiotarum filium , si , ut multis bellis saepe numero imperium populi Romani iuverint , item C . Cassium pro consule copiis suis opibusque iuvissent , senatui populoque Romano gratum esse facturos . Itemque si ceteri reges , tetrarchae dynastaeque fecissent , senatum populumque Romanum eorum offici non immemorem futurum . Vtique C . Pansa A . Hirtius consules , alter ambove , si eis videretur , re publica recuperata de provinciis consularibus , praetoriis , ad hunc ordinem primo quoque tempore referant . Interea provinciae ab eis a quibus obtinentur obtineantur quoad cuique ex senatus consulto successum sit .
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That king Deiotarus the father, and also king Deiotarus the son, if they assist Caius Cassius, proconsul, with their armies and treasures, as they have heretofore often assisted the generals of the Roman people, will do a thing which will be grateful to the senate and people of Rome; and that also, if the rest of the kings and tetrarchs and governors in those districts do the same, the senate and people of Rome will not be forgetful of their loyalty and kindness; and that Caius Pansa and Aulus Hirtius the consuls, one or both of them, as it seems good to them, as soon as they have reestablished the republic, shall at the earliest opportunity submit a motion to this order about the consular and praetorian provinces; and that, in the meantime, the provinces should continue to be governed by those officers by whom they are governed at present, until a successor be appointed to each by a resolution of the senate.” |
| 418 |
Hoc senatus consulto ardentem inflammabitis et armatum armabitis Cassium ; nec enim animum eius potestis ignorare nec copias . Animus is est quem videtis ; copiae quas audistis , fortes et constantes viri , qui ne vivo quidem Trebonio Dolabellae latrocinium in Syriam penetrare sivissent . Allienus , familiaris et necessarius meus , post interitum Treboni profecto ne dici quidem se legatum Dolabellae volet . Est Q . Caecili Bassi , privati illius quidem , sed fortis et praeclari viri , robustus et victor exercitus .
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By this resolution of the senate you will inflame the existing ardor of Cassius, and you will give him additional arms; for you can not be ignorant of his disposition, or of the resources which he has at present. His disposition is such as you see; his resources, which you have heard stated to you, are those of a gallant and resolute man, who, even while Trebonius was alive, would not permit the piratical crew of Dolabella to penetrate into Syria. Allienus, my intimate friend and connection, who went thither after the death of Trebonius, will not permit himself to be called the lieutenant of Dolabella. The army of Quintus Caecilius Bassus, a man indeed without any regular appointment, but a brave and eminent man, is vigorous and victorious. |
| 419 |
Deiotari regis et patris et fili et magnus et nostro more institutus exercitus ; summa in filio spes , summa ingeni indoles , summa virtus . Quid de patre dicam ? cuius benevolentia in populum Romanum est ipsius aequalis aetati ; qui non solum socius imperatorum nostrorum fuit in bellis verum etiam dux copiarum suarum . Quae de illo viro Sulla , quae Murena , quae Servilius , quae Lucullus , quam ornate , quam honorifice , quam graviter saepe in senatu praedicaverunt ? Quid de Cn .
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The army of Deiotarus the king, both father and son, is very numerous; and equipped in our fashion. Moreover, in the son there is the greatest hope, the greatest vigor of genius and a good disposition, and the most eminent valor. Why need I speak of the father? whose good-will toward the Roman people is coeval with his life; who has not only been the ally of our commanders in their wars, but has also served himself as the general of his own troops. What great things have Sulla, and Murena, and Servilius, and Lucullus said of that man; what complimentary, what honorable and dignified mention have they often made of him in the senate! |
| 420 |
Pompeio loquar ? qui unum Deiotarum in toto orbe terrarum ex animo amicum vereque benevolum , unum fidelem populo Romano iudicavit . Fuimus imperatores ego et M . Bibulus in propinquis finitimisque provinciis : ab eodem rege adiuti sumus et equitatu et pedestribus copiis . Secutum est hoc acerbissimum et calamitosissimum civile bellum in quo quid faciendum Deiotaro , quid omnino rectius fuerit dicere non est necesse , praesertim cum contra ac Deiotarus sensit victoria belli iudicarit . Quo in bello si fuit error , communis ei fuit cum senatu ; sin recta sententia , ne victa quidem causa vituperanda est . Ad has copias accedent alii reges , etiam dilectus accedent .
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Why should I speak of Cnaeus Pompeius? who considered Deiotarus the only friend and real well-wisher from his heart, the only really loyal man to the Roman people in the whole world? We were generals, Marcus Bibulus and I, in neighboring provinces bordering on his kingdom; and we were assisted by that same monarch both with cavalry and infantry. Then followed this most miserable and disastrous civil war; in which I need not say what Deiotarus ought to have done, or what would have been the most proper course which he could have adopted, especially as victory decided for the party opposed to the wishes of Deiotarus. And if in that war he committed any error, he did so in common with the senate. If his judgment was the right one, then even though defeated it does not deserve to be blamed. To these resources other kings and other levies of troops will be added. |
| 421 |
Neque vero classes deerunt : tanti Tyrii Cassium faciunt , tantum eius in Syria nomen atque Phoenice est .
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Nor will fleets be wanting to us; so greatly do the Tyrians esteem Cassius, so mighty is his name in Syria and Phoenicia. |
| 422 |
Paratum habet imperatorem C . Cassium , patres conscripti , res publica contra Dolabellam nec paratum solum sed peritum atque fortem . Magnas ille res gessit ante Bibuli , summi viri , adventum , cum Parthorum nobilissimos duces maximas copias fudit Syriamque immani Parthorum impetu liberavit . Maximam eius et singularem laudem praetermitto ; cuius enim praedicatio nondum omnibus grata est , hanc memoriae potius quam vocis testimonio conservemus . Animadverti , patres conscripti , exaudivi etiam nimium a me Brutum ornari ; Cassio vero sententia mea dominatum et principatum dari . Quos ego orno ? Nempe eos qui ipsi sunt ornamenta rei publicae . Quid ? D . Brutum nonne omnibus sententiis semper ornavi ? Num igitur reprehenditis ? An Antonios potius ornarem , non modo suarum familiarum sed Romani nominis probra atque dedecora ? an Censorinum ornem in bello hostem , in pace sectorem ? an cetera ex eodem latrocinio naufragia conligam ? Ego vero istos oti , concordiae , legum , iudiciorum , libertatis inimicos tantum abest ut ornem ut effici non possit quin eos tam oderim quam rem publicam diligo .
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The republic, O conscript fathers, has a general ready against Dolabella, in Caius Cassius, and not ready only, but also skillful and brave. He performed great exploits before the arrival of Bibulus, a most illustrious man, when he defeated the most eminent generals of the Parthians and their innumerable armies, and delivered Syria from their most formidable invasion. I pass over his greatest and most extraordinary glory; for as the mention of it is not yet acceptable to every one, we had better preserve it in our recollection than by hearing testimony to it with our voice. I have noticed, O conscript fathers, that some people have said before now, that even Brutus is too much extolled by me, that Cassius is too much extolled; and that by this proposition of mine absolute power and quite a principality is conferred upon Cassius. Whom do I extol? Those who are themselves the glory of the republic. What? have I not at all times extolled Decimus Brutus whenever I have delivered my opinion at all? Do you then find fault with me? or should I rather praise the Antonii, the disgrace and infamy not only of their own families, but of the Roman name? or should I speak in favor of Censorinus, an enemy in time of war, an assassin in time of peace? or should I collect all the other ruined men of that band of robbers? But I am so far from extolling those enemies of tranquillity, of concord, of the laws, of the courts of justice, and of liberty, that I cannot avoid hating them as much as I love the republic. |
| 423 |
' Vide ,’ inquit ‘ne veteranos offendas :’ hoc enim vel maxime exaudio . Ego autem veteranos tueri debeo , sed eos quibus sanitas est ; certe timere non debeo . Eos vero veteranos qui pro re publica arma ceperunt secutique sunt C . Caesarem auctorem beneficiorum paternorum , hodieque rem publicam defendunt vitae suae periculo , non tueri solum sed etiam commodis augere debeo . Qui autem quiescunt , ut septima , ut octava legio , in magna gloria et laude ponendos puto . Comites vero Antoni qui , postquam beneficia Caesaris comederunt , consulem designatum obsident , huic urbi ferro ignique minitantur , Saxae se et Cafoni tradiderunt ad facinus praedamque natis , num quis est qui tuendos putet ? Ergo aut boni sunt quos etiam ornare , aut quieti quos conservare debemus , aut impii quorum contra furorem bellum et iusta arma cepimus .
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“Beware, says one, “how you offend the veterans. For this is what I am most constantly told. But I certainly ought to protect the rights of the veterans; of those at least who are well disposed; but surely I ought not to fear them. And those veterans who have taken up arms in the cause of the republic, and have followed Caius Caesar, remembering the kindnesses which they received from his father, and who at this day are defending the republic to their own great personal danger,—those I ought not only to defend, but to seek to procure additional advantages for them. But those also who remain quiet, such as the sixth and eighth legion, I consider worthy of great glory and praise. But as for those companions of Antonius, who after they have devoured the benefits of Caesar, besiege the consul elect, threaten this city with fire and sword, and have given themselves up to Saxa and Capho, men born for crime and plunder, who is there who thinks that those men ought to be defended? Therefore the veterans are either good men, whom we ought to load with distinctions; or quiet men, whom we ought to preserve; or impious ones, against whose frenzy we have declared war and taken up legitimate arms. |
| 424 |
Quorum igitur veteranorum animos ne offendamus veremur ? eorumne qui D . Brutum obsidione cupiunt liberare ? Quibus cum Bruti salus cara sit , qui possunt Cassi nomen odisse ? An eorum qui utrisque armis vacant ? Non vereor ne acerbus cuiquam istorum sit qui otio delectantur . Tertio vero generi non militum veteranorum , sed importunissimorum hostium cupio quam acerbissimum dolorem inurere . Quamquam , patres conscripti , quousque sententias dicemus veteranorum arbitratu ? Quod eorum tantum fastidium est , quae tanta adrogantia ut ad arbitrium illorum imperatores etiam deligamus ?
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Who then are the veterans whom we are to be fearful of offending? Those who are desirous to deliver Decimus Brutus from siege? for how can those men, to whom the safety of Brutus is dear, hate the name of Cassius? Or those men who abstain from taking arms on either side? I have no fear of any of those men who delight in tranquillity becoming a mischievous citizen. But as for the third class, whom I call not veteran soldiers, but infamous enemies, I wish to inflict on them the most bitter pain. Although, O conscript fathers, how long are we to deliver our opinions as it may please the veterans? why are we to yield so much to their haughtiness? why are we to make their arrogance of such importance as to choose our generals with reference to their pleasure? |
| 425 |
Ego autem —dicendum est enim , patres conscripti , quod sentio —non tam veteranos metuendos nobis arbitror quam quid tirones milites , flos Italiae , quid novae legiones ad liberandam patriam paratissimae , quid cuncta Italia de vestra gravitate sentiat . Nihil enim semper floret ; aetas succedit aetati : diu legiones Caesaris viguerunt ; nunc vigent Pansae , vigent Hirti , vigent Caesaris fili , vigent Planci ; vincunt numero , vincunt aetatibus ; nimirum etiam auctoritate vincunt . Id enim bellum gerunt quod ab omnibus gentibus comprobatur . Itaque his praemia promissa sunt , illis persoluta . Fruantur illi suis , persolvantur his quae spopondimus . Id enim deos immortalis spero aequissimum iudicare .
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But I (for I must speak, O conscript fathers, what I feel) think that we ought not so much to regard the veterans, as to look at what the young soldiers, the flower of Italy—at what the new legions, most eager to effect the deliverance of their country—at what all Italy will think of your wisdom. For there is nothing which flourishes forever. Age succeeds age. The legions of Caesar have flourished for a long time; but now those who are flourishing are the legions of Pansa, and the legions of Hirtius, and the legions of the son of Caesar, and the legions of Plancus. They surpass the veterans in number; they have the advantage of youth; moreover, they surpass them also in authority. For they are engaged in waging that war which is approved of by all nations. Therefore, rewards have been promised to these latter. To the former they have been already paid;—let them enjoy them. But let these others have those rewards given to them which we have promised them. |
| 426 |
Quae cum ita sint , eam quam dixi sententiam vobis , patres conscripti , censeo comprobandam .
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For that is what I hope that the immortal gods will consider just. And as this is the case, I give my vote for the proposition which I have made to you, O conscript fathers, being adopted by you. |
| 427 |
IN M . ANTONIVM ORATIO PHILIPPICA DVODECIMA Etsi minime decere videtur , patres conscripti , falli , decipi , errare eum cui vos maximis saepe de rebus adsentiamini , consolor me tamen quoniam vobiscum pariter et una cum sapientissimo consule erravi . Nam cum duo consulares spem honestae pacis nobis attulissent , quod erant familiares M . Antoni , quod domestici , nosse aliquod eius volnus quod nobis ignotum esset videbantur . Apud alterum uxor , liberi ; alter cotidie litteras mittere , accipere , aperte favere Antonio .
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THE TWELFTH ORATION OF M. T. CICERO AGAINST MARCUS ANTONIUS. CALLED ALSO THE TWELFTH PHILIPPIC. Although, O conscript fathers, it seems very unbecoming for that man whose counsels you have so often adopted in the most important affairs, to be deceived and deluded, and to commit mistakes; yet I console myself, since I made the mistake in company with you, and in company also with a consul of the greatest wisdom. For when two men of consular rank had brought us hope of an honorable peace, they appeared, as being friends and extremely intimate with Marcus Antonius, to be aware of some weak point about him with which we were unacquainted. His wife and children are in the house of one; the other is known every day to send letters to, to receive letters from, and openly to favor Antonius. |
| 428 |
Hi subito hortari ad pacem , quod iam diu non fecissent , non sine causa videbantur . Accessit consul hortator . At qui consul ! Si prudentiam quaerimus , qui minime falli posset ; si virtutem , qui nullam pacem probaret nisi cum cedente atque victo ; si magnitudinem animi , qui praeferret mortem servituti . Vos autem , patres conscripti , non tam immemores vestrorum gravissimorum decretorum videbamini quam spe adlata deditionis quam amici pacem appellare mallent de imponendis , non accipiendis legibus cogitare . Auxerat autem meam quidem spem , credo item vestram , quod domum Antoni adflictam maestitia audiebam , lamentari uxorem . Hic etiam fautores Antoni quorum in voltu habitant oculi mei tristiores videbam .
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These men, then, appeared likely to have some reason for exhorting us to peace, which they had done for some time. The consul, too, added the weight of his exhortation; and what a consul! If we look for prudence, one who was not easily to be deceived; if for virtue and courage, one who would never admit of peace unless Antonius submitted and confessed himself to be vanquished; if for greatness of mind, one who would prefer death to slavery. You too, O conscript fathers, appeared to be induced to think not of accepting but of imposing conditions, not so much because you were forgetful of your most important and dignified resolutions, as because you had hopes suggested you of a surrender on the part of Antonius, which his friends preferred to call peace. My own hopes, and I imagine yours also, were increased by the circumstance of my hearing that the family of Antonius was overwhelmed with distress, and that his wife was incessantly lamenting. And in this assembly, too, I saw that the partisans, on whose countenance my eyes are always dwelling looked more sorrowful than usual. |
| 429 |
Quod si non ita est , cur a Pisone et Caleno potissimum , cur hoc tempore , cur tam improviso , cur tam repente pacis est facta mentio ? Negat Piso scire se , negat audisse quicquam ; negat Calenus rem ullam novam adlatam esse . Atque id nunc negant , postea quam nos pacificatoria legatione implicatos putant . Quid ergo opus est novo consilio , si in re nihil omnino novi est ?
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And if that is not so, why on a sudden has mention been made of peace by Piso and Calenus of all people in the world, why at this particular moment, why so unexpectedly? Piso declares that he knows nothing, that he has not heard any thing. Calenus declares that no news has been brought. And they make that statement now, after they think that we are involved in a pacific embassy. What need have we, then, of any new determination, if no new circumstances have arisen to call for one? |
| 430 |
Decepti , inquam , sumus , patres conscripti : Antoni est acta causa ab amicis eius , non publica . Quod videbam equidem sed quasi per caliginem : praestrinxerat aciem animi D . Bruti salus . Quod si in bello dari vicarii solerent , libenter me ut D . Brutus emitteretur pro illo includi paterer . Atque hac voce Q . Fufi capti sumus : ‘Ne si a Mutina quidem recesserit , audiemus Antonium , ne si in senatus quidem potestate futurum se dixerit ?’ Durum videbatur : itaque fracti sumus , cessimus . Recedit igitur a Mutina ? ‘Nescio .’ Paret senatui ? ‘Credo ,’ inquit Calenus ‘sed ita ut teneat dignitatem .’ Valde hercules vobis laborandum est , patres conscripti , ut vestram dignitatem amittatis , quae maxima est ; Antoni , quae neque est ulla neque esse potest , retineatis , ut eam per vos reciperet quam per se perdidit . Si iacens vobiscum aliquid ageret , audirem fortasse : quamquam —sed hoc malo dicere , audirem : stanti resistendum est aut concedenda una cum dignitate libertas . At non est integrum : constituta legatio est .
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We have been deceived,—we have, I say, been deceived, O conscript fathers. It is the cause of Antonius that has been pleaded by his friends, and not the cause of the public And I did indeed see that, though through a sort of mist the safety of Decimus Brutus had dazzled my eyesight. But if in war substitutes were in the habit of being given I would gladly allow myself to be hemmed in, so long as Decimus Brutus might be released. But we were caught by this expression of Quintus Fufius; “Shall we not listen to Antonius even if he retires from Mutina? Shall we not, even if he declares that he will submit himself to the authority of the senate?” It seemed harsh to say that. Thus it was that we were broken; we yielded. Does he then retire from Mutina? “I don't know.” Is he obeying the senate? “I think so,” says Calenus, “but so as to preserve his own dignity at the same time.” You then, O conscript fathers, are to make great exertions for the express purpose of losing your own dignity, which is very great, and of preserving that of Antonius, which neither has nor can have any existence; and of enabling him to recover that by your conduct, which he has lost by his own. |
| 431 |
Quid autem non integrum est sapienti quod restitui potest ? Cuiusvis hominis est errare ; nullius nisi insipientis perseverare in errore . Posteriores enim cogitationes , ut aiunt , sapientiores solent esse . Discussa est illa caligo quam paulo ante dixi ; diluxit , patet , videmus omnia , neque per nos solum , sed admonemur a nostris . Attendistis paulo ante praestantissimi viri quae esset oratio . ‘Maestam ’ inquit ‘domum offendi , coniugem , liberos . Admirabantur boni viri , accusabant amici quod spe pacis legationem suscepissem .’ Nec mirum , P . Servili : tuis enim severissimis gravissimisque sententiis omni est non dico dignitate sed etiam spe salutis spoliatus Antonius .
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“But, however, that matter is not open for consideration now; an embassy has been appointed.” But what is there which is not open for consideration to a wise man, as long as it can be remodeled? Any man is liable to a mistake; but no one but a downright fool will persist in error. For second thoughts, as people say, are best. The mist which I spoke of just now is dispelled: light has arisen: the case is plain: we see every thing, and that not by our own acuteness, but we are warned by our friends. You heard just now what was the statement made by a most admirable man. I found, said he, his house, his wife, his children, all in great distress. Good men marveled at me, my friends blamed me for having been led by the hope of peace to undertake an embassy. And no wonder, O Publius Servilius. For by your own most true and most weighty arguments Antonius was stripped, I do not say of all dignity, but of even every hope of safety. |
| 432 |
Ad eum ire te legatum quis non miraretur ? De me experior : cuius idem consilium quod tuum sentio quam reprehendatur . Nos reprehendimur soli ? Quid ? vir fortissimus Pansa sine causa paulo ante tam accurate locutus est tam diu ? Quid egit nisi uti falsam proditionis a se suspicionem depelleret ? Vnde autem ista suspicio est ? Ex pacis patrocinio repentino quod subito suscepit eodem captus errore quo nos .
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Who would not wonder if you were to go as an ambassador to him? I judge by my own case; for with regard to myself I see how the same design as you conceived is found fault with. And are we the only people blamed? What? did that most gallant man speak so long and so precisely a little while ago without any reason? What was he laboring for, except to remove from himself a groundless suspicion of treachery? And whence did that suspicion arise? From his unexpected advocacy of peace, which he adopted all on a sudden, being taken in by the same error that we were. |