29 April 43 BCE: To Cicero (at Rome) from Decimus Brutus (at Regium Lepidi)
Decimus Brutus insults Lepidus and hopes he won't ally himself with Mark Antony
From Decimus Brutus to Marcus Cicero, greetings.
It must not have escaped you what a detriment to the Republic the loss of Pansa is.1 Now, you must use your authority and good sense to ensure that our enemies do not hope that the deaths of the consuls will provide an opportunity for them to regain their strength.
For my part, I shall work hard to make sure that Antony has no foothold in Italy—I shall pursue him at once. I hope that I shall achieve two things: preventing Ventidius from escaping,2 and Antony from remaining in Italy.
Let me ask you especially to write to that fickle windbag Lepidus, so that he cannot ally himself with Antony and make war on me yet again. As for Asinius Pollio, I think you can tell what he will do.3 Lepidus and Asinius’ legions are numerous, loyal, and strong. I do not write to you about this because I don’t know whether you have noticed it, but because I am very much convinced that Lepidus will never behave properly—if perhaps you have any doubt about him!
Please also encourage Plancus; I hope he will not fail the Republic now that Antony has been repulsed. In case Antony has got himself across the Alps, I have decided to station a garrison there and to let you know about everything.
Written April 29th, from camp at Regium.
Latin text of Ad Familiares 11.9 | Glossary | Historia Civilis video overview of 44-43 BCE
Pansa was wounded in the Battle of Forum Gallorum on April 14th, and died of his wounds on April 23rd.
Ventidius was on his way to Antony with three legions.
Footnote borrowed from Shackleton Bailey: ‘Not that Pollio’s intention would be honourable and Cicero as his friend would know it (so T.-P.), but the reverse. Pollio would join Antony if he got the chance. He is coupled with Lepidus in contradistinction to Plancus, of whose loyalty there was good hope now that Antony had suffered a defeat.’