5 May 43 BCE: To Lucius Munatius Plancus (in Transalpine Gaul) from Cicero (at Rome)
Is the end of the civil war in sight?
What a welcome report we received about the help you are bringing, two days before the victory—about your enthusiasm, your speed, your forces! And even now that the enemy has been scattered, all hope lies with you. For it is said that well known leaders of the villains escaped from the Battle of Mutina.1 There will be no less thanks in finishing them off than in defeating them from the start.
For my part, I have been waiting for a letter from you, along with many others, and I have been hoping as well that Lepidus will take the current political situation as a warning, and act in concert with you for the sake of the Republic. So take every care, my Plancus, to stamp out every spark of this most disgraceful war. If this is accomplished, you will have done a divine service to the Republic and won yourself eternal glory.
Written May 5th.
Latin text of Ad Familiares 10.14 | Glossary | Historia Civilis video overview of 44-43 BCE
i.e. Antony. Cicero had probably recently received Decimus Brutus’ letter about Antony’s escape from the battle.