Early May 43 BCE: To Cicero (at Rome) from Lucius Munatius Plancus (in Transalpine Gaul)
Plancus keeps his options open
My eternal thanks for as long as I live; for I cannot promise that I’ll pay you back.1 I do not think I can offer you anything in return for such services, unless perhaps—as you wrote so authoritatively and eloquently2—you will feel like I have repaid you as long as I remember what you have done for me. If it had been your son’s position at stake, you really could not have acted more lovingly.
Your initial proposals of rewarding me infinitely; your later proposals, that were adjusted to the circumstances and what my friends thought best; your constant, unending speeches about me; your quarrels with my detractors on my behalf—these are very well known to me. I must take more than the usual care to play the part of a citizen worthy of your praise, who always remembers and is grateful for your friendship. For the rest, follow through on the gift you have given me, and if events show you that I have become the man you wanted me to be, then defend and support me.
When I had got all my troops across the Rhone and sent my brother ahead with three thousand cavalry, and was myself making my way towards Mutina, I heard while on the march that that there had been a battle, and that the siege on Decimus Brutus and Mutina had been lifted.
I noticed that Antony and the remnants of his force that were with him had no other refuge in this area, and that he had two hopes before him: one in Lepidus himself, and the other in his army—because there is a part of his army that is no less mad than the men who were with Antony. I recalled my cavalry, and myself stopped in the lands of the Allobroges, so that I would be ready for whatever the situation required.
If Antony comes here without his troops, I feel like I can easily hold him off and manage the political situation according to you and the Senate’s wishes—although he may find refuge with Lepidus’ army. But if he leads any of his troops with him, and if the veteran Fourth legion which I recalled to its duty alongside the rest reverts to its old madness—still, I shall work hard to make sure that nothing terrible happens. And I hope I shall succeed until forces are sent over to where I am, so that together we can easily crush those desperate men.
I pledge this to you, my Cicero—that you shall not find me wanting in courage or hand work. By Hercules, I wish that you had no residual anxiety. But if any remains, I shall equal any man in courage, good will, and persistence on behalf of you and the Senate.
I am working hard to convince Lepidus to ally himself with me, and am promising him all sort of obedience, if only he considers his duty to the Republic again. As aids and intermediaries in this situation, I am employing my brother, Laterensis, and our dear Furnius. Private disputes will not prevent me from coming to an agreement with my worst enemy, for the sake of the Republic’s safety. But if I do not manage to achieve this, my spirits are still high, and perhaps I shall win your approval alongside personal glory.3
Take care of your health, and keep me in your affections.
Latin text of Ad Familiares 10.11 | Glossary | Historia Civilis video overview of 44-43 BCE
Footnote borrowed from Shackleton Bailey: ‘Since writing 379 (X.9) on ca 27 April Plancus had received 377 (X.12) from Cicero, with the news of the Senate’s complimentary decree, and a report of Antony’s defeat on 21 April. The latter might take about a week to travel the 350 miles or so from Mutina.’
In a letter no longer extant.
Footnote borrowed from Shackleton Bailey: ‘If Antony were crushed by Plancus and Lepidus together, Plancus would reap less personal glory than by defeating Antony and Lepidus single-handed.’