1 July 43 BCE: To Cicero (at Rome) from Brutus (at Dyrrachium)

Brutus asks Cicero to protect his sister's children

From Brutus to Cicero, greetings.

The fears of everyone else make me worry about Marcus Lepidus. If he has chosen to leave our side¹ (and I hope people’s suspicions about him are thoughtless and unjust) then I beg and beseech you, Cicero—calling on our friendship and your good will towards me—forget that my sister’s children are Lepidus’ sons,² and imagine that I have taken the place of their father. If you grant me this request, surely there is nothing that you would hesitate to undertake for them. 

Other people have different relationships with their family: for my part, there is nothing I can do for my sister’s children that could be enough for my affection and sense of duty. And truly, what concession can loyal men grant me—if I am at all worthy of being granted some concession—or how can I help my mother and my sister’s children, if in the eyes of you and the rest of the Senate, their uncle Brutus has no weight against their father Lepidus?

I cannot write to you at length due to my anxiety and ill-temper—and nor should I. If in such an important and personal situation I need to use words to urge you to action and guarantee your support, then there is no hope that you will do what I want or what you ought to. So don’t expect a lengthy petition; just look at me. You ought to grant me this request both as a private citizen—as Cicero, a man who is my closest friend—and, putting aside all private relationships, as the great consular you are.

Please reply as soon as possible with what you intend to do.

July 1st, from camp.

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Latin text of Cic. ad Brut. 1.13 | Glossary | Historia Civilis video overview of 44-43 BCE

1. Lepidus and his army had joined Antony in late May. News of this had reached Rome in early June, but evidently had yet to reach Brutus. The Senate declared Lepidus a public enemy on June 30th.

2. Lepidus was married to Brutus’ half-sister Iunia Secunda.