11 April 43 BCE: To Lucius Munatius Plancus (in Transalpine Gaul) from Cicero (at Rome)
Cicero's attempts to save the Republic are delayed by the Sacred Chickens
Even though for the Republic’s sake I must be very glad that you have provided it with so much protection and help in almost extreme circumstances, still, as much as I would like to embrace you as a victor if the Republic were recovered, a great part of my joy is at your position, which I know is highly esteemed now, and will only be more so in the future.
You should know that no letter read out to the Senate1 has ever been met with as much gratitude as yours was;2 and this was due to both your exceptionally great services towards the Republic, and the gravity of your words and sentiments. Of course, this was nothing new to me, as I know you well, and remember what you promised in the letter you sent me, and have an in depth understanding of your plans from Furnius.
But to the Senate, your words seemed greater than they had hoped for, not because they had ever doubted your intentions, but because it had not been fully established that you could both do so much, and were willing to go so far. And so when Marcus Varisidius delivered your letter on the morning of April 7th,3 I was elated, carried away with happiness—and as a great crowd of loyal men and citizens accompanied me from my house, I immediately let them share my joy.
Meanwhile, our dear Munatius visited me, as he often does.4 I showed him your letter, for he knew nothing of it yet—for Varisidius came to me first, and said that you had given him instructions to do so. A little later, Munatius also gave me the letter you had sent him, and your official letter for me to read. We determined to deliver the letters at once to Cornutus, the Urban Praetor, who in the absence of the consuls was carrying out the duties of consul, as is the tradition.
A meeting of the Senate was called immediately, and was very well attended because of the rumours and hopes about your letter. After the letter was read out, a religious matter was brought before Cornutus—he was warned by the keepers of the Sacred Chickens that he had not been careful enough in taking the auspices,5 and this was confirmed by our augural college. And so the matter was put off until the next day.
But on that day I had a great struggle with Servilius over your position. Although he had used his influence to have his motion read out first, a large portion of the Senate abandoned him and voted against it. When my motion, which was read out second, met with approval from a large portion of the Senate, Publius Titius vetoed it at Servilius’ request.6 The matter was put off until the next day.
Servilius came, ‘ready to fight Jupiter himself,’7 in whose temple the debate was being held. How thoroughly I smashed him, and how great the struggle in which I defeated Titius and his veto was—I would rather you learn from the letters of others. But one thing from me: the Senate could not have been more serious, resolute, or friendly in its praise of you than it was then, nor indeed does the Senate have any more affection for you than the people as a whole do. For there is a wonderful feeling of consensus among all the people of Rome, and all peoples and classes are united in their shared hope that the Republic will be free.
Therefore carry on as you are, and make your name immortal. Spurn everything that assembles the outward appearance of glory out of the emptiest signs of distinction—think of these as short-lived, counterfeit, ephemeral. True glory is found in virtue, which shines brightest through great services towards the Republic. You have the greatest opportunity for this. Since you have embraced this opportunity, and it is still within your grasp, ensure that the Republic owes you no less than you owe the Republic.
You know that I do not just support your position, but actively improve it too. I think that I owe this both to the Republic, which is dearer to me than life itself, and to our friendship. And I have taken great pleasure from these efforts to support your position, because I now perceive more clearly the good sense and loyalty of Titus Munatius (which I understood well enough before), from his incredible kindness and hard work on your behalf.
Written April 11th.
Latin text of Ad Familiares 10.12 | Glossary | Historia Civilis video overview of 44-43 BCE
Footnote borrowed from E.S. Shuckburgh: ‘I think, if Cicero had not been blinded by his extreme desire for the loyalty of Plancus, he would have seen in that despatch the coming treason. It protests too much, and yet avoids really committing the writer. But in spite of Cicero's compliments to Plancus, he probably had his misgivings.’
Not even Shackleton Bailey knows who Munatius was.
The auspices had to be observed before meetings of he Senate or decisions of public Assemblies, and things could not proceed if the omens were not positive. One method of taking the auspices involved the Sacred Chickens. Claiming that the omens were unfavourable was also an established method of political obstruction.
Footnote borrowed from Shackleton Bailey: ‘Servilius’ motives are uncertain. It may be relevant that he and Lepidus married sisters, and that Lepidus and Plancus were on bad terms.’
Variants on ‘fighting Jupiter himself’ were used to describe proverbial anger and aggression.