16 March 43 BCE: From Gaius Asinius Pollio (at Corduba) to Cicero (at Rome)
Another governor with another army gets involved
You shouldn’t be at all surprised that I have written nothing to you about the Republic since war broke out. The Castulonian Pass, which has always held up my letter carriers, has now become even more unsafe due to frequent attacks by thugs. Still, that delay is nothing at all in comparison to that caused by the men posted around everywhere by both sides, who search my letter-carriers and detain them. So, if letters did not arrive by ship, I would be entirely unaware of what is happening over there. But as I now have the opportunity, since the sailing season has started, I shall write to you very eagerly, and as frequently as I am able.
There is no danger of me being influenced by conversations with that man1 who, although nobody can bear to look at him, is still not at all as hated as he deserves to be. I look down on him to the extent that there is nothing involving him that I don’t dislike.
Moreover, my nature and my inclinations lead me to desire peace and freedom; and so, I have often wept over that start of the Civil War.2 But since I could not be neutral, because I had great enemies on both sides, I fled from that camp where I knew I simply would not be safe from the schemes of my enemy. 3
Driven to where I didn’t want to be at all, and not wanting to fall behind, I simply approached danger without hesitation. But because Caesar treated me as one of his oldest and closest friends, even though he had only just met me, I loved him, with complete dutifulness and loyalty. That which I was allowed to accomplish in accordance with my own sentiments, I did in such a way that every loyal man would greatly approve; that which I was ordered to do, I did in such circumstances and in such a way that it was clear that I was being commanded against my will.
But the extremely unjust hatred that I faced for this would have been enough to instruct me on the pleasantness of freedom, and the misery of life under despotism. So, if it turns out that everything is again under the control of a single man—whoever he is, I swear that he is my enemy, and that for the sake of freedom, I shall not flee or shrink from any danger.
But the consuls have not given me directions to follow, either by senatorial decree or by letter. It was only on March 15th that I received one letter from Pansa, in which he encouraged me to write to the Senate to say that I and my army shall be under his control. But since Lepidus had been saying in public and writing to everyone that he agrees with Antony, this put me in a difficult position—for while he is against it, on what roads through his province could I lead my legions? Or, if I passed through another way—surely you don’t expect me to fly across the Alps, when they are defended by his men? Then add the fact that it has been impossible to get a letter through. My letter-carriers are inspected in a thousand places, and even then, Lepidus detains them.
No-one will dispute what I said in the public assembly at Corduba; that I shall not hand over my province to anyone who has not been sent by the Senate. What is there for me to say about how much I have struggled over handing the Thirtieth Legion over? And who doesn’t know how much weaker I would be in defence of the Republic if I did hand it over? You must know that there is no legion keener or more warlike.
So, think of me first as one who desires peace most of all—for I simply wish for the safety of all citizens—and second, as one who is prepared to set both myself and the Republic free.
That you consider my friend4 as one of your own friends is more welcome to me than you can imagine. Still, I envy him, because he walks around and jokes with you. You will ask how highly I value that—if living in peace is ever allowed, you will find out, for I’ll never be more than a step away from you.
I am very surprised that you have not written to me about whether I would be of more use to the Republic by staying in my province or by leading an army into Italy. For my part, even though it is safer and less effort for me to stay here, still, because I see that in circumstances like these there is a much greater need for legions than for provinces, especially when the latter can be recovered through very little work at all,5 I have decided,6 as things are now,7 to set out with my army.
You will find out everything from the letter I have sent to Pansa; I have sent you a copy of it too.
16 March, at Corduba.
Latin text of Ad Familiares 10.31 | Glossary | Historia Civilis video overview of 44-43 BCE
Possibly Lucius Cornelius Balbus Minor.
Caesar’s Civil War, which started in 49 BCE.
Shackleton Bailey simply states that Pollio’s enemy in the Pompeian camp ‘cannot be identified.’ E.S. Shuckburgh says ‘We have heard of his prosecuting Gaius Cato; and Quintilian mentions a speech against Labienus. But Pollio was a great orator, and may have prosecuted many persons and thus made enemies.’
Probably the poet Gaius Cornelius Gallus.
Pollio was the governor of Spain, where he had been fighting Sextus Pompey. He is suggesting that if he could abandon his province to Sextus Pompey and recover it later.
Footnote borrowed from Shackleton Bailey: ‘The apparent discrepancy between this announcement and the previous contention that it was quite impossible to get to Italy through Lepidus’ province seems to have passed unnoticed by editors, though it surprised J. van Wageningen (Mnemos. 47 (1919), 80). It seembs unbelievable that Pollio should contradict himself on a matter of such vital consequence. The alternative is to suppose that he was thinking of a sea route either direct or by way of Africa or Sicily. He might have been expected to make this clear to Cicero, but may have done so in his letter to Pansa, of which he enclosed a copy.’
Another footnote borrowed from Shackleton Bailey: ‘a hint that the decision might be reconsidered in the light of further news. Probably Pollio had no real intention of leaving his province at this time.’