2 or 3 February: To Gaius Trebonius (in Asia) from Cicero (at Rome)
Cicero reuses a joke; 'the boy Caesar is outstanding'
How I wish you had invited me to that most beautiful banquet on the Ides of March—we would have had no leftovers!1 But as it is, I have so much trouble with them2 that I can’t say I have no complaints about your divine service towards the Republic.
In truth, because that vermin3 was drawn aside by you,4 the very best of men, and still lives only by your kindness, occasionally—although this is hardly right of me—I am somewhat angry with you. For you have left more trouble for me alone than everyone else has put together.
As soon as a meeting of the Senate could be held freely, after Antony’s most disgraceful departure, I returned to that ancient courage of mine, which you—and that most spirited citizen; your father—always spoke well of and admired. For when the Tribunes of the Plebs called a meeting of the Senate on December 20th and brought up some other matter, I set out the state of the Republic as a whole, and made a spirited speech,5 and called the now idle and worn out Senate back to its usual ancient virtue—more through the strong tone of my speech than through skill.
That day (and my delivery and argument) brought the first hope of recovering freedom to the people of Rome. Nor have I from that moment onwards allowed any time to go by when I was not only thinking about the Republic, but even taking action on its behalf.
If I had not thought all the goings on in the city were being sent to you, I would have written in detail myself (although I have been held back by how extremely busy I’ve been). But you can find those things out from other people; just a little from me, and only a summary at that.
We have a courageous Senate, but the consulars are in part frightened, and in part disloyal. We have suffered a great loss in the death of Servius.6 Lucius Caesar is loyal to the Republic, but because he is Antony’s uncle, he says nothing very harsh against him.7 The consuls are outstanding; Decimus Brutus is distinguishing himself; the boy Caesar is outstanding, and I hope he continues in this direction. You can take this for certain at least: if he had not quickly enlisted the veterans, and brought the two legions from Antony’s army over to his side, and if Antony had not been opposed by this threat, Antony would have missed no chance for wickedness, no chance for cruelty.
Although I presume you have heard these things, still, I wanted you to know about them in more detail. I’ll write more if I have more free time.
Latin text of Ad Familiares 10.28 | Glossary | Historia Civilis video overview of 44-43 BCE
Again, ‘If you had included me in the plot to kill Caesar, Mark Antony would not still be alive.’
The leftovers, i.e. Antony.
Antony.
Trebonius’ role in the assassination of Caesar was to get Antony out of the way.
The Third Philippic.
One of the envoys to Antony, who died during the course of the embassy.
Lucius Caesar’s sister Julia was Antony’s mother.