2 or 3 November 44 BCE: To Atticus (at Rome) from Cicero (at Puteoli)
Octavian wants a secret meeting with Cicero. Cicero encourages him to march on Rome
Things are about to get complicated. You may find this video overview of events from the Ides of March onwards helpful.
When I know what day I’m coming, I’ll let you know. I need to wait for the baggage from [...], and there’s an illness in my household.
On the evening of the 1st I got a letter from Octavian. He’s attempting something enormous. He has brought the veterans at Casilinum and Calatia over to his way of thinking. No wonder—he gave them 500 denarii each.1 He’s thinking of visiting the rest of the veteran settlements. This clearly points towards him as a leader waging war against Antony. And so in a few days I think we shall be in arms. But whom should we follow? Think of his name, think of his age.2 And now he demands that he speak with me in secret, either at Capua, or not far from Capua. It really is childish, if he thinks it can be kept secret. I have written to him, instructing him that it is neither necessary nor possible.
He sent Caecina of Volterrae, some friend of his, to me, who reported that Antony was heading towards the city with the Alauda legion,3 demanding money from the country towns, and leading the legion under arms. He asked for advice on whether he should set out for Rome with 3,000 veterans, or hold Capua and block Antony when he comes, or go to the three Macedonian legions currently marching along the coast of the Adriatic—which he hopes will be on his side. They refused to accept a bounty from Antony (at least, as Caecina tells it), shouted him down with serious insults, and left while he was addressing them.
In short, Octavian volunteers himself as our leader, and thinks that we should support him. For my part, I urged him to head for Rome. I think he will have the city plebs on his side, and even the good men too, if he convinces them of his trustworthiness. Oh Brutus, where are you? What an opportunity you’re missing! I truly didn’t predict this, but I thought that something like this would happen.
Now I am seeking your advice. Should I come to Rome, or remain here, or flee to Arpinum—a place where I’ll be safe? [...] Rome, so that people don’t wonder where I am if it looks like something is happening. So untangle this problem. I have never been in a more difficult situation.
Read Ad Atticum 16.8 in Latin here | Check the glossary here | Watch an overview of events from the Ides of March onwards here
A legionary’s pay was 225 denarii per year.
Octavian was now called Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, and was 19.
The legio V Alaudae was recruited by Caesar with his own money during the Gallic War.