20 March 43 BCE: To Lucius Munatius Plancus (in Transalpine Gaul) from Cicero (at Rome)
Cicero is compelled by his goodwill to write a little more severely
The things our dear Furnius said about your feelings towards the Republic were most welcome to the Senate, and met with great approval from the people of Rome. But the things that were read out from your letters in the Senate seemed not to match what Furnius said in his speech at all.1 For you supported peace—although your colleague, a most distinguished man,2 is being besieged by the most disgraceful thugs, who ought to either put down their arms and beg for peace, or, if they demand peace while still fighting, peace must come through victory, not negotiation. But you’ll be able to find out from your brother—the very best of men—and from Gaius Furnius how letters about peace have been received, either yours or Lepidus’.
But although you really don’t need advice, and you will have the goodwill, loyalty, and wisdom of your brother3 and Furnius—still, because of how very close our relationship is, I would like some of my teaching, as well as something of my influence, to reach you. So believe me, Plancus, that despite every advancement in rank that you have obtained (and what you have achieved is truly impressive),4 you will have only the designations of office, and not the symbols of worthiness—unless you put yourself on the side of the freedom of the Roman people and the authority of the Senate.
Please, separate yourself at last from those you associated with not out of your own judgement, but due to the bonds of circumstance. There are many men who have been called consul in these times of political disturbance,5 but none have the quality of consulars except those who have shown consular feeling towards the Republic.
Do what is proper and be that sort of man; by first removing yourself from the company of unpatriotic citizens most unlike yourself, then by putting yourself forward as a supporter, leader, and general for the Senate and all loyal men, and finally by judging that peace is not found in laying down arms, but in throwing off the fear of arms and slavery.
If you think and act this way, then you will be not just a consul and a consular, but a great consul and consular. But if not—then not only will there be no dignity in that long list of titles of office of yours, but it will instead be a complete aberration.
I was compelled by my goodwill to write a little more severely; but you will realise the truth of it through experience, when you act as is worthy of yourself.
20th March.
Latin text of Ad Familiares 10.6 | Glossary | Historia Civilis video overview of 44-43 BCE
Footnote borrowed from Shackleton Bailey: ‘The Thirteenth Philippic as we have it says nothing of Plancus’ dispatch mentioned in §1. The most likely explanation is A. V. Streng’s (De Ciceronis ad Brutum epp. lib. II (diss. Helsingfors (1885), 99), that Cicero cut out the relevant passages prior to publication, after the arrival of 371 (X.8).
Decimus Brutus, who was being besieged at Mutina by Mark Antony.
Lucius Plautius Plancus.
Plancus was probably praetor in 47 BCE through Caesar’s influence if not his direct appointment. Caesar then appointed him prefect of the city in 45 BCE, and Governor of Transalpine Gaul in 44 BCE, as well as designating him as one of the consuls for 42 BCE. Other than his quaestorship some time before 54 BCE, all of Plancus’ advancements in rank were due to Caesar, and in a period with only a semblance of free elections.
i.e. the men Caesar had designated consul.