21 April 43 BCE: To Brutus (in Macedonia) from Cicero (at Rome)
Things are going great and Cicero has confidence in his ability to control Octavian!
Our situation appears to have improved. I am sure people have written to let you know what has happened.1 The consuls have shown themselves to be just as I have often described them to you. The boy Caesar2 even has a wonderful innate virtue. I hope that he will be as easy to guide and control now that he abounds in honours and influence as he has been so far. That will surely be more difficult. Still, I have confidence. For the young man has been persuaded (mostly by me) that our safety is due to his efforts—and certainly, everything would have been lost if he had not turned Antony away from the city.3
Three or four days before this glorious event, the whole city was struck with terror, and people were streaming out with their wives and children to go to you. That same city was revived on April 20th, and would prefer for you to come here than to go to you.
Indeed, on that day I realised the rewards of my hard work and many sleepless nights—if there is any reward for genuine and true glory. For everyone in the city crowded around me and escorted me to the Capitol, and then set me on the Rostra,4 shouting loudly and applauding.
I am not at all vain, and nor should I be, but still, the agreement of every class, the thanks, and the congratulations do affect me, because it is a noble thing to be a popular hero for keeping the people safe. But I would rather you hear about these things from others.
Please be very careful in letting me know about your situation and your plans, and take care that your generosity does not seem like weakness. The Senate and the People of Rome both feel that no enemies have ever been as worthy of the highest penalty as those citizens who have taken up arms against their country in this war.5 In fact, in every speech I take revenge upon them and attack them, to the approval of all loyal men.
You must judge how you feel about the matter. For my part, I feel that the case is one and the same for all three brothers.
Latin text of Cic. ad Brut. 1.3 | Glossary | Historia Civilis video overview of 44-43 BCE
News of Antony’s defeat at the Battle of Forum Gallorum had reached Rome on April 20th.
Octavian.
In November 44 BCE.
Antony and his followers had been declared public enemies as a result of Cicero’s Fourteenth Philippic.
Yeahhh, sorry Cicero, I wouldn't say Octavian is most known for being particularly "easy to guide and control"...