27 April 43 BCE: To Brutus (at Dyrrachium) from Cicero (at Rome)
Mark Antony has been defeated (for now) but both consuls are dead
From Cicero to Brutus, greetings.
We have lost two consuls—good consuls, but only good. Hirtius fell in the moment of victory, after he had won a great battle a few days previously.1 Pansa had fled2 after receiving wounds that he could not survive.3 Decimus Brutus and Caesar4 pursued what remains of the enemy.
Moreover, everyone who followed Mark Antony’s lead has been judged public enemies. Accordingly, most people interpret that senatorial decree as also applying to those you hold captive or who have surrendered to you. For my part, I made no harsh suggestions when I proposed a decree naming Gaius Antonius, because I have decided that the Senate should learn about his case from you.
Written April 27th.
Latin text of Cic. ad Brut. 1.3a | Glossary | Historia Civilis video overview of 44-43 BCE
Hirtius was killed during the Battle of Mutina on April 21st, a few days after winning the Battle of Forum Gallorum. News of the Battle of Mutina probably reached Rome on April 25th.
Footnote borrowed from Shackleton Bailey: ‘An unpleasant and ungenerous word, not justified by the facts; contrast the laudatory remarks in Phil. xiv.26 and 17(18).1.’
Pansa was wounded in the Battle of Forum Gallorum on April 14th, and died of his wounds on April 23rd.
Octavian.