28 July 43 BCE: To Cicero (at Rome) from Plancus (at Cularo)
Plancus no longer trusts Octavian; Octavian is demanding the consulship
From Plancus, imperator, consul-designate, to Cicero, greetings.
It is impossible for me not to thank you, in light of the remarkable situation and your services. But by Hercules, I am shamed to do so! For a relationship as close as the one you wanted to have with me seems not to require formal thanks; nor for my part am I glad to repay you with such a cheap gift of words, when you have done such significant favours for me. I would rather prove how grateful I am to you in person, through my respect, dedication, and unremitting service. If I am able to live, I shall outdo all your dear friends and devoted relatives in my unremitting service to you. I can’t easily say whether your love for me or your good opinion of me would bring me greater daily enjoyment or an eternal reputation.
You are worried about the payments for the soldiers. I wanted them to be honoured by the Senate not to increase my own influence (for I am aware that I think of nothing that is not beneficial to all) but first of all because I judged that they deserved it; next because I wanted them to be more closely joined to the Republic in any eventuality; and finally, so that I could ensure they would be entirely opposed to all attempts to sway their loyalty, as they have been so far.
So far, we have kept everything together here. Still, I hope you approve of our plan, although I know how greedy people are for victory—and with good reason. For if these armies meet with any accident, the Republic has no great force ready in reserve as resistance against a sudden attack by those thugs and murderers.
I think you know the state of our forces. In my camp there are three veteran legions and one of recruits—the best of such legions. In Decimus Brutus’ camp there is one veteran legion, another that has been in service for two years, and eight of recruits. So the army as a whole is very large in numbers, but falls short in strength. We have too often found out by experience how much recruits can be relied on in battle. If either the veteran army in Africa or Caesar’s1 army were added to this force, we would not have to worry about risking the safety of the Republic in a crisis.
Regarding Caesar, we are aware that he is somewhat nearer. I have stopped at nothing, urging him through letters; and he has repeatedly confirmed that he is coming without delay—meanwhile I feel that he is opposed to this idea and is turning towards other plans. Still, for my part, I have sent our dear Furnius to him with instructions and letters, in case he can maybe accomplish anything.
You know, my Cicero, that regarding affection for young Caesar, you and I are allies. Because of my relationship with Caesar2 while he was alive, it was inevitable that I looked out for and was fond of the young man, and as far as I could tell, his disposition was very moderate and kind. In light of the marked friendship between myself and Caesar, and the decision of Caesar, yourself, and the Senate to regard the young man as Caesar’s son, it would be shameful of me not to treat him as such.3
But (and whatever I write to you comes more from grief than enmity) that Antony is still alive today, that Lepidus is there with him, that they have armies that shouldn’t at all be treated lightly, that they have hopes, and that they dare to act on them—for all this, they have Caesar to thank.4 I won’t repeat what I said before, when he claimed that he was coming. If he had been willing to come, then the war would now either be finished, or pushed backwards into Spain (a place very hostile to those men)5 to their great detriment.
What he is thinking, and whose plans dissuaded him from something so glorious—and so necessary and advantageous to him too—and turned his mind to thoughts of a six-month consulship, which people are panicking over, and which he is demanding so tastelessly—I cannot comprehend.
I feel that his friends and family can achieve a lot in this situation, both for the Republic and for him; and I also think that you can do the most of all, since he owes more to you than anyone else does besides myself. I shall never forget that my debts to you are numerous and great. I have instructed Furnius to go over these matters with him. If I have as much influence over him as I ought to, I shall have done him a great service.
In the meantime, we are carrying on the war in circumstances that have become more difficult. We do not think the way is entirely clear for a battle. But still, we shall not flee and allow the Republic to suffer a great disadvantage. But if either Caesar reconsiders or the African legions have come quickly, we shall relieve you of anxiety on this front.
Please continue to think of me fondly, and trust that I am entirely yours.
July 28th, from camp.
Latin text of ad Familiares 10.24 | Glossary | Historia Civilis video overview of 44-43 BCE
i.e. Octavian.
i.e. Julius Caesar. In the Latin Plancus uses the name ‘Caesar’ for both of them with no qualifications as to which is which.
Footnote borrowed from Shackleton Bailey: ‘Octavian’s title to the name of Caesar had been generally recognised, as by Cicero in the Philippics, though it was not formally established until the adoption was sanctioned by the Curies in August.’
Now ‘Caesar’ means Octavian again.
Spain was regarded as loyal to Pompey and his family. Antony and Lepidus had both been on Caesar’s side against Pompey in the civil war.