7 May 43 BCE: To Cicero (at Rome) from Cassius (in Syria)
Cassius is ready to attack Dolabella
From Cassius, proconsul, to his friend Marcus Cicero, greetings. If you are well, that is good—I and the army are well.
I have read your letter, from which I have again understood the remarkable affection you have for me.1 For you seemed not only to support me—which you have always done, both for my own sake and for that of the Republic—but even to have taken on a serious responsibility, and to be very anxious about me.
And so, I thought first that you would suppose that I could not remain asleep while the Republic was being overthrown; then, since you suspected that I was taking up the struggle, I thought that you would be anxious about my safety and the outcome of things. Accordingly, as soon as I received the legions which Aulus Allienus had brought from Egypt,2 I wrote to you and sent several letter-carriers to Rome. I also wrote a letter to the Senate, which I said should not be delivered until it had been read out to you—if by chance my men have decided to follow my instructions.
But if the letters have not been delivered, I do not doubt that Dolabella, who has occupied Asia after his monstrous killing of Trebonius, has waylaid my letter-carriers and intercepted the letters.3
I am in command of all the armies that are in Syria. I was delayed for a brief moment while paying what I had promised to the soldiers. Right now, I am ready.
I ask that you consider my position as something I have entrusted to you. Surely you understand that I have not forgone any danger or hard work for the sake of my country; that I have taken up arms against the most ruthless villains at your encouragement and instigation; that I have not only raised an army to defend freedom and the Republic, but that I have even snatched it away from the cruellest of tyrants?4 If Dolabella had got hold of it, he would have strengthened Antony’s position, not only through his arrival, but through the rumour and expectation of it.
Accordingly, defend my soldiers, if you think that they have done a remarkable service to the Republic, and ensure that none of them regret choosing to follow the cause of the Republic instead of hope of rewards and looting. As well, defend the positions of the generals Murcus and Crispus as much as you can. For Bassus was pitifully unwilling to hand his legion over to me.5 If his soldiers had not gone against his will and sent envoys to me, he would have stayed shut in Apamea until it had been stormed.
I ask these things of you not only for the sake of the Republic, which has always been most dear to you, but also in the name of our friendship, which I trust holds great weight with you. Believe me, the army that I command belongs to the Senate and all loyal men, and most of all to you. The men have a remarkable love for you and think dearly of you, because they have continually heard about your good intentions.6 And if they understand that you are looking out for their interests, they will realise that they owe everything to you.
Since writing this letter, I have heard that Dolabella has arrived in Cilicia with his forces. I shall set out for Cilicia. I shall work hard to make sure that you are quickly informed about what has happened. I hope that we shall have the luck that our service to the Republic deserves.
Take care of your health, and keep me in your affections.
Written May 7th, at camp.
Latin text of ad Familiares 12.12 | Glossary | Historia Civilis video overview of 44-43 BCE
Aulus Allienus was Dolabella’s legate, but instead of bringing the legions to Dolabella, he defected to Cassius.
Dolabella had murdered Trebonius earlier in the year.
i.e. Antony and Dolabella, who would have taken the armies in Syria if Cassius had not done it first.
Murcus and Crispus had both been besieging Bassus at Apamea. They both handed over their armies to Cassius. Bassus’ army then also defected to Cassius.
Presumably from Cassius.