Around 9th December 44 BCE: To Decimus Brutus (in Cisalpine Gaul) from Cicero (at Rome)
Cicero wants Decimus Brutus to save the Republic again
Marcus Cicero greets Decimus Brutus, imperator, consul-designate.
When our friend Lupus arrived from where you are and spent a few days in Rome, I was in the place where I thought I would be the absolute safest.1 This is why Lupus returned to you without a letter from me, although he still ensured that yours was delivered to me. I reached Rome on December 9th, and made it my priority to meet with Pansa immediately; from him, I heard everything I wanted to about you.
You really don’t need encouragement, especially since you did not require anyone to encourage you to carry out that deed—the greatest in living memory.2 Still, I feel I should briefly point out that the Roman people look to you for everything, and place all hope of ever recovering their freedom on you. If you recall day and night—as I am sure you do—the greatness of your deed, you certainly will not forget how much you still must do even now.
For if that man (who I was in fact always friends with until I understood that he was waging war on the Republic not just openly, but even gladly) gets his hands on your province, I see no hope left of salvation.3
And so I implore you, joining the prayers of the Senate and People of Rome, to free the Republic forever from tyrannical rule, so that things end as they began. This is your duty, your role. Our State, or rather all the people of the world not only expect this of you, but even demand it.
Although, while you do not need encouragement, as I wrote above, I shall not spend many words on it. I shall do what is within my power, which is to promise you all my services, devotion, care, and thought—everything that could affect your reputation and glory. So please believe, both for the sake of the Republic, which is dearer to me than my own life, and because I am your friend, and want your position to be improved, I shall in no way fail to support your patriotic intentions, your greatness, and your glory.
Read Ad Familiares 11.5 in Latin here | Check the glossary here | Watch an overview of events from the Ides of March onwards here
Arpinum.
The assassination of Caesar.
Antony, who was marching several legions north towards Decimus’ province, which Antony had reassigned to himself for the following year.