Early April 43 BCE: To Brutus (in Macedonia) from Cicero (at Rome)
News from Cicero: 'Things are going well. But also, help!'
From Cicero to Brutus, greetings.1
As I write this, it is thought that the situation has reached its crisis point. Miserable letters and reports about our dear Decimus Brutus are being delivered.2 In fact, this does not disturb me very much at all. For I cannot have anything but complete faith in our armies and leaders,3 and I disagree with the majority view; for I do not impugn the loyalty of the consuls, which has come under great suspicion. I do wish they had more good sense and haste in certain respects. If they had made use of these qualities, we would have already recovered the Republic by now.
You know well the great importance of certain moments in politics, and the difference it makes whether the same thing is decreed, begun, or carried out before or after. If all the harsh measures passed during this tumult had been accomplished on the day when I first proposed them, and had not been put off from day to day, or if there had been no delay and procrastination from the moment the proposal for action was accepted, we would not now be at war.
Brutus, I have performed every duty to the Republic that ought to be performed by a man in the position that the judgement of the Senate and people has placed me in. And I don’t mean only the demands placed upon any common man—loyalty, vigilance, and love for his country—for there should be no-one who is not duty-bound to provide these. But I think someone who speaks among the Republic’s leading men is duty-bound to provide his wisdom as well.
And, since I have taken on so much, to the point that I am at the helm of our ship of State, I would consider myself no less blameworthy if any of my advice to the Senate was unhelpful than if it was dishonest.
I know you are being sent careful reports of proceedings past and present. But from me, I would like you to understand that my spirit is on the front line, and that I am not looking to retreat—unless it so happens that some advantage to the Republic turns me back. But the spirits of the majority look to you and Cassius. On that account, Brutus, ready yourself for the understanding that you must either heal the Republic, if the current situation goes well, or, if we suffer some reverse, you must recover it.
Latin text of Cic. ad Brut. 2.1 | Glossary | Historia Civilis video overview of 44-43 BCE
This letter was sent around the same time as Brutus’ letter to Cicero, but long delivery times between Rome and Macedonia meant that neither letter was a reply to the other.
Decimus Brutus was still being besieged by Antony at Mutina.
Hirtius and Octavian and their legions planned to join up with Pansa and his legions to relieve Decimus Brutus and his legions, who were being besieged at Mutina by Antony and his legions. Do not ask me to tell you how many legions; I cannot.
And the tension ratchets up a notch. These posts are so addictive even when you know the outcome. Essential reading.