End of May 44 BCE: To Mark Antony (at Rome) from Brutus and Cassius (at Lanuvium)
Brutus and Cassius definitely trust Mark Antony's good faith and kind intentions
From the praetors Brutus and Cassius to the consul Mark Antony.1
If we had not been persuaded of your good faith and kind intentions towards us, we would not have written you this letter, which, since you do feel this way, you will receive most kindly. Letters inform us that a large crowd of veterans has assembled in Rome already, and that the number will greatly increase by June 1st.2 If we doubted or feared you at all, we would not be acting like ourselves. But at any rate, since we have put ourselves at your mercy, and, induced by your advice, have dismissed our friends from the country towns, and we have done this not just through an edict but through letters at well, we deserve to take part in your counsels, especially when they pertain to us.
For this reason we ask that you assure us of your good favour towards us, whether you think we will be protected among such a great volume of veteran soldiers, whom we hear are even thinking of restoring the altar—which nobody who wants us to remain safe and respected could ever approve of.3
The event has shown that from the beginning we have aimed for peace, and sought nothing other than communal liberty. No-one can deceive us except for you—and to do so would be unlike your virtuous and faithful character—but no-one else has the means to mislead us. For we have trusted, and will trust, you alone. Our friends are very affected with anxiety for us; for even though they are confident about your good faith, the thought still occurs to them that the multitude of veterans is more easily swayed by others in whichever direction they please, than it is held back by you.
We ask you to reply to us about all of this. For it really is insubstantial nonsense that the veterans were called forth because you intended to do something to their advantage in June. Who do you think would be an impediment to that, when regarding ourselves, we have resolved to remain peaceful? We ought not appear to anyone to be too desirous of life, although nothing can happen to us without universal calamity and disorder.
Read Ad Familiares 11.2 in Latin here | Check the glossary here
‘The letter begins, appropriately, with a heading that combines formality with a hint of familiarity; they are praetors writing to their consul, but the omission of Brutus’ and Cassius’ forenames also marks them out as acquaintances.’ (Kathryn Tempest, Brutus: The Noble Conspirator.)
When the Senate was due to meet.
An altar dedicated to Caesar had been put up at the site of his spontaneous cremation in the forum, until it was removed by Dolabella.