May or June 43 BCE: To Cicero (at Rome) from Brutus (at Dyrrachium)
Brutus asks Cicero to support an electoral candidate
From Brutus to Cicero, greetings.
Antistius Vetus’ feelings towards the Republic are such that I do not doubt that, if he had been given the opportunity, he would have revealed himself to be a fierce champion of our shared freedom in the case of Caesar and Antony.1
For when he was in Greece and met Dolabella who had his soldiers and cavalry with him,2 he preferred to face whatever danger there was in the schemes of a thug prepared for anything rather than to seem either like he had been forced to hand over money or he had willingly given money to an extremely evil and shameless man.
But he voluntarily promised and gave me 2,000,000 sesterces of his own money,3 and—even more precious—he presented himself in person and joined our side. I wanted to persuade him to remain in his camp as general and defend the Republic. He decided that he should not do that, since he had dismissed the army. But he confirmed that as soon as he took up the position of legate he would return here, if the consuls were not going to hold elections for the praetorship.4 I urged and advised him, given the way he feels about the Republic, not to defer the year of his candidacy.
Everyone who thinks that this is the Republic’s army ought to be grateful for what he has done, and you especially, as you are defending our freedom with so much spirit and glory, and will enjoy an esteemed position if our plans turn out the way we hope.
For my part, my Cicero, I ask you sincerely, as a close friend, to show affection to Vetus and desire his advancement. Even though nothing can sway him from his purpose, still, he can be urged to action by your praise and kindness, to further embrace and defend his principles. I would be very grateful for this.
Latin text of Cic. ad Brut. 1.11 | Glossary | Historia Civilis video overview of 44-43 BCE
i.e. if Antistius Vetus had been in Rome for the Ides of March he would have participated in the assassination of Caesar.
In the autumn of 44 BCE.
Footnote borrowed from Shackleton Bailey: ‘State money which Antistius was bringing back to Rome; cf. Plut. Brut. 25 ἀφ᾽ ὧν ἦγε καὶ αὐτὸς εἰς Ἰταλίαν χρημάτων; Vell. II.62.3. Plutarch gives an equivalent figure, 500,000 (drachmae), but makes Antistius hand the money over in the autumn of 44. In fact he will have done it subsequent to Brutus’ letter to the Senate, which was received in February and apparently made no mention of Antistius (Phil. X.24; cf. XIII.32).’
Another footnote borrowed from Shackleton Bailey: ‘If this means Hirtius and Pansa, the letter has to be dated prior to the end of the first week of May. That is not impossible, since Antistius could have stayed longer in Rome than he originally intended. But probably the reference is to Consuls-Suffect who might be in office when Antistius arrived.’