Marcus Tullius Cicero→Unknown|c. -58 AD|Cicero|AI-assisted
On the 17th of January, when we were standing most admirably in the senate — since we had already broken down that proposal of Bibulus concerning the three envoys on the day before, and only the one contest remained over Volcatius's proposal — the matter was dragged out by our adversaries through various obstructions. For we were carrying the case in a full senate without much division and with great ill-will toward those who were transferring the royal question away from you to others. On that day we had a hostile Curio, a much more reasonable Bibulus — almost even friendly. Caninius and Cato declared they would bring no law before the elections. The senate cannot be convened before the Kalends of February under the Pupian law, as you know, nor during the whole month of February except after embassies have been completed or rejected. Nevertheless, the opinion of the Roman people is this: that the pretext of a fabricated religious scruple was introduced by your enemies and detractors, not so much to obstruct you as to prevent anyone from wanting to go to Alexandria out of desire for the army. As for your dignity, there is no one who does not think that consideration was given to it by the senate; for there is no one who does not know that it was your adversaries who prevented a division from taking place. If they now attempt anything in the name of the people — but in reality through the most criminal brigandage — I have taken sufficient precautions that they can accomplish nothing while the auspices and laws remain intact, or even without the use of force. I do not think I should write to you either about my own efforts or about the injustice of certain others; for why should I parade myself, when even if I were to lay down my life for your dignity, I would seem to have repaid no part of your services to me — or why should I complain about the injuries done by others, which I cannot do without the greatest pain? Against violence, especially given the present weakness of the magistrates, I can guarantee you nothing. But with violence excepted, I can assure you that you will retain your high standing through the greatest devotion of both the senate and the Roman people.
IV. Scr. Romae mense Ianuario (XV. Kal. Febr.) a.u.c. 698. M. CICERO S. D. P. LENTULO PROCOS.
A.d. XVI. Kal. Febr. cum in senatu pulcherrime staremus, quod iam illam sententiam Bibuli de tribus legatis pridie eius diei fregeramus, unumque certamen esset relictum, cum sententia Volcatii, res ab adversariis nostris extracta est variis calumniis; causam enim frequenti senatu non magna varietate magnaque invidia eorum, qui a te causam regiam alio traferebant, obtinebamus. Eo die acerbum habuimus Curionem, Bibulum multo iustiorem, paene etiam amicum; Caninius et Cato negarunt se legem ullam ante comitia esse laturos. Senatus haberi ante Kalendas Februarias per legem Pupiam, id quod scis, non potest, neque mense Februario toto nisi perfectis aut reiectis legationibus. Haec tamen opinio est populi Romani, a tuis invidis atque obtrectatoribus nomen inductum fictae religionis, non tam ut te impediret, quam ut ne quis propter exercitus cupiditatem Alexandream vellet ire. Dignitatis autem tuae nemo est quin existimet habitam esse rationem ab senatu; nemo est enim, qui nesciat, quo minus discessio fieret, per adversarios tuos esse factum: qui nunc populi nomine, re autem vera sceleratissimo latrocinio si quae conabuntur agere, satis mihi provisum est, ut ne quid salvis auspiciis aut legibus aut etiam sine vi agere possent. Ego neque de meo studio neque de nonnullorum iniuria scribendum mihi esse arbitror; quid enim aut me ostentem, qui, si vitam pro tua dignitate profundam, nullam partem videar meritorum tuorum assecutus, aut de aliorum iniuriis querar, quod sine summo dolore facere non possum? Ego tibi a vi, hac praesertim imbecillitate magistratuum, praestare nihil possum: vi excepta possum confirmare te et senatus et populi Romani summo studio amplitudinem tuam retenturum.
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On the 17th of January, when we were standing most admirably in the senate — since we had already broken down that proposal of Bibulus concerning the three envoys on the day before, and only the one contest remained over Volcatius's proposal — the matter was dragged out by our adversaries through various obstructions. For we were carrying the case in a full senate without much division and with great ill-will toward those who were transferring the royal question away from you to others. On that day we had a hostile Curio, a much more reasonable Bibulus — almost even friendly. Caninius and Cato declared they would bring no law before the elections. The senate cannot be convened before the Kalends of February under the Pupian law, as you know, nor during the whole month of February except after embassies have been completed or rejected. Nevertheless, the opinion of the Roman people is this: that the pretext of a fabricated religious scruple was introduced by your enemies and detractors, not so much to obstruct you as to prevent anyone from wanting to go to Alexandria out of desire for the army. As for your dignity, there is no one who does not think that consideration was given to it by the senate; for there is no one who does not know that it was your adversaries who prevented a division from taking place. If they now attempt anything in the name of the people — but in reality through the most criminal brigandage — I have taken sufficient precautions that they can accomplish nothing while the auspices and laws remain intact, or even without the use of force. I do not think I should write to you either about my own efforts or about the injustice of certain others; for why should I parade myself, when even if I were to lay down my life for your dignity, I would seem to have repaid no part of your services to me — or why should I complain about the injuries done by others, which I cannot do without the greatest pain? Against violence, especially given the present weakness of the magistrates, I can guarantee you nothing. But with violence excepted, I can assure you that you will retain your high standing through the greatest devotion of both the senate and the Roman people.
Latin / Greek Original
IV. Scr. Romae mense Ianuario (XV. Kal. Febr.) a.u.c. 698. M. CICERO S. D. P. LENTULO PROCOS.
A.d. XVI. Kal. Febr. cum in senatu pulcherrime staremus, quod iam illam sententiam Bibuli de tribus legatis pridie eius diei fregeramus, unumque certamen esset relictum, cum sententia Volcatii, res ab adversariis nostris extracta est variis calumniis; causam enim frequenti senatu non magna varietate magnaque invidia eorum, qui a te causam regiam alio traferebant, obtinebamus. Eo die acerbum habuimus Curionem, Bibulum multo iustiorem, paene etiam amicum; Caninius et Cato negarunt se legem ullam ante comitia esse laturos. Senatus haberi ante Kalendas Februarias per legem Pupiam, id quod scis, non potest, neque mense Februario toto nisi perfectis aut reiectis legationibus. Haec tamen opinio est populi Romani, a tuis invidis atque obtrectatoribus nomen inductum fictae religionis, non tam ut te impediret, quam ut ne quis propter exercitus cupiditatem Alexandream vellet ire. Dignitatis autem tuae nemo est quin existimet habitam esse rationem ab senatu; nemo est enim, qui nesciat, quo minus discessio fieret, per adversarios tuos esse factum: qui nunc populi nomine, re autem vera sceleratissimo latrocinio si quae conabuntur agere, satis mihi provisum est, ut ne quid salvis auspiciis aut legibus aut etiam sine vi agere possent. Ego neque de meo studio neque de nonnullorum iniuria scribendum mihi esse arbitror; quid enim aut me ostentem, qui, si vitam pro tua dignitate profundam, nullam partem videar meritorum tuorum assecutus, aut de aliorum iniuriis querar, quod sine summo dolore facere non possum? Ego tibi a vi, hac praesertim imbecillitate magistratuum, praestare nihil possum: vi excepta possum confirmare te et senatus et populi Romani summo studio amplitudinem tuam retenturum.