Gaius Cassius Longinus→Marcus Tullius Cicero|c. 43 BC|Cicero|From Syria|To Rome|Human translated
If you are well, I am glad, and I am well. Know that I have set out for Syria to join the generals Lucius Murcus and Quintus Crispus. These brave men and excellent citizens, after they heard what was happening in Rome, handed over their armies to me and are joining me in administering the republic with the bravest spirit. Know also that the legion which Quintus Caecilius Bassus held has come over to me, and that the four legions which Aulus Allienus brought out of Egypt have been handed over to me by him. Now I do not think you need any exhortation to defend us in our absence and the republic, as far as is in your power. I want you to know that you and the senate have strong garrisons at your disposal, so that you may defend the republic with the best hope and the greatest spirit. Lucius Carteius, my associate, will discuss the rest with you. Farewell. Dated the Nones of March, from the camp at Taricheae.
DCCCXIX (Fam. XII, 11) GAIUS CASSIUS TO CICERO (AT ROME) TARICHEA (PALESTINE), 7 MARCH: If you are well, I am glad. I and the army are well. I have to inform you that I went to Syria to join the imperators Lucius Murcus and Quintus Crispus . Those gallant gentlemen and excellent citizens, having heard what was going on at Rome , handed over their armies to me and are themselves now assisting me with the greatest gallantry in the public service. Also I have to report that the legion which was under the command of Quintus Caecilius Bassus has joined me, and that the four legions which Aulus Allienus led from Egypt have also been handed over to me. In these circumstances I do not think that you require urging to defend me in my absence and the public interests, as far as in you lies. I wish you to know that neither you nor the senate are without trustworthy support to enable you to defend the constitution with the highest hopes and the firmest courage. Of the rest you will be informed by Lucius Carteius, my intimate friend. Good-bye. 7 March, in camp at Tarichea .
XI. Scr. in castris Taricheis Nonis Martiis a.u.c. 711. C. CASSIUS PROCOS. S. D. M. CICERONI.
S. v. b. e. e. q. v. In Syriam me profectum esse scito ad L. Murcum et Q. Crispum imperatores: viri fortes optimique cives, posteaquaqm audierunt, quae Romae gererentur, exercitus mihi tradiderunt ipsique mecum una fortissimo animo rem publicam administrant. Item legionem, quam Q. Caecilius Bassus habuit, ad me venisse scito, quattuorque legiones, quas A. Allienus ex Aegypto eduxit, traditas ab eo mihi esse scito. Nunc te cohortatione non puto indigere, ut nos absentes remque publicam, quantum est in te, defendas: scire te volo firma praesidia vobis senatuique non deesse, ut optima spe et maximo animo rem publicam defendas. Reliqua tecum aget L. Carteius, familiaris meus. Vale. D. Nonis Martiis ex castris Taricheis.
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If you are well, I am glad, and I am well. Know that I have set out for Syria to join the generals Lucius Murcus and Quintus Crispus. These brave men and excellent citizens, after they heard what was happening in Rome, handed over their armies to me and are joining me in administering the republic with the bravest spirit. Know also that the legion which Quintus Caecilius Bassus held has come over to me, and that the four legions which Aulus Allienus brought out of Egypt have been handed over to me by him. Now I do not think you need any exhortation to defend us in our absence and the republic, as far as is in your power. I want you to know that you and the senate have strong garrisons at your disposal, so that you may defend the republic with the best hope and the greatest spirit. Lucius Carteius, my associate, will discuss the rest with you. Farewell. Dated the Nones of March, from the camp at Taricheae.
Human translation - ToposText / Shuckburgh
Latin / Greek Original
XI. Scr. in castris Taricheis Nonis Martiis a.u.c. 711. C. CASSIUS PROCOS. S. D. M. CICERONI.
S. v. b. e. e. q. v. In Syriam me profectum esse scito ad L. Murcum et Q. Crispum imperatores: viri fortes optimique cives, posteaquaqm audierunt, quae Romae gererentur, exercitus mihi tradiderunt ipsique mecum una fortissimo animo rem publicam administrant. Item legionem, quam Q. Caecilius Bassus habuit, ad me venisse scito, quattuorque legiones, quas A. Allienus ex Aegypto eduxit, traditas ab eo mihi esse scito. Nunc te cohortatione non puto indigere, ut nos absentes remque publicam, quantum est in te, defendas: scire te volo firma praesidia vobis senatuique non deesse, ut optima spe et maximo animo rem publicam defendas. Reliqua tecum aget L. Carteius, familiaris meus. Vale. D. Nonis Martiis ex castris Taricheis.