Letter 12.14

After I had gone to see our friend Brutus and realized that he would not be coming to Asia for some time, I returned to Asia to finish the remaining parts of my work and to send the money to Rome as quickly as possible. Meanwhile I learned that Dolabella's fleet was in Lycia, along with more than a hundred transports on which his army could be embarked. I also learned that Dolabella's plan, if he was disappointed in his hope of taking Syria, was to sail for Italy and join the Antonies and the other criminals there. That alarmed me so much that I set all other business aside and tried to reach those ships with a smaller and less powerful fleet. If the Rhodians had not obstructed me, that force might perhaps have been completely destroyed. Even so, it was largely disabled. The fleet itself was scattered in every direction by fear of our approach; the soldiers and officers fled; and every last transport fell into our hands. At the very least, I think I have made sure of the thing that caused the greatest alarm: Dolabella cannot reach Italy or increase your difficulties by reinforcing his allies. You will learn from my public dispatch how completely the Rhodians thought that it was all over with us and with the republic. Indeed, I wrote about their delusion much more mildly than the reality deserved. Do not be surprised that I mentioned them in my dispatch at all. Their infatuation is astonishing. I was not moved by any private wrong I had suffered from them. What I could not endure was their hostility in a matter involving our lives, their violent attachment to the other side, and the persistent disrespect they showed to all the best loyal citizens. Even so, I do not think they were all bad men. But the same faction that once refused to receive my father when he was in exile, and refused Lucius Lentulus, Pompey, and other men of the highest distinction, now, as though by some fatal pattern, either holds the magistracies itself or controls those who hold them. So they display the same proud obstinacy in their malice. It is not only useful to the republic, but absolutely necessary, that such men should sooner or later be checked in their wrongdoing and not allowed to grow stronger through impunity. I hope you will continue, as before, to defend my standing whenever you have the opportunity, and to support my reputation both in the senate and elsewhere. Since Asia has been assigned by decree to the consuls, and since they have been allowed to entrust its administration until their arrival to the magistrates now in office, I ask you to urge them to choose me before anyone else and to commit Asia to me until one of them arrives. There is no reason for them to hurry here during their consulship or to send an army. Dolabella is in Syria, and, as you foresaw with almost prophetic judgment and predicted, Cassius will crush him while they are on their way. Dolabella has already had the gates of Antioch shut against him and was badly beaten when he tried to storm the city. Since he trusted no other city, he has gone to Laodicea on the Syrian coast. There I hope he will soon pay the penalty for his crime, for he has no refuge and will not be able much longer to hold out against an army as large as Cassius's. I even hope that by now Dolabella has been overpowered and crushed. For that reason I do not suppose Pansa and Hirtius will rush off to their provinces while they are consuls, but will conduct their consulship at Rome. If you ask them to give me the administration of Asia in the meantime, I hope you may be able to obtain it for me. Besides, Pansa and Hirtius promised me personally, wrote to me while I was away, and Pansa faithfully promised our friend Verrius, that they would see that no successor was appointed for me during their consulship. It is not, I swear, from any special desire for a province that I want my term extended. This province has brought me much labor, danger, and loss. I am very anxious not to have endured all this in vain, or to be forced to leave before I settle what still remains to be done despite my diligence. If I had been able to send the whole sum I had levied, I would have asked to be relieved. As things stand, I need to recover and make good what I advanced to Cassius, what I lost through the death of Trebonius, through Dolabella's cruelty, and through the bad faith of those who failed to keep their promises to me and to the republic. This cannot be done unless I have time. Please take care, as you always do, that I obtain what I ask through your help. I think my services to the state are sufficient to justify my expecting not only the reward of this province, but as much as Cassius and the two Bruti received: not only because I shared in that glorious deed and in its danger, but also because of the zeal and integrity I am showing now. I was the first to defy the laws passed by Antony. I was the first to bring Dolabella's cavalry over to the republic and hand them on to Cassius. I was the first to hold a levy for the protection of the common safety against a most criminal conspiracy. I was the sole reason Syria and the armies in it were brought under the authority of Cassius and the republic. Unless I had handed over to Cassius so large a sum of money and such strong forces, and had done it so promptly, he would not even have had the courage to enter Syria. At this moment the republic would be threatened by dangers from Dolabella no less serious than those from Antony. I did all this though I was a clubmate and close friend of Dolabella, closely connected by blood with the Antonies, and in possession of a province through their favor. Yet, because I loved my country more, I was the first to proclaim war against men who were all my friends. I know that these actions have not yet brought me much advantage. Still, I do not despair, and fatigue will not prevent me from persevering not only in my passion for freedom but also in labor and danger. Even so, if I am encouraged by some just and well-deserved credit through the support of the senate and the leading citizens, I shall have greater influence with others and so be able to serve the republic more effectively. I could not see your son when I visited Brutus, because he had already gone with the cavalry into winter quarters. But I swear I am delighted by the reputation he enjoys, for your sake, for his, and especially for mine. He is like a brother to me, since he is your son and worthy of you. Farewell.

DCCCLXXVIII (Fam. XII, 14) P. CORNELIUS LENTULUS SPINTHER TO CICERO (AT ROME) PERGA, 29 MAY: Having been to see our friend Brutus and discovered that he was not coming to Asia for some time, I returned to Asia to finish off the arrears of my business and to transmit the money to Rome as soon as possible. Meanwhile I was informed that Dolabella 's fleet was in Lycia , and more than a hundred ships of burden, on board which his army might be embarked; and that Dolabella 's plan was that, if he was disappointed of his hopes of getting possession of Syria , he should take ship and make for Italy , and there join the Antonies and the other outlaws. That so alarmed me that, throwing all other business aside, I endeavoured to reach these ships with a fleet of fewer and smaller vessels. And had I not been hindered by the Rhodians , that force would have perhaps been entirely destroyed. After all, it was to a great extent put out of action; for the fleet itself was scattered in all directions by the terror of our approach, the soldiers and officers took flight, the ships of burden, to the last vessel, fell into our hands. At least, I think I have secured — what was causing the greatest alarm — that Dolabella cannot reach Italy , nor make your difficulties greater by reinforcing his allies. How completely the Rhodians thought that it was all over with us and the Republic you will learn from my public despatch. And indeed I have written much more mildly about their delusion than I found it in real fact to be. But do not be surprised at my having mentioned them in my despatch at all, for their infatuation is really surprising. I was not moved by any private wrong received from them at any time; it was their ill-will in a matter involving our lives, their violent adherence to the other side, the persistent disrespect shown by them to all the best loyalists, that were intolerable to me. Yet after all I don't think that they were all bad men: but that same party of them who in old times refused to receive my father in his flight, L. Lentulus , Pompey , and other men of the greatest distinction, these same men, I say, as though by some fatality are now either actual magistrates or have those who are in office in their power. And so they show the same proud obstinacy in their malice. That the evil propensities of these men should sooner or later be checked, and that we should not allow them to increase by impunity, is not only to the advantage of the Republic, but absolutely necessary. I hope you will continue as before to defend my position whenever you get an opportunity, and in the senate and elsewhere give your Support to my reputation. Since Asia has been assigned by decree to the consuls, and they have been allowed until their arrival to commit the administration to the magistrates now in possession, I beg you to ask them to select me before anyone else for this position, and to commit the administration of Asia to me till one or the other of them arrives. For there is no reason for their hurrying hither during their year of office or sending an army. For Dolabella is in Syria , and, as you have foreseen in your prophetic soul and have foretold, Cassius will crush him while they are on their way. For Dolabella has had the gates of Antioch shut in his face and got a good beating in trying to storm it. Not trusting in any other city, he has betaken himself to Laodicea , on the sea-coast of Syria . There I hope he will speedily pay the penalty of his crime: for he has no place of refuge, nor will he much longer be able there to stand out against an army as large as that of Cassius . I even hope that Dolabella has by this time been overpowered and crushed. Wherefore I don't suppose that Pansa and Hirtius will hurry themselves to go to their provinces whilst they are consuls, but will conduct the consulship at Rome . Therefore, if you will ask them to give me the administration of Asia in the meantime, I hope you may be able to get it for me. Besides, Pansa and Hirtius promised me personally, and wrote to me when I was away, and Pansa faithfully promised our friend Verrius that he would see to no successor being appointed for me during their consulship. It is not, upon my honour, from any special desire of a province that I wish my period of office prolonged; for this province has been to me the source of much labour, danger, and loss. And I am very anxious that I may not have undergone all these in vain, nor be forced to leave it before I wind up what, in spite of my diligence, there still remains to be done. For if I had been able to send the whole sum which I have levied, I should have asked to be relieved. As it is, I want to get in and make up what I have advanced to Cassius , what I have lost by the death of Trebonius , or by the cruelty of Dolabella , or the perfidy of those who have not kept their word with me and the Republic. And this cannot be done unless I have time. Pray take care — as is your habit — that I get my wish through you. I think my services to the state have been sufficient to give me a right to expect not only the reward of this province, but as much as Cassius and the two Bruti got, not only because I shared in that glorious deed and the danger of it, but also from the zeal and integrity of my conduct now. For I was the first to defy the laws passed by Antony ; I was the first to bring over Dolabella 's cavalry to the Republic and hand them on to Cassius ; I was the first to hold a levy to protect the common safety against a most criminal Conspiracy. I was the sole cause of Syria and the armies in it being put under the authority of Cassius and the Republic. For unless I had handed to Cassius such a large sum of money and such strong forces, and with such promptitude, he would not have even had the courage to enter Syria , and at this moment no less dangers would have been threatening the Republic from Dolabella than from Antony . And then, too, I did all this though I was a club-fellow and most intimate friend of Dolabella , most closely allied in blood to the Antonies , and, moreover, in possession of a province by their favour; yet, “loving my country more,” I was the first to proclaim war against men who were all my friends. Though I am aware that these things have as yet not brought me much profit, nevertheless I do not despair, nor shall I be prevented by fatigue from abiding not merely in my passion for freedom, but also in labour and dangers. Still, after all, if I am encouraged by some just and well-deserved credit through the good offices of the senate and aristocracy, I shall enjoy a greater prestige with others, and be able to be so much the more serviceable to the Republic. I could not see your son when I visited Brutus , because he had already started with the cavalry into winter quarters, but upon my honour I am rejoiced at the reputation he enjoys, both for your sake and his, and especially for mine. For he is like a brother to me, as being your son and worthy of you. Good-bye. 29 May, Perga .

XIV. Scr. Pergae IV. Nonas Iunias a.u.c. 711. LENTULUS CICERONI SUO S. P. D. Quum Brutum nostrum convenissem eumque tardius in Asiam venturum animadverterem, in Asiam redii, ut reliquias mei laboris colligerem et pecuniam quam primum Romam mitterem. Interim cognovi in Lycia esse classem Dolabellae ampliusque centum naves onerarias, in quas exercitus eius imponi posset, idque Dolabellam ea mente comparasse, ut, si Syriae spes eum frustrata esset, conscenderet in naves et Italiam peteret seque cum Antoniis et reliquis latronibus coniungeret: cuius rei tanto in timore fui, ut omnibus rebus relictis cum paucioribus et minoribus navibus ad illas ire conatus sim. Quae res, si a Rhodiis non essem interpellatus, fortasse tota sublata esset, tamen magna ex parte profligata est, quoniam quidem classis dissipata est adventus nostri timore, milites ducesque effugerunt, onerariae omnes ad unam a nobis sunt exceptae. Certe—quod maxime timui—videor esse consecutus, ut non possit Dolabella in Italiam pervenire nec suis sociis firmatis durius vobis efficere negotium. Rhodii nos et rem publicam quam valde desperaverint, ex litteris, quas publice misi, cognosces. Et quidem multo parcius scripsi; mirari noli: mira est eorum amentia. Nec moverunt me meae ullae privatim iniuriae umquam: malus animus eorum in nostram salutem, cupiditas partium aliarum, perseverantia in contemptione optimi cuiusque ferenda mihi non fuit. Nec tamen omnes perditos esse puto; sed iidem illi, qui tum fugientem patrem meum, qui L. Lentulum, qui Pompeium, qui ceteros viros clarissimos non receperunt, iidem tamquam aliquo fato et nunc aut magistratum gerunt aut eos, qui sunt in magistratu, in sua habent potestate: itaque eadem superbia in pravitate utuntur; quorum improbitatem aliquando retundi et non pati impunitate augeri non solum utile est rei publicae nostrae, sed etiam necessarium. De nostra dignitate velim tibi ut semper curae sit et, quocumque tempore occasionem habueris, et in senatu et ceteris rebus laudi nostrae suffragere. Quoniam consulibus decreta est Asia et permissum est iis, ut, dum ipsi venirent, darent negotium, qui Asiam obtineant, rogo te, petas ab iis, ut hanc dignitatem potissimum nobis tribuant et mihi dent negotium, ut Asiam obtineam, dum ipsorum alteruter venit; nam, quod huc properent in magistratu venire aut exercitum mittere, causam non habent; Dolabella enim in Syria est, et, ut tu divina tua mente prospexisti et praedicasti, dum isti veniunt, Cassius eum opprimet; exclusus enim ab Antiochea Dolabella et in oppugnando male acceptus, nulla alia confisus urbe, Laodiceam, quae est in Syria ad mare, se contulit: ibi spero celeriter eum poenas daturum; nam neque, quo refugiat, habet neque diutius ibi poterit tantum exercitum Cassii sustinere: spero etiam confectum esse iam et oppressum Dolabellam. Quare non puto Pansam et Hirtium in consulatu properaturos in provincias exire, sed Romae acturos consulatum: itaque, si ab iis petieris, ut interea nobis procurationem Asiae dent, spero te posse impetrare. Praeterea mihi promiserunt Pansa et Hirtius coram et absenti mihi scripserunt Verrioque nostro Pansa affirmavit se daturum operam, ne in suo consulatu mihi succedatur. Ego porro non medius fidius cupiditate provinciae produci longius spatium mihi volo; nam mihi fuit ista provincia plena laboris, periculi, detrimenti, quae ego ne frustra subierim neve, priusquam reliquias meae diligentiae consequar, decedere cogar, valde laboro; nam, si potuissem, quam exegeram pecuniam, universam mittere, postularem, ut mihi succederetur: nunc, quod Cassio dedi, quod Trebonii morte amisimus, quod etiam crudelitate Dolabellae aut perfidia eorum, qui fidem mihi reique publicae non praestiterunt, id consequi et reficere volo, quod aliter non potest fieri, nisi spatium habuero: id ut per te consequar, velim, ut solet, tibi curae sit. Ego me de re publica puto esse meritum, ut non provinciae istius beneficium exspectare debeam, sed tantum, quantum Cassius et Bruti, non solum illius facti periculique societate, sed etiam huius temporis studio et virtute; primus enim ego leges Antonias fregi, primus equitatum Dolabellae ad rem publicam traduxi Cassioque tradidi, primus delectus habui pro salute omnium contra coniurationem sceleratissimam, solus Cassio et rei publicae Syriam exercitusque, qui ibi erant, coniunxi, nam, nisi ego tantum pecuniam tantaque praesidia et tam celeriter Cassio dedissem, ne ausus quidem esset ire in Syriam, et nunc non minora pericula rei publicae a Dolabella instarent quam ab Antonio. Atque haec omnia is feci, qui sodalis et familiarissimus Dolabellae eram, coniunctissimus sanguine Antoniis, provinciam quoque illorum beneficio habebam, sed patr¤da §m±n m*llon fil«n omnibus meis bellum primus indixi. Haec etsi adhuc non magno opere mihi tulisse fructum animadverto, tamen non despero nec defetigabor permanere non solum in studio libertatis, sed etiam in labore et periculis. Ac tamen, si etiam aliqua gloria iusta et merita provocabimur senatus et optimi cuiusque officiis, maiore cum auctoritate apud ceteros erimus et eo plus prodesse rei publicae poterimus. Filium tuum, ad Brutum quum veni, videre non potui ideo, quod iam in hiberna cum equitibus erat profectus, sed medius fidius ea esse eum opinione et tua et ipsius et in primis mea causa gaudeo; fratris enim loco mihi est, qui ex te natus teque dignus est. Vale. D. IIII. Non. Iun. Perga.