Letter 416

When I know what day I'll be arriving, I'll make sure you know. I have to wait for the baggage that's coming from Anagnia, and there is illness in the household. On the evening of the first I got a letter from Octavian. He is undertaking a great enterprise. He has won over to his side the veterans who are at Casilinum and Calatia, and no wonder, since he is giving them five hundred denarii apiece. He is thinking of going round the other colonies. Plainly what he is aiming at is that a war be waged against Antony under his own leadership. And so I see that within a few days we shall be under arms. But whom are we to follow? Look at his name, look at his age. And first of all he asks me to confer with him secretly, either at Capua or not far from Capua. This, frankly, is childish, if he thinks it can be done in secret. I explained to him by letter that there was no need for it and that it could not be done. [2] He sent to me a certain Caecina of Volaterra, a friend of his, who brought this news: that Antony is marching on the city with the legion of the Larks [legio Alaudae, raised by Caesar from Gauls], levying money on the towns, and leading the legion under its standards. He was deliberating whether to set out for Rome with [three thousand?] of the veterans, or to hold Capua and shut out Antony as he came, or to go to the three Macedonian legions that are making their way along the Adriatic [literally the Upper Sea]; these he hopes are his. They refused to accept a bounty from Antony, so this fellow at any rate reports, and they heaped harsh abuse on him and walked out on him while he was still haranguing them. In short: he declares himself our leader and thinks we ought not to fail him. For my part I advised him to push on to Rome. For it seems to me that he will have the common folk of the city on his side and, if he inspires their confidence, even the loyal men [boni]. O Brutus, where are you? What a perfect opportunity [eukairian, opportune moment] you are letting slip! I certainly did not foresee this, but I thought something of the kind would happen. Now I am seeking your counsel. Do I come to Rome, or stay here, or flee to Arpinum (that place offers safety [asphaleian])? Rome, I think, lest I be missed if something appears to have been done. So sort this out for me. I have never been in greater perplexity [aporia].

When I know what day I shall arrive, I will let you know. I must wait for my heavy baggage, which is coming from Anagnia, and there is illness in my household. On the evening of the 1st I got a letter from Octavian. He is setting about a heavy task. He has brought over the veterans, who are at Casilinum and Calatia, to his views; and no wonder, when he is giving them £20 apiece. He thinks of visiting the other colonies. Obviously his idea is a war with Antony under his leadership. So I see that before long we shall be in arms. But whom are we to follow? Look at his name, and at his age. And his first request of me is that I should meet him secretly at Capua or somewhere near Capua. That is quite childish, if he thinks it can be done secretly. I have told him by letter that there is no necessity for it and no possibility of it. He sent me one Caecina of Volaterra, an intimate friend of his, who brought this news, that Antony is making for Rome with the legion Alauda, raising a forced contribution from towns, and marching with his soldiers under colours. He asked my advice about setting out for Rome with 3,000 veterans or holding Capua and intercepting Antony's advance, or going to the three Macedonian legions, which are making for the northern Adriatic. Those he hopes are on his side; they refused to take Antony's bounty, or so he says, heaped insults on him and left him still haranguing. Of course, he offers himself as our leader, and thinks we ought not to fail him. I advised that he should make for Rome. For it seems to me he ought to have the city rabble, and, if he succeeds in inspiring them with confidence, even the loyalists on his side. O Brutus, where are you? What a golden opportunity you are missing! I never foresaw this, but I thought something of the kind would happen. Now, I want your advice. Shall I come to Rome, or stay here, or flee to Arpinum, which would be a harbour of refuge? Rome I think, for fear I be missed, if people think a blow has been struck. Read me this riddle. I never was in a greater quandary.

cum sciam quo die venturus sim, faciam ut scias. impedimenta exspectanda sunt quae Anaunia veniunt et familia aegra est. Kal. vesperi litterae mihi ab Octaviano. Magna molitur. veteranos qui <sunt> Casilini et Calatiae perduxit ad suam sententiam. nec mirum, quingenos denarios dat. cogitat reliquas colonias obire. plane hoc spectat ut se duce bellum geratur cum Antonio. itaque video paucis diebus nos in armis fore. quem autem sequamur? vide nomen, vide aetatem. atque a me postulat primum ut clam conloquatur mecum vel Capuae vel non longe a Capua. puerile hoc quidem, si id putat clam fieri posse. docui per litteras id nec opus esse nec fieri posse. [2] misit ad me Caecinam quendam Volaterranum familiarem suum; qui haec pertulit, Antonium cum legione alaudarum ad urbem pergere, pecunias municipiis imperare, legionem sub signis ducere. consultabat utrum Romam cum ci[c] ci[c] ci[c] veteranorum proficisceretur an Capuam teneret et Antonium venientem excluderet an iret ad tris legiones Macedonicas quae iter secundum mare superum faciunt; quas sperat suas esse. eae congiarium ab Antonio accipere noluerunt, ut hic quidem narrat, et ei convicium grave fecerunt contionantemque reliquerunt. quid quaeris? ducem se profitetur nec nos sibi putat deesse oportere. equidem suasi ut Romam pergeret. videtur enim mihi et plebeculam urbanam et, si fidem fecerit, etiam bonos viros secum habiturus. O Brute, ubi es? quantam eu)kairi/an amittis! non equidem hoc divinavi sed aliquid tale putavi fore. nunc tuum consilium exquiro. Romamne venio an hic maneo an Arpinum ( a)sfa/leian habet is locus) fugiam? Romam, ne desideremur si quid actum videbitur. hoc igitur explica. numquam in maiore a)pori/a? fui.