You know how much harm the republic has suffered now that Pansa is lost. At this point you must use your authority and judgment to make sure our enemies do not hope that, with the consuls removed, they can gather strength again.
I will see to it that Antony cannot hold his ground in Italy. I shall pursue him at once, and I hope I can accomplish both aims: that Ventidius does not slip away, and that Antony does not remain in Italy.
Above all, I ask you to send to Lepidus, that most changeable man, and prevent a junction with Antony from letting him renew the war against us. As for Asinius Pollio, I think you can see what he is going to do. Lepidus and Asinius have many legions, and good, solid ones.
I am not writing this because I think you fail to notice the same things. I write because I am completely convinced that Lepidus will never act straight, if by any chance there is still doubt among you about him. Please strengthen Plancus too. I hope that, once Antony has been driven off, he will not fail the republic.
If Antony crosses the Alps, I have decided to place a guard in the Alps and keep you fully informed about everything.
April 29, from the camp at Regium.
DCCCXLIV (Fam. XI, 9) DECIMUS BRUTUS TO CICERO (AT ROME) REGIUM LEPIDI, 29 APRIL: WHAT a loss the Republic has sustained by the death of Pansa you must be well aware. In these circumstances you must use your influence and foresight to prevent our opponents hoping to regain their strength now that the consuls have been removed. I will take care that Antony is unable to keep any footing in Italy . I am following him in hot haste. I hope that I shall secure two things — that Ventidius does not slip past me nor Antony remain in Italy . I specially beg you to send instructions to that shiftiest of men Lepidus , that he may not be in a position to renew the war against me if Antony effects a junction with him. For as to Asinius Pollio , I think you are quite clear as to what he will do. The legions of Lepidus and Asinius are numerous, good, and strong. And I don't write this to you because I know that the same facts escape your notice, but because I am most thoroughly convinced that Lepidus will never go straight-should you by chance have any doubt on that point! I beg you also to keep Plancus up to the mark, who will — I hope-stick to the Republic now that Antony has been defeated. If Antony has got himself across the Alps , I have resolved to station a force on the Alps and to keep you informed of everything. 29 April, in camp at Regium .
IX. Scr. in castris Regii III Kal. Maias a.u.c. 711. D. BRUTUS S. D. M. CICERONI.
Pansa amisso quantum detrimenti res publica acceperit, non te praeterit: nunc auctoritate et prudentia tua prospicias oportet, ne inimici nostri consulibus sublatis sperent se convalescere posse. Ego, ne consistere possit in Italia Antonius, dabo operam: sequar eum confestim; utrumque me praestaturum spero, ne aut Ventidius elabatur aut Antonius in Italia moretur. In primis rogo te, ad hominem ventosissimum, Lepidum, mittas, ne bellum nobis redintegrare possit Antonio sibi coniunctio; nam de Pollione Asinio puto te perspicere, quid tacturus sit. Multae et bonae et firmae sunt legiones Lepidi et Asinii. Neque haec idcirco tibi scribo, quod te non eadem animadvertere sciam, sed quod mihi persuasissimum est Lepidum recte facturum numquam, si forte vobis id de hoc dubium est. Plancum quoque confirmetis oro, quem spero pulso Antonio rei publicae non defuturum. Si se Alpes Antonius traiecerit, constitui praesidium in Alpibus collocare et te de omni re facere certiorem. III. Kal. Maias, ex castris, Regio.
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You know how much harm the republic has suffered now that Pansa is lost. At this point you must use your authority and judgment to make sure our enemies do not hope that, with the consuls removed, they can gather strength again.
I will see to it that Antony cannot hold his ground in Italy. I shall pursue him at once, and I hope I can accomplish both aims: that Ventidius does not slip away, and that Antony does not remain in Italy.
Above all, I ask you to send to Lepidus, that most changeable man, and prevent a junction with Antony from letting him renew the war against us. As for Asinius Pollio, I think you can see what he is going to do. Lepidus and Asinius have many legions, and good, solid ones.
I am not writing this because I think you fail to notice the same things. I write because I am completely convinced that Lepidus will never act straight, if by any chance there is still doubt among you about him. Please strengthen Plancus too. I hope that, once Antony has been driven off, he will not fail the republic.
If Antony crosses the Alps, I have decided to place a guard in the Alps and keep you fully informed about everything.
April 29, from the camp at Regium.
AI-assisted translation - This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek below for scholarly use.
Latin / Greek Original
IX. Scr. in castris Regii III Kal. Maias a.u.c. 711. D. BRUTUS S. D. M. CICERONI.
Pansa amisso quantum detrimenti res publica acceperit, non te praeterit: nunc auctoritate et prudentia tua prospicias oportet, ne inimici nostri consulibus sublatis sperent se convalescere posse. Ego, ne consistere possit in Italia Antonius, dabo operam: sequar eum confestim; utrumque me praestaturum spero, ne aut Ventidius elabatur aut Antonius in Italia moretur. In primis rogo te, ad hominem ventosissimum, Lepidum, mittas, ne bellum nobis redintegrare possit Antonio sibi coniunctio; nam de Pollione Asinio puto te perspicere, quid tacturus sit. Multae et bonae et firmae sunt legiones Lepidi et Asinii. Neque haec idcirco tibi scribo, quod te non eadem animadvertere sciam, sed quod mihi persuasissimum est Lepidum recte facturum numquam, si forte vobis id de hoc dubium est. Plancum quoque confirmetis oro, quem spero pulso Antonio rei publicae non defuturum. Si se Alpes Antonius traiecerit, constitui praesidium in Alpibus collocare et te de omni re facere certiorem. III. Kal. Maias, ex castris, Regio.