Letter 7: Cicero writes to Quintus in Sardinia from Rome in 12 February 56 BC.

Written at Rome, the day before the Ides of February, in the 698th year from the founding of the city [12 February 56 BC]. Marcus to his brother Quintus, greetings. 1. I wrote to you earlier about the previous events; now learn what has been done since. From the Kalends of February the embassies kept being deferred to the Ides of February; on that day the matter was not concluded. On the fourth day before the Nones of February [2 February] Milo appeared in court; Pompey came as his advocate; Marcellus spoke at my request; we came off with honor; the day was adjourned to the eighth before the Ides of February [6 February]. Meanwhile, the embassies having been put off to the Ides, the question was brought up of the provinces for the quaestors and of the outfitting of the praetors; but with many complaints about the Republic interposed, no business was transacted. Gaius Cato promulgated a law for stripping Lentulus of his command; his son changed into mourning dress. 2. On the eighth before the Ides of February [6 February] Milo appeared in court; Pompey spoke, or at least wished to, for as he rose Clodius's hired gangs set up a clamor, and this happened to him throughout his whole speech, so that he was hindered not only by shouting but by abuse and curses. When he had finished his peroration—for in this he was truly courageous: he was not deterred; he said everything, and at times even carried his point in silence, through the weight of his authority—but when he had finished, Clodius rose: against him such a clamor went up from our side—for we had resolved to repay him in kind—that he could keep command neither of his mind nor his tongue nor his countenance. This went on, after Pompey had scarcely finished his peroration at the sixth hour, right up to the eighth hour, while every kind of abuse, and finally the most obscene verses, were hurled against Clodius and Clodia. He, frantic and bloodless, kept asking his own men, in the very midst of the clamor, who it was who was killing the plebs with hunger: the gangs answered, "Pompey"; who wished to go to Alexandria: they answered, "Pompey"; whom they wished to go: they answered, "Crassus"—he was present then, in no friendly spirit toward Milo. At about the ninth hour, as if at a signal given, the Clodians began to spit upon our men; resentment blazed up. They pressed in to drive us from our ground; an attack was made by our side, the gangs fled; Clodius was thrown down from the Rostra, and then we too withdrew, lest there be some trouble in the crowd. The Senate was summoned into the Curia; Pompey went home. I, however, did not go into the Senate, lest either I keep silent on matters of such importance, or, in defending Pompey—for he was being carped at by Bibulus, Curio, Favonius, and the younger Servilius—I give offense to the feelings of the loyal men [boni]; the matter was put off to the next day; Clodius adjourned his case to the Quirinalia [17 February]. On the seventh before the Ides of February [7 February] the Senate met at the temple of Apollo, so that Pompey might attend; the matter was handled forcefully by Pompey; on that day nothing was accomplished. 3. On the sixth before the Ides of February [8 February], at the temple of Apollo, a decree of the Senate was passed: that the things done on the eighth before the Ides of February [6 February] had been done against the Republic. On that day Cato inveighed vehemently against Pompey and accused him in a continuous speech as if he were a defendant; he said much about me, against my wishes but to my very great praise, while he denounced Pompey's treachery toward me: he was heard in profound silence by the ill-disposed. Pompey replied to him vehemently and pointed to Crassus, and said openly that he would be better fortified for guarding his own life than Africanus had been, whom Gaius Carbo had killed. 4. And so great events already seemed to me to be set in motion; for Pompey understands these things and shares them with us: that plots are being laid against his life, that Gaius Cato is being sustained by Crassus, that money is being supplied to Clodius, that both are being backed by him and by Curio, by Bibulus, and by his other detractors; that he must take vigorous precautions lest he be crushed by that demagogue-led populace, now nearly alienated from him, with the nobility hostile, the Senate not well-disposed, and the youth depraved. And so he is making his preparations, summoning men from the countryside; Clodius, for his part, is strengthening his gangs; bands are being readied for the Quirinalia. In this we are far superior in our own forces; but a large band is expected from Picenum and Gaul, so that we may also resist Cato's bills concerning Milo and Lentulus. 5. On the fourth before the Ides of February [10 February] Sestius was charged with electoral bribery by the informer Gnaeus Nerius of the Pupinian tribe, and on the same day with violence by a certain Marcus Tullius; he was ill; as was our duty, we went at once to his house and put ourselves wholly at his disposal, and we did this contrary to people's expectation—for they thought we had good reason to be angry with him—so that we appeared most humane and grateful, both to him and to everyone, and so we shall continue to act. But this same informer Nerius named to the assessors Gnaeus Lentulus Vatia and Gaius Cornelius. That same day a decree of the Senate was passed: that the political clubs and associations enrolled by decuries should disband, and that a law concerning them should be brought in, so that those who had not disbanded should be liable to the penalty that applies to violence. 6. On the third before the Ides of February [11 February] I spoke for Bestia on a charge of electoral bribery before the praetor Gnaeus Domitius, in the middle of the Forum before a very great gathering, and in my speaking I came upon that passage where Sestius, after receiving many wounds in the temple of Castor, had been saved by the aid of Bestia. Here I prepared the ground in advance, opportunely [originally in Greek], regarding the charges that were being prepared against Sestius, and I adorned him with true praises to the great approval of all: the thing was exceedingly gratifying to the man. I write this to you because you have often advised me by letter about keeping Sestius's goodwill. 7. On the day before the Ides of February [12 February] I wrote this before dawn; on that day I was to dine at Pomponius's house, at his wedding. As for the rest, our affairs are of such a kind as you used to predict to me when I was almost despairing: full of dignity and favor; and these things, my brother, have indeed been restored to you and to me by your prudence, your patience, your courage, your devotion, and even your charm. A house has been rented for you, the Licinian one near Piso's grove; but, as I hope, within a few months after the Kalends of July you will move into your own. Your house on the Carinae has been rented by the Lamiae, fine tenants. I have received no letter from you since that one from Olbia: I long to know what you are doing and how you are amusing yourself, and most of all to see you yourself as soon as possible. Take care, my brother, that you keep well, and, although it is winter, nevertheless bear in mind that that place of yours is Sardinia. The fifteenth before the Kalends of March [15 February].

I have already told you the earlier proceedings; now let me describe what was done afterwards. The legations were postponed from the 1st of February to the 13th. On the former day our business was not brought to a settlement. On the 2nd of February Milo appeared for trial. Pompey came to support him. Marcellus spoke on being called upon by me. We came off with flying colours. The case was adjourned to the 7th. Meanwhile (in the senate), the legations having been postponed to the 13th, the business of allotting the quaestors and furnishing the outfit of the praetors was brought before the house. But nothing was done, because many speeches were interposed denouncing the state of the Republic. Gaius Cato published his bill for the recall of Lentulus, whose son thereupon put on mourning. On the 7th Milo appeared. Pompey spoke, or rather wished to speak. For as soon as he got up Clodius's ruffians raised a shout, and throughout his whole speech he was interrupted, not only by hostile cries, but by personal abuse and insulting remarks. However, when he had finished his speech—for he showed great courage in these circumstances, he was not cowed, he said all he had to say, and at times had by his Commanding presence even secured silence for his words—well, when he had finished, up got Clodius. Our party received him with such a shout—for they had determined to pay him out—that he lost all presence of mind, power of speech, or control over his countenance. This went on up to two o'clock—Pompey having finished his speech at noon—and every kind of abuse, and finally epigrams of the most outspoken indecency were uttered against Clodius and Clodia. Mad and livid with rage Clodius, in the very midst of the shouting, kept putting questions to his claque: "Who was it who was starving the commons to death?" His ruffians answered, "Pompey." "Who wanted to be sent to Alexandria?" They answered, "Pompey." "Who did they wish to go?" They answered, "Crassus." The latter was present at the time with no friendly feelings to Milo. About three o'clock, as though at a given signal, the Clodians began spitting at our men. There was an outburst of rage. They began a movement for forcing us from our ground. Our men charged: his ruffians turned tail. Clodius was pushed off the rostra: and then we too made our escape for fear of mischief in the riot. The senate was summoned into the Curia: Pompey went home. However, I did not myself enter the senate-house, lest I should be obliged either to refrain from speaking on matters of such gravity, or in defending Pompey (for he was being attacked by Bibulus, Curio, Favonius, and Servilius the younger) should give offence to the loyalists. The business was adjourned to the next day. Clodius fixed the Quirinalia (17th of February) for his prosecution. On the 8th the senate met in the temple of Apollo, that Pompey might attend. Pompey made an impressive speech. That day nothing was concluded. On the 9th in the temple of Apollo a decree passed the senate "that what had taken place on the 7th of February was treasonable." On this day Cato warmly inveighed against Pompey, and throughout his speech arraigned him as though he were at the bar. He said a great deal about me, to my disgust, though it was in very laudatory terms. When he attacked Pompey's perfidy to me, he was listened to in profound silence on the part of my enemies. Pompey answered him boldly with a palpable allusion to Crassus, and said outright that "he would take better precautions to protect his life than Africanus had done, whom C. Carbo had assassinated." Accordingly, important events appear to me to be in the wind. For Pompey understands what is going on, and imparts to me that plots are being formed against his life, that Gaius Cato is being supported by Crassus, that money is being supplied to Clodius, that both are backed by Crassus and Curio, as well as by Bibulus and his other detractors: that he must take extraordinary precautions to prevent being overpowered by that demagogue-with a people all but wholly alienated, a nobility hostile, a senate ill-affected, and the younger men corrupt. So he is making his preparations and summoning men from the country. On his part, Clodius is rallying his gangs: a body of men is being got together for the Quirinalia. For that occasion we are considerably in a majority, owing to the forces brought up by Pompey himself: and a large contingent is expected from Picenum and Gallia, to enable us to throw out Cato's bills also about Milo and Lentulus. On the 10th of February an indictment was lodged against Sestius for bribery by the informer Cn. Nerius, of the Pupinian tribe, and on the same day by a certain M. Tullius for riot. He was ill. I went at once, as I was bound to do, to his house, and put myself wholly at his service: and that was more than people expected, who thought that I had good cause for being angry with him. The result is that my extreme kindness and grateful disposition are made manifest both to Sestius himself and to all the world, and I shall be as good as my word. But this same informer Nerius also named Cn. Lentulus Vatia and C. Cornelius to the commissioners. On the same day a decree passed the senate "that political clubs and associations should be broken up, and that a law in regard to them should be brought in, enacting that those who did not break off from them should be liable to the same penalty as those convicted of riot." On the 11th of February I spoke in defence of Bestia on a charge of bribery before the praetor Cn. Domitius, in the middle of the forum and in a very crowded court; and in the course of my speech I came to the incident of Sestius, after receiving many wounds in the temple of Castor, having been preserved by the aid of Bestia. Here I took occasion to pave the way beforehand for a refutation of the charges which are being got up against Sestius, and I passed a well-deserved encomium upon him with the cordial approval of everybody. He was himself very much delighted with it. I tell you this because you have often advised me in your letters to retain the friendship of Sestius. I am writing this on the 12th of February before daybreak the day on which I am to dine with Pomponius on the occasion of his wedding. Our position in other respects is such as you used to cheer my despondency by telling me it would be-one of great dignity and popularity: this is a return to old times for you and me effected, my brother, by your patience, high character, loyalty, and, I may also add, your conciliatory manners. The house of Licinius, near the grove of Piso, has been taken for you. But, as I hope, in a few months' time, after the 1st of July, you will move into your own. Some excellent tenants, the Lamim, have taken your house in Carinae. I have received no letter from you since the one dated Olbia. I am anxious to hear how you are and what you find to amuse you, but above all to see you your-self as soon as possible. Take care of your health, my dear brother, and though it is winter time, yet reflect that after all it is Sardinia that you are in. 15 February.

III. Scr. Romae prid. Id. Febr. a.u.c. 698. MARCUS QUINTO FRATRI SALUTEM. 1. Scripsi ad te antea superiora; nunc cognosce, postea quae sint acta. A Kal. Febr. legationes in Idus Febr. reiiciebantur; eo die res confecta non est. A. d. IIII. Non. Febr. Milo affuit; ei Pompeius advocatus venit; dixit Marcellus a me rogatus; honeste discessimus; prodicta dies est in VIII. Idus Febr. Interim reiectis legationibus in Idus referebatur de provinciis quaestorum et de ornandis praetoribus; sed res multis querelis de re publica interponendis nulla transacta est. C. Cato legem promulgavit de imperio Lentulo abrogando: vestitum filius mutavit. 2. A. d. VIII. Id. Febr. Milo affuit: dixit Pompeius sive voluit, nam, ut surrexit, operae Clodianae clamorem sustulerunt, idque ei perpetua oratione contigit, non modo ut acclamatione, sed ut convicio et maledictis impediretur. Qui ut peroravit—nam in eo sane fortis fuit: non est deterritus; dixit omnia atque interdum etiam silentio, cum auctoritate peregerat—, sed ut peroravit, surrexit Clodius: ei tantus clamor a nostris—placuerat enim referre gratiam—, ut neque mente nec lingua neque ore consisteret. Ea res acta est, cum hora sexta vix Pompeius perorasset, usque ad horam VIII., cum omnia maledicta, versus denique obscoenissimi in Clodium et Clodiam dicerentur. Ille furens et exsanguis interrogabat suos in clamore ipso, quis esset, qui plebem fame necaret: respondebant operae: "Pompeius," quis Alexandream ire cuperet: respondebant: "Pompeius;" quem ire vellent: respondebant: "Crassum"—is aderat tum Miloni animo non amico—. Hora fere nona quasi signo data Clodiani nostros consputare coeperunt; exarsit dolor. Urgere illi, ut loco nos moverent; factus est a nostris impetus, fuga operarum; eiectus de rostris Clodius, ac nos quoque tum fugimus, ne quid in turba. Senatus vocatus in curiam; Pompeius domum; neque ego tamen in senatum, ne aut de tantis rebus tacerem aut in Pompeio defendendo—nam is carpebatur a Bibulo, Curione, Favonio, Servilio filio—animos bonorum virorum offenderem; res in posterum diem dilata est; Clodius in Quirinalia prodixit diem. A. d. VII. Id. Febr. senatus ad Apollinis fuit, ut Pompeius adesset: acta res est graviter a Pompeio; eo die nihil perfectum est. 3. A. d. VI. Id. Febr. ad Apollinis senatus consultum factum est, ea, quae facta essent a. d. VIII. Id. Febr., contra rem publicam esse facta. Eo die Cato vehementer est in Pompeium invectus et eum oratione perpetua tamquam reum accusavit, de me multa me invito cum mea summa laude dixit, cum illius in me perfidiam increparet: auditus est magno silentio malevorum. Respondit ei vehementer Pompeius Crassumque descripsit dixitque aperte se munitiorem ad custodiendam vitam suam fore, quam Africanus fuisset, quem C. Carbo interemisset. 4. Itaque magnae mihi res iam moveri videbantur; nam Pompeius haec intelligit nobiscumque communicat, insidias vitae suae fieri, C. Catonem a Crasso sustentari, Clodio pecuniam suppeditari, utrumque et ab eo et a Curione, Bibulo ceterisque suis obtrectatoribus confirmari, vehementer esse providendum, ne opprimatur concionario illo populo a se prope alienato, nobilitate inimica, non aequo senatu, iuventute improba. Itaque se comparat, homines ex agris arcessit; operas autem suas Clodius confirmat, manus ad Quirinalia paratur. In eo multo sumus superiores ipsius copiis; sed magna manus ex Piceno et Gallia exspectatur, ut etiam Catonis rogationibus de Milone et Lentulo resistamus. 5. A. d. IIII. Idus Febr. Sestius ab indice Cn. Nerio Pupinia de ambitu est postulatus et eodem die a quodam M. Tullio de vi: is erat aeger; domum, ut debuimus, ad eum statim venimus eique nos totos tradidimus, idque fecimus praeter hominum opinionem, qui nos ei iure suscensere putabant, ut humanissimi gratissimique et ipsi et omnibus videremur, itaque faciemus. Sed idem Nerius index edidit ad allegatos Cn. Lentulum Vatiam et C. Cornelium ista ei eodem die senatus consultum factum est, ut sodalitates decuriatique discederent lexque de iis ferretur, ut, qui non discessissent, ea poena, quae est de vi, tenerentur. 6. A. d. III. Idus Febr. dixi pro Bestia de ambitu apud praetorem Cn. Domitium in foro medio maximo conventu incidique in eum locum in dicendo, cum Sestius multis in templo Castoris vulneribus acceptis subsidio Bestiae servatus esset. Hic proŸxonomhs­mhn quiddam eÈxa¤rvw de iis, quae in Sestium apparabantur crimina, et eum ornavi veris laudibus magno assensu omnium: res homini fuit vehementer gratia. Quae tibi eo scribo, quod me de retinenda Sestii gratia litteris saepe monuisti. 7. Pridie Idus Febr. haec scripsi ante lucem: eo die apud Pomponium in eius nuptiis eram coenaturus. Cetera sunt in rebus nostris huiusmodi, ut tu mihi fere diffidenti praedicabas: plena dignitatis et gratiae; quae quidem tua, mi frater, prudentia, patientia, virtute, pietate, suavitate etiam tibi mihique sunt restituta. Domus tibi ad lucum Pisonis Liciniana conducta est; sed, ut spero, paucis mensibus post K. Quinctiles in tuam commigrabis. Tuam in Carinis mundi habitatores Lamiae conduxerunt. A te post illam Olbiensem epistulam nullas litteras accepi: quid agas et ut te oblectes, scire cupio maximeque te ipsum videre quam primum. Cura, mi frater, ut valeas et, quamquam est hiems, tamen Sardiniam istam esse cogites. XV. K. Martias.