M. Tullius Cicero, Letters to his Friends, DCCCLXXI (F XI, 19)

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DCCCLXXI (F XI, 19)

DECIMUS BRUTUS TO CICERO (AT ROME)
VERCELLAE, 21 MAY

I SHOULD wish you to read over first the despatch which I have sent the senate and make any alterations you think right. You will notice that I could not avoid writing it: for while I thought that the fourth and Martian legions would be serving with me, ¹ in accordance with the motion of Drusus and Paullus, with the support of you senators, I thought I need not much concern myself about anything else. In present circumstances, however, when I am accompanied by the most ill-equipped raw recruits, it is inevitable that I should be much alarmed both on my own account and on yours. The people of Vicetia shew very great attention to me and Marcus Brutus. I beg you to see that no wrong is done them in the senate on the question concerning their home-born slaves. They have a very strong case, are very loyal to the Republic, and have a class of men opposed to them seditious and extremely idle. ²

1 The senate transferred the legions of the dead consuls to Decimus Brutus (App. B.C. 3.74). But the fourth and the Martia had joined Octavian, and refused to be so transferred.

2 We know nothing of the circumstance. The vernae, "home-born slaves," had apparently been set free on some conditions (as was not unusual) which they disputed or refused to fulfil. Vicetia is the modern Vicenza between Padua and Verona.

Cicero. The Letters of Cicero; the whole extant correspondence in chronological order, in four volumes. Evelyn S. Shuckburgh. London. George Bell and Sons. 1908-1909.

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M. Tullius Cicero, Letters to his Friends
Evelyn Shuckburgh, Evelyn S. Shuckburgh, Ed.

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DCCCLXXI (F XI, 19)

M. Tullius Cicero, Letters to his Friends Evelyn Shuckburgh, Evelyn S. Shuckburgh, Ed.

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DCCCLXXI (F XI, 19)

M. Tullius Cicero, Letters to his Friends
Evelyn Shuckburgh, Evelyn S. Shuckburgh, Ed.