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THE SIXTH ORATION OF M. T. CICERO AGAINST MARCUS ANTONIUS. CALLED ALSO THE SIXTH PHILIPPIC. ADDRESSED TO THE PEOPLE.
9.
Even here when I was in the city and at home, nevertheless many attempts were
made against me, in a place where I have not only the fidelity of my friends but
the eyes also of the entire city to guard me. What do you think will be the case
when I have gone on a journey, and that too a long one? Do you think that I
shall have no occasion to fear plots then? There are three roads to Mutina; a place which my mind longs to see,
in order that I may behold as speedily as possible that pledge of freedom of the
Roman people Decimus Brutus; in whose embrace I would willingly yield up my
parting breath, when all my actions for the last many months, and all my
opinions and propositions have resulted in the end which I proposed to myself.
There are, as I have said, three roads; the Flaminian road, along the Adriatic;
the Aurelian road, along the Mediterranean coast; the Midland road, which is
called the Cassian.
[23]
Now, take notice, I beg of you, whether my suspicion of danger to myself is at
variance with a reasonable conjecture. The Cassian road goes through Etruria. Do
we not know then, O Pansa, over what places the authority of Lenti Caesennius, as a septemvir, prevails at
present? He certainly is not on our side either in mind or body. But if he is at
home or not far from home, he is certainly in Etruria, that is, in my road. Who
then will undertake to me that Lenti will be content with exacting one life
alone? Tell me besides, O Pansa, where Ventidius is,—a man to whom I
have always been friendly before he became so openly an enemy to the republic
and to all good men. I may avoid the Cassian road and take the Flaminian. What
if, as it is said, Ventidius has arrived at Ancona? Shall I be able in that case to reach Ariminum in safety? The Aurelian road
remains; and here too I shall find a protector; for on that road are the
possessions of Publius Clodius. His whole household will come out to meet me;
and will invite me to partake of their hospitality, on account of my notorious
intimacy with their master?
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