THE

LIFE

TULLIUS

MARCUS

AUTHOR

OF

ROLLINGS,

F.

J.
THE

"

LIFE

OF

LONDON

PRINTED

FOR

CICERO,

THOMAS

MDCCCXXXIX.

GUSTAVUS

ADOLPHUS.'

TEGG,

73, CHEAPSIDE.

CY11US

EDMONDS,

R.

ESQ.

Volume
us

IS

INSCRIBED,

WITH

OF

SENTIMENTS

BY

HIS

OBLIGED

SINCERE

RESPECT

AND

FRIEND,

THE

AUTHOR.

FSTFEM,

PREFACE.

THE

Life

of

long enjoyed
To

the

classical

carefully
addition

text, in the

the

upon

from

transcribed

treating

upon

history

then

known,

and

containing

derived

from

almost

every

available

events

of

leading

his

aid

the

interesting periods.

most

towards

thorough

in

its decided

and

its

all

With

work

suited, from

more

learned
student

with

than
who

the

leading
leisure

field

extensive

more

in

such

references,

as

this

wearying

the

in

inquiry

prove

attention,

and

his

with

presented

reader,

of
would

it

or

himself

presented

by

the

of

utility

be

to

the

the

labours
that

notes

those

literature,

ancient
not

of
to

the

but

form,

means

to

into

believed, therefore,
popular

without

enter

by

is

acquainted

Cicero,
to

be

easily

character,

of

of

one

obvious

however,

Life

prove

less

no

to

respect

drawback

sufficient

information,
might

of

information

acquaintance

making

more

department
his

of

been

somewhat

conveying

upon

of

in

always

it must

general

curiosity

has

It

Middleton.

work

or

Orator,

with

elaborate

the

events

of

source

excellences,

desirous

the

partiality, might

its

to

be

may

possessing

of

either

copious notes,

mass

slight

extravagant

specified.

continued

particulars

Other

the

merits, notwithstanding

of

minutest

time,

valuable

does,

of

works

the
the

it

as

shape

to

the

circulation.

well-merited

scholar, affording,

has

Middleton,

Conyers

and

extensive

an

commentary

Dr.

by

Cicero,

still
and

entering
without

unacceptable

to

PREFACE.

Till

of
considerable part of the readingpublic. The name
and the universal admiration with which
Cicero himself
"

regardedin all ages the importance

and the prominentpart
of the sera in which he flourished,
of its most
enacted by him in some
strikingscenes,
jects
appearedto bring his lifefairlywithin the range of subintended to be illustrated by the series of works constituting
the " Family Library."
In preparingthe present volume, the well-known
and the Fasti Hellenici
historycompiled by Fabricius,
have been taken as the best,as
of Mr. Fynes Clinton,
well as the most comprehensive,
guidesfor the succession
and
The
order of events.
assistance afforded by the
and the remarks
classicalhistorians,
of various commentators,
that
and it will be seen
has not been neglected,
the recent discoveries of Maio have furnished a feAv,
by
At the same
no
means
time,
unimportant,particulars.
his

geniushas

wherever
Cicero

well

as

been

it has

by

been

Middleton

the notes

Cicero's

"

found

has been

of Melmoth

necessary,

the

Life

of

as
consulted,
respectfully

to

his excellent translation

Epistles.So ample

and

easilyaccessible,
however, arc the materials for a biographysuch as the
present,that any credit on the score of research is entirely
out of the question. Nor does the Author, in the least
labour,in
pretendto such a merit : his principal
degree,
has necessarily
consisted in selection,
not in
this instance,
stock of
discovery rather in compressingthe immense
in his
materials at hand, than in indulgingthe ambition,
of addinginformation which
case
wholly unwarrantable,
of the most
the curiosity
eniinent and unwearied scholars
of

"

has for ages failed to detect.

It remains

but

four orations known

to advert
as

to the

the Prima

reasons

and

for which

the

Secunda, Post Re-

ditum,Pro Domo Sua,and De Haruspicum Responsionibus,upon which so much controversial ingenuityand so

much
amusing wit have been employed,have been cited
It may be remarked,then,that
as authentic documents.

IX

PREFACE.

dazzlingcommentary of Bentley upon the

false epistles
of Phalaris had excited in writers of less
in his track,
the perilous
ambition of following
acuteness
the genuineness
for a moment
of these speeches
was
never
douhted ; and that although the learning
of Markland,
in the earlypart of the last century, was
ably employed
in endeavouringto destroytheir authority,
the judgment
of Gesner was
not
givenin
long afterwards strenuously
their favour,and that of Ernesti so confidently
established
side of the question,
to ensure
as
upon the same
into
their admission,without the least apparent scruple,
The
his valuable
edition of Cicero's works.
daring
of Wolf, from which
scepticism
nothing seemed at one
time destined to be sacred,revived the controversy,but
invested it with no
greaterdegree of certainty.It is
true, indeed,that his views have been supportedby some
of the most
able critics of recent times,and among
them
by those whose judgment with respect to the productions
of Cicero would be entitled to implicit
deference,
it unbalanced
were
by that of others of equalerudition,
and
possessedby a less evident desire of innovation.
But
it is equallytrue, on the other hand, that Lemaire,
whose judicious
remarks
should be read by all interested
in the dispute,
added his name
has lately
to that of former
believers in the authenticity
of the doubted orations. At
the same
time the recent discovery
by which the speech
for Marcellus has been vindicated from the suspicion
so
mentary
longthrown upon it,may be considered a valuable comupon the confidence to be placedin the specious
unbelief of later times when
ficult
opposed to the less difcredence of antiquity. Under all circumstances,
while the learned are
still equallydivided,
and like the
of the campaignsmanaged
contendingarmies in some
now
obsolete,seem, after a
accordingto rules of war
until the

succession

of skirmishes

and

encounters

more

or

less

to be returningto the same

obstinate,
ground which
of the
they respectively
occupiedat the commencement

PREFACE.

affray

while

the

and

discover

severally

than

them

for

must

were

which

those

Leicester,

"

Minore

creasset

upon

Preface

September

utinam
domina

rerutn

acknowledged

the
of

the

former.

the

lapse

much

really

we

4,

of

so

to

far

question
to

have

left

the

us

centuries,

many

to

formidable
for

dent
pru-

with

in

attempt

more

possess,

most

inducement

no

misleading,

preposterous
with

provided

we

than

after

almost

seem

of

purpose

which,

testimony

it,

the

point

with

and

great

immediate

who,

the

upon

too

as

authorities

upon

acquire,

their

well

as

moderns

the

to

by

safest

pronouncing

possibly

can

we

abuse

of

means

back

witness

displayed
the

the

among

willing

bear

appears

fall

to

course

better

it

editors

boldness

and

self-confidence

predecessors*

able

most

shake,
means

purpose.

1839.

judieii
natura,"

genius

volubilitate
is

and

the

wish

erudition

audacia

et

of

Orelle,
of

praeditum
in

Schiitz.

remarking
See

the

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER

Birth

and

and

the

appliesto

War
between

Sylla
speech

Oration

Greece

mysteries
"

He

the

of

Arrives

"

His

"

Cicero

defence

into
Rome

Cicero

"

Is

Asia,

and

after

two

the

Roscius

Tomb

of

in

Cicero

Archimedes

of

"

party

Quintius

"

visiting

upon

Eleusinian

the

himself

rhetoric

to

Undertakes

"

Is elected

the

to

quses-

Terentia

.1
.

his

II.

He

Quscstorship
"

Delivers

"

Marian

years'absence

CHAPTER

Conduct

the

into

devotes

tures
the lec-

Rhetorician

resolves

"

Contests

attends

Publius

initiated

comedian

marriage with

of

of

Marsic

"

the

proscription

the

Sylla

Molo

virilis

toga

in

Cicero

"

and

Ameria
"

Cor.

and

dications
in-

poet Archias

the

Serves

"

Marius

in

Athens

at

to

of

cause

Strabo

and

of

Passes

"

returns

torship

Rome

Roscius

for

law

Academician

to

early

and

of the

Assumes

"

civil

of

general and

the

of

First

Poetry

Porupeius

Philo

Return

of

study

the latter
of

"

C.

under

PAGE

education

the lectures

attends

study

the

Commences

"

His
"

He

"

Cicero

of

parentage

of talent

I.

farewell

discovers

the

Oration

at

the

barks
Expiration of his Office, to the People of LilybsDiim He emPuteoli
for Italy, and
arrives
at
Spends five years in
Causes
Resolves
for the ./Edileship,
to stand
pleading private
"

"

"

is returned

and

to

the

Office

Commencement

"

History
against Verres"
Oration
Magistrate
against
time
Returns
to
to
Sicily
Oration
against Verres, who
"

"

He

defends

Marcus

the

Trial
danius

Licinius

of
"

of Cicero

Speech

impeached

before

to

and

Rome,
withdraws

that

second

his

first

Banishment

Cecina

"

"

Dedication

.27
.

the

Defence
Cicero

sails

delivers
into

Aulus

of

Catulus

Macer
in

Cicero

"

CHAPTER

Election

the prosecution

Administration

Caecilius

and

Fonteius

Capitol by Quintus

of the

of

of

"

III.

Prsetorship

His

"

Orations
of the

for

Mauilian

for Peculation

"

Impartialityin

Cluentius
Law

First

"

Fun-

and

Manilius

Letters

the

to

is
At-

CONTEXTS.

XU

PAGE

ticus

of Cicero

for Puhlius

Cornelius

Caesar and

C. Marcius

Figulus

Oration
Julius

Origin

"

He

Consulate

Cicero

of

Appeases

"

Law

Otho

.59

IV.

of

Agrarian Law

the

trical
of the thea-

in

consequence
Defends Rabirius

"

elected

Conspiracy

opposes

the Tumults

Roscius

of

He

"

is

Catilinarian

the

and

CHAPTER

Rullus

"

"

Progress of
Cicero defends Quintus Gallius

"

prepares to sue
of Catiline

"

Delivers
Consul

Cicero

"

"

Consulate of Lucius

"

Consulship Meditates the Defence

"in
his Oration
Toga Candida"

the

for

Cotta

Torquatus and

Consuls

Conspiracyagainstthe

"

His

"

Oration

"

Progress of the Catilinaiian

ProscriptorumLiberis
Conspiracy The Senate assembled by Cicero to debate upon
The
the subject Decree in consequence
ConspiratorManHe
lius sets out for Fsesulae
Attempt to assassinate Cicero
assembles
the Senate at the Temple of JupiterStator, and
delivers his first Oration
departs in
againstCatiline,who
"

De

"

"

"

"

"

"

Rome
from
consequence
Praetor Lentulus
carries

Cicero
Cato

to

Conference

"

and

Catilinarian

"

sadors
AmbasArrest

"

of

the Senate in the

Oration

"

Debate

Conspirators Speechesof
"

Catilinarian

Fourth

"

the

opposition

the

Plot

"

Cato

in

Muraena

Conspiratorswith

Third
Temple of Concord
respectingthe punishment of

Caesar and

"

of Licinius

the

of

The

"

Conspiracy in the Capital

Allobroges,who divulge the

his Companions
Meeting of

of the

Lentulus

the

on

the Cause

undertakes

Catilinarian Oration

Second

"

Oration

of

Execution

"

nours
and
Gabinius
Coeparius HoLentulus,Cethegus,Statilius,
His Vanity Campaign against
conferred upon Cicero
"

"

who
Catiline,

"

slain

is defeated and

the Battle of Pistoria

at

V.

CHAPTER

Domestic
and

the

Metellus

Sylla
"

Dissensions

Letter of Cicero

"

Cicero

Dea

of Livius

by Publius

Impeachment
to

Speech

"

Rome

Clodius,who
"

removes

is

from

Caesar and

Pompey

to

on

Violation

"

Clodius

"

"

acquitted Evidence

for the Poet

Archias

"

for

of the

Rites

Mithridatic
Circus

of Cicero

Third

Publius

the Palatine Hill

Disputes occasioned

Pompey returns from his

Meeting in the Flaminian
"

Aristocracy,
the Tribune

Oration

"

his Residence

Drusus

the

between

Julius

popular Party under

to the House

Bona

Rome

at

84
.

on

Triumph

"

of

the

by his

dition
ExpeTrial of

the occasion
of

Pompey

134

CONTENTS.

X1U

CHAPTER

VI.
PAGE

Consulate
of

Afranius

Lucius

of

with

Pouipey

of its Members

Bibulus
is

his

of

History

Consuls

returned

opposed by Cato
of Publius

Clodius

elected

the Gallic War

Asia

Acts

"

Fonteius

of

Oration

"

Commission

Letter

"

of

Cicero

former

He

"

Plebeian

the

into

for Flaccus

Influence

"

of

Poinpey
Lieutenant,in

his

his

to

his

Calpurnius

of the

Cicero,as

to

Brother

in

Quiutus

ment
by Clodius at the commenceLaw
fliction
against the arbitraryInpassed by an Assembly of

forward

Tribuneship His
"

Capital

and

of Cicero

of the

Decline

"

brought

his

of

AgrarianLaw

"

racters
Cha-

"

retirement

Caesar

Adoption of Clodius

"

Tribune

Caesar offers

Julius

"

in

composes

lition
Coa-

"

Triumvirate

First

"

Cicero

"

Consulship

Family
"

Clodius

Color

Mctcllus

and

Punishment

He
People Distress of Cicero
appliesfor Protection
and prepares
to retire into Exile
to Pompey without
effect,
He
withdraws
Expressionsof Public Opinion in his Favour

the

"

"

"

"

from

Rome

CHAPTER

Cicero

forbidden

Sicilyby
Intelligenceat

"

House
sent
tum

Rome

at
on

VII.

to enter

gilius He receives
sanctioninghis Exile

His

"

rased

Estates
the

to

proceeds to Brand usium

Letters
Repairsto Thessalonica
"

"

cus

Riots

"

Quintus
a

Cicero

Decree

"

his

and

againsthim

of the Senate

Interests of Cicero

Epirus

to

Rome

disembarks

at

He

"

Oration

jEdile

of Cicero

upon

his

Cato

"

Cicero

Rome

His

"

Skirmishes

upon

Sets
he

where

arms

the two

all Freemen
"

Atti-

to

Milo

"

between

is recalled

Brundusium,

Epirus

Attack

Foruui

is

Taren-

at

for

in the
out

from

is met

"

by

His

by Clodius

Clodius

Decrees

Terentia,and

summoning

CHAPTER

raised

Clodius

embarks

and

in the
"

the

of

Vir-

plundered,and

are

to

Caius

ProgressthroughItaly,
Triumphant'
197
Receptionat the Capital

daughter Tullia

und Favourable

at

the Tribunes

and

of Gladiators

Body

Parties

by Clodius

excited

Vibn

"

He

"

Praetor

the

ground by
to Cyprus

Foreign Commission

.164

"

in the

Senate
"Pro

Oration

the Houses

of Cicero

VIII.

after his Return

Domo
and

sua"

Milo

"

Tumults

"

"

Attack

Clodius

De
Speech of Cicero
Rege Alexandrine"
Violence
Cicero
impeached by Clodius for illegal
"

"

"

of

elected
"

Milo

defends

CONTENTS.

XIV

PAGE

againstVatinius
Interrogation
Haruspicum Responsionibus" Cicero tears
Sextius

Publius
"

De

in the

Banishment

Caelius

Provinces
respectingthe Consular
and
Tullia and Crassipes Speechesfor Balbus

of

of
His

"

"

Letter

"

his

to
relating

Oration

"

Marriage

Decree

Capitol,containingthe

the

down

"

Tablets

"

Oration

"

"

Cicero

of

Ponipeyand

Letter

Crassus

of Cicero

Oration

"

Second

Lucceius"

sulate
Con-

againstPiso

Dedication

respectingthe

Marius

to

Lucius

to

the

of

De Oratore"
Cicero writes his Treatise
Pompeian Theatre
Departure of Crassus for his Parthian Expedition
"

"

224

"

CHAPTER

Consulate
Claudius

of

Lucius

Pulcher

Republica"

Defends

"

Domitius

Cicero

"

IX.

Scaurus

and

Appius

Treatise

his

commences

Vatinius

and

Ahenobarbus

De

"

for

Orations

"

and
Letters to Trebatius
Plancius,Gabinius, and Rabirius
Quintus Cicero,respectingthe Britannic Expeditionof Caesar
"

Disturbances

"

of
of

Rome"

at

Triumph

Interreges Consulate of Calvinus

and Clodius
Milo, Scipio,Hypsaeus,
"

Oration

"

the Debts

on

of the latter at Bovillae

Pompey

sole Consul

declared

of Milo
to

"

Marseilles

Cicero

Oration

New

Acts

of Cicero in his Defence

Milo

"

againstthe Clodian
his Dialogue '' De
Legibus"
and sets
of
Cilicia,
Proconsulship
"

the

He

CHAPTER

Jealousies
-

"

He

besiegeCaius Cassius
Cybistra His Despatch to
"

with

to Atticus

Cato

Reply

"

respect

to

of

To

"

prepares

Arrives

at

to

the
"

"

EquitableCharacter
He

the

the latter

Appius

His

Antioch

Brundusium,

at Athens

and

Cicero

at
encamps
of his
Account

Operationsat Amanus
and People To Marcus
of Cicero with
Disingenuousness

"

His

"

Senate

Justice

to

"

Senate,givingan

"

towards

of his Government

return

Cicero

"

"

in

Ariobarzanes

Letter

Csesar

terestedness
Disinproceedsto Laodicea
-Invasion of Syriaby the Parthians,

wbo

Interview

and

Pompey
Epbesus, and

of Cicero"

263

X.

between

arrives at

"

is pointed
apfor his

out

retires

Faction-

Province
.

by

at Rome

ment
Impeach-

"

Prosecutions

"

composes
to

"

quence
conse-

is slain

Insurrection

His

"

in

Clodius

"

Canvass

"

Tumults

"

Creation

"

Messala

and

of Milo

the Followers
"

Pontinus

of

Italy
"

"

Lands

the

Salaminians

Cicero
at

at

the

proceeds towards Rome

"

Tarsus

"

Peiraeus
.

"

307

CONTENTS.

XV

CHAPTER

XI.
PAGE

the Dissensions

Progressof
Rome

Decree

Ultimate

"

and

Antony

his Sword

the

of

Cassius

Cicero

and

Pompey

between

Interview

"

Rome

the rival Factions

delivers

Marcellus

Consul

The

"

between

Senate

Caesar

"

Pompey

to

Cicero

"

enters

Flight of the

"

the

crosses

at

bunes
Tri-

Rubicon

"

Rome
with the Senatorian Party from
Pompey withdraws
Corfinium
besieged
Alarming Progressof his Adversaries
who
Cicero declines to joinPompey,
retreats
to Brundusium,
"

"

and

embarks

"with

Caesar

Cicero
of

for Greece
"

"

embarks

Pompey

his Attack

Vacillation

"

"

of Cicero

His Interview

"

Correspondencewith Antony
His arrival
for Dyrrachium

in

"

lands

Caesar

"

Pharsalus

at

Pompey's Entrenchments, and

upon

of

"

Cicero returns

"

to Brundusium

of the Senate

revives

of Cicero

Account

on

by Antony
Arrival
him
for

His

"

Brundusium
"

Africa

second

He

Reception

Publilia

Wife

Cicero

Authority
"

by Caesar
Ligarius

And

"

Servius

Sulpicius
"

composes

Disputations" He
"

Cicero

"

of Caninius

Consulate

Deiotarus

of Brutus

Cassius

in
joinsthe Conspirators
of

the two

by Antony

Parties
"

The

between

"

the

"

and

Letter

"

Cicero

He

"

"Tusculan
from

his

Visit of Caesar to

387

XIII.

Caesar for his Parthian

and

his

is answered

and

Rebilus

CHAPTER
of
Preparations

"

De

absolute

Caesar returns

"

to Spain Speech for

Expedition

marries

retires to Astura

Publilia

"

and

His

"

LiteraryOccupationsof

divorces

"

meet

for Marcellus

Hortensius," "Academics,"

"

his

Caesar

Cato," which

Cicero

"

to

"

Caesar sets out

"

Terentia,and

Orations

"

Cicero

out

Oratorica"

of

"

is commanded

sets

Rome

to

Party
Regret

"

Quintus

Cicero

"

his

Orator"

"

of Tullia

Death

"

of

Partitione

composes

his

He

"

Triumph

"

The

"

Policy

Cicero divorces

"

Pompey

in Africa

returns

De

"

Treatises

"

Claris Oratoribus"

of

"

of Caesar at

of

Conduct

Italy

345

Labienus

of his late

leave

to

and

Cato

"

sails to

XII.

of the Death

Cicero receives News

into

CHAPTER

in

the Pom-

Cato

"

Africa

"

Camp

retreats

The Command
Thessaly Battle of Pharsalia
who
declines it
offered
to Cicero,
peian Party
"

the

unsuccessful

Is

"

Ccelius

and

Expedition
"

Assassination of Caesar

"

spiracy
ConCicero

Capitol Apparent Reconciliation

Funeral

"

of Caesar

Insurrection

"

Conspiratorsfly from

Antony and

Cicero

"

Rome

Octavius

"

excited
pondence
Corres-

Caesar arrives

CONTENTS.

XVI

PAGE

in

He

Italy
"

of Brutus

visits Cicero
Cassias

of the

His

Rome

at

Antony

"

Rome

upon

Martial

Return

"

with

Antony

of

"

"

Consulate

Brutus

of

Caius

in

Trebonius

Twelfth

"

Macedonia

The

Consul

Antony

to

Senate

Thirteenth

"

Junction

Hirtius

with

Posture

Pansa

Hirtius

of

army

his

to
Antony retreats
Philippic Antony

defeated

Death

"

Mutina, and

retreats

of the Senate

under

of

Lepidus
"

towards

the

Cassius

in

the

the Consul

of

Cause

of

the

Lepidus to Cicero
Public Enemy
a
"

Provinces

Outuvius

"

Triumvirate

aud

his Character

Eloquence

"

of
to

lands

478

towards

"

to

"

and

is declared

and

Rome, and

is returned

in the Western

Proscriptionof

and

Insults offered

"

Brutus

Marcus

Armies

of the

Caieta

near

Party

of Octavius

Antony,

to

Cicero flies to Astura

"

siegeof

of the

Coolness

advances

Defection

Second

"

"

Letters

"

teenth
Four-

"

XV.

Lepidus revolts

Universal

Party
and Nephew
He
by PopiliusLamas
on

Senate

"

"

Consul

Pansa

Gallo-

the

raises

Syria

Entrenchments

Successes

"

CHAPTER

Death

Mutina

Alps

the

effect

before
his

of

to

to

of Forum

Antony

"

writes

Battle

in

vinces
Pro-

Letter

"

attempts

Lines

Hirtius

the

in

Gaul

into

attacked

"

and

"

Pansa

"

"

of Affairs

"

for

"

marches

Octavius

and

427

cesses
Philippics SucPhilippic Death of
Public
a
Enemy

Ninth

Tenth

"

Philippic

the

last

Senate

the

of

declared

"

"

his

composes

"

Fifth,Sixth,and Seventh

"

and

Eighth

Dolabella

"

and

CisalpineGaul

the Ambassadors

PhilippicGeneral

"

of

XIV.

Pansa

"

Antony

advances

the fourth

of Hirtius and

of

lippic
Phi-

Second

"

"

PhilippicsDeparture of

Camp

Ire arrives

"

Octavius

"

Revolt

CHAPTER

rum

Antony

"

"

the

Velia

at

Brundusium

for
of

Treatise, De Officiis

"

"

into
Legions Antony marches
and
Fourth
Cicero
Philippics

Third

Greece

to

return

Brutus

"

out

attendingthe

"

Philippic Reply

sets

Letter

"

Works
Philosophical
He
embarks
at Pompeii
retirement"
lands at Syracuse Determines
on

Interview

First

"

to

Autium

at
Conspirators

"

"

Antony

from

deterred

"

composed by Cicero in his

Ariives at Velia, and

returning

"

Cicero,
the Senate, resolves

and

Proceedingsof
Council

Quarrel with

His

Death

the

publican
Re-

of his Brother
and

Is overtaken
his Remains

slain

Remarks

"

Writings Correspondence
Philosophical
"

"

.511

THE

LIFE

CICERO

OF

CHAPTER
Birth

and

of talent
to

the

the

He

"

study

study

general

of

Cicero

Marius
Molo

THE

"

Cor.

to

party

rhetoric

Oration

"

He

"

returns

of

cause

quacstorship
"

His

speech

Arrives
"

Passes
to

Sylla

Roscius

for

"

mysteries

the

"

the

at

into

marriage with

of

Athens

the

Aca-

to

Rome
iu

Cicero
Amelia
"

"

Is initiated
votes
de-

Asia, and
after

Rome

Roscius

of

latter

the

of Philo
of

First

C.

under

between

Return

"

Commences

"

War

sic

the lectures

attends

visitingGreece

Eleusinian
to

the

"

Marian

Mai

Contests

Sylla

Rhetorician

toga

the

in

the

Undertakes

"

Serves

"

virilis

applies

and

poet Archias

the

the

the

upon

the

himself

elected

of

of

Assumes

Quintius

resolves

early indications

and

education

lectures

Cicero

"

ofPublius

into

absence

law
and

proscription

defence

the

Poetry

civil

and

demician

His
"

Strabo
and

Cicero

attends

of

Pompeius

and

of

parentage

I.

two

comedian

years'
Is

"

Terentia.

Arpinum, in the territoryof the

nexion
Volsci, has acquired a remarkable
celebrity in conwith
the ancient
quently
history of Rome, and consewith
that
the birthplace of
of the world, as
two
individuals,both destined to attain in after life the
of the state
and
a
highest honours
conspicuous name
in the annals
of their
cise
country, although by the exercumstances
cirof widely different qualities. Here,
amidst
small

town

of
with

afterwards
Marine

of

the

reached,

entered

and

poverty

upon

trasting
obscurity strangely con-

condition
the
an

of

ambitious

power
and

existence,whose

which

he

vindictive
tenour

was

LIFE

THE

be

to
subsequently

Here

OF

CICERO.

recorded

of blood.

in characters

also,about fifty
years

dred
after that event, six hunand forty-eight*
from the building
of Rome, and a

hundred

and

consulate

six before the Christian

duringthe

era,

of

Quintus Servilius Coepioand Caius Atilius Serranus,tthe birth of Marcus

Tullius Cicero
conferred

placea claim to the notice

and
far exceeding
that which the
posterity,
achievements or the most sucmost
cessfully
splendid
military
prosecutedcareer of ambition could bestow.
Whether
the familyof Cicero was
of
of mean
or
noble extraction,
is a pointwhich
has been left,
to a
certain extent,undecided,
statements
by the conflicting
upon
respect of

of his

his native

and
panegyrists
lustre which

whom

his calumniators.

the statements

asserts that

even

would, if correct,have
however, be claimed
will
which, certainly
the number
among
exerted under the

of

he

inferior

himself

speaksof

allow

his

to

Tullus

from

him

father

reckoned

to be

talents have
is

been

usually

limited circumstances.

He

ciently
person with suffito be able to devote a derable
consias

to

literary
pursuits
; and
was
entitled,
according

stated,that he
to claim a
tradition,
Attius,one of the

has

common

evidence

the best

of what
disadvantages

means
flourishing
of his time
portion

Plutarch

was

of
one
latter,
the son of a fuller,
his memory,
cannot,

those,whose

birth,or

termed

of the

shed upon
for him
on
not

tional
addi-

The

descent in
most

direct line
of the

renowned

kings. The familyof his mother

is generally
admitted to have been noble,and

ancient Yolscian
Helvia
her
had
*

property considerable.
been

both

borne

by

His

firstname,

his father

and

Marcus,

grandfather,

to tbe common
forty-seven,
according
tation,
compubles.
Marof the Capitoline
which is supported by the authority
The chronology
of Varro, which is also that of the
Fasti Hel-

Six hundred

and

"

has
lenici,"

On

been

the

himself states

adoptedthroughoutthe present volume.

third
"

Ad

day

of the

nones

Attic, viii.5. Ad

of

January, (January3)

urbem

iii Nonas

natali

as

inco.

ho

THE

anxieties of

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

probably,enhanced its
alludes to
he touchingly

active life had,

an

natural beauties in his eyes,

it with all the interest which

infancyare usuallyfound

and
excite,

to

that

of

fondness

have
scenes, which
and
to most the brightest

instinctive to human
witnessed what

reminiscences

the

nature, for

has

proved
The oak of
least troubled periodof their existence.
fAjpimim still flourishes in the recollection of the
island
and
the grassy
lovers of classic literature,
ness
fresha pleasant
plantedwith poplars,and deriving
from the streams
which it divides,is inseparable
dialogue
polished
in fiction,
in reality
or
maintained,whether
its shores.
Near
this spot his infancyand

from

our

upon

recollections of the acute

earlychildhood
who

seem

their
was

were

to have

spent under the care of parents

for
been in all respects qualified

importantduties.

married

to C.

with the

with

him

to

Rome,

sister of

his mother

wealthyRoman
the
L.

orator

advisable
where

on

was

celebrated

deemed

afterwards

As

Aculeo,

equestrianorder,who
terms

and

by

most

of the

intimate

Crassus, it

his father to

he for

some

time

was

remove

enjoyed

all the

of education possessed
by the sons
advantages
of Aculeo ; beingeducated together
with his cousins
by masters who had been recommended
by Crassus,
nished.
plan which the orator himself had furPlutarch,with his usual fondness for omens,
has recorded a supernatural intimation
conveyed
to his nurse, during his childhood,that his future
be attended with honours, which
would
the
career
his relations could
most
hardly
sanguineamong
have anticipated.
rational prognostic
But a more
of
his after greatnesswas
displayedby his rapid and
advances in every department of study,
astonishing
when his father,
tion,
for the benefit of more
publicinstrucof the
placed him for a short time in one
and

upon

schools
larger

of Rome.

If his

is
biographer

to be

OF

LIFE

THE

CICERO.

for
occurrence
believed,it was then no uncommon
the parents of the other pupils to frequentthe
talents were
his precocious
hibited,
dailyexplacein which
in order to ascertain,
by actual observation,
heard
the truth of the reportsthey had
respecting

his extensive attainments

and

and

His attention was

memory.
directed to the acquisition
of the Greek
had

which

become

but

Rome,

Asia, to

who

men

havingarrived
when
a

language,
ment
accomplish-

to fillofficialstations

Archias

only a

valuable

larly
particu-

since the
necessary attainment,
in Eastern
Europe
of the Roman
power

almost

establishment
and

not

of apprehensio

singular
powers

he

Cicero
literature,

called

The

poet

in those countries.
at the house

of

Lucullus

in

five years of age, and commenced

of instruction in rhetoric and general

was

course

might probablybe

about

was

eventuallyplaced under

his

he states that he was

inclined to precare, although
fer
the lessons of L. Plotius,
eminent grammarian
an
and

introduced
whose
to an
rhetorician,
pupilswere
with the arts he professed
acquaintance
throughthe
of the Latin tongue. To
more
popular medium
afterwards
united
he was
Archias, with whom
he
by sentiments of personalfriendshipand regard,
has acknowledgedthat he was
entirelyindebted
for that acute
perceptionof the beauties of imaginative
refined
ible
discernand
literature,
poetictaste,
throughouthis writings.The pupil lived to
Like many
other preceptors,
return the obligation.

Archias

is remembered

for little more

than

his

nexion
con-

of his scholars,
distinguished
and although,
at one
time,eminent for compositions
which were
admired
and celebrated throughout
Asia,
his principal
fame to the
owes
Greece,and Italy,
now
reflected light
of that imperishable
oration,in which
the talents of the advocate were
restedness,
his disinteequalledby
and the splendour
of the eloquence
by which
with

the

most

characterised

it was

by
gratitude

OF

LIFE

THE

which

than
striking
prompted and adorned.

not

was

it

CICERO.

was

more

the

appears to have continued under the care

until his sixteenth year, bestowingconof Archias
siderable
pains upon the studyof poetry,in which
and to his
at all times ambitious of excelling,
he was

Cicero

of which
he frequently
prosecution
with a complacency
alludes,
hardlywarranted by the
entertained upon the subject
opinions
by most of the
in the

success

His
upon his writings.
entitled " Glaucus
Pontius,"

have commented

criticswho

earliest production
was
and

still extant

was

in the

affirms that

in consequence
works of equalmerit,he was

orator,but
greatest

days of Plutarch,who
and subsequent
of this,
considered not onlythe
He

also the firstpoet of Rome.

afterwards translated the "Phaenomena"

of

Aratus,

"Marius,"which his friend

the augur Scsevala pronouncedto be immortal, thus
provinghimself to be littleof an adeptin his own profession*
and another entitled
Leimon," recorded
;
and, besides

called

poem

"

"

"

events of his consulate in the heroic measure.

principal
all by
A few fragments
of these productions
are
able to judgeof his skill in metrical
which we
now
are
of the justice
of
or to form any opinion
composition,

the

the famous

of

sarcasm

the Roman

however, probablyintended

his

satirist f,
allusion

who,

to extend

which
line against
it
single
was
compared with the
expresslydirected. When
of the Augustanage, that of Cicero
verse
polished
certainly
appears rugged and inharmonious; but if
to the

further than

no

viewed
other

at

lines of his

Eaque, ut

"fAntoni
Omnia

Born

with

even

Mario,

saclis innumerabilibus.

"

JUT. X,
Fasti

A. U. C. 659.

and
more

contemporary Lucretius*,we

gladiospotuitcontemnere
dixisset.

that of Ennius

with the somewhat

ait Scsevola de fratris mei

Canescet

time

same

or
earlywriters,

melodious
*

the

"

DE

si sio

iii.136.
Hellenic!,

"

LEGIBUS

I.

LIFE

THE

shall

perhapsarrive

the

CICERO.

OP

that,to
opinion,

ho

equitable,
hecome
must
more
our
censure
general.By the
superiorbeauty and harmony of his prose works,
Cicero,whose case is far from beingwithout a parallel,
has himself proved the greatest
to his own
enemy
of the
as
a
reputation
poet. These, in consequence
mingledgrace and purity,the beauty of the thoughts,
and
the nameless
refinements
for which
they are
remarkable, must
best standard

at

at

all times

of the Roman

considered

be

his

On

tongue.

as

the

poetry

passed; but it does

have assumed, that it
not, therefore,
follow,as some
either frivolous or contemptible.
was
The age of sixteen was
an
importantepoch in the
life of a Roman, as it Avas
the periodat
generally
which
the
or
manly dress,was for the
toga virilis,"
first time publicly
in other
in the Forum, or
worn
advisable
deemed
to enter
words, at which it was
upon the active duties of a citizen. Cicero performed
no

such

can
assuredly,
eulogy,

be

"

this ceremony

in

the

of Lucius

consulate

Marcus

Sextus Julius Ceesar,and immediately

himself to the study of the civil law with

and
Philippus,
attached

industry. His director and guide in

indefatigable
the Augur,
this pursuit
was
Quintus Mutius Scsevola,
ably
eminent
an
pleaderand statesman, who had honourfilledthe consular

as
office,
inferior dignities
of the state;

describes himself

as

seldom

well

havingbeen
On

dailyattendances in the Forum.

Mutius, which happened about ten
his brother

the intimate friend

as

most

of the

side he

whose

from

his

he became

as

absent

during

the death

of

years afterwards,
well as the pupilof

Quintus Scaevola,who

was

also

senator

of the office of
then in possession
dignity,
and enjoyinga reputation
pontifexor high-priest,
of consular

little inferior to that of the augur, as a master

of the
intricacies of Roman
But his attention was
law.
not

occupiedby

the

disputesand

of
pleadings

the

LIFE

THE

CICERO.

OF

leisure hours, he
During his more
and in
was
pursuits,
employed in poetical
diligently
celebrated speeches
into Latin the most
translating
of
those
of the Greek
particularly
orators, and
self
himto imbue
Demosthenes; thus earlyendeavouring
of the mighty Athenian, whom
with the spirit
he always proposedto his imagination
as the model

Forum

alone.

ceeding
testimony of all suction
in the combinaages declares yet unequalled
and
due arrangement of the various
qualities,
which
constitute the greatand powerfulspeaker.
Italywas at this time convulsed by the Marsic,or,
the Social War, which arose
it is sometimes
as
called,
rebellion of the inferior states
from an almost general
The
had long
former
the people of Rome.
against
tious
been compelledto increase the armies of their ambilords or allies with the flower of their population,
and justlycomplained,that while their towns

of

excellence,and

drained

were

of

whom

their

conquestsof
foreign

the

from

excluded

the

inhabitants

to

extend

they were
rulingcity,
in
participation
any

the
diously
stu-

the

advantagesenjoyed by those born within its walls,

included within its municipalpale. They,therefore,
or
in return
for the importantservices
demanded
theyhad rendered,an admission to the full title,
rights,
citizens
and
of Roman
after they had
and privileges
;
times flatteredwith the hope of obtaining
been many
their wish
by the aid of the leaders of the liberal
of
by the intrigues
party, and as often disappointed

opposedto the measure, at lengthresolved upon

ultimate
The
expedientof an appeal to arms.
which ensued has been but imperfectly
recorded

those
the
war

by

the Roman

most

who
historians,

willing
doubtless,undetails respectto enter into any lengthened
ing
it continued,was
fully
doubtcontest which, while
from
maintained,and terminated very differently

of

those

in

which

the

were,

state

had

hitherto

THE

embarked

LIFE

inasmuch

OP

as

the allied citieswere

at

rightscontended for by
yieldedto
lengthreluctantly
the

to all ;
most, and finally

the honour

"

been

to
first,

in

CICERO.

save

appearances,
all probability
but

of Rome

satisfied

having

by

mission
sub-

conditional.

The

doubted
Marsians, Samnites, and Lucanians, old and rehad
lost nothingof their
enemies, who
ancient courage, while they had added much
to their
discipline
by their service beside the Roman
legions,
and
foremost in the ranks of the revolters,
were
more

than

consular

one

contest,which

army

was

driven

in

before them

ample exercise to the talents of

Sylla,Marius, and Pompeius Strabo,the father of
the celebrated Pompey, and duringwhich, although
gave

it ragedbut for two

thousand

dred
less than three hunyears, no
said to have perished
the
on
are

men

field of battle.
Cicero

of the

principal
events of the Marsic war
; since,althoughhe at no
time entertained much
inclination for a military
life,
the custom
of his nation almost imperatively
required
him to have made some
barking
emessay in arms, before fully
in those pursuits
both to his
more
congenial
was

an

to
eye-witness

some

lected
temperament, which he had sethe civic honours,hitherto almost

intellectualand moral
his road to

as

exclusively
soughtby eminence in the
served for
republic.He accordingly
firstunder the orders of
as a volunteer,
in the camp
Strabo,and subsequently

armies

months

some

Cn.
of

of the

Pompeius
Sylla;and

the
has recorded his presence at a conference between
former
leader, Vettius
generaland the Samnite

Scato,(by whom
in

the

the Consul

Rutilius

had

precedingyear,) when,

been
on

feated
de-

being

he had
Pompey, with whom
been on
of intimacy,
terms
once
by what title he
uttered the well
wished
to be saluted,the Samnite
known
courteous reply, As your friend by choice
asked

by

the brother of

"

"

10

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

He was
also in
alone *."
by necessity
your enemy
when
that chief,encouclose attendance upon Sylla,
raged
by the advice of the haruspex Posthumius,
stormed

the

of Nola

walls of the town

that he

was

from
retiring
to his

not slow in

the

favourite

Marsic

war,

of
an
earlyopportunity
seizing

to

seems

there is littledoubt

But

and mortal

Before
pursuits.

he

the

of tumult

scenes

beneath

of the Samnites

strongcamp

have

contention,
of the

the conclusion
become

once

more

of the Forum, earnestly

studying
frequenter
orators of the
the styleand address of the principal
that of the tribune Sulpicius,
time, and especially
then famous
for his eloquenceand advocacyof the
for his uninterests of Marius ; and subsequently
timely
constant

death

in the

which
struggle

ended

in the exile

of his patron.

seeds, indeed,which gave birth to that

civil contention,as yet unsurpassed in
frightful
by the darkest annals of civil discord,after
atrocity
the point
now
on
were
having long been ripening,
of producingthe terrible series of convulsions by
and the freedom
shaken to its centre,
which Italywas
of Rome, if not irrecoverably
lost,paralysedas by
The

the first stroke

in

duration,but

Mithridatic

war

for the conduct

of

disease which

must

had
of the

may

ultimately
prove
become
most

serious
able

be

lingering
The

mortal.

enough to

commander

call

in the

and the post of honour

was
republic,
of
an
objectof fierce disputebetween the partisans
leaders of the
and tyrannical
the equallysanguinary
The first
popularand aristocratic factions in Rome.
revoked
was
appointmentof Syllato the command
in favour of Marius ; but
by the exertions of Sulpicius
the return to the cityof the former,at the head of
his legions,
who
had
for Asia,
not yet embarked

service of the

xii. 12.
Philipp.

I. 33.
t De Divinatione,

12

LIFE

THE

OP

CICERO.

was
openly
Octavius, who
murdered by the emissaries of Cinna, at length
passed
law to repealthe sentence
a
by which Marius had
been driven into exile,
and threw
open their gatesto
receive him. The horrors of proscription
immediately
who
of Sylla,
ensued.
was
possessed
Every partisan
rious
of sufficient riches to excite the cupidity
of the victowho
had displayed
or
faction,
enough of zeal in
his cause
marked
made
him
to have
a
objectof
at once
resentment, was
mercilessly
put to death.

after

The

the

death

streets

of

of Rome

flowed

with

the

blood

of its

of the
inhabitants ; the hand
distinguished
armed
slave was
againstthe life of his master ; that
his parent, and the publicroads
of the son against
crowded
with terrified fugitives
were
seekinga place
of refuge,or with assassins following
eagerly
upon
the traces of their flight.In the course
of this protracted
of
massacre
Quintus Catulus, the colleague
in his glorious
Marius
campaignagainstthe Cimbri,
most

with

many

senators,and several individuals of praetorian

togetherwith some of consular rank, met with

The celebrated orator Marcus
an
untimely death.
of the voluptuous and
Ai.tonius, the grandfather
sanguinarytriumvir,who had been doomed by the
also among
the number
of the
enmity of Cinna, was
slain.
Cicero (whose own
escape, as an adherent of
Sylla, is somewhat
remarkable) may
easilybe
supposed to have been a spectatorwhen the head
of this eminent
from

statesman

the Rostra.

his ardent and ambitious

course

of honour
was

the
career

At

exposedto
such

was
spirit

him,

an

fired

the shadow

littlelikely
to overcast

his

the populace

hour, while
by the bright
of presentiment

or
imagination,

intrude

itself,
that, after a similar
distinction on
his own
part with that

thoughtto
of

before

was

pursuedby the illustrious individual whose remains

before him, the
were
as
a ghastly
presented
spectacle

LIFE

THE

terrible method

OF

13

CICERO.

the fate which

indicating
had befallen himself,
should one day attract the horror
and amazement
of the gazingmultitude
of Rome.
During the short period of comparativequiet
same

which

followed

Cicero

the return

Marius,the attention of
rary
engrossedwith legal and lite-

continued

studies.

of

His

of

account

own

of

the

was
facultyof his mind
every
devoted to the acquisition
of excellence

which

as

constantly
a pleader,

unremittingand unwearied
he
of which
an
industry. He had now
opportunity,
Milo the Rhodian,
of hearing
eagerlyavailed himself,
the most esteemed teacher of eloquenceof the time,
and under the influence of his addresses began the
is

remarkable

in

manner

earliest of his

lesson of

works,
original

Invention.

this,which

his Treatise

rical
Rheto-

on

direct reference to
any
he probablyconsidered as but an amusement

duringthe

Without

intervals of

more

exertion,he

severe

has

of his occupations
description
giventhe following
in his treatise,
composed
duringthe periodin question,
For the
longafterwards,
upon Illustrious Orators :
space of three years the citycontinued free from civil
"

at which
convulsions,
or
death, departure,
even

Marcus

of the
in consequence
exile of our best speakers, for

time,

"

and the two Lentuli,young

as
withdrawn
themselves, Hortensius

Crassus

they were, had

of beingthe most able pleader;
enjoyedthe reputation
tion
Antistius continued to rise dailyin publicestima; Piso spokefrequently
; Pomponius less often ;
Carbo
but rarely,
and Philippusmerely on
one
or
occasions.
two
I, for my part, .duringthe whole
time,was
employed night and day in the diligent
I was
prosecutionof studies of every description.
the stoic, who,
then under the direction of Diodotus
after a long residence with me, and an intercourse of
the closest kind,lately
died under my roof, by whom
I was
exercised as well in other branches of learning
"

"

"

14
as

LIFE

THE

most

in
carefully

considered
kind

of

it were

as

never

which

which

without

you

yourself,

that you
opinion,
tion,
happy styleof elocu-

to the decided

come

have

CICERO.

be
the dialectic art,which may
close and comprehensive
a more

eloquence,and

Brutus,have
could

OP

acquiredthat

is esteemed

as

free

and

unfettered

sified
logic. Yet to this tutor,and to his many and diverstillnot so much
I was
subjectsof instruction,
devoted
to suffer a single
as
day to pass by without
I therefore

its usual oratorical exercises.

declaimed

on
continually
given subjectswith Marcus Piso or
sometimes
other friend,
Quintus Pompeius,or some
enced
in Latin, but more
often in Greek ; either influby this reason, that the Greek language,by
which we
with a greaterscope of orna-are
supplied
ment, gives,
by beingfrequentlyspoken,a similar

excellence to

discourse ; or because it was

tongue that I could either be

Latin

our

only by usingtheir
instructed

corrected

or

all teachers*."

This

of

geniusmay
endowed
splendidly

man

confirmation

by

the

Greeks,

passage is one
learn

those best of

from

humility, and

confidence.

which
the

the
less

additional
If it gives

to the

truism,that the brightest

general
without
talents must
use
prove of littlecomparative
it pointsout, at the
earnest and frequent
cultivation,
and
same
time,the very largeshare which industry
bore in the production
of those masterly
tions
orapractice
of Cicero,
with others of the
which,in common
most eminent speakers,
have been too often regarded
may
results of a natural aptitudeor
as the mere
of feeling,
intensity
drawingall its powers of rich and
varied expression
from the impulse of the moment.
The
the Mithrireturn
of Syllato Italy from
datic war, in the year of the citysix hundred
and
seventy-one, renewed, with increased violence and
the contention between
the aristocratic and
horrors,
*

De

Claris

Omtoribus,cap.

xc.

THE

popularfactions.
turn

the

victorious.

LIFE

The

OP

former

were

in

now

tlieir

and
Marius
consuls,Norbanus
gagement,
completelydefeated in the first enyounger, were
and this advantage proved only an omen

of the

The

train
singular

of

successes

In every quarter the Marian

the lieutenants of Sylla,and
a

15

CICERO.

which

leaders

followed

it.

routed

by
that general having,in
the army
desperate
engagement,dispersed

last and

were

of the Samnite

who encountered
him almost
Telesinus,
at the gatesof Rome, approachedthe cityin triumph.
The cruelties exercised a short time before by the followers
of Marius
were
nowreupon their adversaries,

paid in

similar manner,
but with a dreadful increase
the number
of victims; including
both those who

in
had

deserved

immense
as

crowd

in the

crime

the resentment

to

former

were

by

of

was
proscription,

their destruction.

ensure

the entrance

limit

of innocent

of the conqueror, and an

property,
persons, whose

Sylla into Rome,

massacred

at

At

sufficient

the instant of

six thousand

soners
pri-

and

more
crificed
samany
his soldiers,
before he condescended
to set

their

once,

fury by a particular
proscription.
His firstlistof the proscribed
contained eightynames,
his second two hundred
and twenty, and his third as
more.
Carbo, the brother of the consul, and
many
Publius Antistius,
the father-in -law of Pompey, both
fellamidst the geneorators'of the highest
reputation,
ral
the
and
pontifexMaximus, Quintus
massacre,
Scaevola,the aged friend and preceptor of Cicero,
in the very
vestibule
was
barbarouslymurdered
The
life of the latter was
of the temple of Vesta.
indeed
in no respect endangeredby the return
of
to be
Syllato Italy,but this event is by no means
passed over in his history;if for no other reason, as
afterwards intimately
in which
three individuals,
one
ferently
connected with his fortunes,were
deeplythough difMarcus
Crassus and
concerned.
Pompey,
a

to

16

THE

two

of the

both

entrusted

cause

of"the

OF

CICERO.

of the

first

LIFE

members
with

levied

armies

Dictator and

triumvirate,were
to

maintain

employed
actively

the

in his

brated
third,and afterwards the most celeC. Julius Caesar,as
in this eventful coalition,
saved from the resentment
of the Marian faction,
was
one
and
it was
of Syllawith the utmost
difficulty,
not until he had been wearied out by the intercessions
of his own
of some
of the most respectable
followers,
he openly
that the tyrant, with a reluctance which
The

service.

consented
expressed,
executioners

his

which

he
;

to have

seems

since he

memorable

the

preservedfrom

preserve from the sword

life,of the future character
to

had

full and

distinct

granted the pardon of

observation,
that,in
destruction

one

who

of

ception
con-

Caesar with

he
doing,

so

of

had

contained within

him

the seeds of many

a Marius.
and
The despotismof Sylla,
frightful

as
oppressive
it in the first instance proved,produced,by the very
attended,one good effect ;
severity
by which it was
since the oppositeparty were
mayed
disso
effectually
by the power and fierceness of their terrible
to be little inclined
to provoke him by
as
enemy,

useless
a
continuing

show

of resistance.

The

state

in a singularly
short time restored
therefore,
and the Forum
to tranquillity,
of Rome
more
once
crowded
with pleaders,
who had longabsented themselves
from it,either from a regardto their own
sonal
perfrom
which
to
o
r
an
seems
safety,
anticipation,
was,

have been almost

that the civilconstitution was

general,
and laid in
beingtotallydisorganised

the

pointof
ruins by the prevalent
tumults
and excesses.
It was
that Cicero, who
had
hitherto attended the
now
of justiceas a spectatorand student of the
courts
merits of causes, began at lengthto acquaint
self
himbeforehand
with their leadingpoints,for the
on

purpose

of

in
appearing

the character

of

an

advocate.

THE

It may

be

LIFE

OP

17

CICERO.

reasonablysupposed that

himself
distinguished

lie had, in

some

in this

capacitybefore
the deliveryof his first recorded oration,which, on
the best evidence,seems
his speech in
to have been
behalf of Publius Quintius, pronounced in the presence
of C. AquilliusGallus
and
three .assessors, in
six hundred
and seventy-three,
the year of Rome
and
in the twenty-sixth year of his age.
consequently
The cavise
of some
and had excited
one
was
intricacy,
considerable
as
interest,especially
Hortensius, then
considered the firstpleaderin Rome, was
engagedin
behalf of the plaintiff
S. Nsevius.
The
latter had
broughtan action againstP. Quintius as next of kin,
witli his brother Cains,
account
upon a partnership
fendant
latelydeceased,and either by the neglectof the dein appearingto his recognisance,
or
by false
to the praetor
Burrienus,had obtained
representations
the property of Quintius, which,
judgment against
of it, he pro~
after beingthirtydays in possession
measure,

ceeded

to advertise for sale.

Alphenus, the

The

friend

by
appliedto the praetor Dolabella
until the return
further proceedings
The

then absent in Gaul.

auction
of

was

Quintius,

for
of

writ

to

vented
prewho

stay

Quintius, who

order,after

appeal
made
the subject,
had been
to the tribunes upon
and the disputeremained
was
grantedon recognisances,
months
in abeyance until some
after the
it was
renewed
return of Quintius to Rome, when
by
before
Naevius,and at lengthbroughtto formal trial,
commissioners
appointedby Dolabella to hear both
and to pronounce
final
partiesby their advocates
took
judgment. The readiness with which Cicero underthe cause
of the defendant,and the zeal which
he displayed
in.its support,while Nsevius,in addition
was

to the aid received from

countenanced

step to

Hortensius,was

by most of
popularfavour.

the
But

an

known

was
magistracy,

his defence

of

to be

his first

Quintius

18

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OP

the following
thrown
into the shade
completely
year by the oration,stillextant,for Sextus Roscius of
whose cause, (thefirstof those
Ameria, in supporting
he
called "public"which he was
induced to advocate,)
the dictator
field against
boldlyentered the judicial
The
features of the case
as
were
Sylla himself.
follows : Sextus
Roscius,residingin the municipal
of Ameria, a person of the equestrian
town
order,possessed
was

of considerable
for his

landed

zeal in the

faction,having visited

property,and

Rome

aristocratic

of the

cause

while

guished
distin-

proscription

the

time afterwards,
Syllawas at its height,
was, some
waylaid and murdered near the Palatine baths, as he

of

from
returning

was

to

supper

which

he had

been

the assassins as soon

as
invited,
they had effected their
escapingdetection by a hasty flight.In the
object,
of a few days,to the general
astonishment
of all
course
and
recent conduct,
acquaintedwith his principles
discovered in the listof the proscribed.
his name
was
His
estates,as forfeited property,were
accordingly
sold and purchased,
far below their real value,
at a price
of Sylla.
by Chrysogonusthe favourite freedman
The strongest.suspicions
this occasion,
were
on
excited,
of

infamous

an

been
;

were

at

between

two

Roscii

and

little doubt

either

commission

of

known
to
Capito,who were
enmity with the deceased,and Chrysogonus

Ameria, Magnus
have

collusion

beingentertained that the

concerned
actuallyor indirectly

former
in the

of the

murder, and the latter at least

the
an
accessory after the fact, by adding,without
of Sextus Roscius
to
knowledgeof Sylla,the name
the list of proscription,
that he might have an opportunity
of

The

purchasinghis
opinionsentertained

estates

at

own

price.

subject received
that although
ample warrant from the circumstance,
the purchaser,possessionwas
Chrysogonus was
taken of the property,
in his name,
by one of the susupon

the

his

20

LIFE

THE

OF

CICERO.

that
at first highlyprobable,

murder, under

second

legalprocess, would be added to that

of which they were
on
good groundsupposedto have
of simple
been alreadyguilty. The
defendant,a man
the mask

of

and

manners

part,spent in

most

life had

habits,whose

the seclusion of the

been, for the

country, and

and who might

to agricultural
chiefly
pursuits,
therefore be presumed to be wholly unacquainted
with the forms of law, was
the point of learning
on
by painfulexperience,that the justiceof his cause
would
be of littleavail for his preservation,
in consequence
amidst
cates
of his inability,
the crowd
of advoaround him, to find one
willingto speak in his

devoted

favour, when
with

have

ensured

boldness

than that
and

Cicero

forward

came

his

defence,

which
disinterestedness,

and

respectfor an
actuallydelivered
His

client.
desponding

would

oration of far less

hi behalf of his
dextrous

use

ability
oppressed

and

powerful
dence
eviof all the pointsof circumstantial

statement

in favour
upon

in

ations,
defendant,his counter-insinuthe prosecutors
evidence,against

of the

the

same

themselves,as the persons most obviouslyimplicated

in the crime, his fearless statement
of the general
and his cutting
sarcasms
infamy of their lives,
against
the rapaciousfavourite,
speedilyturned the scale in
favonr of the party aggrieved.Roscius was
acquitted

by

the verdict of the

in the

estimation

of

judges,and Cicero rose at once,

the public,
the
to a level with
experiencedamong his many

giftedand most
for forensic
competitors

most

comment

from

upon

the character

the
obtaining
wrested

considered

honours.

from

in the

it is a sufficient

of the

restitution of

him,

Yet

Roscius

times,that so
the property so
seems

to have

far
justly
un-

been

highestdegreefortunate in escaping
with life; while the orator by whom
his accusers
had
been
triumphantlyrefuted,was
stronglysuspected
of having
formed his subsequent
determination of retir-

THE

ingfor

short time

of

resentment

for the

LIFE

OP

from

21

CICERO.

Italy,from

Sylla,on account
of one
preservation

dread

of his
whom

of the

ference
ready interthe freedman

of the

for destruction.
tyrant had marked
whether
This resolution,
owing to any such apprehensio
deferred until the following
or
not, was

carried into effect he had

year, and before it was
in several
gainedadditional distinction by his pleadings
less
one

in
importantcauses, as well as more
especially
freedom of an inhabitant
from the disputed
arising

of Arretium

in the

of which

conduct

he

was

cessfully
suc-

Cotta,and
to the
againventured to appear in open opposition
had exerted
well known
sentiments
of Sylla,who
of
to prevent the privileges
himself,
by every means,
Roman
from becoming generalthroughout
citizenship
his
journeyto
Italy. He then prepared for
Greece ; in mentioninghis motives for which he has
made
allusion whatever
to any more
son
no
cogentreawhich had
than a regard
for the state of his health,
become
in some
measure,
impairedby his late uninI was
termitted exertions.
at that
time," he
for a slender and feeble body,
observes,"remarkable
as well
as for a
longand spare neck ; personalappearance
life
which
indicate
held
to
are
a
supposed
a
precarioustenure, if connected with any
upon
labour or constant exercise of the lungs. My
severe

opposedto

the eminent

advocate

"

friends

were

more

anxious

on

I declaimed
pleadings
varietyof tone, at the

in all my

my account, because
either grawithout
dation

full pitchof my voice

thereof action.
When, fore,

or

and

the

greatvehemence
was
strenuouslyadvised

with

by these,as well as
I
the legal
to abandon
profession,
by my physicians,
determined
to encounter
was
dangerin any shape,
rather than
foregothe long wished objectof my
ambition
renown
as
an
eloquentspeaker. But
subdued and mowhen
I considered,
that by a more
I

"

22

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OF

derate
the
the

and by changingthe whole

racter
chaintonation,
of my
declamation,I should, while I attained
art of speakingin a more
at
temperate manner,
time

same

avoid

the

dangerwith

which

life

my

upon a journeyto Asia

the better to effectthis desirable alteration. I therefore

threatened,I

was

determined

left Rome, after

years

as

havingbeen employed there for

and at a time when
pleader,
my name

alreadybecome
Athens,

no

well

less celebrated

by whom
by the names

than
swell

the

received

known

in its Forum
for the

records

of

racters,
illustrious cha-

visited,

it has itself contributed to

the first

fame, was

the ablest rival of its

after
eloquence,

had

*."

it has from time to time been

which

two

own

citywhich

finished

school of

departurefrom the Italian coast.

The terrible sack of the placeby Sylla,
time
a short
to
before,had proved but a temporary interruption
those studies in which, after the loss of all its political
it continued,
for many
more
influence,
centuries,
enviablypre-eminent.The Porch, the Academy,
the Lyceum, and
celebrated
the Gymnasium
as
the
haunt
of the Cynic School, were
thronged
with philosophers
of all nations and
sects,and the
banks of the Ilissus and fragrant
slopesof Hymettus
the dailyscenes
of those abstruse disquisitions,
were
which, whatever
opinion may be entertained of
their
merits
other considerations,
for
must
on
claim respect,from
and magnifithe strength
ever
cence
of the languagein which
they have been
invested,as well as from the intellectual acuteness
and subtlety
which
they display. Cicero continued
at Athens

his

for six

this riod
peof his life his intimate acquaintance
ship
and friendwith

known

by

the

months, commencingfrom

celebrated Titus

the

surname

his fellow-student
*

De

in

of

Pomponius, better

Atticus,who

boyhood ;

to whieh

Clar. Orator.,cap. xci.

had

been

is
posterity

LIFE

THE

indebted for so much

He

lectures of

or

Stoic Antiochus

mentioned.
particularly

He

correspondence.

the

in the city;
residing
philosophers
of the EpicureansPhaedrus
names

Academic

23

CICERO.

of his invaluable

the

also attended

OF

most

whom
among
and Zeno, and

of

Ascalon,

at

the

same

exercised himself in oratory under

Demetrius

eminent

have

the

the
been

time

quently
fre-

the directions

Syria,of whose abilities as a

rhetorician he has spoken in high terms.
From
he proceededto Asia, having first upon his
Athens
been
solemnly initiated at Eleusis in those
way
which
celebrated mysteries,
much
has
so
respecting
understood.
been written,and so littleis apparently
His time in Asia was
employed,as the greaterpart
of his previouslife had been, in the uninterrupted
pursuitof that oratorical excellence which, whether
the objectperpetually
at home
or
abroad, was
sented
preof

to the

months

he had

of

dreams

of his ambition.

left scarcely
a

cityof

In

that then

few
brated
cele-

regionunvisited,and duringhis progress was

attended
constantlyby professorsof acknowledged
he had prevailed
to accompany
merit, whom
upon
him as his instructors in rhetoric ; including
Menippus
.

the ablest of Asiatic

whom
he terms
Stratonice,
of Cnidos,
.ZEschylus
orators, Dionysiusof Magnesia,
and
Xenocles
of Adramyttium, all enjoyingan
honourable
in their respective
cities. He
reputation
he had once
then sailed for Rhodes, where
more
an
mer
of benefiting
by the tuition of his foropportunity
he confesses his obligations
master Molo, to whom
of
for checkingthe too great exuberance
fancy,
been
his earlyspeecheshad
for which
remarkable,
and which
was
a fault rather
likelyto be increased
than diminished
by his late attention to the Asiatic
Plutarch has menschool of oratory. His biographer
tioned,
occasion before
that after declaimingon one
all the
had
this master, when
been
by-standers

of

24

LIFE

THE

OP

CICERO.

performance,and had followed

astic
the concluding
periodsof his oration with enthusiand frequently
of applause,
renewed
expressions
Molo
time silent and
sat for some
pied
apparentlyoccuwith
train of melancholythoughts,and on
a
beingasked by his pupil,with some slight
appearance
either
he
made
of dissatisfaction,
comments
no
why
of praise
the occasion,repliedto the
or
censure
on
effect :
It is not, Cicero,that insensibility
following
abilities which
to the proofs of your
you have just
deed,
givenhas any connexion with my silence. These, inwhich
has
are
worthy of all the commendation
been bestowed upon them, but alas for the reputation
of Greece ! But
littlewas
left to her to boast,and
nence
the last of her claims to reputation,her emieven
in learning
and eloquence,is now
also,I perceive,
Rome."
the pointof beingtransferred to
on
After two
years'absence in Greece and Asia,
Cicero determined
returningto Italy,since he
upon
had now
in
obtained all the advantagescontemplated
astonished with

his

"

"

"

his travels. His constitution had become

his powers

more

robust

increased
were
enduringfatigue
greatly
by frequentpractice
acquiredthat mastery
; lie had
of

his voice

over

by

which

to modulate

by

he

was

and restrain

his intercourse with

abled
always afterwards enit within bounds; and,

the various masters

through
whose
of instruction he had passed,he had
courses
but gaineda far
not only improved his general
style,
than he could
greaterscope and varietyof expression
have attained by studyingthe peculiarexcellences
of any

one

preceptor.

If he

had

feared

ever

the

Sylla,all apprehensionson that subject

removed
while he
were
by the death of the dictator,
stillat Athens,under such circumstances
of misery
was
sometimes permittedto render the last moments
as are
power

of the

of

persecutorand

warningsto

the oppressor

those whose

strange and

belief in

rible
ter-

retributive

THE

Providence

LIFE

have

may

is said

Greece, he

weakened

been
his

prosperity.In
to

25

CICERO.

OP

journeyhomeward
consulted

have

guide of

his

mentioned
so

for

court

ensure

influence
a

year

The

of

obtaining
received

have

natural

ment,
judg-

multitude,the
has

who

writer

circumstance, adds, that he was

of the Pythoness,
by the answer

time

after

their favour.
if he was,
of such an

or
probable,

for

of the

oracle

of

his

arrival

to refrain
notice,and cautiously
to the peopleby the usual methods

avoid

to

this

some

favour

publicactions.

far influenced

as

or

through

the

Apollo at Delphi upon the best means

and to
and reputation,
future honour
in reply the advice to make
his own
and not the will

their previous

by

But

in

Rome

from
then

the accoimt

indeed,at any time

admonition, it must

to

paying
pursued

is far from
the

under
have

been

In the
short continuance.
periodof singularly
his return to Italy,
we
againfind him
following

constant

in his attendance

at

the

Forum,

and

to his excellence
addingthe last requisite
all the faults of his action
orator,by correcting

fully
care-

as

an

under

JEsop and Roscius ; the former the

celebrated tragic
most
actor of his time,as the latter
the first in comedy. He
shortly
was
confessedly
structio
of repayingthe inafterwards had an opportunity
his advocate
of Roscius,by appearing
as
in an action broughtagainst
him by Caius Fannius
the directions of

The suit
debt.
for the recovery of an alleged
of a somewhat
complicatedcharacter,arising

Cherea
was

the money
pensation
paid as comdisputerespecting
both
by the murderers of a slave,in whom
Roscius and Cherea possessed
equalrights.It is to
be regretted,
that the oration spoken by Cicero on
this occasion is imperfect.Yet enough is extant to
provoke a smile at the singulardifference between
such
the observances in a Roman
court of justice
on
of promethods
and the more
occasions,
equitable
from

26

THE

LIFE

cedure

adoptedin

time.

The

OP

similar

CICERO.

processes

the present

at

the
against
grossestpersonalvituperations
plaintiff,
mingledwith arguments againstthe validity
of his claims drawn
from his features and aspect,with
direct and
least

at

the

to the presiding
judge,are
flattery
ideas of
inconsistent with modern
strangely

open

duties

proper

and

Such, however, were

in the

and

heard

without

for such

in the Forum

greatdisplayof the
is sufficiently
distinguished.
the

cause

year which
of Roscius the

same

himself
his
averring

as

was

the

of

beauties of

witnessed

his

polished
Roscius,
rhetoric,

advocacyof

Comedian, Cicero first presented

candidate
for office,
by publicly

intention of

This determination

features

the oration for Sextus

any

In the

advocate.

an

of the commonest

some

once
pleadings

Rome,

of
privileges

was

for the quaestorship.

standing
made

while

the orator

Cotta

and Hortensius
for the consulship,
canvassing
successful ; but
of aedile.All three were
dignity

election of Cicero
which

was

for
the

for the readiness with

remarkable

the tribes united in

him, before all his

returning
to the desired appointment.He was
now
competitors,
in the thirty-first
year of his age, the earliest period
the existing
at which, according to
regulations,
Roman
citizen was
considered eligible
to the lowest
a
honour
in the power
of the peopleto bestow.
By
ficiently
his estate had
recent
been increased suflegacies,
to

exceed

then

fixed at

she

broughtto

the senatorial

census,

which

was

eighthundred

or
sestertia,
considerably
than six thousand
His marmore
riage
pounds sterling.
with his first wife,Terentia,
took place
which
before his election,
made
inconsiderable addition
no
to his income,if Plutarch's statement
is correct,that

and

her husband

fortune

of

one

hundred

twenty thousand denarii. This union,however,

events in the
of the happiest
one
provedby no means
orator's life. Terentia,
whose familymust have been

28

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO."

provinces of the several

to each by lot at the general
quaestorswere
assigned
Cicero
and by this method
of distribution,
election,
commissioned
the praetorPeduto accompany
was
whom
the government of the island of
caeus, on
This
Sicilyhad been conferred in a similar manner.
considered extensive enoughto require
provincewas
the

Roman

the presence

arms.

The

singlequaestor, and two

tioned
were
accordingly
appointedto it ; the one beingstaat Syracuseand the other at Lilybaeum. The
latter citywas
allotted as his residence to Cicero,who
found it,at first,
a difficulttask to exercise his public
functions in such a manner
as to avoid
givingoffence
of

more

than

to the

he had been stationed.

people among whom
whose
abundant
since its conquest
harvests,ever
Sicily,
much
so
by the Romans, had contributed
towards the sustenance
of the crowded
of
population
Latium, as to acquirefor it the title of the principal
at that season
was
required
granary of the republic,"
than its usual supply of corn, in
to export far more
of a late generalscarcity
in Italy. Oneconsequence
tenth of the whole
produce of the island,which was
stituted,
exactlythe tribute paid to its ancient kings,conunder
the amount
ordinarycircumstances,
of its annual contribution to the Roman
government,
this demand
and when
was
exceeded,a certain sum
was
grantedfrom the treasury as a compensation
for the additional grainrequired,
althoughit may be
of the remuneration
was
supposed that the amount
fixed,rather by the relative positionsof the two
of equity.
nations, than by any generalprinciples
with which
Owing to the strictness and impartiality
he fulfilled his duties to the State in his superintendence
of this unpopularexaction,Cicero was, at first,
viewed
with
considerable suspicion
and dislike by
but his generalaffability
the Sicilians,
and courtesy,
"

his

to
willingness

listen to every

and
grievance,

his

LIFE

THE

OP

29

CICERO.

to

redress

had

ever

it,joinedto

his

unimpeachable
in an
and neglectof his personal
interests,
integrity
afforded but too many
for
office which
opportunities
and extortion,
speedily
changed the tide of
injustice
With
confidence
a
publicopinion in his favour.
possiblyprompted by no small degreeof vanity,but
by a vanitywhich, if not well founded,would at once
and disgrace,
he afterwards
have issued in open exposure
cumstance
boasted,that no one in similar cirpublicly

readiness

behaved

more

or
obligingly

higherreputationthan himself* ; and it is

evident that the publicof Sicily
to a
were
impressed,
since they
considerable extent,with the same
opinion,
not only decreed,in acknowledgment of his merits,
such honours to be paid him as
no
previousquaestor
with

received,but continued on terms of the most

intercourse with him longafter the expiration
friendly
ment
fulfilof his year of office. Beyond the honourable
had devolved upon him, his
of the duties which
had

ever

residence in

Sicilywas

remarkable
has

Plutarch,however,

moment.

for few

events

related,that

of
he

himself at this
opportunityof ingratiating
of the leadingfamilies of Rome, by
time with some
of young
a number
men
nected
consuccessfully
defending
had been sent as prisoners
with them, who
to
the praetorat Syracuse,
chargedwith certain offences
It is also not unworthy
militarydiscipline.
against
the means
of pointingout to
of notice,that he was
of their greatcountrythe Syracusansthe monument
man
Archimedes, the site of which had been long
of his discovery
of the
account
forgotten.His own
of antiquity,
is
sepulchreof the Newton
neglected
givenin the fifth book of the Tusculan Questions,
honest
taken
and
he seems
to have
an
pride in
The tomb
of Archithe circumstances.
recording

found

an

"

aut

Non

vereor

gratioremaut

quis audeat dicere,ullius in Siciliaqusesturam

Pro Plancio,
clariorem fuisse,
"c
xxvi.

ne

"

30

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OF

unknown
medes,"he observes, which was altogether
who
denied that it had any
to the Syracusans,
even
and overgrown
existence,and completelysurrounded
with wild shrubs and briars,was
once
by my means
revealed to them
in
more
during my quaestorship
certain verses
Sicily. I retained in my memory
inscribed upon
the
which, as I had understood,were
that the figures
of a sphereand
monument, indicating
cylinderwere
placed above it. When, therefore,
after a long and tedious search, (forthere are
an
immense
number
of sepulchres
the gateslooking
near
towards
Agrigentum*,)I at length perceiveda
small pillar,
scarcely
risingabove the rank vegetation
1 immediately
around
it, and bearingthese figures,
remarked
to the chief persons of Syracuse,who
were
in my
that I thought I had found what
I
company,
had been seeking. A number
of persons were
diately
immesent with scythesand bill-hooks to clear the
spot ; and as soon as a path was opened we advanced
towards
the base of the pillar
oppositeto us. The
then
was
cluding
obvious, althoughthe coninscription
half obliterated by
words
of the verses
were
and at one
time
decay. Thus the most illustrious,
the most learned cityof Greece,would
have been ignorant
"

of the tomb

of the most

of its sons, had not

where
it was

subtle and acute-minded

individual

an

to

be

foundt."

of

cated
Arpinum indiThis discovery

duringa generaltour of the island which

undertook
Cicero
previous to his departurefrom
Sicily. On his return to Lilybzeum,from whence
he shortlyafterwards
embarked
for Italy,he delivered
made

was

a
a

few

farewell oration to the

words, quoted by

this occasion it appears,

On
*

Or

the gates near

the

Agragianas, having been

of Achradinas.

people,of which but

later author, are
extant.
that the strongest
assur-

quarter of Achradina, the

former

reading
recentlysuspected to be a corruption
t Tuscul. Qusest.,V. xxiii.

THE
ances

of mutual

speakerand

LIFE

OF

exchangedbetween

regardwere

the assembled

convened, and

multitude

that Cicero

made,

generalpromise of his
if they should
(Sicilians,

best

demand

the

them.

From

31

CICERO.

whom

at the

he

time

zeal

think

he

had

had

time, a

same

services in favour

at any

the

of the

proper
shown

to

in

executinghis officialduties,the high reputationhe

had attained throughoutSicily,
and the great benefit
his exertions had conferred upon the peopleof Rome,
their necessities in a time of general
by supplying
of want, he had flattered himself that his
apprehension
was
now
name
scarcelyless celebrated at home than
abroad,and that all Italywas alreadyfilled with his
and ready to do honour to his disinterestedness
praises,
and probity. But
his anticipations
destined to
were
receive

check on his arrival at Puteoli

mortifying
Campania,of which he has givena pleasantaccount
a

his oration for

Plancius,delivered

in
in

time,when, after
officesof the State,
havingfilledwith honour the highest
he mightmention
with complacencythe first rebuke
sustained
This
town
was
by his early ambition.
then filledwith a concourse
of idlers of the higher
ranks
had resorted thither for the benefit
from Rome, who
of its mineral
waters, and Cicero,shortlyafter his
was
landing,on meetingwith a former acquaintance
instead of the congratulations
his return
on
surprised,
the compliments on his condvict there,
from Sicily,
or
which
he had naturally
to be asked,how
expected,
and what
the latest
was
longago he had left Rome
in the metropolis.Indignant
at this instance of
news
seemed
a subject
which,to himself at least,
ignoranceon
he replied
of the highest
with an air of
importance,
offended dignity,
that so far from havinglately
visited
Rome
he was
then but justreturned from his province.
the observation
True, from Africa I believe,"
was
of his companion ; and this second pro of of the limited
not rendered much
was
more
range of his reputation
"

at

32

LIFE

THE

OF

CICERO.

by the intervention of a third party, who,

agreeable
to correct the ignoranceof the other,and to
willing
with
was
acquainted
prove to Cicero that he, at least,
the placewhich had been the scene
of the execution of
appointment,observed with
that you can
marks
of surprise,How
! is it possible
be ignorant
that our
friend here was
latelyprastorof
Syracuse?" The observation of the orator upon this
is justand pertinent
I know
circumstance
:
not, ye
Judges,"he adds, after givingan account of the
"whether
not of
was
transaction,
my disappointment
greaterservice to me than if I had met with universal
the peoFor as soon
I perceived
as
congratulations.
ple
indeed dull of hearing,
but possessed
of Rome
were
duties of his first

the

"

"

and

of acute
what

manner

eyes, I ceased to consider in

reputation
mightbest appealto the

observant
my
and

they should have

of regardingme
opportunities
daily. I therefore
lived entirely
in the publicgaze.
I kept close to the
duties of the Forum, and on no occasion was
a denial
from my porter,or even
the necessary refreshment
of
of sendinga singlecitizen who
had
sleep,a means
sought an interview with me unsatisfied from my
former

sense,

took

care

that

door*."
Amidst

the

exercise of such means

to ensure
diligent
and in the advocacyof many
portance,
of imcauses
popularity,
in which have,without
thepleadings
tion,
excepfive years passedaway
portant
;t the least imperished,

perhapsin
destitute of events
interests of his
*

Pro

the lifeof the orator,but far from

trivial extent, the
to no
affecting,

country. During

this interval Rome

Plancio,xxvii.
be referred the orations for Marcus
"f*To this periodmay possibly
Tullius and Lucius Varenus, passages
from
which
are
quoted by
have latelybeen made
Priscian and Quintilian. Additions
to the
been impeached
to have
fragments of the oration for Tullius,who seems
under a charge of illegal
violence,by the discoveries of

Angelo

Maio.

THE

LIFE

OF

33

CICERO.

by violent efforts on the part of the supagitated

porters
of the popular interests,
to rescind the acts
passed by Syllain favour of the aristocracy,
lately
to procure the restoration of the
and more
especially
tribunitial power;
a
mighty engine either of good
or
evil,accordingto the character of those by whom
was

it

was

utmost

exercise

done
his
the dictator had
wielded, which
its
well by circumscribing
to neutralise,
as
in other respects,
as
by passinga law, that

whosoever

had

once

borne the office of tribune

of the

to any highermagistracy.
ineligible
Yet amidst the prevalenceof furious and constant
abroad
of the republic
dissensions at home, the arms
with their usual
the same
crowned
period,
were, during
dominion increased
enormous
success, and her already
of her victorious legions.
all sides by the swords
on
In Spain the last adherents of the Marian
faction,
under the generalship
of Sertorius,
who
probablythe
ablest leader of his time,had long defied the united
nation
force of Metellus and Pompey, were, after his assassior destroyed.
dissipated
by Perpenna,effectually
of Mithridates was
In the East the power
completely
the siegeof
broken
by Lucullus,who after raising
Cyzicus,and wrestingone provinceafter another
concluded his career
from the hands of his antagonist,
the most formidable enemy
of conquestby compelling
since the days of Hannibal,
ambition
to Roman
his hold
to relinquish
Asia, and to take
upon
refugein the inmost parts of the kingdom of Ponsomewhat
balanced
counterThese
tus.
advantages were
by the Servile War excited by Spartacus;
wealth
after the regular
forces of the Commonbut this also,
had been several times shamefullybeaten by
of injuries
an
multitude,whose sense
undisciplined

peopleshould

be

"

or

dread

of future severities stood them

of

more

efficient

lengthbroughtto

in the

stead

at
and military
was
skill,
training
of Marcus
a conclusion by the victory

34

LIFE

THE

OP

CICERO.

Crassus in Lucania, and the destruction of those who

had

the field

escapedfrom

which

encountered

towards

the

them

for their eminent

the army

of

Pompey,

theywere on" their march

in reward
these generals,

as

Both

Alps.

by

made

were
services,

consuls,in

the

of the revolt ; and the vanity

year after the suppression
of Pompey, besides an express decree of the Senate

by

which

he

allowed

was

upon the consulate

subordinate
was
offices,

to enter

before

passingthrough the
in
additionally
by a triumph for his success
gratified
Spain; the second he had obtained while yet a simple
Roman
knight. It was in the consulate of Pompey

684) that Cicero, since the

usual interval had
elapsedfrom his quaestorship,
after which
it was
lawful to aspire
to the higherdignities
himself to the people as candidate for
presented
and had againthe satisfacthe office of curule eedile,
tion
Crassus

and

(A.u.

c.

beingfirst returned at the election.

Those who
held this magistracy,
the lowest in the
entitled its possessors to the appellation
state which
of

'

of

noble,a distinction
its

which

also descended

to their

imports,entrusted principally
with the superintendence
ings
of the publicbuildat Rome.
They were also requiredto presidein
the markets, and to ascertain that none
of the weights
used there fellbelow the legalstandard.
and measures
But the principal
and the most onerous
part of their
office consisted in the direction of the publicgames
posterity,
were,

and

as

The

shows.

name

aediles

in
two
originally
number
by the name
more,
; but two
distinguished
of curule tediles,
the ivory seat they were
from
afterwards annuallychosen,at
to use, were
privileged
first from

the

ranks

from
subsequently
In what
from

that of

the

the

were

alone, but
aristocracy
ferently.
indifor
patricians,
plebeians,

of

manner

the

the office of these differed

others,termed, by way of distinction,

It has
is yet to be ascertained.
plebeiana?diles,

36

THE

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

spectators* The stage

tainingeighty thousand
front displayedthree hundred
and
sixty columns
disposedin three tiers,of which the lowest were
feet high. The entablatures which they
thirty-eight
supportedwere
severally
composed of marble, of
and of beams
richlygilded. Three thousand
glass,
brazen figures,
the columns, formed
between
disposed
the temporary ornaments
of the majestic
erection,
which, from its vastness and beauty,must have appeared
.

the

to

admission,as
additional

astonished

spectators,on

splendidarchitectural

incurred

expense

for the

their first

vision.
dresses

The
of the

and

and
chorusses,the valuable paintings,
other decorations,must
have
been almost beyond
are
informed, that when
computation; since we
actors

what

Tusculan

been

removed

to

Scaurus, and that edifice had

fire by his slaves,the loss,in

villa of

set
wilfully

articles

had

left of them

was

on

alone,was

estimated

at

more

than

the
been
such

dred
eighthun-

thousand

It is needless to state,
pounds sterling.
that in an officesometimes
like
expenditure
involving
fortunes were
this,the most extensive private
speedily
swallowed

up,

and

Those, however, who

cost

to entertain

disinterested

in

the
their

overwhelmingdebts
were

at

so

multitude,were

much

incurred.

pains and

far from

The
prodigality.

being
aedileship

regardedmerely as an introduction,if popu-"

of prjetorand consul,and
to the dignities
filled,
larly
the prospectof obtaining
in either of these
a province,
considered
sufficient to justify
was
capacities,
any
outlay; since an ample remuneration
might then be
expectedat the expense of the unhappy subjectsof
the empire,upon whom
the burthen
of entertaining
their conquerors
the
on
ultimatelyfell. It was
that Julius Caesar,
strengthof such a contingency,
before beingelected to any publicoffice,
contracted
was

"

Plin. Hist. Nat. lib. xxxvi.

cap. 24.

LIFE

THE

debt

hundred

of two

37

CICERO.

OF

fiftythousand pounds,
which
he had contrived to increase to nearlya million
before setting
after his proetorship
for his
out
provinceof Spain. If Cicero has givenan impartial
of his own
conduct
it
account
during his sedileship,
neither distinguished
was
nor
by profuseliberality,
but regulated
by parsimonious
entirely
by
meanness,
a

the

and

*.

While

for the office,

and some
yet,however, canvassing
before the assemblyof the people
at which he was

time

of the

extent

he

resources

at his command

called vipon to take the

the celebrated prosecution
of Vcrres; a
was

ed,
elect-

part in
leading
cause

in everyway

displayof his geniusand the

best qualities
and in which
he had
of his disposition,
the fortune to be againopposedto Hortensius,his
in civic honours
well as in oratorical
as
predecessor
destined after a short
but whom
he was
reputation,
suited both

to the

time to surpass in both.

The
condition
of Sicilyat

cited,as

this time

might be
widely
many,
of
mutability

example to the
known
and strikingly
recorded,of the
and that rapidtransition from a state of prosempires,
perity
and vigourto one
and decay,to
of weakness
which

additional

an

the

nations
flourishing

most

subject.The country which

of Athens

often been

defied the

once

arms

both were
when
at the
Carthage,
zenith of their reputation,
the birth-place
of Gelon
and
Hermocrates, of the Hieros and the Dionysii,
and

and

had

have

crowded

of

with

of
beingthe capital

such

each worthy of
cities,
reduced
greatnation,was now

numerous
a

abjectslaverybeneath the
Roman
to resist,
even
yoke,as scarcely
by murmurs,
the most
atrocious acts of injustice
and oppression
practisedupon it by successive governors, whose
avarice it was
to satisfy.
periodically
obliged
Among

to

these,the

condition

of

of Caius

name

De

Verres

Kb.
Officiis,

has

ii. cap. 17.

obtained

an

38

THE

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

his exceeding
well from
all
as
celebrity,
tion,
administraand sanguinary
others in his tyrannical
his havingbeen at length
as from
exposed,owing
circumstances
of
to a combination
anything but
policyof
frequentin the historyof the provincial
and trifling
as
Rome, to a punishment,which, light
it must
compared with his measureless
appear when
rapacityand inordinate wickedness,most of those
fortunate enough to
resemblinghim in guiltwere
of this magistrate
The oppression
duringhis
escape.
and his exwere
so
tortion
intolerable,
prastorship
foreign
infamous

exercised
the

powers

of

a scale,
as
unsparing
endurance
possessedeven

on

so

Sicilians themselves, and

to

induce

to surpass

them

by
to

the
seek

less
fruitthroughthe expensiveand generally
method
of a publicprosecution.How
far their
be seen
from
resentment
was
a
justified
slight
may
sketch of the proceedings
of Verres in Sicily,
extracted
from the orations of Cicero against
him, which afford
but too trustworthy
a commentary
upon the kind of
in his day by the conquered
treatment
experienced
provincesat the hands of Rome ; treatment,it may
retribution

be

observed,which

there

is

no

reason

to

suppose,
mention

not
historians,
those of her satirists and moralists,
to have been unaltered
of her oppressive
at succeeding
periods
despotism
Immediatelyon the arrival of this vulture magistrate,"
(touse a term which Cicero has appliedto
of similar propensities)
in
another character possessed
of considerable note
his province,
Dio of Halesa, a man
cited before him, to answer
and property,was
ing
respectthe condition
estate bequeathedtohis family,
on
an

from

the

of her
writings

to

"

beingerected in the
In
of the town from part of the proceeds.
market-place
with this requisition,
defaultof compliance
theproperty
liable to be forfeited and to be assigned
to the
was
maintenance
of the worshipof Yenus
Erycina. The
of

certain

number

of statues

THE

LIFE

OF

39

CICERO.

ed
carefully
placedas directby the will,but Verres, with the hope of securing
bribe to himself,as an
inducement
to
a considerable
procureda person of infamous
stopfurther proceedings,
statues in

had
question

character

to appear

been

in behalf

of the Goddess

and

to

prosecute Dio
had

the ground that he

for the estate,on
the injunctions
of the
to comply with
neglected
The

testator.

cause

defendant,but

not

decided

was

until he had

in favour

secured

of the

the sentence

judgein his behalf,by a presentof about nine

thousand poundsin money, a valuable breed of mares,
and all the costlyplate and furniture contained
in
of the

his house.
enormous

upon a similar pretextextorted an

brothers Sosippusand
from the two

Verres
sum

of Agyra, after they had been twenty years

Epicrates
in quiet
of the inheritance leftthem by their
possession
and both were
reduced to poverty by
at once
father,
the exaction.

Heraclius

the

son

of

richest of the

by

had
who
Syracusans,
will,by which he inherited an
number

of statues

Hiero, and

the

also been

ed
enjoin-

immense

estate,

in the

publicpalaestra,
fulfilledthe injunction,
and who had faithfully
was
sued on the same
by persons
ground of prosecution,
excited by the praetor,and
vainly attempted to
his possessions
rescue
by flight
; since the whole,
to

erect

includinga

multitude

and embroidered
declared

of

sels,
vesslaves, Corinthian
coverlets of immense
value,was

to be forfeited to the

sentence,
public: a specious
which
did not prevent the greater
part of the
their way
articles enumerated
from finding
precious
into the house of the dignitary
who
had passed it.
his great
Epicratesof Bidis,whose only crime was
wealth,was the next victim. By a false accusation of

his domains
to abandon
obliged
and
his
and
take refugeat Rome, leaving
Verres
them.
But
to divide the plunderbetween
accusers
exhibited
the most atrocious instance of injustice
was

he
forgery,

was

soon

40

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

who
after
Sopaterthe Halycyensian,
beingindicted for a capitaloffence before the former
prsetorCaius Sacerdos had been honourablyacquitted.
He
nevertheless cited by Verres,in defiance of
was
the judgmentof his predecessor,
to appear at Syracuse,
and answer
to the former charge. While
once
more
visited by Timarchides,
in prisonin that city,
he was
of the praetor's
one
agents,who did not scrupleto
in the

of

case

him, that

hint to

it would

be most

to his

stead
ininterest,

ter
to his innocence,
to compound the mattrusting
exertion
sum.
by a handsome
By extraordinary
the accused,who now
plainlysaw
among his friends,

of

to

what

he

had

to

trust, collected

considerable

dently
which
he duly paid to Timarchides,configratuity,
and release would
that his acquittal
expecting
He soon
follow in due course.
afterwards,
speedily

however,

to his astonishment

received

intimation,

an

throughthe same medium, that what he had advanced

fered
was
wholly insufficient; that the prosecutorhad ofa much
higherbribe,and that unless he could
exceed

for the worst.

prepare himself
tion,
at this infamous
attempt at further extorIndignant

it,he

must

the increasing
of beingable to satisfy
despairing
broke off the
rapacityof Verres, Sopaterindignantly
the
and
positively
negotiation,
refusingto make
additional advance,defied his accusers
to do
slightest
or

their

He

worst.

his rashness.

The

soon

had

occasion

praetorseized

he had

craftily
managed to

of the

other

an

the vehement

repent

rid himself

of the presence
Sopaterto his bar,
evidence
of

against

his counsel,
the
upon
ing
notwithstand-

enter

full court ; and

and appeals
of
supplications
a

of

when
opportunity,

to summon
judges,
and
after hastilylistening
to the
the absence
him, notwithstanding
who
had
withdrawn, refusingto

defence unless before

to

of
himself,who adjuredhim in the name
and of all mankind, at least to granthim

Sopater

the Gods
a

fair and

THE

LIFE

OF

41

CICERO.

trial conducted according

to the usual forms,
impartial
and to condemn
him
proceededto adjudgehim guilty
the capital
on
charge.
To this system of judicial
robberywas added one of
carried on without
indiscriminate pillage,
unblushingly
to conceal it. The
or
even
any attempt to justify
temples of the Gods were
despoiledof their most
costlyornaments, and the most finished works of

art, the

property

either surrendered
his
the

of communities

or

of

individuals,

with
in compliance
praetor,
importunaterequests,or openly seized by him, if
to the

of appropriation
proved
gentlemethods
unavailing.Pamphilus of Lilybantm havingin his
of greatweight and exquisite
a silver ewer
possession
of Boethm*
workmanship, one of the master-pieces
ed
which had descendacelebrated Carthaginian
sculptor,
more

to him

from his ancestors,was

it,without the slightest
hope of

demand

of

Verres,and

was

but

forced to

part with

at the
compensation,
too happy to preserve

had also been ordered to be

cups, which
fidants
by bribingtwo of his conbroughtfor his inspection,
a

pair of

of inferior
they were
execution
and altogether
unworthy a place in the
collection of a connoisseur.
Diodorus
of Melita,who
attemptedto preserve two chalices richlychased by
the hands
hinted a
of Mentor, which
had
Verres
wish
them
to see, by prudentlywithdrawingwith
from
Sicily,was
immediately impeached,by his
detestable instruments,of a crime of which
he was
innocent.
This attempt to recal him however
altogether
failed. Diodorus havingrepaired
to Rome,
entirely
the
to his patrons and friends in that city
represented
in which
he had been treated in such strong
manner
to Verres warning
terms, that letters were
despatched
to

him

The
but

of the

assure

him,

that

dangerto which he was exposinghimself.

therefore reluctantly
was
prosecution
dropped,
Diodorus
was
only able to preserve his plateby

42
"

LIFE

THE

OF

CICERO.

years'duration. The young

trapped
enAntiochus, king of Syria,was more
successfully
and despoiled,
in consequence
of his youth
This prince,
and simplicity.
his return from Rome,
on
in company
whither he had proceeded,
with hisbrother,
a

voluntaryexile of

to

three

urge in person

his claims upon Egypt,was

tuously
sumpexhibited
the
who
banqueted by
praetor,

and value which

every thing of rarity
Antiochus
for his entertainment.
was

he

possessed
slow

not

in

displayed,
returningthe compliment,and heedlessly
his
in his turn, a number
which
of precious
vessels,
formed
the resolution of making his
guest secretly
without further delay. Among these were
ral
seveown
with gems, and
cups of solid goldrichlyadorned
chalice which
was
a wine
composed of a single
jewel
all far exceeding
the richest vesof inestimable price,
sels
which

the

avarice

able to accumulate.

of Verres

On

the

hitherto been

the
morningsucceeding

he sent to
entertainment,
therefore,
the pretence of showing them
on
own

had

borrow
as

the

whole,
patternsto his

The

with his
king,littleacquainted
politely
grantedthe request. The

engravers.

character,at once
however, had, at
pra?tor,

time,much richer
He had heard of a sumptuous candelabrum
spoilin view.
possessed
by Antiochus, composed of massive
gold,encrusted with jewels,and finished in the most
elaborate styleof art,which
the king had taken to
Rome
with the intention of dedicating
it in the temple
but finding
the building
of JupiterCapitolinus,
yet
unfinished had
him

the

same

determined

back with
carrying
upon
until the placeshould be readyfor its
into Syria,

of this costly
reception.Although the possession
endeavoured
to be kept secret,Yerres
was
offering
informed of it,
and as soon
he
as
means,
was, by some
obtained possessionof the other valuables,
had
quested
rethat

this also.

It

he
was

with
might be indulged
forwarded
accordingly

sightof

under

the

44

THE

Verres

LIFE

CICERO.

OF

it

the service for which

to

was

originally

justice
of the inAfter this ineffectual exposure
and
embarked
he immediately
of his plunderer,

destined.

set sail for his

dominions.*

own

notorious instances of

Such

were

avarice

and

oppression
by

Verres

was

But
distinguished.

of the most

some

deeperdye formed
him.
against

which

part of

Unbounded

as

the

the

of
prsetorship

crimes

of

much

long list of charges

his covetousness

might

completelythrown into the shade by

appear, it was
his cruelty. It was
when
his custom
frequently
any
l
aden
arrived
in
the
Sicilian
with
rich
a
vessel,
freight,
manned
under the pretextof its being
ports,to seize it,
by the adherents of Sertorius.t The cargoes, of course,
were

confiscated to the

use.
praetor's

But the wretched

Roman

were
citizens,
of appealing
from the possibility
effectually
precluded
him at a future time,by being
hurried into those
against
Latomiae of Syrathe quarries
or
cuse,
frightful
dungeons,
and there secretly
without the formality
strangled
of a trial.One of these intended victims,
Caius Gavius,

crews,

of whom

many

havingbeen

so

were

his
escape and make
the intention of crossing
over

fortunate

as

to

Messana, with
into Italy,
fidence
was
imprudentenoughin his prematureconof being
to
beyond the reach of his persecutor,
threaten the retribution of a final impeachment at
Rome, for the unjust imprisonmentof one of its
denounced
citizens. For this he was
to the
secretly
of Messana, who, as companionsin his
magistrates
were
villanies,
whollyin the interests of Verres,and
It happened,
immediately
apprehendedby their command.
that the praetor
for the fugitive,
unfortunately
arrived the same
day at Messana, and was at once
made
and its cause.
witli his apprehension
acquainted
Infuriated by the information,
and the prospectof the
dangerhe had narrowly avoided,the officialtyrant
hastened into the Forum
andsummoning Gavius before
way

to

In

Verrem,

v.

xxvii.

-j-In

Verr. vi. xxviii.

THE

LIFE

45

CICERO.

OF

him

of beinga spy, and without

his accusation by the testimonyof a

him, accused

ordered

him,

as

strengthening
ness,
singlewitinstantlyscourged

be

such, to

able
that the miserpurpose
sufferer repeatedly
exclaimed,in arrest of judgment,
crucified.

and

It

to

was

no

enduringthe ignominy and torture

that he was
first part of his punishment,
a
evidence
citizen and could bring satisfactory
sentence
The whole of the frightful
fact.*
executed
him, and, by a
upon
the cross
to which
refinement
of cruelty,

of the

and while

attached

erected upon

was

he
of

with

might be tormented
refugewhich he had
and from

with
to

horrible
he

was

with

ing,
reach-

gainedit,he might

once

of Verres

power

to

further.
of the Mediterranean

the whole

swarmed

the

defied the hatred and

safelyhave
injurehim
As

he

morselessly
re-

was

sight
his dying agonies,
sightof the place

flattered himself

which, had

of the

in full

the sea-shore

coast, that,amidst

of the Italian

Roman

man

who
were
pirates,
regularfleets and

it
of considerable cities,

was

at

that

time

merous
nusufficiently

to form

the

customary

lation
popufor the

of vessels
prsetorsin Sicilyto fit out a number
time
them annually,
at the expense of the mariagainst
lost an opportuBut Verres,who never
towns.
nity
the public welfare to his own
of sacrificing
contrived
to render this force comprivateinterests,

Roman

"

allowed
inefficient. Several towns
to
were
pletely
to furnish ;
compound for the shipsthey were required
*

By

to

by the
was

law, passedA.

the Porcian

at all times

only revived

the

of

or

entitled
more

c.

455,

it

was

to

put

to

ancient

statute

of Porcius
the enactment
of Valerius Publicola to the
in

even
possessed

nostri etiaru
fuisse declarant pontificii
libri,
significant
31.

he

But

effect ; and Cicero speaks of the privilege

as
autem
the time of the ancient kings ; "Provocationem

Republica,lib. ii.cap.

lawful
un-

citizen,unless

death

appeal.

same

De

declared

any Roman
the people,
of
to which
generalassembly

bind, scourge,

sentence

u.

etiam

aregibus

augnrales.''
"

46
the

all among

OP

LIFE

THE

of those

crews

CICERO.

actuallysent,who could
vited
inservice,were
personal

purchasean exemption from

to doso,and large
sums, which should have been
the armament,
and provisioning
expendedin equipping
diverted

were

was,

by

the

that the vessels

totallyunfit

and

praetorto his

to encounter

luxurious

retirement

near

The

sequence
con-

half manned

and well
vigilant
appointedfor their
of being present to
himself in
indulging

the fountain

of Arethusa

under the command

galleys
of Cleomenes, which composedj or rather represented,
the Sicilian fleet,were
standingout of the
that he at length
mouth
of the harbour
of Syracuse,
his appearance
the shore,effeminately
made
on
clad,
of him by
to the celebrated picturedrawn
according
ing
Cicero,in a purplecloak,with an under vest reachnearlyto the ground,instead of the usual military
his feet,and
on
leaningon the
garb,with slippers
and

not until the

use.

but

were

At the time
providedenemy.
puttingto sea, Verres, instead
their departure,
was
superintend
a

own

it was

shoulder
which
had
a

of

had

made

voyage

one

seven

of his courtesans.

departedunder
the

such

After

the

force,

unwarlike

auspices,
Pachynus in

promontory and port of

of five days, (atthe end of which, the sailors
distressed with

hunger,in consequence of the

failure of the provisions
to
on
board, as to be obliged
collect the roots of the wild palms for their sustenance,)
news
was
suddenly brought to the admiral Cleothat the piratical
he was
in
force of which
menes,
in the adjoiningharbour
anchored
of
quest was
instant and disgraceful
Edissa.
An
the
was
flight
The admiral,hastily
his cables and
result.
slipping
all sail,was
in a short time out of sight.
hoisting
The
other galleys,
whose
captainshad prepared for
battle and would
have readily
offered it,had they not
bound
considered themselves
to imitate his example,
followed more
slowly. Two of them were, in consc-

were

so

LIFE

THE

OP

CICERO.

47

"

with all on
overtaken and captured,
speedily
and the rest, after rejoining
board, by the pirates,
who had made
Cleoriienes,
good his way to Helorus,
had onlytime
that their crews
were
so closely
pressed,
boarded by
to escape to the shore,before they were
of value
the pursuers, wrho,after removing
every thing
the galley
the whole, including
from them, committed
quence,

of

of oars, to the
inflicted upon
the Roman
the disgrace

Cleomenes, a

flames.

But

vessel of four banks

the captain
government did not end here. ITeracleo,
of the piratical
force,confident that nothing was
left to oppose him, sailed on the next day for
now
of
from which the conflagration
the port of Syracuse,
had been distinctly
the fleet of Cleomenes
seen, with
four lightvessels ; and while Verres,stillstupified
of the previousnight,
from the effect of the excesses
and
clamours
assailed by universal
insults,
was
the harbour
at bis leisure ;
coollycruised round
knowing, adds the indignantorator by whom
has been
tbe circumstance
recorded, that if he
did not visit a placeso worthy of his curiosity
during
of Verres, he would, assuredly,
never
the prsetorship
of doingso.*
find another opportunity
Little as he liad hitherto appeared to esteem his
pest
Verres was
now
own
by the temreputation,
obliged,
raised
which
and complaints
of reproaches
was
in all directions against
him, to make some
attempts
attached to an
himself from the blame
to exculpate
attributed
the failure of which every one
enterprise,
this could only
But
and avarice.
to his incapacity
self.
than himbe done by the sacrifice of others less guilty
Cleomenes,who had been firstto set the example
towards
of cowardice,was
too valuable an instrument
his own
to be included in the list of his
exculpation,
victims. He, therefore,
prevailed
upon him by threats
and
to assert,that the shipshad been fullymanned
The
other
amply suppliedwith every necessary.
*

In Verr. vi. xxxvi.

48

THE

commanders

LIFE

CICERO.

OF

and who
were
escaped,
young
of
the
rank
in
were
men
then, by
Syracuse,
highest
his orders,thrown
into chains and condemned, as
their ships to the
surrendered
having traitorously
Cleoinenes
himself being shameless
enough
pirates,
who

had

take his seat beside Verres

to

sentence

of death

on

passedupon

was

vain that their parentsand

the tribunal
them.

It

when
in

was

friends used

every means
who
had
of the praetor,
to soften the cruel disposition
too

valuable

interests at

stake, on

this occasion,to

of bribery.
ordinarymethod
Althoughmany of the former passedwhole nightsat
the threshold of the publicprison,
at least
entreating
to be allowed
to take a last farewell of their unhappy
this favour was
relatives,
only to be purchased at a
and an
was
quired,
reequallyextravagantsum
highprice,
for the speedy despatchof the criminals,
by
be

accessible

to

the

who
threatened, if his demand
was
executioner,
not compliedwith, to compel them
to pass through
before their death, instead of
protractedsufferings
blow.
their existence by a single
terminating
the

short time

before this occurrence,

character of which
vessel,the piratical

the
was

crew
no

of

ter
mat-

doubt, had been taken near

Megaris,and
broughtinto Syracuse as captives.The people,who
had
the severityof Verres
often seen
mercilessly
exercised upon the guiltless,
expectedthat he would
not allow those who
were
ctilpable
actually
certainly
little acquainted
with the
But they were
to escape.
full baseness of character possessed
by their iniquitous
All the youthfuland able-bodied
governor.
among
the criminals were
his
slaves
to
as
friends,
presented
instead
of being broughtto condign punishment.
The
remanded
to secret
captainof the vessel was
in the hope that he might offer an extravagant
confinement,
bribe for the preservation
of his life. A few
of

of the

more

agedor

less

in appearance
prepossessing

THE

LIFE

OP

49

CICERO-.

were
publicly
pirates
put to death ; but
loud in
since the people,as yet unsatisfied,
were
demanding the punishment of the whole, Yerres

the

among

ordered

number

of Roman

who
citizens,

had

long

dungeons,to be led forth with

and
their heads
faces carefully
muffled, that their
features might not be recognised,
and, rejoicing
been

confined in his

himself of all further

of ridding
opportunity
rously
anxietyon their account, caused them to be barbaexecuted in the placeof the real culprits.
criminal,it might have
Againstthis enormous
be
been expectedthat the efforts of Cicero would
seconded by the horror and indignation
of all ranks
and classes at Rome, and that the generalvoice of
tion
humanitywould be raised to insistupon the condemnahad so repeatedly
and unof an individual who
violated every one of its laws.
Whatever
blushingly
of the common
might have been the feelings
people
however, Yerres fcmnd a numerous
iipon the subject,
the patricians,
and powerfulparty among
ready to
in the

stand forth in his defence.

He

had

been

heard

to

boast,that he should be very well satisfied to expend

in defeating
the proceeds
of two years of spoliation
the
ends of justice,
providedhe were allowed to retain for
of the third. The result proved that
himself the profits

purchaseable.
higherorders in his favour were unHortensius,though almost on the
the
point of beingdeclared consul elect,assumed
and a
title and offices of his patron and partisan,
crowd
of the distinguished
nobilityfollowed his
example. Such was, at this time, the disgraceful
afforded by the most eminent in dignity
countenance
of injustice
and titleto a monster
when
threatened
! the most sarwith the punishmentdue to his guilt
castic
no

efforts of the

is to be found in the
upon which
of Cicero in this cause, who asserts that the
pleadings

commentary

peopleof

the

had actually
formed
subjectprovinces

50

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

of petitioning
of the existing
for a repeal
design
law against
extortion on
the part of the Roman
And there can be no doubt,"he argues,
magistrates.
that theywould be greatly
benefited by the change.
the

"

"

For, in

that case, the governors

sent into the provinces
would be content to plunderonlyto a sufficient
to accumulate

extent

At

immense

future

addition to
bribes for their

serve

as

judgesat home."
first difficulty
thrown

The

the

was

The

selves.
them-

for

in
obliged,

presenttheyare

this,to acquireenoughto

fortunes

ambassadors

in the way of the prosecution

rival
advocate.
of
a
appearance
from
after layingtheir
Sicily,

before Cicero,had reminded him

groundsof complaint
made at Lilybaeum,
the expiration
of his promise
of
on
his quasstorship,
his abilitiesand influence
of exerting
in their

favour,if these should at any future time be

entreated him to fulfil his
needed, and earnestly
the lead in the proceedings
against
agreementby taking
their late oppressor.
peachment,
the imon
But, before entering
he was opposedby QuintusCsecilius
Niger,
who had recently
filledthe office
a Sicilianby descent,
of quaestor
and who, although
he pretended
to Verres,
his accuser, inconsequence
of certain injuries
than suspected
received at his hands,was
of
more
to act

as

bribed

havingbeen

by him

to

the prosecution
dispute

with
the

to ruin
Cicero,and, if successful,
Sicilians by managingit in a manner

to the

however
oration

defendant.

which

cause

of

best suited

This

first plan,

devised,
completelyfailed. The
ingeniously
the claims and pretensions
of Cicero against

stillextant,and
Caecilius,

of
"

interests of the

the

which

is of the kind to

technical
left his antagonist
without a
Divinatio,"
the

Romans

gave

the

name

of

prospect
of success, and he was accordingly
to arraign
appointed
the official conduct of the ex-praator
to the
according
usual
*

Dr.

form*.

For

the

purpose

of

the
collecting

Middleton,following
Asconius,
states,that the

"

Divinatio

52

THE

might
was

be

LIFE

OF

more

tried with

also

elect of

imaginedthat
who was
Sicily,

CICERO.

favourable result.

It

L. Metellus,at the time prastor

known
to favour the interests

the Sicilians
Verres,would then be able to terrify
into a total abandonment, or but a feeble prosecution
of their claims to justice.But
the prudence and
of Cicero disappointed
all these expectations.
activity
Instead of employing a hundred
and ten days,the
space he had at first demanded, in his investigations
in Sicily,
he had, as has been seen, made
all the
of

in less than
half the time ;
necessary preparations
and finding,
of the trial,
that
at the commencement
the

of Verres were
themselves with,
partisans
indulging
the hope that the cause
would
be opened by long
speecheson the part of the rival advocates ; by which
the intervention of the publicgames and holidays
means
have transferred the

would

for
proceedings

mate
ulti-

decision to the tribunal of a different prtetor,

he
the plan of bringing
determined
ward
forupon adopting
the evidence

introduction
the

or

weight of

at

comment,
the

without

once,

any
relyingfor

and

testimonyof

lengthened
success

his witnesses

oil

alone.

Of the noble

which
series of orations,therefore,
are
publishedunder the title of his " Pleadingsagainst

Verres,"
before

the

Marcus

first

alone

actuallydelivered

was

Glabrio, the

presiding
magistrate.

that he had onlywitnesses to crossfinding

examine,and that he wasprecludedfrom the possibility
and prothe cause
of delaying
by frivolous objections
tracted
the defence
abandoned
as
hopeless
replies,
;
the
evidence
and Verres,well knowing,from
of
mass
be the
arrayed againthim, what must inevitably
into voluntary
withdrew
exile.
of his judges,
sentence

Hortensius

The

fine laid upon

his estate

Cicero,fellfar short of what

indeed,of what his accuser
proposed; and there is some

by

the

had been
himself

estimation of

and,
anticipated,
had

originally

in accounting
difficulty

THE

for

this

after

however,
sooner

OF

53

CICERO.

displayof leniency. Pie

suffered to

escape

that

fate

found
later,is generally

or

shedder

LIFE

of

innocent

blood.

to

After

not,

was

which,

either

overtake

many

the
of

years

by his extravagance,in
which he is said to have been relieved by his former
by Mark Antony for
prosecutor,he was
proscribed
which
of the works of art stillin his possession,
some
and
in Sicily,
he had acquiredduringhis praetorship
afterwards assassinated by the ready agentsof
soon

comparative
penury,

induced

the triumvir.
The

orations of Cicero in the

of

clusive
Verres,exof the openingspeechagainst
are
Ca;cilius,
six in number, and each may be considered a model
of impassionedand indignant
titled
eloquence. That enthe subject
of the spoliations
De Signis,"
on
committed
by Verres in regardto works of art,has
admired ; but the sixth, De
been often deservedly
the unjust punishments
or
Suppliciis,"
respecting
inflicted by the praetor,passages from which are to
be found in almost every work
yet publishedupon
oratory,rises far above the rest in dignity,
energy,
and pathos. The narration of the death of Gavius,
with all its aggravatedcircumstances
of horror
his useless
the unjustcondemnation
of the criminal
appealsto his Roman
citizenshipthe indignities
him
inflicted upon
his
before
his execution,and
death within view of the Italian shore, is
agonising
known, and cannot but be considered is
sufficiently
cause

"

"

"

"

"

"

well entitled to the commendations

it.

hitherto bestowed

But

abound
descriptions,
equallyaffecting,
throughoutthe whole speech; which Cicero never
it is
merits for which
exceeded,in the particular
when
his reputation
at its height.
famous, even
was
The noblest figures
so
are
thicklyscattered throughout
upon

it,that
which

it would

be difficult
to select a page

the art of rhetoric

mightnot

receive

some

from
new

54

TflE

OP

LIFE

CICERO.

illustration ; and, notwithstanding

appropriate
the well-authenticated fact of its never
havingbeen
reallyspoken, so strong is the delusion of the art
with which
it has been composed,that it is almost
to believe it to have been anythingbut the
impossible
extemporaneous effusion of an anger and pityarmed
with
by the
extraordinaryenergy of utterance
to
singular
magnitude of the offences and injuries
which
these feelings
owed their birth,and supplying
the speakerwith expressions,
which appear to mount
of his audience might
just as the excited feelings
have been expectedto demand
successive additions
to their vividness and
strength.Nor is the power of
contained in
fervid accusation and blighting
sarcasm

and

this,and

in all the

the same
orations upon
had been
; under which, if he

other

less remarkable
subject,
hardy enoughto abide

the
his trial to its conclusion,

criminal must

convicted

stood forth

have

and

objectof popularscorn

and abhorred

ered
with-

as

cration
exe-

*.
*

Not

to

dwell

tbe

upon

dissolute seclusion

springsof Arethusa, and

the

at

at the departure of the

Sicilian

point the less commonly quoted

at

Syracuse,and

"

armament

"c. it would
praetor,"

puli Romani

be

"

his appearance
Stetit soleatus po-

difficultto exceed
of his winter

account

in

retirement

progress through the various citiesunder

"
hear how
In the firstplace,"
says his accuser,

his government.
easy this illustrious personage,
the labour of

moving

rendered,by exercise
from

of

and

reason

spot to another, which

one

providean

and
no

so

day

an

pure
was

datingwhich
retreat
manner

but

even

known
sun

the illustrious
as

by Nature

atmosphere,as

the

seldom

he took

of frosts and
refugeagainstthe severity
his abode the cityof
as
tempests, by selecting

is blessed

ever

is of

honourable

the force of rains and

Syracuse,which

cretion,
dis-

especially

and
the greatestimportance in all militaryoperations,
needful in the provinceof Sicily.During the winter
season
to

satiric

summer
"

care

in hi*

Verre*

of
description

famous

to

to
was

to

favourable
to

pass there,however
visible at some
not

be seen,
"

so

giveauthority

generalspent

out of his bed

with

I will

his winter
not

say

the

dark

hour

saying,that

and stormy,
; and in this

months

beyond

situation,

his

in

such

threshold,

wasting equallythe contracted

days and

LIFE

THE

There

be

can

of Cicero

OP

that the rhetorical abilities

doubt

no

considered

were

the most

possessedby

yet gracedthe

55

CICERO.

least,equal to

as, at

illustrious

those

pleaderswho

had

in consequence
of
talent.
It is, however,

Roman

Forum,

these

splendidexhibitions of
evident, that his exertions againstVerre.s
far from ensuringhim
were
any favour on the part
of the nobility.From
certain expressions,
in his
first speechin the cause, it may
be inferred that his
life was
actuallythreatened,and all but attempted,
sans
thoughthe agency of some of the more powerfulpartiwhile
prtetor,

of the accused
from

he

his way

on

was

the haughtyindigAnd, unquestionably,

Sicily.
nation
of the Scipios
and Metelli mightbe expectedto
*

lengthenednightsin revelryand
the springmade
its appearance,
season

the

to him, not
signified

was

sightof

attracted

by
the

licentiousness.
the

by

"

of this

commencement

of Favonius, or
breathings

his attention

when

only

star, since it was

the firstfull-blown rose
any

the

and

When, however,

presentedto

springto have

he at

him,

that he

was
jectured
con-

lengthsummoned

actually
begun
enough to devote himself to his toilsome and fatiguing
an
example of
journeys,in which he afforded so remarkable
and
be
horseback.
on
even
to
seen
activity endurance, as never
carried in a
of the Bithyniankings, he was
For, after the manner
litterborne by eightattendants,reclining
a pillowcomposed of
on
the transparentmuslin of Melite,stuffed with roses, with a garland
"

resolution

of

the

same

holdingin
finest

round his neck, and

flowers upon
his head, another
of the
his hand
a reticule,also filled with roses, made

lawn, and

to
applied

his nostrils.

he
destination,

you

have

the

decisions

heard

After

reachingin

in the

carried

was

his very bedchamber.

as well as the Roman

knights;

and

guisethe

frequently
placeof his
to
alighting,

the Sicilian magistrates,

in this shameful

afterwards

were

he

without
litter,

witnesses,causes

many

in which

same

this

assembled

Thither

from

spots,which

with minute

embroidered

were

reversed

as
retirement,
heard,
secretly

openly.

After

givingsentences, accordingto the

sums
bribe,rather than from any regardto the
by way
of the case, his remaining hours were
devoted to intoxication
justice
thus

spendinga

short

and

of

sensuality."
(InVer.

similar

in

time

offered him

ii.cap. vi. 11.)It would

did the limits,

to which
instances,

restricted

permit,or

the citation of unconnected

were

not

passages.

be easy to adduce
sarily
popularwork is neces-

the ablest orations

injuredby

56

be

THE

to
aroused,

who

was

no

not

LIFE

OP

CICERO,

limited extent,by the boldness of

entitled to

yet even

the

one

contemptuous

of
to drag
a
new
man," in attempting
appellation
bent
to merited justice
the culprit
whom
they were
"

defending.Another

upon

cause

for the hatred

of the

ment
styleof comof the most
one
importantconcessions
upon
of constituting
latelymade to the nobility.The privilege
the
after
or jury in criminal trials,
judices"

upper

ranks

have

must

existed in his

"

between
the knightsand senators,
longfluctuating
of Sylla,at length
was,
during the dictatorship
determinately
assignedto the latter. The middle
classes clamoured
of this enactfor the repeal
ment,
fiercely
and the restoration of their judicial
functions
to the equestrian
far from
order, and Cicero was
the propriety
of
at this time to controvert
appearing
the

alteration.

At

general
feeling
upon
to those

holds

all events, he
the subject
as
a

in office to

forth

the

salutary
warning

perform their

duties with

an

impartiality
widely inconsistent with the general
of the corrupt aristocracy
of the time.
practices
By whatever signsof dissatisfactionon the part of
the rich and the powerfulhe might have been met, he
and
proceeded,undismayed at their manifestation,
only ambitious of risingto further distinctions by
honest and equitable
means, to pass throughthe year
of his

in such
sedileship
his popularity
with

of Rome.

The

manner

as

to
greatly

crease
in-

the middle and lower orders

for his
Sicilians,
grateful

late

tions,
exer-

with abundant
him gratuitously
stores
supplied
of corn, which, instead of making them
of
a
source
transferred
privateemolument to himself,he immediately
to the publicstock,and by this means
effected
in the general
a considerable reduction
priceof provisions.
The
publicgames in honour of Ceres,
Bacchus,and Libera,as well as of Flora,and those
known
"as the
Ludi Romani," consecrated to Ju"

THE

LITE

57

CIt'ERO.

OP

divinities of
Juno, and Minerva, the presiding
piter,
incximthe Capitol,
all of which he has mentioned
as
bent upon
him
to regulate,
were
performedin the
usual

under

manner

his life is

his

direction;and this
by his
distinguished

onlyfurther

for the defendants

in two

prsetorof

causes

Fonteius,who had been

Gaul, was, on his return

for various

for three years

peached
to Rome, im-

in his vince
proInduciomarus, chief of the Treviri,bein"r his
of misconduct

acts

'
"

principal
accuser,
of
possession

of Cicero in his
to

and

with

entrusted
in

Marcus

impeachment. We are yet

considerable fragmentof the speech

behalf,and

believe,from

Plaetorius the advocate

his

there

the line of

that the accusations

in

of

ance
appearof considerable

Marcus

note.

year

is too much

reason

argument adoptedin it,

Fonteius
against

were,

as

usual

The oration for Aulus

cases, well founded.
delivered respecting
Cecina,the next in succession,
such

his client to

the

by
rightpossessed

from

the occupancy
of which
main
force,beyond a

by
subtletyon

the

part

b;it little interest.

causes

was

he

farm,
prohibited

considerable

advocate,
the

trial the

brought to

certain

been

displayof

of the

Before

had

former
law

possesses
of these

of Aurelius

by which it was ordained,

beganto take effect,
for the future be chosen from
thatthe"judices"should
with the addition
the senatorian and equestrian
orders,
The
had also by
of the ferarian tribunes.
commons
this time recovered no small degree
of power, by the
restitution of their original
to the tribunes
privileges
whose
had been for some
time
of thepeople,
authority
rendered,to a greatextent,inefficient by the acts of
Sylla. This alteration was producedby the exertions
of Pompey, whose interest then consisted in paying
court to the popularparty, although,
at a subsequent
period,he thoughtit necessary to -make an essential
changein his policy.
Cotta

53

THE

In

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

the

generalhistoryof his country the periodof

the sedileship
of Cicero is noted for the dedication of
the new
had been
of the Capitol,which
buildings
burned by an accidental conflagration
about five years
The
before.
was
performedby Quintus
ceremony
with
Catulus
extraordinarymagnificence.Sylla,
who
had
the. erection of this superb
superintended
pile,the roof of which was overlaid with gold,at a
cost of twelve thousand
or
talents,
nearlytwo millions
of pounds sterling,
had complained upon
his deathbed,
that

the
at its consecration
was
presiding
only thingwantingto complete the uniform course
of good fortune by which
his life had been distinguished.
It may
be doubted,however, whether
Sylla
himself could have performedthe ceremony
with more
lavish pomp
than
was
displayedon the occasion.
mentioned
instance of novel
an
Plinyhas particularly
the

extravagance, in the introduction of an immense

purpleawning,extensive enough to shelter the whole
assembled
Such
populacefrom the heat of the sun.
incidental illustrations of the luxury of the times,
the writings
scattered throughout
of ancient authors,
to illustrate the subject,
althoughnot intended directly
throw

small

no

lightupon

the

causes

of those

civil

commotions

had lately
by which the commonwealth
been distracted,
and to which
it was
soon
againto
be exposed. A
fortunes
vast
nobilitylavishing
the entertainment
of a single
day a people
upon
or
wholly engrossed
by the expectation
enjoyment of
such amusements, and so longas they were
afforded,
what
careless by whom,
from
or
sources, they were
if all other causes
were
provided; surely,
wanting,
"

"

we

need

not

look

much

the fertileoccasions of
form

further than
a

these to discover

violence and

at lengthin
terminating
of despotism.

the

sarily
anarchy neces-

most

frightful

60

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OF

that it
notorious,
considered necessary to take extraordinary
was
steps
them by the introduction of the Calpurnian
against
that whoever should beguilty
of bribery
law,ordaining
the
in any shape,while
or
corruption,
canvassing
should not onlybe heavily
fined,but declared
people,
of holdingoffice,
or
incapable
taking his seat in the
which
magistracies,

The

senate.

but

had

become

so

caused

enactment

considerable

tion,
commo-

necessary did it appear, from

that the senators determined
circumstances,
for the ensuing
magistrates
year
it had

existing

so

the form

assumed

of

that

no

should be chosen until

bindingstatute.
was
republic,
justice

ministere
adearlyages of the
by two praetorsalone, whose tribunals,
of a spear and
by the simpleinsignia
distinguished
sword, planteduprightbefore them, were
publicly
"

In the

erected in the Forum.

the

"

praetorurbanus,"decided

citizens; the
in which
be
the

firstof these

The

one

second,or
or

"

magistrates,

between
disputes

the

those
prsetorperegrinus,"

both of the

But
foreigners.

as

the

parties
might happen to
and
of Rome
population

of the

Empire increased fresh praetors

tatorship
During the dicwere, from time to time,created.
of Sylla,and for some
years afterwards,
eightwere annuallyelected,six of whom, while the
civil actions were
determined
ber
by two of their numof criminal charges,
as
before,took cognizance
extent

classed under

perpetuas;" as
to

heads and entitled " questiones

many
the jurisdiction
in each belonged
sively
exclu-

as

particular
prastorthroughoutthe

his office. The

division

was

as

follows

year of
I. Cases

II. Bribery and

corruption.
involvingextortion.
III. Crimes
againstthe majesty of the state or
V. Forgery;
of treason.
IV. Peculation.
eases
either by force or by
and VI. Murders
committed
of these subjects
by lot
poison. In the assignment
to thQ usual custom, Cicero was
appointed
according
"

THE

LIFE

OP

61

CICERO.

to the office of

at trials under
presiding
under the hightrust which

His conduct
had
remarkable
instance

for

as

of which
justiceand impartiality,

an

with the

with whom

was

and
judges,

he

was

on

so

confident

in the
of

terms

of trial he laid aside the

home

him

upon

given in the cause of Licinius Macer, a

accused before
who
was
praetorian
dignity
The
fendant
deoffice.
after his enteringupon

in this action

worn

men
country-

was

person of
him soon

day

his

is mentioned

devolved

now

the first head.

of his

ence
influ-

support of Crassu?,

that
intimacy,

usual

on

the

mourning dres.-

and returned
persons in such circumstances,
in greatstate and amidst
the Forum
from
a

by

multitude

of his

as
friends,

if he had

been certain of

so
managed
was
equitably
acquittal.But the cause
to
by Cicero,that the judges,attendingsolely
the evidence they had heard, unanimouslygave sentence
ifthe
him ; a verdict which provedfatal,
against
ancient historians are
to be believed,to the accused,
from
the receipt
of the intelligence
who
is recorded,on
to his
his patron Crassus,to have taken immediately
from
bed, and to have died,a short time afterwards,
and disappointment.In his fifth
the effects of grief
asserts that his decision in
to Atticus,Cicero
epistle
and incredible
this cause
of singular
was
productive
goodwilltowards him on the part of the people;and
that he had gained more
tiality
advantage,by his impar-

his

on

by the

the

than
occasion,

could

have accrued

favour of the accused if he had

to him

acquittedhim.

This brief,but expressive

rial
remark, may lend mateof the
due
assistance towards
a
appreciation
kind
which

of

administered
justice

have

sometimes

in those

been mentioned

ancient courts,
in terms of unmerited

not onlyfind by itan unbiassed

we
eulogy,since
and
decision recorded as a subjectof popularwonder
who had delivered
the magistrate
but that even
applause,
without some
it,could not contemplate
compla-

62

THE

cency, the

the merits of the

CICERO.

OP

of
probability

beinga

not

his

to
according

sentence

As

LIFE

loser

convictions

own

by giving
respecting

cause.

his office of

prsetorby

no

means

precludedhim

his former functions

occasionally
exercising
advocate,he appearedthis year for the defendants

from

than

as

in

remarkable

trial;delivering
among
t
he
which
his
of
oration
are
others, subjects
unknown,
for Aulus Cluentius A vitus,who
accused of poiwas
soning
more

one

his father-in-law

Oppianicus. The principal

the prosecution
his
of Cluentius was
agent in directing
mother Sassia,
whom
Cicero paints
in the
own
a woman
darkest colours,and whose
deceased husband
anicus
Oppihad, some
years before,been actuallyindicted
for an attempt to poisonthe defendant Cluentius. The
speechof Cicero in his behalf,thoughnot in his best
has always been
considered a highlyfinished
style,
in the case
of
specimenof eloquence. The pleadings

Fundauius,

Marcus

which

are

also attributed

of Cicero,are
year of the prsetorship
with those of which
to be numbered
than

the titles are

These
upon

had

been

the Manilian
to the

to the

unfortunately
more
scarcely

extant.

precededby
law,

the

the first which

famous
Cicero

speech
vered
deli-

Pomfrom the rostra.

peoplepublicly
ferred
pey, after beingarmed with the extensive powers conupon him by the statute of Gabinius,(by which
he was
empowered to fit out five hundred galleys
and twenty-five
and raise an
of a hundred
army
terranean,
thousand
men
againstthe piratesin the Mediin addition to possessing
absolute authority
within fifty
had made
allplaces
miles of the coast,)
over
such good use
of the extraordinary
means
placed in
his hands, as within fortydays of his appointment
cleared the sea' of the swarms
to have completely
had so long infested
of marauding vessels which
it ; compelling
such of the pirates
the puras escaped

THE

suit of his

LIFE

to
squadrons,

betake

themselves

to their

in Crete and
strongholds
speedilybesiegedby the

were

and

reduced

to

extremities.

for

refuge
where they
Cilicia,
land

Roman

But

against Mithridates,which

war

63

CICERO.

OP

in the
had

forces

East

been

the

nearly

'

broughtto

"

conclusion

the abilities of

Lucullus,
by
assumed
had once
unfavourable
an
more
aspect.
Caius
Triarius,who had been appointed by that
while preparing
to return
to Rome, to the
general,
chief command, until the arrival of his successor
been
Acilius Glabrio, had
suddenly attacked by
the enemy,
and
utterlyrouted with the loss of a
hundred
and fifty
centurions,
twenty-fourtribunes,
and

soldiers in

besides that of
proportion,
which
his camp,
taken
and plundered by the
was
victors.
The peopleat Rome, discouraged
by this
and unexpected
severe
check,which reminded them of
common

former

defeats from

antagonist,
beganto
the onlyperson fitto

the

able

same

and

their eyes upon

be entrusted with the
turn

their sentiments
of the war, and
upon
further
confirmed
the
that
were
by
news,
in the

East,

been

on

Pompey as
completion
the subject
the

that Glabrio
intelligence
receiving

appointedto command
refused to follow him, and
been

still active

them,
that

army

had

had

absolutely
consequently
Bithynia. At this
he had

to stop short in
obliged
the tribune Manilius,desirous of
therefore,
juncture,
securingthe favour of a powerful patron and gratifying
the popular inclination,
forward
a
brought
of the provincesof
law, proposingthat the whole
Bithynia,Phrygia,
'Lycaonia,Galatia,Cappadocia,

Cilicia,
Colchis,and the lesser Armenia, with the
forces lately
tion
employedin the piratical
war, in addiunder the command
to those lately
of Lucullus,
should be placed,
with the full power
of directing
all
future hostilitiesagainst
in the hands of
Mithridates,

Pompey.

64

THE

LIFE

OP

CICERO;

act
ordinarycustom, when any new
to expose it for three successive
was
proposedto the people,
market
days,in the Forum, that all might
have an
of inspecting
it,before being
opportunity
called to determine
by their votes upon its acceptance
or
rejection.On such occasions,those who
or
were
by the previous
distiuguished
presentpossession

It

was

the

for no others,witli
highermagistracies,
the exception
of the tribunes,
were
allowed,unless by
to ascend the rostra,harangued
express permission,
either for or againstthe intended
the multitude
of the

statute.

The

law

of

Manilius

met

with

vehement

from the greaterpart of the nobility,

and
opposition
and Hortenfrom Quintus Catulus
more
especially
sius,who placedthemselves foremost in the ranks of
its most determined opponents; the former honestly
the dangerof entrusting
a
representing
power equal
attained after years
to that which Syllahad scarcely
and bloodshed to any individual,
of opposition
ever
howor distinguished
; the latter more
gifted
speciously
the real groundsof his opposition
by the
concealing
of Pompey was
able
too valuargument,that the safety
to be exposed,
except on occasion of the most
necessities of the state.*
Cicero successfully
pressing

combated

the

arguments

of

both, and

was

the

the passing
of procuring
of the law ;
means
principal
which
Pompey, accordingto Plutarch, pretended
of its confirmation
to deplore,
on
receiving
intelligence
that it placedtoo
by the people,complaining
with the
greata burden upon one alreadyoppressed
of the charges
committed
weightand responsibility
In his oration for the adoption
of the Bill
to him.
of Manilius,Cicero gives a
powerfuldescription
of the magnitude
and importance
of the contest with
in which

andof the manner

Mithridates,
of whom
by Lucullus,
warmest

commendation.
*

Pro

he
He

ithadbeen

ducted
con-

speaksin terms of the

then proceedsto define

xx.
Lege Manilla,

THE

the

LIFE

to
qualities
requisite

first order,under

OP

65

CICERO.

constitute

the several heads of

of the
general
skill,
military

conduct,authority,and good fortune,and proves

each to be possessed
gree.
by Pompey in the highestdeThe

latter part of his address is devoted to

answeringand confutingthe objections
urged by
Catulus

and

Hortensius.

The whole

speechis highly
its polishand elaborate
wrought,but, notwithstanding
for ever
must
offend,by the character
elegance,
of servile adulation to the then popular idol which
has
pervadesit throughout.The incense of flattery
seldom
been
more
profuselyor less disguisedly
than in this instance of the degradation
of
offered,
afterwards found
geniusto an ambition,which was
it was
to be as incapable
of appreciating,
serving
of deas
the sacrifice.

Manilius,towards

the end of the year in which he

carried his celebrated law, was, probablyin consequence

had

of the resentment

by

of the

and
charge of extortion,

of Cicero to answer
of this cause, instead of

assailed
nobility,

bunal
cited before the tri-

it.

In

assemblyof

the

takingcognizance
to the accused the
assigning
usual periodof ten days,for the preparation
of his
ment,
astonishdefence,Cicero allowed him,to the general
but one.
For this apparentrigour
with
forthhe was
cited by the tribunes togive
of his
an
explanation
conduct
on

on

He

his

before

an

and was
ceived
repeople,
marks of strongdisapprobation.

his appearance with

But the popular
subsided
soon
indignation

to account
proceeding

for his

supposedseverity.

informed those present,

that at the time when

he

received the accusation of Manilius,

his officeas praetor
within two daysof expiring,
thereand that he had fore
was

determined

trialimmediately,
upoabringingonthe
in preference
it to be transferred to another
to suffering
from whom
the defendant mightnot meet
magistrate,
with so favourable a hearingas from himself.
His
considered as perfectly
excuse
but the
was
satisfactory,
f

66

THE

advocate

OP

CICERO.

contented until

peoplewere not
that
to promise,
as

LIFE

he would

in behalf of

they had induced

himself undertake

to appear

intended

Manilius,whose

him
trial

had been

preventedby the intervention of the tribunes.

Such
is the account
given of the circumstance by
Plutarch.
The
historian Dio, after stating
that
Cicero was
influenced by a dislike to Manilius
really
in curtailing
the time allotted for his defence,and
of the popular
censure
only saved from the severe
assembly,before which he had been cited,by the
of
adds, that the hearing
promise above-mentioned,
the cause
was
sequence
prevented
by the tumults raised in conof the consular elections of the year, when
Autronius
Paetus and Publius Cornelius Sylla,
who
had been

to the office,
were
already
appointed
impeached
for corruption
by Lucius Cotta and Lucius Torquatus,
two of the unsuccessful
candidates,
and, beingfound
to giveup the honour to their
were
compelled
guilty,
The story,in whatever
accusers*.
will
way related,
hardlyappear to contribute much evidence in favour
of the strict impartiality
of Cicero ; with respectto
whose speechon this occasion,
we
are
onlyinformed,

that it abounded
the

in

and
aristocracy,

growing power

of

of all who

to

Pompey. With
seems
prastorship

his

while invested
leisure,
the
*

is

As

school

envious

were

of these events, his

been remarkable
for any
occurrence
It has been
however, that
stated,
claims

the

of

of the

exception

not

of
amidst

to

have

moment.

the

merous
nu-

still found

attention,he

with

M.

of

ambition

of the

censures

this

quent
to fremagistracy,
Antonius
Gnipho,a rheto-

fragment of the oration of Cicero in defence of Manilius

quoted by Nonius, and as Asconius Pedi.inus lias stated that the

accused
ance

to

was
answer

condemned
actually

the indictment

of Dio

upon the subject

may
the assertion of Asconius

has

in default of his

personalappear-

againsthim, the testimony

preferred
To reconbe regardedwith suspicion.
cile

it
oration,
been conjectured
that the latter,
tion
althoughpreparedin anticipaof

the trial,
was

never

with

the

of the

existence

actually
pronouncedin

court

of justice.

68

THE

he laments
another

the

LIFE

death

mentions

OF

CICERO.

of his cousin

the

Lucius*,and in
his father,
without,

decease of

comment
however, making the slightest
that,about
eventf. We learn in addition,

his
son

are

upon
this

the

time,
betrothed to Caius Piso,the
was
Lucius Frugi^,and that his familywas
creased
inby the birth of an infant son". Allusions

Tullia
daughter
of

also made

to certain differences between

his brother

and sister
Quintus and Pomponia,the wife of the latter,
of Atticus;but these seem
ended in
to have speedily
their reconciliation,
of his intervention
by means
chiefly
.

In his

tion
every effort for the acquisiof the consulate,
he declined the province
which he
anxietyto make

mighthave obtained at the end of his office as praetor,

to spendthe whole of the two years next
determining
in strengthening
his interest with all classes,
ensuing
and in diligently
for the highest
honour in
canvassing
the power

of his

to bestow.

countrymen

The

times,
tranquil
already

however,were not such as to promisea very

since they were
enjoymentof the dignity,
of dissatisfaction and lawless
pregnant with those causes
issued in the conspiracy
which ultimately
outrage,
of Catiline.

daringand

That

havingjust returned

licentious

his

from

profligate

provinceof Africa,

himself for the confor the purpose

of presenting
sulship,
of all hopesof success
and beingdeprived

extortion,
by an impeachment for illegal
preferred
doned
abanhim by Publius Clodius,
a person of as
against
with
as himself,
formed,in conjunction
principles
Publius Autronius
and Cneius Piso||,
a
designof
is sufficiently
possible,
amusing, and

in the true

of
spirit

collector,

while his powers of appreciating

at least upon
a level with
art seem
those possessed
by connoisseurs in general.
*
Ad Attic, lib. i. 5.
t Ad Attic, i. 6.
*

Attic, i. 3.
||Sallust and Livy add
Ad

defended
Suetonius
in the
the

againstthe

affirms

the

even

name

Cicero

Czesai4and
relates that

the assassination

by

Ad

of Pub.

charge by

that both

conspiracy. He

for
signal

"

Aitic. i. 2.

Sylla,-who
and

Ciassus
Csnsar

was

lettinghis robe

was

wards
after-

Hortensius,and
were

concerned

to have

drop

from

given
his

THE

LIFE

OF

69

CICERO.

the consuls,Torquatus and Cotta, in

assassinating
the Capitol,
the very day of their entrance
on
upon
their office. In consequence
of the plot beingsuspected,
the conspirators
deferred attempting
to carry
it into effect until the month

timetheyhad

added

of

February,by which

considerable number

to the list of their intended

victims

of senators

the ture
premathe signto his

but

who
eagerness of Catiline,

gave
the senate-house

accomplicesin front of
were
fullyprepared to obey it,caused

before

they

the failure of

attempt at the destruction of their opponents*.

It is remarkable, that although the true
of Catiline must, assuredly
longbefore this,
well known
to him, Cicero notwithstanding-

this second
character
have

been

his advocate in
of appearing
as
design
prosecution
hangingover his head. As Clodius,
conducted
it,was induced to dropall further proceedings,
the
cause
was
never
broughtto
by bribery,

entertained
the
who

the

yet in his correspondencewith Atticus, the

ing
meditatthat he is sincerely
orator expressly
affirms,
his defencet,that the judgesappointedare precisely
he could have wished, and that
those whom

trial ;

to have
hopes if the accused should be acquitted,
his intimacyand support during
their jointefforts for

he

in favour of Publius
pleadings
with treason in conwho had been charged
sequence
Cornelius,
of his persisting
to read a bill he had brought
forward
in spite
of the tribunitial
before the people,
Serin office,
placedupon it by his colleague
negative
believed to have been
vilius Globulus, may be easily

the

consulate.

His

shoulder,and was
"nly deterred
absence of Crassus,who, on the

from

by the unexpected
of its execution,repented
very eve
the design. JULIUS, cap. ix.
doing

so

of the part he had taken in

*
Sallust Bell. Cat. cap. xviii.
"f-Hoc terapore Catilinam competitoremnostrum
"

habemus

voluimus,

defendere

tamus.

Judices

voluntate.

ilium
Spero si absolutus erit conjunctionetn
2.
Ad
Attic,
i.
petitionis.

in ratione

"

quos

summa

cogi-

accusatoris

nobis

fore

70

THE

delivered for

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

and in a much
moro
object,
defence pronouncedby Cicero in

worthier
The

cause.
reputable

Hortensius,Catulus, and several

nesses
of Rome, appearedas witnobility
lasted four days,and was
prosecution,

this case, in which

others of the chief
for the

publishedin the form of two orations of

in
considerable length. These have been mentioned
his
of highpraise
but whether
terms
by Quintilian*,
commendation
was
fullydeserved or not, it is now
of a few
with the exception
to judge,
since,
impossible
unimportantand unconnected
sentences,both have
perished.
longbeen considered as havingirrecoverably
In his poem
well as in his
as
upon his consulship,
rating
orations,Cicero has taken the painsof commemoafterwards

the close of the year of the chief

of Torquatus and Cotta, as remarkable

magistracy

for many
the desperateand atrocious

which
indicated
prognostics
designsthen preparingagainstthe state by
his accomplices
he
has been
Catiline and
; and
vellous
followedt,in his leaningtowards the marstrictly
and supernatural
on this occasion,
by Plutarch
well as Dio Cassius.
as
ral
Accordingto these seveseconded by
thunders and apparitions,
authorities,
Etruscan
propheciesand the mystic warnings of
formed an appropriately
solemn introduction
diviners,
to the plan of domestic treason,unsparing
rapineand
indiscriminate
and

which

massacre,

frustrated.

As

shortlyto

was

of

matter

closed
be dis-

authentic

terest,
devoid of inhowever, perhapsnot altogether
history,
it may be observed,that at the time in question
the Capitol,
with its newly erected buildings,
seems
to

have been visited with

storms, by which

it was

injured.Several
by

lightning
; the

the

which

some

on

one

of those tremendous

several occasions materially

brazen statues

tablets of the

of the ancient laws of Rome

Instil. Orator, lib. v.

struck down

were
same
were

metal,on

engraved,

f Plut. in Cic.

THE

LIFE

OP

71

CICERO.

them
fused,so that the inscriptions
partially
upon
of Romulus
rendered illegible
were
; and the figures
and
Remus, with the legendarywolf, struck to the
earth,the latter leavingthe traces of its feet,which
melted by the flash,upon
entirely
pedestal*.
this ominous
With
prefacecommenced

the

were

Lucius

of

Julius

Caesar

the consulship

Caius

and

porting
sup-

Marciua

year celebrated not only in connection

life it formed
the destinies of Cicero,in whose

Figulus;
with

importance
epoch,but as one of the highest
in the historyof his country. As he had now
he was
reached the age of forty-three
years, at which
allowed
to
by law to present himself as an aspirant
the dress and labours
the consular office,
he assumed
of a candidate for that honour,in suingfor which, he

memorable

had

the exertions

to oppose

of

no

less than

six

petitors,
com-

viz. :

SulpiciusGalba, SergiusCatiline,
Caius
Antonius, Cassius Longinus,Quintus Cornificius,and Licinius Sacerdos. Among these,Antonius
and
who
made
to have
common
Catiline,
appear
with
againstthe rest,conducted their canvass
such open
and unblushing
bribery,that the senate
to
thought it necessary, by additional penalties,
bune
strengthenthe law againstcorruption. The triwas
Orestinus, however, who
probably in
the interest of the parties,
his authority
interposed
and it
to prevent the amended
statute from passing,
cause

on

was

the occasion of this

delivered

the

speechcalled

in the white
he

that

at

custom.
*

De
"

See

toga;"in

time

wore,

that Cicero
interference,
tion
by the critics The Ora"

allusion to the dress which

in

compliance with general

In this oration he seems,

lib. i.cap. 1 2.
Divinatione,
Nunc ea Torqviato
qiiae quondam
also Chiltle

thunder-stricken

Harold,

nurse

of

Canto

Rome,"

(judgingfrom

et consule

iv. stanza

88,

"c. with the

the

Cotta,""c.
*'

And

thou, the

accompanyingnote.

72

LIFE

THE

OP

CICERO.

his former
few passages which remain of it,)
forgetting
resolution of actingas his advocate,to have assailed
Catiline

Antonius, with
of languagefrom which the infamy of their
a strength
it
characters might easily
have been deduced, were
intimated only by the disjointed
vective
sentences of the inwell

as

which

as

have

his

confederate

reached

us.

The

former

is openly

of
reproachedfor his murders,duringthe proscription
Sylla,and his notorious misconduct at home and in
Africa ; while Antonius
is reminded, in forcible terms,
of his extortions and oppressions
in Achaia, for which
he

had

been

formerlyimpeached. The election of

both, is characterised by the expressive
metaphor of
unsheathed
the safetyof
two daggers
at once
against
*
the commonwealth.
In this image there was
more
truth than either the orator or his auditorymight at
the time imagine. The famous plotlaid by Catiline
the existing
constitution and the lives of its
against
fast maturing,
principal
supporters,was, in fact,now
and although
beenusedto
strictprecautionshad
prevent
its
of
not so closely
was
existence,
kept
any suspicion

secret,but that
had

become

throughthe
Curius,one

engaged in

faint intimations

some

generalconversation

of

matter

of

means

of the most

of its character
;

chiefly

mistress of Quintus
rash and heedless of the parties

Fulvia,the

it ;

who, although she suppressedthe

of her authorities,
made
no
tioning
names
scrupleof menthe general
she had heard to
tenour of what
her acquaintancet.
In consequence of the undefined fear which, by this
was
spreadamong the nobility,
means,
(who, aware
of some
secret dangerto themselves, although
norant
igof its extent and the quarter from which
it
in their desire to place a
might be expected,forgot,
trustworthyperson at the helm of government,
the
obscure
comparatively
originof Cicero,)his
*Oratio

in

Toga Candida

"

sub

Sallust. Bell.
fin. -f-

Cat. cap. xxiii.

LIFE

THE

election

the

of all classes and

tells us,

he

as

which

73

CICERO.

triumphantlycarried,amidst

was

Antonius

OF

an
appointed his colleague,

was

missed

Catiline

by

the

votes

of

but

clamations,
ac-

order*.
honour
a

few

sustained a
plansof the conspirators
which
serious check
by the result of this election,
they had confidentlyreckoned,by the influence of
Marcus
Crassus and Julius Caesar,who
were
equally
pointment
opposed to Cicero, would end in his utter disapThe

centuries.

minutest

Although the
with

its progress
matter of common

and

circumstances

termination

it may
history,

have
seem

not

connected

long been

irrelevant,

connected
intimately
with
it, to enter at this opportunitysomewhat
has
of the plotwhich
at lengthinto the objects
more
in character
been alluded to :
a design
so infamous
in its proposed
rash in conduct
and so desperate
so
the scepas mighthave
results,
provoked and justified
ticism
had not every essenof succeeding
tial
generations,
point been confirmed by the united testimonyof
two
writers,attached duringtheir lives to directly
tion
actor in itsdeteca principal
opposite
parties
; the first,
and punishment ; the other,an eye-witness
of the
for
have possessed
event, who would
ample means
successfully
impeaching the veracityof his political
and would
opponent, had it failed in any particular,
have been but too happy to do so, if he had been furnished
with the opportunity.
The miseries suffered by the peopleof Italyduring
Marius
and Sylla,were
the contests between
by no
the only evils engendered
means
by those times of
ship
terror and commotion.
During the vigorousdictatorin

life of

whose

one

name

is

"

"

"

of

the

policy,which

latter,his
suffered

no

firm

and

uncompromising

violence to exist but such

as

interest,kept the fiery

directly
promoted his own
by whose assistance he had mounted to abspirits,

74

THE

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

solute and

dominion, in some
irresponsible
degreeof
subjection.But at his death,vast numbers of those
who
had
composed the strengthof his armies were
left without
tion.
distincor
hope of further emolument
Most among
them
having learned to acquire
in the cama taste for Eastern
paigns
luxury and profusion
againstMithridates,had afterwards found
for gratifying
it at the expense of their
ample means
countrymen. The wealth which
by their violence,however, was
by their extravagance; and with

had

been

obtained

exhausted
speedily
to
every propensity
vicious indulgence
unabated
by their want of suf-ficient resources
for satisfying
it, they gloomily
watched
for the appearance
of a leader
possessed
like that of their old commander, or
of a spirit
favourable
a
opportunityfor renewing the civil
discords
which
had
to
formerly issued so much
their benefit. By a policy,
of exceedingly
moreover,
far as the interests of the
so
utility,
questionable
state were
no
concerned, although,
doubt, prompted
of his own
by the soundest appreciation
advantage
instead of beingsuffered
the part of the dictator,
on
when
their services were
to disperse,
quired,
no
longerreand
of their lawless habits by
to lose some
contact with persons actively
engagedin the peaceful
of civil life,
they had been distributed in
occupations
of military
colonies,in
largebodies,under the name
different partsof Italy
theyhad full opportunity
; where
of comparing among
themselves,their present
and
condition of inactivity
comparativeprivation,
and
the stirring
dissolute life they had forwith
merly
each other's resolutions
led,and of strengthening
to seize the earliest opportunityof starting
on
Nor were
of outrage and spoliation.
a fresh career
the brooding
pest
temthese the only elements of which
of Rome,
was
composed. Many of the nobility
inured under Syllato every kind of excess, and accus-

76

THE

LIFE

the feverish excitement

OP

CICERO.

by the meditation of
crimes yet to come.
stroke be added
Nor can a single
to that impressivedelineation,
which
all are
with
of a disposition
at once
subtle,versatile,
acquainted,
and daring
the proin acquiring
; of a covetousness
perty
of others,
and
the
travagance
profusion exonlyequalled
by
of its
which marked
waste
the thoughtless
ambition vast and unbounded,
own
possessions
; of an
without the restraint of a single
virtue to preclude
its exercise,
of the slightest
or
prudenceto prevent
its open display;and, lastly,
of an
eloquenceperfectly
seduce
and
united
to
to
mislead,
adapted
bodily
capableof incredible exertion,and a patience
powers
of fatigue,
such should
when
want, and privations,
be rendered
all the
as
necessary, as extraordinary
caused

other features in the character

of itslawless possessor.

Without

attemptingto enlargeupon a picturenot

it may
equalledby historians or biographers,

often

be remarked

that

Catiline

descended

was

from

familyoften distinguished
by civic honours, and
one

of the noblest

in

His

Rome.

initiation into the vices for which

he

was

sidered
con-

earliest

afterwards

ing
duringthe convulsions attendthe elevation of Syllato the dictatorship,
in whoso
he distinguished
himself as a. violent and recause
morseless
partisan.The first crime laid to his charge

notorious,was

is the

effected

he
brother,whose name
afterwards
persuadedSyllato insert in the list of the
proscribed. His sister's husband, a Roman
knight
attached
for his mild
to no
party, and remarkable
and

murder

amiable

at
fallen,

the

of Marcus

of his

own

is also recorded
as
disposition,
having
his
His
hand.
ation
assassinsame
time, by
Marius

Gratidianus,a

most

estimable

nearlyrelated to the famous chief Caius

marked
of singular
Marius, was
by circumstances
horror and impiety.This unfortunate Roman
having
been placedin the proscribed
list by Sylla,
Catiline
person,

and

THE

undertook

LIFE

performthe
havingentered
to

OF

77

CICERO.

task of his execution.

the house of his

cordingly,
Ac-

victim,and
of insult,
he

exercised upon him the utmost

inventions
at lengthfinished his sufferings
off his
by striking
with blood,through
head; which he carried,
streaming
the public streets to the tribunal of Sylla in the
Forum, coollyproceeding
afterwards,to the disgust
and indignation
of all present,to wash his hands in
the lustra! water which
stood before the temple of

Apolloin

the

neighbourhood.An

incredible enormitysucceeded.

On

action of almost
the death

of his

wife,havingformed an attachment to Aurelia Oresof great beauty,but infamous for her

a woman
tilla,
that strong objections
conduct, and finding
were
made
with him, on the ground
by her to a marriage
that she was
in fear of being obnoxious
to his son,
who had nearlyreached the age of manhood, he is
said summarilyto have removed
this obstacle to his
nuptialsby poison. His conduct, while praetorin
Africa,has been alreadynoticed as havingsubjected
him to a prosecution
his return to Rome, in consequence
on
of which

he

was

obligedto

withdraw

from

this time
From
for the year.
commenced
that studious course

the list of candidates

lie appears

to have

branches
of the Roman
the younger
corrupting
rounded
by pursuingwhich he was
speedilysurnobility,
whose daring,under
by a band of followers,
rendered
his instructions,
was
soon
equal to their
of
licentiousness.
The effeminate dress and bearing
these wretched profligates
has been well described by
midable
far from beingthe least forCicero,but they were
of

of the

enemies

he had to encounter.

features, though carefullyadorned

with

Their

paint
of elegantinanity,
and composed to an expression
darkened
not unfrequently
were
by the scowl of the
in
assassin;and their longflowingvests, reaching,
defiance of prescribedcustom, to their wrists and
which
the dagger,
concealed not unfrequently
ancles,

78

LIFE

THE

CICERO.

OP

used on the slightest

promptly and unsparingly
was
provocation.In addition to these, whoever
of graenslaved
by vices which he had no means
tifying,
rendered
or
desperateby the consequences
of former
were
hensive
appreextravagance; those who
who
of punishment for past offences,
or

was

wished

commit

to

any such
the ambitious and the

in future without

them

with
dread,together
discontented of all classes,
found
of

cause

adviser and

friend.

To

the

in Catiline

ready

self,
lent him-

he

sensual

; for
readyinstrument in their excesses
necessitous he procuredmoney,
the forbearance
or

the

desirous

of

as

their

creditors;towards

publichonours he
influence,neither
while

such

were

as

promised all
of

to all he held out

which
the

was

his

of
and

interest

inconsiderable

prospectof

act
general

of the richest citizens,

a
insolvency,
proscription
and the speedydiversion of every office of trust and
as
emolument, which he represented
monopolisedby
to the service
a haughtyand
tyrannical
aristocracy,
and exaltation of his own
personaladherents.
The
of the
not one
conspiracyof Catiline was
people,since we find that the lower orders of Rome
but
not only panic-struck
at its disclosure,
were
enthusiastic in their gratitude,
when
the danger it
of

seemed

to

threaten

was

averted. Neither

it

was

one

these were, to a greatextent,the

It appears
victims marked
out by it for destruction.
to have
to have recognised
nor
no
great principle,
of the

as
nobility,

contemplatedany single
objectbeyond the satisfying
and the transfer
of the passionsof the moment,
of power to the hands
used it,to the utmost

plunder,and
had

of

extent, simplyas

for the

summary
hitherto stood in the way

From

such trivial incentives

most

tremendous

entered upon,

in

would

faction who

was

have

means

removal

of those who

of their

it.
possessing

of
revolution,

kind, deliberately
planned
a

city,where

of

the

the
and

of
longfamiliarity

LIFE

THE

its inhabitants with

discord

be

all the different

alone account for the

and its effects.
the cause

were

carried

the

means

into

79

CICERO.

can

between
as

OP

Dark

it

by.which

execution,it

shapesof internal
apparent disparity
and revolting

proposedto

was

numbered

its
among
of the state.

promoters several of the noblest names

with perhaps some
reasonable
Suspicion,
the time, ventured
those
to point out
Crassus
the

and

Julius Ctesar.

of Marcus

of Cains Antonius,
of his nephew,
as

That
well

of Cicero,as
colleague

ground at

more
triumvir,was
openly added.
however
From
what we
know
of all four,the charge,
incredible.
does not appear by any means
serious,
The connivance of Crassus has been accounted for by
his jealousy
honours lately
of the extraordinary
conferred
making
upon Pompey, and his hope of easily

afterwards

the

himself the chief person in the state, in the absence

of his rival,if the designsof Catiline succeeded*.
But

like
although,

those

with

mentioned

him,

as

he might have
nobility,
excited
or
encouragedthe conspirators,
secretly
it is certain that he was
too cautious to implicate
himself in the consequences
of their failure,
by
such a close connexion
with them
as
might place
him
in the position
of a direct accomplice. Those
of senatorial rank, who
were
preventedby no
well

others

as

among

the

themselves
distinguishing

such fears from

active

as

in addition to Catiline,
plot,were,
who
Publius Lentulus,surnamed
Sura, a patrician,
had formerlyheld the office of consul t, but having
been expelled
from the senate on
count
acby the censors
of his infamous
character,was
endeavouring
of
his former station by the usual course
to regain

leaders

in

the

Sallust. Bell. Cat. cap. xxvii.

with
In conjunction
Cneius Aufidius

Lentulus

was

AntoniuR,

surnamed

the first cause

educated

at this time married

to

Orestes, A.
Julia,the widow

Cretensis,and mother

of the

hatred of the

of his
in the politics

of Mark

who
latter,

of

Antony.

had

towards
step-father,

c.

u.

been

Cicero.

683.

Marcus
Hence

carefully

80

THE

LIFE

actually
praetorwhen the
Autronius,who had
; Publius
in the quasstorship
of Cicero
;
colleague

publichonours,and
broke out
conspiracy
been

the

Cassius

CICERO.

OF

was

who
Longinus,

has been before

named

as

an

consulship
; Caius
Cethegusand Servius Cornelius Sylla,both members
of the noble house of the Cornelii;Lucius VargunPortius
teius,Marcus
Lseca, Lucius Bestia, and
The
QuiritusCurius.
equestrianorder was
sented
repreMarcus
Fulvius
Lucius
Statilius,
Nobilior,
by
Publius
Gabinius
Capito, and Caius Cornelius.
Besides those whose
exertions were
fined
conprincipally
several persons occupyinghigh
to the capital,
stations in the colonies and municipaltowns, were
of the confederacy.
engagedto advance the cause
Cneius Piso,who had been engagedin the designof
candidate

unsuccessful

for

the consuls
assassinating
have

been

one

he not been
to

remove

so

of the

of its most

former

serviceable

by
despatched
mischievous

the

year, would
members, had

the senate,in their desire

citizen to a distance,
into

for his countrymen, he was

Spain; where, fortunately
escort of the natives
set upon and slain by an armed
in consequence
he had entrusted himself,
of
to which
his cruelty
and extortion*.
The

first convention

of this audacious

the
to Sallust,
on
place,
according
in the year of the citysix hundred

band

took

calends of
and

Junet,
ninety,while

Caesar and

and consequently
were
Figulus
yet consuls,
before the comitia or popularassemblies had been held
the publicofficers of the ensuing
for creating
yearj.
held in a private
The meeting
was
apartment of the
"

Sallust. Bell. Cat. cap. xix. This historian,

however, mentions
assassinated
iu
had
been
the
of
he
that,
by the orders
opinion some,
of

Pompey.

to
proclaimor
f The Calends, from an old word, signifying
in
ancient
of
their
from
circumstance
the
times,publicly
call,
being,
the
it
is
well known,
announced
the
t
o
as
people,
by
were,
priests
the first day of the month.
invariably
$ Among the Romans, the great officersof the state were often

THE

LIFE

OF

81

CICERO.

liberatio
whose
Catiline,
speechon openingtheir defictitious like
althoughin all probability
has
of those recorded by the ancient historians,
most
We
been given
at lengthby the writer cited above.
gation
that the obliinformed
are
authority,
by the same
to secrecy,
impressedupon all present by
said to have been renthe most
solemn oaths, was
dered
stillmore
by the horrible ceremony of
binding
handing round a gobletof human, blood,which the
assembly tasted in succession*. Dio Cassius, an

house of

historian of less

weight,has

even

so

gone

far

to

as

sion,
boy upon the occaand after the oath of mutual fidelity
had been repeated
by the confederates over his entrails,
actually
with his companions
t.
partookof them, in conjunction

affirm,that Catiline

sacrificed

The

designof his first council was to inflame the

of the unbounde*
conspirators
by a representation
wealth and luxuryenjoyedby one part of the community,
while others were
all the extremities
suffering
of want, and to represent
the condition to which they
had reduced themselves as one
of miserable slavery,
while that which theyhoped speedily
to realise was
He
of freedom.
disguisedby the speciousname
chosen

months

enteringupon the exercise of

actually
their several duties.
This regulation
was
adopted in order that
ample time might be given for inquiringwhether they had been
elected without the employment of undue
whether all
influence,
the legal
forms had been observed,or, lastly,
whether their return
had
sanctioned
been
were
by the auspices which
carefully
taken

some

at

the

unfavourable

before

time,
omen,

in which

and

the

or

the

of

occurrence

false report of

one

on

the

single

part

of

the augurs,
employed against a
(a stratagem not unfreqtiently
candidate not in the favour of the nobility,)
sufficient to
was
render the whole

the March
but

in

later

performed on the first

the precedingyear.
*

held

in which

times, when
of

In

void.

ceremony
republicthe comitia were

in

the

the

the consuls
the

ceremony

Dio.
-fG

periodsof

the-

January or February preceding

entered

January, late

Sallust. Catilina,
xxii.

earlier

of their
in the

their

office,
inaugurationwas

upon

July or August

xxxvii. 30.

of

82

THE

then

LIFE

OP

facilities afforded

the

enlarged
upon

CICERO.

by

the

present juncturefor a bold attempt againstthe

that multitudes
existinggovernment, representing
and only waiting
dissatisfied with their condition,
were
for

an

his friends
another
the

in

Roman

for altering
it ;
opportunity
at the head

was

an

while

Mauritania;
forces

of

absent

was

that

army in
the main

with

one

of

Spain,and

of
strength
Pompey, on an

and
doubtful
issue.
expeditionof great difficulty
He
exhorted them
all their influence
to use
finally
for

his
securing
as

return

consul

as

the first and

in the

tion,
ensuingelecimportantstep towards

most

their success, after which

it would
be easy to debate
the means
of turningthe advantagethey had
upon
the grand
gainedto the best account in forwarding
designof the conspiracy.
But

when

nating
comitia,instead of termi-

the consular

in the advancement
he

had

chief

had
contemplated,

a
magistrate
totally
opposed to
beingbrought over

or

of Catiline to the honour

man

his
to

elevated

whom

he

to

the

well knew

post

of

to be

and
principles,
his

incapableof
designeither by bribery

he began,under the influence of disappointme

intimidation,
for
to make
at his repulse,
preparations

which
he had reserved
as his last
general
rising,
in case
the renewed attempt which
he intended
expedient,
for the consulate in the following
to make
year
the

With
this
should,like the first,
prove unsuccessful.
and money,
view he began to send arms
procured
either by his own
credit or that of his friends,
to
fixed upon as
several towns
of Italywhich he had
the focal pointsof the insurrection ; and more
cially
espeto Fcesulse in Etruria,where Manlius, once
an
officer in the army
of Sylla,and one
of his most
was
alreadyexcitingand organtrusty associates,
ising
extensive
revolt
the
an
common
people.
among
He, at the same
time,redoubled his efforts to add to

84

LIFE

THE

tion and
way

it was,

but
expression,

answeringdirect

of

could

evidence.

since
originality,

merit of

in the life of

a singular
least,
The idea,moreover,

at the

entitled

even

it is to be found

in

considered

be

not

CICERO.

OF

known

Demosthenes,well

the

to
a

passage
sical
clas-

to every

reader.

CHAPTER
Consulate

of Cicero

Appeases

the

"

scriptorumLiberia
The

Senate

Decree

De

Pro-

"

to assassinate Cicero

Attempt
Temple of JupiterStator, and
departsin

(Jatilinarian Oration

"

"

in consequence

who
againstCatiline,

"

theatrical Law

His Oration

"

Rullus

"

assembled

"

the

of the

consequence

Rabirius

of

AgrarianLaw

Progressof the Catilinaiian Conspiracy

by Cicero to debate upon the subject
The ConspiratorManlius sets out for

"

Faesulac
at

in

Defends

"

the

opposes

Tumults,

Otho

of Roscius

He

"

IV.

The

"

He assembles the Senate

"

delivers bis
from

consequence

Praetor Lentulus

first Oration

Rome

carries

on

"

Second
the Conspiracy

of Licinius
capital Cicero undertakes
of
the
Cato
Conference
t
o
opposition
Conspirators
"with the Ambassadors
of the Allobroges,
who divulgethe Plot
Arrest of Lentulus and his Companions
Meetingof the Senate in
Third Catilinariau Oration
Debate rethe Temple of Concord
specting
the punishment of the Conspirators
of
Caesar
Speeches
in

the

the Cause

"

in

Mnraena

"

"

"

"

"

"

and

Cato

Fourth

Catilinarian Oration

Execution

of

Lentulus,
Gabinius
and
Honours
conferred
Statilius,
Cceparius
Cethegns,
His Vanity Campaign agaiust Catiline,
is
who
upon Cicero
"

"

"

"

"

defeated and slain

THE
senate

words

at

the Battle of Pistoria.

addressed

by

house to the tribunes

the

consul

new

of the

in

people,after

the
he

performed the customary inauguralrites in the

contained no
temple of JupiterCapitolinus,
geration
exaghis office was
of the difficultiesby which
had

surrounded.

"

You

have

delivered

State

into my

remarked, disquietedby suspicions,

the influence of doubts and
under
fears,
vacillating
and
violently
agitatedby your seditious laws
have
and
inspiredthe worthless
; you
harangues
dread ; while
with hope, and
the excellent with
the Forum,
have removed
all confidence from
you
hands,"

he

"

THE

LIFE

OP

85

CICERO.

This
dignityfrom the Government."*
drawn, not in
unpromisingpictureof affairs was
which was
of the more
secret conspiracy
consequence
the influence
the state,but under
against
meditating
law of the
excited by the Agrarian
of the indignation
tribune Rullus,which Cicero was
strenuously
obliged

and

all

and
the very threshold of his consulate,
if carried,
might have sparedCatiline and his

to combat

which,

on

at
accomplices

attempt to
The

least

part of

some

the constitution

subvert

law to which

allusion

was

of their

labour

the

open force.
made
in such unfavourable

by

it emfrom the subjects

braced,
terms, although,
entitled to be
a

"

generalname
the wise and

from

classed

with

those

called

by

was
Agrarian,''
very different
acts formerlyproposed
equitable

by the Gracchi and others,the true character of

of Niebuhr
enabled by the genius
which, we are now
cording
better than formerly. Acto comprehend somewhat
of Rullus,ten commissioners
to the proposed statute
to be
to be chosen by seventeen tribes,
were
with unlimited
selected by lot out of the thirty-five,
powers

with

for the execution of the commission

which

chargedduringthe next five years.

reign
These were
empowered to sell all the territories in focountries which, subsequently
to the consulate of
Cor. Syllaand Q. Pompeius Rufust had, by conquest
they were

to

be

of Rome, as
been added to the dominions
otherwise,
well as a greatpart of the lands belonging
to the state
in Italy; to determine what should be considered public
the empire,
and what private
propertythroughout
and to convert one into the other,
as should
seem
ent
expediall the lands held
; to placea heavy tax;};
upon
and to lease out at their pleatributaries,
sure,
by Roman
all the
in the districtswhere theywere
situated,

or

derivable

revenues
*

De

from

Lege Agraria,i. cap.

J

De

such
8.

sources

althoughthis

")-A.

i. cap. 4.
Lege Agraria,

u.

c.

665.

86

THE

the

by
invariably
performed

had hitherto been

ceremony

in

censors

the

Forum,

assembled

people*.

which

to be

was

CICERO.

OF

LIFE

the

thus raised,
money
all the propertylately

the

With

increased

sightof

in full

and

by

in the army, (Pomofficersserving

gainedby general
whether reckoned under the
pey alone being
excep ted,)
donations
head
of presents from
the provincials,
from the state, or the ordinary
of wart, and
spoils
not yet expended on
or placedat
publicbuildings,
the service of the commonwealth, it was
proposedto
purchasecertain districtsin Italyto be divided among
the people,who
to be conducted
as colonists
were
into such placesas the decemvirs
should afterwards
it being
think fit ; Capua and the country around
tion
especially
pointedout as a suitable spot for the locaof five thousand
ten

acres

estates

assignedto
Marius
and

and

The

at

the time.

benefit
especial

the

This addition

of those who

had

which

held

who
parties

made

was

for the

become

purchasers
proscriptions,
Sylla's

property of the victims to

which that tyrant had ordered to
of the
and

each to receive

last clause

to belongto
inalienably

them

were

that all
directed,
publiclygranted,sold, or
possessions
since the consulshipof
any
persons
Carbo, should be considered rightfully

of land.
and

who
citizens,

be

put

up

to

sale,

been obtained at low

consequently
the only persons likely
to bid
pricesby his adherents,
for it. The titlesof these were
now
every day liable
had

since the Marian

faction was
question,
to rise into repute,and it was,
once
more
beginning
of enlisting
with no illfounded expectation
therefore,
that Rul
his side of the question,
their interests on
lus had introduced the recognition
of their claims into
to be called in

his act.
*

De

ii.cap.
Lege Agraria,

"j*
Auruin, argentum,
quoscumque

ex

2)

prseda,ex

"c. Ibid. xxii.

pervenit,

mnnubiis,ex

ad
coronario,

THE

The

LIFE

orations delivered

by

87

CICERO.

OP

Cicero

the

on

Agrarian

law

four in number.
to have been
appear
first of these is imperfect
and
; the second

are

yet entire ; but

In

haranguingthe

The
third

completelyperished.
on
occasion,he no
doubt found an audience,
for the most part,perfectly
to assent to the truth of his arguments; but
disposed
his address to the peoplein the Forum, upon the same
skill and
have
must
subject,
requiredthe utmost

ingenuityto

the fourth has

Senate

patienthearingfrom the
been
dazzled by the specious

ensure

multitude,who had
promisesof Rullus,and
conferred upon
Both are

the

apparent benefits to be
themselves by his proposedregulations.
in
in the highest
exhibited,
degree,
the

the

address which
down
has come
to us as that by
which he defeated the designs
of the ambitious tribune,

who

was,

than

dictatorial power

might

little less
unquestionably,
contemplating

be

associated

and

for himself
with

him

those who

his

in

efforts to

obtain it,in the character of Agrariandecemvirs.

The introductory
turns
sentences,in which the orator rethanks to the

honour
peoplefor the distinguished
him to an
they had conferred upon him, in electing
office in which
the nobility
had,for the most part,
sion
hitherto proudly
entrenched themselves,*
to the excluof those of. inferior birth,
the
notwithstanding
absence

of any

claims

of his

own

on

the

score

of

elegant.He is
careful not to offend the prejudices
of his
especially
hearers by any expressions
directed
of disrespect
and speaksin terms
against
Agrarianlaws in general,
chus,
of profoundveneration of Tiberius and Cains Gracwhom
he terms renowned
and devoted patriots.
he
After thus soothing
his auditory
into attention,
are
ancestry,

in

attacks
law
*

of

modest
inimitably

succession

Rullus,which

Locum

quern

he

nobilitas

obviillatumtenebat," DC

the

and

various

clauses in the

triumphantly
proves

to be

prsesidiis
firmatum,atque oirmi ratione

ii.cap. J,
LegeAgraria,

88

THE

OP

LIFE

CICEftO.

and ill defined ; calculated to

arbitrary,
capricious,
confer unbounded
authority
upon a few individuals,
but in the highest
degreedangerousto the state,
and

detrimental

Above

best interests of its citizens.

to the

all,he attempts to

excite their fears of the

by so formidable an
addition to its inhabitants ; and points
to the insecure
tenure on which all propertymust be held,if subjected
of a board of rapacious
to the disposition
entirely
of Capua, if
rivalry

commissioners

threaten Rome
vested

as

increased

well

when

in him

as

to the

Rullus,by

dangerwhich

must

rity
virtue of the autho-

law, might at any

by his own
the
pleasehim, seize and fortify

time,if it should so
Janiculum
whence
to exercise
as
a post from
itself,
which
the city,
at pleasurehis power
over
would,
The result
by such a step,be placedat his mercy.
he was
of these arguments, in proposingwhich
and supportedby the majorityof the
surrounded
of
Senate,was such as indicated a due appreciation
but of
their force,
not onlyon the partof the assembly,
Rullus himself

since the tribune

was

unable to make

at the time,and, after a few attemptsto

any answer
made
weaken
the impression
by the eloquenceof

his disinterestedness,
insinuations against
by private
which were
also neutralised by two brief and
draw
consented at length
to withorations,
supplementary

Cicero

his mischievous
Another

instance

statute.

of

the

power

had
established character and reputation
him

to exercise

was

shown

the

over

the

passionsof

his

which
now

the

long

enabled

multitude,

the occasion of the tumults raised by

The people,
theatrical law of Roscius Otho.
on

made by this bill between

at the separation
indignant
order at the exhibition
themselves and the equestrian
of dramatic
its author

the appearance of
received him with
publicspectacle,

entertainments,
had,on
at

mingledwith loud and general

groans and hisses,
the contrary,who reexecrations. The knights,
on

THE

gavdcd him

89

CICERO.

were
lightof their benefactor,
and
their expressions
of applause,
would
have probablyterminated

in the
in

equallyforward
the

OF

LIFE

generaluproar

in open violence and bloodshed,had not the consul

ance,
made
his appearance
at the very crisis of the disturband
him
a

desired

infuriated

the

multitude

to follow

templeof Bellona,where he pronounced

able discourse,
commentingin severe terms

into the

longand
their

upon

indications

the barbarous
want

them
for
reproaching
they had given of their
first actor of his day,the

turbulence,and

of all taste,when

the

Roscius,was

unable

famous

which

heard, in

quence
conse-

ter
the charac-

to have been one of

oration,it seems
cannot be sufficiently
regretted*.Its
peoplewas such,that their inclination

this

the loss

effect upon

be

dissensions. From

of their absurd

givenof

to

the

but
the exhibition was
not onlyquelled,
interrupt
that
of so opposite
succeeded by a feeling
a character,
on
returningwith the consul to the theatre,they
that
to acquiescefrom
displayedtheir willingness
time in the law of Otho, by vying with the knights
in
their testimonies
of approbation.
themselves
ant,
importAlthough there may have been many more

to

there is
of

no

instance
singular

more

record

eloquenceupon

than

of the power
this, on which the

fond of commenting,
of Cicero
as
are
biographers
scriptiv
to Virgilthe beautiful lines,dehavingsuggested
in
and its results,
of such an
interposition
the openingpart of the first book of the ./Eneid.
to his own
His next consular oration,according
was
enunlerationt,

who

accused of the murder

was

ninus,anevent
six years
*

torum

which

before.

singlepassage

-f-Ad

that in defence of Gains

of the tribune

Satur-

than thirtyhappenedmore
Saturninus,having himself been
had

is all that remains.

Attic, lib. ii. ep. 1.

liberis.

Rabirius,

"

Dr. Middleton

quarta pro Rabirio,quintade

has reversed the order.

proscrip-

90

THE

instrumental

who,
way

LIFE

CICERO.

in the assassination of Caius

competitorfor

as

OP

of the election of

the

consulate,stood in the
Glaucias,one of his friends,

forced with several of his adherents

was

in the

Capitol,where

Memmius,

he

to take

refuge

besiegedby Caius
extremity,from the

was

Marius, and

beingreduced to
of water, was
want
titude,
obligedto surrender. The mullittleregarding
the conditions on which he had
givenhimself up to Marius, broke into the building
in which

he

and put him

to death,
confined,
with Glaucias,
and Labienus,another of his
together
hand, but it
party. Saturninus fell by an unknown
was
said,that Rabirius had openly carried his head
about the streets of Rome, and exhibited this revolting
of his party at different
trophyof the success
was

privateentertainments.
number

the
Notwithstanding

of years which had elapsed

since the transaction,
Rabirius
cited in his old age by
was
now

Titus Labienus, the nephew of the individual of the

with ninus,
who had fallen in company
Satursame
name,
to

for

answer

crime

in
inexpiable

the eyes of
the assassination of

majorityof his countrymen;

while yet invested with the sacred dignity
a tribune,
of his office. The two judges
appointed
by the prtetor,
the

"

althoughthe
people,were
enemies

choice
Julius

of the

should
and

have

Lucius

accused,and

the

been

left to

the

Caesar,both bitter
former,a short time

instrumental
in exciting
Labienus
to
before,actively
take upon
himself the prosecution.Before such a
could
be
attended
but
with
tribunal,the cause
quence
result. Rabirius,
one
althoughaided by all the eloof Hortensius,who
appearedas his advocate,
was
condemned, but the
eagerlyand precipitately
ulterior resource
still remained
of an
appealto the
people. This he without hesitation adopted; yet,
so

successful

were

to inflame the

the

means

publicmind

which

had

been

him, and
against

taken
so

vio-

92

fHE

CICERO.

OF

LIFE

his safety. For this purpose

attemptagainst
convened
to deliberate
more
once
people were
and on the day apthe conduct
of Rabirius,
pointed
into
Cicero descended in state
for the trial,

serious
the
upon
the

Forum

defence

tribunitial

hand

it must

as

able

been

not

to
office,

of

to

half

by

by the
supposed
peroration,

further

time, although

of his

hour, yet, comparatively

have been, it has
means

an

this

escape

The

accused *.

the

for

by Labienus, in virtue

limited

was

reduced

advocate

as

the

curtailments

has been againrestored

to have perished,
lately
to light
by the researches of modern industry. The
nevertheless
which
was
ostensiblyprivate,
cause,
and Cicero seems
embraced
a
great publicquestion,
with its importance,
not
to have been duly impressed
only by the expressionof his convictions to that
in the introductory
but by copying,
effect,
part of his
of the Crown
the majestic
of the exordium
style
speech,
until

Oration

of

Demosthenes,

imitation

an

which

pro-

generallysupposed, that
the defence of Rabirius
was
pronounced on the occasion of his
the capitalcharge of
to
appearingbefore the public in answer
But
Labienus.
Niebuhr, by whose exertions the concludingpart
of the oration,
togetherwith an additional fragment of the speech
*

Until within the last few

has been

for Fonteius
in

was

of
authority

tends,
writingsof Cicero, condelivered
Dio, that it was

of the process called

Iris client the consequences
Multae irrogatio,"
by which Labienus,being baffled in the cution
proseof
directed
life
his
the
which endangered
Rabiiius,
attempt
off from

to ward
"

the

it

to the extant

added

oppositionto

years

againsthis estates;

since it was

forbidden

by
jurisprudence assail,

of Roman

to

and

the

person of any

the

by

fundamental

principle
proceedings,the property

same

individual.

The

learned

author and

opinion cites,from an ancient commentary

upon
Clodius
and
the
of
Claudius
Cicero's oration against
P.
case
Curio,
fleet off
after
the
of
the
Roman
loss
i
nstance,
as
who,
a
parallel
impeachedbefore the peopleby the tribunes
Drepanum, was capitally
Villius and Fundanius, and the trial beinginterruptedby a sud len
"and heavily
to the "Multse
irrogatio,"
storm, was afterwards subjected
supporter of

fined

in

Fouteio

this

consequence.

"

et pro C. Rabirio

See

"M.

T. Ciceronis

Fragmenta,""c.

"

Orationum

Romae, 1820.

pro M.

THE

LIFE

OP

93

CICERO.

of the

could alone have justified.

moment
highest
In the defence pronounced in his behalf,which
is
principally
employedin a consideration of the murder
cess

Saturninus,Rabirius is clearlyvindicated both

of the Senate, and the
by the orders and authority
example of others, far above him in rank, whose
of

conduct

had

been

for a moment
or
arraigned
threatened by the shadow
of an impeachment; and
it appears likely,
althoughbut a partiallightis shed
by historyupon the subject,that owing to the
of his advocate,he was
successful
as
representations
in evading
the second impeachmentof Labienus, as he
had been in escaping
the consequences
of the capital
him by the tribune.
broughtagainst
chargepreviously
The

never

defence

of Rabirius

succeeded

by the
the
concerning

was

oration to the

known
that
as
people,
children of the proscribed."This was
characterised
by a subservience to the law of expediencyrather than
of justice.By one of the despotic
the
acts of Sylla,
tates
punishmentwhich he inflicted upon the lives and esof his

"

opponents was

extended

in

to the

measure

since their sons

clared
dewere
expressly
generation,
to be ineligible
the
to any publicoffice. Under
influence of Julius Cassar,who
had dared,by many
his respectfor the memory
to avow
of
publicactions,
next

Marius

and

his intentions

to elevate

his

party once

made

repeal
Cicero,however,
his authority
and his eloquenceagainst
interposed
the odium
he was
likelyto
any alteration ; softening
incur by acknowledging
the crueltyof the act of
time, arguingthat the safety
Sylla,biit,at the same
of the state would, under existing
be
circumstances,
hazard
exposed to imminent
by a change of the
more

to power,

this unjustand

that it

result.

It

attempt

vindictive

Of

law.
existing.
than

an

was

now

to

edict.

this oration

we

know

little more

was

spoken,and producedthe

was

not

until

later

intended

periodthat

the

THE

children
Marius

of those

CICERO.

OF

who

fallen in

had

restored

were

all the

to

consular

the attention

comitia

of all

were

of

cause

once
privileges

was

interest to their result.

The

again exertingthemselves
to

attempts

had
expectations

drawing on,

now

men

renewed

the

sessed
pos-

their fathers.

by
The

LIFE

directed

feverish

friends of Catiline
to

the

his

secure

with

and

were

in

their

election,but

their

utmost

been

recentlysomewhat
damped
by the loss of one of their principal
supporters.This
effected chiefly
was
by the policyof Cicero, who
had succeeded
in wholly withdrawingAntonius
from
their interests. In exercise of the Sempronian law,
the

Senate

the

two

had

fixed upon

consular

and

Gaul

and
provinces,

on

Macedonia

their

as

assignment

method, the fortune of the lot had given

the former
to Antonius, a result exceedingly
likely
of disaffection,
since it
to add
to his other causes
in every respect inferior to Macedonia.
But
was
in the firstinstance,
Cicero offering,
the
to relinquish
rich provinceassigned
to himself in his favour *, and
in an assembly of the people,
subsequently
declaring

by

and

the usual

their
notwithstanding

remonstrances

his
against
refusing
every

that he had determined

resolution,
upon
the
presentt, so won
foreignappointment for
upon
and
his colleague
his
by
generosity disinterestedness
that time he showed
that from
every disposition
with
his directions'^:
in accordance
to act entirely
Antonius, indeed,with a lucrative post in prospect,
to lend himself
was
no
as
formerly,
longerdisposed,
the existing
for disturbing
to projects
state of the
constitution.
A further attempt to impede the proceedings
all which
of the Catilinarian party, with
*

In L.

ii ; Sallust. Bell. Cat. cap. xxvi.

In Provincia
deponenda," mentioned

Pisonern,cap.

"fIn the oration

Cicero,Ad Attic, lib. ii. 1,
"

vestige.

-but

of

Plutarch, in Cic.

which

there

now

remains

by
no

THE

Cicero

was

well

he had

been

so

informant

LIFE

OF

95

CICERO.

acquaintedthrough Fulvia, whom

fortunate

in the

to

as

to

act

as

his

his
year* was
the penaltyof ten years,
alreadypassed against

earlypart

by an express law
procuring
exile to be added
to those

gainover
of the

for office.
canvassing
Checked
of bribery
by this obstacle in the course
the conspirators,
now
they were
openly pursuing,
emboldened
of their
by the presence of numbers
flocked into Rome
who
had
to lend
accomplices,
the

of undue

use

their

influence

to

support

in

Catiline,made

no

secret

of their

several
the consul,with
assassinating
others of his party,at the ensuingcomitia,which
for the twentieth day of
to have been appointed
seem
time their preparations
At the same
for a
October.
revolt throughout
Italywere
every hour becoming
of greater
a matter
notoriety.
In the dead of the nightpreceding
the day immediately
intention

of

before

that

three senators of
election,
Crassus,Marcus Marcellus,

of the

rank, Marcus
highest
and
Metellus
Scipio,presentedthemselves at the
house of Cicero,to whom, althoughhe had retired
immediate
admittance.
to rest,they requested
They
intimation
with
them
of
an
an
brought
anonymous
contained in a
of the nobility,
intended massacre

the

letter which

had

late in the

same

been

left at the residence of

by
evening,

which,after the nature

person

Crassus,
unknown, in

of the

threatening
dangerhad
been
earnestlyrequestedto
pointed out, he was
his safetyby immediate
ensure
flight.This mysteiious epistle
was
accompaniedby several others
directed to different senators,which Crassus,terrified
by the contents of that addressed to himself,had not
After
to open.
determined to convoke

ventured
was

and, in

the

presence
*

of

anxious

it
deliberation,
the senate the next day,
the assembly,to deliver the
an

Sallust. Bell. Cat. cap. xxvi.

96

LIFE

THE

letters
remaining
that their
The

resolve

the

senators,

which

to

OF

those

CICERO.

for whom

known.
purport mightbe generally

carried into

was

and
practice,

wholly ignorantof

they were

tended,
in-

they were

summoned,

had

the

been

as

soon

as

for
purpose
called
hastily

the consul commanded

the letters in question
together,
distributed according
to their
to be broughtin and
addresses.
It was
then found that each
respective
the
and as soon
of the plot,
account
as
gave the same
subjecthad been fairlybrought under discussion,
fresh evidence was
not wanting
to confirm the general
decreed
that
The
senate
suspicion.
accordingly
and that
the consular comitia should be postponed,
the following
day, on which it had been determined
that they should be held,should be devoted to the
of the alarminginformation
further investigation
To what extent they were
communicated
to them.
rection,
insurinformed of the particulars
of the contemplated
isuncereither at their firstor second meeting,
tain,
since,
importantpointsin regardto
upon many
have
different accounts
the Catilinarian conspiracy,
for the most part,
been left by authorities considered,
It is evident,
however, that enough
unquestionable.
all
revealed to spreada generalalarm
was
among
Catiline in a treasonable
present,and to implicate
His answer,
attempt of the most serious description.
founded

upon

his confidence

of success, when

rogated
inter-

*,was sufficiently
by Cicero upon the subject
A
of his fierce and insolent character.
expressive
threatened
few days before,
when
by Marcus Cato
with an impeachment,he had answered, that any
firekindled for the purpose of injuring
him, should be
ruin."
not by water, but by the general
extinguished,
He now
that the state was
composed
boldlyasserted,
the firstreduced to an extreme
of two distinct bodies,
which
and with
head
was
a
degreeof debility,
"

Pro

Mmaeua, cap. ii.

THE

LIFE

OF

97

CICERO.

equallyafflictedwith infirmity
; the second,fresh and
but as yet destitute of a head suitable to it.
vigorous,
The

he
latter,

further ventured

favours upon
many
should never
want
be
so

An

which

answer

of

it was

state,had conferred

the
him, that,from henceforth,
felt while

not

he

calculated

alive.

remained

much

partookso

was
defiance,

whom

to

of the character
leave

to

addressed

those to

in any doubt as to the

which it was
incumbent
upon them to pursue.
that decree
to
immediatelyhad recourse

simply worded
in the hands

course

They
which,

it was,
placeda terrible power
of the chief magistrates,
and was
never
as

passedbut on the eve of some

signalconvulsion,by
that the consuls should be desired
unanimouslyresolving,
take

to

injury*.

no

armies

By

and

of levying
edict,the liberty

carryingon war, and of Tisingany

which might appear fitting
to keep both the

citizens and the

of

this

received

and

methods
the

that the commonwealth

care

allies m

state

of subordination

to

and without
limitation
laws, was
unreservedly,
Thus armed
any kind,entrusted to their hands.

invested with
to

hold

protecthimself
his life,
he took

dictatorial

the consular

comitia.

the threatened

from
care

Cicero
authority,

to be surrounded

In

proceeded
order to

attempts upon
by a numerous

and

and adoptedthe precaution

well-appointed
guard,
of attending
the Campus Martins in a coat of mail,
which he did not neglect
in the eyes
to exhibit fully
of the people,by throwingback his robe when
he
the peril
addressed them ; thus signifying
to which he
the continuance of the public
was
exposedin ensuring
By the use of these and similar expe^
tranquillity.
a great
multitude,who had hitherto remained
dients,

neuter,
*

were

induced

to

give their

placesthe passingof
"c., somethinglater ; but there is
Sallust

the occasion

referred to above.
H

the
no

votes

decree, Darent
"

doubt

that

"t wag

against
operam,"
issued

on

98

THE

whose
Catiline,
at

was

Silanus and
The

LIFE

CICERO.

OP

third and

last

frustrated
length
Lucius

Licinius

attempt upon
by the election

the

sulate
con-

of Decius

Mursena.

driven to a state of anger

conspirators,
defeat they had
to frenzyby the signal

proachin
aptained,
sus-

beganto set themselves in earnest about

their final project
without
of an insurrection. Catiline,
any further delay,instructed his favourite adherent
now

Manlius,who
with

was

instructions

his arrival.

band,

was

then
to

Rome,

take

up

to return

arms

sent

into the

to

Faesulfe,

the instant of

on

another

Septimiusof Camerinum,

similar errand, and

himself

in

district of Picenum

Caius

Julius

of his
upon

into

Apulia. He
to conceal,
by

longerat any trouble

the slightest
his meditated attempt against
precaution,
in conthe life of the consul ; publicly
temptuous
displaying,
to the existing
law, the weapon
opposition
with which
he went
at all times providedfor the
that the danger,
Everythingannounced
purpose.
which
had been so longbrooding,
fast drawing
was
towards
its crisis. A
few days only had elapsed
when
Lucius Saenius produced letters in the senate,
the intelligence
that the revolt had openly
conveying
burst
that

was

out

no

under

musters

were

Manlius

in Etruria.

being made

Others

in various

affirmed

parts

of

and that a second Servile War

Italy,
mightforthwith
be expected,
since a rising
the
of the slaves was
on
point of takingplace at Capua and in Apulia. To
the reported demonstrations
in these several
meet
for
quarters,Quintus Marcius Rex, who, fortunately
the state, had just returned
his provinceof
from
and was
Cilicia,
lyingwith a small army before the
in expectation
of a triumph, was
gates of Rome
ordered to direct the march
of his troopsimmediately
was
Quintus Metellus, who
similar honour, as the reward
a
anticipating
late successes
in Crete,was
the pirates
against

upon

Fgesulse.

also
of his
sent in

100

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

and far lessdiverted from his purpose, by the tokens of

his presence no longer
distressaround him,now
thinking

summoned, on the eveningof the

city,
to
November, a meetingof the conspirators,

necessary in the
sixth of

receive his

Laeca.

directions
parting

On

distant

about

twenty

miles

secret

Praeneste,
a
Rome, but

himself of

possess

of Porcius

he had made

the firstof the month

attempt by night,to
town

the house

at

from

of the consul had found it so

owing to the activity
well guarded,that he was
to retire without
obliged
that in
his object. Convinced, therefore,
effecting
stillalive,he must
while Cicero was
Rome
quitting
leave

behind

him

formidable

most

and

efficient

plans,he assured his accomplices,

that he was
only deterred by the circumstance of his
having hitherto failed in all his attempts to destroy
the consul,from immediately
the standard of
joining
obstacle

to

his

the revolters in
to

cover

the

their

city.

Etruria, and

advancingfrom

insurrection
projected

Two

present, Caius

of

the

and

massacre

determined

most

and

thence
in

of those

L.

the
Vargunteius,
former
and the latter of the equestrian
senator
a
teered
volunat once
order,excited by this representation,
to

take

Cornelius

upon

themselves

the

office of

the

Cicero,and promised,under pretence

payingtheir respectsto him earlyon the following

assassination of
of

morning,to despatchhim
final preparations
then
were

in his
made

own

for

house.

The

carryingout
the details of the terrible plan on which
they had
The
determined.
now
city, it was
universally
resolved,should be fired in several placesat once,
that the murders
of those whom
they had selected
in the
for death might be the more
perpetrated,
easily
be expectedto follow.
confusion which might naturally
to different
Several districts were
apportioned
to the office of
and Cassius appointed
incendiaries,
off all who
them, as well as of cutting
superintending

LIFE

THE

OP

lOl

CICERO.

mightseem inclined to exert themselves in stopping

the conflagration.
The
execution
of the massacre,
which

to include every

was

of their

party,as well
by the
designated

were

the

exceptionof

reserved
their

the

father,was

Lentulus

of their

name

of

sons

Pompey,

the

entrusted

to

take

to

was

rank

all of whatever

as

for
hostages

as

of the Senate

member

future

not

who

enemies,with

intended

to

be

forbearance

of

Cethegus.The praetor
himself
the
general

upon
of affairs until the

arrival of Catiline.
management
After this arrangementthe assemblyseparated,
confident
that the next day would
be distinguished
by
the death of their most
dreaded opponent, and the
removal of the onlyimpediment,
of a serious character,
to the successful execution

of their

design.
The meetinghad no sooner
than Fulvia,
dispersed
ened
acquainted
by Curius with all that had passed,hasthim
of the
to the house of Cicero,to apprise
resolutions of the conspirators,
and the dangerto
himself which the following
morningwould infallibly
impressed
bringwith it. The consul was sufficiently
with the truth of her report,to take every possible
to

means

his

ensure

quicklyfilled

safety.

His

residence

was

with

guards,and providedwith the

of resisting
attack ; and his porter
means
a sudden
received instructions,
if Cornelius
and Vargunteius
demanded
admittance
to him, peremptorily
to refuse
it.
received

The
at

value

this

of

the

he

information

importantjuncture was

had

speedily

manifested.

the
AV^ith the first appearance
of dawn
assassins presented
themselves at his gate,fullyprepared
for their

interview with
of the

they

demanded
an
attempt, and urgently
him, on pretenceof havingintelligence

highestmoment

satisfied with

the

to

communicate

denial

which

;
was

nor

at

were
once

to the directions of Cicero,

givento them, according
but continued for a longtime to persist
in theirapplica-

102

THE

tion,and

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

without
repulsed
giving
finally
their anger
and
vent
to
disappointmentby the
most "violent and abusive
expressions.Apparently
this desperate
action had
the effect of convincing
Cicero that the circumstances
of his position
were
no
He immediately
longersuch as to be trifled with.
sent

not

were

to the Senate

summons

to meet

on

the following

day in the temple of JupiterStator ; a building

alreadyconsecrated to recollections of the deliverance
of the state at a crisis of imminent
and soon
to
peril,
acquire,by the deliberations about to take place
within it,an
additional claim to the respect of the
citizens on

similar

Although with

ground.

the usual sensitive

of
apprehension
that the assembly,
anticipated

guilthe might have

thus hurriedly
convened, had
consequence

of

some

further

Catiline,with
conspiracy,
which
him
distinguished

called

been

in
together
his
discovery
respecting
that audacious intrepidity
to the

last,ventured

to

present himself before the consul amidst the other

he himself gave out, openlyto
as
senators,intending,
vindicate himself

groundless
chargesand
he had lately
been the object.
of which
suspicions
He was
ing
not long,
a strikhowever, without receiving
testimonyof the estimation in which he was
had
beginningto be held. As if his very vicinity
shrank from
been pestilential,
allwhom
he encountered
the spot where
him in disgust,
and the benches near
he had seated himself,were
left vacant
speedily
by
After he had
had before occupiedthem.
those who
been thus separatedas a mark
for the eloquence
its thunders against
which was
him, Cicero,
gathering
amidst the profoundawe
and silence of his auditory,
that magnificent
commenced
oration,which may
in its expression
competition
yet proudlychallenge
of just and vehement
indignationits concentrated
of overwhelming
eviforce
its rapidaccumulation
from

the

"

"

THE

dence

"

and

of it so

LIFE

OF

103

CICERO.

its judicious
arrangement of every
as

to tell with

the most

ticle
par-

powerfuleffect.

The

exordium, startling,
yet majesticin the highest
the reader
for an
oratorical
sense, fully prepares
exertion of first-rate excellence,
and this expectation
is gratified
long before its close. To all present
acquaintedonly with the generalnature of the plot,
it must

have

had

the

effect of the

sudden

glareof

lightningwhich

rified
lightsup to the traveller,terand bewildered
darkness,the
by surrounding
full extent of the precipice
the verge of which
he
on
stands.
To the culprit
himself,exposingas it does
of his former
not
life,but the
only the excesses
minutest particulars
of his intended project
of revo*

lution

and bloodshed,narrated
circumstances

have

sounded

with
possessed

of time

with

all the

panying
accom-

and

place,it must
of a superior
as the denunciation
being,
of readinghis most
the power
secret

if his inmost
conscience had been
or
as
thoughts,
suddenly giftedwith a voice to plead,trumpetand in the face of all mankind, against
him.
tongued,
the eminently
It affords a striking
comment
upon
of the state at the time, as well as of
criticalposition
the extreme
jealousywith which the exercise of any
extraordinary
possessedby their magistrates
power
watched by the peopleof Rome, that the object
was
of this wonderful invective is not to ensure, as might
the instant seizure,
and punishbe expected,
trial,
ment
of the unmasked
conspirator,
(whom the orator
in
with consummate
describes as sitting
effrontery
the presence of authorities who
ought long ago to
and regardhave ordered him to be led to execution,
ing
murderous
with
he had
glancesthose whom
but simplyto induce him,
appointedto destruction,)
after the exposure
of his design,
the
to retire from
under
rections
his dicity,and join the rebels assembling
in Etruria.

This

is almost

the

sole drift

104

LIFE

THE

OP

CICERO.

profuse,
geniusand

unwearied
the first Catiliof language
characterising
strength

and

of

tenour

the

its object
Yet, although
may

narian oration.

trifling
comparedwith
it was

trifleupon

the

which

means

appear
to effect it,

taken

dependedthe

fate of Rome.

testimony
scarcityof direct and positive
and conof such importance,
nected
a conspiracy
respecting
In

the

with such eminent

names,

ifCicero had ordered

the whole plot

apprehended,
him from
mighthave been disbelieved ; but by driving
him at
the cityinto the arms
of Manlius,he compelled
character against
which no one could
to assume
a
once
of defence;
of usingextreme
means
deny the propriety
its chief contriver to be

while

the associates whom

he

left behind,mightbe

paralysedby the publicexposure of

who
all the secrets of their confederacy.Catiline,
moment
at this trying
adoptedwith readyprudence
of defence left to him, did not atthe onlymeans
tempt,

expectedto

be

when
to

answer

his
the

had

accuser

oration

of the

resumed
consul

by

his
a

seat,
formal

reply; but assuminga deportmentof the lowest

voice
looks and a suppliant
with downcast
humility,
to entreat the senators not to givea
began earnestly
rash and hasty credit to the charges
broughtagainst
of their own
that one
him, or to think it possible,
ferred
order,and descended from a familywhich had conthe most
importantbenefits upon the people
interest in the destruction
titious
advenMarcus
of the city,while even
an
Tullius,
to preserve it*. This
was
citizen,
labouring
of

Rome,

could

have

any

witli
might have been the manner
which
it was
accompanied,contained a deep and
sarcasm
Cicero,whose birth at Aragainst
cutting
thus
pinum and undistinguished
ancestry were
in that great assembly
alluded to.
But
pointedly
it did not find a single
voice to second it,and
Catiline,on
proceedingto indulge in still severer
whatever
appeal,

Suilust. Bell. Cat. tap. xxxi.

THE

OP

LIFE

105

CICERO.

the consul,was
interrupted
by a
expressions
against
The cries of traitor
of indignation.
general
uproar
in all directions ; and the
and parricideresounded
outcry, being saluted
object of this tumultuous
he turned with expressions
of execration
wherever
and abhorrence,at lengthrose
again to the proud
natural to him,
and
haughty bearingwhich was
his clamorous
and hurlingback upon
assailants the
a
threat, that since they refused him
hearing,
determined
his
aud appeared
he
destruction,
upon
would neither perish
nor
alone, sternly
unresistingly
On
departedfrom the senate-house.
arrivingat
his attention for a
residence and devoting
his own
"

"

short time to

hurried

meditation

upon

the

course

best to pursue, he resolved to put in practice

his determination
of joining
Manlius, before the forces levying

praetorsRufus and Metellus Celer shoxild

moned
ready to take the field.Accordingly,
havingsum-

under
be

the

and

armed

body of servants and retainers,

to Plutarch,to three hundred
in
according
amounting,
number, and havinggivenadditional instructions to
and the other chiefs of the conspiracy,
Lentulus
to
that might present itself for enlose no opportunity
suring
a

the assassination of Cicero,

the other
be

ward
forhastening
in hand, that theymight
preparations

readyto co-operatewith

with

his

army,

he

him

marched

takinghis
ensuingmidnight,

on

out
course

or

his return
of the

to

Rome

cityon

alongthe

his road he sent letters to

lian way.
On
that he was
the principal
nobility,
pretending

the

Aure-

some
on

of
the

to a voluntaryexile at Marseilles,
pointof retiring
preferring,
althoughinnocent of any crime,rather to
yieldto the violence of his enemies,than to endanger
it. On reaching
the peace of the state by resisting
the
he spent a few days at the house
of Arretium
territory
of Caius Flaminius,for the purpose
of sowing the
and from thence
seeds of revolt in the neighbourhood,

106

THE

wrote
not

to

very

LIFE

CICERO.

OF

in terms
QuintusCatulus at Rome, signifying,
his real intentions,
difficultto be -understood,

commendinghis wife Orestilla to his care. After

this,
deemingallfurtherdisguiseuselessor
unnecessary,
he proceeded,
with the fasces openlyborne before him,
and accompaniedby all the other emblems
of proconsular
of Manlius
to the camp
at Ftesulae.
dignity,
Catiline was
known
to have
no
sooner
quitted
the city,than
Cicero summoned
a
bly
generalassemin the Forum, intending
of the people to meet
to vindicate himself from reportswhich
were
already
becoming prevalent,that he had hurried a Roman
citizen into exile by an
thority,
arbitraryexertion of auand

and

without

the

In the oration which

of the senate.

concurrence

he then

the
delivered,

second

of

spiracy,
spoken on the subjectof the Catilinarian conhe successfully
vindicated his late conduct,
explainedto the peoplethe reason
why, instead

those
and
of

orderinghis arrest, he

connive

at the escape

publicwelfare,who
speech has also an
had
it

was

been

left behind

natural
in the

them

from

expectedto
or

pours

an

been

who

there would

look

had

be several sent
preafter separating

yet reached the same,

themselves,in a pointeddescription
not

classes of persons
favourablyupon the

several

to

dangerousenemy to the
had justquitted
the city. The
reference to those who
especial
to carry on the plot,of whom

assemb'fy.
Upon such,
many

induced

of the

to suppose

gradein infamy as
of the

had

who

be
plight
tiline,
of Cadesigns

whohad

enlisted under his banners,he

already
tempt
overwhelmingtorrent of obloquyand con-

them, as he had assured their leader

assuring
well acquainted
upon a previousday, that he was
and design
with every movement
their part ; and
on
them, while the road remained still open,
requesting
and to
to follow the example set them
by Catiline,
from their hated and pernicious
freethe city
presence.
;

108

LIFE

THE

OP

CICERO.

with difficulty
Apulia, which were
checked for the moment
by the praetorsMuraena and
in the city
the conspirators
Celer.
Still less were
of
itself diverted from the employment of every means
the directions left them by their commander.
fulfilling
Although an ample reward, with a full pardon,had
twice beenoffered by the senate to any freeman, and

Bruttium, and

half the

same

with
together

sum,

his

freedom, to

any
dence
evi-

would
who
condition,
give such
the
plot as might bring those
respecting
engagedin it to condignpunishment,no one had as
to stand forward
or
as witness
yet appearedwilling
his companions. Lentulus,encouinformer against
raged
the
on
by this appearance of unshaken fidelity
part of his followers,hesitated no longerto fix the
time for the eruptionof his project
of incendiarism
to take placein the
and murder, which he appointed
when
the festivities
of the ensuing
course
Saturnalia,
in which the citywould be engagedwould
presenta
it into execution.
for carrying
favourable opportunity
one

of servile

Statilius and

Gabinius

assistance to

Cassius

placesat

; and

once

for bloodshed

had

were

directed

to

lend

then:

the cityin twelve

firing
whose ferocious thirst
Cethegus,
in

illbrooked

the

repeated
postponements

and
insurrection,
eagerlydemanded
the house of Cicero,
obtained the charge of besetting
and giving,
mencement
by his murder, the signalfor the comof

the

of the intended

massacre.

Torches

and

and spreading
the
for beginning
combustibles,
collected in abundance, and an
were
conflagration,
immense
swords, and daggers,
quantityof javelins,
newly furbished and sharpened,depositedin the

other

Cethegusin readiness for immediate use.

While
the preparations
of the conspirators,
such were
the publicattention was, for a short time,diverted to
subjectsvery different from those which had lately
attracted it,by the impeachmentof the newly-elected
house

of

THE

LIFE

OF

109

CICERO.

consul

his late compeMursena,on the partof Sulpitius

titor,
of the first eminence,backed by Marcus
a jurist
Portius Cato, for the employment of briberyat the
The cause
recent election.
employed the talents of
the most
skilful advocates
of the day, Hortensius,
Marcus
Crassus,and Cicero,beingall three engaged
in the defence,
which was
eminentlysuccessful.
With
respect to the oration for Mursena, we are
told that Cicero,fired with the ambition of excelling
Hortensius, at that time his greatestand, indeed,
devoted himself so studiously
and anxiously
onlyrival,
to allow himself scarcely
to its preparation
as
any
sleepduring the interval before the trial,and that
when
exhausted
he appearedin court he was
so
by
his application,
that his speechwas
pronouncedwith
and difficulty
which
seemed to leave the
a feebleness
No such weakness
palm to Hortensius.
ably
unquestionis discoverable

remains, which

in

so

much

of the

oration

aa

is

the greaterpart. The

fortunately
impeachment itself affords a curious proof of the
courts.
desultorynature of accusations in the Roman
Mursena was
tradiction
chargedwith briberyexercised in conother
to the Calpurnian law ; yet two
added
counts
reasons
were
why his
specifying
the one stating
election should be considered invalid,
that his competitor
had, in all respects,a
Sulpitius
and the other,that Mursena
better claim to the office,
he
had givenhimself up to luxury in Asia, where
had
latter
to dance ! The
actuallybeen known
ludicrous
it may
at present,
as
objection,
appear
of a formidable character in the days of
was
one
Cicero,who, so far from making any attempt to
it,declares it to be an infamous libel upon
palliate
of his client,and defends him by .the
the character
that no
proposition,
general
person, unless he were
alle
mad
intoxicated, neither of which
or
actually
had been brought
Muraena,could by any
against
gations

110

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OP

be guiltyof so gross
possibility
For the rest,the defence,
with
is littleless

ramblingthan

an

act of

all its

indecorum.

and
spirit

gance,
ele-

the accusation. That

himself
Cicero,entrenching
behind the philosophy
batters
of Plato and Aristotle,
his Stoical opponent and the solemn
absurdities of
his school, has not only its polished
irony,but its
it. It was
fitness for the occasion,to recommend
foreseen that the character of Cato, the model of rigid
the only
censoriousness,and therefore considered
of the ancient Roman
virtue,
livingrepresentative
add no small weightto his side of the question,
would

part,however,

little as

it

cause.

The

in which

might be

in
purpose
render the
in
possible
reads

those

which

Cato

connected

with

had
orator, therefore,

the merits

the

eyes

of the
of

parts

the

is alluded

unimportant

no

view, while steppingout

precepts of the Stoics as

of his way
no

for

doubt

to, can

to

ridiculous

and
judges,
oration

of the

who

one

Muraena

of his

as

in

having

effected it.
thoroughly
But the terminating
of the Catilinarian conscenes
spiracy
recalled the thoughts
of the population
soon
of Rome, to matters
of graver import than forensicthe tenets of the rival sects of the
disputes
involving
Porch
and the Academy.
Hitherto the conspirators
under

Lentulus

which

their

unfortunate
on

the

were

mercy

eve

acted with

all the cautiousness

demanded.
perilous
undertaking
moment

of the

laid, by
of their

at that time

had

for

themselves,and

execution

of their

when

At

an

almost

attempt, they

at the
singlefalse step, entirely
adversaries. There happened
vigilant
a

to be

in Rome

deputationfrom the
and powerfulpeopleof Gaul,
a warlike
Allobroges,
had been sent to complainof the avarice of the
who
magistrates
placedover them, and who were
living,
until their mission there should be completed,under
the protection
of Quintus Fabius Sauga,
the public
host
a

THE

and

patron

LIFE

OF

of their nation.

induced

were

Ill

CICERO.

Lentulus
think

to

this

and
a

his

complices
ac-

favourable

opportunityof adding a Gallic war to the

and commissioned
insurrection,
Umbrenus, one

Italian
of their

who had spent some

time in Gaul and was
company,
well acquainted
with several of the princesof that
sound

country,to

them

interview bet ween

and Umbrenus
would
as

subject.The first
placein the Forum,

the

took
parties
led to imagine,
that the deputies
easily
ready to fall in with his proposal

was

be

he could

the

upon

as

desire,since

his

on

to them

holdingout

the

of relief from their oppressions,

possibility
they
dition,
besoughthim to take pityupon their wretched conof bettering
by pointingout the means
it,
and

assured

him

of their readiness

difficulty danger
desirable an
object.
or

conducted

them

summoned

Gabinius

the

of action

to

any
of
accomplishment so

for the
But

when

house

to encounter

near

Umbrenus, having
the Forum, and

join him to givean appearance

of greaterweight to the conference,
proceeded
before
them
the plan of the conspiracyand
to lay
the names
of those
engaged in it,the Allobroges
began to be daunted by the dangerousnature of
the remedy proposedfor their acceptance,and on
their return
home, after a long hesitation as to
own

been

course

to

which

determined
interest,
communicated

Sanga,by

whom

to

it

would

upon
them

be most

layingall
before

to their

that

their

had

patron

speedily
conveyedto Cicero.
The consul,rejoiced
to find that the long-wished-for
at length
was
opportunity
openingupon him, directed
the Gauls, by every means
in their power, to induce
the conspirators
to believe that they were
ready to
with their commands, but to insist
act in compliance
that all the advantages
which
instructed
they were
to stipulate
for,in behalf of their nation,should be
promised under the hand and seal of Lentulus and
was

112

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

the rest,who might be of sufficient note to givesuch

and importance.
credentials a character of respectability
Little

the
suspecting

missives,the

such

into the

leaders

rewards

promiseof ample
from

cause

this

to be

was

made

plot fell

the

of

laid for them.

snare

to their

which

use

at

of
once

the
containing
assistance expected

Letters

for the

written

quarter,were

new

to

of the Allobroges
by Lentulus,
magistrates
and Statilius,
and consigned
of
to the care
Cethegus,
the deputiesas they were
the pointof leaving
on

the chief

Rome.

Volturcius

Titus

instructed to accompany
with

it was

whom

should

them

deemed

have

strenuous

was,

to the camp

Lentulus

moreover,

of

expedientthat
interview

an

home, and chargedby

that commander, which
and

of Crotona

the ambassadors

before
with

Catiline,

returning
to
epistle

an

urged him to pursue a bold

and suggested
the propriety
of

course,

of persons of all conditions to recruit

The same
his armies.
also desired to
envoy was
communicate
to him, by a verbal message, that all

his

making

use

finished at Rome, and

were
preparations
necessary
that his friends were
of his
anxiouslyin expectation

approachtowards
Cicero

had

the

now

himself
of

of its

designs
were,

continued

his grasp the means

of possessing
full evidence
the
for crushing

of the

heads

capital.

within

faction,which,
to

to threaten

while

the

proofs
tangible

certain extent,deficient,
had
and that
his own
destruction

of the state with

the

impunity. On the afternoon before

of the Allobronightappointedfor the departure

ges, he commissioned
tinus with

body

in ambush
the ambassadors
enter

praetorsFlaccus and Ponchosen

selves
to placethemsoldiers,
the

of

at the
were

upon the Flaminian

of young
a number

spot
of Reate, on

whose

Milvian

obligedto
way,

bridge,by
cross

and

sent

from

the

the

which

Tiber

to the

to

same

prsefecturate
he could relywith perfect
fidelity
men

THE

The

confidence.
the

post as

LIFE

OP

praetorsarrived

eveningbegan

plantedtheir guardsat
such

as

manner

Until
was

time

the

at

to draw

both

ends

to escape casual

approach of

the

their

appointed
in, and havinp

of the

bridgein

awaited
observation,

ambassadors

hours

113

CICERO.

and

their

train.

midnight,their watch
without
maintained
but at that
interruption,
whom
the parties
they expectedat lengthmade
about

two

and

their appearance,
when
the bridge,

after

to defile over
proceeding
the soldiers placedin ambush
on
either bank of the river,rising
at the same
moment
with loud shouts,summoned
them instantly
to surrender.
A slightconfusion
ensued,which was but
momentary in its duration. The Gauls, who quickly
of the interruption,
understood
the Mature
yielded
and Volturcius,
themselves without
who
opposition,

had
of

at

were

first unsheathed

making

his efforts

were

his sword

on
desperateresistance,
not likely
to be seconded

his company,
praetors,and consented
person
All

in

were

for the

to

back

conducted

his

gave up
to

become

Rome,

purpose
findingthat

by

to the

weapon
their

and the

single

prisoner.
despatches

well as upon the perseized upon the Allobroges

as
son
before
of Volturcius transmitted,
day-break,to

Cicero,who

lost not

the chief senators

and
discovery,
those who

were

lettersshould

moment

to his

the

in

summoning some

house,to deliberate
to be made

upon

of
the

of it.

Several of
presentat this council advised that the
use

be

the
immediatelyopened,anticipating
of their containing
portance
possibility
nothingof publicimbut Cicero,who
well aware
of their
was

tenor, determined
general

upon
have an

the
preserving
of
opportunity

seals

until he should
ing
readentire,
them, for the firsttime,before a full senate,which
it was
agreedshould be convened upon the followingsent to
were
day. In the meantime
messengers
Lentulus,Cethegus,
Statilius,
Gabinius,and Quintus

114

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

of Terracina,
them
Cceparius
desiring
to

attend

the

consul

at

his

house

without
upon

delay
important

the reason
for which
Coeparius,
suspecting
his presence was
plying
endeavoured,instead of comrequired,
with the command, to secure
himself by flight,
overtaken and brought
back by a party
but was quickly
The rest,on
who had left the cityin pursuit
of him.

business.

themselves
presenting

arrested and

at the house

placedin

praetorCaius Statilius

was

of

Cicero,were

cessively
suc-

keeping. The
then
despatchedto the
in
for the arms
deposited
secure

Cethegusto search
it,and speedily
broughtaway the whole magazineof
insurrection.
providedfor the approaching
weapons
The
temple of Concord, the place appointedfor
the meetingof the Senate, which on
this important
crowded to excess, presented
occasion was
on the opening
business
the
of the
of
day,a solemn and imposing
seated than
spectacle.The members were no sooner
Cicero entered,leading
by the hand Lentulus in his

house

of

full dress

as

praetor,since

it would

have

been

sidered
con-

for any one

lower in rank than
indignity
himself to lay the least public
restraint upon his person.
foliowed closely
Theother prisoners
Volguarded.
an

turcius

then

introduced in

state of the

greatest
in consequence
of the terror occasioned by his
agitation,
and the contemplation
of the dangerous
recent seizure,
at
were
predicamentin which he stood. His replies
first vague and unsatisfactory,
but on beinginformed
for his pardon
that the publicfaith would be pledged
and safety,
evidence against
condition of his bearing
on
he consented to giveupon the spot a
his companions,
full and distinct account of as much
of the conspiracy
he had been made acquainted
The ambaswith.
sadors
as
of the Allobroges
next examined,and confirmed
were
the testimony
of the preceding
disclosing
witness,
the promisesof assistance giventhem under
oath by the principal
that
conspirators
; and adding,
was

116

LIFE

THE

cius and the other

asked

was

made

he had never
in his turn, whether
self
himof the prophecies
respecting

mention

any

contained

in

lasted until he

This

witnesses.

them

by

CICERO.

OF

the

Sibyllinebooks, when,

to the

of all present,instead of denyingthe fact,as

surprise
have done, he suddenlylost his prehe might easily
sence
The

charge.

confused

letter written

then

was

and

became

mind,

of

desired

in his

hand

line*
to Cati-

be

produced,

Arolturcius to

by

his

Gabinius

treason.

denied

all that

had

been

the

was

last

at firststrenuously

he
broughtforward, and although

advanced

by

the

Gauls,

added to those of the rest.

speedily
soon
as the investigation
was
concluded,Lentulus
commanded, by an universal vote of the senate,
and havingbeen pubabdicate the office of pra?tor,
licly

his confession

to

own

the

confusion ; nor
did he make
any
direct
and
at his vindication after this
ble
palpa-

proof of

was

admitted

completed his

attempt

As

and

divested

was

of Publius
time asdile.

robes,was committed to the

at
Lentulus,surnamed
Spinther,

of his

entrusted to the

Cetheguswas

and
Quintus Cornificius,
Julius Caesar,then praetorelect.

keptin

in the
Cceparius
tius.

The

Cicero,as
*

The

the house

words

of

this letter

was

appointed
Crassus,and

of Marcus

passeda

of his

the preserver

ship
guardian-

Gabinius

residence of the senator

assemblynext

that

Statilius to that of

of

to be

tody
cus-

Cneius

Teren-

vote of thanks

country,couched

to

in the

somewhat

given by
differently
the
to
speech
people,
it
is
which
in
be
from
Cat.
to
found,
probablyquoted
iii.)
(In
memory
of
while
had
the
no
an
Sallust,
inspecting
doubt,
opportunity
only,
originaldocument, of which he professesto give an actual copy.
Accordingto the latter author,it was expressedas follows : " Who
Cicero and Sallust. The

are

former,however, in his

"

I am,

you

will know
the

upon

remember

your

from

the messenger

desperatesituation
character

as

man.

in

whom

which

you

Consider

and seek assistance from

circumstances require,
Bell.
Cat. cap. xliv.
lowest." Sallust.
"

I have
are

what
all
"

flect
Re-

sent.

placed; and,
your
even

critical
from

the

THE

LIFE

OP

117

CICERO.

and

most

honourable

The

latter decree

terms; and further

flattering
or
ordered,that the ceremony entitled a supplication,
should be solemnlyperformed
iu
publicthanksgiving,
acknowledgmentof the merit of the consul,as one
the cityfrom
its
had preserved
who
conflagration,
and the whole of Italy
inhabitants from massacre,
the desolation and horrors of a generalwar.
from
intended

was

mark
extraordinary

time that
any

such

of

had

been

magistratewearingthe
the

eveningof

considered

respect,since

honour

an

and

the

it

as

an

the first

was

conferred

upon
wards
To-

dress

of peace.
day, Cicero delivered

same

his third Catilinarian oration

peoplefrom the
relative to the
rostra,in which most of the particulars
detection cf the conspiracy
were
recited; the approaching
concerned
in
it
of
those
chiefly
punishment
of the Gods, and
darklyhinted at ; the interposition
claimed as
of the Capitoline
more
especially
Jupiter,
lous
palpablymiracuhavingbeen exerted in a manner
and the citizens
for the preservation
of Rome
;
to the

"

"

"

all their

exhorted to abandon
with
of the

their

fears,and

in
families,

devote

obedience

selves
them-

to the

senate,to the joyfulcommemoration

edict

of their

signaldeliverance.*
*

Some

parts of this oration

on
superstition

most

indicative either of
singularly
of
his
himself,or
knowledgeof the
himself of such a feelingon the part
availing
are

the part of Cicero

effectual way

of his auditors.

of

He

alludes

to meteoric

phenomena in

the heavens,

as
during his consulate,
plainly
tempests,and earthquakes,
prognosticating

danger which the state hail just escaped,and dwells

with an appearance
of triumphant
another trivialcoincidence,
the

upon

confidence.

The

statue

others,been struck down

and Cotta,the Etrurian

largerdimensions

should

of

Jupiter in
in
by lightning
diviners
be

the

Capitolhaving,among

the consulate of

had directed that another

erected,and

placedin

Torquatus
of much

trary
conposition

look down
former,so as
and the Curia,or senate-house,
below.
The erection
upon the Forum
of this statue had been undertaken
by the former consuls,but had,
from various causes, hecn delayeduntil the very morning of the full
to

that of

of
discovery

the

the

when
conspiracy,

to face the

it

was

east

and

raised to its pedestal

pre-

118

THE

Amidst

by

the

and escorted

the multitude

crowd, Cicero retired from the Forum

to the house

of

watchfulness

and anxious

which

CICERO.

OF

of
plaudits

immense

an

LIFE

of his

one

it would

to
friends,

pass

nightof

deliberation upon the course

expedientto adopt with respect

be

the one
then in custody. On
conspirators
hand, he was
apprehensiveif he exercised towards
them the full severity
which their crimes had deserved,
sion
that he might at a future day fall a victim to a revulever
of popularfeeling,
under which his conduct,howapplaudedat a crisisof danger,might be regarded
cruel and arbitrary
as
; while if he suffered criminals
he
of so daringa character to escape with their lives,
to

the

was

confident that his

the

penalty of

determined
The
scene
women

the
one

his too

him

would

towards

Terentia
the

of the other

sex

were

were

in which

to

the threshold

cross

offered.

they were

had, we

the ashes upon the altar

when
those who
extinguished,

be

astonished

dismayed,by
extent
extraordinary

the embers.

The

at
presiding

were

thought

were

and

present

bursting
brilliancy

however,
virgins,

the ceremony,

might
designhe

at the moment
cisely
beinglet! through the
as

informed,

one

of whom

who
was

Terentia,took

Cicero

dwelt upon

are

upon themselves to givea

desired
and
to the omen,
interpretation

favourable
whatever

vestal

fices
sacri-

The

the sudden

and

flame of

the sister of
that

is said to have

made, and

forth of
from

timidity.

more

allowed

was

usual at these solemnities

to

later

or

sooner

course.
vigorous
the
residence of Cicero was,
that evening,
on
of those hidden rites performedby the Roman
in honour
of the mysterious
personage called
Bona
Dea, duringthe celebration of which no

of the house
been

be

great leniencyor

his wife

from

message

own

an

immediately
informed,that
at that time
meditating

be
was

at which

Forum

Lentulus
to

infallible token

and

their trial.
of Divine

his

companions were

This circumstance

favour.

is

THE

LIFE

OF

119

CICERO.

declared
might be boldlypursued, as it was manifestly
by such a signto be in accordance with the will
of the Gods.
This

story,of

whatever

amount

be
of credit it may
adds
Plutarch ; who

thoughtworthy, is related by
at all times ready to take more
that Terentia,
conduct
the political
befitting
part in directing
husband, used her full influence
excite him

on

this

towards
severity
efforts were
warmly

to the utmost

and

that her

of

these

pronouncing
upon

advpcatesof

extreme

conspirators,
seconded by

Nigidius,

it is certain that the

amply
decisive

demonstrated

step

with

was

the motives

measures

were

to

the

Quintus Cicero and Publius

his friends,
in whose
judgmenthe
to placegreatconfidence.

Without

of her

occasion

his brother
one

than

tomed
accus-

by

which

influenced,

of the

day
following
of takingsome
the necessity
respect to the prisoners.The
occurrences

havingmet to determine upon the rewards to

evidence the plot had
be givento those, by whose
who
Lucius Tarquinius,
been brought
to light,
chiefly
had been seized by the common
peopleas he was on
of his
the city,
the point of quitting
on
suspicion
beingone of the emissaries of Catiline,was brought
under
before the house, and after beinginterrogated,
should reveal the
a publicpromiseof pardon if he
nature
of the most startling
truth,added intelligence
his
in which
to the other details of the conspiracy,
with that before given
evidence precisely
corresponded
sioned
by Volturcius. He stated,that he had been commisby no less a person than Marcus Crassus,to
him not to
to Catiline,
exhorting
convey a message
be discouraged
federates,
by the arrest of Lentulus and his consenate

but
additional

to

consider

there

was

now

an

his march
accelerating
of his
might revive the spirits
his friends from danger. The

for
necessity

Rome, that he
and rescue
adherents,

upon

that

his

120

THE

Lira:

OF

but they
disclosure,
further,and
inquiries

confounded

senators

were

did

dare

CICERO.

at the

carry their
of Crassus
resolved rather to leave the participation
not

to

than
to provoke so
designin uncertainty,
powerful a citizen openly to act againstthem by
They, therefore,
givingcredit to their informant*.
that the
adopted the prudent policy of decreeing,
and
testimonyof Tarquiniusappeared unfounded
in

the

calumnious, and

prisonuntil

that

he

should

thoughtproper

he had
instigation

falsehoods

he

to

induced

been
which

to

whose

to confess

by

to invent

fest
the mani-

had

he

committed

be

given utterance.
an
attempt being

But, at the same

time, reports of
of
in preparation,
the part of the inferior members
on
ment,
their leaders from confinethe conspiracy,
to rescue
and
prevalent,
began hourlyto become more
confirmation.
It was
to receive stronger
ascertained,

Cethegushad sent messages to his slaves and

and assault
them to take arms
retainers,
encouraging
that

the house
and

of

and
Cornificius,
of Lentulus

freedmen

offered liberal rewards

and

lower

out

into

discovered

were

to

of the friends

several

many

immediate

an

convinced
therefore,
the threatened

the artisans

among

orders of Rome, to induce

them

to

any

of

means

violence must, to be

suppressing

be put
effectual,

practiceimmediately,having suffered
summoned, on the
nightalone to intervene,
in

"Sallnst.

Bell. Cat. cap. xlviii. If Cicero

of this transaction in his speeches,there can

accountingfor
recorded

it

his silence upon the

adds, that the consul was

secret

author

into

total abandonment

himself

openlyheard

however,
The

of the

must

real extent

must
Catiline,

be considered
to

which

affirm
as

at

Crassus

alwaysremain

another
nones

no

of

mention

little difficulty
in

be

subject. The historian who has

himself suspectedof being the
of

and
conspiracy,

of the

Crassus

has made

the intention

charge,with

break

Cicero,

revolt in his favour.

that

have

to

as

much

at a

was

concerned
of doubt

even

that he had

later

the best but

matter

Cratsus
terrifying

ex

period. This,
parte evidence.
in the designsof

and

obscurity.

LIFE

THE

OF

121

CICERO.

(thefifth of the month), a full senate in

the
the temple of Concord, and laid before them
it was
their pleasure
momentous
question, What
December

"

to decree with

respect to

delivered into

custody?"

is well

known

to

those who

debate

The

latelybeen

had

which

ensued

reader of Sallust ; for who,

with his writings,
acquainted

every

after

havingbeen once
situdes
vicisof its striking
have forgotten
the account
can
and impressive
left us, as perhapsthe
result,
finished specimenof his varied powers,
most carefully
Decius
and energetic
historian ?
by that nervous
consul elect,
as
Silanus,
being first asked his opinion
well as
the treatment
of the prisoners,
as
concerning
Cassius *, Furius,Umbrenus,
of their accomplices,
if
and Annius, who
had not yet been apprehended,
servedly
they should hereafter be taken, gave his vote unrefor the infliction of capitalpunishment.
Several senators followed his example,until the first
indication of an
opinionopposed to the extreme
advised by Silanus,was
severity
givenby Tiberius
of the craftyand tyrannic
Nero, grandfather
emperor,
who
should be detained
recommended
that the prisoners
until the completesuppression
in confinement
when
the subjectmight
of the revolt of Catiline,
be broughtbefore the
againmore
advantageously
The next speakerwas
Caius Julius Casar,
senate.
the main

substance

of whose

oration,for

the words

pregnant with the ordinaryand characteristic

styleof the writer,has been recorded by Sallust.
are

Whether

the dream

of ambition

which

this

highly-

and aspiring
character afterwards endeavoured
gifted
than a dazzling
to realise,
was
yet anythingmore
he had already
and indefinite phantasy; or whether
the generaltenor
of his future
determined
upon
no
career, and adoptedthe resolution of leaving
oplearn from
left the city,as we
of
the
before the departure
Allobroges.
immediately
*

Lucius

Cassius

had

Sallust,

122

THE

LIFE

portunityunimproved

OP

CICERO.

what
might
advocating
the
popular cause
against

for

appear the interest of the

aristocratic faction,
until he had
power

of the

or
competitor

latter to
an

have

opponent

dominion, is of course
known, however, that

wasted
sufficiently

nothingto

in his advance

uncertain.
at

fear from

to absolute

It is

this moment

the

sufficiently

he

was

the

dislike to the nobility,

and
subjectof no common
most strongly
of seconding,
suspected
by encouragement
of every kind which
his

fell short of
which

compromising
might be formed

safety,
any attempt
the existing
against
government. Two of his most
bitter enemies,
Quintus Catulus and Caius Piso,(the
former
of whom
had unsuccessfully
contested the
with him, while the latter had been
high priesthood
forced to appear by his means
in the character of defendant
in a prosecution
for misconduct
duringhis
had endeavoured
at this
government of Hither Spain,)
crisisto effect his ruin,by earnestly
Cicero
entreating
own

to allow

false accusation

in all the
participating
him
by
designsof Catiline to be broughtagainst
of the Allobroges*.
This nefarious proposition
means
thus
was
firmlyrejected
; but althoughCaesar was
saved from the peril
of a criminal accusation,his life
been nearly
ended by themore
had,but two daysbefore,
he was
as
party ; since,
open violence of the opposite
the senate-house,
several of the young patricians
leaving
formed
who
a
voluntaryguard around the
a

of

Cicero,encircled him, with bitter terms of

and brandished
which
hatred,
they would
weapons
have been readyto stain with his blood,on the least
the part of the consul which could
look or signon
be construed into an
expressionof assent. Upon
his cool and fearless temperament, however, such a
hazard,or the prospect of its recurrence, was likely
but little impression.He
stood fovto make
now
person

of

Sallust. Bell. Catilin. xlix.

124

THE

to human

life
"

LIFE

CICERO.

limit

further

placefor the

of any

kind.

The

OP

beyond which there was no

exercise of passions
or sensations

speechof Caesar,which

accession of several members

view
of the question,
drew
fourth

and

last oration

followed

was

to

the

forth

more

from

by

the

merciful

Cicero his

spiracy
subjectof the conof Catiline.
This,althoughit purportedto
be an
examination
of the two
impartial
opinions
left
doubt on the mind of
no
proposed,must have

any

intended
the

to the

present as

one

to

advise.

of
atrocity

the

on

The

which

course

vivid

the consul

colours with

which

the

dition
designand the still critical conof the state are depicted the frequentallusions
to the attempts of the conspirators
upon his
of his
own
life,and the patheticrecommendation
in the event of any accident happeningto
family,
the difficulties
himself,to the care of the republic"
placedin the way of the planof Julius Ctesar and
the hints that all preparations
had been made public
for the execution of that advocated
by Silanus,
without any dangerof disturbing
the public
peace,
"

"

are
never

indications of his real sentiments,

which
for

Yet

moment

have

been

intended

could

taken.
to be' mis-

the

of the speakerwas
too
eloquence
for so important
to be effectual.
an
indirect,
occasion,
with
other
Qiiintus Cicero, in company
many

senators,declared himself in favour

of the

advice

givenby Caesar,and Silanus himself intimated

intention of abandoninghis original
motion.
lives of the conspirators
would
for
certainly,
time at

The
that

saved, had it not been for

the effortsof Lutatius Catulus,
and,above all,for the
Porcius Cato,
stern and ironical address of Marcus
and
which, like that of Caesar,has been preserved,
measure
by Sal lust.
probablyin some
supplied,
Amidst
the icyglitter
there is
of its stoical rhetoric,
an

have
least,

his

absence

of all

been

which
feeling,

appears

strangely

LIFE

THE

125

CICERO.

OF

and humanity
after the specious
gentleness
revolting
of the address of Caesar,and a proud and obtrusive
seriousness only likely
to produce the effect of
cer
As it was, the
of his auditors.
most
offending
whole

in

was

accordance
perfect

of the sect of which

he

was

with the sentiments

considered

the ornament.

assignedno place in the list of

virtues recommended
by Zeno and his followers,nor
calculated to produce
their doctrines particularly
were
the grace of personal
humility. But there is at the
and fearlessness apparent in
time a plainsense
same
the argumentsby which the speakeris represented
as
supportinghis view of the existing
emergency ;
in his representations
of the necessity
and a strength

Compassionwas

upon his countrymen to pursue the most

and decisive line of action,while the sword
vigorous
incumbent

of Catiline

was

at their very

throats,and

his followers

ready to pxirsue to the utmost any opportunity

ness,
of advantageafforded by their vacillation and weakadmirablycalculated to producethe intended
impression
upon the greatbody of senators who were
yet undecided, and which, as we are told,actually
who had
broughtmany back to their firstresolutions,
of Caesar.
been led away by the milder sentiments
The balance was
now
turned,and it was
completely
of the senate,in the
at lengthdecreed by a majority
had meditated the
words
of Cato,that those who
destruction of the cityby fire and sword, and had
been

convicted

many

others,by

well
with

by

as

the

the

their

extreme

and of
design,
the Allobroges,
as

this treasonable

of

evidence

of

should be visited
confession,
to
penaltyof the law, according

own

ancient custom.*

Althoughit was
was

late in the

passed,Cicero,to

whom

day before

this decree

its execution

was

trusted,
in-

resolved not to suffer another nightto

it into effect. After sending
intervene before carrying
was

Sallust. Bell. Cat. lii.

126

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

instructions to the officersof justice,

to make

all the

with his guard.?,

he repaired
preparations,
senators,to the
greatnumber of the principal

necessary

and

house

in which

demanded
the

him

Palatine

Lentulus
from his

confined,and having

was

conducted
keepers,

him

from

Mount

to the
throughthe Forum
about twelve feet
publicprison. In this building,
under ground,
and frightful
was
a noisome
dungeon,
called the Tullianum,from one
of the ancient kings
of Rome
it was
by whom
supposedto have been

built,with

massive

roof of the

same

walls

of stone, and a vaulted

which was
seldom visited
material,

of
lightfrom without,the only means
access
being by a trap-door in the ceiling*.
Within its dismal precincts
Lentulus was
expected
and on beinglet downby the publicexecutioners,
into it in the usual manner,
seized
was
immediately
and strangled.
Gabinius,and
Cethegus,Statilius,
conducted to the
Coeparius
havingbeen successively
were
same
spot by the praetors,
put to death in a

by

ray of
to it

similar way.
While this terrible exhibition of

was
publicjustice
havinggatheredin

in progress, the

peopleof Rome
immense crowds alongthe ways which led towards the
and silence,
looked on in awe
as at the performance
prison,
the part of the
of some
on
mysterious
ceremony
which
understood
they but partially
aristocracy,
and in which
concerned t.
they were but indirectly
the prison
with his escort,
The consul,on leaving
had againto pass through
the multitude,
and observing
he suspected
them whom
certain persons among
dungeon is Btillexhibited at Rome, beneath the church
of San Pietro in Vincole, but considerable alterations h.ive been
modern
The
in it since the time of Cicero.
made
door,"says
Eustace, was opened through the side wall, when the placewas
of St. Peter,who is supposedto
converted into a chapelin honour
*

This

"

"

have

been confined in it.

most

aspect."
appalling

t Plutarch in Cic.

the change,it has

Notwithstanding

stilla

THE

of

LIFE

formingpart of
with

them
the

usual

the band

loud

shouts
repeated

the

part

in their

while

of

his

as

of the

who

the

\vith

ancients

had

subjectof

any

he had
homeward
signsof indifference

roofs
held

of any

or

indications of
was

expectedto
torches

forth their

placedat

children.

as

the

their

Fresh

on

siastic
enthuevery
minated
illu-

was

the

the

from
lights

and saluted him

passed,
city,and the guardianof
of their

and

pass

with

no

deficiency

night,but

now

crowded

were

deep

he

those

them,

ominous

the

countrymen,

external

the

women,

which

progress

gratitude.It
by which he was
by lamps and

house

and

of

complain of

to

reason

informed

to

companions had ceased to exist.

the part of Cicero drew forth
on
approbationfrom the bystanders,

his further

on

called
conspirators,

their

This announcement
and

of

speakingon

that
mortality,

127

CICERO.

voice,and

to
periphrasis

when

recourse

OP

doors,
Roman

the parapets
preserver
lives

own

honours

were

long in being added. Most of the municipal

in Italy,
towns
as
wras
soon
as
intelligence
brought
of the suppression
of the plot,passed decrees in
which the patriotism
of the consul was
in
eulogised
of praise.The peopleof Capua
the highestterms
enacted
that his statue, richlygilded,
should be
forthwith erected in their city,and that he should
and onlypatron. Lucius
be declared their perpetual

not

Gellius asserted in presence of the senate,that he

entitled to the gift
of a civic crown
the
on
justly

republic.Catulus,in

was

part

assemblyof that
order,hailed him with the proud and unexampled
of Father of his Country*; and when
appellation

of the

The

classical reader

need

full

hardlybe

lines upon this subject

by the greatestof

reminded

of the beautiful

ancient
satirists,

Romse
et modo
Avpinas,ignobilis,
Munidpalis Equcs,galeatumpoint ubique

Hie

novus

1'rsesidium attonitiset in omni

gente laborut.

intra toga contulit illi

reuros
igitur
Nooiinis et tituli,
quantum uon Leucade,quantum

Tantum

or

modem.

128

THE

Cato, in
confirmed

men

Such, while

multitude.

of the

under

the rewards

CICERO.

with his
peopleabounding
it was
to him by this title,
repeatedly
loud and continued
plauditson the

with

were

OP

the

speechto

alluded
praises,

part

LIFE

the

of the

the

minds

of

influence of recent events, were

consistent and certainly,
after all

deductions have been made, noble and

course
patriotic
which he had recently
of
pursuedfor the preservation
But
of satisfaction
the commonwealth.
the first feeling
at havingescapedso imminent
a dangerwas
the necessary reaction began.
scarcely
over, when
The nobility,
althoughthey had been perfectly
willing
and responthat Cicero should take the post of peril
sibility,
their own
Jives and possessions
when
were
whom
to forgive
one
threatened,were not likely
they
for havinginflicted
a new
scornfully
designated
man,
0*1

death
ignominious

house

of

there

were

power

on

Porcian

Cornelii.

the

who

many

scions of the illustrious

upon

also
Among the commons
the late exercise of
regarded

the part of the consul,as

law,

and

violation of the

consequentlyas

serious

fringemen
in-

The
constitution.
existing
undetected
in the
participators
conspiracyhad
serious grounds for their dislike of the permore
son
whose
their
by
instrumentality
design had
upon

the

Thessaliae
Csedibus
Roma

campisOctavius abstulit udo

assiduia gladio.Sed Roma
PARENTEM

PATREM

PATRICE

Ciceroncm

"

libera dixit.
Juv.

Sat. viii.

Yes

he,poor Arpineof no rank at home,

And made, and hardlymade, a Knight at Rome,
Secured the trembling
a firm guard
town, placed
In every street, and toil'd in every ward
And thus within the walls in peace obtain'd
More fame,more
honour, than Augustus gain'd
"

At

Actium

Of

patriot
gore, and sword stilldrench'd with blood ;
Rome, free Rome, hail'd him with loud acclaim

For
The

Father

orPhilippifrom

of his

flood

name.
Country glorious
"

GIFFORD'S

translation.

THE

LIFE

OF

129

CICERO.

been

to confoiled,and their leaders sentenced

dign
punishment. All these were united into a party
and encouraged
actingunder Caesar as their principal,
in their discontent against
Cicero
bunes,
by the triwhose policy
it invariably
ing
after ascertainwas,
its direction and bias,to placethemselves
at the
head of every popular movement.
A sufficient proof
of the disposition
of the latter magistrates
to offer him

every molestation in their power,

termination
of his office,
when
it
the consuls to take

was

shown

at the

customary

was

for

publicoath that,duringthe year

of their authority,
they had done nothingcontraryto
the laws.
The
taken to
was
opportunity
generally
add an address to the peopleon the most remarkable
of their magistracy.When
events
Cicero, who apprehensi
of

disturbances

some

the occasion had

on

Publius
thoughtit necessary to summon
from Capua to preserve peace
an
army
made
commence

Sextius with
in the

city,

in the
his appearance
his oration to

elected

Forum, and was about to

the citizens,the newly
tribune, Quintus Metellus Nepos, who had

placedhis

chair

upon

the

rostra

for the

this publicindignity
inflicting
upon
him

commanded

into

to say

the

oath.

him, peremptorily
self
to confine him-

had

The

small

customary

officehe
from

usual

forbear,and

of

of Cicero
"ingenuity
found
of turning
the restriction to his
a ready way
advantage,and instead of making an elaborate speech
of compressing
all he had intended
upon his consulship,
to

the

to

purpose

since,in the placeof

compass;
formula, he swore, that in his year of

both
preserved

total ruin.

Thunders

the

cityand

of assent

on

the

empire

the

part of

conscious of his not having

assembly,who were
his services,
mony
expressedthe generaltestiexaggerated
of this striking
of his countrymen to the justice
and unexpecteddeclaration,
and Cicero was
once
more
escorted home by an admiring
and applauding
crowd,
the

130

THE

Yet

much

from

derived

advantage he might have

of the

the

CICERO.

OP

LIFE

recollection

of

merits, was

his eminent

selfof the same

by the repetition
His auditors
occasions.
eulogy on less justifiable
the extent
of
of discourses,
of which
grew weary
the constant
their obligations
to the speaker was
at last offended by
burden, and his best friends were
mands,
which
seemed
a vanity,
only to increase in its dein proportionas attempts were
made
to
weakened

lost

or

it.
gratify

The

all times

at

has

been

by

almost

to

deed,
in-

was,

It

in his turn.

is confirmed

the observation

page

even

of his

than due

more

whose
contemporaries,

reason

exacted,he

that there was

writings,
in his eagerness for
monopolising
spirit
he seldom lost an opportunity
of mentioning,

every

with

he

render

readyto

observed,and

nothingof a
since
praise,
his

tribute which

respect.But

honour,those

talents

virtue

or

if it be true that he

among
he had

had, at

all

times,sufficient candour to allow,and to pointout,

time be
the merits of others, it must
at the same
been posto have
ever
seems
conceded,that no man
sessed
of

sensitive

more

of his

and

sciousness
overweeningcon-

own.

It remains

of
to advert to the termination
briefly
the career
of the desperate
a
adventurer,who now
declared outlaw and enemy
to the state,and deprived
of all hope of succour
from his friends at Home, continued,
maintain

to
nevertheless,

front

which
the dangers
against

every side. Before the news

Leutulus
and the rest of the
had

managed to
to form

in Etruria

consular

collect

two

army,

threatened
of

the

bold

him

execution

on

of

arrived,he
conspirators

sufficient number

rents
of adhe-

of
the ordinarystrength
legions,
and might have raised a far more

imposingforce,had he not constantlyrejectedthe

assistance of the fugitive
who flocked to him in
slaves,
which
he
to allow the contest
on
crowds, disdaining
had entered to

assume

the character

of

Servile War.

132

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

that the consular general,

tion
from the recollecexpectation
of pastfriendship,
and,perhaps,of companionship
in guilt,
less
favourable
or
a
might prove a more
active

offered him
tageous
advanbattle in an
antagonist,
of Pistoria. As the
the town
near
position
under
the
cohorts of the republic
in sight,
came
Antonius
command
of the legatePetreius,(since
which
suspected
was
pleadingan indisposition,
strongly
of beingfeigned,
declined to appear in the
he made a last speechto his men, breathing
his
field,)
usual fiery
and determined sentiments,
and exhorting
all about him
death to the

to

if unsuccessful,
an
prefer,
fate
ignominious

more

be inflicted upon

them

if

honourable

which

this,havingsent away every horse

that all might be exposedto the same
lines,
with

his final

the most

from

and taking
his
dispositions,

elevated

of his

his

danger,
station

adherents,beside

favourite silver

fallibly
in-

taken.

they were

After

he made

would

his

which had once

witnessed the
eagle,
Cimbric
triumphs of Marius, firmly awaited the
chargeof the enemy*. The conflict which ensued was
in the highestdegreesevere
and desperate.The
without
the usual preliminary
armies encountered
of missiles,
interchange
beingdetermined to bringthe
decision of the affair,
to close comas soon
as possible,
bat
at
at the sword's
point; and the ground was
neither party for some
time
first manfullydisputed,
foot to their opponents. But the
a single
yielding
valour of the insurgents
utmost
necessarily
proved,at
who
combated
an
length,unavailing
against
enemy
them with equalcourage, and an overwhelming
superiority
cohort
of strength.
Petreius led his praetorian
them in front,
and vigorous
attacks being,
at the
against
the success
same
moment, made uponboththeir flanks,
of the battle was
no
longerdoubtful. Manlius, who
their rightwing, fell among
the first
commanded
slain. The rest were
cut off",
successively
defending
*

Sallust. Bell.

CatO^ix.

THE

themselves

LIFE

to
obstinately

with
part,covering
which

they had

their

commenced

free-born
single
number

OP

citizen

133

CICERO.

last,and, for the most

bodies the exact spot upon
the engagement. Not a

was

the

taken

alive of the whole

Catiline

as
soon
as he perhimself,
ceived
the fortune of the day finally
determined,
into the midst of his enemies,
rushingdesperately

present.

lengthwith the death of which he was in

hand. He was
search by an unknown
found,after the
battle,
front,amidst
lyingfar in advance of his own
of his enemies,still faintly
a group of the
carcasses
and exhibiting
in his latest moments
the
breathing,
of aspectfor which, during his life,
he had
ferocity
met

at

The

insurrection

been

noted.

much

terror into the

which

had

struck

so

peopleof Rome, was thus ended

by a singleengagement; but the victorious army
had little reason
its issue,since the
to rejoice
at
flower of the troopsof Antonius were
either leftupon
the field or disabled by severe
wounds.
The number
the part of the conquerors, is
of those slain on
not precisely
known, but the loss of the vanquished
reckoned at three thousand.
diately
was
Antonius, immeafter the battle,sent the head of Catiline to
of this token of success
Rome, and on the reception
the citizens laid aside the mourninggarbthey had
and
of the conspiracy,
assumed at the commencement
decreed a second publicthanksgiving
to the godsfor
of the threatened

the removal
who
or
toria,

were

who

not

were

had

afterwards

danger. Of

presentat

escaped from
taken

and

the

spirators
con-

the battle of Pis-

it

by flight,
many
Several

executed.

were

by Lucius Vettius,one of
their number, who, on
being apprehended,turned
evidence against
the rest.
Cassius,Laeca, Vargunalso

betrayedto

the senate

teius,Autronius,with
tried

Vettius

was

who

had

been

most

banished ; a
were
conspiracy,
and acquitted
others,whom
; and
many
to denounce,saved by the inpreparing

conspicuousin
few

others

the

134

LIFE

THE

CICERO.

OP

the
who, either distrusting
of the informer,or apprehensive
of his implicating
veracity
than
it would
be safe to prosecute,
more
silenced him by a hint that they were
to be
beginning
understood
which he at once
weary of his disclosures,
tervention

and

of the senators

obeved.

CHAPTER
Domestic

Dissensions

Drusus

Livius

Violation

"

Clodius

Publius

Pompey
Meeting in
"

Poet

of

Evidence

Third

"

the Tribune

on

the Palatine

of

the Rites

Circus

Cicero

on

Triumph

freed
ROME, although

"

of

from

the

and
Aristocracy,

Oration for Publius

"

his Mithridatic

from

the Flaminian

Archias

the

Disputesoccasioned

"

returns

between

Julius Caesar and

Pompey

to

his Residence

from

removes

Rome

at

popularParty under
Letter of Cicero

V.

Hill

of

Sylla

"

Cicero

"

to

the

Metellus
the House

Bona

of

Dea

by

his

by
Impeachment
Expeditionto Rome
"

"

Trial of

Clodius,who

the occasion

"

Speech

is

quitted
ac-

for the

Pompey.
the

serious

perils
which
had lately
environed it,by the suppression
of
like
Catiline's insurrection in Etruria,stillcontinued,
the troubled

sea

by
agitated
in
effects,

the

after the

various

more

tempest has subsided,to

less violent

commotions

"

be
the

estimation

crisis

of most, of the turbulent

it had latelypassed,but, in

throughwhich
the eyes of more
the signs
also of
prudentobservers,
Cassar,who
convulsions,
equallyserious,to come.
had now
entered upon
his praetorship,
and who was
in close league
with the tribune Metellus,the most
active

instrument

of the

popular party, continued

from this time more
openlyhis endeavours to lower
he had become
in the
Cicero, of whose reputation
in the estimation of his countrymen.
jealous,
highest
degree
It was
that
probably at his suggestion,
Metellus,in an address to the people in the early
part of the year, accused the late consul of having
acted in opposition
death
to the laws, by inflicting
executed without
recently
upon the five conspirators

LIFE

THE

any

regularform

OP

of trial.

135

CICERO.

That

as

be confident upon
may
Cicero ; who
also mentions,that
harangueof the tribune, lie was

the

\ve

and

to deliver,
an
possibly

Whether

conduct.*
Plutarch

in

the

was

serted,
as-

authorityof
write,

to

in defence

of his

alluded

same

the

to

answer

induced

oration

tin'swas

much

by

to

in his life of

Crassus, as the oration upon

his consulate,or whether
he published under
that
title the speech which
he had
been prohibitedby
Metellus
frbm
to the citizens,
seems
certain,
undelivering
as

there exists

subject. The
directed

one

no

evidence
positive

attack

upon Cicero was

Catulus
against
by Caesar

upon
followed

the

by

in person,
that emi'

in his

capacityof praetor,summoned
nent senator to appear at his tribunal,
of
on
a charge
while
ing
presidhaving embezzled the publicmoney
the erection of the Capitol. Catulus had
over
himself,by^his
brought this show of hostility
upon
zealous
speech againstCassar in the senate-house
duringthe debate on the subjectof the punishment
of the conspirators,
well as by his ready aid in
as
casion.
furtheringall the designsof Cicero upon that ocThe senate,however, espousedhis cause
so
allowed
to drop.
was
warmly, that the prosecution
who,

ground,and
of lowering
beingstilldetermined to try all means
the influence of the aristocracy,
prepareda law which
the tribune proposedto the peoplefor their acceptance,
that
recalled
with
should
be
Pompey
enacting,
Caesar

and

Metellus

this shifted their

on

his army
from the Mithridatic
to assist in
the eve of expiring,
The
tranquillity.
*

Ad

Attic, i. 13.

violent

most

The

passage

in

war,

the
restoring
was
opposition
the twelfth

second book

of his letters to Atticus,which

supposedto

bear

best authorities

Clodius

reference
to allude

and Curio.

to

to

this
that

which

has

state to

made

epistleof

been

the

sometimes

orntion,is considered
afterwards

on

was

by

the

pronouncedagainst

136

THE

who

OP

CICERO.

to this edict the instant it was

brought
the greaterpart of the patricians
sumed
asa mourning habit,apprehendingnothingless
absolute despotismon the part of a commander
arbiter
would
thus be virtually
created supreme

by the senate
forward,and
than

LIFE

Cato, at

of the fortunes of the commonwealth.

that

the entreaties
people,notwithstanding
of his friends and relatives,
stood forward at
the first readingof the bill,
to placehis absolute
made
with considerable
negative
upon it. The attempt was
dangerto himself,since Csesar and Metellus
had
occupiedthe temple of Castor as a post of
and
vantage with a strong body of armed
men,
with a company
of
crowded the stepsof the building
for the purpose of preventing,
or
speedily
gladiators,
the opposition
which
they expected. Yet,
silencing,
these formidable preparations,
Cato,
notwithstanding
Metellus began to read his proposedlaw,
as
soon
as
and on finding
this
sternlyordered him to be silent,
wrested
it from his
ineffectual,
forcibly
interposition
endeavoured
hand.
to
Metellus, thus interrupted,

time

tribune

of the

his edict from memory,

but in this he was
pronounce
also preventedby Minutius Thermus, one of his leagues
colin the interest of
before

his mouth.

people,at

the

respect

for

Metellus

was

same

the

Cato, who

placedhis

considerable

time, struck
undaunted

number

with

courage

hand

of the
of
feeling

with

which

their
opposed,began loudlyto signify
and uproar
of tumult
ceeded.
sucapprobation.A scene
On a signgivenby Metellus,his gladiators
and armed partisans
pouringdown upon the citizens,
drove the crowd before them, and Cato, who
speedily
for some
time exposedto a shower
of sticks and
was
stones, might have sustained serious injuryhad he
rescued
the consul, against
not been
by Mtmena
election he had so strenuously
exerted himself.
whose
The
of their recent enmity,
now
on
latter,
forgetful

LIFE

THE

findingall

remonstrances

to, covered

him

the

his

fury of

for

in his behalf
time

some

and
assailants,

with
at

in his arms,
into the
carried him
while Metellus
findingthe field

readingof

his hill to

party, who

137

CICERO.

OF

his

own

unattended

his gown

from

him
lengthraising
temple of Castor,

clear,resumed

faction.

the

But

the posite
opfar enough from

only retired
the scene
of action to rallyand reassume
some
pearance
apwith
loud
of order, quickly returning
shouts,the favourers of the bill,who imaginedthat
their adversaries had now
providedthemselves with
and were
fullyprepared for a conflict of a
weapons,
serious kind than they had before sustained,
more
fled in their turn
from
the Forum, and Metellus
totallydeserted by his former
seeingthat he was
to follow their example. He
supporters,was obliged
was
preventedfrom making a second attempt to
enforce his act by the authorityof the senate,who,
that it was
trary
conby an express decree,determined
to all law, and
repletewith danger to the
cumbent
therefore inexisting
government, and that it was
all good citizens to resist it to the
upon
utmost.
far
Yet, although thus baffled,he was
from beingdisconcerted,
and beingxinable to ingratiate
himself further with Pompey by any additional
attempts to extend his authorityat Rome, he resolved
to presenthimself before him in the character of one
whose
interests had suffered by a too warm
espousal
of his cause, hoping by this means
to secure, for the
future,no inconsiderable share of his favour and
he first
of his design,
protection.In pursuance
summoned
an
assembly of the people,and having
endeavoured

had

Cato
and the
against
aristocratic party by a bitter and malignant
speech,
and representset off for Asia to lay his complaints
ations
of all he had endured
before the general,
of

whose

to

inflame

interestshe had

them

been

the

uninvited advocate.

138

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OF

It is not

tbat
improbable

time

work

at tbe

be endeavoured

same

the jealousy of Pompey, by

upon
formidable
Cicero to bim
most
as
a
representing
to

rival in tbe

popularestimation,and, in

consequence
services to the state,all but absolute at

of his recent
Rome.

is the most

This

for the

fact,that

after the

senate

in which

made

conduct

of the

honours

bestowed

in his

as

in bis

late consul

counting
ac-

of the

privateletters to

allusion whatever

no

of

despatchesto the
Catilinarian plot,

the

or
office,

His

him.
upon
Cicero an
from

subjectdrew

method

of the termination

them
well

as

war,

Cicero,Pompey

which

in his

discoveryof

he informed

Mithridatic

obvious

silence

to

the

to

tbe

on

the

epistlestill extant,

able
consideras throwing
uninteresting,

is far from

to the
character,and exhibiting
fullest extent the acute sensitiveness with respectto
the praiseand censure
be was
of others,for which
through life remarkable ; and which, if it proved

his

lightupon

times

at

from

source

most

"

the
enjoyment,was
he more
derived the"
frequently
of disappointmortifyingfeelings
ment.

transient

which

painfuland
Its contents

are

TULLIUS

CICERO

MARCUS

of

means

GREAT,

as

follows
TO

"

CNEIUS

POMPEIUS

THE

"'.

IMPERATOR

From

I have, in common
your late despatches,
with tbe rest of my countrymen, derived inexpressible
since you afford us in these
satisfaction and delight,
"

such

hopes of

founded

on

your
others

speedypeace

as, from

confidence

I had always encouraged

abilities,
singular
to

entertain.

Be

assured

of

this,

however, that those persons who having been once

assumed
the character of
your enemies,have recently
in a state of the greatestperturare
bation
your friends,
and dejection,
themselves
distotally
finding
*

Ad

v.
Diversos,

7.

140

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OF

return
your
you will not
althoughfar greater than Africanus, to be

mind, that

of

both

in

publicduties

not, I trust,much

one

The

letter of Cicero

for which

one

object,
joined
with
privatefriendship

on

and

inferior to Ltelius *.
is not

Pompey

to

have been

subsequentages

well."
Fare-

"

the

only

indebted

to

the

of Metellus.
There is extant an angry
intrigues
epistlefrom his brother Metellus Celer, then governor
of Cisalpine
of
to Cicero
Gaul, complaining
he accuses
him
of having
public ridicule,which
thrown

towards
upon himself,as well as of severity
his relatives ; and impugningthe equityof the Senate
in some
of their late proceedings
The
t.
answer,
which

has also been

vindication

is a manly
fortunately
preserved,

and a dignified
account
charges,
of the provocationgiven at different times by the
and the manner
in which
tribune,
they had been
and
It appears
been
met.
to have
satisfactory,
which had
restored the friendship,
to have
entirely
suffered a partial
interruption.
After beingthe principal
agentin the detection and
punishmentof the most active among those concerned
in the

from these

Cicero
attempts of Catiline,

the office of

of the

famous

who

one
defending

dangerof beingcondemned
of the conspiracy.Servius
of the

self
took upon himin imminent
was

subordinate

as

member

Cornelius

dictator,whose

directors
principal

now

late

Sylla,a nephew
guiltas one of the
sufficiently
plot was

for the
evident,had been sentenced to banishment
His brother
part he had taken in that transaction.
Publius, formerlyconsul elect with Autronius, but
had been hindered,as has been before mentioned,
who
*

The

famous

"f It had
nitial

been

and
office,

friend of

ScipioAfricanus.

proposedto deprive Metellus

the

interference of Cato.

motion

would

have

been

Nepos
earned

of

his tribubut for the

from

OP

LIFE

THE

141

CICEKO.

was

for bribery,
entering
upon officeby a prosecution
after impeachedby Lucius Torquatus,
a
shortly

son

of the

groundsof

consul

of that

indictment

in the

the

"

have

in the

taken

an
first,

designof Autronius

father; the second, the

two

on

name,

share

separate

alleged
participation

to assassinate

he

supposedto

was

dangerousand

more

his

extensive

by Catiline. His vindication from

projected
the former impeachmentwas
undertaken
by Hortenverdict in his
a
sius,who succeeded in obtaining
scheme

Cicero then

favour.
on

the next

somewhat
welt

stood

count, and

delivered

and
lengthened

known

forward

his advocate

in his behalf

diffuse

all students

to

as

the

which
oration,

of his

is

quatus,
writings.Tor-

it appears, had endeavoured

to lessen the

redoubted

which
impression

in his accusation,
the circumstance
of

antagonist
havingundertaken the
of Syllamight be supposedto make, by insinuations
cause
and open personalities
againstCicero,whom
he designated
by the title of despotand king names,
so

an

"

in the estimation
could
would

of the

bestow, and

probablybe

times, the

of which
the

he

most

well

was

effect in Roman

odious he
aware

ears.

what
His

the opporopponent,however, was not slow in seizing

tunity
thus afforded,of making his own
actions a
on
principal
subjectof his discourse,
pretence of
the unjustattack of Torquatus,
defendinghimself against
and we
have consequently
all the imagery
which

had

told

so

well in his denunciations

against

Catiline,of a blazing
city,
reekingwith the blood of
its inhabitants, the terrors of virgins
and matrons,
the unsheathed
of remorseless murderers,
weapons
and
the pillage
and
profanationof temples and
evident
shrines*,reproducedwith
complacency.
Yet he clears himself with happy ingenuity
of thought
and language
from the chargeof cruelty
which had
him.
latelybeen broughtagainst
Why," he asks,
"

"

"

"

"

Pro

Sulla,vi.

142
"

THE

it excite your

should

for the

appear

LIFE

advocates,in
the
inhuman

in

with

common

of the

in this

that

fierceness and

those

take
I refused to under-

unless,
conspirators,

other

to suppose

cruelty. If

on

and

stern

me

with

and imbued
above all others,

of
spirit

cause

with
conjunction

whom

determined

are

CICERO.

wonder,

defendant

cause

indeed,you

OP

singular

of my
whole
life

account

late actions you are inclined to think my

characterised by these qualities,
is
great,Torquatus,
endued

Nature

error.

your

inclined to mercy ; by my
been called upon to exercise

have

I should

be cruel

neither of nature
external mask

moment

the

should
gentleness

conduct*."
that he

late

from

Nor

designs
nation
incli-

own

me

that

even

which

rigouron

ordained

the

part

my

that

rulingmotives

of

pity and
my general

his refutationof the

was

position
dis-

me
crisis,
perilous
required

former

be the

the

vehemence

latter exacted

The

assume.
a

and

of sternness

republic,
duringthe
for

taken

now

with

country. My

of my

nor

voice I
country's
severity
; but that

in accordance

was

and will have

to

at birth with

me

assertion

of monarchy,
assumingthe prerogatives

was

less effectual.

"

If,"he asks,

"

after the

benefits I

have

conferred upon the state,I demanded

other
no
reward
Senate and
for my exertions from the Roman
but
people,
would

be

what

an

honourable

rest

and

to grant it ?
unwilling

attraction

their

And

in this case,
offices of honour
and

triumphs and their

of distinction and glory possess for me,
means
while enjoying
the higherprivilege
of contemplating,
in a state of quietand tranquillity,
a city
preserved
by my efforts from destruction ? But what if I
demand
this
if the industryand solicitude
not even
their behalf,for which I have always been distinguished
on
power
other

"

their

could

who
retirement,

provinces
"

their

"

"

"

of

if my

services,
my

watchfulness,.ire
*

Pro

still at

exertions,
my
the

Sulla,cap.

iii.

command

nights
of

my

LIFE

TIIE

143

CICERO.

OP

friends,and readilyoffered to all ; if neither my

acquaintancehave to regretthe loss of my assistance
in the Forum, nor
country that of my counsels
my
in the senate-house ; if my good wishes
well as
as
best

my

mind

efforts,my

free to every
leisure is left me
even

and

ears

well

as

applicant
; if not

house,are

for

to
recalling

as

my
of

moment

mind

and

meditatingupon what I have accomplishedfor the

in which
I cannot
safety is such a condition,
general
find a single
to act as
substitute,
person willing
my
to be termed
kinglyauthority? Far from me, after
lute
absoof affecting
this,must be the remotest suspicion
power."
Publius
of his advocates,
Through the able pleadings
be considered
Sylla*,althoughhis innocence could scarcely
as
thoroughlyproved,escapedthe sentence of
banishment
passedupon his brother,as well as upon
bers
Autronius,Lasca,and the other less fortunate memis related in
of the conspiracy.A circumstance
"

with

connexion
small

dishonour

with

or

which,

Cicero.

upon

if true, reflects no
Hitherto the orator,

had
disinterestedness,

noble

offer of fee

his trial

refused

every
in the Forum.

for his services

reward

quishing
however, with the intention of relinhe had
the
family mansion, in which
of his brother Quintus,
hitherto resided,in favour
the Palatine
in treatyfor a house close to his own
on
Hill,which had been built in a costlyand magnificent
t. This edifice was
stylefor the tribune LiviusDrusus
He

was

now.

Sallust,writingsome
who

very

commencement

Livius

Marcus
-fmost

famous

assembled

years after,ranks
of M.
at the house

of the

plot.

Drusus,

tribune

promoters of the
attempt to gain the

active

respect to

the house

in

"

him

the

among

Porcius

spirators
con-

Lacca, at the

Sallust. Bell. Oat. cap. xvii.

of the
of the people,was
one

claims

of

the Italian states, in

their

citizens. With
privilegeof Roman
to the
question,he is said to have replied

who
promised to build
architect,
the greatestprivacyto its occupant

it in such
"
"

Rather

manner

construct

as

to

secure

it so that the

144

THE

of the most

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

the whole

in
conspicuous

looking
city,
down
the portico
upon the Forum, and adjoining
which
Catulus, the colleagueof Marius, had built
from the spoils
Marcus
acquiredin the Cimbric war.
it belonged,
demanded
for it the
Crassus, to whom
of thirty-five
hundred
thousand
sum
enormous
terces,
sesthousand
or nearlythirty
pounds; and although
Cicero was
bent upon the purchase, his correspondence
one

shows

that he

reduced

was

the necessary funds*.

he is said to have
appliedto P.
to procure

received

in
appearing

his defence

great difficulties

In

his

perplexity

Sylla,and
him

considerable loan from

to

to

have

condition of

on

his

trial. It
approaching
is added, that when
publiclycharged with having
borrowed
from a person under
impeachment,
money
the residence in question
for the purpose of securing
denied both the receipt
to himself,he strenuously
of
the loan and
his intention of making any offer for
the house ; and that beingafterwards
accused
in the
when he had actually
concluded
senate for his duplicity
the
bargain,he endeavoured to turn the whole
that those
matter into a jest,
by laughingly
asserting,
be indeed persons of weak
who
must
understanding
could imaginethat it would
be the part of a prudent
cautious

or

whole

world

debate

in

immense

by

an

may

the

when

witness

my
senate, from

multitude, he

who
assassin,

wound
was

man,

was

on

he

had

most

which

stabbed

resolved

privateactions."
he
as

returned

in his side.

Cicero

asserts

After

that the

name

encircled

he crossed his

leftthe knife with which he had

effect-

upon

own

warm

by

an

threshold

inflicted the fatal

of the murderer

the signal
for
This event, which, in'fact,
was
Quintus Varius.
663.
War, occurred A. u. c.
In his epistle
to Sextius (Ad Divers, v. 7,) he intimates that he

the Social
*

has been

six per cent., and has

at
money
His
in
pressing
consequence.
he
"which
satirAntonius,mentioned Ad Attic, i. 12, in

obligedto borrow the

himself
considerablyinvolved
demands

upon
iees his former

colleagueunder the title of the Trojan Lady, and

in his.
of his evasive answers,
probablyoriginated
complainsbitterly
necessitiess

on

thi occasion.

THE

LIFE

OP

145

CICERO.

for it by openly
to raise competitors
ing a purchase,
his intentions*.
publishing
The oration for Sylla
precededbut by a short time
trivial it might appear in
event which, however
an
its nature, drew upon it the general
attention of the
not without
peopleof Rome, and was
producing
importanteffects upon the lives of two of its most
citizens. Publius Clodius,a patrician
distinguished
for a long
of the noble house of the Claudii,which
series of generations
noted for the unamiable
was
of
of its memberst, was
a
man
qualities
young
considerable abilitiesand eloquence,
and endued with
to ensure
most of the external qualities
an
requisite
extensive popularity
the less temperate and
among
classes of the republic.But
these perjudicious
sonal
doned
were
disgracedby the most abanadvantages
audacious
recklessness of all principle,
an
racters
libertinism,
unsurpassedby that of the worst chawho
had
the annals of
hitherto disgraced
*

inquit,homines
liKpivovtijTOt,

et cauti

familias
patris

estis,
quuin

quod emere
AULUS
GELLIUS, Noctes
propter competitores
esse

sese

negare

Attica, lib. xii. 12.

doubts the truth of the story,which he thinks must

obtained from some
spuriouscollection of the facetious

Middlcton

Dr.
have

been

the
sayingsof Cicero, and certainly
an

ignoratisprudentis

velit emturum

accurate

Melmoth,
without

character

Gellius,as

of Aulus

go far to establish its credit.

however, in bis translation of Cicero's letters,
observes,
narrator

of

and
prejudice

facts,does

with

not

"
:
justice

As

reader

every

of taste and

learningmust wish well to the moral character of so invaluable a

writer as Cicero,one
but regret that neither his own
cannot
general
regard to truth, nor the plea of his ingeniousadvocate, seems
sufficient to discredit this pieceof secret
f Sueton. in Tiber, i.^-who, not
line of the
Claudius

cites
Caesars,

Drusus,and
of the

Roman

that her brother

was

was

impeded by the

the

alive

to

multitude

to

mention

the

Claudian

licentious decemvir, of
mander
Pulcher, the unsuccessful comof the

names

Claudius

fleet.

history."

The

wish

of the

lose another

sister of the

battle,when

is well

known.
Rome,
insitaClaudia
atque

of

also,(Annal.i.4,)
speaks ofthe"vetus

superbia."
L

latter,

her

litter

Tacitus
familioe

146

THE

Rome,

and

LIFE

OP

selfishness and

CICERO.

low

cunningwhich,

for

hindered
part,effectually

their possessor from

cient
extent suffito an
propensities

the most

his vicious
following
to endangerhis personalsafety,
althoughwithin
either in puhlicor in private,
this limit no restraint,
affected to be placedupon their indulgence.
ever
was
Such a character,if once
them, was
engagedagainst
likelyto prove a far more
dangerousopponent to the

libertiesof his country than Catiline;as the assailant

who
the object
of attack by
works
his way towards
process of
the one who
at

mining,is

the covert
than

to

the

heedlessly
of devotedprofessions

By constant
popularinterests he

to the office of

course,

he

qu?estor,and

entitled to

forward

rushes

once

to the assault.
ness

to be dreaded

more

seat

in

had

been

now

in that

raised

capacitywas,

the senate.

To

of

Cicero

had

objectof dislike,not
long been an especial
only from his generalconduct, but from the part
he had taken in the impeachment of Fabia Terentia,
sister-in-law

of the

whom
virgins,
vows,

and

Fabia, on

he
an

had

orator, and
accused

one

of

the

vestal

her
to
infidelity
improper intimacy with Catiline.
of

the very verge of condemnation

and

its terrible

of
was
saved,principally
by means
consequences,
Cato, who, with all his stern coldness and inflexibility

agent,or even an unconcerned spectator,

of injustice,
althoughexercised towards an enemy;
and Clodius,to avoid the odium
raised against
him
of his unfounded
account
on
accusation,had been
obligedto withdraw for some time from the city.
On
his return a partial
reconciliation with Cicero
and in the suppression
of the Catilinaeffected,
was
rian conspiracy
he took an active part in supporting
himself in the ranks of the young
the consul,placing
who
formed
his person.
a guard about
He,
nobility
at the same
time,was constant in paying his court to
to be
Caesar,but the future dictator had littlereason
was

never

an

143

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OP

Caleims,-whomClodius
the day apattached to his party, and
on
pointed
for the assembly,the enclosed
spaces in

opposedby the
had

surrounded
the centuries gave their votes were
several of the
number
of his partisans,
including

which

by

tribune Fufius

former

favourers of

Piso and
known

headed

for his zeal

of notorious

the accused.

only such
as

By

tablets

sul
Catiline,
by the conencouraged
by Caius Curio, afterwards well
in the cause
of Cassar,a voluptuary

character
their

should

it was

means

friend of

bosom

contrived,that

be

presentedto the
negativecharacters*.

inscribed with

were

and

people
It

consequentlyappeared that the decision of the

the law, and Fufius,
who had endeavoured
meetingwas against
and
to substitute a trialbefore the prsetors,
chosen judgeswhom
it would
not be impossible
to
tion
convenbribe,or to overawe, for one before a general
of citizens,
imaginedthat he should now be able
to carry his point. Cato,however, seconded by Horafter
tensius,Favonius, and several of the nobility,
in a severe
indulging
harangueagainstPiso for his
unfair practices,
put an end by his interference to the
adhered to
of the day. The senate firmly
proceedings
their first resolution,
and all things
seemed to promise
ance
continuof no ordinaryviolence and of some
a struggle
between

In the midst
with

of these

turned
disputes,
Pompey havingre-

"

Tabuiseadministrabanturitautnulladaretur

Attic, i. 14. The

votes

upon

certain

opponents.

his victorious army from Asia, landed at

His
first proceedings
on
reaching

Brnndusium.
*

faction and their

the Clodian

Roman

when
citizens,

subjectlaid

any

before

to deliver

them, passed by

centuries

Ad

their
into

"

bridges pontes,"at
the one
two
tablets,
roffas,"Beit as you
Antiquo, or ''I am opposedto
thrown
by each voter inio the

called ovilia onepta,

inclosuies,

the end of which

Utirogas."
"

called upon
over

with
each person was presented
inscribed with tlieinitiallettersofthe words Uti

the
will,''
any

other

cista

or

chest

againstthe
"See

with the letter A

innovation."

One

placed

to receive

measure

Adam's

of these

Roman

were

taken

for
was

it,and the majorityof tablets for or

as the opinionof the wholccentury.

8vo.,p.
Antiquities,

85.

OP

LIFE

THE

149

CICERO.

since
anxiety,
immediatelymarch

considerable

watched
with
Italywere
it was
suspectedthat he

would

force upon Rome, where the posture

of affairs was
such that he would have had but little
in raising
himself,with the assistance of the
difficulty
with

his whole

redoubted

who

veterans

followed

It is

been his intention.

if such had

absolute power,

standards,to

his

however, with all his ambition and

questionable,
and jealousyof its
his love of authority,
selfishness,
dominion, at the
exercise by others,whether
despotic
of the

expense

his

subjectof

was
constitution,

of the

mm

thoughts.

the

motive,

whatever

From

country,althoughlaid

the libertiesof his

ever

defenceless

spared. His troops

ordered
were
no
sooner
disembarked,than they were
his
homes
and wait at their respective
to disperse,
to
under the walls of Rome
orders for reassembling
in expectation.
adorn the triumph of which he was
retinue of a proHe himself,with but the ordinary
consul,
in
to the capital,
pursued his way leisurely
in his

for this time

path, were

the suburbs
the senate

respect

of which

should
the

to

he took

have

come

honours

he

vip his quarters,until

with
to a determination
was

soliciting.The

of his
their sense
testifying
ing
lavishmoderation
; but the unanimityof all ranks in
not
of adulation upon him, was
every expression
bearance
of the forto be ascribed to their appreciation
solely

publicwere

not

he had

into which

By

to

break

secure

was

the factions

beginning
every day
the partisans
of each

up,
the support of

so

able

more
were

patron.

of the senate
the meetings
refined flattery,

and

to do
frequently,

him

assemblies

of the

honour,held
Flaminian

peoplewere

In the

walls,and the
the spotselected for
ordinarily

at this time

circus*

was

the latter purpose.

*

in

exhibited,since,amidst

the state

to
distinctly

anxious

slow

eighthregionof

It
the

without

was

the

that the
in this building

and
city,

near

the

Campua

Murtius

150

THE

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

took

placewhich has been described by Cicero

with so much
and which
amusing self-complacency,
forms the subject
of his fourteenth epistle
to Atticus.
I fear,"
he writes, it would look like affectation*
of my preon
my part to inform you of the multiplicity
sent
engagements,yet my attention has been latterly
leisure even
for
to allow me
so distracted,
as scarcely
this short epistle.The time I devote to it has, in
ment.
fact,been snatched from affairs of the greatestmoOf the nature
of Pompey's first address,I
have
oration without
an
alreadyinformed you:
scene

"

"

"

wretched

weight to the
wicked
in the
to the great undignified
unpleasant
estimation of the good ; so cold and insipid
its
was
character.
Immediatelyafter it,Fufius,that most
of
frivolous tribune of the people,
at the instigation
the consul,
introduced Pompey to the assembly.This
took placein the Flaminian
which, as it hapcircus,
pened
to be a market
day t, was crowded to excess.
The first questionproposedto him was, whether
he
of opinionthat the judgesshould be appointed
was
by the praetor,and by whose counsel the said praetor
This was
of the sacrilege
to be directed.
meant
was
had been appointed
of Clodius,which
to be tried by
the senate.
Pompey in replymade a speechof the
and at some
aristocratic tendency,
most
answering,
that the authority
of the senate appearedto
length,
him, as it had ever done, on all pointsof the greatest

comfort

to

the

"

without

"

putidum sit.
"f Erat in eo ipso loco
.ancient times,not only were
*

Vereor

"

ne

"

be held
also

on

the nundlnce

closed.
strictly

enacted

Rome.

on

By

of
happyrendering

nundinarum

Melmotli.

In
Travfiyvpis."

more

assemblies of the
market

the

that the prcetorsshould

might be
justice
who,

or

The very

days,but

Hortensian
continue

peopleforbidden to
the courts of justice

law
to

sit

it
on

was

afterwards

these

days,that
country people

rendered to the
conveniently
such occasions,
with their producein greatnumbers
came
to
This innovation
specting
having been made, the regulationremore

assemblies of the

peoplewas

less strictly
attended

to.

THE

LIFE

OF

151

CICERO.

quently
subsepossibleweightand importance. He was
asked
by the consul Messala in full senate,
what

and the bill which

of the sacrilege
he-thought
been promulgated
upon that subject.His answer
a
generaleulogyupon all the late proceedings

had
was

of the senators ; and as he sat down

he observed to me
that, in his own

at its conclusion,

he
opinion,

had

in relation to these matters.

satisfactorily
replied
Crassus observing
that the applausewhich
followed
that the
was
givento Pompey on the supposition
approbationhe had expressedwas meant to apply to
then rose, and in the most honourable
my consulate,
now

commented

terms

goingso

even

that

he

owed

both

often

as

was

upon

to say, that it
still a senator
and

far

as

life and
he

as

country, he

beheld

I have

office,

owing to

was

citizen;that

me

he

my

presentedwith

was

in that

exertions ; and that

his wife, his home, and his

to
liberty

towards
me.
obligations
the whole of that
subject,
which

conduct

my

Not
scene

evidences
dwell

to

of

his

upon^this

of fire and bloodshed

in different ways
to
describe (and you well know
my styleof colouring*)
in those orations of which you are the supreme
Arisbeen

accustomed

tarchus,he drew
of expression.
I

with

the utmost

force and

was

next
sitting

to

saw
plainly

that

he

said,either

because

worth

while

to

moved

was

he

saw

cultivate

by

dignity
Pompey, and

what

had

been

that Crassus

thoughtit

which
friendship

self
he him-

that my actions had been such

or
neglected,
auditors of my praises
as to render the senate willing
:
"praisestoo, be it observed,from a person who was
self
under the less obligation
to me, inasmuch
as he himhad hitherto been generally
treated with slight
amidst my commendations
of his rival. This day has
placedme on the most amicable terms with Crassus.
had

were

In

the

original
\TjKvQovs, the small
to keep their colours.

accustomed

vases

in -which artists

132

CICERO.

OF

LIFE

THE

to
I pretendedwillingly
Pompey, moreover,
he openlypaid me,
receive the complimentswhich
whatever
might have teen his secret sentiments.
did
But
for myself,ye Gods ! in what a manner
as
auditor.
If
before my
I displaymy
new
powers
harmonious
ever
periods well turned expressions
profound conceptionand skilful arrangement have
From

"

"

themselves
suggested
in

was

word, I drew forth

the argument of my

conduct

of the

order
extinction
and

"

of the

plenty now
of

pomp

was

shouts

ears

The

applause. This

of

discourse

"

dignified

the

"

the

"

"

languageI

am

accustomed

topics. I' need say no more,

approbationI excited must, ere
your

this occasion ;

on

unanimityof the equestrian

of Italy the
generaltranquillity
remains of the conspiracy the ease
with
what
know
enjoyed. You

senate

the

it

to me,

as

to

the

treat

these

clamorous

this,have

reached

*."

senate

continued

for

some

time

stilloccupied

of Clodius,which
by the consideration of the sacrilege
all oppothey were
fullyresolved,notwithstanding
sition
from without, to make
the subjectof a trial
before the people. On a fresh motion
beingmade
the subject,
to
althoughClodius had recourse
upon
the most
to prevent it,it was
abjectsupplications
determined
of
nearlyin the proportion
by a majority,
business should be
four hundred
that no
to sixteen,
entered upon until the necessary billshould be passed.
On the other hand, the accused,assisted by Curio,
used every means
to excite the sympathy of his
the severity
of
faction,by frequent
haranguesagainst
The
the senators.
favourers of both parties,
from
and threats,
to more
were
proceeding
angry words
*

Ad

Attic, l.xiv.

consulate,returned
The

Atticus,who had been

to

Greece

in Rome

immediately after

letter of Cicero, recommending him to

proconsulof Macedonia, is stillpreserved.

duringCicero's
its conclusion.

Antonius, at this time

LIFE

THE

demonstrations
palpable

of

153

CICERO.

OF

when
violence,

Hortensius,

interfered with all his

consequences,
influence to obtain the middle
expedientof a trial
ous,
of Clodius was
before the praetor.The guilt
so notorifearful of the

indifferent
what

that it seemed

taken

were

means

bringabout his condemnation,and it was openly

then comin the proverbial
form of expression
monly
stated,

to

in use, that

destroyhim

to

leaden sword

even

*. His

would

be sufficient

however,
adversaries,

in their

No sooner
anticipations.
assailed by
the judgesappointed,
than they were
were
and in a shape
briberyof the most open description,
moralisat
dethe prevalenceof general
sufficiently
manifesting
to a most
extent, if they
astonishing
have not been calumniated
by Cicero. The evidence,
were

not fortunate

at the trial

moreover,

than

had been

was
itself,

far

favourable

more

who
since Caesar,
anticipated,

pected
ex-

was

prove the most formidable witness on the

side of the prosecution,
to
appearedthe least willing
to

make
the

any

which might lead

representation
Immediatelyafter the occurrence

indictment

was

bill of divorce to

to

on

which

viction.
con-

founded, he had, indeed,sent a

his wife,but when
called upon to

givehis
the

in the cause, he replied,

to
open testimony
of all present,that he was
utter astonishment

havingsustained any injuryat the

hands
of Clodius.
On being asked why, if such
the case, he had formallydivorced Pompeia,he
were
made the well known
reply,that the fair fame of the
wife of Caesar should not onlybe unsullied by actual
but uninjuredby the slightest
shade of suspicion.
guilt,

not

conscious

The

admiration.
faction at

of

had

answer

littleto recommend

Clodius,with a numerous
his back, was
too useful

his aspiring
not
projects,
furthering
at any

expense

and
"

there
Ad

can

be

Attic, i. 16.

it to

and audacious
an

instrument in

to be
no

propitiated

doubt

that the

154

THE

of injury
on
feeling
was,

this

on

LIFE

band
part of the dishonoured hussacrificed to the
occasion,readily
the

of
absorbingprinciple

honest in his
his

CICERO.

OP

Cicero

ambition.

evidence,althoughto

the

was

more

detriment

of

confidentlyrelied
beingable to establish an alibi,and produced
upon
witnesses who, notwithstanding
the testimonyboth
of Aurelia and of Julia,the sister of Caesar,as to his
that he
swore
confidently
presence at the mysteries,
that day at Interamna
This daringper*.
was
on
jury,
if
believed
for
it
could
have
been
a
however,
rendered
unavailingby the counter
moment, was
testimonyof Cicero,who made oath in his turn, that
Clodius had, on the morningof the day in question,
paid him a visit in his house on the Palatine Hill.
interests.

own

Clodius

had

The

terminated in favour
process, notwithstanding,
of the accused,since,of the fifty-six
twentyjudges,
five alone

had

honesty to give sentence against

The rest presented
their tablets inscribed with
him.
ever,
the character of acquittal
t.
Fully conscious,howthe

which

he had

been

brought
by the unbiassed evidence given in the cause
by
of mortal
Cicero,Clodius left the court with a feeling
hatred against
bun, which from that hour to the day
of his own
death was
unremoved, and immediately
of the

About

"f-In

dangerinto

eightymiles

the

from

city.

at Rome
as
generalprinciple
recognised
Judices"
well as Athens, of passing
judgment by ballot,each of the
inscribed
the
with three tablets severally
trial
before
was
supplied
I acquit,"
Conwith the letters A, C, and
NL, for Absolvo,

with the

accordance

"

"

demno, " I
evidence."

condemn," and
One

of

liquet,There

Non

is not

"

these,in the

same

as

manner

sufficient

or
elections,

at

was
by the "Judices" into a
passingof laws by the people,
box or urn, and the praetoron ascertaining,
by countingthem over,
unfavourable
the preponderance of favourable or
opinions,was

thrown

the

enabled
trial of

givejudgment accordingly.Plutarch
the "Judices" erased the letters on
Clodius,
to

expedientwhich

was

of

of two

one
offending

sometimes

adopted when

powerfulparties.

states

that at the

their tablets ;

there

was

an

hazard

156

LIFE

THE

was

native

of

which
talents,

for his

Antioch, celebrated

had

him

recommended

families
distinguished

most

CICERO.

OF

of

to

of the

some

and

Rome,

poetical

his

name

alreadyoccurred in this narration as, in earlier

days,the honoured and esteemed instructor of Cicero.
has

years before the law of the tribunes Silvanus

had
been passed*, ordainingthat all
Carbo

few

and

enrolled
strangers
should

be

as

citizens

considered

the confederate

by

entitled

to

the

states

privilegeof

provided they possesseda habitation in

Italyat the time, and gave in their claim to the
praetorwithin sixtydays after the date of the edict,
he had obtained,by the patronage of Lucullus,and
Romans,

the

entertained

generalsense

freedom

he had

of Heraclea
hitherto

in

of his

Lucania,by virtue

passedas

Roman

of the Heracleans

publicrecords

merits

t,

the

of which

citizen. But

the

destroyedin
the Social AVar, and, in the deficiency
dence,
of this eviaccused under
the Papian law, prohe was
viding
againstthe assumption of the rightsof
by persons unduly qualified.The procitizenship
secutor
Gratius
several
as

nor

the

that
propositions,

his

indictment

he had

never

the
upon
been enrolled

of their state

member

by the Heracleans,or if
that he had neither possessed
a residence in Italy,
within the time appointedto
givenin his name
self
readilypresentedhimpraetor. Cicero,who
his advocate, bestowingcomparatively
little
as

so,

founded

were

attention upon the refutation of the two latter counts,

devoted
efforts to establishing
his principal
nesses
by witfrom
*

A.

u.

c.

Heraclea,as

well

as

by

the evidence of

664.

"fIt has been generallybelieved,that the merits of Archias as a

poraries
greatlyexaggerated both by Cicero and his contempoet were
this
in general. Yet, as
opinionis founded only upon the
character of

few

epigramsin

the least of it,is yet open

the

to doubt.

to
Anthology,the subject,

say

LIFE

THE

Lucullus,the
with

fact of his

the freedom

to argue, that

time

OF

157

CICERO.

havingbeen formerlypresented

of the

if Archias

even

He

place.

then ceeded
pronot at the

was

citizen of

Rome, he richlydeserved, by his

geniusand attainments,to be reckoned as one.
If we
had only been acquainted
with
the general
a

features of this cause, and

in connexion
with it had

of Cicero
pleadings
gination
perished,imaaltogether
vocate
the geniusof the adsuggested

might have
to have
as likely
exertion

if the

of its powers, on
both with his taste and

suppositionhave

been

the

is

poet

Archias

one

roused

been

subjectso

no

ordinary

much

son
in uni-

to

Nor
feelings.
The

erroneous.

of

the most

would

the

oration

for

noble

tributes

harmonious
and
by eloquence;
plished
seductive,like all other productionsof the accomit was
delivered,
speaker by whom
by the
but possessing,
dently
indepensingular
grace of its style,
the higherrecomof these extrinsic ornaments,
mendation
of beingbut an echo to the true feelings
of
the orator,and of illustrating
a
topic which would
have
to a less imposing,and interest
givendignity
Amidst
to a far less skilfully
arranged discourse.

paidto

ever

the turmoil
crowd
to

the

literature

and

Forum, and before a

only
part accustomed

bustle of the

of auditors for the most

cramped arguments

and

conventional

idioms

it must
at least have been producedunder
litigation,
the double
advantagesof noveltyand contrast,
characteristics which
tion
seldom fail of ensuringadmiraunder judicious
management ; and Cicero himself,
whose literary
fame will at all times rival,if indeed
it is not thought to surpass, his oratorical reputation,
of

seems,

he

in the midst

of the feverish

pursuing,to have
of showing that
opportunity
was

now

of ambition

course

seized with
his best

aviditythe

affections

were

afforded by
calm
the more
delights
upon
described ;
those studies which he has so beautifully
stillfixed

158

the sufferer in

as

LIFE

THE

OF

CICERO.

calenture is said to have

constantly

before his eyes, the fresh pasturesand cooling

streams,
To make
from which
he is unavoidablydebarred.
of any particular
partsof this highlyfinished
and perfectly
tuned discourse,
would be almost to reflect

mention

Yet
of praise.
upon others which are equallydeserving
few will be unwilling
the passages in
to recal to mind
which
too

and

he defends

his

own

attachment

of the eminent
many
the whole
circle of
eulogises

rare

connected

far
pursuits
of his

men

among

that all

to

time,

sciences,
affirming
servation
bond, with a re-

by a common
in favour of poetry,which
he characterises
distinct in its nature
and unattainable
a divine
as
afflatus,
of intellectual
by the ordinary methods
exertion.
Rocks
and deserts,"
continues the pleader,
are

"

"

find

beasts

an

answer

to the human

influenced

are

and

song; and

voice

arrested

"

even

by the sound
the subjects
of

shall we, who have been

best instructions,
remain insensible to the

poets ?

ferocious

numbers

of
the
of

The

peopleof Colophongiveout that Homer

Chians prefer
the same
a native of their city.The
was
claim
the Salaminians
both in favour
appealagainst
of their own
and those of Smyrna confidently
island
dence
pointto the templeerected to his honour, as an evisuperiorto all. Many other cities are fiercely
this subject
of contention.
Can we,
the
at issue on
while such disputesare
raised respecting
a
foreign
and our
one
poet long since dead, reject
yet living,
both by his own
inclination and the authority
own
"

"

of the laws
and

; one,

the full force of his

celebrated

too, who

Pro

the

has devoted

all his studies

and
geniusto raising
name
gloryof the Roman

dering
ren-

?"*

Archia,viii.ix. Archias,as it may be ascertained from the

imitatingthe example of Ennius and
following
part of this oration,
had written in verse
the historyof the Cimother metrical annalists,
he was
recommended
of Marius,
bric War, by which
to the favour
the
of
Lucullus
and
againstMithridates,
subsequently campaigns
which ensured him another powerfulpatron. It seems
to have been

THE

LIFE

OF

159

CICERO.

much
This latter argument had, in all probability,
a
the questionto the
greaterinfluence in determining
of Archias,than all the evidence produced
advantage
in his favour ; but by whatever
arts his eloquence
tification
was
enforced,the orator had not the morprincipally
since it apit to be ineffectual,
of finding
pears
that his client was,
for the future,allowed to
remain
in possession
he
of the privileges
to which
laid claim,without further opposition.
In the autumn
of this year Pompey enjoyedhis
third and most splendidtriumph over
Mithridates,
occurred
the twentythe celebration of which
on
ninth day of September. The day appointed,
being
considered particularly
also that of his birth, was
which, from its
appropriatefor the ceremony,
and
formed,
magnificence
imposing circumstances

time

after its occurrence,

On
absorbingtopicof conversation at Rome.
for

some

two

former

and

Africa.

him,
the

in

with

and

occasions he had

the

whole

before

The

addition

eyes

of his admirers

the immense

regionswhich
we

and

divinities Bacchus

the

was

found

constituted
conqueror

be inclined to smile

ancient heroes

more

the

next,and

As

pageant,it was

duringthe

the eyes of the spectators

were
successive exhibitions of the gorgeous
indeed

common

historical

for all the

laureate,the

beingTheophanes of
that
of
his

the

his

whole

dazzled

trophies,

generalsof

person

who

that age to be attended

by an
fulfilledthe office for Pompey

littleimagining
Mitylene. Cicero,apparently

writingsvvould prove his best monument

mentions, that Archias had also begun
posterity,
own

and seems
consulship,
nervouslyanxious
should be completed.
subject

own

day

one

of that time
with

of

our

Hercules.

wholly insufficient for

to the end of the

Europe

compared
consequently

to the

and

now

the

acquaintance
layalike beyond his

may

was

onlyto Alexander,but

extended

of Asia

with
world; although,

knowledgeand his grasp,

and he
at the appellation,
not

triumphedover

the

in the eyes
to

celebrate

that the poem

on

160

THE

OP

CICERO.

stantial
subEast, or by the more
riches which were
the pointof beingtransferred
on
subdued
The
to the public coffers.
territory
with pompous
was
brevitydescribed in the temple
of Minerva, afterwards
built from
a
part of the
the whole
the
as
spoils,
region situated between
Meeotic lake and the Red sea, but in the procession
the conqueror
condescended
into detail,
to enter
more
himself as having subjectedby force of
describing
who
had infested
after his suppression
of the pirates
arms,
the Mediterranean
sea, the countries of Asia,
Pontus, Armenia, Paphlagonia,
Cappadocia,Cilicia,
Judaea,Albania, Iberia,the island of
Syria,Scythia,
Crete and the district inhabited by the Bastarnae,as
well as havingovercome
the two powerfulmonarchs
with glory
Mithridates and Tigranes
; thus finishing
of thirtyyears'
a war
duration,and making the province
of Asia,which had been hitherto the extremity,
One
dominions.
now
only the centre of the Roman
won

by

thousand
to have

the army

LIFE

of the

hundred
eight

cities and fortresses

were

said

been

reduced,eight hundred and forty-six

galleysburned or taken, and two millions of enemies
in the field. Among
or made
routed,slain,
prisoners
the captives
Aristobulus king of Judaea,the rewas
presentative
of the violated sanctity
of the Holy City;
a manifest
sign of the departureof the Divine protection
from which
had been exhibited by the presence
sacred part
of the heathen general
in the most
of its temple,after he had stormed
its ramparts, and

delugedits courts
Zozime,

with

wife of the

of their defenders.

the blood

king of Armenia,

and

his son, with the wife and children of the

sister of Mithridates and her five sons, the
the

pirates,and

Commageni, were
chariot.

the

The

most

ebony tree

the

hostagesof

also
rare

of India

led

in

the

bonds

Tigranes
the
latter,
chiefs

Iberians
before

of

and
his

of Asia,including
productions
balsam
and the famous
plant

161

CICERO.

OF

LIFE

THE

interest to the

Syria,gave varietyand increased

amidst
pilesof armour
spectacle,
of

fields of

battle,and

models

collected

from

acquiredby

of towns

assault.
The wealth,both in coined
or
capitulation
and jewels,
to
introductory
displayed,
money, bullion,
such as
its being depositedin the treasury,was

mightexcite doubts of the accuracy of the historians

it not at
it has been mentioned,were
by whom
time
th\esame
remembered, that the riches thus
acquiredhad been accumulatingfor years under the
from whom
princes
tyranny of the despotic
grasping
they had been wrested,and that the effect of Roman
such as to leave the countries
conquestswas generally
ed,
drainwhich had dared to offeran ineffectualresistance,
to the very

utmost, of their
of which

some
particulars,

exhibited

be

may

semi-barbaric

To descend

resources.

taste

thought to
the

on

part

to

have
of the

carried in the procession

a bust of
conquerors, there was
encrusted with pearls*,
the triumphant
entirely
general

goldencircled by a vine of the same

of stags,
lions,
metal,and covered with chased figures
and fruits of different descriptions,
a
goldenmoon
of
crowns
thirtypounds in weight,thirty-three
pearls,three statues in goldof Mars, Minerva, and
Apollo,a chess-board and counters made from two
largegems (probablycrystal)three feet wide and
and couches,
and several golden
four long,
cups, vessels,
which
richlyadorned with costlyjewelry,among
a

of solid

mountain

were

borne

formed
much

so

myrrhine,
from materials now
unknown, but
altogether
valued for their beauty as sometimes
to be

boughtat
*

several of those chalices termed

the rate of three hundred

Pliny,Nat.

this luxurious
constituted

Hist, xxxvii.

and

extravagant

the ornament
et feminis

prodigare
fieri tuos vultus,""c.

tam

6,who
use

of females

which

gem

only.

reperta,quam
"c.

In

bitter complaints
against

makes
of

talents each.

"

gerere

had

hitherto

margaritis,
Mnjrue,
te

fas

non

sit,hinc

162

THE

addition

LIFE

to this lavish

the abundance

OF

CICERO.

materials,
displayof precious

parison
might well sustain a comwith the goldenharvest reaped in after ages
Peru
the virginsoil of Mexico
and
by the

from

of which

soldiers of Cortez
thousand
after

talents*
reward

and

bestowed

Pizarro,the
added

was

to the

of fifteen hundred
each

upon

sum

of

twenty
publicfunds,
had

denarii

and
soldier,

common

the officers. It

one

been

profurther

portionably
greaterupon
ascertained,by the tablets presentedto the gaze
of the populace,that the revenues
of the state,
millions
which
had hitherto amounted
to but fifty
of denarii,
increased by the late conquests to
were
was

millions.
eighty-five
Such

the circumstances

were

of

pageantwhich

has

recorded as surpassing
all before it
ostentatiously
and indicating,
in splendour,
to a greaterextent than
any that had precededit,the irresistibleforce of the
and the militarygeniusof their
armies of Rome
who
formed
leader. Yet the star of the general,
the occasion the principal
on
objectof attraction to
multitudet
the envy
the enthusiastic and applauding
been

"

t No

sixtythousand pounds,
of the
at being reminded
displeased

three millions three hundred

About

Englishreader

description,in

be

can

reference

to

Pompey's triumphs,placed by

of the tribune
speare in the mouth
You blocks,you stones, you

O,

Knew

you

Have

you

To

lowers

Your

Pompey

climb'd
and

than

worse

of

men

Many

senseless

things!

Rome,

time

and

oft

up to walls and

windows,

infants in your

battlements,
chimney-tops,

to

yea,
and
arms,

there

have

sat

live-long
day,with patientexpectation,

The
To

not

Shak-

Marullus.

hearts,you cruel

hard

you

and

see

And
Have
That

To
Made

great Pompey pass the

when
you
Tiber

you
not

trembled

hear the
in her

saw

made

of Rome

his chariot but appear,

universal shout,
an
underneath

of your
replication
concave

streets

banks,
sounds,
her

shores ? "c.

Jul. CCBS. Act i. sc.

164

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

CHAPTER
of

Consulate
of

Pompey

Members

Lucius
with

Afranius

Clodius

Cicero

"

VI.

composes

Celer

Metellus

and

First Triumvirate

"

Characters

"

in retirement

Coalition

"

bis

of its

his

Historyof

Consulship Julius Caesar and Calpurnius Bihulus returned

Consuls
He is opposedby Cato
AgrarianLaw of the former
into
the Plebeian Family of Publius FonAdoption of Clodius
"

"

teius

to

of Cicero for Flaccus

Oration

"

Decline
to

"

of the Influence of

Pompey

"

"

Clodius elected Tribune

Caesar offers

"

his

Commission

Letter
Lieutenant,in the Gallic War
his Brother Quintus in Asia
Acts
brought forward

Cicero,as

"

"

of Cicero

dius
by Clo-

"

of his Tribuneship His Law

at the commencement
against
the arbitraryInfliction of CapitalPunishment
passed by an
"

He
People Distress of Cicero
appliesfor
and prepares to retire into
Protection to Pompey without effect,
Exile
o
f
draws
Public
He withExpressions
Opinionin his Favour

Assembly

of the

"

"

"

"

from

THE
after

Rome.

first exertion of power

his return
to Rome,

for
consulship

order

meanest

remarkable
the

Lucius

on

the

his

was

Afranius, a

of intellect and

procuringthe

candidate

the

only

to the interests of

influence the honour

whose

of

and
principle,

for his servile devotion

patron by

part of Pompey,

was

ferred
con-

election,
accordingto the
then prevalent
custom, was distinguished
by the most
the purchase-money being
unblushingcorruption,
distributed to the voters by the agents of Pompey in
open day, and in full sightof the citizens. The
better disposedpart of the community, however,
from the character of Quintus
comfort
derived some
had
of Afranius,who
Metellus Celer,the colleague
upon

him.

The

himself
occasions exhibited
as
many
and well-wisher
to the interests of his
patriot
on

His

constancy,in
put to a severe

the

earlypart

of his

true

country.

magistracy,
test.
was
Flavius,having
certain
broughtforward an Agrarianlaw, dividing
lands of Italyamong
the soldiers of Pompey and the
The

tribune

LIFE

THE

of

commons

165

CICERO.

OF

opposingit to the
committed
to prisonby

Rome, Mctellus,on

of his power, was

the greaterpart of the
Flavins,and when
utmost

attemptedto

accompany

the consul

to

his

Senate
ment,
confine-

tribune,having placedhis chair before

forbade their approach.
the prison
door,peremptorily
Such
the juristwho
facts
confound
attempts
the

to analyse the
accurately
They might, at the same

constitution

time,

of

Rome.

lead

any
research

one

to
this field of historical
entering
upon
of the existence of any governdeny the possibility
ment
administered by powers so diametrically
opposed

and

so

ill defined in their extent

and limits,
were

it

of the
authority
if not neutralised by the existence
tribunitial office,
of different opinions
invested
the body of men
among
with it,as was
the case, was
at all times
frequently
almost entirely
directed by the public
to which
opinion,
it owed
the mere
its existence,
and of which it was
not remembered

instrument.

that the anomalous

of the citizens was

so
indignation
this occasion,
that Flavins was
on
strongly
expressed
he had
to release the magistrate
speedily
obliged
whose reputation
in consequence
raised
was
insulted,
to a stillhigher
pitch. Cicero spokeupon the Agrarian
law of Flavius*
and
as
cautiously ambiguously,
delicate a subject,
the more
was
on
so
necesary
backed by the authority
of
as the bill was
especially
of making
Pompey. In consequence of his proposals
certain alterations and exceptions
make
which would
it necessary

The

to

re-model

the intervention of
it appears
In order to
as

the

it to

greatextent, and of
of consideration,
more
importantsubjects
doned.
abanthat the billwas ultimately
a

the election of

ensure

only means

of

Afranius,
Pompey,

the
securing

under his influence,

had
party acting
*

Ad

Attic, i. 12.

interest of the
been

to
obliged

166

THE

into

enter

he had

his

rival,as

the multitude
received

was

CICERO.

coalition with Clodius,although

partial
time affected in publicso close an
some

for

among

OP

intimacywith
He

LIFE

faction with

whose

the

by

with

to be

open

jestingly
designated
of Cneius Cicero*.

name

by

arms

the

turbulent

he thus

beganto be
prizedby his new

movements

but soon
found himself
identified,
all must
as
allies,
expect to be who act as traitors to
their own
convictions and principles,
from the hope
of self-aggrandisement.
Encouragedby his support,
and by his own
growingimportanceamong his partisans,
aimed
Clodius now
the
at
openly
tribuneship,
and began,
in conjunction
with Herenniust,who
was
himself tribune of the peopleat the time,to agitate
the
of causing
planwhich he afterwards carried into effect,
himself to be adoptedinto a plebeian
family,for the
himself eligible
to the office.
purpose of rendering
The
of such a step to Cicero might
consequences
have been foreseen,
but no
made
easily
attempt was
his

on

enemy.

them, by concessions to his

On
the contrary,he seems
to have taken
of provoking
him, by the exercise
opportunity
part

every
of that

An

non

he

Ad

instance

simulat, sed
now

he

likelyto

of this is

any
came

be

f Ad

given,Ad

planetribunus

the matter

was

mask,

to

results to himself
attended

J. The

Attic, i. 19.

Attic, ii. 1.

"c.
plebisfiericupit,
for the

able

never

mischievous

Attic, lib. i. 16.

without
solicits,
When

which

whatever

might appear
*

avert

sarcastic wit

with
restrain,
it

to

"

Ille antem

"

As

to

Clodius

of
tribuneship

before the senate

the ple.
peoI confounded
the

of
fellow,censured his inconstancyin standingfor the tribuneship
he would
Rome, when, but the other day, he declared,in Sicily,
I
that
had
said
real
stand for the aedileship.
to be
we
no
reason
in
the
of
character
h
ave
since
he
a
would,
no
alarmed,
plebeian,
the
than
for
h
is
more
distressing country
patricians,
opportunity

example he followed under my consulship. In the next

in an assemblyof the
that he had bJoasted
place,havingunderstood
Rome
in
of
seven
to
days from the straits of
having come
people
and that he had entered the cityby nightto prevent the crowd
Sicily,
whose

LIFE

THE

of Clodius

increasing
power
by
prognostic

which

at this time

was

OP

167

CICERO.

not the

was

only gloomy

horizon
political

the

At

darkened.

at Rome

the state

home

was

by disputesbetween the senate and

againagitated
the equestrian
order,partlyon account of the real or
imputed mal-adrninistration by the latter of the
publicrevenues, of which they were the farmers,and
shown
partlyon account of the partiality
by the
judgesin the recent case of Clodius. The common
the other hand, looked suspiciously
on
people,
upon
of unprincipled
both,and, under the guidance
leaders,
who

maintained

their
flattering

most

for any overt act of

the perplexity
of the
such

were
a

Gallic

Roman

war,

orders.
ruling
dailyto threaten

as

word

; since

ears

them
ascendancy over
by
were
ready
extravagantdesires,
violence,which might lead to

their

Abroad
the

all times

at

the Helvetii

ances
appear-

of
beginning

unmusical
known

were

to

to be

in which
for the expedition
making preparations
afterwards
discomfited by the geniusof
they were
Caesar,while the Sequaniand the ^Edui were
rising
in

to oppose

arms

On

them.

all sides the

elements

and onlyrequired
tinscattered,
laythickly
direction
and
sufficiently
arrangement of minds
their furyin a
powerfuland determined to discharge
tempest of terrible strengthand duration,upon a
turbances
state ill qualified,
from the effects of still recent disof discord

the shock.

to withstand
who

to

were

in

man's

strange
when, in three
a

out

come

to

coming

hours,

him,

meet

in

he could

the first time

not
; that it was
night;and that nobody hy goingout

he

his
The

approachwhen
pun,

obviam, ne

they ought to

however,
turn quidem, cum

contained

to

have

meet

done

in the last
iri maxime

nothing
to Rome,
Sicily
was

go from Rome
had entered

and

amna

there

from

days

seven
come

I said

him

to

the

Inter-

cityby

had obstructed

it most."

Melmolh.

"

clause,';non

esse

ittim

debuit,"has hardlybeen

and is,perhaps,untranslateable.
clearlytranslated,
themselves in his way," will,perhaps,
convey in some
double meaning of the writer.

"Had
measure

placed
the

163

THE

OF

CICERO.

this year, in fact,

dated the comis generally
mencement
of that well known
and fatal struggle,

From

marked
by
longseries of alternations,
desolation both of Italyand its tributary
provinces
the
sacrifice
of
thousands
of lives,
;
including

which,
the

LIFE

after

of the noblest and

many

lation
best of the age ; the annihitution
of the established forms of the consti-

of most
;

which

and, what

was

remained

amongst

the state
precipitating
of

of the little principle

worse,

its

members,

ended

"

by

tion
condifrightful

into the most

recorded in the pages of authentic

other contentions,
the last to
many

government

history. Like
which
the Republic was
in a
exposed,originated
its most powerful
secret leagueand compact between
citizens.

Similar combinations

for the

purposes

of

might have taken placebefore,

self-aggrandisement
with comparatively
little injuryto the constitution ;
but the

of

name

THE

FIRST

TRIUMVIRATE

student of the annals of Rome

to that outward
to

whatever

had, up
the

form

extent

to prepare

and semblance

the

time,continued
institutions
equitable
henceforth,to look

and, from
exhibition

of

of

to

arbitrary
power,

the

bid farewell

which,
liberty,

reality
mighthave

to this

more

warns

to haunt

been

absent,

the ruins of

periods,
preceding
for nothingbut the

of

either

on

its ascendant

well as
with its pretensions
as
fullyestablished,
its exercise,
its continuance no
less than its origin,
based only upon the aid and countenance
of military
force.
Yet, as the rise of so stupendousa fabric was
its decline
majesticand imposing,so neither was
without dignity,
its ruin unaccompaniedby circumstance
nor
or

well

calculated

and

interest of all ages.

the

stern

of
principle

clearlybe
many
was

traced.

The

insure

the

attention

In almost

every particular
retribution
impartial
may
sword

and
desolate,
regions
now

to

so

which
many

had

made

so

cities tenantless,

for years to be red with civilslaughter

; and

the

169

CICERO.

OF

LIFE

THE

long been employed in

subjectkingdoms,on the pointof

hands, which

had

so

chains for
forging
being yieldedto the manacles of domestic tyranny
had been
who
fierce soldiery
and oppression.The
conquest
employed as the instruments of effecting
about
themselves
to
and
abroad, were
spoliation
rivet and render indissoluble the yoke of degrading
bondage at home ; and the title of Roman,
hitherto

of

in

three

to
soon
signifythe
globe,was
most
abject of slaves, whose possessions

and
and

terror

the

quarters of
meanest

and

of distinction

sound

dependedupon

very existence

the mood

gloomy misanthrope,a brutal sensualist,or

invested
of a capricious
maniac, unfortunately
of imperial
the substance,
as well as the ensigns

even

with

power.

These

if they
results,

probablyhave

would
predicted,

been

considered

been

wildest and most

had

as

on

improbablecreations

level with

of

the

imagination,

Ctesar,havingreturned from his

with Crassus
of Spain,
in conjunction
entered,
province
at

the time

and

when

Pompey,

into the

short-lived

confederacy
productive

of such disastrous consequences

well as to the liberties of their

themselves,
as
country. The
motives actuating
each have been briefly
yet expressively
who
stated by an ancient writer,
has asserted
that

the

objectof

that of the second

the

first was

to

acquirepower,

to

and that of the third to

retain,
increase 'it. Thus
the partiesto this
influenced,
conspiracy
dangerous
agreedto layaside their mutual
and to devote all their efforts to the projealousies,
motion
to

of each other's interests. No

was

individual
stand

to be allowed

without

opposed to

drawing upon
The

very

terms

their

to be conferred

sanction,nor

the advancement

himself
of the

office of

the

of

resentment

coalition

quence
conse-

upon

any

any

rival to

one

without

of the

rest.

arguedits speedy

170

THE

LIFE

dissolution ; yet on

arranged,but
from

whatever

CICERO.

might have been

have been expected

basis it

issue could

one

the characters
and

OP

of those of whom

the ends

to which

it

it

was

intended

was

posed,
com-

to be

subservient.
If
the
of

made

attempt were

an

to delineate
accurately,

actors in the first part of

principal
which
and Actium
Pharsalia,
Philippi,

the

scenes,

the

of

powers

that

drama,
sequent
sub-

were

biographeror

historian
to

might,perhaps,hardlybe considered taxed

the prominent
any greatdegreeof exertion in placing
either of Pompey or of Crassus before
qualities

his readers.

The

dered
appears to have been renstances
much
by favourable circum-

former

great at least as
talents.
as
by his own
indeed
but
considerable,

were

entrusted

to his hands

he could

less ; and his highest

praisemay
that he never
acted
assertion,
to

army,

the

command

His

exploits
military

with

the

resources

have effected
scarcely
be expressed
by the
below

of which

he

The

them.
succeeded

in

plined
trained and disciearlyyouth,had been thoroughly
by his father Strabo, a generalof no light
in all pointssuperior
to
merit,and was, probably,
the illunited troopsof the Marian
faction;who fought
under all the dispiriting
producedby the
impressions
of a suitable leader to supplythe placeof their
want
celebrated chief,and the consciousness that theywere
His campaignsin Spain
cause.
engagedin a sinking
(who,
proved that he was no match for Sertorius,
extensive
a more
indeed,seems
only to have required
field for the displayof his talents,
to rank with the
first generals
of antiquity,)
sassination
since, until the asof that celebrated partisan
by Perpenna,
.

the

event

of the

war

continued

to

waver

in the

all the advantages

possessed
balance,notwithstanding

by

the

armament

forces

of the senate.

placedunder

his

With

prodigious
command, bearingwith
the

172

THE

auguringa

LIFE

CICERO.

OF

of those

consciousness of the want

higher

intellectual resources,
which, being sufficient in
themselves to excite and to keep alive the wonder
of
with any
others,enable their possessor to dispense
outward
Crassus,although
assumptionof superiority.

inferior to

Pompey

in the

extent

and

lustre of his

well as his abilities for war, and unsuras

services,
rounded
by the splendourof foreign
conquests and
and
in some
triumphs,was yet his superior
respects,
his equalin many
In the field he had proved
more.
himself at least an officer superior
to any of those
who

had

been

sent

before

with

him

the

command

againstSpartacus. At the bar he was known as an

eminent
pleader,thoroughly acquaintedwith the
of the then existing
theoryand practice
system of
class of
and endeared
to a numerous
jurisprudence,
the
well by his readiness to undertake
as
citizens,
of the poorestwho claimed his assistance,
cause
as by
the general
of his deportment.His immense
affability
time,ensured him the command
towards whom
thousands among the necessitous,
siderate
acted,probablyfrom interested motives,as a con-

wealth, at
over

he

the

and

same

liberal creditor.

He

was

not

unversed

in the

study of philosophyand literaturehimself,nor

of valuing
it in others; yet,his inordinate
incapable
and insatiable avarice

was

sufficient to have

obscured

than he at any
greaternumber of goodqualities
and rendered those to which he could
time possessed,
actually
lay claim, often insufficient to shield him
from the contempt and dislike of his countrymen. It
when
this vice,which
was
indulgedby
producing,
him, as disastrous effects as ambition in the case of
a

far

other men, caused him to countenance, if he did not

wards,
aid,the first designsof Catiline ; to conspireafter-

with

more

freedom

of Rome

Parthia

with the

the
against
dangerousconfederates,
to stain the sands of
; and, finally,
and to
blood of nearlyseven
legions,

LIFE

THE

add

the fasces of

OP

proconsulto

Roman

173

CICERO.

the

trophies

of the Arsacidse.
But

far
rising

botli his compeers, the third

of the first triumvirate presents

above

and greatestmember

limited skill in
no
require
and no ordinary
moral analysis
to appreciate,
power
The consummate
to define.
of language accurately
the ardent lover
writer
general the accomplished
of literature and philosophy,
blending"
character

which

it would

"

"

"

to

soldier's,
scholar's,
courtier's,
eye, tongue, sword,"

The

greaterextent

station

than

in ancient

or

one

any
modern

occupyinga

times

similar
alike

generous

"

friendshipand enmity devoid neither of the

of the refinements of perfect
nor
affections,
gentler
courtesy possessedof an eloquence,which, if he
in

"

"

had

not

ensured

been
him

the

of his age, and

allowed himself

contemporary

of

Cicero,would

of beingthe
reputation

first orator

wit, in which, if he
exercise it,he would

of

to

have

had

often

have

been

geniusas versatile as it
various ; and capableof turningfrom the most
was
abstruse subject
of investigation,
from the producor
tion
which
of those models of military
are
history,
of its
the only remainingmonuments
unfortunately
and satiric
task of humorous
power, to the lighter
the
with equal readiness and success
composition,

left without

rival

"

with

"

idol of his soldiers in the

by

the lower

orders at home

and
field,
"

with

no

less beloved

unbounded

power

if
to business,yet no
application
unwillingness,
were
offered,to enter into the
opportunities
fitting
dissipation
amusements, and sometimes the prevalent
of the time, and to win those to his interest by a
whom
he was
in pleasure,
unable to
companionship
direct means
such, in general
terms,
gainby more
individual who
the fated and gifted
was
now
began

of

"

to attract the gaze

of his

countrymen,

like the

bright

174

THE

eccentric

but

successors

OF

CICERO.

luminary which

his

as

LIFE

which

much
more
portending,
chief,
of coming misharbinger

his baleful influence

that he has

have
may
of armed

ruin

the

to

nation

extended.

was

More

equal in the
the .disposition
of
management
masses,
battles,and the rapid and skilful movements
by
which
victories are
both
ensured
and improved;
and althoughwe
data for
without very specific
are
we
judgingupon the subject,
imagine
may also easily
recent

times

his

by

but

emblem,

trulythan any such fancied

disorder,bloodshed,and
over

chosen

was

not

been

exhibited

without

and
popularassemblies,

over

wills and

interests the

in

his

rival in his

mastery

bendingto

his

inclinations

of

men

own

but

combining his militaryabilitieswith his

talent as a political
leader,his skill in debate, his
his proattainments,his winningmanners,
literary
found
and
is
be
ready address, to
sought,
judgment,
destined to exist,
the actors in ages
if ever
among
character

the calamitous effect,

Notwithstanding
of the ambition by which his better quamoreover,
lities
his
sacrifice
of
were
obscured,
unhesitating
all considerations,
but such as were
likelyto lead
the misery of
to his advance
to despotic
power,

yet to

come.

"

which
and

he

the

was

direct inflictor in his

the stillgreater
amount

time,

own

of after wretchedness

of

remotelythe agent, he has

succeeded better than any equally
queror
conunprincipled
and destroyer
in ensuring
the
of his species,
His
regardand sympathy of succeeding
generations.
and magnanimity
towards
clemency,his generosity,
which

he

those

who

dominion

was

more

survived

his

attempt upon
have effaced,
to

its success,
extent,the recollectionof the thousands
in the

and

"

and
previousstruggle*,

amidst

who

absolute

great
perished
a

the blaze of

dcs Romains, chap,x.)

et Decadence
Montesquieu, (Grandeur
shrewdness
than
this subject
with
on
:
uiore
observes,
charity,
"

THE

OP

LIFE

175

CICERO.

splendidendowments, the horrors by which their

exhibition was
accompaniedhave been almost,if not
forgotten.
altogether,
his

It is remarkable

all the

that

first triumvirate

in

were,

the

members

of the

early part

more

of their
the
the

of
aspiring
career, rivals for the favour
from
these stood
common
people. Remote
the Catuli,
party of the senators and patricians,

of noble
Hortensii, and other members
houses,
rallied by the iron integrity
and stoical patriotism
of
their leader Cato, and presenting
a firm front to the
innovations
with which
and
threatened,
they were
of their own
dailydefections of many
body to
the opposite
the faction to which
This was
cause.
Pompey afterwards had recourse, and which, as the
former
have deserted
partisanof Sylla,he should never
with his rival on
to contest the pre-eminence
the property of the latter ; since
groundexclusively
besides his claim upon their affections derived
Caesar,
from his relationship
to their well remembered
leader,
had won
the regardsof the Marian, or popular faction,
at the hazard of his own
by boldlyre-erecting,
the Cimbri
the trophies
which
over
personalsafety,
Syllahad ordered to be thrown down, and by bringing

the

to

while prsetor,the
reckoning,

severe

most

active

tor.
agentsin the cruelties of the ferocious dictaCicero,althoughsounded by the emissaries of
the possibility
of
Caasar,with a view to ascertaining

inducinghim
and

his

to

accede

to

alliance with

an

himself

studiously
kept aloof from
colleagues,
every party ; either led by his vanityinto a fear of
his own
in the republic,
compromising
highstanding
"

Cesar

new

pardonna a

que

1'on

tout

montre

le monde
apres

; mais

qu'on

a tout

ne

seuible que

usurpe

ne

la moderation

merite

pas

de

grandes louanges."The example is at least one which liasnot been

followed,and it \vould have been quite as easy,
very frequently
and

far

more

safe, to

of the
possessed

same

have
power.

imitated

the conduct

of

Sylla,when

176

THE

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

by actingin

than that of the

any other character
in whatever
he was
principal
engaged*,or from an
into
insight

the

all such

binations.
com-

Metellus

and

pernicious
tendencyof
the consulate

During
Afranius,and

of

in the

earlypart of the succeeding

year, his letters indicate that he passeda considerable
part of his time at his villas near Antium, Arpinum,
in the
Pompeii,and Formiae, employed principally
in the
composition.of the historyof his consulship
and
language,

Greek

in Latin

in

After

verse.

the same
event
celebrating
sendingthe formert, with his

which
he had bestowed
his final
on
orations,
to his friend Atticus, who
had also,on
corrections,
his part,finished a work
this inexhaustible subject,
on
consular

for his

opinion,he transmitted it to Posidonius*

of Rhodes, a philosopher
whose
answer
sufficiently
member
of the complia true
mentary
proves that he was
school of criticism. In one
of his epistles,
written from
a
Rome, he endeavours to compose
difference which

had

Shakspeare,whose

amounted

bestowed

has

upon

Atticus and

mankind

seized

at

his

have

to

seems

in
intuition,

Cicero, has

characteristic feature in his

most

of

knowledge

littleless than absolute

to

he

notice

arisen between

the very limited

this
once
upon

in the
disposition,

scene

in which

the conspiracyagainstCaesar is formed.

Let

Casca.

what

But

Cassius.
Cinna
Metellus.

not

us

of Cicero ? shall
leave him

Will,

O let

purchaseus

us

have

him

him

out

out.

No, by

leave

we

no

means

; for his silver hairs

good opinion,

deeds.
our
buy men's voices to commend
It shall be said,his judgment ruled our hands,
Our youthsand wildness shall no wit appear,
And

But

all be buried in his gravity.

Brutus.

For
That

"

he will
other

name

never
men

him

not,

follow any
begin.

"

let

us

Ad

Attic, i. 20, ii. 1.

break

with

him,

thing
Julius

not

Cues.

"

Act

2, Scene

OP

LIFE

THE

In

brother Quintus*.

of the indifference of the

177

CICERO.

another,lie complains
bitterly
to
greatbody of the patricians

of the
well-being
them, no doubt with strictregard
state,and represents
their
attention to stocking
to truth,as payingfar more
their mullets to feed from
and teaching
fish-pondst,
vital

of
subjects

importanceto

the

In a
hands, than to their duties as statesmen.
third,written from AntiumJ, a place of retirement
in his temporary
to be luxuriating
in which he seems
himself up
and giving
freedom from public
anxieties,
to a state of listless enjoyment",he expresses a desire
their

Attic, i. 17.

Ad

from

arisen

into his

The

the refusal of Atticus

provinceof Asia,

letter upon

to

whole

his legate. The

as

is
subject

the

questionappears to have
Quintus Cicero,
accompany

difference in

of the beautiful
the

of

well

one
as
worthy perusal,
the epistolary
writingsof

Cicero.
compositionsin
One passage, "vidienim, vidi penitusque
which breathes
perspcxi,"
of friendship,
the very spirit
althoughit is impossibleto do justice
the
been
has
to
original,
elegantlytranslated by Mel moth.
lieve
beAmidst
the various vicissitudesof my life,I have witnessed,
Often
I have witnessed,
me
your joysand anxieties for me.

inost

finished

"

added to my
have your kind complimentsupon my success
often have your consolations in my trouble taken from iny
now,

while

excellent ad
afforded

mention

but
vice,

which

Need

much

at

for you

my
affairs in the

with my

to you

Forum

the

pursuitof
maintain

public honours, and

the

to
dignity

I mention

your

advice.

rest,with

Forum,
privateconcerns,

I have

? in

which

they have
which

been

now

raised
was

so

departureof my brother,
it is incompatiblewith my

In

my
with my

which

Need

be remiss.

? to which

concerns
my domestic
the
b
oth
after
and
before
loss,

and

toil,with

which your conversation

the state of publicaffairs? a

permitmyself to

never

can

in my

pursue, that I may

me.

'I notice

employments in

my

hitherto led

loss,not

pain. But
only for your

for those entertainments

Need

me.

in
subject

is my
absent,irreparable

are

you

pleasure
;

short,
business,with
affairs in the

that I should

with my
pleasure,
with
family,
my public,
be longerwithout
your
my

counsels,
endearing
your highlyvalued conversations."
in
nobility,
t" Ad Attic, i. 1. The extravagance of the Roman
The piscina,or fish-ponds,
is sufficiently
known.
were
this respect,

largesalt-water lakes,formed
See PlinyHist. Nat. ix. Ixxix

and stocked at immense

often
"

Ad

Attic, ii. 5.

" Ad

Attic, ii.4.

Sic enim

expense.

Ixxxii.

"

sum

ut
complcxusotiiiui,

ab

eo

178

THE

to visit

Egypt at

by

occasioned

by

his

from

his

CICERO.

self,
time, and relieve himcountry,from the disgust

future

some

absence

an

OP

LIFE

the

of
contemplation

state
existing

public affairs. Yet he quotes the languageof

of the
his shame
in the Iliad*,expressing
Hector
of

countrymen, and above all,that of

he representsas his Polydamas, if he
Cato, whom
should forsake his post at so importanta crisis ; and
"
asks :
What, in such a case, would be the opinion
with respect
to my conduct,six hundred
of historians,
of his

censure

"

years hence ?" In most

with

of

Clodius
hisepistles

is assailed

indicates that mising

uncomprobecome
no
objectof
trifling

earnestness, which

an

have

to

enemy
He

a
mentions, also, his having projected
pleted.
comwork, which he probably never
geographical

dread.

these

"With

until his return

year

694

A.

u.

his correspondence,
exceptions,
in

Rome

to

c., possesses

the

of

summer

the

littleattraction.

previous
arrangement with Pomstood for the consulship.
pey and Crassus,Caesar now
such aids,his success
With
the support of two
was
He was
littleless than certain.
accompaniedby both
effected
and his return was
to the placeof election,
his

Accordingto

without

But

trouble.

further

interest left to

the senate

at the

ensure

time

same

Between
devoted to their interests.
entirely
so
oppositein their sentiments,it
"c. *' I aui
queam,
violence
without
that I cannot
non

myselfwith

amuse

or

I count

and
fishing,

I have

Antium,
*

vi. 442.
Iliad,

would

How
And

the appointmen

CalpurniusBibulus,a patrician

of Marcus

divelli

cient
suffi-

had

trates
magiswas

not

fond of the leisure I enjoy

so
grown
1 therefore
he separatedfrom it.

at
books, of which I have a great number
my
the waves, for the season
is too tempestuous for
inclination to write."
Melmoth.
no
"

'Ai8s'o//ai
Tpwas

the

sons

Troy'sproud

of

dames

Attaint

the lustre of

Should

Hector

my

Troy

in

whose
former

Kul

TpaaSas e\Ke(nire7rAous,"c.

arms

renown'd,

garments

sweep

the

name,

baselyquitthe field of fame

Pope.

ground,

ISO

THE

ascertain

to

the

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

publicdecision with respectto his

filled by Pompey with a crowd
was

laws, the Forum

of armed retainers,
who on the appearance of Bibulus
accompanied by Lucullus and Cato, loaded them
with insult,
and after contemptuouslybreakingthe
fasces of the unpopular consul,drove both himself
and his train from
the spot. The
Agrarianbill,
which

related

the

to

division

of

certain

lands

in

then

passedwithout further opposition.

The
the
for
most
nobility,
part,dismayed
and dispirited
indications of a
by these outward
coalition which
boded no
good to themselves,were
almost entirely
deterred from
by the last stroke now
the feeble resistance they had lately
been encouraged
by Cato to maintain ; beingapparentlydeprivedof
them would prove but
all hope that the union against
transient,
by the marriageof Julia,the daughterof
time before,with
Caesar,to Pompey, who had some
sufficient cause, divorced his former wife Mucia, the
Campania, was

sister of Metellus

Celer.

adoptionof Clodius
Publius Fonteius,after

final

The

into the

layed,
longdeanother illomen
to the aristocracy.
was
Csesar,
nowthe
event of importance,
greatagentin every public
is said to have been the principal
promoter of this also,
provokedby certain reflectionsupon the character of
the times,which
had fallen from Cicero in a public
of justicewhile speakingin favour
of his
court
Caius Antonius.
racter
This noted chaformer colleague
himself in his provinceof Macedonia
conducting
of

much

as

he had

return, impeached and

and

it

odium
which

done

at

it had

family
plebeian

been

Rome,

condemned

on

his

banishment,

the general
to mitigate
endeavouring
againsthim, that Cicero made use of terms
those who
reportedthem to Ceesar represented
intended
to
as
convey a censure
upon himself*.
was

in

to

was,

Pro Domo

sua, xvi.

His part was

taken

that within

three

181

CICERO.

OF

LIFE

THE

and it is said
the instant,
upon
words
hours after the obnoxious

made
for the
were
uttered,all preparations
effected the same
adoptionof Clodius, which was
called " Arrogatio*."This
day, by the ceremony

had

been

in

consisted

summoning

into
thirtycuriae,

generalassemblyof

the citizens resident in Rome

which

their

to
divided,and submitting

were

allowed

be

ther
whepleasure,

be transferred into another

wishingto

the person
family should

the

he desired.
privilege
taken
time carefully

the

at the same
were
auspices
small
by the pontifices
; and it is recorded to the no
he assisted
of Pompey that,on this occasion,
disgrace

The

in

making

the

observations.
A terrible
necessary
thus let loose againstCicero, since

adversarywas
Clodius,the moment
of his

trammels

himself with the

tribune

as

it was
position

from

as
character,

the threats

long accustomed

he had

to which

of vengeance

the

free from

such
of his attaining
consequences
well
not difficult to conjecture,
as

known

his well

from

himself

found

patriciandescent,began to exert
his return
utmost
to secure
diligence
peopleat the approachingcomitia,

the immediate

and
a

of the

he

self
him-

openlyto giveutterance.
of apprehension
Whatever
his real feelings
might
be,Cicero pretended
perfectindifference to this serious

againsthim

demonstration

in

which

quarterfrom

dreaded.

Without

giving
himself the trouble to divert the tempest by taking
active part in publicaffairs,
to
or
an
endeavouring

everythingwas

enlist
*

The

to

party in
form

his

of the

be

defence,he

Arrogatiomay
The

Nodes

Attica:,v. 19.
of
to be adopted was
person
of minors, the transfer
case
was

then termed

ceremony
age, and

found
was

his

to have

rested

in Aulus

Gelliu*,

only used
own

master.

when
In

the
the

family to another,which
was
performedbefore
adoptio"or "adoptatio,"
was
precededby emancipationperformed in the
from

"

prsctor, and
"
usual manner,
per

the

be

seems

ses

et libram."

one

182

THE

in the

secure

and from whom

OF

to unite himself

he

with

whom

he

stillmore

closely,
to have received the strongest
if it should be required.He
being idle in the Forum, as
accused
of Flaccus,who was

seems

of assistance

assurances

CICERO.

of Pompey,
protection

endeavoured

now

LIFE

however, far from

is provedby his defence
Lselius of extortion in the province
of
by Decimus
Asia, in which he had acted as propraetor. From
this oration we learn,that he had also,in the former
part of the year, twice spokenin a priorcause, that
of Aulus Thermus, and that his client was
acquitted
was,

in consequence
of his exertions and eloquence.His
speech in behalf of Flaccus is remarkable for little
else than

with which
he attempts to
ingenuity
invalidate the testimonyof the Asiatic Greeks
by an
nately,
indiscrimiattack upon
the veracityof their race
and upon their own
branch of it in particular.
To

the

modern

readers

one

count

in

the

indictment

againstthe proprietor,charginghim with having

forbidden the exportation
of goldby the Jews of his
ferent.
provinceto the templeat Jerusalem,cannot be indifconfidence in
The orator,in his vainglorious
the stability
of his own
nation,and his pridein the
recent
conquest of Pompey, takes the opportunity,
when
of accusation,
of aptreating
upon this subject
pealing
to the event of war
as
havingdetermined the
relatiATe power
and Roman
of the Jewish
religions.
The whole system of the former he designates,
with
the usual careless contempt of his nation with

respectto

they had never

deignedto make
barbarous
and
a
observes,
superstition;
inquiries,
a

matter

with

on

grave

which

that

sarcasm,

the fact of its residence

havingbeen conqueredand enslaved,was a sufficient

proofof the degreeof favour in which it was held by
Flaccus
the immortal
Gods*.
mental
havingbeen instruat
as praetor in the seizure of the Allobroges
*

Pro

Flaccojxviii.

THE

LIFE

OP

183

CICERO.

Milvian

the

racy,
bridgeduringthe Catilinarian conspithe opportunity
of course
not suffered to
was
by way of an apoescape by Cicero of introducing,
strophe
threatened
his
usual
of
the
*,
description
horrors of the conflagration
and massacre
from which
the state had been delivered by his activity.He at
time expressed,
in no ambiguousterms, his
the same
consciousness of the tempest which
was
own
perfect
about

his head

to burst upon

part he

had

taken

in consequence
that occasion t.

on

indications of its

The

numerous
sufficiently

approachwere

to

be

obvious

than himself.
far less clear-sighted

to

of the

by

this time

an

observer

havingin
he had at first pursued,
abandoned the course
despair
the field entirely
after a feeble opposition,
to
and left,
his antagonists,
Clodius,by the interest of Caesar,
borne on the full tide of a faction now
was
completely
triumphant,to the office of which he had so longto the
ambitious,and declared,
of the uninfected part of

been

tribune

in

the

character

and

satisfact
dis-

community,
were
equally

the

comitia

consular

interests of the state,since

Gabinius
and
of Aulus
return
candidates

CalpurniusPiso,two

Lucius

dread

to the true

ended

they

The

elect.

unfavourable

Bibulus

aspiredto

ever

as

of

as

the

doned
aban-

honour.

Pompey, who had hitherto been littlebehind Cajsar

of Clodius
in obsequiousness
to the seditious partisans
and Curio,now
to repent of the false
began bitterly
step

had

he

taken,

findinghimself,instead of
led about
he had expected,

on

meetingwith the honours

he had
in triumph by the faction to whom
exhibited as
and publicly
sacrifices,
many
He

of its success.
*

Pro

had

not

ilia! quse psene seternas

Flacco,xli.
O

")"At
miserum

nox

nox

me,

ilia quam
metuo

ne

even

huic

made
a

trophy

the consolation of

urbi tenebras

"c.
attulisti,

dies consecutus, fausta huic

Pro Flacco,xli.
funesta nobis.
iste est

"

so

"

uvbi,

184

THE

LIFE

OP

the popularity
of
securing
in return

CICERO.

which

for his concessions.

he

was

ambitious

publicshow of
himself the exhibitor,
of which he was
he
gladiators,
hissed by the whole
was
assembly*. And at the
dramatic performancesof the Apollinarian
games, the
amidst an uproar
Diphiluswas compelled,
tragedian
and over
of applause,
to repeat over
again every
could be
passage which
insinuation against
him.

At

construed

an
containing

as

Cicero,on whose authority

these particulars
are
stated,adds in a subsequent
letterto Atticus : " Our friend,
tomed
unaccusonce
utterly
wherever
he moved,
to disgrace,
encountered,
"

and
by eulogies,

embarked

wretched

on

of

now
glory,
in
broken
thoroughly
a

sea

in appearance,
and
side to turn
knows
not on which
spirit,

is

"

his advance

and to retreat would

precipice,
full of dangerand uncertainty.The
good he
rendered
the wicked
his enemies,and even
are

impeded by

be
has
far

beinghis friends. Such is the tenderness of my

that I could not refrain from tears when,
disposition,
the eighth"
on
day before the calends of August,I
the
observed
him
haranguingthe peoplerespecting
and degraded
edicts of Bibulus.
How
humbled
was
from

the
such

man

who

was

once

by

to

appear

with

that very place,

the enthusiastic affection of the people,

circumstances

welcomed

accustomed

of

grandeurin

littledid
opinionsof all. How
the
he appear
not to mention
pleasedwith himself,
his auditors :
which
he excited among
displeasure
an
perhapsto Crassus,
unworthy spectacle,
grateful
but painful
else ; since he who was
to every one
now
compelledto descend from the starryheightof his
appearedto have
ambition,instead of gentlyfalling,
As for
hurled from the firmament.
been violently
myself,if Apelleshad beheld his Venus, or Protodefiled with mud, his feelgenes his famoiis Jalysus,
and

the favourable

Ad

Attic, ii. 19.

THE

ingscould

upon

OP

been

have

not

seeing one

LIFK

acute

more

whom

185

CICERO.

I had

than

mine, on

formerly lavished

glowing colours, and the most artful

*."
thus suddenlydisfigured
touches of my eloquence,
Pompey probablyowed this sudden burst of unpopularity,
Cicero's representation
(which, however, notwithstanding
to have been
of its universality,
seems
confined to the upper and middle ranks,)
principally
the

most

of the
of the real nature
suspicions
triumvirate which now
as to his
beganto be prevalent,
of the edicts of Bibulus ; who, from his retirement,
opposition
the Agrarian
had issued a protestagainst
law, which he asserted to have been passed under
and had ordered the consular
unfavourable
auspices,
comitia to take place later in the year than usual.
The result was
a
partialreaction in favour of the
neither of any greatextent
but this was
aristocracy,
of longcontinuance f
nor
his victoryover
Caesar after gaining
Cicero,did
motives
he
not, by whatever
might have been
to leave him to its
at first willing
actuated,seem
full consequences.
By virtue of a law brought
forward
by the tribune Vatinius, he had been
invested with
Gauls
the government of the two
and Illyricum
for five years, and entrusted with the
as

well

to the

the necessary contingent

as
legions,
for maintaining
peace in his province. He now, from
command

of four

*"'

assassination

the

Attic, ii. 21.

suspectedof having
ing
plotfor the purpose of raisingthe decayits
for
having
pretended objectthe
triumvirate,

at this time
"f-It was
contrived a kind of mock

credit of

Ad

of

Pompey.
as
Vettius,alreadyknown

Caesar

that

was

also

principal
agent employed in it was
informer
scale after the
a large
upon

The
ap

to he implicated
conspiracy.
persons endeavoured
the younger
were
Curio, Quintus Coapio,Brutus, and Lentulus,
of the pontiff.
son
(Ad Attic, ii.24.) Vettius,however, failed in
afterwards found
dead in
his charges,and
was
soon
substantiating
the
or poisoned,accordingto
having been either strangled,
prison,

Catilinarian

popularreports,by

The

the secret

orders of Caesar.

186
a

THE

LIFE

OP

of generosity*,
as
feeling

CICERO.

Cicero

seems

to have

lieved,
be-

from a wish
likely,
of ophimself from all future apprehensions
to secure
position
him
from so gifted
an
by reducing
antagonist,
offered to take him as
to the station of a dependant,
drawing
his lieutenant into his government,and, by thus withthe
from
him
him from the city,
to secure
of Clodius. Cicero,
resentment
however, thoughtit
best to decline the offer,
stillresting
brance
upon the rememhis interest with the
of his former services,
senatet,and, above all,the favour of Pompey. To
the latter support, indeed, he seems
to have clung
with a pertinacity
littleshort of infatuation,
although
he was
not without
as much
groundfor it,as might
asseverations of his
be comprehended in the solemn
pretendedpatron. In one of his letters written about
the
"I am
this time to Atticus, he observes :
on
and affection with Pompey.
terms of friendship
highest
-Do you really
believe this ? you may ask. I do,for
I am
persuadedof his sincerity.Clodius
thoroughly
continues his threats and denunciations,
but Pompey
that
affirms that there is no danger; he even
swears
or

rather,as

it is far

more

"

"

he will sacrifice his

liferather than

own

allow

me

to

in another epistle
injury:"and again,
+
friend
first
the
at
t o
:
same
Clodius,
designing
is genean
attempt upon the government, which
rally
consideration of
after a more
mature
detested,
and military
the resources
at its command,
strength
turned all his fury upon
has now
threatening
me,
indictment.
with open violence,
as well as a public
me
with him
Pompey, however, has pleadedmy cause
formed
he has himself inmost
as
strenuously,
representing,
the
other testimonyon
no
me, (and I have
subjectthan his own,) that he should be liable to a
if he allowed
and iniquity,
chargeof the basest perfidy
whom
he
from a man
me,
any danger to overtake

sustain any

"

"

Ad

Attic, ii. 19.

f Ibid.

Ad

Attic, ii.20.

188

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OF

;
urgedon Clodius to the attack he was meditating
and although
he was
induced,by the prospectof an
unpleasant
inquiryinto some partsof his late conduct
which
the pointof beinginstituted,
to with
was
on
-

draw

into the

suburbs, under

the

pretenceof

pleting
com-

his levies and

for immediately
making preparations
of
he is suspected
out for his province,
setting
havingpurposelydelayedhis departurefrom Rome,
until the result of the presentmovements
of his agent
should

time, Cicero,
Clodius,found
preparations
against

be determined.

amidst his anxious

In

sufficientleisure for the

to
epistle

his brother

government
which

of Asia

the

mean

of
production

Quintus, on
to

the extension of his

the close of another

it is difficult to say whether

firstrank

that inimitable

year, by
his claims to the

or a statesman,
a moralist,
philosopher,
Without
best and most
are
fullyconfirmed.
any
the beauty and aptflourish of rhetoric,
ness
unnecessary
habitual to his compositions
of expression
are
as

lencies
excelparagraph;but the mere
while
of languageshrink into insignificance,
the reader is continually
led on
to a higherpointof
ness
of sentiment,the soundadmiration,by the nobility
of judgment, and
the grandeur of principle
portance
No pointof imwhich
it uninterruptedly
exhibits.
of a provinceis left
in the administration
without
comment, in this brief but comprehensive
trovertible
the justand inconmanual
of government,in which
that
is fully acknowledged,
proposition
observable

power,

in every

wherever

surrendered

givenmerely in trust,and
not the

means

happinessof all.
assumed
by the Roman

of
Even

to

as

an

is
individual,
any
creasing
instrument
of in-

enjoymentof
the

one, but

right of

the

taxation

government,instead of being
claimed on
the groundof conquest,is represented
as
from
based on the safeguard
afforded by its protection
the
the capricious
tyranny which formerlydisgraced

LIFE

THE

annals

of

victorious

Asia, and
from

arms

OF

securityheld

the

this
later

its

by

out

invaders.

barbarous

more

sophistrycontained in
been preserved
to much

189

CICERO.

The

has
argument, which
times,is,indeed,easily

acknowledgedto be the
advanced
towards a
of an age considerably
sophistry
of equity,
and
due appreciation
of the greatprinciples
no
longerdaringto triflewith the considerations of
overthrown; but it must

be

rightand wrong in the brutal exultation of its

in .physical
superiority
strength. The affectionate
is reand sobriety
the epistle
for which
earnestness
markable,
itsleast interesting
not among
are
features,
the absence of all flattery
from its honest yet
nor
friendlyexhortations;since Quintus, althoughdue
praiseis bestowed upon the rest of his conduct,is
bility,
and unhesitatingly
warned
that irritafreely
against
which, although accompanied with much
which

was

in him

seems
excellent,

have

to

been

sparedin cautioning
this importantdefect,
and the
his hasty
remarks
of overcoming
as to the best means
temperament, are distinguished
by the soundest practical
exhorted
sense*.
Quintus is finally
by every
No
frequentfailing.
him on the subject
of

The

counsel

suddenly

times, whatever
ours.

as

follows

"

"

It is not

out

be the

this failing,
(andI know

now

object

my

undertaking difficult at all

fixed

habit,an
disposition,
and, more
that
This,however, is my advice,

to root

like

given is

advice is

at an
especially,
age
if you cannot
altogether

tiiatthe action of

passionis sometimes
the mind to allow of the anticipation
or
too rapidupon
prevention
hand,
of reason,)
m
ake
it beforeat
will,
least,
preparations
against
you
and
and
necessityof
daily meditate upon the propriety
when
that
the
is
at
moment
restraining
it,reflecting,
your mind
it is most
most
excited,
important to refrain from givingutterance

avoid

to

your

feelings
;a

virtue

which

being conscious of the emotion

in

appears to

not

me

question. The

property of a sober,is also,at times, that of

both one's sentiments
; but to moderate

less than

as
latter,

mere

and

never

it is the

sluggish
disposition
their

expression
when
and to hold
angry, or, what is more, to keep absolute silence,
under one's control both indignation
and disappointment,
although
it does not reach the heightof absolute wisdom, makes, at least,
no
advances towards it." Ad Quint, i. 1.
mean
"

190

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OF

to have
sciousness
conargument likely
weightwith his own
of
of the importance
of the duties required
to be
him, or with his regardfor his reputation,

studious in his endeavours

his administration

to render

the last year of

conspicuousfor benefits

stillmore

had
than the two which
province,
it be the object,
I beseech you,"
concludes his correspondent,
"of your most strenuous
and unremitted exertions,
since Asia maybe considered
with spectators
of the most
as a vast theatre crowded
refined judgment,and so constructed,
that whatever
is spoken there,finds an
immediate
echo at Rome,
not only to appear worthy of such a stage and such
inferior to the
an
audience,but to make both seem
of your merits.
It is my earnest prayer and
display
the example of the best
exhortation,that,following
anxious,as
poets and performers,
you will be most
conferred upon his
precededit. "Let
"

the close of your office draws on, to make

the third
like the third act of a
year of your administration,
ation.
of admirdeserving
And
this you will easilyaccomplish,
if,in
1
approbation
imagination,
me, whose single
you depict

drama

the most

"

and
perfect

best

sides,
confident you value above that of all the world be-

am

at
constantly

as

interest in
The

your

everything
you

attention

of Rome

upon

the

them

alterations of

and taking
an
side,
do
was

anxious

say."
now
earnestlyfixed
of Clodius.
tribuneship

or

openingscenes of the
this fearless
and without hesitation,
Without disguise,
four
innovator broughtforward, in rapidsuccession,
and two of
a considerable change,
acts,each involving
A

great importancein

distribution
gratuitous

of

of the ceremony
people a prohibition
at the meetingof assemblies
auspices
which

might almost

of their power
*

This

wasprovMed by

to the
the Lex

corn

ment.
governthe

to

takingthe
the people,
a

of

"

custom

the

of

be considered

the

keystone
aristocratic party* a

JElia de

"

Comitiis,which, as well

THE

LIFE

OF

limitation of the
either of
upon

one

any

of the
authority
them
to place a

without

the

191

CICERO.

ding
by forbidof ignominy

censors,

mark

concurrence

of his colleague,

to inflictthis

punishmentupon citizens who

had not been formallyaccused before them, and condemned
after a fair trial and, lastly,
the restoration
of a number
of corrupt guilds,
civic fraternities,
or
which had been abolished by the senate,for the purpose
of instituting
others in their place,
the prinwere
cipal
embraced
subjects
by these first enactments; in
of the last,
there does not apwhich, with the exception
pear
much
of very serious censure, although
deserving
doubt intended to bo introductory
to the
no
they were
or

"

blow

which

movement

was

was

to effect the ruin of Cicero.

His

next

of
the provinces
decreeing

to propose

Syria,Babylonia,and Persia,with
a

Parthian

war, which

the power of commencing

would have afforded an

extensive fieldfor peculation

and

to Gabinius;
plunder,
and Macedonia, with Achaia, Thessaly,
and Bceotia,
All things
to Piso.
beingnow ready for his ulterior
design the triumviri havingbeen alienated from the
the senate terrified into
objectof his resentment
inaction
the favour of the consuls secured by prospect
of the rich provinces
held out to them
and the
"

"

"

"

the

Lex

Fufia,Clodius,either at this time, or shortlyafterwards,

formallyrepealed. The former, brought forward by the consul
Quintus jElius Foetus,A.U.C.
currence
587, not only decreed,that the ocof an
unfavourable
if
a
omen,
magistrate,
reportedby
should be sufficient to stop the proceedingsof the assemblies, but
that the intercession,
although without the assignment of a reason,
of any magistrateof equal rank with the one
who
was
or
picsiding,
of a tribune,
should have the same
even
effect. The Lex Fufia,
of days on
A.U.C.
which
laws
618, limited the number
were
a
llowed
to be passed. Dio
previously
(xxxviii.
13,)relates that

as

Cicero had

firstresolved to oppose the acts,and for that purpose

had cng.iged
the tribune Ninius to placehis veto upon them ; but
that he was
prevented by the arcifices of Clodius,who protested
at

he had no ulterior designngainst

him in bringingthem forward.
allusion to the circumstance, however, is to be found where it
might be most expected,in the correspondenceof Cicero himself.

that
No

192

THE

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

peopledevoted to their leaders by the laws

Clodius at length
proposedfor their benefit,
gated
promulhis famous
was
act, that whosoever
proved to
common

have

put

to death

Roman

citizen without

form

law, should be interdicted from fire and water, or,

other words, permanently banished from Italy.

of
in

Cicero

might have been supposed by

this time to be fullyarmed
againstan event which
he had longcontemplated
and latterly,
as
as
possible,
likelyto happen,the appearance of the
exceedingly
statute in question,
to have fallen upon him like
sesms
thunderbolt.
His
a
fortitude,his philosophy,his
Although

sense

forsook

of his
him

own

at

almost
dignity,
once.

Stunned

his very
by the

reason,
sense

of

borne down
and, in the
by apprehension,
calamity,
not
to
extremityof his distress,
knowing to whom
subjectto all the bitterness and
appeal,he was now
which
that individual may
be supposedto
anguish,
who
has neither courage
tune,
to defymisforexperience,
to endure
it. In his humiliation
nor
patience
No
less
far from being deserted.
he, however, was
than twenty thousand
and equestrian
of the patrician
order,headed by Publius the son of Crassus,an army
of suppliants
who might have been changedinto one
of effective defenders,
if they had been possessed
of a
resolute leader,
the garbof mourning.
at once
assumed
A vast number
and
of these assembled
in the Capitol,
resolved to send a formal deputation
from thence to
At a meetingof
appealto the senate in his favour.
that assemblyheld in the templeof Concord,the whole
order entreated Gabinius,with tears and vehement
ing
in his behalf,and on receivto interpose
supplications,
in replynothing
and
but contemptuous answers
sarcastic remarks,resolved,
the motion
on

of the tribune

of the consuls,
Ninius,and in spiteof the prohibition
their sympathy with the subject
at least to testify
of
their useless intercession,
vests.
on mourning
by putting

THE

LIFE

193

CICERO.

OF

the knightsand middle

ranks
even
among
gave indicationsthat theywe re readyto arm, and resist

Many

the

of the
passing

law

force. But

hy open

who
Cicero,
had been advised hy Cato, and Ilortensms,as well
had lately
as Atticus,\vho
joinedhim at Home, to

submit
state

all extremities rather

to

by

contest,mischievous

but

rendered

of the

than

convulse

under

stances,
circum-

any

hopelessby
entirely

legions
formingunder

Caesar in the suburbs,chose

the

the

presence
of

the command

rather

to continue

his

efforts to soften his adversaries

submissions.

In accordance
with

consul

Piso,

himself

and
by supplications
witli this plan,he condescended,

in

his

and

son-in-law,to

humbly

his behalf

to

wait

upon

him

entreat

to

the
exert

his

with

and
the
colleague
he was
people; but in this application
compelledto
submit to a mortifying
repulse.He was informed
that Gabinius,who
in the most necessitous circumstance
was
from which he could onlyhope to extricate
himself by the government of some
lucrative
of any such appoint
province,
havingno expectation
-

ment

in

from

close

the

to
obliged

senate,was

alliance

with

unite himself

Clodius ; and Piso further

to yield
part,he was obliged

added,that,for his own

in many
as
Cicero,
respectsto his partner in office,
his
had formerly
done to Antonius;
consulate,
during
that there was no need, in the presentinstance,
of the
but that every one
patronage of any individual,
and must
submit
to
ought to take care of himself,
stand or fall by his own
merits*.
*

Cicero,(InPis. vi. ) who

and who

connected

good

did not spare Piso

on

with it afterwards,
has drawn

of the consul

the lowest

had

on

this

reason

account
a

most

to

the interview,

remember

of the reminiscences

undignified
picture

occasion,
statingthat he found

him

in

of
one
had spent the previous
his feet and his head muffled up.

haunts of Rome, in which

he

with slippers
on
nightin drinking,
He also sneeringl}t
hat
for his situation,
Piso, as an excuce
relates,
informed
of
that
his
ill
health
on
account
he
him,
was
obligedto
O

194

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

The

the law of
assemblyfor determining
general
Clodius respecting
infliction of capital
the arbitrary
convened in the Flaminian
at length
was
punjshment,
The tribune,according
Circus.
fully
artto Cicero,had
summoned

to the

spot the most zealous of the

of Cicero,
under pretenceof compelling
them
partisans

givean account of their late conduct. No sooner had

rounded
they appeared,however, than the banditti who surinstructed
him, and who had been previously

to

how

to

act,first saluted them with

and then fell upon

them

with

shower

of stones

drawn

swords,severely
the rest to a preciwoundingmany, and compelling
pitate
the
flight.Hortensius,who was
among
was
nearly killed in the tumult, and
fugitives,
Vibienus,a senator,either slain upon the spot, or
carried mortally
off the ground. After this
injured
seasonable intimation of his superior
dius
Clostrength,
openedthe business of the meetingby asking
the sentiments of the consuls upon the subject
of his
Gabinius
act.
answered,that he had alwaysutterly
of putting
citizensto death without trial,
disapproved
and Piso, that he was
to every instance of
averse
who by the selection of the placeof
cruelty.Caesar,
to be present,on
meetingwas privileged
beingnext
desired to express his opinion,
stated that his views
the subjectof capital
on
punishmentwere
already
known
if
sufficiently
; that he approvedof the statute,
intended to possess a prospective
but that he was
force,
to consent to any ex post factolaw, bearingunwilling
reference to an event on which it was
now
superfluous
On
this declaration,
to legislate. receiving
which,
while it was
no
neutral,gave, in reality,
apparently
the edict,
small weightto passing
the centuries proceeded
their
and
the
Clodius
of
to
votes,
requisition
received the stamp of the popularassent. The
speedily
have
him

recourse

to

-wine

for keepinghim

and
medicinally,
bitterly
inveighsagainst
the
standing,
during
conference,in the filthy

den to 'which he had been introduced.

196

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

His friends
contrary to the will of Caesar*.
had been, in the mean
time, busy in making a second
appealto the consuls,but Piso again assured them
for him

neither

that

he

his

nor

son-in-law

Cassart

Clodius,while Gabinius
oppose
their intercession with his usual insolence.

venture

could

treated

to

end ;
at an
being now
his submission
havingbut tended to degradehim in
the eyes of others,and perhaps in his own
; and the
his remaining
only alternative to ensure
beingthat
Rome
into confusion and bloodshed ; he at
of plunging
firmness
lengthsummoned
enough to tear himself
connected with so many
from a citywhose aspect was
of which
he had been declared
pleasingrecollections,
All

the

expectationof

father

and

thing dear

to

succour

he left every-*
preserver, and where
of his temperament
one
honour,
"

applause,distinction,the
"

had

council,in

often

so

which

been

in which

arena

exercised

his

"

the

his eloquence

place of
earnestly

opinionshad been so
the crowds
over
sought and so reverentlyreceived
he had
to
whom, in the prideof genius,
delighted
his influence, his retainers,
his friends,and
exert
those who were
connected with him by yet dearer ties.
His last publicact before his departure
to ascend
was
the Capitoline
Hill,lookingdown upon his favourite
Forum, with a small image of the tutelaryGoddess
of Wisdom, which
he had
long kept in his house
with great reverence, in his arms, in order solemnlyto
it in the temple at the summit, with
consecrate
this inscription,
TO
PROTECTRESS
OF
MINERVA
THE
He then returned to his house,and after waiting
ROME.
until nightfall,
with an
left the cityin company
immense concourse
of his friends,
who intended to accom
"

"

Ad

Attic,

f Cesar had
of Piso.

x.

4.

married
lately

his secoiid

the daughter
wife.Calpurnia,

LIFE

THE

him

pany

197

CICERO.

his road toa distance of two

on

days'
journey.
lamented
by the only

good,and
approbationwas

all the

Regrettedby
whose

party

OP

worth

possessing;

under circumstances
from which
retiring,
moreover,
the least gifted
with foresight
might have augured
him
his recal at no distant period
; he carried with

into

exile every alleviation of such

which
except that firmness of spirit
which

whole, and without

could be

receives

Exile

His

"

rased

the

to

Commission

VII.

Letters

"

Clodius
Tribunes
him

at

Senate

"

ground by Clodius-"
Cicero

Cyprus
"

embarks

for

Terentia,

and

and
to

Rome

at

Milo

"

Sets

Tarentum
Atticus

to

upon
arms

on

He

"

proceedsto

in

Riots

"

Foreign

Thessaloniexcited

Cicero

by
the

and

Quintns
Body of Gladiators against

Two

all Freemen

summoning

is sent

"

the

between

Cato

Kpirus Repairs to

Attack

His

"

in the Forum

Skirmishes

"

Rome

to enter

to

Brundnsiuin
ca

of consolation

Sicilyby the Prastnr Cains Virgilius

at Vibn of the Decrees
sanctioninghis
Intelligence
his
House
Estates
at Rome
are
plundered,and

forbidden

He

the

availing.

CHAPTER
Cicero

worth

was

form

no

misfortune,

Parties

of the

Decree

"

the Interests of Cicero

to

disembarks

at
Epirusand
Tullia
His
Brundusium,
daughter
by
Favourable
and
Triumphant Progress
Receptionat
throughItaly,
the Capital.
"

He

is recalled

"

he

where

out

from

his

is met

"

SICILY,where, from the recollection of his past

he naturally
services,
expectedto find a welcome
the placewhich
and a secure
retreat,was
reception
and
Cicero firstselected as the scene of his banishment,
he protowards
which, after leavingthe capital,
ceeded
sive
on concluby slow journeys.He is supposed,
towards
the
evidence,to have quittedRome
end

month

of

earlyin April to

have

by

of

This

his

own

the

is rendered

almost

account, hindered

March

A.

reached
certain

u.

c.

696

Naryx,

an

and

ancient

by the fact,that Caosar,who,

the Heh'etii

from

making

their ap-

198

cityof

Locrians

the

in

of despair
were
feelings

That

Graecia.

Magna

ismanifest

him

yet strong upon

the

his

from

place,which
weakness, and
"

CICERO.

OP

LIFE

THE

to Atticus,written from
epistle
affords a lamentable
testimonyto
of mind :
utter prostration

his

"

Cicero sends health

when

I may
to thank
you

I wish

to Atticus.

I shall have

see

the

for

having induced

the

friend,do
presentmoment, bitterly,
my

day

this

to

me

of that resolution.

Hasten

reason

spare

life.

own

my

At

repent

immediately,I entreat

at Vibo, whither,for many

me
reasons,
you, to meet
I have determined upon journeying.If you joinme

consult together
may
upon the future steps
If you do
retreat.
to be taken with respectto my
not comply with my
request,I shall find it difficult

there,we

account

to

expect you
From

absence.
But
I confidently
for your
will not disappoint
my expectations*."
his next

Naryx

in his

citymentioned
Lucania,and

entertained for

was

to
according

his

Plutarch,at a
named
Vibiust, on

house

the

situated in

In its vicinity
he
at the farm

of

Sica,

or

he had

whom

formerlyconferred
while

Bnt

of kindness.

marks

towards

to that
according
him
by a Sicilian
assigned

account,

own

of

was

sea-coast.

short time

was

which
letter,

the

near

removal

waitingfor
he was
met
an
opportunityof embarkingfor Sicily,
then preetorof the
by a notice from Caius Virgilius,
suffer him to set
island,that he would by no means
instance of infoot in his province. This was
an
many

pointedmovement,
Kalends

of

which

to

was

April,(the26th

of

have

commenced

the 5th

March,)in

this year ; and

his

time

of the

who,

enough to
eight days'journey,reached
province
of
13th
the
with
their
for
chiefs
the
ensuing
appoint a meeting
the
Cicero
had
from
did
Rome
until
not
city.
month,
departed
quit
-De
iii. p. 185.
Bello Gall. lib. i. ; Fasti Hellenic!,
after

Ad

Attic, iii.3.

It is not

persons

might

impossibleto
have

been

reconcile the

Uvo

his hosts in succssion.

statement?.

These

LIFE

OP

which
gratitude

he had

not

had

occasions

TOE

former

on

since Virgilius
expected,
been laid under repeated

by his patronage and

obligations
He

hesitated

between

Brundusium

for

now

at

island of Malta

assistance.

the

of
p"ojects

barking
em-

to the
Greece,or retiring

while

and

199

CICERO.

meditating
upon

these

of his sentence,
plans,received the news
extension.
and its subsequent
from
Clodius,on beinginformed of his departure
in following
had not lost a moment
the city,
up the
which he conafforded by his flight,
strued
opportunity
an
as
acknowledgmentof his weakness, and
the base of his
that of his party, for framing,
on
late edict,a particular
rogationor law, which he
expectedwould permanentlyprevent the possibility
him at Rome.
of a return of his adversary
to disquiet
The decree proposedon this subjectto the people,
which he found no difficulty
in carrying,
to have
seems
been nearlyas follows :
different

"

"

Whereas
form

or

ing
Tullius Cicero has,without hearof trial,
put to death certain Roman

Marcus

and
citizens,

purpose forgedthe decree and

will and
senate ; be it with your

for that

of the
authority
that
command, Quirites,
use

of fire and

whosoever

has

recalled from

any
whatever

of

the

bour
to harpresume
death ; and that

motion, giveany vote, or

his return, shall
unless those whom

towards

publicenemy,
unjustlydeprivedof

lifebe

previously

the dead*."

This

however
edict,
the
sufficientto satisfy
clause extended
within

interdicted from
one

no

pain

on

shall make

assist in any way

be considered a

Cicero

; that

water

receive him

or

he be

four hundred

and

severe

was
arbitrary,

hatred of Clodius.
the

interdiction to

not

An

tional
addi-

all

places

Italy,and ordained
that the goodsof Cicero should be exposedto public
auction. An indiscriminate spoliation
of his property
*

miles

Pro

Domo

of

sua.

200

LIFE

THE

OP

CICERO.
^

this signal,
immediately commenced.
upon
it of every
set
Clodius,after stripping
thingvaluable,

was,

fire to his noble house

upon the Palatine Mount, and

which
he afterwards
of the site,
on

consecrated

part
temple

Liberty. The villas which

Cicero
had
taken so much
pain to embellish, and
where
he had collected so many
works
of
exquisite
in the same
manner
art,were
plundered
successively
and set on fire. In the appropriation
of the spoils
erected

derived

these

from

to have

to

in for the

come

of his Palatine

columns

the

sources,

consuls

two

lion's share.
house

the father-in -law of Piso*.

bestowed

were

The

The

rich furniture

appear
marble
upon
of his

country-seatat Tusculum, and even

the orchards, were
carried off,by

the very trees in

the command
of

Gabinius.

forcibly
dragged

from

His

wife

Terentia

was

the

temple of Vesta, in which

sanctuary, by order of Clodius,on
her

as

to the

The

husbandt.

had

amining
ex-

effects of her

endeavoured

even

taken

pretenceof

of the

amount

tribune

she

to

get

the person of her son, with an intention

effected
have
of puttinghim
to death, and would

of
possession

his purpose,
from

infamous

had

not

the

child

the effects of his

the
proceedings,

been

malice|.

cealed
concarefully

Amidst

consuls, now

these
further

by the grant of the provincesof which they

in expectation,
celebrated their triumph with
were
the most
indecent
revelry. The real motives by
and the true party
which they had been influenced,
to which
they belonged,
began plainlyto appear.
off his guard by the exultation
of
Piso, thrown
to Cethesuccess, openlyboasted of his relationship
gus ; and Gabinius, not to be behind his colleague,
with equal affrontery,
that he had always
asserted,
been on the most
with Catiline".
terms
friendly
elated

Pro

Dom.

t Pro Dom.

xxiv.
xxiii.

Ad
Diversos,xiv. 2.
"}"
" Pro Dom. xxiv. ; Pro Sextio,xxiv.

LIFE

THE

Cato, the only man

201

CICERO.

OF

whose

and
authority,

courage,

seemed likelyto oppose a barrier

independentspirit,
of these licentious anarchists,
to the proceedings
was
shortlyafterwards,by a refined stroke of policyon
the part of Clodius, removed
to a distance
by a
public appointment*. Ptolemy, king of Cyprus,
of money
havingformerlyrefused to advance a sum
when
he had been capturedby the
for his ransom
availed himself
his coasts,he now
near
pirates
eagerly
of the short-lived power
placedin his hands by
his influence with

multitude, to avenge himself

time,to remove
upon that monarch, and, at the same
the most stubborn
of his opponents from his path,
the

for him the office of reducingCyprus

by procuring
to a Roman
province. In an interview with Cato
self
he endeavoured
to representhimupon this subject,
as
a
conferring
great favour upon him by the
commission,for which he assured him he had received
applications.Cato, without being deceived
many
to be so, upbraided
or appearing
as to his real object,
for his past conduct,
him, with his usual severity,
and ended by positively
refusingto accept the office
cious
It is indifferent,said his audaproposedto him.
visitor ;
if it suits not with your pleasure
to
suitable with mine to compel you."
go, it is perfectly
And
of his
to one
immediately,having recourse
popular assemblies, he procured the iniquitous
to
decree,wrestingthe island from the monarch
"

"

"

Plutarch,whose

to he relied upon,

had

left Rome

accuracy

with respect

to dates

is

never

greatly

represent, in his life of Cato, that he

to fulfil his commission
at Cyprus before the dcseems

.parture of Cicero from

to

it.

Yet

it is much

more

likelythat

he

M. Cato
time after that event.
cityfor some
etiain cum
de"perasset
aliquidauctoritate sua profici
posse, tamen
discessum
iis Pisonem
voce
ipsaac dolore pugnavit,et post meum
flens meum
et rcipublirac
ut ilium hominem
verhis,
casuni, vexavit,
continued

in

the

"

et impndentissimum pcene jam provincise

perditissimum
poeniteret.
See also Fasti Hellenic!,
vol. hi. p. 184.

202

THE

whom

it

LIFE

the
and conferring
belonged,

it in its

condition

new

forthwith
obliged
Cicero

was

dusium.
and

at Tarentum.

he wrote

second

was

Brun-

Thurium,

at

in
letter,

On

strain which

of his misfortune

sense

towards

the 8th of.that

his letter from the
to Atticus,dating

confines of Lucania, in
his

task of Settling

was
upon Cato, who
his obnoxious errand.

his way
pursuing
1 Ith of Aprilhe

the

the 18th

month

to sail upon

now

On

on

CICERO.

OP

in

was

that

respectabated.

no

the reason
of
explains
view
havingquittedVibo before his proposed interwith Atticus,is equally
bute
Attri:
desponding
it not
he writes, to any inconstancy
of

his

which

showed

he

"

"

"

"

but

present miseries,that I have

my
suddenlydepartedfrom Vibo, where I had directed
purpose,

you to meet

to

I have

me.

received the sentence

of my

in which I find the alterations I

destruction,
had been led to expect,prohibiting
from appearme
ing
within four hundred
miles of Italy. Finding,
that it was
to
not allowed
to proceed
me
therefore,
out
Vibo, I immediatelydetermined
setting
upon
for Brundusium, in order to reach that placebefore
the day of passing
the law*, both that I mightavert
the destruction of my
host Sica,and because the
island of Malta
is within
the proscribed
distance.
utter

Hasten

to overtake

where

nothingbut
have

not ended

my

delaynot
At
was

But

t Ad

can

find

tion
recephitherto received

have

existence. That
been

of this

I have

refrained

chieflyowing
when

more

we

meet.

to

your

Only,

to comet."

Brundusium, as well as on his way thither,

the edict against
treated,notwithstanding

It will be remembered

between

but I shudder at the

invitations,
my regret,
my Pomponius,that I
has

doing so,

influence.

kind
is

from

he

going.

am

Great

future.

if indeed

me,

the

that

promulgationand

Attic, iii.4.

the

certain

time

passingof

alwaysintervened
law.

204

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OF

of the place
as
interpreted
by the hai-uspices
his speedyrestoration to his country.

was

mind, indeed,seems

own

at

the time

to

have

portending
His
been

inclined to superstitious
sufficiently
impressions
; since
he

has

recorded

in

his treatise

Divination

on

remarkable

derings
dream, which, occurring
duringhis wanpriorto his departurefrom Italy,made
sufficient impression
him
wards
to be long afterupon
He imagined,
remembered.
we
are
informed,
while
restingon his way through Lucania, in
small village
in the district of Atina, that indulging
a
his melancholythoughts in a wild and
he was
desolate region,
suddenly met by Caius
Marius with his fasces entwined with laurel,who,
the reason
of his
him, inquired
courteously
accosting
looks and melancholy
downcast
aspect; and that on
being informed of the cause, the visionaryhero
him to be
takinghim by the hand, and exhorting

his nearest lictor to lead

good courage, commanded
where
he informed
him he
him into his sepulchre,
On awaking from sleep,
would find a place
of safety.
of

he

states

that

he

communicated

his dream

to

his

althoughunable to give
to it, did not doubt
interpretation
any particular
He
that
it was
of good omen.
one
himself,
when
the senate afterwards passedtheir decree for
of
his recall in the temple called the monument
cidence,
at the coinMarius,was, for a moment, staggered
the good
at a subsequent
period,
although,
able to refer such pheof the philosopher
was
sense
nomena
friend

Sallustius,
who,

to their true

little
not

attention
deserving

appear,

unworthy

its truth

as

of

of

in
can

other

story,however
respects,may

hardlybe questioned,

who
is
psychologist
the elucidation of any theoryin
eases
have justlybeen called the dis-

notice

facts for
collecting
of what
explanation

The

source.

to

the

sleep.

Cicero received at

Dyrrachiumthe

news

that his

LIFE

THE

205

CICERO.

OF

Quintus was on his return from his province

of Asia, and
passingfrom Ephesus to Athens,
either by a direct voyage, or through the northern
had
He
by this time made
parts of Greece.
his friend Cneius
up his *nind,at the invitation of
Plancius,quaestorof Macedonia, who hastened to

brother

him

assure

find

that he would

safe

refugeunder

up his residence for a time at

this cityhe was
Towards
accordingly

to take
protection,

his

Thessalonica.
with

conducted
and reached

the

attendance

moderate

placeof

his destination

by Plancius,
the 21st of

on

his brother to meet

May. Althoughhe had appointed
him at this place,
the interview was
prevented; since
the
at this time in greathaste to make
Quintus was
best of his way to
which
had reached
him

for

and

Cicero, as

drew

nigh,seems

sightof

so

in consequence
of rumours
intended to impeach
that it was

Rome,
him,

in his

violence
alleged
time

the

to have

near

his

of

Atticus,and
where
when
to

to

one

relative in his

he remained

Dyrrachium.

to endure

the

stances
present circum-

letters to
succeeding
dated

Terentia,are

find that he

we

expectedarrival

been unable

of affliction.Many of his

government ;

from

tillthe end of

lonica,
Thessa-

November,

againleft it in

What

order to return
the state of his feelings

was

duringthe whole of this time may be conjectured

from the following
letter,which, however, is but
of several,
one
distinguished
by the same character of
thoughtand expression.
"

"

which
I

am

CICERO

have
I

almost

tormented

yours

HIS

TERENTIA.

BELOVED

received three letters from

have

Terentia,nor
than

TO

with

do my
own
find those

obliterated
the

with

your

affect

the fault which

has

me

more

children.

wretched
deem
as
yourselfI am
you
since althoughour
present calamities
to both of us,

tears.

my

deepest anguish,my

sorrows

of

Aristocritus,

Most

more
are

induced

so,

common

them

is

205

LIFE

THE

entirelymine.
the storm
by
withstood

It

OP

was

my
the commission

CICERO.

duty

to

have

avoided

offered me, or to have

in my
to
or
power,

it

by all means
have perished
nobly in the attempt. Nothing could
have been more
of misery nothmg more
productive
unworthy of my character
nothingmore disgraceful
than the course
I have actually
pursued. My sense of
therefore is fully
shame,
bymyfeelingsof
grief
equalled
while I blush to think how littleactivity
and courage
"

"

I have

shown

beloved

my

in the

cause

inestimable wife and

of my

Day
offspring.

nightyour pitiable

and

your ill state of health

before my eyes ; yet is there stilla faint glimmering
enemies
Our
of hope afforded us.
are
many

condition,your
are

and

sorrow

"

those
and

who

are

though to
to

easy matter

prevent

my

innumerable,
difficulttask,it is an

almost
a

part,lest

if every

attempt

"

But

return.

from despair
I
preserved

are

you

jealousof us
expelme was

as

longas

fail in my
abortive,the

will not

should

be

As to your anxfault may appear to rest with me.

iety
for my safety,
this,believe me, is most easily
ensured ; since even
to
my enemies might wish me
live amidst my

presentmiseries.

I will
Nevertheless,

this head.
on
your injunctions
written to thank those,to whom
you desired

carefully
obey all
have

me

having entrusted
acknowledgments,
the letters to Dexippus,and have mentioned
you as
the channel throughwhich
I have been informed of
of those
their kind offices. I am
aware
perfectly
towards us,
which
Piso is constantly
our
performing
and,indeed,
topicof conversation.
theyare the general
The Gods grant that I may one day again
enjoythe
to express

my

count
son-in-law,as well on your acthat of our
children.
as
My only hope now
the new
rests with
tribunes,and with their actions
fer
for if they sufof their office,
at the very beginning

presence

of such

the business to cool

I have

sent back

"

all is

over.

Aristocritus without

For this

reason

that
delay,

you

THE

giveme

may
and

LIFE

account

an

207

CICERO.

OF

of their earliest

proceedings

plan of conduct,althoughI ha,ve also sent Dexippusword to return immediately, and have written
brother to request him
to my
to send off frequent
It is with this view,moreover,
that I am
expresses.
at Dyrrachiumat the presentmoment, that I may
ceive
reof what
intelligence
earliest opportunity
;

going forward

at

the

is my safetyat all perilled

since this state has always
presentresidence,

in my
found
the

is

in

nor

protector. On
approach of enemies, I
me

the first intimation of

shall withdraw
into

Epirus.
In replyto

if it should
me
your offer of joining
it is my desire,
how greata
considering

"

be my

wish,

before us is sustained
part of the weightyaffairs now
If
by you, that you should stillcontinue at Rome.
you are successful it will be my part to visit you, but
if not
I need add no
From
more.
or at
your first,
I shall be able to determine
most, your second letter,
what is to be done.
in writing
Only be particular
upon every pointmost fully,althoughI ought now
decisive result than
rather to expect some
an
count
acit. Be careful of
of the steps taken towards
and believe that you are still,
as you ever
your health,
have
affections.
been, the dearest objectof my
Farewell, my Terentia,whom
imagination
my
yet
before
this
At
idea
I
as
me.
am
nerved
unrepresents
"

and

overpoweredby my tears. Once more,

Dated from Dyrrachium,Nov. "0th*.
farewell."
To Atticus,who, although
he had neglected
to join
him in, his exile,
probablyfrom the conviction that
he could serve
his cause
much
better in the capital
*

His other

condole
the

with

letters to Terentia from

her

terms
highest

on

of

the violence

Thessalonica and

exercised

towards

acknowledgementof the conduct

Dyrrachium
her, speak in

of hisson-in-law

taken
with doPiso,and are chiefly
mestic
up, besides his lamentations,
with
and advice
herto self,
affairs,
respectto an estate belonging

which

Terentia

intention
an
had,entertained

of

selling.

208
than

THE

in

loan

OF

Macedonia, had

considerable

LIFE

with

CICERO.

generouslyadvanced

of money,
the
remonstrance
on

sum

him

accompanyingthe
weakness
singular

misfortunes,he writes in a
"
letter of an earlier date :
As to the frequentand severe
reproofsin which you indulgewith respect to
what you term my infirmity
of mind, is there,let me
ask you, a single
evil,however great, which is not
lie had

under

shown

his
"

comprehendedin

Did
calamity:.?

my

honoured

condition,in

man

ever

fall

good a cause,
of
of genius,
of prudence,
endued with such resources
ostensibly
by such firm
popularfavour,and protected
safeguardsextended towards him by all the good?
what I have been
Can I forget
or
cease
"o feel what
I am
?
of what estimation
of what glory of what

from

so

so

"

"

children

"

"

what

of

"

favours

of fortune

"

of what

(and mark, I
deprived? The latter,
shape of misery,) although
request you, a new
stillesteeminghim, as I have always done, more

brother

dear

me

and
and

to

am

than

my

own

existence,I

have

shunned

purposelyavoided meeting,both to spare myself

his grief
and wretchedness,
the pain of beholding
basement
of beingexposed as a spectacleof ruin and de-

heightof
and glory. Am
I then, let me"" inquire,
prosperity
for beingthus keenlysusceptible
of my
to be blamed
distresses ? should I not rather be deemed
as
culpable
the advantages
I have enumerated,
for not retaining
(whichI might easilyhave done, had there not been
those within my own
walls who were
conspiring
my
what I have lost ?
for still surviving
as
destruction,)
to

Thus

much
me

am

my
news

who

I have

had

written

in

than
I

one

the
sorrow

from

left

me

at

the

rather console
may
ness,
kindyour wonted

that you

future,accordingto
deem me
or reproof.
worthy of upbraiding
more
brief,both because I am preventedby
from addingmore,
and because I expect
Rome

of

more

importancethan anything

OP

LIFE

THE

209

CICERO.

As

this

I
arrives,
certain intelligence
will giveyou more
respecting
my
designs. Continue to write, as fully as possible,
of nothing*."Dated at Thesthat I maybe ignorant
I have

to communicate.

soon

as

salonica the 18th of June.

continued

Cicero

While

indulgehis unmanly

to

ing
exertgriefin Macedonia, his friends at Rome were
themselves
not only with ready voices,but with

The

and

hearts

courageous

insolence and

hands, for his recal.

Clodius,dailyrising

prompt
of

arrogance

became insufferable to all but

soon
higherpitch,
the desperateband
acting immediately under his
command.
Pompey, already disgustedat his presumption,
to

was

defence

by

warned

soon

direct

attack

broughtto

The

weakness

Rome

to adorn

of Cicero

of the writers

most

is
Cassius,in particular,

dialoguehetween

so

during
who

the orator

at

his

upon

part

exile,seems

lecture upon

it,that he

of his grave
an
Philiscus,

with
similar circumstances,

in littleelse than

(Letters

was

in

Exile)dwelt

after
subject,
mind

founded
con-

subject.Dio

has gone out of

narrative an imaginary
Athenian

philosopher,

whose egregiousand overweening conceit was,

Bolingbroke,
highlydelightedwith an opportunityof contrastinghis

on

who

several pages, in which the sententious eidolon reads a

himself.
Lord
fortitude,"c. "c. worthy of Epictetus

extendingover

under

he

have

to

the

own

of his late

king,whom
triumph,and

mentioned

scandalised

and

his

his

have

in the middle

his way to introduce

the

on

of the Armenian

son
ally. Tigranes,

had

stand

to

the

that of

vanity,has, in his
and
largely,

fashion.
followrhg

with

one

whom

no

doubt,

own

duct,
con-

he

dilution of
sickly
no

"When

small
virtue

pomp,

bled
resem-

Seneca,

upon

the

has steeled the

invulnerable
on
are
on
every side,we
every side ; but Achilles
wounded
in the heel : the least part overlooked or neglected
may

expose us to receive
dominion
over

which
and

must

be

be found

we

may
resist the
may

mortal

our

blow.

souls

by

beaten,many
of proof in

Reason

cannot

lute
obtain the abso-

serves
victory. Vice has many restrongholdswhich must be forced,
without beingso in all.
trials,
many
one

severest, and yieldto the weakest attacks of

have got the better of avarice,
fortune.
We may
the most
cal
epidemidisease of the mind, and
We
yet be slaves to ambition.
may
We

have
may

souls of the fear of

purged our
venture

is much

more

to

lurk behind.

to the same

This

effect.

death,and yet

was

the

case

some

other fear

of Cicero."

There

210
was

yet detained

the house
that
was

LIFE

THE

in

CICERO.

OF

of honourable

kind

prastorFlavius,in

of the

would

largeransom
seized by the
a

custodyin
expectation

the

offered for his

be

release,

emissaries of

into the presence of

to consult with

Clodius,and brought
the tribune,who, without
ing
deigntook
Pompey upon the subject,

his promise
on
liberty
The
sum*.
stipulated
agreement was
with equal haste,
quicklyconcluded, and Tigranes,
despatched with an armed escort from the city.

upon himself
to advance
a

to

offer him

his

gaininginformation of the manner

had been disposed
his prisoner
which
of,lost no
his recovery, and havingsummoned
in attempting

in

Flavius,on

of his retainers

number
known

to

be

pursuit.
the

of whom

four

miles from
he

was

summoned
peremptorily
into
were

his

hands,

in

them

received

But

ensued,

the followers

Rome

on

having
Tigranes

refusal.
both

in which

Swords

sides,and
lives

many

of Flavius

eager

he overtook

search, and

direct

faction

off in

to surrender

immediatelyunsheathed

fierce encounter
lost.

several of the

opposed to Clodius, set

About

party

and

time

at

were

were

length

completelyrouted,and forced to flyin all directions,

leavingthe spot covered with their dead ; among
Marcus
whom
was
Papirius,a wealthy Roman
knight,and an intimate friend of Pompey. Flavius
re-entered
the city without
tendant,
himself
a
singleatand closely
followed by the"victors to the very
gates.
tempt
Pompey, deeplymortified by this instance of contowards
shown
him, which, however, he does
dared
not
to have
seem
openly to resent at the
of
time, is said to have formed a resolution at once
effort to reverse
every
Cicero,and his determination

the

making

on

that

doubt, subsequentlyquickened by
*

Dio

Cassius,xxxviii.

banishment
head
the

was,

of
no

discovery,

212

THE

LIFE

deemed

it advisable

reduced

to

OP

grosslyinsulted by

closelyblockaded in his own

of the Clodian faction,
who
considerable
this

those who

struggle.He

the mob

was

*, and

once

by a detachment
out
withnot dispersed
were
In the affraywhich
took

occasion,the

takingupon

assembled

almost

house

violence.

sides,Gabinius

been

had

to

pursue,
in
insignificancethe

several times

place on

CICERO.

chose

consuls

different

the command

himself

for the relief of

of

Pompey,

and

Piso

of
the rioters to the utmost
aidingand abetting
his power.
fortunately
Although the contest was
the two
to have foughtwith
bloodless,
partiesseem
his
Piso, especially,
hearty good-will,
maintaining

ground with
all

obstinate

broken, and

the

rendered
At

valour, until

his fasces

overwhelmingnumbers

were

of his opponents

further resistance useless.

of the consulate
of
very commencement
Lentulus
and Quintus Metellus
Spinther,

the

Cornelius

Nepost, and immediatelyafter the performanceof the

the former of these
customary rites in the Capitol,
magistratesdeclared in full senate, that he would
other questionbefore that connected
enter upon
no
with the repealof the law against
Cicero had been
disposedof. Lucius Cotta, the principalof the
senatorian order,proposedits instant abrogation,
as
forms and
passed in a manner
contraryto all existing
still of opinionthat the
customs
; but Pompey was
the

judgment of
*

Plutarch
had

resisted

ascended

an

eminence

of

number

his

in succession
that is

one

"

his

A.U.C.

name

697.

of

finger(a mark
"

friends,
the latter,
accompanied by a
the
followingquestions
put

gown,

of

Who

man?

of refined

his creatures, like

shakinghis

Poinpey."

the

of

of

of his intimate

is the licentious lord

Who

"

this,"he continues,
parts, upon

of

view

and
associates,
profligate

unworthy

his head with

within

to that

insults, Clodius, after

other
that, among
his prosecutionof some

states

Pompey

should be added

commons

answered

Rome?
is it that

coxcombry)?

chorus

Who

is it

scratches
"

Upon

instructed in their

aloud to every

question

THE

the

LIFE

nobility.The

OP

213

CICERO.

would

act

necessary
the same

have

been

ference
day, but for the interof the tribune Atilius,who
requestedthe
delayof a few hours to deliberate upon the subject.
His authority,
consideration,
however, on mature
not
was
interposed,and, after the usual interval,
the bill was
subjectedto the decision of the
finally
peopleon the 25th day of January.
covered
But if Clodius and his party had by this time disforward

brought

that

their

estimation

of

determined

not

still strong in

no

means,

As
hired

fast

was

reason

to

the

dread

the

effects of the

resolved to leave
consideration,
they were
however
lawless,untried for its prevention.
the important day approached,Clodius
formidable

band

in

of

candidate,and

borrowed

under
gladiators,

of

employing them
honour
for which
an
aedileship,
pretence

in
declining

not the less

public,they were
saries
the field to their adverto relinquish
a last and
desperateeffort. They were
numbers, in union, and in resolution,

having every

bill under

cause

the

without
and

on

he

shows

of his

at the time

was

his brother

from

which
was
on
company,
exhibited at the funeral rites of
second

the

Appius a
point of being

the
one

of his

near

tions.
rela-

for violence gave,

preparations
as
might have been expected,an immediate alarm to
in their
his opponents,who
arms
began to assume
the meeting of the
On the eveningpreceding
turn.
an
increasingly
people,matters wore
aspect,
angry
These

and

it was

manifest

evident
of which

but

too many
on

the

that another
the

records

was
instances,

at

of those internal
of the
hand.

vulsions,
con-

cityafforded
Before daybreak

morning,the tribune Fabrifollowing

of Cicero,
warmly espousedthe cause

cius,who had
with a strongguard.
took possessionof the rostra
the alert as himself,
on
Clodius,however, as much
had previously
in all the avenues
postedhis gladiators

214

LIFE

THE

CICERO.

OF

the

as
Forum, and thus havingprecluded,
he imagined,
the possibility
of the arrival of fresh
to the assistance of the enemy,
fell furiously
succours
the guards of Fahricius with his well-trained
upon
pelled
comswordsmen, and, after a determined
resistance,

leadingto

to

those

who

second

fly.

command
attacked
Sextius

survived

retreated

was

stormed

left for

party,

into

encounter

dead.

At

temple of Castor, which

Clodian
party, that he was

the
all

in

time

same

the

victorious

sides,with reekingweapons,

Quintus Cicero, who

rostra

on

the

the

by

soughton
gladiators
the

murderous

coming up under the

of the tribunes Cispiusand Sextius,was
in a similar manner,
and speedily
routed ;
himself beingso severelywounded, after he

had

for

the

company

had

presentedhimself

with

Fabricius, and

at

the

objectof their pursuitwas only able to escape their

fury by flyinginto the Comitium, where, as they
approached,he concealed himself beneath a heap of
dead bodies,
and in the glimmeringlightby which
rendered but indistinctly
the forms of the slain were
visible,
fortunately
escapeddetection.* The supposed
death of Sextius,a tribune of the people,
quently,
and, consewhom
struck
it was
to injure,
one
sacrilege
the victors with

momentary

however,

fertile in

the odium

equal on

blood

of his

one

oppositefaction
for the victim
of

obscure

was

consternation.

Clodius,

resolved upon making

expedients,
both sides,by murderingin cold
tribunes,in order to chargethe

own

with

his death.

Xumerius

birth and

The

person selected
Quinctius,an individual

little influence,
who, to

please
the surname
the multitude,had assumed
of Gracchus,
desired to
and the gladiators
consequently,
were,
ssek him out and despatchhim. But Quinctius,who
far from beingdestitute of quicknessand cunwas
ning,
on

hint of the

gainingsome
*

Pio

Sextio,x"xvi.

manner

in which

LIFE

THE

his services
lost

215

CICERO.

be rewarded

likelyto

were

time in

no

OP

adoptingthe

readiest

by

his

friends,

at hand

means

of

and hastilymuffling
his life,
himself in a
preserving
-cloak,and placinga basket, snatched
longtravelling
from a countryman, upon his head, he passedin this
disguise
through the midst of his intended assassins,
his name*.
who, on all sides,were
loudly calling
Sextius was, however, by this time discovered
to be
still alive,and,
them

if the

as

circumstance

had

conferred

full licence for

rage
renewingevery kind of outwith impunity,the rioters immediatelybegan their
work of violence afresh. Among other daringactions,
Clodius set fire with his own
hands to the temple of
the Nymphs, involving
in the conflagration
of the
of publicrecords.
He then proa number
building
ceeded

upon

to attack

the
the

the houses

of

Annius

Milo, and

but here his mad

career
prsetorCaecilius;
within
presentstopped. The garrisons
with

at

and

in

of the

for

defended

that the assailants

resolution,
lengthcompelled to draw off in confusion,

themselves
were

was

of

such

sallymade

several
upon them while retiring,
taken prisoners.

were
gladiators

of tumult,
Day closed upon this disgraceful
spectacle
the part of the public
on
singularfor the indifference,
tained
with which
it was
allowed
to be mainauthorities,
still more
wards
; and
so, for the impunity afterhad
been
enjoyed by those who
actively
in
engaged it. The slaughterwas fullyin proportion
had
with which
the parties
to the bitterness of feeling
met.

The

Tiber,ifCicero's

and
exaggeration,

with
blood

the
was

bodies

of the

wiped up

orator," were

the

even

assertion is not
common

slain,and

with

sponges.
such heapsof corpses

since the memorable

day
*

Pro

sewers,

rhetorical
were

in the Forum

filled
the

Never," says the

piledin our streets,
"

of the contest between

Sextio,xxxviii.

Octa-

216

LIFE

THE

vius and Cinna*.

those who

had

Yet,

OF

CICERO.

all efforts to

thus disturbed

and
unavailing,

Clodius

the

bringto justice
publicpeace were

stillsuffered to

parade
the streets with
his gladiators,
unresisted. Milo,
indeed,had the boldness to impeach him for the
attack upon
his house,but the consul Metellus,the
praetorAppius,and the tribune Atilius,forbade,by
their edicts,
either plaintiff
defendant to appear in
or
the cause.
Atilius even
the gladiators
set at liberty
whom
Milo had taken and committed
to the public
of Clodius for the asdileship
prison,while the canvass
stillwent on, and was
in no way injured
cesses.
by his late exSuch a state of things,
while there was
nate,
yet a seand a general
in
who had enjoyedthree triumphs,
Rome, may appear almost inconceivable ; yet,recent
furnish an instance stillmore
can
history
astounding,
of a mighty citygiving
nificant
up, day by day, to an insiga tithe of its population
body of men, whom
would

be

than

more

was

sufficient to annihilate without

the lives and fortunes of its inhabitants,

to
struggle,
be disposed
of without restraint or limitation.
The
tyranny of Clodius might,and in all probability

would,

have

proceeded to

still

extravagant
had there not been a man
lengths,
opposed to him,
giftedwith courage equal to his own, and ready to
with his
encounter
him, since the laws were silent,
own

more

weapons.
There happenedto be at this time
on

termed

with a body
sale,together
trained to
who were
bestiarii,

troop of gladiators

of those

slaves

the

art
perilous
of encountering
wild
beasts in the amphitheatre.
These were
missioned
purchasedby Milo, who comsecretly

friend to appear for him in the transaction,

lest he should be anticipated
outbidden
or
by
a

any
*

of the
Caedein

agentsof
vero

forte illoCiunano
Pro

his rival.

Having

acervos
tantam, tantos
corporum
Octaviano
die,
quisunquatn
atque

Sextio,xxxvi,

thus

procured

extrudes,

nisi

in foro vidit ?"

LIFE

THE
a

force

skilful in the

as

217

CICERO.

OF

of their weapons

use

the

as

Clodius,and added to it the survivors of

late gladiatorial
a
show, presentedby the gediles
Pomponius and Cosconius,he lost no time, after he
at
had armed them
to the teeth,in producingthem

band

under

in opposition
to
fitting
opportunity,

every
and

by

no

of

in

resounded
constantly
combatants,and the

now
was
skirmishes,
all parts of the city.The

Forum
of the

shrieks of the terrified crowds

the

from

to escape

had

while those who

stantly
con-

swords
clashing

the

with

lowers
fol-

obstinate,

bloodless

means

exhibited

succession

of the ex-tribune.

the

an

of commotion

scene

it at
of beholding
opportunity

on, and

safe distance looked

deavouring
en-

so
enjoyeda sight

much

they had been accustomed to

contemplateat their publicgames ; where rivers of
blood continually
flowingfor their amusement, had

that
resembling

long made

indifferent to the exhibition

them

of violent

kind

which

death,in

which

the

part

likelyto act
passedaway

weeks
the law

in favour

after the

of Cicero

by
passing,
disgraced

they were
of

victims.

Several

first tumult, by which

had

been

preventedfrom

dailyconflicts between
tinued
popularityof Clodius con-

almost

factions ; but the

the two

of any
selves
not them-

until he was
to decline,
so much
progressively
an
that,when he predislike,
objectof the general
sented
the hiss with
himself in the amphitheatre,
loud enough to startle
which
he was
received,was
in the arena, and the
the horses of the gladiators
of disapprobation
so
frequentand bitter,
expressions
that he was
at last obligedto reach his seat by a

benches,which, from that

called the "Appian way*."
wittily

secret passage beneath

the

was
circumstance,
At lengthappearedthe
*

Pro

Sextio, lix.

"

determined.

the

decree

circumstance,however,

passingof the decree

Marius, by which the return

occurringafter
of

This

conclusive

of the

is mentioned

as

of the senate, in the Monument

of Cicero was
ultimately

218

THE

OP

LIFE

CICERO.

commanding those who wished well to the

interests of the state,throughoutthe whole
of Italy,
and lend their assistance
to repairto the capital,
towards
carryingthe act for the return of Cicero.
It had been precededby two edicts of less consequence
the same
subject, the one returningthanks
upon
had afforded him a refugein his
to the cities which
officers in the
the Roman
exile, the other enjoining
provincesthrough which he might pass, to take
for ensuringhis safety. No sooner
every precaution
the decree issued,than the roads leading
to the
was
citywere
throngedwith multitudes,eager to testify
senate,

"

"

their

cheerful

obedience

state

contributed

to

to swell

successive
for many
several gatesof Rome

the

mandate.

the tide of

days,continued
from

different

Every
voters, which,

to pour

in at the

and
quarters,

the

sufficient
a majority
disposal
of opposition.At a
to overwhelm
every appearance
meetingof that assembly,held in the temple erected
four
and Virtue by Caius Marius, where
to Honour
senate

had

hundred

soon

and
were

at their

members, besides the

determined,
present,it was

seventeen

hazards,to repealthe
was
taken, while

law

of Clodius.

This

gistrates,
ma-

at all

tion
resolu-

peoplewere
engaged in
exhibited
the games
by Lentulus in the
witnessing
the senators
to which
repaired
theatre,
neighbouring
finished.
On
the business of the day was
as
as soon
received by the audience,
their entrance, they were
made
who
were
acquaintedwith the issue
speedily
the

and
continued
with
loud
deliberations,
the consul appeared
bursts of applause; and when
in a body and
in his place,the assembly, rising
towards
their hands
him, returned him
stretching
thanks for the part he had taken and so strenuously
of

their

ance,
During the remainder of the performthe subjectof which
happened to be the
uttered
of Accius, repeatedshouts
Telamon
were

maintained.

220

LIFE

THE

OF

CICERO.

takingthe auspicesshould

of

the

with upon
dispensed
factorily
satiswas
occasion,and that unless the question
settled in five days, Cicero should be considered
restored to all his former dignities.
Thanks
at the

were

had
and

time voted

same

from

come

wishes

distance

those

to

to

citizens who

second

the

authority

of the Senate.

Clodius

alone, with

his

undaunted

opposition.His

still convened, and

the

be

continued
resolution,

mock

assemblies

were

undisbanded.
gladiators
the only person
senate, althoughhe was

ventured

to utter

his

dissentient

remonstrated

voice, he,

In
who

standing,
notwith-

loudly againstthe present

the people finallymet
on

and
when
proceedings,
the 4th of August to givetheir sanction to the law
in the Campus Martius, made
a
public oration
fectual.
was
whollyinefagainstit. But his interposition
The assembly,one
of the most
imposing
witnessed
of an immense
at Rome,
ever
consisting
multitude

of all ranks

almost

bestow,

to

and

ing
ages, and in fact comprisperson*in the citywho had a vote

every

and

addressed
successively

was

other orators

of the

highestrank

by Pompey
and

influence

in favour of the decree ; and when the question

was
found
to the decision of the ballot,it was
subjected

that not

singlecentury was
generalopinionin its favour.
a

Cicero

had

continued

for

exceptedfrom

the

months

at

several

final issue of the

Dyrrachium, awaitingthe

ments
move-

impatience.His
that cityrepresent
letters written to Atticus from
him
to fluctuate between
as
hope and
continuing
which
seemed
event
despair; elated by the slightest
into the deepestdejection
to promisehis recal,and
sunk
informaat every new
delayt. On receiving
in his behalf

Post Red.

t Ad

with

feverish

in Sen. xi.

Attic, iii. 22, 23,

24, 25, 26, 27.

LIFE

THE

tion, however,

OF

his

221

CICERO.

Quintus of the
final decree of the senate
in his behalf, he was
resolved npon
not waitingfor its confirmation
by the
people,deeming it a less evil,as he has stated,to risk
his life,
than
to be
wanting to this opportunityof
Actuated
nation,
his country.
by this determirevisiting
he embarked
at Dyrrachium almost at the
hour

very

in

from

which

the

brother

edict

his

promulgated for

centuries ; and
the
after a quick and prosperous
passage, arrived on
day following(August 5) off Brundusium, where
received

return

sanction

the

of

the

he

This day he triumphantly

immediatelylanded.
records as being the anniversaryof the foundation
of the citywhich
received him, and of the
had now
dedication of the temple of Safetyat Rome, as well
the birth-dayof his daughterTullia,who
as
sented
preherself to him on his landing. Every thing,
to have been viewed by him throughthe
indeed,seems
exultation naturallyindulgedat the moment
; yet
the apothegm so often expressedby the ancient poets
that from the brightest
of human
there
source
felicity,
rises that which
must
always givea taste of bitterness
"

to the

spring, was

its illustration

without

not

"

the

on

occasion ; since the mourning weeds of his daughter,

had but a short time
who
before been
deprived of
her

husband

the

orator

of

who

would

one,

Piso,
the

certainlyhave

must

absence
have

the

of
the

been

reminded

familiar

foremost

face

in

of

hailing

his return, and

whose
unremittingexertions in his
from his country, he could now
cause, while absent

hope

never

cloud

appears
spread before

appears
to its
*

neque

repay*.

to

to have

him,

to have

in the
which

the

indulgedwith

delusions,of

exception,not

inspiring
prospect
which
he
enjoyment of

overcast

his

all the abandonment

ardent

and

sensitive

cui fructum
ille gencr
suae
incus
pietatis
neque
Pro
Sextio
licuit.
xxxi.
ferre
Romano
populo

Piso
a

this

With

"

ex

me

222

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OP

capable. On the third day from his

he was
acquainted
landing,
by Quintus of the result
of the late comitia,and soon
after leaving
the house
of his friend Lenius Flaccus,of whose hospitality
he
had partaken with
widely different from
feelings
those with which
he had soughta shelter under his
roof on
former
a
occasion,he set out on his return
the highesthonours
to Rome,
which
the magistrates
temperament

was

"

Brundusium

of

could

invent

having been
his departure.

lavished

him
previouslyto
upon
From
this pointhis progress resembled
a continued
along
pageant. As he pursuedhis journeyleisurely
the

for a short time at Naples,

Appian way, halting
Capua, Sinuessa,Minturnae,Formiae,Terracina,and
and village
at Aricia*,every town
the line
near
lastly
seemed
of his route
so
emptied of its inhabitants,
dense

and

the

were

numerous

multitudes

who

borne,"

hastened from every side to greethim.

he afterwards

Italyt;"
Wherever

observed,

to Rome

"

"

was

the shoulders

on

of

and the
he

was
probablynoexaggeration.
figure
the
approached, way was lined with spectators

of all ages and sexes.

A total cessation from
business took placein the different cities,
and public

embassies were
to compliment him on
sent from many
his restoration to his country. Festive entertainments,
and congratulato the gods,rejoicings
tions,
thanksgivings
the constant

were

he drew

near

to

Rome,

still higherhonours
*

The

first

"

It is

"

At

some

Sat. i. 5.

Hor.

distance

"

nwgria me. excepit Aricia Roma," "c.

called La
Riccia.
Respecting the Appian road

now

Via

Appia, formed
the

breadth, and
one

Rome.

him.

Egressum

place,Eustace
up

awaited

stagefrom

this

town

results of his appearance.

As
the 4th day of September,
on

of the

observes

"

The

side of tbe

of stone,
hill,in generalabout

sometimes

about

most

of vr.st

blocks

sixtyfeet

monuments
striking

priseand workmanship."
"fPost reditum in Sen.

XT.

foundations

immense

in

at

of tho

risingfrom the old

twenty-fourfeet in

elevation, are

that remain

of Roman

perhaps
enter-

LIFE

THE

OP

223

CICERO.

by the whole body of

at their head, and
the magistrates
the senate, with
he entered at
into the city,which
escorted by them
of the most
the Capene gate*. Here
imposing
a sight
itself. The steps of the two
kind presented
ing
neighbourtemples, those of Mars and the Muses, and the
whole lengthof the street as far as the eye could reach,
and house-tops,presentedone
the porticoes
as well as
from

walls, he

the

met

was

beings,who rent the air with

their shouts at the first glimpse of the processionby
which
he was
spectacle
accompanied. The same
exhibited
was
along the whole way to the Capitol;
of the
and
house
area
building,the whole
every
Forum, and the temples by which it was surrounded,
and
to excess,
resounding with the
being crowded
dense

of human

mass

occupants. Amidst
ascended
of public excitement, Cicero
of their

enthusiastic acclamations
this delirium

steps which led to the temple of JupiterOptimus

Maximus, the path of triumph trodden by a hundred

the

but

conquerors,

victory

pursued by

now

which

far

was

who

one

more

glorious,
dazzling

althoughbloodless and uncelebrated by the

of militaryparade,than any of which
insignia
hitherto

victory

the

and
his

it had

the
place of commemoration,
gratitud
ingenius and patriotismover prejudice,

been
of

joying
en-

was

devotions

"

factious

in

before
especially

violence.

the

shrines

that

of the

its

Goddess

summit,
to

whom

and
he

departurefrom Rome,
he retired to the house
appointed for his residence,
illustrious
accompanied to its threshold by the same
train, and again saluted on his way thither by the
unabated
applause of his fellow citizens.

had

commended

himself

at

performing

After

"

Ad

at his

Attic, iv. 1.

224

THE

LIFE

CICEItO.

OF

CHAPTER
of Cicero

Oration

by

raised
dius

in

Clodius

the

of

"Speech

Senate

Oration

"

the Houses

upon

VIII.

Cicero

De

"

sponsionibus"Cicero

"

Lucius

Lucceius

Oration
the

"

of Cicero

Dedication

Treatise

"

De

Second
the

Oratore"

"

and

Consulate

againstPiso
of

"

Provinces
Balbus

"

"

His

Pompeian

De

Marriage
of

'Departureof

of

Oration

"

Tullia

and

Letter of Cicero to

"

Ponipey

Letter
Theatre

Sextius

Haruspicum Rein the Capitol,

his Banishment
Caelius

impeached

Publius

the Tablets

"

ofClo-

elected .^Edile

Milo

"

defends

Oration

relatingto

respectingthe Consular
Crassipes Speeches for

Clodius

"

Cicero

"

down

tears

containing the Decree

Milo

Tumults

"

Attack

"

Rege Alexandrine"

Violence
by Clodius for illegal
Interrogation
againstVatinius
"

Return

sua"

Domo

of Cicero and
"

his

after

"Pro

to
"

and

Crassus

"

Marina

respecting

Cicero

writes

Crassus

his

for his Parthian

Expedition.
ON

the

day

after his return

his seat in the senate,which

was

to

Rome,

crowded

Cicero
to

excess

took

by

renewal
a
assembly,eagerlyanticipating
of the enjoyment they had so often experienced
from
the exhibition
of his extraordinary
of eloquence.
powers
In his openingspeech,which
was
necessarily
there could have
to a great degreecomplimentary,
been little to disappoint
his audience, if there was
nothing in it to exceed their expectations*.The
and tribunes of the people,who had
consuls,praetors,
in his recal,are severally
been instrumental
thanked
of the house collectively
by name, and the other members
; the usual incense is offered to Pompey, who
is declared in valour,glory,and the performance of
far above all who
had precededhim of
greatexploits,
whatever
is lauded
nation,while Lentulus
age or
to the heavens, since the orator, setting
no
literally
a

numerous

subsequent speech was afterwards delivered to the people,

This is the "Oratio
at an
assembly convoked
by the consuls.
in
Secunda
which
editions has been placed
some
post Reditum,"
A

before that to the senate.

LIFE

THE

225

CICERO.

OP

bounds to his

him his parent and

terms
gratitude,
guardiandeityof his being,fortunes,present

the

and
reputation,

future fame.
But while he is thus
careful to manifest his sense
of the kind offices of his
he is by no means
the other
on
friends,
forgetful,

hand, of

those to whose

exile and

the

and Piso

are

owed

exertions he had

his

of his 'property. Gabinius

spoliation
selected as the objects
of his
especially

sarcasticinvectives ; and
them
against

is

the
although

onlypreparatoryto
it is
same
subject,

the
upon
littleto be desired

the

on

hurled

censure

fiercer declamations

such

as

to leave

of bitterness.

score

The

prudenceof this kind of oratorymight fairlybe

but Cicero was
that he had
well aware
questioned,
not returned home
to layaside his armour,
to take
or
his share in the management of a republic
in the
of internal peace.
If,
enjoymentof the blessings
he had indulged
in any respectin this delusive
indeed,
have been dispelled
by
hope,it would speedily
the conduct of Clodius immediately
after his return.
The

by

senate,who

had been for

the successive commotions

some
on

months
a

hindered,

which
question

had

the attention and interest of

long engrossed
all ranks,from attending
to any other business of
assailed by the murmurs
of
were
now
importance,
the peopleon the subject
of
of a prevailing
scarcity
corn, which

had

been,in

greatmeasure, caused by
the universal rush to the capital,
in consequence
of
the late edict.* Clodius,
equallyreadyto create or
of dissatisfaction,
to foster any feeling
presuming
upon

the

which
ill-feeling

havingsent

number

began to

be

expressed,

of his emissaries to endeavour

to fan the

his

populardiscontent into a flame,armed

and placed them
under
the
gladiators
anew,

of Marcus Lollius and Marcus

two
guidance
Sergius,
of the most desperate
of his associates,
with orders to

beset the senate in the

*

Ad

templeof Concord.
Attic, iv. 1.
Q

On

their

226

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OF

way meetingwith the consul Metellus and his train,

these ruffians,
without hesitation,
assaulted him with a
shower

of

stones*,by

which

himself

Metellus

was

wounded, and his attendants compelledto flyfrom

the spot. Encouragedby the impunitywith which
suffered to pass, they proceeded,
this attack was
on
that the meetingof
learning
adjournedto the Capitolfor
invest that placeof assemblyas
who

Rome, however,

the

had

senate

been

its better

to
security,
The peopleof

well.

lengthconvinced that
their interests would
be ill served by these outrages,
this occasion a proper regardfor
on
displayed
the continuance
of the peace of the city,
and mustering
in vast crowds
such

at

were

attacked

the band

of Clodius with
to raise the

spiritas speedilyto compelthem

siege.Cicero,on hearingof the tumult, lost no time

in endeavouring
it. The multitudes who surto pacify
rounded
the senate-- house were
alreadyloudlycalling
for him by name, but when he appearedand proposed
that Pompey
a
as
remedy for the presentdistress,
should
for five years be invested with authority
to
the supplyof provisions,
make
respecting
regulations
the expressions
of approbation
unbounded.
The
were

The

of this hitherto fortunate leader seemed

name

very
be a

sufficient

for
security

the prosperous

in which
of any undertaking
resolution thus proposedwas
the

converted into

of
opposition
law.

he

management
concerned.

notwithstanding
after,

soon

several

was

to

of the

senators,

Fifteen

were
deputies
appointed
at the same
time, at the requestof Pompey, to assist
these Cicero
him in carrying
it into effect. Among
the first chosent, but he appears
to have only
was
*

by

Missiles of this kind

the Roman

to

seem

Cicero, at

crowds.

in a
lapidationes"
speaks of
of no unfrequcntoccurrence.
"

manner

have

been

ordinarilyresorted to
speech for Sextius,
that they were
implies

in his
least,

which

Atqui vis in foro

persaepe vidimus
quandoenim major?lapidationes
niinium

sa-pe gladios."Pro
"

"

Sextio,xxxvi.

versata
;

non

f- Ad

est?

cer'.c

ita saepe, ;""""!

Attic, iv. 1.

228

THE

perhapsnot

LIFE

CICERO.

OF

be inclined to form

its author,who

to have

seems

best of his productions;

and

high an opinionas

so

considered it almost

unless
this,

the

another instance

of the want
a

of power so common
in genius
of forming
be considered
rightestimate of its own productions,
may
the authenticity
plausible
argument against
disputedoration extant under the title Pro
sua."
Yet the trenchant power of its wit,and
a

of the
Domo
the

"

nervous

of many

of its passages, must

at
and the peroration,
admiration,
as

energy

all times command

in most

of the

rebuild

the

of Cicero,
is a striking
speeches
specimen
of majestic
The
eloquence. pontifi
ces, convinced by its
were
arguments,or overpoweredby its rhetoric,
easily
induced to decree that the consuls might proceedto
house

of the

and
scruples,
was,

the

after

without

orator

of two

sum

delays in

some

gious
any relimillions of sesterces*
the

senate, in

of the clamours of Clodius and the interposition

consequence
of Atilius Serranus,at lengthvoted for the
The loss sustained by the injuries
done to
purpose.
the villas at Tusculum
and Formiae, for which
pensation
comwas

estimated

was

thousand
and

the

at the

Cicero

seems

for the latter

to

demolition

publicexpense,
of five hundred

former,and

have

two

hundred

a remuneration
place;

considered
below

arid much
satisfactory,
J.
property destroyed

The

at the

sums
respective

sesterces t for the

thousand
fifty

which
from

also to be made

the

very far
real value of
as

of his house

upon the Palatine hill,

Clodius had, with
which

only mischief
impunity,effected in the same
perfect
quarter. The
of the
noble porticoof Catulus, built from the spoils
levelled
Cimbric war, had been also unceremoniously
with the ground,that it might not present,by the
difference of the styleof its architecture,
contrast
a
unfavourable
to the new
temple of Libertyerected in
was

not

the

16,000/.

f 4000/.

Ad

Attic,

iv. .2.

LIFE

THE

OP

This
its neighbourhood.

also to be

was

replacedat

the workmen

people.But, while

the cost of the

229

CICERO.

well as
as
employed in its re-erection,
new
buildingsclose beside it,which

upon

had

been

raised to the

roof,Clodius,who

were

the other

already

were

for

some

busyinghimself in endeavouringto excite the

made
his appearance,
populaceto a fresh disturbance,
the 3d of November, with an armed band, and, by
on
his desperate
attack,speedilycompelled the busy
time

multitude
The

him

before

their

desist from

to

labour.

unfinished

soon
walls, thus abandoned, were
reduced to a heap of ruins,but not contented with
their destruction,
Clodius next turned his attention to
the neighbouring
house of Quintus Cicero ; which was
first battered by the stones of his followers,
and soon

afterwards

without

fired

by

intermission

lightedbrands

the
upon

Cicero himself

it.

few

showered

days

wards,
after-

in the A7ia Sacra

by
the same
had perpetrated
this
furious company
who
assailed
hesitation,
and, without a moment's
outrage,
and
and threatened,by the swords
by their missiles,
with which
armed, in so serious
they were
bludgeons
in order
that he was
to take refuge,
a manner,
obliged
his life,
in the neighbouring
to save
court-yardof
Tertius Damio.
the
On the 12th day of November
rioters againmade their appearance, and commenced
a
dence
assault with sword and buckler,upon the resiregular
of

was

Milo, situated

on

met

Mount

Germalus,

which

theycontinued to invest the whole of the day,making

efforts to carry it by storm, or to set it on fire
repeated
of the burningtorches hurled againstit.
by means
On this occasion Clodius himself having taken his
into which he had
post in the house of Publius Sylla,
forcible entrance,directed from thence,in
But the issue
of his adherents.
person, the operations
effected

Armatis

oxpulsisuut

honiinibus,ante
fabri de

arta

nostia,

tertium

diem

"c.

"

Ad

Nonas

Attic, iv. 3.

Novenibres

230

THE

of the contest

LIFE

CICERO.

OF

far from

beingin

his

favour,since
Quintus Flaccus,at the head of a resolute body of
well-armed
retainers,
making at lengtha furious sally
succeeded in repulsing
them after
upon the assailants,
a

in which
slaughter,

severe

of the Clodian

members
and

was

in which

the chief

the most

party were
promoter

distinguished
left on the ground,

fray would
have met with the fate he had so often tempted,had
he not escapedthe search of the victors by a hasty
concealment.
This defeat produced a considerable
diminution of his strength,
althoughit proved no
check
his insolence.
The
senate, provoked
upon
beyond their usual power of endurance,by the late
repeatedexcesses, decreed that those who had been
guiltyof them, should be indicted under the law
and that the election of
violence,
respecting
illegal
aediles should be deferred until they had been called
upon

to

account

of the

for their conduct.

it

As

was

law in the constitution,

that no
standing
magistrate
Clodius
should be impeachedwhile actually
in office,
had been encouragedby the prospectof his speedy
for which
he was
return
to the dignity
a
candidate,
and the hope of immunity from punishment for a
in braving
the publicauthorities,
and,
year to come,
under the express prohibition
of the decree,and
even
with the
in open defiance of the senate,persisted,
aid of the consul
the comitia.
now

in

But

its turn

openly declared
under

Metellus,in
the

fortune

of his

the

ascendant.

upon

that

his endeavours

no

to hold

opponent was
Milo

aediles should

be

had

chosen,

until the consulate of Metellus

any circumstances,
redeemed
his pledge,
should expire
; and fully

placesappointedfor

by occupyingthe

different

assemblies of the

peoplewith

an

armed

the

force,and by

in his capacity
of tribune,
on
declaring
every occasion,
that the auspices
unfavourable
to the meeting.
were
For several weeks the city was
kept in an uproar

231

CICERO.

OP

LIFE

THE

and it was
parties,
the consuls
when
January following,

the contentions of the two

by

until the

not

nelius
Cor-

Marcellinus,and Lucius Marcius

had for some
days entered upon their office,
Philippus,
well known
that Clodius,whose
extravaganceprobably
induced the people
to expectsome
extraordinary
Lentulus

in the
magnificence

to his management,was

be entrusted

should

which

games

elected curuleaedile*.
length

at

of this year Cicero delivered

in the senate- house,his speechon the restoration of
the kingof Egypt to his dominions.
Ptolemy, surAt the commencement

named

Auletes,the

father of the celebrated

Cleopatra,
peated
by resubjects

havingprovoked the hatred of his

and tyranny, was
at length
acts of oppression
driven from his kingdom by a general
insurrection,
ance,
and forced to applyto the Roman
senate for assistbribe to induce

as a
offering,

in his

hold

favour,to

to interfere

them

he might
territory

all the

His
in acknowledgmentof their sovereignty.
regain
who, on a false report of his death, had
subjects,
placedhis daughterBerenice upon the thronet, on
*

at

Cicero

at the

his Tusculan

Diversos,vii.
for

few

accounts

"what

close of the year

26,)in which

of
consequence
illness
follows
for his
as

I must

inform

the sumptuary laws.

been
you
The

"

"

guilty
that I

owe

will wonder,

You

perhaps,

order.
myself this dis-

bringupon
of
it to the frugal
regulations

productsof the

of that act, our

provisions
have found
into fashion,
vegetables

Rome

He
temporary indisposition.

of,to

of the

earth

beingexceptedout
eaters, in order to bring
elegant
them
of dressing
out a method

higha taste, that nothing can be

of
immediatelyafter havingeaten freely

in

to

appears
he states that he had retired from

days,in

excesses

short

time,
epistle Gallus, (Ad

his

from

a?
villa,

I have

697, was, for

A. u.c.

so

palatable. It

more
a

was

dish of this sort, at the

seized with an
illness

Lentulus,that 1 was
tillthis day.
Thus you see that I, who
left me
which has never
have withstood all the temptationsthat the noblest lampreys and
oysterscould throw in my way, have at last been overpoweredby

inaugurationfeast

paltrybeets
probablythe

and
Lex

though it allowed

of

mallows."

"f

Melmoth.

The

law

alluded

but

to

is

Sumptuaria,passedA. u.c. 687, which,

of meat
to be served up at
certain quantity

Licinia

entertainments,leftthe
Dio

"

ad
to be supplied
vegetables

Cassius,Hist. Rom.

xxxix.

libitum,

232

THE

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

in
of his appeal,despatched
intelligence
receiving
haste an embassy,consisting
of a hundred deputies,
entreat

to

the

listen to it ; but of
assassinated by his directions,

senate

not

these,several

were

either

on

journey,or

Rome

their
the

he

rest

to

after their arrival at

soon

contrived

to

win

to

over

his

either by bribes or by promises. Odious

interests,
inclined
as his cause
was, Pompey was, nevertheless,
to lend him his full support,in the probable
tion
expecta-

beingentrusted

of

him

in his

with

the commission

dominions,and

several

stating
of rein-

long and

in consequence, upon the

place,
subject.But the tide of publicopinionran strongly
againstthe exiled prince,partly on account of
but more
his well-known
tyrannicaldisposition,
of an oracle
from the pretended
especially
discovery
in the Sibylline
books, by the tribune Marcus Cato,
who
was
fiercely
opposed to his restoration,by

anxious debates

which

the

took

Romans

cautioned,in

were

awful

and

equipped
mysterious
against
language,
any expedition
from their cityfor the purpose of aidinga king of
in the recovery of his crown.
Cicero,who
of offending
to have been less scrupulous
appears
that of prothe voice of justice
than against
against
phecy,

Egypt

and
the

who, moreover,

command

friend

was

anxious

to

secure

to Egypt for his

expedition
the time proconsulof Cilicia,

of the

Lentulus,at

with
attempted,

the assistance of Lucullus

and

Hor-

of a middle course,
to procure the adoption
tensius,
that already
as
which, though fullyas iniquitous
would, at least,lie beyond the scope
contemplated,
of the oracular
denunciation.
He, therefore,proposed,
in his address to the senate*, that,instead
*

Brief

with
been
aie

to

an

together
frigmentsof this oration (De Rege Alexandrine),

ancient

commentary,

as

it is

of Asconins, have
supposed,

discovered by Maio, in the Ambrosian

libraryof Milan, and
be found in the latest editions of Cicero's works.
They are,

however,whollyunimportant.

THE

of

LIFE

OF

233

CICERO.

under
from the city
directly
the governor of Ciany other general,
licia should be appointedto march
into Egypt with
the troops stationed in his province,
and aid in the
reduction of the revolted kingdom to the authorityof
its former sovereign.
The faction of Pompey resisted
this proposal with
all their strength,
and Crassus
added
his voice against
douht with
no
it,advising,
an
sending
Pompey, or

the view

armed

force

beinghimself included in the commission,

that the office of restoring
trusted
Ptolemy should be ennot
to
one
general,but to three ; while
another
party under Bibulus, equallysensitive to
their own
clamoured
for the appointment
advantage,
of

as

many

invested

of

civil commissioners,in the

with

divisions among

command.
military

placeof

Owing

to

men

the

supportersin the senate,the

of disapprobation
towards
it among
the members
feeling
of that body, and the unanimous
cry against
the measure
from the more
rather
or
equitable,
the more
multitude
superstitious
without,the plan
of interference was
to be dropat length obliged
ped,
and

its

the

forced to remain for

Egyptianmonarch
time longer without
his ancestral throne ;
some
althoughhe was afterwards,to the griefand indignation
of his subjects,
tion
reinstated in it,in consideraof a bribe of ten thousand talents,
by Gabinius,
proconsulof Syria.
Clodius,elated with his recent election,
by which
he had gainedthe
very pointof vantage from which
his adversary
forced to descend,was
now
was
busy in
forward an impeachment of Milo for illegal
carrying
violence ; foundingwith measureless
his
assurance
accusation on
which he himself
the very ground upon
oughtlong before to have been condemned ;the employment of armed
gladiators
againstpeaceful
and the creating
rance
of tumults to the hindcitizens,
"

of the comitia.

fresh succession of disturb-

234

THE

ensued

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

to
which shook the city
question
its centre.
nance
Milo, though supportedby the counteless,
of Pompey, Crassus,
and Cicero,was, nevertheto the
to appear
compelled,on two occasions,
lence
him, and each time the viochargebroughtagainst
of the partisans
both of himself and his rival
ances

threatened

on

this

the most

serious

On

consequences.

the

second

lected
day appointedfor his trial,Pompey was seof the abuse of the opposite
as the especial
object
After he had delivered a speechof three hours,
mob.
duration in defence of Milo, Clodius rose
to reply,
but was
and annoyed by the invectives
so exasperated

and

vociferated against
him, that
cuttingsarcasms
instead of proceeding
with
his address,he had recourse
to his favourite

of annoyance,
cording
and, acto his usual manner,
begana series of tions
ques"
Who
is it that procures
to his retainers :
laws

to

system

destroythe peopleby

famine

that wishes to be sent to Alexandria

his

?"

"

Who

is it

to allof which

respondedby shoutingin chorus the

of
name
interrogation,
Pompey." His concluding
Whom
is it the will of the peopleto
however,
ferent
?" was
answered
in a difsend upon the expedition
followers
"

"

"

"

manner,

since,with

one

accord,the Clodians

Crassus."
reply repeatedcries of
Whatever
effect the previous
insults might have produced,
the jeathis at once
told to the quick upon
lousy
had
and
ambition
of Pompey, and
nearly
produced an open rupture between himself and his
tered,
wealthyconfederate,since he shortlyafterwards utat an assemblyof the senate held in the temple
of Apollo,hints of his intention to stand upon his
as
defence,and not to be murdered
ScipioAfricanus
had been by Carbo.
He
even
proposedto Cicero,
whether
or
not, to enter into an agreement
sincerely
with him for their mutual
a
plot
safety,
pretending
in
his life,
by Crassus,and calling
against
encouraged
returned

for

"

236

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

his whole powers of vehement

declamation
irony; and these twin harpiesof the
for
represented
in all the

republicare
of posterity,
not only
reprobation

the

minutise
disgraceful

but in the most

and

feature,which
if

they had

and studied

of their moral

ters,
charac-

finished details of outward

stillsee

we

before

us

as

form

perfectly

preservedby the skill of the

most
accomplishedartist. Yet, althoughthe orator
dwells on
of
the fopperies
and excesses
sarcastically
Gabinius, his curled hair arranged tier above tier*,
his unguents, and dissolute glances,
his
he reserves
whom
for his colleague,
happiest
powers of description
he paints
as
mimickingthe ancient worthies of the
with his profusion
of beard, his uncombed
republic
hair,his sordid toga,his solemn countenance, severe
looks, and contracted eye-brow,on which, as on
as

the

shoulders

been

of

Atlas,

thought to restt.
with
in depicting
ability
be

state

might

shown

less

colours

the several

and
duringhis exile,
miserable

and tumults
the sudden
and
recall,

Italyarose
had

who
in

scenes

which

at the moment

in Rome

of his return ;
"

in favour of his own

feeling
the exultation jind triumphwith which all
to do homage on his return to the patriot
been

of

compelled to

of weakness

and

forsake

his

infatuation.

country

dently
Indepen-

the oration for

considerations,
the best
as
long continue to be prized,

Sextius
account

year far from beingthe least

in the annals of Rome.
But were
it less
of

occurrences

remarkable

the

of the state torn

revulsion

moment

of the

he

vivid

most

occurred

of other

will

has

Nor

by anarchyand
insolent despotismof Clodius,the frays
which
accompaniedhis factious violence,

condition

faction,the

interests of the

the whole

calamistrata coma,
conAlter,unguentisaffluens,
despiciens,
Pro Sextio,viii.
sciens stuprorum, "c.
de
Nam
dicam ? quod turn liominibus non
quod ego
supercilio
"fIbid.
Bed pignusreipublicae
videbatur,"c
Bupereilium
"

"

LIFE

THE

could

237

CICERO

historical document, its intrinsic

an
as
interesting

merits

OP

fail of

never

inducingin

the

student

of satisfaction
a
literature,
feeling

ancient

at

of
its

has overtaken
so
many
escape from the fate which
the proof reasoningand eloquence,
other models
duction
of the

exalted intellect. Sextius,however,

same

find, was not wholly indehted to it for

of
his acquittal*,
since,in this cause, the pleadings
been
Cicero had
precededby a masterly defence,
we

as

preparedby

abilitiesof

skill and
long practised

the

Hortensiust.
The
or

occasion gave

same

it is

as

birth to

called,the
generally

againstVatinius.

latter,who

The

Vatinius

which

tribune

oration,
Interrogation
"

had

borne

the

people,and had
long rendered himself obnoxious to Cicero by his
devotion to the Clodian faction,had appearedas a
in the cause
of Sextius,
witness for the prosecution
and was
crossexposed to the severe
consequently
examination of the counsel for the defendant.
This,
of a long succession of questions,
in the form
to
offices of

quaestorand

"

the

had

neither

of the

the

nor
power,
probably
inclination to answer,
constitutes
the
the
mentioned
above
is
of the
oration,which

whole

pungent satire ; its leading

render ridiculous and contemptible
whom
itwas
a work
pronounced,
against

remarkable
chiefly
objectbeing to
theindividual

which,

if the

for its

character

"

givenof

Vatinius

has

not

and
by the malevolence of party spirit
animosity,appears to have been essentially
political

been

distorted

of

one
was

the

which, Cicero tells us,

; but
supererogation
deserve
to
as
performedin such a manner
We
find
applauseboth of gods and menj.
his

from
*

Ad

that
letters,

while

Quintum,ii. 4.

Valinium

arbitratu

f
nustro

Pro

cause

of Sextius

Sextio,vi.

concidimus,'dis homiuibusquo

Ad Quiutuin,ii. 4.
plauderitibus.
"

the

238

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

in progress, he also undertook

the defence of
Lucius Bestia, accused of corrupt practices
in canvassing
was

for office. This

oration

is

lost.
entirely

It

followed

by one induced by a renewed attack on

the part of Clodius,whose
towards
him
ill-feeling
not likely
to be diminished by the late storm
of
was
directed againsthimself, and
impassionedcensure
under
circumstances
of the
sufficiently
elucidatory
was

character of the times.

The

attention

of the

Rome

at
haruspices

late been

called to the serious consideration

ominous

portents,on

it

as

which

traversed

meteor, which
the
to

wolf had

cautious

usual
A

which

had

hitherto

quested
re-

struck

them

from

habits

to

the

faced

the

on

Alban

east, had

the
;

animals

of those

several

; and, in
lightning

with

north

gates of
throughits streets,contrary

the north

suddenly towards
been

of certain

opinionwas

to enter

seen

of Juno

shrine

prey.

been

to wander

city,and
the

of

The
heavens
had
been,
by the senate*.
illumined
zling
by a strangeand dazreported,

was

south.

their

had

of

mount,
turned

citizens had

the

of
vicinity

said to have
Rome, strangeand horrible noises were
been heard, resembling
the uproar
of encountering
of subterranean
armies, and the clanging
weapons

hostst.

of these
persons consulted on the causes
of the gods,
tokens
of the displeasure

The

supposed

performedand

publicgames had been negligently

to
polluted
; that placesconsecrated

the

had
religion

answered, that
service

of

; that

those

had
suppliants
to law
*

and

De

to

who

had

true

the

worn

as

fane
procharacter of

baselymurdered, contrary botli

equity; that rites of the most ancient
been

of this

cause

mentioned

considered

been

x.
Haruspicum Responsionibus,

"f-The
taken

the

in

phenomenon

the oration

placein the Picenum.

on

the

Dio
was,

Cassius,xxxix.
quake
no
doubt, the earth-

subjectas

having lately

THE

and

LIFE

mysteriouskind

OF

had

239

CICEKO.

been

celebrated
imperfectly
and desecrated,and
that the sanctityof the most
solemn oaths had been disregarded.
Saturn,
Jupiter,
declared to be the divinities
Neptune,and Tellus,were
it was
should
to whom
necessary that expiation
be made ; and they were
said to warn
the state by
these fearful tokens, againstsuch
divisions among
the nobilityand
leadingpersons of the state,as
lead to disgrace
abroad
and ruin at
must
infallibly
home.
On this vague reply,Clodius based a long
that the rebuilding
of
oration,intended to show
Cicero's house, on
ground expresslyconsecrated to
of the events alluded to
one
religious
purposes, was
of the deities ;
resentment
as having provoked the
and Cicero,on
the following
day, made his replyin
the senate-house.
After successfully
parryingboth
the assertions and insinuations of his adversary,
he
endeavoured,in his turn,to bring,not a part,but the
to bear upon
whole, of the reply of the haruspices
the Clodian
faction,and to prove them
equally
1. By a
guiltyunder each of its separate counts.
late interruption
of the Megalesiangames,
and the

introduction of persons

of servile condition

theatre at their celebration*.

By

2.

the

into the

on
occupation

the

part of Clodius of the house of Quintus Seius,

whom, after an ineffectual attempt to gain his resi*

The

Megalesiangames, in honour
Cybele, were
annuallyperformed at
and

the
on
magnificence,

Maximus.

The

4th

and

goddessesCeres

of the
Rome

with

9th of

classicalreader will remember

the

April,in

utmost

the

and
pense
ex-

Circus

the beautiful allusion

by Juvenal at the close of his eleventh satire.

all who
Previous to their celebration,
freemen were
not
were
manded
comthe spot.
to departfrom
Clodius, however, in the year
these entertainments, introof his aedileship,
while presidingover
duced

made

to

them

an

immense

in consequence,
the consul Lentulus

arose

Clodian
and
place,

mob

number

of slaves into

which

was

Marcellinus

actuallydrove
of
keptpossession

the

quelledwith

theatre.

tumult

by
great difficulty

a second
occasion,the
; but, on
all the other
spectators from the

it for themselves.

240

LIFE

THE

OP

CICERO.

by purchase,he was said to have caused to be

by the demolition of a shrine,and
; and
poisoned
its precincts*. 3. By the
several altars within
of Theodosius,a native of Chios,while emmurder
ployed
an
on
embassy to Romet, a deed in which
of havingbeen the prinClodius had the reputation
cipal
actor ; and the assassination,
by order of Piso,
of PlatorJ, a citizen of Orestis in Macedonia, who
had been sent by his countrymen to Thessalonica,
on
a
publicmission to the proconsul; and 4. By the
dence

late violation of the rites of the Bona

Dea,

and

the

the criminal
of the judgeswho had acquitted
perjury
The danger
of that notorious sacrilege.
plainly
guilty
of dissention

demonstrated

the orator

all the disturbances

whom

After

attributable.
Clodius

ventured

Cicero's

the

the

had

individual

of

ruin, were
speech,we do not

againto

interfere with

was

plainly
find that

respectto

that
house, which, as well as
brother,is mentioned, in his letters to

Palatine

for
erecting

Quintus,

as

his

rapidlyrisingfrom

now

its ruins

Contentions
magnificence".
styleof surpassing
these two
other
however, between
subjects,
enemies

to

happened,
lately

the commonwealth

verge

this

of

which

of which

in consequence
on
tottering

now

principal
persons of the state,
to be only avoidable
by the

insolence

the

suppressionof
and

the

among

in

upon
bitter

the
wanting. Notwithstanding
of the peopleto his return, the decrees

not

were

universal assent

stillfixed up
the banishment
of Cicero were
respecting
in the Capitol. In order, therefore,to abolish this
he ascended
last remainingtestimonyof his disgrace,
with
in company
tribunes ; and
havingtorn

thither

which

on

the

obnoxious

Milo,
down
acts

were

and

several

the brazen

Id. xiv.

De

tablets

engraved,
O

of the

w;is

'

xii.
Haruspicum Respousionituis.
Id.
Ad
xxi.
"
Quiiitum,ii.3, 4.
J

THE

them
carrying
hastened
time

OF

triumph, when Clodius,having

spot with his brother Caius,at that

But

praetor,forced him
second attempt,
a

from

the

was
city,

Clodius

while

raised

in

who

he

had

the tablets

remove

disputewas afterwards
the
subject; Clodius

warm

senate

was

upon

violence
complaintsagainstthe illegal
pretended had been used, while even Cato,

had
at

absent

Avas

loud

making
which

the

design.

since Cicero
successful,

more

house.

own

his

abandon

to

to
enabled,without interruption,
to his

241

CICERO.

oft'in

the

to

LIFE

his commission
executing
fended
Cyprus, took part againstCicero, who dehis conduct
he
by the argument of which

returned

now

from

several times before availed

himself,that all the

acts procuredby the instrumentality
of his adversary
were
sequence
void, in connecessarily
duringhis tribunate,
of the illegality
of his adoption into the
plebeianorder.
His reputation
the people was,
at this
among
raised by the part he had
terly
lattime, by no means
taken
virate,
in forwardingthe views
of the triumA

the

the

drop, on a
pey, who, previous to
for the purchase of corn
had

been

to

summoned

Lucca, in

at

which

to

the

all his influence with

his

oppositionany

of

lands

the

of

had

he

act
.Agrarian

distribution

suffered

which

motion

made

in
an

considering
re-

Cassar

of

respecting
Campania was
Pom-

from

remonstrance

his

for

departure to Africa,
the prevailing
scarcity,
interview

latter

Caesar

with

engaged him

to

use

Cicero,to prevent his

farther*.

In

ing
carrydebates

the

respectingthe

assignmentof the consular provinces

for the ensuingyear, according
to the Sempronianlaw, the waveringin his policywas not less
obvious.
His speechupon the subject,
while strenu*

Caesar had

interview with

been

informed

Crassus,which

of Cicero's
took

in
opposition
Ravenna.
placeat

previous

242

LIFE

THE

CICERO.

OF

ouslyrecommendingthat Gabinius and Piso should,

from Syria and
without
home
delay,be summoned
with arguments for continuing
Macedonia, was replete
in the

Ceesar

government of the two Gauls, contrary

he had
opinionsof the party with which

to the

sided.

hitherto

dangerwhich

In

had

it he

eloquentlysets

forth the

threatened the state

at all times

the different Gallic

and the unexampled

nations,
displayof valour and conduct by which they had
the
been
latelynot only"preventedfrom crossing
barrier of the Alps, but actuallysubjected
to the
from

Roman

after

arms,

carried
and

succession

of

in the heart of their

on

campaigns,
dazzling
own

country,

fiercest among
their tribes*. The
mentioned
in terms
of the
Ceesar are

againstthe

abilities of

highestpanegyric his
the

enmity towards

former

self
him-

with

;
singulargentleness
with
sacrifice
all
to
professing, apparent generosity,
considerations of a private
nature to his regardfor
But it
interests of the commonwealth.
the general

is

any such
of
cause
first was
in the
Caesar

of the power
credit for more
than the

was

of his readers

to

influence
partial

of

in this instance
feeling.In advocating
Ceesar,he was guidedby two motives.

the
The

dignatio
Gabinius,and his inat the conduct theywere
at presentpursuing
countries entrusted
If
to their government.
recalled from either or both of the Gauls,
were
by no means
unlikelythat these would be

selected
in

"

out
unfortunately

givehim

it

treats

orator

which

his hatred

as

of Piso and

consular

provincesfor

Macedonia

case

to
beingassigned

the

of their

Cicero

as
office,

be
probability

new

and
consuls

had

still suffered

the

ensuingyear,
Syria, instead of
at the expiration

intended, would
to

continue

under

in all
the

His second reason

sway of their present oppressors.
is clearly
explainedin his letters to the pro- consul
*

De

Provinciis Consular] bus, xiii.

244

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OP

devoted to philosophy
you of a lesson which, although
I have
from
acquiredless by study
my childhood,
I hope you
than by painful
but which
experience,
will learn in

milder

school than

that of

adversity
;

our
honour, we should
namely,that, in consulting
lose sight
neither entirely
interests *, nor
of our
own
at the sacrifice
wholly devote ourselves to the latter,

of honour."
the

From

from others of
as well
as
letter,
about the same
date,it is ascertained that at this
periodhe was engagedin formingan alliance between
his daughter
Tullia and Furius Crassipes
t, a Roman
of high birth and considerable property,as well as
by the nuptialfestivitiesof his friend Atticus,who
had recently
celebrated his marriage
with Pilia. The
happinessof Cicero received no accession from his
took
new
familyconnexion,since a coldness soon
placebetween Crassipesand Tullia,which ended in
a

divorce. Other

formal

been

-same

wanting to

such

kind

as

vexations

embitter

his

not to be

were

do not
peace

seem

to have

vexations

"

of

from crossing
precluded

his

his domestic hearth.

or from
threshold,
darkening
To these he frequently
in guarded
pressions
exalludes,
although
of the discords,
; but itis evident that the causes
which
afterwards
separatedhim from his own wife,
fast increasing
in number, and constantly
now
were
*

Ad

Di versos,

i. 7.

translation of the very

Melmoth,

passage.
a

oration

for

"interests" is

word

delicate and

in his notes

to

has justly
epistle,
expressed

of the

the very concessions of which

his letter to Lentulus : " Harum
ego sententiarum

foremost

auclor

the

he

to advocate

et

complainsin
princeps et

fui."

"f Tullia
and

best

salutis in this

term
significant

the

perhapsthe

disingenuousnessof Cicero, who, in his

Balbus, layspublicclaim to the honour of being the

censure

severe

The

the fourth day of April,

on
Crassipes
in celebration
of
entertainment,termed the
sponsalia,"
was

affianced to

"

the event given on the sixth of the same

month.
Tulliam nostram
literas,
Crassipedi
prid.Non.
satam."

(Ad Quintum, ii.5.) Advin.

prsebui." Ad Quintum, ii.6.
"

"

"

Dederam

ad te

April,esse desponId. Apr. sponsalia

Crassipedi

LIFE

THE

245

CICERO.

influence
depressing

a more
exerting
and spirits.

It

OF

upon

his peace

easy to affix the exact date to

for Coelius and Balbus, althoughboth

is not

orations

his
are

undoubtedlyto be referred to the consulate of Phinative of

a
lippusand Marcellinus. Balbus was
in Spain,upon whom
Gades
Potnpey,in return for
his services duringthe war
againstSertorius,had
of the city. His rightto the
conferred the freedom
honour was, however, impugned by one of his fellow
referred to the
and the cause
was
ultimately
citizens,
the talent
praetor. Considering
arrayedon the side of the defendant,
authority

tribunal of
and

Roman

there is nothing
to excite wonder

in the determination

questionin his favour,since Pompey, Crassus,

Cicero appeared in succession in his behalf.
oration of the last yet remains to testify
against
of its flattery
towards
the
author, by the excess

of the
and
The
its

idol

whom

on

geniuswas

much

so

wasted.

The

of the

incense

of his noble

speechof Pompey

is eulogised

all which
he had yet heard in
surpassing
and a thorough
profundity,
dignity,
elegance,
acumen,
Over
with the laws and precedents
*.
acquaintance
as

which
adulation,moreover,
there
the introductory
pollutes
passages of this oration,
in it,the doctrine of which
there is
is a fatal position

and above

but

the

too much

fulsome

reason

to believe

Pompey

been

to have

both
but which
sufficiently
ready to acknowledge,
himself
and
his panegyristlived to repent the
assumption,that what had been done by so great
and
and renowned
a
character, must
necessarily
It was
such assertions as these
be lawful.
inevitably
that familiarised to the ears
of the Roman
people,
the despotic
longbefore its arrival,
power which was
hasteningwith rapidstrides towards them, although
under a form littlesuspected,
and stillless dreaded.
"

Pro

L. Cornelio

Balbo,i.

246

THE

In the

same

CICEKO.

OF

defence of Marcus

perhapsless
the

LIFE

to blame

time

in

Coelius, while there is

there
pointof principle,

to admire

more

is at

in consideration of the

rhetorical excellences of the oration.

a Roman
Coelius,
of
knightof habits which, even by the representation
his advocate,seem
to have been sufficiently
dissolute,
accused by Atratinus,
citizen whose
father he
was
a
had formerlyimpeachedof crimes of the most atrocious
character. He was asserted to have procuredthe
murder
of Dion, one of the late ambassadors
sent to
Rome
from Alexandria,and to have borrowed
from
he was
with whom
at
Clodia,the sister of the sedile,
the time living
in guilty
of money
a sum
intercourse,
for the purpose of hiring
the assassins.
Of this loan,
when
it was
redemanded,he was said to have refused
the payment, and to have added
quencies
to his other delinthe enormityof an
attempt to poisonthe
lender by the instrumentality
In
of her own
servants.
which were
these charges,
chiefly
by Clodia,
instigated
from some
of disgust
cause
givenby her paramour,
there was
character of personalmalevolence
ous
obvia
enoughto render the whole improbablein the eyes
of impartial
The opportunity
of increasing
and
judges.
this impression
would
been
not have
strengthening
than Cicero,
and
by a much less acute pleader
neglected

he has availed himself of it to the full.

time,under
the

the avowed

influence of

wish

the

same

to spare

sistent
might be conhe indulges
with the interests of his client,
his hostility
to her familyand name
by a withering
of summoning
of her vices. His expedient
exposure
the shade of the blind old censor
Appius Claudius,
of his once
to upbraidthe unworthy daughter
glorious

character

of

Clodia,as

much

At

as

house,and cite in her ears the virtues of her female

ancestry,is a master-stroke of fanciful satire. Of
he attempts
in which
the other parts of the speech,
to throw

glossover

the dissolute habits of the

ac-

LIFE

THE

cused,the

advocate

to be commended

more

These

passages will
of the extent
to

standingevidence

247

CICERO.

is much

the moralist.

than

OP

long furnish
which

nour
ho-

dishonour, temperance and excess, were

confounded, altered,or substituted for each other at
will in Roman
society,
by a rule of conduct,which was
well as restriction in
as
subjectto any amplification
and considered cither bindingor not,as
its definitions;
the philosophic
prideof abstinence,or the Epicurean
sentiment
of indulgence,
predominated in the minds
and

of its

Ccelius

acquittedby the
sentence
of his judgesof the chargesbrought
general
of
probably in consequence
againsthim, not more
the exertions of his defenders t than of the imprudence
his ruin,had
of his enemies,who, in attempting
overlooked the common
dangerof provingtoo much.
If it were
which
necessary to produce a document
throw
extent than any in existence would
to a greater
weakness
of Cicero, the
lightupon the besetting
celebrated letter to Lucceius ^, referable to this stage
of his history,
might be selected for the purpose. Of
*.
expositors

was

his eagerness to enlist the services of

celebration

for the
been
*

of his

But

alreadyseen.
Dr.

Middleton's
treats

the

and
gaieties

and

humour,

lias left to

in

gularly
tlie oration for Ccelius is sinupon
of the biographer: "In
this
partiality
"

the

character

licentiousness of

that makes

us."

The

instances have
consulate,
his epistle
to the historian

criticism

by the

marked

speech Cicero

of talent

men

it

one

of
gallantries

and

youth

of the

is
vivacity

at

with

most

such

Clodia,and

vivacityof wit
which he
entertaining

least of

most

questionable

character.

f Marcus
in the

Crassus,as

well

as

Cicero,was

engaged as

advocate

cause.

In the chronological
Diversos,v. 12.
arrangement of
is placedbetween
the fifth and sixth letters of
Sch'utz,this epistle
the fourth book
of the correspondence of Cicero
with Atticus,

Ad

"

date ascertained

(Ad
"c.

by

the mention

"
Attic, iv. 6'.)

made

of it

EpistolamLucceio

by
nunc

the writer
qtiarn

self:
him-

misi,"

248
in

his
question,

all

morbid

OF

CICERO.

appetitefor
hurries

moderation, and

him

transcends

fame

into

degreeof

which

almost unparalleled,
may be proclaimed
which, if incontrovertible evidence of it

meanness,

and
did not

dible.
be pronounced increcertainly
first part of it,and it is unnecessary
to

exist, would
The

quote the whole in

truth,is as follows
"

LIFE

THE

MARCUS

CICERO

CEIUS,

corroboration
:

of this

disgraceful

"

HEALTH

WISHES
SON

THE

OF

TO

LUCIUS

LUC-

QUINTUS.

I have

intended to converse
witli you
frequently
the subjectof this letter,
but a certain almost
on
rustic modesty has hitherto restrained me
from proposing
in person
I can, with
less scruple,
what
"

this distance ; for a letter spares the confusion

blush. I will own
then that I am
inflamed

request at
of
with

an

than

once

a
incredible,
yet, as I believe,by no means
desire of beingrendered celebrated and illustrious
culpable
and althoughyou have more
by your writings,

givenme

of your
will excuse

me
intending
that honour, yet I hope you
tience
my impaI had always,
of seeing
that design
executed.
of your perindeed, conceived a high expectation
formances
in this kind ; but the specimenI have
of them, is so far superior
to all I had
seen
lately
in my imagination,
that it has fired me
with
figured
the most ardent desire of beingimmediatelydistinin your glorious
annals.
It is my ambition,
of
confess,not only to live for ever in the praises
assurance

fuished

future ages, but to have the

of seeing
myselfstand

records of my
the

presentsatisfaction

approvedin
friend. I
ingenious

time,that

wise
like-

the authoritative
am

sensible,
already

thoughtsare
of your
deeplyengagedin the prosecution
original
pleted
design. But, as I perceiveyou have almost comat

same

your

account

your

of the

Italic and Marian

civil

249

CICERO.

OP

LIFE

THE

forbear

proposed to carry on the

I cannot
in a regularseries,
of our history
recommending it to your consideration,

whether

it would

and

wars,

remainder

remember

you

be best

to

into the
Catiline's conspiracy

historians will

certain several of the Greek

you in this latter method.
of
a narrative of the siege

Polybiusdid
so

many

As

to

Thus, Callisthenes
Troy, as both Timams

justify
wrote

and

Pyrrhicand Xumantine
wars, in
piecesfrom their largerhistories.

of the

detached
the

of your
It is
distinct work.

texture
general

it into

cast

or
performance,

the relation of

weave

honour

that will arise to

me,

it will be

scheme
the same, I must
own,
upon whichever
determine
to proceed; but I shall receive
may

much
you

of my wishes,if,
gratification
advance to that
instead of waitingtill you regularly
periodof our annals,you should enter upon it by this
method
of anticipation.
Besides,by keepingyour mind
and character,
attentive to one
scene
principal
you
much
the
I am
will treat your subject,
so
persuaded,
it with higher
in detail,
well as embellish
as
more
I must
acknowledgeit is not extremely
graces.
modest thus to impose a task upon you which your
and
occupationsmay well justify
you in refusing;
much

so

to add

then

earlier

the

further

actions with

my

request,that

honour

honour

applause,an

your

would

you

which,

perhaps after all,you may not think they greatly

deserve.
has once
gressed
transa
man
However, when
the bounds
it is in vain to recede,
of decency,
and his wisest way is to push on boldlyin the same
confident
venture

then

to
yourself
*

etiam
quam

The

to

course

the

to
earnestly

still

atque etiam rogo,

fortasse sends, et

de
que illam,

entreat

the strict laws

originalis

qua

of

ut

suavissime

et
eo

not

you

*, but
history

forcible :

more

in

of his purpose.

end

ornes

ea

"
"

I will

to confine
to

Itaque

vehementius

givea
te

plane
etiam

legeshistoriaenegligas
; gratiam-

quodam

in

ea si
prooemioscripsisti,

250

THE

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

greaterlatitude to
think

may

you
that you

than possibly
your encomiums
you
actions can
claim.
I remember, indeed,

my
declare in

are

of your very
inflexible to all the

as

one

prefaces,
elegant
pleasof affection

Xenophon representsHercules to have been to

those of pleasure.Let
me
hope, nevertheless,if
should too strongly
recommend
friendship
my actions
her generous
to your approbation,
you will not reject
but givesomewhat
to affection than
more
partiality,
truth can justlydemand.
rigorous
If I should prevailupon you to fall in with my
I persuademyproposal,
you will find the subject,
self,
and your eloquence.
not unworthy of your genius
entire period,from
The
the rise of Catiline's conspiracy
from banishment,will furnish,
return
to my
I should imagine,
volume.
It will supply
a moderate
as

"

you

likewise

with

occasion

noble

of

displaying

by layingopen the source

your judgment on politics,
of these civil disorders,
and pointing
out their proper
for apremedies,as well as by givingyour reason
proving
or

condemningthe treacheryor perfidious-

laid their ungenerous

for my
snares
destruction.
I will add, too, that this periodof my
which
life will furnish you with numberless
incidents,
ness

of those who

cannot

but

draw

the

reader's attention

in

very

nothingis more
amusingto
the mind
than to contemplate
the various vicissitudes
of fortune : and
far,it is true,
though they were
in experience,
from beingacceptable
they cannot fail
much
entertainment
in description,
of giving
as
me
satisfaction in reflecting,
at
there is an
inexpressible
manner
agreeable

me

tibi vehenientius

; as

commendabit,

ne

aspernere."In

his fervour

without
he beseeches the historian,
disguise,
again
supplication,
ornamental
elaborate and
more
and
again, to employ a much
his
than
conscience
own
might suggest
panegyric,
upon his consulate
him
the ordinary
behind
this
and
occasion
leave
on
that it deserved,
i. e., sobriety
and truth.
laws of history,

of

252

THE

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

stantial benefit to themselves from his daily

increasing
influence in the state.
At the councils of the
triumvirate
the

which
Gauls

two

ensued, it
should

be

determined

was

secured

to

that

Caesar

for

five years longer,

and that Pompey and
Crassus
should enjoythe consulate for the year following
;
after which

the

government

of

Spain,for

of five years, was

to be entrusted
and that of Syria,with the power

to

the

the

space

former,

of

conductinga
war
Parthia,to the latter. Upon this agreeagainst
ment,
the
confederates
and
Crassus
separated
;
Pompey returning to prosecute their ambitious
designsat Rome, while Cassar proceededto make
his preparations
memorable
for a campaign more
"

than

any

which

he has recorded

in the

eyes

of

an

biting
Englishreader, inasmuch as it terminated by exhithe eagles
for the first time,
of his legions,
to the

Britain,and
which

defenders

of the

his adventurous
troops
convincing
the very existence
of an island,
position

had

been

to that time

considered

matter

of very considerable doubt*.

The resolution of the triumvirs to obtain the
of their

for two
after

the

of

coast

of

of the actual
of

wild

of the

gaze

usual

not

until

taken

of

and
passed,

was

appearance

of Lucius

candidate ;

who, with

was

holdingthe comitia had

promptedby the
greatmeasure

time
in

body

own

sulate
con-

Domitius

Ahenobarbus

as

singularboldness,did

not

of being
his confident expectation
attempt to disguise
elected to the office,
the use he intended to make
or
of his first steps
of it ; openly givingout that one
after his return

Caesar.
of the

would

be to rescind the recent acts of

So

great,however,
triumvirate,that he

was
was

the

generaldread

suftered

stand

to the powers
by wljpm the
opposition
regulated,
machinery of the government was

alone in his
whole

to

Plutarch in Cses. ;

Jul.
Suetonius,

xxv.

LIFE

THE

not

singleindividual

253

CICERO.

presentinghimself

as

his

over,
Cato, moreexerted the whole of his authorityagainst
him,
forbiddingthe comitia, brought
by frequently

fellow
and

OF

candidate.

The

tribune

Marcus

the year to a close without

any election whatever
publicofficers. An interregnumtherefore ensued

months, as a
Pompey, who had
some

of
for

of which, Crassus and

consequence
selves
thembefore neglected
to profess

oppositionto Domitius within

enabled
to stand
the time prescribed
by law, were
and were
he was
for the honour to which
aspiring,
with
little difficulty
returned*.
Porcius
Cato, at
the same
time,appearedas candidate for the prsetorlayed
deship; but after the election had been frequently
repulsed,
by the new consuls,was ultimately
candidates

in

"

beingelected in his stead.

terred
deThe
stoical patriot
however, by no means
was,
his censure
all occasions
from
on
exercising
the
upon the policyof the triumvirate ; and when
motion
the extension of the. period of
respecting
Caesar's government in Gaul, and the assignmentof
before the
came
Spain and Syria to his colleagues,
mitted
comsenate, opposed it so warmly, that he was
to prisonby the tribune Caius Treboniust.
Piso, the proconsulof Macedonia, had, in the

the

infamous

Vatinius

Gabinius,received his recal,

and was
however
to obey the
obliged,
reluctantly,
He reached Rome
summons.
shortlyafter,but was
conscious of the opinionprevalentwith respect
so
to his misconduct
in his province,
that on reaching
the gates of the city,he commanded
his lictors to
the laurel from their fasces,and retired to
remove
his house with as small a retinue,and in as unostentatious
a
as
manner
possible,
attemptingby this
to avoid attracting
the notice of the populace.
means

meantime,

as

well

as

Dio

Cassius,xxxix.

Liv.

Epit.cv.

; Fasti

iii.1 88.
Hellenici,

254

THE

been

It had

of the

use

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

if he had

well for him

continued to make

publicity.But
precautions
against

same

days afterwards he was incautious enough,in his

from
vexation
at being removed
a
government in
which he had promisedhimself a longlicence for plunder,
assertions against
in a series of splenetic
to indulge
ed
Cicero,in which he chargedhim with havingeffect-

few

his
The

recall from

envious

his accusation

reply to

and
was

malicious
one

motives.

the severest

of

againstcorruptionand guilt
he had proby the geniusof the terrible antagonist
voked.
been
Cicero had
probably long lyingin
which
wait
for this opportunity,
nothing but the
most
completeinfatuation on the part of Piso could
stores of
have afforded him, and opened the whole
detestation to strengthen
and embitter
his hoarded
His speechis not
the occasion.
his eloquenceon
whom
the deliberate and stern reproofof one
length
of personalresentment, while
of time has disarmed
it has left unimpaired his conviction of the guilt
If
of the objectof his censure.
and worthlessness
Piso had only the day before driven the orator into
banishment, fired his house, and insulted his family,
he could not have been assailed by the objectof his
burst of energetic
with a more
startling
persecution
than that elicited by his remarks
; which
indignation
invectives

hurled

ever

resembles,in

fierceness* and

the

vehemence,

sudden

perfectvocabularyof Latin abuse might be procured from

he is termed
the oration againstPiso. Among other appellations,
Epicure noster ex hara proimportuna bellua, furcifer,coenum,
*

"

ducte
but

ex

non

the

schola

(ourfriend Epicurus here,not

sty,)carnifex,immanissimum

ac

from

foedissimum

the school

monstrum,

furia,pestiset
provinciaeimperator,vorago reipublicse,
scelus,tenebrae, sordes,lutum, "c. "c.
labes, bustum
reipublicse,

vulturius
The
most

pseudo-philosophic
aspect of
You
vividly,
depictured:
"

the

by the

orator,

smoky

"

busts

by the

madness

of your

the

ex-consul

have

is

coarsely,yet

crept into honours,"

of men,

ancestors, which

and
you

claims
ex-

recommended

resemble

in

LIFE

THE

OP

255

CICERO.

Alpine torrent,in a
moment
or
bearingbefore
surmounting,
prostrating,
pede
it every obstacle which
might be expected to imThe speaker
the rush of its excited waters.
does not omit the opportunityof descanting
upon the
in comparisonwith the
of his own
consulship
glories
and

outbreak

former
most

descent

of

an

administration

He
of his enemy.
pictureof the misery of the
frightful

draws

provinces

by Piso and his recent colleague

;
in
succession
fore
beconcludes,after bringing rapid

presidedover
and

noble cities and

the eyes of his auditors the once
the subjectof his denunciations
districts upon which

suffered to exercise his cruelties and

had been

tions
extor-

blaze of impassioned
a
pleasure,amidst
the
words, prompted by his
rhetoric,in which
at

crowd

to
seem
glowingimagination,
too fast for expression*.

had

been

from

the

retirement
delightful

had
neighbourhood
Here

he

had

assumed

its most

coast

beautiful

near

in its

aspect.

up to the
devoted to a
brief interval of leisure,

latelybeen

of
indulgence

of his villa

the seductive

when

season

almost

to this hostile encounter,

summoned

Cicero

Puteoli,at

him

upon

givinghimself

And
produced before the
again, ''When
nothingbut colour."
you
assembly, and asked your opinionrespectingmy consulship,
elevated
with
one
eyebrow
authorityas you are,
reply,respectable
"

to

your

that you

forehead,and the
were

never

equal severity.

other

friend to

Saltatrix

brought to

cruelty!"

of the mildest

some
*

The

bestowed
appellations
beauty,power, and dignityof

be
scarcely

transferred

into any

other

with

helluo,

concinnus

tonsa, gurges,

chin,

level with your

Gabinius is treated
a

"

are

him.
upon
the final paragraph could

language.

"

Nunquam

ego

illud extremum,

quod posset
sanguinem expetivituum
nunquam
et
e
t
suppliciumlegis judicii sed
esse
iraprobis probiscommune,
abjectum,contemptum, despectum a ceteris a leipsodesperatunt
"

"

"

circumspectantem omnia
pertimescentem diffidenlem tuis rebus
et relictum"

"

sine
omucs,

ulla

"

"

quicquid increpuisset
sine

voce

"

sine libertate

horrentem, treinentem, adulantem

In Pisonem, xli.
Vidi,""c.

specie consular!

videre te volui.

"

"

256

THE

studious

LIFE

examination

OF

CICERO.

libraryof Faustus the

of Sylla;one
and supposedto
of the best in Italy,
son
have been chiefly
acquiredby his father,duringthe
of his spoliations
course
pursued in Greece,after his
I
sanguinaryasssault and capture of Athens.
would
rather,"he writes to Atticus at this time,
of the

"

the little seat which

occupy
you have
than the curule
your bust of Aristotle,
"

and
highestmagistrates,

fixed

under

chair of

our

friendlywalk
with you, than with him whom
I am
now
obliged
He
to make
associate*."
probably alluded to
my
Pompey, with whom, duringa short residence of
the

his villa

latter at

have

enjoy my

exchanged visits.

little knew
other

his

Cumee, he appears to
the writer,if sincere,
To
him, as to every

near

But

heart.

own

infected with

statesman

the

of

fever

tion,
ambi-

retirement, however
accompanied with the
ing
time affordof literature,
unless at the same
delights
for contemplating
recent triumphs
opportunity
fresh means
to attract the popu
or
meditating
upon
lar gaze, was, as his exile might have taughthimself^
and
has taught every inquirerinto his character,
Soon
after his
wretchedness.
a state of unqualified
return to Rome, and within a few days of the delivery
witness of the
of the oration againstPiso, he was
a
exhibited
magnificentgames
by Pompey at the
an

dedication of his theatre.

yet

exhibited

the most
reared
had

city,this
imposing.

in that

costlyand

for the

been

mere

contain at least
*

"wliich Tertullian

calls

abundant

yet remain.

"

an

erections.

entertainments
That

recently
hewn
stone, and spacious
fortythousand spectators'^.

Attic, iv. 10.

Ad

-|-Plin. Nat. Hist, xxxvi. 247.

reason,

appears to have been

Hitherto all buildings

exhibition of dramatic

temporary
finished,
however, was of

enough to

all the entertainments

Of

arx

"

few

of this structure,
vestiges

turpitudiuum,"and

probablywith

THE

LIFE

257

CICERO.

OF

the scandal

of the

expenditureof
the enormous
sums
requiredfor its completionupon
the stupendous
of amusement,
the simple purposes
dedicated as a temple to Venus
edifice was
Victrix,
whose
shrine,of elaborate workmanship,surmounted
In order to avoid

the whole, so that the marble

benches

on

which

the

seated,appeared,from below, like

spectatorswere
to the sanctuary of the goddess. A
steps leading
erected close beside it, that the
senate-house
was
of the greatcouncil of the state mightbe able
members
to

repairat

business to the
and

from

once

the transaction of

enjoymentof

more

serious

the

gether
topublicspectacles,
with a basilica for the administration
of justice,
vourable
for the protection
of the peoplein unfaporticoes

weather.

An

innumerable

host of statues,
according
of the time,were
ployed
em-

to the

custom
prevailing
in ornamenting
and the refined
these buildings,
consulted in their
judgmentof Atticus was respectfully
distribution. In a letter to Marcus Marius,Cicero gives
a

full account

of the nature

exhibited

of the shows

the consecration of the whole

"

Our

at

ments,"
late entertain-

he

writes, " althoughof the most

costly
would
hardly have suited your taste,if I
description,
own.
For, in
may judgeof it by the character of my
the firstplace,those performers,
who
oughtlong ago
to have bid farewell to the stagefor the sake of their
have been,merely by way
of compliment,
own
credit,
old favourite ^Esopus
Your
broughtforward anew.

acquittedhimself in such a manner,

to granthim his
were
perfectly
willing
service.

the

'

If

all

men

dismissal from

oath, and on
his
knowinglyI deceive,'

the commencement

words,
utterlyfailed.

comingto
voice

At

that

of his

Why should I mention the

such
other spectacles
have
?
as
They were
you
the attraction
long been acquaintedwith, without even
which
those produced at far less expense
of their extrausuallypossess. The contemplation

258

LIFE

THE

enough

was

vagance

extravagancewhich,

OP

CICERO.

destroy all enjoyment

to

"

I have

doubt, you

no

not

are

For what amusement

could the
sorry to have missed.
six hundred
mules introduced in the " Clytemnestra,"
the three thousand

or

warriors

in the

Trojan horse,or,
and
both
of infantry
be supposedto convey?

in

short,the varietyof arms

in any kind of combat
cavalry,
I allow, of attracting
the wonder
of the
means,
multitude,but which, to you, must have been totally
destitute of interest.
If,indeed, you have all this
"

time

ings
to the readyourselfto listening
devoting
of Protogenes,
onlythat you have not
supposing
employed him on my orations,you have assuredly
and more
received no inconsiderable degreeof pleasure,
been

us.
For, I presume, you do not
any among
regret the loss either of the Oscan or Grecian plays,

than

since you
in our
own

may,

at

anytime,seethe

senate*,and

the Greeks

former

thoroughly

so

you

performed

detest,that you will not even visit your country-seat

Neither can
I for a moment
by the Grecian road.
think that you lament your absence from the contests
those of our
of the athlete, since you despiseeven
knowledges
gladiators
Pompey himself ac; and, indeed, even
that he has wasted

his oil and

both

his labour.
mention

hunts, which lasted for

five days,and were, I must
allow,magnificent
enough.
be imparted to a polished
Yet, what
delightcan
mind, when a feeble mortal is torn to piecesby an
"

I have

xipon the former

animal

of

transfixed
these

must

was

"were

with

A
an

have

looker

the

or
strength,

enormous

noble

spear of its pursuer ?

worth
they are
beholding,

the

sightswere

you

yet to

often witnessed.

on,

was

unable

I,for

to discover

my

is

Even

if

such

as

part,who

any

bitingsarcasm
againstthe aristocratic order.
for the scurrilous
famous
ancient peopleof Italy,

character of their farces.

beast

novelty
The
and

Osci
tious
licen-

260

LIFE

THE

reduced

OF

lowest

CICERO.

of

condition

discouragement.
No single
from my
advantagedo I anticipate
of my enemies,
even
present labours,and the protection,
I am
to undertake
at the requestof
now
obliged
those to whom
I am
under obligations*."
The last
hint,which may be considered as the voice of expiring
a voice which
independence,
fully
expresseditselfmore
in some
cates
of his subsequent
manifestlyindiepistles,
the extent to which
Cicero was
now
entangled
the
trammels
of
the
triumvirate.
His
time, for
by
now

to the

months

to have been
afterwards,does not seem
much
occupiedby publicbusiness. It is certain that
devoted to his celebrated
a
great portionof it was
"
work
finished before the
De Oratore,"which
was
some

close of the

Of this beautiful

yeart.

to have been

commenced

beneath

dialogue,
posed
supthe spreading

planesof TusculumJ, between Crassus,Antonius,

and others,who had constituted,
in
Cotta,Sulpicius,
the

a
brightconstellation
preceding
generation,

talent in the Roman

to allow

of

forum, the

analysis.It

formal

state,that it appears

to

the

orators
distinguished

emanate, and

to

sentiments

stylesof

not

matter

of

is too various
be

may

sufficient

in every respectworthy of
it is supposed
from whpm

less so

of the

greatmaster

it

On

reallyembodies.
pleadingpursued by the

the

whose

different

ablest orators

at

forensic wit and

quity,
subtletyof antiof legal
rather upon the generalprinciples
or
which
and rhetoric,
are
peculiarto no
reasoning
it must
limited to any place,
nor
always be
period,
the Roman

considered
At
*

order

as

treatise of inestimable

Ad

Diversos,vii. 1.
fondness
The

leaves selected

of

earth

to increase
as

the Romans

about

its roots

Fasti

the

crown
appropriate

was

Hellenici,iii.189.

majestictree is well
frequentlymoistened,in

for this
was

its growth,with the most

cityand people.

value.

of his villas this elaborate essay

whichever

J The
known.

bar,the

generous

wines, and

of the fabled Genius

its

of their

THE

LIFE

composed, Cicero
time
capitalsome
manifest

had

261

CICERO.

returned

thence

from

the year had

He
words.

before

his

from

OF

own

the

to

is

expired,as
had

thus

an

opportunityof being reconciled to Crassus, with

whom
he had latterly
been on indifferent terms, before
the triumvir

had

yet

from

set out

for his vince

probroughtabout

Rome

Syria. The reconciliation was

of Crassus,whom,
of Publius,the son
by means
with one of the noblest armies ever
ranged beneath
the standard of the republic,his avaricious
parent
the pointof leading
to a speedyand unsparing
on
was
destruction on
the distant wastes
of Mesopotamia;
and it is a circumstance
not unworthy of record,that
of

Cicero,who had so often defended the

in the forum, and stemmed
same
causes
togetherthe
in
tide of debate in the senate-house,
supped together
the gardensof Crassipes,
the son-in-law
of the latter,
the banks
situated upon
of the Tiber,immediately
Crassus

and

before the

calamitous

departureof the devoted generalupon

so that the orator describes
expedition,

havingalmost

as

his

from

set out

hostilities againstthe
afterwards
immediately

Parthians

*.

mence
com-

Cicero
reached

had

leavingRome,

to

him

Novembert, and
in the enjoyment of its tranquil
while
retirement,
of Crassus were
the cityunder the
legions
leaving
hisTusculan

villa on

hearth

own

his

the 15th

circumstances
of Plutarch.
it
aggressive,
*

Crassus,ut quasi

poene

ineis Laribus

ceenavit
condixisset,

mentioned
As

in

in the

the Parthian

looked

was

of

testata

upon

was

apud

me,

pressive
im-

purely

unfavourable

with

esset

nostra

provinciam est profectus. Nam

in mei

the

rative
graphicnar-

war

populo Romano

was

gratia,

cum

niilii

hortis.
generiCrassipedis
"

Di versos, i. 9.

Ad

"fHe
the
Milo

seems, however, to have

14th of December, in order
and

volumuB

before
againrevisited the metropolis
to

be

present

Fausta, the daughter of Sylla:

iiuuiu
esse
:
quid dico, volumus?

lonis nuptise,"
"c.

"

Ad

Attic, iv. 13.

"

at

the

Romse
vero

marriage
a.

of

d. Calend.

cogimur.

Mi*

262
eyes
with
a

THE

by

the

LIFE

and

solelywith
The

tribune

disgusted

were

which

covetousness

prompted

in the sixtieth year of his age, to commence

and uncertain
of great difficulty
contest

now

success,

CICEKO.

who
majorityof the public,

the ambition

man,

OF

view

to

generaldiscontent

Ateius, who

his

found

threatened

the occasion to

to

ment.
aggrandise-

own
a

voice in the

his
interpose

preventCrassus

gative
ne-

from

leaving
the city,
and the departing
in order
leader was
obliged,
to avoid a serious tumult, to requestPompey to escort
on

him

to

But

he did not

which
of

had

short

even

solemn
erected

Crassus

was

with

by

to

and

this

escape an
reader does not

modern
awful

character.

to
obliged

forward

the walls

means

small altar

his train stood

and

distance without

near

the

of Rome.

interruption,

appear void
Ateius,it is related,

gate throughwhich
the approach of
on

pass, and
in the midst

of the

street,

as tribune,to prohim, by his authority

ceed.
But on
his interposition
only treated
finding
if possessed
silent contempt, he is said, as

forbade

malignantgenius,to have taken his

station by his altar,
and 'after havingkindled a censer
voked,
from its flame and sprinkled
incense upon it,
to have inwith horrible imprecations,
certain mysterious
it was
unlawful
to propublicly
gods whoso names
nounce,
and to have deliberately
devoted Crassus and
his whole army to destruction.
The procession
was
then allowed to proceed,
but there is no doubt that the
justperformed sank deeplyinto
appalling
ceremony
the minds of the troops,and possibly
into that of their
commander, and contributed in some
degreeto their
The recollection of Flamidiscomfiture.
subsequent
nius,who, in former times, had left the cityinauto command
at the fatal battle of Thrasyspiciously
case.
Crassus,
might easily
mene,
appear a parallel
however, pursuedhis way to Brundusium
; while,on
the news
of the approaching
tempest, Ctesiphonand

by

some

Seleucia
towards

LIFE

poured

forth

their

of the

Euphrates,preparedto

the banks

OF

263

THE

CICERO.

tremendous

archers
take

their invaders
fearful vengeance
soon
as
on
as
they
should appear, and to inflict upon
the eldest of the
ambitious

of mankind

the peace
the violent end

which

ficed
sacriremorselessly
their private
interests,

had

who
fraternity

so

to

not

of them

one

destined

was

to escape.

CHAPTER
Consulate

Cicero

"

Rabirius

the Britannic

Triumph

of

Calvinus

and

Clodius

Pontinus

Messala

New

Acts

Defence

"

Clodian
He

"

is

"

Creation

"

Canvass

"

Appius Claudius
fends
Rcpublica" De"

Plancius,Gabinius,and
(,'uintusCicero, respecting
Disturbances

"

at

Rome

"

Interreges Consulate of
Milo, Scipio,Hypsaeus,and

of
of

in

"

"

Rome

at

retires
"

of

Milo

"

Cicero

of

Prosecutions

His

"

in

his

againstthe

Dialogue
Legibus"
of
a
nd
sets
out
Proconsulship Cilicia,
''

his

composes

appointedto the

sole Consul

Oration

"

Marseilles

to

Cicero

declared

Pompey

"

Impeachment
Milo

Faction

Caesar

De

Oration
the Debts
of
on
consequence
is slain by the Followers
of the latter at Bovillre

Insurrection

"

and
"

for

Trebatius and

to

Tumults

"

Orations

"

Expedition of

Clodius

"

commences

Letters

"

Ahenobarbus
his Treatise

and Scuurus

Vatinius

Milo

Domitius

of Lucius

Pulcher

IX.

De

for his Province.

IN the

earlypart of

Ahenobarbus
which
the

followed

that

last-mentioned

the

consulate

of

Lucius

mitius
Do-

Appius Claudius Pulcher,*

of Pompey and Crassus,and while
generalwas
yet in Italy,some
and

attempts appear to have been

effect his recall,
which
were

made
rendered

in the senate
ineffectual

to

by
the misplaced
in
zeal of his friends. Cicero,at least,
is yet extant, speaks
which
to him
a letter addressed
of havingdefended
him to the utmost
of his ability,
both againstthe consuls for the year and several individual
of consular rank, in a late debate respecting
*

A.

u.

c.

700.

264

LIFE

THE

his command.

The

of
expressions

requeststhat

letter is replete
with the warmest

interest in his welfare

it may

the writer

and

lightof

not be considered in the

but
ordinaryepistle,

an

CICERO.

OP

as

formal

treatyof

strict

He
also speaks in the
lastingalliance
he reprehighestterms of Publius Crassus,whom
sents
as
havingfrom his childhood reverenced and
all the
regardedhim as a second parent. From
incidental notices in history
of this highlyaccomplished
and noble- spiritedyouth, whose
unhappy
*

and

death

Plutarch

it does not

has described in his most

that

appear

fell in consequence
his father,Rome
had

the

among

who

of the
to

able manner,
thousands
many

and
folly

lament

infatuation of
citizen

any

more

the regretof his countrymen.

deserving
Nearly at the same time was probablywritten the
of Cicero to Julius Cassart,at that time in
epistle
into
for his second expedition
Gaul, and preparing
Britain,
recommendinghis friend Trebatiusjto his
notice. The
departurefrom Italyof his brother
Quintus, who had acceptedthe office of legateunder
the same
commander, took placesoon afterwards,and
followed by the retirement of Cicero for a short
was
Cumae
and Pompeii, where,
time to his villas near
he devoted himself to the
duringthis interval of leisure,
treatise De Republica","
of his elegant
composition
"

which

towards

part of

the year.

The

"

J The

docte

his

considerable eminence

" Commenced
intended

Fasti
near

to

consist

publishedsome
c.

the

work,

at

second

book.

the Roman

Trebatius

great

in which

lbid-

liehas

Horace, to whom

of

for

was

addressed
a

person

of

bar.

May (10th),and
of June
(1st).The work, which was originally
written in six books,
of nine, was
subsequently
of May, A. u. c. 703,
before the month
time

soon

before the Kalends

B.

designof

Trebate"

satire of

the second

and

devoted

was

Diversos,v. 8.

Ad

his attention

after

vi.

of

the Ides

of

appears by the letter of Ccelins. (Ad Diversos,viii.1 ;

Hellenici,iii. 191.) That it was begun at the marine villa

51

as

Cuniw, may

be inferred from the letterto

14.)
Quintus, (Lib.ii.

LIFE

THE

265

CICERO.

OP

characters,ScipioAfricanus, Tubero, Laelius,

as
drawn, during a
Mummius, "c., are represented
conversation in the gardensof the former respecting
the atmospheric
phenomenon of two suns which had
been
lately witnessed, to a discussion respecting
the best form
of a national government, was
to

the

exhibit

the

excellence

of

the

constitution

Roman

in its best estate, as

well as to represent its first
the stepsby which it had advanced
to maturity,
origin,

circumstances,after having been

rose
longtried by which, it finally
triumphant,and
With
all its
by the dangerousordeal.
perfected
and

the

merits

eventful

it is much

worded

to be

that
regretted

this

beautifully

treatise is far from

throwingthat lightupon
earlyhistoryof Rome, which might have been

the

expected
to

seems

talents

the

of

have

credence
givenimplicit

legends,current in his own

later time,respecting
the infancy
of
and

incredible

Cicero

its author.

from

to

and

at

the

mon
com-

much

the Roman

state ;

would, until very

it is nevertheless true,that by
appeared,
the

as

assertion

have
recently,
the more
of
and
accurate
philosophic
investigations
modern
times,the most youthfulstudent of history,
removed
by the space of nearly twenty centuries
ilia quae dixeram, "c.
I had
treatise of which
the political

Scribebam

"

made

but

to

cast

to be
"we

and

me,

If it turns

to

lament

to

turn

my

bestowed.

attention

If not, I have
forms

moment
to

part of the

for
something else,

not

sixth books, a few insignificant

fragmentsof which alone,if we
the Somnium
embedded, like portions of
are
Scipionis,
rocks

in

recent

more

Augustin,"c.
almost

Owing

the whole

considerable

upon

weighty,to
out according
a

treatise
in my
nature."
Of this famous
and
entire loss of the fourth, fifth,
the almost

unemployed is

have

at this

sea, which

it into the

prospect before

will be well

trouble

design,my

my

employed

mention,

speakthe truth,and comprehensivework.

to

then

was

strata, in
to

of the

remains

of

and instruction
curiosity

the works

the researches
the
first,
the
of

of

except

primary

Lactantius,Nonius}
Angelo Maio, however,
of

greater part of the second,and

third book

are

succeeding
ages.

yet preservedfor the

266
from

the time

of

knowledgeof
of

LIFE

THE

could

CICEBO.

Cicero,possesses

the true nature

than

Rome,

OF

the

of the

greatestof

acquire,while

were

in their zenith.

need

to be

The

her

her

reader

extensive

more

earlyconstitution
phers
sages and philosoand

power

renown

will,perhaps,
hardly

and
highlyimaginative
of the most
of Scipio,"
one
philosophic Dream
noble fragmentsof antiquity,
and not excelled by any
tions
composithingeven in the flowingand magnificent
ing
of Plato,formed originally
part of the concludbook of Cicero's Republic.

reminded,that

the

"

In the

midst

recalled to
pursuitshe was
the metropolis,
where he spent a great part of the
engagedin a varietyof causes, which, if of
summer,
sufficient for
no
greatimportancein themselves,were
time

some

to

Among

these

between

the

of such,

the

occupy

whole

findmentioned

we

of
corporation

Interamna,who

had

attention.

in his letters a

Reate

widened

his

of
and

the

dispute
peopleof
Lake

the outlet of the

greatdetriment of their
the drainage
to the plainof
by increasing
neighbours,
At Reate,which
he calls an Italian Tempe,
Rosia.
this cause
was
pleadedbefore the consul Appius and
in sufficient time
ten commissioners,and determined
before the
to be again at Rome
to allow the orator
conclusion of the Apollinarian
; on
ing
appeargames
received with
that he was
at which, he states
multitude.
His
loud
applause by the assembled
defence of Messius, one
of the lieutenants of Caesar,
who
had been recalled from
Gaul
to take his trial,
followed by that of Drusus,
succeeded, and was
Yatiniust,and ^Emilius Scaurus; the first accused
termed
under
the law against
what was
prevaricaVelinus

into the

Nar,

to the

Celebrated

f Drusus
appears

from

beginning of

on

and

the 5th of
Vatinius

July.

were

defended

ad Quint, ii.16, towards

Ep.
August.

on

the

the end

of

same

day,

July or

as

in the

268

LIFE

THE

OF

CICERO.

called

dailyto displayitself more

openly, especially
the
that
master
of
by
confederacy,
spirit
who
havinglong ago found out his most vulnerable
continued with singular
self
to avail himpoint,
dexterity
of it. His vanitywas
firstflattered by the extraordinary
honours

and

by Caesar
afterwards
munications
by comin the most
ful
respect-

attentions bestowed

his brother

Quintus, and
couched
to himself,
and friendly
I imagine,"
he writes to
terms.
Atticus about this time, by letters from my brother
in Britain.
I am
Quintus,that he is now
extremely
There is,however, one
uneasy tillI hear from him.
clear
point at least which I have gained. From
and repeated
I learn I am
the most
on
intimations,
on

"

"

affectionate and
The

*, and is a

gratitudeof
befriended

Plancius
the

a
friend,

Cicero

towards

him

in

and
protection
safe and

of distress.

It

and
obligation,

was

he

was

While

in the memorable
at

Thessalonica,

of this generous
placeof retreat,with

which

could

of his

misfortune,or

which

now

merly
for-

countenance

honourable

despondencyby

overcast.

season

had

who

one

quaestorof Macedonia
his exile,he had found

every act of kindness

him under the pressure
the

appears to have followed

highlycreditable record of

was

period of
under

with Caesar."

terms

defence of Plancius

that of Scaurus
the

amicable

in

tend

his troubled
his power

to

soothe
enliven

was
spirit

to return

the

wanting to the opportunity.

beingelected to the office of
not

Plancius,after
accused by Marcus
Juventius Laterensis,
was
aedile,
unsuccessful
an
candidate,of undue influence and
tions
briberyduringhis canvass, and of formingassociahis election by the
for the purpose
of carrying
of the
unfair means,
same
contraryto the enactments
Licinian law.
By the exertions of Cicero,however,
serious
the accusation,
which
of the most
was
one
*

Ad

Quintum, iii. 1.

CICERO.

269

ineffectual. The

speech delivered

THE

rendered

kind, was
on

the

only to

LIFE

OP

yet remains, and does honour

talents of the advocate, but
to

occasion

not

the

the

sentiments

of the

It had

man.

delivered

having been

the further merit

after recent

conduct

on

of
the

with
Plancius,not altogether
correspondent
his former
friendship.Yet, in the recollection of
conferred upon him in his exile
Cicero,the obligations
of

part

alone

siderations
place. All other coneither reallyor ostensibly
were
neglected
conduct of the defence,in which it is not impossible

seem

in his

to

that his

have

found

and the fear of allowing

self-distrust,
of estrangementto operateto the
any late causes
had a considerable
share
disadvantageof his client,
in producing
the exceedingzeal for the interests and
honour
which
is conspicuous
of his client,
through
the

whole

favour

own

oration.

of his old

His
enemy

subsequentpleadingsin
Gabinius, cannot

be

sidered
con-

That
worthy of commendation.
equally
unjustand rapaciousoppressor, on the instant of
his provinceof Syria,was
his return
from
fiercely
assailed by a host of prosecutors,who
were
eagerly
of his arrival at Rome
to
watching the moment
him.
series of legalprocesses against
commence
a
He
had
entered
the
no
sooner
city, therefore,
which he did with all imaginable
privacy,although
as

he

manding
shortlybefore boasted his intention of dea
triumph from the senate, than he was
for offences
impeachedon three several grounds: first,
againstthe majestyof the state,or, in other terms,
for hightreason,in daring,
with the assistance of the
troops entrusted to his command, to re-establish
Ptolemy king of Egypt in his dominions,contrary
and the publicdegreeagainst
to all religion
it,and
for quitting,
for that purpose, the provinceunder his
thus exposedto the inroads
government, which was
and dangerousenemies ; secondly,
for
of numerous
had

270

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

plunder and

committed
spoliation
by him in Syria
and elsewhere ; and, thirdly,
for the common
offence
of briberyand corruption,
a chargewhich
now
seems

to have

constituted

of almost

part

every

indictment.

his trial upon the first of these counts, in which he

Cicero appeared against
him as a witness
acquitted,

At
was

his appearance to
For an
advocate.

on

"

strenuous

contradiction
other evidence

sufficient to

was

pey

than his

in

to the

answer

third,as

of
explanation
The

markable
reno

interference of Pom-

him

render

seek

need

conduct, we

own.

such

his

the defender

of the

very criminal
hurled
every

whose character he had formerly

against
gination
epithetof abhorrence which his imacould supply; respecting
whose
to
liability

his

in its most

powerful shape,no doubt

have
existed ; and of whom
he speaks in
unmeasured
disgustand contempt, even at

censure,

seems

to

terms

of

the very moment

his rescue
and
have

while he appears to have been meditating

from the laws which he had so shamelessly

violated.
repeatedly

sometimes

Gabinius

as

On

of Cicero
eulogists

The

in behalf of
urged his appearance
and forgiving
position.
disproof of his placable
the testimonyof his correspondence,
it

much
more
safelybe received as a fresh instance
may
Nor
of his servile submission
to the rulingpowers.
does he himself
this

to have

his conduct

part of

his admirers.
no

seem

"

There

been

in the
is

no

lightas
republic no

and

candid

same

"

justiceno dignityin
"

inclined to consider

any of
avowal ; and

of

some

senate

"

us," is

his hensive
comprethe
as
humiliating

confession

is,the practical
commentary upon it would
hardlyjustify
us, so far as Cicero is concerned,in an
ing.
attempt either to contradict it or to limit its mean-

judgesbefore whom
tried was
Gabinius was
greaterthan that of his new
advocate, and with whatever
eloquencethe oration
which
has since perished,
in his defence,
might have
Yet

the

of
integrity

the

LIFE

THE

it
replete,

been

stubborn

evidence

The

cause

last

271

CICERO.

OF

insufficient to

was

of the facts
in which

the

counteract

urged againsthim.

Cicero

engagedduring

was

that of
this year of almost unremitting
exertion,was
Gains Rabirius Posthumus; a member
of the equestrian
order, accused under the Julian law against
extortion

Caius

againstthe

Memmius, as
republic. Rabirius

considerable

sums

by

well

as

of treason

supposed to
received the sums
have
advanced
by Ptolemy to
Gabinius for the services of the proconsul
in effecting
counselled the
his restoration,
and to have strenuously
employment of the Roman
troopson that expedition.
It was, at least,
well known
that he had resided in
Alexandria
as the agent of the king in the collection
he
of his taxes, and that,duringhis stay in the city,
had assumed
the Egyptian habit.
The defence was
grounded,first,
upon the assumption that the Julian
law
did not extend
to the equestrian
order; and,
secondly,on the fact of Rabirius havingadvanced
of

expenses

was

the
defraying

towards

of money

Ptolemy at Rome, which,

rendered

it

was

sented,
repre-

his residence at Alexandria

necessary
for the recovery of the debt.
In pursuingthis line
of argument, Cicero
was
exposed to the heaviest
censures

of

the

openly accused him

of Pompey, and at
own

conscience.

credit for

who
prosecution,
by the direction
actingentirely

counsel
of

for

variance

His

with
to

answer

towards
generosity

acted in the most

the

the

dictates of his

charge,taking

the

those

who

had

once

spiritof oppositiontowards
that he felt no
him, and asserting
compunctionin
actingupon the maxim, that enmities should be
mortal
is much
and friendships
more
indissoluble,
than
for
remarkable
for point and
speciousness
*.
sincerity
His letters,
written duringthe brief opportunities
*

bitter

Pro Rabirio

Posthumo,

xii.

272

LIFE

THE

"which

CICERO.

OF

presentedthemselves

his friends amidst

the labour

for

with
corresponding

and

excitement

rily
necessa-

portant
imupon the management of so many
ences
refercauses, contain frequentand interesting
well as
to Caesar's second invasion of Britain,
as
To Caius
to his presentrelations with that leader.

attendant

he writes

Trehatius
the

in

tempestuous chargeof

their novel method

which

manner

that

British warriors

the

which
fighting,

of

shows,
had

been

and

duly

since the termination of the first

at Rome
reported
able
subjectsof considercampaign in the island,were
had friends engaged
to those who
apprehension
in the expedition. Take care
*," he suggestshalf
jocosely, that, with those habits of caution of
"

"

which

yours,

matters, you

you have learned to exercise in other

do not fall into an ambush
of the enemies'
since

charioteers ; and
from

the

your

mind

begun to quote
constantlyin

let this passage be

That he possesses wisdom

"

is not

was

remains

before

you,
to

to littlepurpose,

his brother

To
t

lightful
de-

"How

"

Britain
epistle
respecting

I feared

althoughit appears
hope, rather than
had

afterwards

soon

late

your

feared the ocean,

for himelf."

wise

he writes

Quintus

who

have

Medea,

who

yet

me

the
I

am

to

hostile coast.
out

prospectof
Trebatius,

apprehension." To

been left behind

in Gaul

on

What

despising,

far from
hold

! I

of
sailing

the

invadingarmament, he addresses himself in a

stance
styleof polishedand playfulsatire on the circumserves,
he obhave
perused your epistle,"
j. "I

the

"from
considered
*

Ad

Ad
"f-

Diversos,vii. 7.
It
Quint, ii. 16.

Schiitz has been

J
"
seems

understand, that
thoroughlawyer by our friend
which,

followed

are
you
Caesar ".

seen, that the chronologyof

in the references to these epistles.
will

be

Ad
"

Diversos,vii. 10.
and therefore left behind ;"
Ergo, no soldier,
"

to be the pointof the allusion.

such,at

least

LIFE

THE

You

have

yourselfon being
congratulate
country where your knowledge appears
to

reason

quarteredin a
something considerable.
Britain

over

into

you

would,

in

in the

law

jestingstrain in
confess myself rather
else dares to

one

envious

for such

hope

in vain

yourself.To

which

to

passed
island,

you
immense

looked

than

by Caesar

summoned

had

all that

the
must

But

have
assuredly,

most

learned

more

one

273

CICERO.

OP

have

for
tinue
con-

begun : I
luntarily
being vo-

of your

audience,while

an

mark

of favour

no

; not

any prideon his part,but from the multiplicity

in the whole
of his engagements. Yet
of your
ter
letmentioned
have
nothing of your private
you
from

which

concerns,

less interest to

are,

protestto

than

friends Mucius

not

in

you,

possess

with

common

and

your
careful in taining
main-

to be

Manilius,
blazinghearth, the more

you, a subjectof no
I very much
fear

own.
my
winter- quarters sufficiently
chilly,

me

will find your

therefore
advise

you
and

do

as
especially
you
militarywardrobe*,

very extensive
have
hear that you
a

at present work
althoughwe
without
the help of additional
enough to keep you warm
have greatly
would
clothing.The intelligence

alarmed

for your safety,did I not know

cautious
in warfare, than
more

me

much

were

pleadings.This much,
fond

fact,that
shown
and

you
inclination to

no
as

as

of

from

swimming,

real battle of

could

never

is somewhat

you have
the ocean,

charioteers,

contrive

of mounted

the

to cheat

f."
gladiators

different.

Trcbatius

was

Amiens.
quartered Samarobriva, the modern
the original"andabatse."
the brutal
By way of exciting
of the Roman
known
mobs, the gladiators
by this name

at this time

merriment

translation

of

deduce

perilyourself
upon

exhibition
single

Melmoth's

fin

we

least,I

are

little to witness

whereas, at Rome,
you

at

that you
in your

are

said to have

and

blindfold.

at

engagedin

mortal

combat

mounted

on

horseback,

274

THE

LIFE

followingletter

CICERO.

OF

Qujjrtus*,he
I now
of your epistles,
to the subject
states :
come
I received several while at Arpinum, since
of which
delivered to me
in one
less than three were
no
day,
all of them, as it seems, despatchedby you
at the
You
mention
the exceedingattachment
time.
same
vate
of Caesar to myself. Continue
to cultisedulously
his friendship.I, for my
part, shall exercise
myselfin every possible
way to advance his interests.
that you are dailyrising
in his
As to your assertion,
with a joy which
favour, I receive the intelligence
will be equal in duration to my own
existence.
cerning
Conthe operations
in Britain,I am,
it seems, to
understand
that there is nothingto dread, nor
thing
anyafford
of
Your
to
a
subject congratulation.
fourth
letter,dated from that island,the ninth of
delivered to me
the thirteenth
of
on
August, was
September. There was littleof noveltyin it besides
the mention
of Erigone,upon which,
of your tragedy
if I receive it from
Appius, I will shortlylet you
know
opinion. I have no doubt that I shall be
my
much
nication,
by it. While folding
gratified
up this commuI have received fresh despatches
written on
the twenty-secondof August, that is,within twenty
days after their date. Unhappy subject of trouble
What
that I am
!
ing
griefhave I felt from the endearin proportionto
letter of Cassar ! But precisely
I received from the delightful
the pleasurewhich
was
sorrow
count
acon
expressionsof his friendship,
my
In

to

his brother

"

"

of his misfortune."

The

allusion in this sentence

death of Julia,the wife of

probablyto the recent

Pompey and daughterof Caesar,in child-bed ;
event
equallycalamitous to her husband, her

was

and

her

most
qiiestion

country, and

to

which

probablyreferred.
*

Ad

Quintum, iii.1.

the

an

rent,
paletter in

276
a

THE

of
particle
single

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

silver in the

nor
island*,

any hope
and of these you
of slaves,

booty,unless in the way

will not expect, I presume,
any skilled in letters or
writes :
I received on the
music." He subsequently
twenty-fourth of Octobert,letters from Ca3sar,and
my
brother Quintus, dated the twenty-sixth
of September.
British war
is finished,since hostages
The
have been givenby the natives,and the payment of
of money
commanded
a sum
; but nothinghas been
then on
acquiredin the shape of booty. They were
the pointof embarkingtheir men."
This is the last mention made of the operations
of the
Romans
in Britain by Cicero;and, although
ly
repeatedknown, the remarks of
quoted,and very generally
Dr. Middleton
upon the contemptuous character of his
quent
generalobservations upon the country, are so eloand forcible,
for their
to leave no
as
excuse
of

"

"

omission.

the railleries of this kind

From

"

barbarityand miseryof

island,one

our

on

the

help

cannot

the surprising
fate and revolutions of
on
reflecting
the mistress of the
Rome, once
kingdoms. How
lies
now
world, the seat of arts,empire,and glory,
words

would

have been

not

accustomed
by a generallike Caesar,
applied

underto any litjlit

stupendousscale,
been
secured
for
thus
the recepan
impregnable
taking,and
posthaving
tion
basis
for
the
wellas
of supplies,
as
a strong
operations, subjugation
to

fortificationsupon

of the island would

of

truth

"

that the

works
under
*

We

"

access

Middleton's

in suspense

are

to

most

be considered

Dr.

Roman.

the island is

as

of

matter

translation

about

appears

the British

waves

nearer

war

been

since

is conveyed in

Similar information
"
"

priorletter

I hear that there is neither

to

Trebatiu0.

goldnor silver

as
in Britain ; if this is the case, I would advise you, as soon
back
and
hasten
us."
chariots
The
their
of
to
to seize one

of Britain
productions
"

Britannia

Ftrt

victorisc.'' Vita
"

buried

of the British Channel.

(Ad Diversoa,vii. 7) :

"

the

; it is certain,
"c.
As to the
fortified,"
strongly

themselves,they have, probably,long

the

in the eyes

course

were

better understood

aurum

et

argentum,

et

possible,
mineral

in the time of Tacitus

alia ruetalla

Agric.xii.
iii.190.
f Fasti Hellenic),

pretium

THE

LIFE

277

CICERO.

OF

and poverty, enslaved

sloth,ignorance,
by
the most
cruel, as well as most
contemptibleof
and religious
imposture;while
tyrants, superstition,
this remote
tempt
country, ancientlythe jestand conthe happy
of the polite
Romans, is become
in all
seat of .liberty,
plenty,and letters,
flourishing
of civil life : yet running
the arts and refinements
which
itself had run
Rome
course
perhapsthe same
before it, from
virtuous industry to wealth, from
wealth to luxury,from luxury to an
impatienceof
and corruptionof morals ; till,
by a total
discipline
and loss of virtue,being grown
ripefor
degeneracy
it falls a prey, at last,to some
hardy
destruction,
losingevery
oppressor, and, with the loss of liberty,
again into
thingelse that is valuable,sinks gradually
littlereason
its original
barbarism."
Yet, there seems
of any
to indulge
an
apprehensionof the occurrence
such contingency
the writer of this justlyadmired
as
to have contemplated. The peculiar
passage seems
for the past decline and presentdestitution of
reasons
to be obvious to the
numerous
Rome., are sufficiently
If no
observer.
a
most
empire can
superficial
ion,
second time rise to the same
lordlyheightof domindestined againto sink so low ;
is assuredly
none
and to augur a similar fate to nations which
are
daily
thoroughlyleavened by a vitality,
becoming more
sunk

in

"

which

that

haughty power,

even

when

calledto

act

world, could neither

that
while, moreover,
;
acknowledgenor appreciate
be established
darkness
by which alone despotismcan
is every
or perpetuated
day rolled back to a
ligious
by the increase of intellectual and regreaterdistance,
the

part

of

tutoress

of

the
"

would
light,

be to

to negative
principles
assign

they neither claim nor possess. It is

only when one part of the earth,and that not the
is far advanced
in civilisation and
most
powerful,
before the rest, that its luxury becomes
wealth
a

force which

278

LIFE

THE

itself.

dangerousto
hand

that

struck

the

It is

torch

to the earth

OF

CICERO.

only when

of refinement

and

held

by

single

is liable to

be

The tendency
extinguished.

societyis now
permanently to advance, not to
to raise the decayed states of
retrograde
; rather
to a condition far preferable
to that of their
antiquity
boasted greatness,
than to add others to the list
once
of the fallen ; and if the existence of a republic
of
of

in the
themselves
nations,considering
enlightened
of pledges
and conscious
for each other's safety,
light
that an injurydone to one
induce the
must
infallibly
detriment
of all the rest,was
a phenomenon unknown

world, it is one which may

hispresentitself before the tory

to the earlier ages of the

be expectedto
certainly

of many
records of the
A

is to
generations

more

be added

to

the

past.

scriptio
by Cicero*,and a dein verse, by hisbrother,
of the principal
events
British expeditiont,
both of which
tioned
menare
in his correspondence,
and seem
to have
been

poem

of the

of Caesar

in honour

finished at about

would
have been
period,
invaluable treasures if they had been preservedto
modern
The latter,
amidst
the dangers and
times.
fatiguesof the service in which he was
engaged,
not

seems

devoted

to

the

have

same

lost

which

moment

could

be

studies ; since he is recorded

tions,
probablytranslahavingCompleted four tragedies,

as

to his favourite

in sixteen

of
trulymarvellous facility
composition. Cicero seems, on his part, to have
been
led to similar pursuits,
by the vain hope of
and present
the sense
of lost independence
dispelling
subjection,
by ardentlydevotinghimself to studies
trusive
wholly unconnected with publicaffairs ; but the ob-

daysj;

appear to have been banished

continue to
and his epistles
of letters,

does
feeling

by

the

lament
"

Ad

charm
the

not

subservience

Quint, ii. 1 6.

f Ad

to his

powerfulfriends

Quint, iii.1.

"

Ad

or

Quint, iii.6.

LIFE

THE

masters,by
was

at least

He

also

which

his

OF

it
self-esteem,
wounded

much

as

alludes

to

279

CICERO.

his

as

resolution

is to be

he

had

feared,
patriotism.
formed

of

under Pompey in
the commission
of legate
accepting
ciently
suffiSpain,latelyoffered to him, in which he was
in earnest
to fix the day of his departure
from

The

Rome.

who

interference

Caesar, however,

of

ests
to detach him from the interendeavouring
of his rival by means
of his brother Quintus,
had
the effect of inducinghim
decline the
to
appointment.
In the exercise of that easy credulity
by which
he was
made
a
dupe by the artifices of powerful
was

flatterers almost
exclaims
the

to

latest hour

the

this occasion

on

of his

Atticus

to

"

"

life,he
Observe

with
endearingfriendship
Caesar ; for I am
to boast of having predelighted
served
least
amidst
the
wreck
at
one
plank
general
of my
Ye Gods ! what especial
marks
fortunes.
of
honour
and
dignity,what favour does he bestow
Quintus. If I were myselfcommander-inupon our

closeness of my

most

chief,I could do no more.

allows him
by his letters,
his

informed

am

the full power

of selecting
for his legion*.Is it poswinter-quarters
sible

own

that you
Whom, let me
his better
was

without

lovingsuch
faction
opposite

refrain from

can

ask, of

find like himt

Rome

Ca?sar,as

?"

the

Cicero

While

judgmentto

the

scene

of

was

will you
thus surrendering

the dictates of his

which

occurrences

man

vanity,

were

not

of
leadingthe minds
to the contemplationof absolute
men
authority
in
the hands
of a
lodged
singleindividual,as
a remedy for the intestine disorders
by which the
*

their

influence

Compare Csesar

Morinos

ducendam

De

Bello Gall.

C. Fabio

Ciceroni.

t Ad Attic, iv. 18.

in

v.

24,

legatodedit

"

unam

; alteram

in
(legionem)
in Ncrvios

Q.

280

LIFE

THE

OP

CICERO.

and
peace of the cityhad been for years interrupted,
seemed
there now
tion.
to which
no
prospectof a terminaInstances

of the most

were
corruption
flagitious

dailybrought to light.The
for the consulship, Memmius,
"

and

Messala,

furious

vied

four

new

candidates

Domitius, Scaurus,

with each other

in open

and

travagant
ex-

bribery. The spiritof party rose to a

pitch; and the tribunes of the people,after

the comitia from

hindering
taking placeup to the
their office,
left it with
time of relinquishing
the
election of the magistrates
yet undecided. Duringthe
the citywas
witness to a novel scene
of
interregnum,
in the form of a triumphal
contention,
entry disputed
Cains
had
at the sword's-point.
Pontinus, who
reduced
the
the
Allobroges to submission,was

who, for the first time since the foundation

of Rome, had
to fighthis way
to the Capitolon
such an occasion,and to minglethe horrors of actual
with
the pomp
warfare
of its mimic
pageantry.
officer

patientlywaitingfor five years in the suburbs

in expectation
of a triumph, which
refused him
was
by the senate,he was enabled at lengthto establish
title to the honour, by virtue of a law from the
a
people. The result was an attempt on the part of
the opposite
faction to impede him by.force of arms,
and its repulse
herents
by the resolution of the armed adhe was
accompanied.
by whom
Amidst
such commotions, a dictatorship
quently
frewas
mentioned, and pronounced to be the only
the state from destruction.
of saving
means
Pompey
was
pointedout by the party who had raised the cry
After

as

the fittest person

to be elected to

to Cicero, expressedno
according

the

office,and,

to
unwillingness
than
six months
longer,the
accept it. For more
continued
of the chief magistrates
to be
return
tribunes actingwith the same
postponed, the new
firmness or obstinacy
as their predecessors
; with the
"

THE

LIFE

OP

281

CICERO.

of
designof ultimately forcingtlic dictatorship
which

Pompey

the people,a measure

upon
than once
formally proposed.

they

During the
whole of this periodof confusion,
the usual expedient
from the patrician
was
body a
adopted,of creating
fresh
interrex
every five days, that there might
the
under whose
be some
.auspices
publicauthority
comitia
might be held, if suffered to proceed. By
more

"

"

the advice

of the late tribune

lengthdeemed
disturbances
Marcus

to put
fitting
;

Ciieius

and

Cato, it

Marcus
a

the

stop to

wTas

existing

Calvinus

Domitius

at

and

suls,
Messala,after beingelected contheir
allowed peaceably to enter upon
were
office. Their magistracy
for
was
long remembered
the intelligence
which
arrived, not long after its

Valerius

commencement,

inflicted upon

the

reputationof Rome, in the disastrous

Crassus
and his army
tenant
l"ySurena, the lieu-

arid

power
of

rout

of the terrible blow

of

Orodes, king

loss of the unfortunate

Besides

Parthia.

the

in this ill-advised

commander

fell by the
Publius, who
hand
of his armour-bearer, to avoid the captivity
which threatened
had
to
him, the commonwealth
lament that of thirty
thousand of itsbest troops,either
killed or taken prisoners*,
and the ignominious
flight
and
expedition,

of

as

many

son

who

more

arrows

which

longcontinued

in scattered

back

thian
horror of the Parinsurmountable

t.

such

since
extent

had fallen upon the Roman

disgrace
legions
the days of Cannae
and Thrasymene ; but the
of the calamity
not to be measured by the
was

number

of

those who
*

Ides

iii. 192.

had

fallen in the

Plutarch,

"fCrassus is supposed to
month
of June, in the year
the

driven

were

the Euphrates,
with
upon*

bodies
No

his

of

have
A.

u.

or
field,

the

in Crass.
been
c.

(the 9th), accordingto

defeated

701,
Ovid.

B.C.

time in the

some

53,

See

on

Fasti

the fifth of

Hellenic!,

282

THE

degreeto

LIFE

which

the

OP

CICERO.

conquered

the

of

prowess

in the estimation
necessary consequence,
of surroundingnations.
By the death of Cras-

fell,as

of
members
the surviving
rupture between
had been partly
the triumvirate,the way to which
preparedby the decease of Julia the wife of Poinpey,
sus

was

rendered

certain. Each

henceforth

from

saw

but

The
rival in his advance to absolute power.
single
policyof Crassus, which might be considered as
of
members
that of the more
wealthy and pacific
the community, had no longera representative
or an
advocate of sufficient weightto impose a check upon
the fierce spirits
who
espousedthe interests
severally
and
of two leaders,
reputation
nearlyequalin military
and with the removal
of the last
actual strength;
of the
restraint which prevented
the secret jealousies
lities,
from
out into actual hostiopposite
parties
bursting
to tempt
occasions were
not slow in occurring
ed
violence into furious and unlimittheir longsuppressed
action.
One of the less importantconsequences of
a

the defeat of the Romans

in Parthia

was

the admission

in which
a
auguralpriesthood,
had occurred by the fall of Publius Crassus.
vacancy
He was
opposedin his canvass
by the tribune Cains
seen
were
Hirrus, but the efforts of his competitor
nation
and on the nomifrom the beginning
to be hopeless,
of Pompey and Hortensius, backed
by the
he was
universal approbation
of the whole college*,
of Cicero

elected to

into the

an

honour

eminent
the most
of
considered one

reserved,for the most part,for

the aristocracy
alone,and
among
of
the most
importantdignities

the state.
If the consular

elections which

ended

in the return

Collegeof Augurs consisted of fifteen members, who held

of a priesthood
for life,unalienahle by any crime or
the dignity
chosen by the people.
The augurs were
at this time
misconduct.
*

The

It was,

however,

by

two

necessary

persons

that each

candidate

belongingto
already

the

should

body.

be

nated
nomi-

284

THE

OF

LIFE

CICERO.

of which
tainment,the magnificence

placehim

far above

he

hoped would

all his rivals in the favour

fellow-citizens. He

had, however,

of his

formidable

petitor
com-

in

Hypsaeus,who havingonce served Pompey

in the capacityof quaestor,and at all times devoted
himself
backed
to his interests,
was
by the full
influence of that popularleader. The year having
terminated
the possibility
without
of holding the
comitia without
the expedient
of creating
interruption,
was
againproposed,but was unable
interreges
be

to

effected,in
which

whom

on

took
Milo

althoughhe
duringsome

of the

consequence

place upon

had

conferred
to have

appears

many
absent

been

putes
dis-

subject. Cicero,

the
so

furious

obligations,
from

Rome

devotinghimself to
and deriving
his principal
literature,
enjoymentsfrom
of his
the retirement of his villas and the society
an
cerned
unconyouthfulson and nephew,was by no means
of the

part

year,

carried

the contests

spectatorof

at Rome.

on

his own
fears prompted
of his gratitude,
Independently
him to take a deep interest in the success
of his friend,
since the rival candidates,
were
Hypsasusand Scipio,
wholly under the influence of Clodius. His epistle
of the

latter from

to his friend

Curio,on

the return

Asia,

with

mingling,at
spirithe was
which
the disputes
were
agi-

shows

the time

of its date, in

the letter in which

of Milo
of

what

to
closes,

the

is made

of

the

ments
extravagant entertain-

regret of all interested

this

in

period

correspondenceof Cicero with

the
history,

his occasional

mention

to
disingenuousness

others

Quiutus. Whatever
might be, to his brother

he

the genuineconvictions of his judgment,

to express
alwaysseems
this means
of
Yet even
of his heart.
and the undisguised
feelings
about to
in his last letter,
communicatinghis real thoughts
seems,
the
authorities.
be circumscribed by his timid subjection
to
existing
"
referred
writes
in
How
the
h
e
cautious,"
to, I wish you
epistle
municate
to be in writing,
conjecturefrom this,that I do not even com"

to you

my
lest this letter,if
some

one."

"

Ad

the existing
disturbances,
respecting
should giveoffence to the mind of
intercepted,
sentiments

Quintum, iii.9.

LIFE

THE

285

CICERO."

OF

tatingthe capital. I li#vc centred,"he assorts,

all my
labours,anxieties,
energies,
every effort of
and every device of my mind, my whole
my industry,
"

"

"

soul,in

word,

and

have

only the

of Milo

to the conviction

come

myself in

to exert

the return

upon

such

manner

as

to

to the

that I

sulship,
con-

ought

obtain

not

satisfaction of

having performed my duty,

the praiseof piety. Nor
do I think that his
sequence
safetyand fortunes ever appearedof greaterconin the eyes of any individual,
than the

but
own

honour

of that

interests are

in

man

mine,

whollyembarked.

the best wishes

with

whose

efforts my
have in our favour

We

good,secured by his conduct

in his tribunate,
(thatis,as I hope you will readily
understand,by his exertions in my behalf) those of
the common
people,gainedby the magnificenceof
his publicshows and the liberality
of his disposition
of the

"

"

those of the

active and influential

youth and the more
in our
of their benefiting
elections,
by the expectation
in turn from his well-known
influence and
activity
such occasions
and interest,
on
own
lastly,
suffrage
my
is at least
which, if no very powerful assistance,
also add,
deserved, and justly conferred ; I may
that account, perhaps likely
to be not without its
on
weightwith the public. All we requireis a leader
and adviser,
show us
who, like a skilful pilot,
may
"

how

to avail ourselves
we

were

to have

the power
I know
not whom

mankind,
aptitudefor
exertions

of these favourable

blasts ; and
of selecting
from all
one

this office with

in favour

could

we

compare
yourself*." But

of his friend

were

in
his

not limited to

the assistance of others in his behalf.

In
requesting
the beginningof the year ensuing,
A.u.c.
702t, he
*

"fPatet
nempe
est.
"

anno

autetn

ex

U.C.

Angel.

Mains

Ad

Diversos,ii. 6.

ipso argumento

DCCII., quo

in Oral,

item

quo

annoet

de Mr.

anno

dicta sit IIEEC

causa,

Clodius

al. Mil.

deincepsoccisus

286

LIFE

THE

delivered

t-hedebts

CICERO^

OF

in the senate-house

his oration

respecting

of which
a few
Milo; a speech,
sentences,
with an
ancient commentary upon
them, have been
but which, until broughtto light
discovered,
latterly
by the researches of the able and industrious scholar
of

whom

by

considerable

so

works

Cicero

of

portionof

has

been

the

sophic
philo-

rescued

from

suspectedto have had

existence.
an
By the mutilated argument to this
oration it appears
that Milo, in an
assembly of
oblivion,was

the

bitter

false return

the

by his adversary
speech,accusinghim of having made a
of his debts*, and glancing
at Cicero,in

assailed

his grand aider

as
unintelligible,

far from

terms

fering
of interpurpose
scandalous violence of Clo-

for

prevent the
his faction,
was

dius and
a

even

convened

senate
to

in

not

abetter in this

well

fraud, as

in the

as

and
of

course

briberywhich he was chargedwith pursuing.What

effect the reply of the orator,who instantly
to
rose
repelthe accusation,produced,it is impossibleto
stance
since no notice is taken
of this circumconjecture,
by ancient historians ; but judgingfrom the
scattered phrasesof the invective which
yet remain,
it was
of the former speeches
the
behind none
against
of his
same
pertinacious
opponent, in descriptions
well-known

the

for the
profligacy,
of his former

errors

The

contest

and
talent,
*

upon

gave

in

Argument, ad

Oral.

xxxvi.24,)

states

deJEr.
that he

or seventymillions
tiugenties,"

so

much

had been
the whole

six millions
sexagies,"or

"sestertium

Hist,

which

perseverance

Milo,it appears,

purpose of
life to abhorrence.

of

time,

expense,
employed,was desof his liabilities
at

amount

of sestertii,
nearly50,000^.

alien. Mil.
owed

no

same

author

we

find that his

"

Pliny,however, (Nat.

less than

"

sestertium

which
about ofiO.OOO/.,
sestertii,

humani
considers, as he well might, " inter prodigia
the

holding
up

animi."

Clodius,was
antagonist,

not

sephe

From
much

at

in extravagance, since he inhabited

a house
purchased
centies et quadragies
"sestertium
octies,"nearlyfifteen millions

of

or
120,000/.
sestertii,

behind

him

LIFE

THE

287

CICERO.

OF

by
very littleexpected
engagedin it. AVhile the disturbance,
any of the parties
excited by the factions of the rival candidates,was

tined to terminate in

manner

cityresounded
ers,
followwith the
of their respective
serious uproar of their by no
witli the more
or
bloodless
skirmishes, Milo departed from
means
tending
Rome, on the afternoon of the 20th of January, in-

yet

and while
height,
noisyenthusiasm

at its

to pay

in

town

short visit to

about

Latium,

which

he

wife

Fausta

the

was

and

the whole

Lanuvium,

sixteen miles

or
dictator,

chief

his friend Marcus

from

small

Rome,

of

magistrate.His

Fusius

were

seated

chariot, while a long train of

mounted
attendants
followed,togetherwith a few
Birria and Eudamus,
whom
were
gladiators,
among
beside

him

in

his

in the arena.
As this
champions well known
alongthe Appian
imposingband was slowly defiling
met
at a short distance from the village
way, it was
shrine dedicated
and near
to the
of Bovillse,
a small
Bona
back
horseon
Dea, by Clodius,who was returning
from
Aricia, accompanied by C. Cassinius
Schola, a Roman
knight, two of the plebeian
order,P. Pomponius and Caius Clodius,and about
thirtyservants,mounted like himself and armed with
As the two companiesendeavoured
swords.
to pass
each other,some
confusion was
naturallyoccasioned,
which
ended
in a quarrelbetween
the rearmost
of
both sides,in which the gladiators
of Milo
took
a
conspicuous
part. Clodius,obeying the impulse of
his captiousand haughty disposition,
immediately
turned at the sounds of dispute,and riding
towards
guage
lanof threatening
Milo's party, began to make
use
towards
Birria,to which the exasperated
diator
glain the manner
of his savage profession,
by
replied

two

which
thrust of his weapon,
of his reviler. Clodius

into

tavern

by the

road

took effect in the shoulder

immediatelycarried
unside,and his followers,
was

288

LIFE

THE

CICERO^.

OF

their swords,commenced
sheathing

attack
desperate

the retainers of

upon

Milo,which soon increased

maintained
as this was
Fiercely

combat.
general
short
the

the

time,

Clodians

were

of numbers,
superiority

into the

under

the

equalexcitement

of

slain

right,
out-

passionand apprehension,

that the
beingwell aware
was
circumstances,
existing

be

dreaded

be

torn

his

than

from

Clodius,
to
more
infinitely

commanded

death,

the house

of

escape

which

him

His orders

executed

were

the wretched

and

fated

broils,now

almost

destruction which

he had

draggedforth
repeatedwounds*.
was

so

many

same

him

mercy.
as

soon

exciter of

perishby

to

as

the

to

afforded

had

and despatched
without
temporary refuge,

by

severe
forced,after receiving
wounds, to fly
nearest
placesof concealment.
Milo,then,

or

under

either

and

for a

down

borne

soon

to

pronounced,
civil
of

means

often used

into the

road

againstothers,
and piercedwith

body w^as suffered toremain for some

time unremoved, and exposed to the
until it
wonder
and
of passingtravellers,
curiosity
was
by Sextus Tsedius,a Roman
knight,
recognised
from the country to the city,
on his return
who, after
causinghis attendants to raise it from the ground
and placeit in his own
sent it forward under
chariot,
*

Eleven

affray,as

of

servants

well

Clodius

landlord

the

as

The

are

said to

of the tavern,

have
who

fallen in

the

murdered

was

of MilVs gladiators,
attempting his rescue, or by the ferocity
of their fury,were
criminate
littlelikelyto diswho, in the excitement

either in

between

adversaryand

an

Eustace,speakingof
"

On

the side of the

stands

which

of this memorable

scene

hill,on

inoffensive

or

spectator. Mr.
encounter, says,

the site of the ancient

near

Bovillae,

credit tradition,
into
tavern, the very same, if we
may
Clodius retired when
wounded, and from which he was drag,
a

ged by Milo's

attendants.

the

road, rises an

the

people,of

Clodius

the

an

ancient

Near

tomb,

Ascanius,but

himself.

opinion of

no

other

its antiquity."Classical

claim

to

Tour, vol.

on

the side of

it is called

by

that
antiquaries,

of

as
Sepulchre,

the

in the

Albano,

It is entirely
strippedof its ornaments

and has
coating,
"

the gate of

and

nal
exter-

the traveller'sattention than

i. p. 436.

THE

their

LIFE

to Rome.

OP

289

CICERO.

the news
of
nightfall,
what
had happened pervaded the capital,
and was
corroborated
by the arrival of the corpse of Clodius,
which was
immediatelyexposed,naked and bleeding,
in the atrium of his house to the publicview, and attended
by Fulvia his widow ; who, like one of the
care

Furies,with
tragic
mingledthe

About

dishevelled
wild

hair and

maniac

which

lamentations

tures,
ges-

she uttered

the

body with imprecationsagainstthe

murderers
of her husband, and appealsfor vengeance
directed
From
to the surroundingcrowd.
every
immense
multitudes
continued,
quarter of Rome
throughoutthe ensuingnight,to flock to the spot,
and by day-break,
the dense assemblage of human
extent
beingshad increased to a frightful
; several
them
of senatorial rank,
one
persons, and
among
over

beingcrushed to death
denselycompacted mass.
the

peius
that

tribunes

Rufus

the

made

body

of

amidst

the fluctuations

Amidst
Munatius

their
Clodius

the

motion,
generalcom-

and

Plancus

appearance,
should
be

of the

and

Pomadvised

borne, exposed

which
his house
on
hill,
it
into the forum ; where, as soon
as
was
situated,
the rostra,the angry passions
of the
on
was
deposited
flammato
multitude
raised to uncontrollable fury by inwere
haranguesdelivered by both magistrates
in succession.
At the instigation
of Sextus Clodius,
the brother
of the
deceased, a funeral pile was
constructed
beneath
the porch of the neighbouring
cords
curia,or senate-house,of seats,tables,and publicrebroughthastily
together. This, when kindled,
as

it was,

from

the Palatine

of the whole
conflagration
basilica of Porcius,an
; and the adjoining
building
erection of great beauty,catching
fire from the burning

involved
necessarily

the

edifice close beside

in

flames,the

to
finally

it,was

soon

heat of which

drive the tribunes from

afterwards
was

so

loped
enve-

intense

the rostra.

as

After

290

THE

this
Milo
had

CICERO.

the
insurrection,

in different directions

and

of Marcus

just been

to

multitude

the houses

storm

Lepidus, the

latter of

of

whom

created

interrex ; but they were

of their first desperateonset

instant

at the

the

OF

of the

openingact

poured

LIFE

luted
sa-

by

both, who had received sufficient

of arrows
from
warningof their approach,with a flight
the roofs,delivered so rapidly,
and with such certain
aim, as to compel them first to slacken,and soon after
to

inmates

of

abandon

their assault

repulsedat
united,and

these

altogether.Having been
separatepointsof attack,they again

with

the

of Libitina, borne
the houses
the

ple
fasces,snatched from the tembefore them, proceededfirst to

Scipioand Hypseeus,and afterwards

gardensof Pompey, with loud clamours for

immediate

of

creation of

consul

this moment, however, the

exhausted
itselfin violent
or

rapidlyas

or

risen.

caused by
itself,

the

without
efforts,
A

were

had

so

by
much

reaction

of an
indignation

the close of the

more

to abate

From

same

fixed object
almost

even

as

showed

immense

of the citizens at the late destruction

and
buildings,

the

popularexcitement,having

sustaining
cause, began
it had

dictator.

to

of the

ber
num-

public

day

appearances
in his favour,that Milo, who

at first meditated

withdrawinginto voluntary
had sufficient courage to re-enter the city,
exile,
where,
the following
on
morning,he was again seen in the
his largesses
white robe of the candidate,distributing
He was
the citizens.
even
produced shortly
among
afterwards,by the tribunes Coalius and Canianus at a
in set
public assembly, and vindicated by them
received without
of
speeches,which were
any marks
The excesses
of the different factions
disapprobation.
of the aspirants
for the consulate continued,in the
at length defer'
mean
time, unabated; until it was
mined
by the senate to issue the final decree,that
with Cneius Pompey and
in conjunction
the interrex,

292

LIFE

THE

OF

CICERO.

the

for the consulate.

contest
By both, the
existing
accused of
in the case
of any one
judicial
proceedings
either of the offences against
rected,
diwhich
they were
were

rendered

much

more

summary
allowed

than

was

for the prousual,since but three days were

duction
and five hours for the speeches
of
of witnesses,
in the prosecution
or the defence.
theadvocatesengaged
These
new
were
violentlyopposed by
acts, which
the tribune Marcus
sooner
no
Ccelius,were
passed,
than the accusation of Milo was
confidently
expected
believed to
a consequence.
as
Pompey, indeed,was

have

them
for the sole purpose of effecting
projected
his ruin, by which
the consulate would
necessarily
be left open to Hypsaeus;and his whole conduct was
the suspicion.Under
such, as greatlyto strengthen
pretence of dreadingthe open violence of Milo, he
retired to his gardens,
which
surrounded
were
by a
strongbody of militarykept constantlyunder arms,

and, on one occasion,held a meetingof the

the porticoof his privateresidence,
if he
as

senate

had

in

been

its
interrupting
designof forcibly
Fresh
deliberations.
charges,wholly unfounded,
were
constantlybrought forward in the senate and in
the assemblies of the peopleby the partisans
of Scipio
and Hypsaaus against
the rival faction ; and after the
publicmind had by every art been inflamed against
of consular rank was
or
them, a qusesitor
instigator
proposed,
by another law of Pompey, to be appointed
of the offences
for the purpose of taking cognisance
of
apprehensive

in his recent

mentioned
Ahenobarbus

was

statutes.

selected

to

Lucius

Domitius

fill this office by the

generalvoice expressedat the comitia,and, immeto

met
by an application
atelyafter his return, was
fix a day for the trial of Milo ; who
was
impeached
violence,by Quintus
by the two Clodii for illegal
Petulcius and Lucius Cornificius for bribery,and by
Publius

Fulvius

Neratus

for

aiding,
contrary to

the

LIFE

THE

law

subject,in the formation

committees, for the support of

or

elections.

consular

accused

293

CICERO.

the

upon

at the

OF

obtained

the

With

his interests
the
difficulty

some

postponement

of combinations,

of the two

latter

serious indictment
should be
chargesuntil the more
disposedof,and with cool intrepidity
began to make
for his defence; usingnone
of the means
preparations
generallyadopted by persons in similar circum-,.
the compassion of the multitude,by
stances,to move
wearinghis hair long and in disorder,or assuminga
sordid vest.
His principal
to find an
was
difficulty
of sufficient courage to encounter
threatened
of obloquy which
any

advocate
storm

the
one

rising
who

the intention of undertakinghis cause.

profess
On this point,
was
however, his perplexity
speedily
able assistance
removed, by the offer of the most
should

which
have

the whole

Roman

afforded

him.

and

the

Pompey,
faction

bar of that

any age could

the frowns
of
Notwithstanding

clamorous

or

threats

of the Clodiaii

displayof the
open
candidates
of the opposite

notwithstandingthe

"

of the adherents

weapons
for the

and the prospectof future as well as

consulate,
the tribune Plancus threatened
present peril (since
taking,
to impeach him, if he did not desist from his under"

accompliceand confederate of Milo)

of his immediate
Cicero, nobly forgetful
interests,
the displeasure
and equallydisregarding
of his patrons,
as

the

the suggesparty, and even

tions
forward
of his natural timidity,
to the
pressed
had done
side of the friend who, on former occasions,
and profferedhis aid in
him
such effectual service,
takingthe principal
management of the proceedings
the

advice

of his

for his defence.

Since the commonwealth
name

and

an

no
existence,

intense interest

Italyhad

been

as

that

had

of Rome
trial had

now

by
agitated

ever

at hand.

the

a
possessed

excited such
The

whole

of

of party, for
spirit

294

THE

which

the

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

great focus of
the participation
in the
action,and so extensive was
which
had prompted the late disturbances,
so
feeling
only pregeneralthe apprehensionthat they were
paratory
serious results,
that even
to much
more
Caesar paused in the midst
of the levies he was
making for the further prosecutionof his victorious

capitalhad

career

in Gaul

Rome

would

doubtful

afforded

the

whether

the disturbances

call for the

advance

at

of his

legions
in that direction,
the publictranquillity
*.
to ensure
the fury of
On the very first day of the proceedings,
in the highest
the Clodian party broke out in a manner
degreealarming. The leadingwitness examined for
Cassinius Schola,who had in his
the prosecution
was
evidence
to exagendeavoured,as much as possible,
gerate
not

violence

the
added

then

death

rose

their

of

received

was

of

victim.

to cross-examine

but

adherents

circumstances

numerous

the

to

of the

him

with

gratuitous
atrocity
Marcus

Marcellus

in behalf of the defendant,

such

threats,
that, in

and
execrations,

Milo, and

of

tempest of yells,

the immediate

prehensio
ap-

beingtorn to piecesby the multitude,

he hastened to take refugeupon the very tribunal of
Domitius.
These disorderly
ever,
howproceedings
were,
promptlyremedied by Pompey, who, on the next
himself in the forum
with a sufficient
day, presented
degreeof restraint upon the
guardto impose some
conduct
The trial was
of the surroundingcrowd.
suffered to proceed without
now
interruption.Seof

Caesar,ut coustituerat,in Italiam ad conveutus

agendos profisciscitur: ubi cognoscit de P. Clodii csede ; de
senat
usque
Italiaejuniores
consulto certior tact us, ut omnes
deleeconjurarent,
*

"

tum

tola

His

Cn.

provinciahabere
in Italiam

rebus

Pompeii urbanas

in
ligeret,
to

Galliam

res

nuntiatis,quum

in cornmodiorem

ille virtute

jam

pervcnisseintel-

statum

Transalpinaniprofeetus est.

the famous

Gall. vii. 1"7

instituit.
Caesari

"

This

was

De
campaign againstVercingetorex.
i
ii.
Fasti Hellenic!,
192.
"

paratory
preBello

THE

veral witnesses
testified to

Clodius.
to

LIFE

the main

give evidence

herself before
the

part of

the

case

Milo

in the murder

were
virgins

that

produced,who

were

circumstances

vestal

295

CICERO.

Bovillas

from

The

OF

an

unknown

them

with

for the death

of

brought forward
female
a

had

sented
pre-

votive

of his

on
offering
and
adversary,

for the

closed by the testimony

was
prosecution
of Fulvia,whose tears and lamentations made
a
of the assembly.
deepimpression
upon the sympathies
perative
imAs in the course
of the ensuingday it was
the advocates

upon

both

on

sides to finish

and upon
the judges to givetheir
pleadings,
the tribune Munatius, before the populace
decision,
addressed
in a set speech,
them
began to disperse,
them
to be punctualin their attendance
on
desiring
the following
morning,and not to suffer the accused
in expressing
their feelings
to escape by any repugnance
In consequence
of just griefand resentment.
followed
of this harangue, which
was
by other
indications
of an
approachingtumult, Pompey, in
with
his
the course
of the night,took
possession
soldiers of all the approaches to the forum, and
planted strong guards in every temple and public
buildingfrom which a view of it might be obtained.
their

His

tribunal he caused

own

place in
and

ordered

front of the

be

dawn

erected

in

spicuous
con-

aerarium,or treasury,

detachment

chosen

With

to

be drawn

to

of

the

whole

up
of

day
the
in motion, and hasteningtowards
Rome
was
placeof trial. Every shop was closed, every kind
of intense
of business suspended, and but one feeling
pervadedthe immense
anxietyand eager expectation
populationpoured forth to witness the decision of
which had so long occupiedtheir
the famous
cause
around

it.

the

"

"

in the
judges,
had presided
those who
tion
during the producforward by the ordinary
went
the evidence,

attention.

placeof
of

As

the

selection of fresh

296

LIFE

THE

method
the

of

forum

CICERO.

OF

its

and

silence sank

dead

drawing lots,a

upon
amidst

countless

occupants,
which
the elder Appius Clodius,Marcus
Antonius,
and Valerius
Nepos*, spoke in succession,for the
space of two hours, on the side of the prosecution.
Cicero then

to

rose

From

reply.

the

importanceof

magnitude of the interests at

and number
of his auditors, and
stake, the dignity
well-known
sentiments of deephatred towards
his own
accused of
for the individual
Clodius,and friendship
his assassination,
it was
that his genius
anticipated
the

question, the
"

"

"

"

was

about

now

to shine forth in

would

mannerwhich

and effect,
hibition
exbrilliancy
every previous
The
of its resources.
publicexpectation,
however, experienceda singulardisappointment.
Cicero had been conveyed by his attendants
to the
forum
in a close litter,
with a designto avoid the
sightof any objectwhich could tend to discompose
his mind
occasion when
his highestefforts
on
an
from
would
be requisite.
But when, on
descending
in

surpass,

this conveyance,
he
and uproar
murmurs
he

beheld

like
the

arms

dense

agitatedsea

an
"

the

every eminence
of Pompey's

of

with

saluted

was

the

Clodian

multitude
with

the

the

hoarse
when

party,
"

before him

waving

violence of its

tions,
emo-

with
glittering
troops,and, highabove all,the
around

him

presiding
general,seated on his tribunal amidst the
of Roman
and surrounded
imposinginsignia
dignity,
by the full pomp of banners and military
ensigns,
theheartof theoratoris said to have utterly
sunk within
him, beneath the influence of that baneful timidity
which
had darkened the geniusof his greatAthenian
prototype on an occasion of equalmoment
; and than
which
the prompt imaginationand ready voice of
"

Asconii

which
Clodius

most

and

Argumentum orationis pro Annio

of the precedingparticulars,
relative
of
Milo, are taken.
impeachment

Milone
to

"

from

the death of

eloquencehave
foe to
well

not

that of

as

at

this

an

almost

which

degreeof

of

commencement

his

trepidation
; but
to
feelingamounted

nervoxis

crisis,the

momentous

entire

he had

intended

oration

well

so

of Annius
it at the

to invest

different

Milo.

been

considerable

and

that

pressive,
unim-

masterly

of the

name

fence
De-

finished action and

ance
utter-

givento its majestic

event
of the trial would
probably not
different.
Milo
condemned
was
by a
majorityof his judges* ; and, following

By the existinglaw
ciaria,)the judges were

eqnites,and aerarian
appointedto give out
always

the

speech

it,however, been delivered

exists,and with every

Had

advantagewhich the most

of the speakercould
have

His

from

under

known

presentmoment

periods,the

them.

feeble
comparatively

in consequence,
and
very

was,

and

powerful

more

of the arrangement of
forgetfulness
arguments, and the graces of language with

his

as

the

or

described,by his own

testimonyas
others,as having always exhibited

is

considerable

In

297

CICERO.

subtle

more

encounter.

he
pleadings

OP

LIFE

THE

this

at

tribunes

from

chosen

subject,(the Lex

the

on

the

have

the latter

;
"

for the

money

the

senators,

were

officers

of the

armies,

of whom

payment

plebeians.The

the

among

selected from

time

Judi-

Aurelia

three

orders

of
represented,though not equally
; since
were
eighty-onejudgesappointedat the trialof Milo, twenty-eight

were

therefore

the.senatorial!,
twenty-seven
Before

plebeiandegree.
had

defendant

from
ultimate
for the

of the

sentence

and
equestrian,

of

twenty-sixof the

passed, both

was

the

and
plaintiff

viduals
and withdrawingfive indilibertyof challenging
for the
left fifty-one
each
order.
This, of course,
the

decision

of the

and
acquittal

The

cause.

condemnation

Asconius.

FOR

THE

numbers

of Milo

are

of

given

follows

by

12

Equites,

13

tribunes, 3

13

13

as

voted

AGAINST.

ACCUSED.

Senators,
jErarian

those who

38

51.

MajorityagainstMilo, 25.
It is also
was

recorded,on

delivered

on

the

same

that
authority,

the 3d of the Ides of

the

speechof

April(llth).

Cicero

298

THE

LIFE

their
countrymen, prevented
He is reinto voluntaryexile.
corded
by retiring

the usual custom

sentence

of his

have

to

borne

which have been

most

reader,throughthe

with

singular
of his disposition
; qualities
probably long familiar to

his misfortune

cheerfulness

equanimityand
the

CICERO.

OF

of the

medium

tion,
tradi-

common

correct

by Cicero with a finished and

speechintended for his defence,

he

after

that when

furnished

copy of the
merely observed
for

spoken;

that

me

it

these excellent mullets

was

never

"

tunate
It is for-

actually

been

once

preventedfrom

connection

"

this oration

for had

have been

perusingit :

at

I should
delivered,
enjoyingthe flavour of

Marseilles*."

His

close

with

Cicero,and the prominent part he

for a short time playedin the history
of his country,
be considered
as
some
degree of
may
justifying
On
to the latter part of his career.
as
curiosity
this head,however, the testimonies of historians are
dictory.
diffuse,and in some
by no means
respectscontraThat he afterwards returned to Italy,and
that

he

stone

under

with

met

his death

the walls of

from

foitress he

the
was

blow

of

besieging,

of
exertinghimself in support of the cause
Pompey againstCeesar,(having been induced to
take
of his
part againstthe latter,on account
to all
omittinghim alone from a generalsummons
certain.
The town
exiles to repairhome,) appears
has been
of Compsa, in the territory
of the Hirpini,
while

spot before which he

fell ; but a far better authorityasserts that the place
in question
was
Cosa, a strong citadel of Lucaniat,
mentioned

by

one

situated in the

writer

Ager

as

the

Thurinus.

TavO' OVTUI
Kal iv rip
\4ftavfin 4v TVXTI avrijityfVfTo,rb fj.ii
iv Ty Mao-ffa\iq
rpiy\as
""
$iKo.(TTripi(a
A.fx"*?1'0"'
"X"P "v TOiavras
iaQifiv thrfpTITOIOVTOV
aire\f\6yriTo.Dio, Hist. Rom. xl.
nuntiis
clam
ad Milonem
missis, qui Clodio
f llle (Caelius)
*

"

"

interfecto

nomine

sibi conjunxit.

erat

damnatus, atque

eo

in Italiain evocato,

300

THE

which
wife

he

wore,

OP

CICERO.

accompanied,

was

"

Fausta, her

the cumbrous
was

LIFE

the

attendants

female

character

of the

of his
presence
and choristers,
"

in which

he

the dress which

he

vehicle

seated,togetherwith that of
and which
had nearlycost

him

his life when

called upon to defend himself against

the sudden attack
of his intended
these pointsof
assassins,(although

extraordinary
geniusfor
been
often and
deservedly
the skilful opposition
to these paras well as
praised,
ticulars
of the arms
and light
equipment of the wellmounted
troop of Clodius,equallyprovidedfor offence
and for flight,his sudden and apparently
uncalled for
his equallysudden
to Aricia
departurefrom Rome
deviation from the road to
return, and his suspicious
visit the villa of Pompey*.
unfavourable
The
clusion
con-

advantagemight demand
their discovery,)
has

no

"

"

which
issue of the

might have

been

the actual

from

drawn

If,"says
ably eluded.
of all
the orator, it be asked why, while in possession
these advantages,
the party of Clodius was
actually
worsted
in the encounter, I reply: because it does
not always happen that the traveller is slain by the
hand of the robber, but the robber,occasionally,
by
that of the traveller :
Clodius,
because,moreover,
with every previouspreparation
althoughassaulting
of his approach,fellwith all the
one
wholly unaware
combat,

is also

"

"

"

"

haec

Res
non

Si

loquitur,
ipsa;
judices,

plnrimum.

gesta audiretis

apparebit,uter

uter
insidiator,

valet
quae semper
sed picta videretis ; tamen

nihil

mali cutn
alter velieretur in rheda
cogitaret
Quid horum
penulatus,unk sederet uxor.
non
impeditissimum ?
? quid minus
an
vehiculum, an comes
vestitus,
prompttim ad pugnam,
cum
penulaiiretitus,
rhedaimpedhus,uxore
pane constrictus esset ?
Videte nunc
ilium, primum degredientem e villa subito ; cur?

esset

Quid

ergo

erat

uoluit.
relinquere

mora
"

Pro

tergiversatio
; dum
Milone, xx.

et

hie

veniret,locum

LIFE

THE

weakness
brave

and

timidityof
Add

men.

OF
a

301

CICERO.

into the hands

woman

to this the power

of accident

"

of

add

issue of every contest,and the impartial

of battle,
by which the vanquishedand

the uncertain
arbitration

prostratefoe

often

strikes

to

the

earth

the victor

indulgingin the exultation of success, and in

the spoil add, finally,
the very act of collecting
cated
the imprudenceof the well-feasted and half- intoxileader of the band ; who
having left behind
all
cut off from
him, as he imagined,his enemy
chance of escape, thoughtnothingof the escort which
them
followed in the rear, until having fallen among
while fired with
resentment, and wdiollydespairing
volved
of the safetyof their master, he was
suddenlyinin the justretribution which faithful servants
while

"

naturallyexacted for that master's life." Nor in an

inferior styleis the beautiful appeal to the Alban
service
so
heights,
long consecrated to the religious
shrines which
of the Latins*, and to the desecrated
had borne witness to the extensive worship presented
in ancient times upon the spot, with the designof enlisting
of his audience in his
the superstitious
feelings
in vivid colours the awful
favour,while he represents
ties,
diviniand the whole host of minor
JupiterLatiaris,
(whose solemn groves and altars,grey with the
of centuries,Clodius had sacrilegiously
thrown
overmoss
down
for the foundations of his villa,)
aslooking
in his
with complacencyupon his danger,and rejoicing
*

Vos

atque

enim

jam, Albani

tumuli

Albanorum
! vosque
sociae et aequales,
quas

tester

atquc luci,vos,inquam, imploro

stratse

sacrorum

arse,

populi

ille prseceps amentia, cassis prosRoman!

insanis molibus opprestratisquesanctissimis lucis,substructionum
vis
vestrse
Vestras turn
religionesviguerunt, vestra
serat.
arse,

valuit,quana
Latiaris

sancte

ille omni

seelere

Tuque
polluerat.

Jupiter,cujusille lucus,neniora,

edito monte,
finesquesaepe omni

ex

tuo

ad eum
puniendum
maculiirat,
aliquando
in
oculos aperuisti.Vobis
vobis, vestro
illse,
conspectu, scrap, sed
Pro Milone, xxxii.
et debitse prenas, solutae sunt.
justsetamen
nefario

stupro et

scelere

"

302

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

punishment. The testimony

extracted by the questionfrom the slaves of Clodius,
is also confuted in a manner
which
might have been
expected to destroyfor the time to come, from the
late but

well-merited

criminal

code

of

Rome,

that

absurd, monstrous,

and

appallingmethod of inquiry; in reference to which

learn incidentally
from the speech of the orator,
we
that the household
of the deceased had been kept for
a hundred
confinement,
dayspast in close and solitary
and brought forth from
time to time in a building
called in mockery the hall of Liberty,
to be subject
tained
be obto fresh torments, till depositionsshould
the relations of
to
from
them
satisfactory
If any fault is to be found
possessedof so many merits,it must

in

Clodius.

be

an

address
with

the

To a modern
of an
peroration.
taste,the prosopopoeia
sentiments
individual
patriotic
utteringthe most
of his advocate,while the perthrough the medium
son
to have stood quietly
by,
representedis known
of his own
to the formal
representation
listening
must
thoughtsand resolutions,

and

artificialto be effective.

appear too theatrical

But if this observation

it will at least be allowed

thoughthypercritical,
in the first
that the idea,even
if unexceptionable
out and enlarged
instance,has been drawn
upon to
an
extent, which
materiallyimpairs the general
of the oration.
strength
succeeded by that
The
impeachment of Milo was
of his friend Marcus
Saufeius,accused of being one
active in exciting
the train of Milo to
of the most
be

storm

house

the

Bo villas in which

at

Clodius

had

Cicero againpresented
refuge. In this cause
himself against
counsel for the
the Clodian faction,
as
with the tribune Coelius,and
accused,in conjunction
taken

had
with

the

satisfaction

better

broughtto

success

trial

of

efforts crowned

Saufeius,althoughtwice
both
different accounts, was
on

;
on

findinghis

since

THE

LIFE

OF

303

CICERO.

acquitted.The new law was then directed

the opposite
against
party,and Sextrfe Clodius having
been impeachedfor the prominent part he had taken
in directing
the late excesses
at the tumultuous
funeral

occasions

to the

ter
greatsatisfaction of the betin his turn found guilty.
disposed
amongthe citizens,
then accused under the late
Scipioand Hypsseus were
act against
bribery. The former was rescued by the
of Pompey, who requested
of the senate,
interposition
allow
act of favour, that they would
an
as
especial
him to be exempted from
prosecution
; and crowned
this singular
manifestation
of partiality
by marrying
his daughterCornelia,
and declaring
him his colleague

of his

relative,
was,

in the consulate

duringthe remainingmonths

Hypsams, who
to produce,was
rigourof justice.The

of the

had

onlypast claims upon his

left to experiencethe full
of impeachment
next subjects
selected from the Clodian party. The tribunes
were
Plancus
had been amongst its most
and Bursa, who
active and mischievous
summoned
supporters,were

year.
favour

to prepare

for their trial the moment

their office had

the former beingaccused by Cralius,and the

expired,
Both
latter by Cicero.
condemned
to exile,
were
defended by all the influence,
Bursa
was
as
although
well as the countenance
of Pompey, who
appearedin
person as his advocate.
of relaxation
At the brief seasons

afforded

during

was
only
proceedings,Cicero,
posed
change of intellectual exertion,is believed to have comDe Legibus." The scene
his treatise
of this
in which the speakersare Cicero,his brother
dialogue,
Quintus, and his friend Atticus, is laid by the still
of the Liris* and Fibrenus,
waters
and
sequestered

whose

these

rest

"

"

The

pleasedto

reader
hear

that

who

will
delights in classical appellations,

this

river

still bears

that the Fibrenus

passes the cityof Sora;

it a littlebelow that city,and continues

its ancient
so
(still

name,

be

till it

falls into
called)

to encircle the littleisland

304
.

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OP

beside the walls endeared

to the writer

the former

as

residence of his ancestors*,and the whole work

to reflect the calm and subdued
beauty of the
autumnal
The

ultimate

which

in which

season

it

of
principles

one

seems

quiet
probablycomposed.

was

studies

of the sublimest

mind ;
engage the attention of the human
science which
is entrusted,to a far greater

can

"

those

of

extent

than any other,with the most

interests of mankind
the
on

poral
importanttem-

tion
deviaslightest
of whose balance dependsthe happiness
or misery of
thousands
and grounds
bases its principles
; and which
its appeal upon one
attributes of
of the imperishable
Deity itself,are the subjectof this strikingspecimen
of the kind of investigations
of the
to which many
devoted the moments
won
greatand wise of antiquity
from the more
and engagements of
harassing
pursuits
ginally
publiclife. Three books alone remain of the six ori"

"

"

The

composed.
introduction
the

and

Cicero

describes

mm",

to the

inquiry,and the establishment of

of jurisprudence
by which the practice

laysthe

with

also in the

by

devoted

are

of the

great rules

which

on

first two

so

dialogue

eloquence. I

much

of
vicinity

'

of his second

scene

the

the birth of that most

Legibus,'

add, that Arpi-

must

Fibrenus,stillretains
illustrious Roman."

De

"

its name,

bled
enno-

Classical

Tour,

vol. ii.470.
*

With

what

described!
hoc

tim

"

tempore anni,
licet.

autem

raro

is this feeling
harmony and justnessof expression
licet pluresdies abesse,
"Marcus.
Ego verocum
praeserSed

hancet

et amo2nitatem

niuiirum

me

salubritatem

alia quoque

causa

sequor;

delectat quae
est?
Marcus.

ita.
Atticus. Quae tandem
ista causa
attingit
et hujus fratris mei, germana
dicimus,haec est mea
Quia, si verum
orti stirpeantiquissima suinus
patria: hinc enim
; htc sacra, hie
Quid plura? Hanc vides villam,
genus, et majorum multa vestigia.
latius
aediticatam
ut nunc
quidem est,
patrisnostri studio ; qui cum
in firin a valetudine, hie fcr6 aetatem
esset
egitin literis. Sed hoc
avus
ipsoin loco,cum
viveret,et antique more
parva esset villa,

te

ut

nou

"

ilia Curiana

quid, et
delectet

"

in

Sabinis,me
latetin animo, acsensu

siquidem

immortalitatem

etiam

elle

scito
meo,

esse

quo

natum.
me

Quare

plushie

locus

vir,Ithacam
sapientissimus

scribitur repudiasse." De
"

inest nescio

ut

Legibus,ii. 2.

fortasse

videret,

LIFE

THE

OP

305

CICERO.

should at all times be directed*.

third

The

as
magistracy

the duties of the Roman

treats of

at that time

which
had prompted
constituted,and the wisdom
and decided upon the provinces
of the
the creation,
several members, of that body. The three following,
which, had they yet existed,must, from the nature
the opinionof Cicero as
of their contents,comprising
ments,
enactto the best objects,
forms,and pro visions of legal
"

and
code of his

his

the
judgment respecting

country, have been

own

contain the

than those which

entrance

His

more

exordium

valuable
and

first

upon his plan, have unhappilyperished.

attention to literary
pursuitswas, however,
"

about

now

mere

far

established

called him

be

to
to

interruptedby

scene

which
necessity,
wholly untried

of life hitherto

he had
compelled him to exchange the scenes
with
intense a perception
of
so
justbeen describing
their influence,
for a temporary residence in a distant
of Pompey'slaws
country. By one of the provisions
ordained,that no praetoror
againstbriberyit was
consul should,from henceforth,be appointedto any
until five years had elapsed
from the expiration
province,
in itself was
of his office. The provision
tainly
cersince it was
calculated to
wise and salutary,
the enjoymentof the prize
prevent,by postponing
which
the real objectof disputeamong
those
was
who sued for the highermagistracies
at Rome, the
which
inordinate eagerness and unbounded
corruption
attended such contests,and the thoughtless
gance
extravaIt
which, for the most part,precededthem.
time, sufficiently
partial,
was, however, at the same
since Pompey was
allowed
to retain his government
and

"

clearingit from
justice,

abstract and

intangible
referringit immediately to its onlyintelligible
the will of a sovereign
and peifect
source,
Being,is at once noble and
lex vera
correct.
"Quamobrem
apta ad jnbendum
atque princeps,
Do Legibus,
etad vetandum, ratio e"t recta sumnii Jovis."
ii.4.
The

definition of

and
speculations,

"

306
of

LIFE

THE

Spain, and

OF

CICERO.

Caesar that of the Gauls.

In

quence
conse-

of this

Cicero, since the appointments

regulation,
of fresh magistrates
to the provinces
to be
were
filled from
who
had
time previously
some
persons
forced to acceptthe
was
enjoyedthe consular dignity,
government of Cilicia,a charge for which there is
little doubt

Yet, as

good, he

entertained

he

this occasion he

on

of

that

his
sacrificing
did not

of the senate.

convinced

of the priety
proto the general
feelings

was

own

hesitate to

hearty aversion.

with

comply

the

which
legions,

force of two

at that time

men,

mand
com-

mighthave amounted to twelve

togetherwith about twelve hundred

thousand

cavalry,

by a separateedict,placedunder his care for the

per,
of the province,
which, besides Cilicia Proprotection
was,

included

countries of Pisidia and

neighbouring
Pamphylia,the island of Cyprus,and the three dioceses
districts of Synnada,Cibyra and Apamea.
After
or
this decree and making such preparations
as
obtaining
Rome
in the beginning
of
were
necessary, he quitted
May, A. c. c. 703, and in the consulate of Servius
Claudius
Marcellus ;
SulpiciusRufus and Marcus
to usual custom,
written,according
havingpreviously
a
complimentaryletter to Appius Pulcher, his predecessor
in

the

is served
prehis correspondence,
informinghim of

the

among
the resolution
offices towards

government

which
Cilicia,

his good
of the senate,and requesting
the difficulties which
he naturally
lessening

expectedto
upon

of

encounter

the duties of his

appointment.

He

was

panied
accom-

had
been
Quintus, who
allowed
his lieutenant,as
well as
to act
as
by
his son
Marcus, his nephew Quintus, and his sisterin-law Pomponia; and pursuinghis journeyby way
of Arpinum, Aquinum, and
Pompeii*, to Cuma?,

by

From

his

first entrance

his

at

his villa

(v.1,)in which

he

brother

Pompeii, lie wrote

gives a curious,but by

the

near

no

epistleto Atticus,

means

]"icagreeable,

308

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

his

by his noisy and turbulent efforts

of society,
at liberty
to be
now
was
diverted to other intimations of discord,
which having
from a
longcontinued to rise,in comparativesilence,
distant quarter, had been hitherto disregarded
more
amidst the scenes
of tumult and confusion dailyexhibited
in the metropolis
like the
; and which
although,
minute
clouds which are said,in tropical
to
climates,
rise before the most tremendous
tempests,they might
have at first appeared of little importance,were
not
that account
the less fearful prognostics
of evil.
on
Since the death of Julia, and more
after
especially
the marriage
of Pompey with a daughterof the family
the alreadyexisting
of the Cornelii,
of jealousy
causes
career
political
againstthe peace

between

Caesar

and

his late son-in-law

had

continued

constantlyto increase. The lustre of

six successful
campaigns in Gaul had at length
openedthe.eyes of the latter to the fact,that he had
imprudentlycontributed to raise to eminence a leader
whose
his own
militarygeniuswas likelyto eclipse
;
with
this
the
less
conviction,came
no
and,
painful
that althoughit would
have
been a task
reflection,
of littledifficulty
to suppress so formidable
a rival at
the outset of his career, the attempt, if now
made,

rapidlyand

must

be

much
exertion,considerable
involving
time, and no small degree of precaution. While
reposingon the strength
Pompey had been confidently

of his

past services

one

the universal
to increase
to

him

at

Rome,

too

homage paid to

well contented

him

it,Ctesar,under
as

every

any
of

steps

the appearance
ing
yieldand only enjoyingthe
his superior,

important positionhe occupiedin

favour, had

to take

with

been

with

circumstance

consummate

in

his

the

by his
ing
prudence turnstate

situation

into

advantage. By his constant wars

in Gaul, a provinceconsidered too poor to be worthy
he had,
the ambition of either of his confederates,

means

of future

dint

by

veterans

of

309

CICERO.

service,formed

incessant

inured

OF

LIFE

THE

to toil and

dangerto

an

extent

an

of

army
never

before witnessed.
The strongpasses of the Alps, an
incalculable advantageeither towards
the success
of
offensive

or

and

the

the

future

defensive

in his hands

were
operations,
CisalpineGaul

enabled him to
of
possession
advance
his troops within a formidable
to
vicinity
the citywithout
passing in any degreebeyond the
bounds
of his legitimate
authority.He had, besides,
by a special
law, been exempted from either giving
up
his command,
in
himself
at
or
presenting
person
Rome, if he should think fit to sue for the consulate,
and the importantconcession,as well as dangerous
not
precedent,was
likely to be lost sightof in
calculations

when
clearlyseen
by a considerable
him

This

of his ambition.

certain

party

attempts
in

the

was

made

were

senate

lodge
dis-

to

advantageouspost,by proposing
to send successors
into the provincesunder his command.
His adherents
in the capitalhad influence
enough to make the questiona subjectof long and
protracteddebate ; but the transfer of numerous
cohorts to the Italian side of the Alps, on the first
from

his

of the discussion,
was
intelligence

promised little for

his obedience

which

movement
to

which

any
for

command

his recal.
might be ultimatelyissued
Pompey, who was perhapsthe chief actor in what was
probably intended at first only as an experiment
the

stillcontinued
rival,
to wear
the mask
of moderation, and even, to
certain extent, of friendship
towards
him, by pretending
in
his
behalf.
to
occasionally interpose
But,

upon
a

temper

and

resolution of his

this politic
it was
notwithstanding
bearing,

possible

for all to

that between
himself and
discover,
daringand subtle competitorfor dominion

but

an

which

unsubstantial
would

be

bond

of union

"

his

there

hollow

broken
unscrupulously

more
was

truce

the moment

"

310

LIFE

THE

its violation

OP

promisedto

CICERO.

to the

conduce

advantageof

either.
While

minds

the

with

Rome

at

men

with

studded
Cicero

sails of the

the

and

towards

his escort

first stage of his

Epirus,the
the

15th

of June

the

which
celehrity

the

these

and

Ionian

sea

veying
squadron con-

the

coast

destination.
foreign

arrived

he

of the

waters

pied
occu-

were

from
forebodingsoriginating

the
considerations,

similar
were

of

of

On

the
anticipating
(little
afterwards

spot was

destined

his
at Actium, after having landed
on
acquire)
the perilthen thought
passage at Corcyra. Here
to

to attend

attempt

an

to

have
to
Leucate, appears
perform the greaterpart of the
of

Athens

by

land.

He

the dreaded

double

reached

him

determined
rest of his

that

rock
to

journey to

cityon
days in the

the 25th

house of
June, and remained there ten
of the doctrines of the
Aristus,a celebrated professor
in those philosophic
disputations
Academy, indulging
of

in which
well

as

he

at all times

to
delighted

engage, as
in the contemplation
of those unrivalled works
was

of art, towards
turned without

which

tinus,and

thence

the gaze of man

admiration,and which

was

never

yet

period
were
yet fresh with the impress of a beauty since
softened into a less commanding, though perhapsno
less powerfulexpression,
by the mellowinghand of
a partial
decay. At Athens he was joinedby Ponfrom

wrote,

at the

at that

of the
instigation

his letter to Caius Memmius*, at

principal
Epicureans,
him from following
that time at Mitylene,
dissuading
out his intention of building
upon the spotyetoccupied
and school
by the remains of the unpretending
dwelling
of the greatfounder of the sect of the Garden, which
had been grantedhim by a decree of the Areopagus.
He set sail from the port of Peiraeus on the 6th day
and
of June, with a squadronof Rhodian, Mitylenian,
*

Ad

Diveisos,xiii. 1.

LIFE

THE

OF

311

CICERO.

enoughto constitute a respectable

armament, and passingby Ceos and Gyarus, the
latter not yet peopledwith the host of exiles who afterwards
carried by a brisk galo
its rocks,was
crowded
he remained
for a short time windto Delos,where
bound ; and, as it appears, in no very good-humour
other vessels

with

numerous

flat-bottomed

the

craft of

brave

to
representsas wholly incompetent

swell of the
On
five

He

the 2 2nd
hundred

June, or,

of

and

he

as

heavy

the

from

sixtydays
the

expressedit,

has

received at his arrival in

testified the extent and character

that quarter. Multitudes
had

Ephesusfrom

battle

at

of

landed

Asia, and

of

coast

touched
Ephesus,having previously
was

the

he

.ZEgean.

Bovillae *, he reached
at

which

Rhodes,

Samos

t.

which

manner

in
reputation
alreadypoured into
influenced by
districts,
neighbouring

the

of his

the desire of

and genius
whose wisdom
one
beholding
had ensured him the highest
placeas a statesman and
in the estimation of distant nations,
even
philosopher,
and now, on the first news
hastened
of his approach,

to meet

him

with

the

marks

same

they would have shown to the

province. He records,with
that

abused,as
on

these

Cilician frontier

actual

respectwhich
praetorof the
faction,
satis-

honourable

an

indications

in too many
cases,
his part,inasmuch

of

of esteem

by
as

were

not

tortion
any instance of exhis journeyto the

with the

slightest
individual J. On the last day of
expense to a single
July he was at Laodicea ",after passing
throughthe
and might now
be considered fairly
cityof Tralles,
within

the

was

not

attended

limits of his government.

His

letters

cities,as well as
from
Ephesus, are
repletewith expressionsof
disgustat the prospect of the employment before
extensive theatre
for the more
him, with repinings
to

Atticus, from

Ad

Attic,

v.

13.

both

these

f Ibid.

J Ibid.

" Ibid.

312

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OP

for his abilitiespresented

by the

and with
metropolis,
in his
do everything

urgent requeststo his friend to

of
of his office,
to prevent the prolongation
power
of which
he requestshim to take
commencement
note, in order
earliest

to

the
curate
ac-

for his recal at the

move

*.
opportunity

guished
equallydistinby the acuteness of his judgment and the
eleganceof his language,that if the principleof
alone
and due adjustment
of power, by which
liberty
libertyis constituted,prevailedin the heart of
the Roman
empire,the extremities of that mighty
system were
subjectedto a tyranny of the worst
descriptiont.Numerous
possible
proofsof this have
It has been

Per

observed,by

fortunas!

quoniam

atque prsemuni
Attic,
Ex

13."

v.

In

eftdie,si me

Laodiceam
"

v.

;
fore

pridieCal.

system of government

this great

of

putabam

me

"

Cal. Sextilibus.

die

hoc

Ad

quidem.

commoveto.

ex

praefulci

v.

"

14.

clavum

"

anni

15.

"f-Montesquieu,Espritdes Loix.
the Roman

intercaletur

ne

irapatrriyfi.a,tviavffiov

Sextiles

illud

primum

manes,

annui

provinciamea

arms,

veni

movebis.

Romse

simus

quseso, ut

writer

writer,summed

"

The

abroad
up in

prominent evils of

most

accordingto

are,
a

few

words,

the

but

tom
cus-

with

ne
masterlycomprehension. "Pendant
que dans
que
d s confederes.
les peuplesfurent gouvernes
On
comme
1'Italie,
suivoit les loix de chaque republique. Mais
lorsqu'elleconquit
1'ceilsur
les proplusloin,que le sennt n'eut pas imunediatemeiit
vinces,
les
ne
magistralsqui etoient a Rome
purent plus gouque
"

verner

Pour

Rome

domina

1'empire,il
lors cette

des preteurs et des proconsuls.

fallut envoyer
hannonie
des trois pouvoirsne fut plus. Ceux

qu'on envoyoitavoient

puissancequi reunissoit celle de toutes

les magistraturesromaines; que
dU-jc? celle mfime du peuple.
C'etoient des magistratsdespotiques,
beaucoup a
qui convenoient
une

des lieux oii ils etoient envoyes.

1'eloiguemenl
trois pouvoirs
si j'ose
meservirdece
; ila Etoient,
de la republique.
"

fait
quer

Us

exercoienl les

terme, les bachas

dit ailleurs que le me'ine

magistraldans la republique
militaire.
doit avoir la puissanceexecutrice,
Cela
et
civile,

Nous

avons

qu'une republiquequi conquiert,lie peut

son

gouvernement

constitution.

ayant la

En

et

effet le

regir1'etat conquis

communiguere
selon la forme de

sa

magistralqu'elle
envoye
pour gouvernfer
i
l
et militaire, faut bien qu'il
puissanceexecutrice,
civile,

THE

LIFE

OP

313

CICERO.

been

alreadygivenin the presentbrief and necessarily

limited history
evidence
were
no
produced of
; but
the fact, it might easily
be inferred from a simple
consideration

of the form

exercised
other

many

had,

when

been

reduced

by

the

of

provincial
ment
govern-

the

Cilicia,like

Romans.

too

districts subjected to their despotism,

Cicero entered upon
its management,

condition of misery by
deplorable
the unprincipled
oppressionof a succession of rapacious
from
sufficient
each
magistrates, eager to glean
the little left by his predecessors
to enable him to
spend the rest of his life in luxurious enjoyment;
and by the avarice and dishonestyof the principal
farmers of the revenue, who, residing
for the most part
it to subat Rome, entrusted the task of collecting
the
conferring
agents of the vilest character,
generally
their
appointmenton the highest
bidder,and, provided
own
profitswere
secured,caringlittleby whom, or
to what
extent,the effects of their extortion might be
felt. The apprehensionof a war
with a formidable
ferings
in the sufadditional ingredient
an
neighbourwas
of the country thus internally
harassed and
oppressed. The Parthians,exultingin their recent
were
successes,
already pushing their advanced
bodies across
the Euphrates,and
by
desolating,
of their formidable
means
cavalry,all the regions
which
bordered
the oppositebank.
It was
hourly
their
make
that the invaders
would
anticipated
to

in some
of the districts entrusted to
one
appearance
the government of Cicero ; yet to defend his province
from an enemy
which
of the most
defeated one
had

potent armies
he h'ad at
field,
ait ausai la
sans

est-ce

lui ?

his

disposalbut

puissancelegislative
;
11 faut

car,

qui feroit des

puissancede juger; car
qui

qu'ilait la
qui jugeroitindependamraentde

gouverneur

aussi

qu'elleenvo)

ait les trois

romaines."
dans les provinces

"

into the
republic
and
the two legions,

the

by

sent

ever

est-ce

lui ?

II faut done

pouvoirs;

Liv. xi. chap.20.

comme

loix

que

qui
le

cela fut

314

small

LIFE

THE

body
to

senate,

assembly

CICERO.

voted
horse, originally

of

which

he

by

while

he

at

yet

was

force,he

the

endeavoured

in vain

had

him

made
addition,by applications

an

procure

OP

to

to that

Brundusium

and

complainedthat
ever,
three entire cohorts were
wanting*. He was, howable to relyupon a considerable body of aiixof
iliaries from
his province,and the whole
army
of the
Deiotarus,kingof Galatia,a firm friend and ally
Roman
people.A letter written at this time to Atticus
pictureof the unpromisingaspect
givesa striking
of the condition
of affairsin Cilicia generally,
as well as
in which it had been left by his predecessor
Appius.
of

even

"

this

Although the

"

for

out

have

HEALTH

SENDS

CICERO

afterwards

chargedwith

messengers

of the

farmers

Rome

while

of the

dangerof

revenue

yet on

was

contrived to snatch

ATTICUS.

TO

brief

the despatches

setting

were

my

progress, I

to
opportunity

prevent
been

that I have
imagining
unmindful
and have, therefore,
of your injunctions,
the public road, briefly
to mention
sat down
a
on
which
few particulars
oughtproperly
upon a subject
to be treated at a much
then,
greaterlength. Know
that on the last day of July I arrived in a province
and
all
reduced to the last condition of suffering,
in which
but ruined beyond recovery,
arrival
my
had been most
mained
anxiously expected. Having refor three days at Laodicea, as
at
many
Apamea, and for the same space of time at Synnada,
I have heard nothing
in these several cities but prothe

See, on

the letter of M.
this subject,

versos, viii. 5.)"Nunc

fore contentionem

test.'' The
the

minus

porro

which

all times

desiderantur

quam

si Parthus

tuus

observation

experienceof

sed crania

your

ab

:
eo

"

Coelius to Cicero.

(Ad

Di-

sciouonmcdiocrem
aliquid

movet

follows

tueri pois in perfect

accordance
with

"Hanc

autem

exercitus

vix

unum

saltum

nemo

ducit rationcm

(tanquamnihil

denegatum

sit ei quo

est."
esset)
uegotioprsepositua
quipublico
paratissimus

316
does

LIFE

THE

not

in

quittingit
towards

my

CICERO.

to have

seem

for

OP

yet dreamt
government.

his

by

designwhich

much

so

the

making

This

is
I

has

to

counted
ac-

him

of

hastening

am

at

am

his appearance

been

imputed

later.

which

from

camp,

of

tant
presentdis-

days'journey."
Roman
and
auxiliaryforce collected by

two

The
order

of Cicero

at this time

was

stationed

the
the

near

cityof Iconium, in Lycaonia. Here, as soon as their

ceived
generalhad arrived and reviewed his troops,he rethe unwelcome

Commagene, that
Euphratesin force
afterwards

from

news

the
;

Antiochus, king of

Parthians

and

had

the

crossed

was
shortly
intelligence
express despatchedby

the

confirmed

by an
of the petty princesin alliance with
one
Rome,
commanding a district beyond Mount Taurus, stating,
that the principal
strengthof the enemy consisted in
and
of Orodes, was
that Pacorus, the son
cavalry,
at their head.

first burst
in

Little defence

of the

was

invaders, the

made
few

the
against
Roman

posts
out-

before
retreatingsuccessively
them, until they had penetratedfar enough into
Caius
Syria to invest Antioch, where
Cassius,
afterwards the celebrated conspiratoragainstJulius
at that time stationed in garrisonwith
Csesar, was
the

their

road

wrecks
principal

of the army of Crassus,having

its ill-starred leader on his expedition

accompanied
as quaestor,and

afterwards

the Romans

far,with

thus

conducted
consummate

the

retreat

skill.

Before

army had taken

Cicero, imaginingthat Cilicia

the direction which

the Parthian

of

was

was
fully known,
their object,hastened
to take
post in Cappado-cia,through which his provincewas most vulnerable ;
of Cybisand having advanced
far as the town
as
of
himself,in constant expectation
tra, entrenched
and nephew, the younger
their appearance.
His son
time
at the same
Marcus and Quintus Cicero,were

THE

LIFE

OP

317

CICERO.

Deiotarus, and escorted by

him into his kingdom, whore, as in a placeof greater
intended
that they should
remain
as
safety,it was
continued
to keep the field.
long as the Roman
army
While
encamped in this position,he was visited by
had
been
declared, after the
Ariobarzanes,who
assassination of his father by his own
subjects,
king
of Cappadociaby the Roman
senate, and entrusted
of the proconsulof the neighbourto the especial
care
ing
province. The objectsand issue of the journey
of this prince,as well as the operations
which
had
precededit,are thus detailed in the publicdespatch
entrusted to the

of Cicero
"

the occasion*

on

MARCUS

TULLIUS

CONSULS,

"

"

CICERO,

WISHES

PROCONSUL,

AND

of

care

THE

PUBLIC

PRJETORS,

SON

OP

MARCUS,

PROSPERITY

TRIBUNES

OF

TO
THE

THE

PEOPLE,

SENATE.

After

last

day

sooner

on

I had
of

arrived

July,

account

in my
having been

government
unable

of the difficulties and

to

on

reach

the
it

delayswhich

duringmy voyage, and the bad condition of

the publicroads,I judged it most consistent with my
duty,as well as most to the advantageof the republic,
the necessary
to make
preparationsfor placing
force of the province on
efficient a
the military
as
as
possible.As soon as I had accomplished
footing
and diligence
than by the
care
this,more
by my own
of means
at my
mand,
comemployment of any abundance
occurred

and
letters
determined, since messengers
were
arrivingalmost dailywith intelligence
ing
respectParthians
into
the
o
f
the irruption
Syria, upon
march
through Lycaonia,Isauria,and
directing
my
vaders,
Cappadocia; it beingstronglysuspectedthat the inif they thould resolve upon abandoning
Syria,
direct their course
and entering
my province,would
I

"

Ad

Diversos,xv.

2.

318

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

through Cappadocia, the quarter in which it was

most
exposed. Having, accordingly,advanced
through the regionsof the above district which
border upon Cilicia,
I pitchedmy
near
Cybiscamp
situated close to Mount
tra, (a town
Taurus,) both
"

that

king of Armenia, whatever

towards us, mightknow
that
might be his disposition
of the Roman
an
peoplewas close to his confines,
army
and that I might act in conjunction
with Deiotarus,
of the utmost
a princeinfluenced by a feeling
fidelity
and
friendshiptowards our commonwealth, whose
at his disposal,
counsels,as well as the resources
were
likelyto prove of great service to the state.
While
I was
encamped at this place,after having
Artavasdes,

the

"

that the news

of my
cavalryinto Cilicia,
the cities in that
approach,when announced
among
giance,
direction,
might confirm the inhabitants in their alleand that I might have earlyintelligence
of
what
was
going forward in Syria,I imagined that
the three days duringwhich
I continued
stationary
might be devoted to the performanceof an important
and necessary service. For since I had been enjoined
by your authority to protect king Ariobarzanes,
surnamed
Pious and well-disposed
to Rome*,"
the
well as
of that monarch
to keep inviolate the safety
as
sent

my

'

"

his

both to himself
kingdom,and to act as a guardian
and his kingdom;'and since you had also added, that
the safetyof the same
an
objectof great
king was
to the senate and people,'
a complimentnever
concern
yet decreed to any princes
'byour Order, I considered
it my
duty to convey the expressionof your opinion
to Ariobarzanes, and
promise him my protection,
ing
amity,and readyservices;that he might,understand'

the interest you

*

seen

the

Euseben
on

had

et Philorbomscum.

ancient

medals

legendAPIOBAPZANOT2

of

evinced
Both

for his

titles

these

Ariobarzanes, which
ET2EBOT2

are

welfare

own

arc

yet

inscribed

*IAOpnMAIOT.

to

be

with

THE

LIFE

OF

319

CICERO.

and the peace of his kingdom, inform

any occasion for our assistance.
"

After I had
the

to

king in

commencement

made

if he

me

communication

had

to this effect

of my
council,he, at the
presence
of his reply,expressedhis obligation

in the

incumbent
terms, as indeed was
strongest
upon
in
first
and
afterwards
to
him, to yourselves the
place,
able
sayingthat it appeareda great and most honourme;
distinction that the senate and people of Rome
had
so
deeply concerned themselves in his welfare,
while it was
he might rely
also evident how
entirely
and the influence
of friendship
expressions
upon my
of the authorityof your
commendation, from the
rests.
I had alreadyshown
in advancinghis intediligence
He, at the same
time, to my great satisfaction,
that he neither knew
to understand
of,nor
gave rne
even
suspectedthe existence of any secret designs
his life or his regalauthority. When
either against
I had congratulated
him on this point,
and expressed
exhorted him
and finally
my joy at the intelligence,
death of his father,
to be
the calamitous
to remember
and to
in providing
the means
of self-defence,
vigilant
take, in pursuance with the advice of the senate,
he took
of his safety,
for the preservation
every means
leave of me, and departed
of Cybistra.
to the town
into our
On the day following
he came
once
more
with his brother Ariarathres,and
camp, in company
attended
by several aged friends of his father,and
with great signsof agitation
and many
tears,while
his brother fully
in his emotion,
began to
participated
implore my assistance,on the strengthof my promises
"

your recommendation.
sudden
what
change of

and

induced

he
this distress,

evidences

present

of

moment

informed

While

circumstances
me

been

laid before him ; that those

had

that decided

which
dangerousconspiracy,
had

dering
won-

was

concealed,had

up to the
been just

acquaintedwith

it had

320

THE

hitherto

LIFE

CICERO.

OP

under

information

suppressedtheir

the influence

had
fear,but in reliance upon my protection
now
boldlyrevealed all the knowledge they possessed
the subject. He
stated that his
moreover
upon
brother,who possessedthe greatestaffection towards
which the informant
him,had informed him of a circumstance,
of

referred to also

namely,

that he had been sounded

to ascertain how

placeof

acknowledgedin

far his ambition

Ariobarzanes

that such

in
reigning

the

relied upon, and assured

could never
take placewhile

the latter remained

alive ;
apprehension,he had never
in the

of

might be

event

an

by

my presence,
the confederates

although,from
yet denounced

When

plot.

he had

of
feeling

those

cerned
con-

finished

speaking,
for
precaution

againadvised the king to take every

his security,
and exhorted those friends about
ensuring
had been approvedby the judgment
him, whose fidelity
of his father and grandfather,
to defend,instructed by
the terrible

monarch,

example

of the

the life of his

in

their

murder

by

son

hands.

But

all the
when

of

the

former

of tection
proAriobarzanes

means

proceededto request that I would supplyhim with a

guard of cavalryand infantryfrom my own
army,
I
had
laid
not only the power, but was
even
although
under
the obligation
of doing so
by the tenor of
your decree,I did not think proper to comply with
the demand, inasmuch
the interests of the republic
as
in consequence
I continued
of dailydespatches
required,
advance
to receive from Syria,that I should
with

my

whole

moreover,

force to the confines of

since the

appearedto

me

that

his

own

conspiracywas
open, it
the king no
longerneeded the
arms, but could defend

strength.I

him
advising

himself

therefore contented

was

with

his first
preservation
government, to use his absolute

to make

lesson in the art of

as,

laid

assistance of the Roman

by

Cilicia;and

those
authority
against

his

who

own

were

convicted of

plotting

LIFE

THE

OF

him, to punishthose
against
and

set

had

who

rest free from

the

afforded hy
the safeguard
finally

use

as

to

the

revolt,while
soon

as

known,

the

than
preventing

of

means

I at the

same

of the

decree

deserved

rity,
seve-

to
apprehension,

my
of

army,

rather

a
suppressing

assured him, that

time

in his favour

senate

understand

all would

321

CICERO.

that I

as

was

should,whenever

ance
might be necessary, he ready to afford him assistin compliance
with your injunctions.
Having
restored his confidence by such arguments, I decamped
with the
from the spot, departing
from Cappadocia
and
that,owing to your wise regulations,
impression
dent,
by an almost incredible and divinelyafforded accimidable
approach had freed from the perilof a formy
whom
plota monarch
you had voluntarily
with the most honourable
commended
title,
dignified
to my
especial
care, and decreed to be the subjectof
it

your

most

despatchI

anxious

concern.

The

contents

of this

that you
superfluous,
understand how great has been your prudence
may
and foresight
in takingprecautions
event
an
against
which has all but actuallyhappened,and that you
may

consider

be assured

on

my

far from

part,that

I have

beheld those

of virtue,fidelity
and regardtowards
in
signs
you
all the interest you have
Ariobarzanes
to justify
as
manifested
in his defence and preservation."
On the receipt
of more
accurate intelligence
ing
respectthe direction taken

ing
Cicero,thinkby theParthians,
that Cappadociawas
to be threatened by
not likely
their movements, resolved upon shifting
his position
to the frontiers of Cilicia,
and accordingly
decamping
from
led
his
towards
the
Cybistra,
ridgeof
army
to have been inhabited
Amanus, which seems
by a
fierce and hardy race, whom
Plutarch
describes as
the character
for dishonesty,
for which
maintaining
their nation was
proverbial,
by a regularly
organised
Yet their
system of pillage
againsttheir neighbours.

322

THE

efforts to
long-continued
independenceunquenched

spark of

inaccessible

almost

CICERO.

OF

and

undaunted
last

LIFE

rocks,is a

the

preserve

their

among
circumstance which

must

degreeof sympathy for their ruin, and

might perhapsrender necessary, if it did not justify,
ous.
notorihabits for which
the 'predacious
they were
tained
Againstthese,since the Parthians were ascerexcite

some

be

to

decided

distant, Cicero

still far

upon
his
and
his
of
his
account
operations
turning
arms,
in this quarter,contained in a letter to Atticus,is as
follows

:"

"

Early on

"

CICERO

the

TO

morning of

I received the surrender

the

forty-seventh
day

The
siege.
plague are
What

the feast of the Saturnalia,

of the

on
Pindenissians,

of the

after the commencement

Pindenissians!
these ? for I
I do to

"C.

ATTICUS,

you
never

will exclaim

yet

heard

who

their

the

name.

Is itin my power to turn

Cilicia into ^Etolia and Macedonia*
? Be assured of
can

this,however,

explainit?

that with

as have
exploits,
glorious

such

could
countries,
understand
which

be

effected

an

army

as

mine,

performedin

been
here.

This

no

these
will

you

the brief abstract of my proceedings

send you, availingmyself of the permission

from

now

contained in your
"

such

In what

last letter.

approached Ephesus you already

have congratulated
know
that day
: since you
on
me
of triumphantpopularity,
than which
nothingin the
of my life has givenme
From
course
greaterdelight.
wonderful
tokens of respectin
thence,after receiving
the different cities throughwhich I passed,I reached
*

Saturnalibus

way

mane

se

milii Pindenissae

quadragesimodie postquam oppugnare cos

? quisunt? inquies;nomen

isti Pindenissa

cjo faciam ? potui Giliciam

Ad Attic, v. 20.

-Stoliam

aut

dedidcrunt,septimo et
cocpimus. Qui, maluin !
audivi nanquam.
Quid
"

Macedonian!

reddere ?

"

324

OP

LIFE

THE

CICERO.

encamped for a short time on

of Issus,which
the very spot,in the neighbourhood
"was
formerlyoccupiedby Alexander, a generalby
mained
Having redegreessuperiorto either of us.
many
there five days,and completely
ravagedand
I

Imperator*.

desolated

You

forces.

our

certain

termed panic,
feeling
and groundless
in wart.
By
apprehension
of my
approachfresh confidence was given

vague

the

withdrew

we

anus,

that there exists

know
or

Am

then

news

blockaded
in Antioch,and a
Cassius,who was
the Parthians.
terror inspired
They,
general
among
resolved upon raising
the siege;and Cassius,
therefore,
to

out
sallying

and

retreat,succeeded

in

falling
duringtheir
upon them
gaininga signalvictory. In

which

followed,Osaces the Parthian general,

received a wound
of
a leader of great authority,
which
he died a few days afterwards.
My reputation
in
raised to the greatest
height
was,
consequence,
in Syria.
Bibulus in the meantime
arrived,and influenced,
of being upon
I believe,by the ambition
a level,
as
I had just acquired,
in the empty honour
with me
acquiredlaurels on that same
began to seek for easily

the rout

"

republic
upon

of the

wars

armies
by the Roman
their generalsonly after

conferred
salutation,

This

successes, appears in the time of

much
less important occasions.

on

at

much

later

period,asserts

commander

given to

any
in
perished the field.

never

had

Cicero

to

have

in the
the

earlier
sive
deci-

most

bestowed

been

Appian,who, however,
that in his

unless ten

rished
flou-

day, the title was

thousand

of

To be saluted

the enemy
considered

Imperatorwas
triumph.
dici item ra
iroAeKevavov
"f- Scis enim dici quaedam irdi'tKa,
and which
ftov,"a passage of some
ambiguity in its application,
does not seem
have
Melrnoth
r
endered
to
by "There
very clearly
are
beings which, though empty phantoms, appearing in the field
as

introductoryto the

honour

of

"

"

of

battle,spread fear

part of
army

Cicero

by

the

decided the

is

no

consternation."

and

doubt

to

the
his

of
intelligence
in
favour
campaign

The

panicterror caused
which
approach,
of the Romans.

allusion
to the

mny

on

the

invading

have

really

OP

LIFE

THE

325

CICERO.

lost,however, the
whole of his first cohort,Asinius Dento, a centurion
of the first rank
and
great reputation,several
and Sextus Luciother officers of the same
division,
of
tribune, and the son of a man
lius,a military
greatwealth and dignity.This, it must be owned,
consider the
awkward
was
an
defeat,whether we
actual mischief inflicted by it,or the junctureat

ridgeof

which

Amanus.

Mount

He

it

happened.
line of circumI then surrounded,
with a regular
had
the town
of Pindenissum, which
vallation,
always been considered as the strongestand most
of the Elcucapableof defence of all the strongholds
"

thero-Cilicians ; and,
immense
embankment
with

greatnumber

I succeeded

extensive

having raised againstit

of

in my

and

tower, and

and
engines

attempt

an

assailed it

hosts of archers,

after excessive

labour,
received,

wounds
many
Truly,
althoughwith littleactual loss to the army.
I have givenup to the soldiers
Saturnalia!
a joyful
and
preparations,

booty,with the exceptionof the

of
19th
sold on
the
horses.
The
captiveswere
December; and, while I write this letter on my
the money
tribunal,
paid for {hem alreadyamounts
the whole

to

twelve

to

my

the

of the

millions

of sesterces.

I have

Quintus the chargeof

into winter- quarters in a district yet
unsettled,and have returned myselfto

brother

army

somewhat

consigned
conducting

Laodicea*."
A

somewhat

minute

more

account

of the transactions

given by him in a letter to

curious from
is additionally
Marcus
Cato, which
stoic
the attempts made
in it to flatter the rigid
into an acquiescence
in any honour
which the senate
might decree to him, in acknowledgmentof his recent
The following
extracts from the epistle.
Successes.
are
at

Amanus

is

Ad

Attic, v.

20.

326

TUB

Havingbeen

"

that
epistles

by several messengers

informed

and

and Arabians

of Parthians

strongforce

CICEftO.

Of

LIFE

had

advanced

givento understand that the enemy had raised

in
siegeof Antioch,and that Bibulus was now
to
city. On this,I immediatelysent word

cityof Antioch, and that

a considerable
body of their cavalry,which had penetrated
had been cut to pieces
into Cilicia,
by some
advanced troops of my own
horse,and the praetorian
cohort stationed in garrison
I hastened
at Epiphania,
by forced marches towards Amanus, since I plainly
that the Parthians,
after beingchecked on
perceived
the side of Cappadocia,
would
not long be distant
from the Cilician frontier.
On arriving
at this post
was

the
that

as

Deiotarus,who

was

and

numerous

far

as

the

his march

on

efficient army

and, in fact,all the

to

both

force he could

joinme

with

of horse and

foot,

muster, that I

saw

longerany reason for withdrawinghim from his

kingdom ; promisingthat I would givehim instant
information,by letters and envoys of the occurrence
of anything
new.
no

since I had

far,with the
intention of rendering
assistance to either provinceif
under
circumstances should demand
it,I determined,
"

And

the conviction that it would

of
of Amanus
from
our

those ancient

towards

day'smarch
I pitched
design,
my camp
made

and

different

one

to the tranquillity

inveterate enemies

a retreat
therefore,
Pretending,

nation.

October

conduce

much

both,to prevent the occupants of the ridge

from againdisturbing
them, by removing

thence

mountain

thus

advanced

and

on

the

from

to

the

and, propart of Cilicia,

ceeding

if in pursuance
of this
at Epiphaniaon the 12th of

as

eveningof

counter-march,with

the

my

same

army

day, having
encumbere
disentirely

baggage, returned towards my

former station with so much
that,before
expedition,
the morning began to break,I was
againstationed
of

its

LIFE

THE
on

327

CICERO,

OP

the ascent to the

tns to

cessary
heights.Having made the neand retained my brother Quindispositions,
the command
while I assigned
act with myself,

of another

to Cains

detachment

tenant,and of

third to Marcus

Pontinus,my
Anncius

lien-

and Lucius

made a general
attack upon the enemy,
we
Tullius,
who, for the most part,littleexpectedonr approach,
and were
either taken, prisoners
killed upon the
or
of flight.
spot,beingprecludedfrom the possibility
in that direction,
then
Pontinus,who commanded
assaulted and took by storm
Erana, which was more
like a citythan a village,
as
beingthe chief town on
the Amanns, together
with Sepyra and Commoris.
These places
without
not captured
were
a desperate
defence on
the part of the inhabitants,
the several
assaults continuing
from day-breakuntil the tenth
A great multitude of the enemy
hour.
were
slain,
and

six forts taken

consumed.

After

several

these

more

I
operations

at the foot of Arnamis

near

the altars of

were

set

on

remained

for four

camped
en-

dayslonger,

the
Alexander""',
devoting

that time to the destruction of the

fire and

whole

of

villages
remaining

included
part of the mountain
within my province. I then led my forces to Pindcnissum,a cityof JElenthero-Cilicia,
which, since it
and
built in a strongand commandingsituation,
was
inhabited by those who had never
ence
obediyet yielded
to their own
even
kings; who had, moreover,
and

crops

on

that

and were
anxiously
refugeto fugitives,
I judged it
the arrival of the Parthians,
expecting
empireto reduce ; and
necessary to the credit of our
its walls,
to punish the insolence of those within
towards us might
that the spirit
of others ill-disposed
surrounded
be the more
subdued.
I,therefore,
easily
the place with
ditch and rampart, and having
a
afforded

The

free

three a'.tavserected

cules,on
victoryover

the memorable

Dnrius.

Minerva, and
by Alexander to Jupiter,
his
plainsof Issus,to commemorate

328

THE

LIFE

closelystraitened
stronglyentrenched
towards
it by means
moveable

archers,and
without

the

by

six

CICERO.

forts,in addition

I made
my
camp,
of embankments,

to

approaches
vinea?,and

I also

it military
employedagainst
all descriptions,
and a strong body of
after great personal
exertions,
although
least trouble or
allies,
expense to our

towers.

enginesof

it

OF

to a favourable issue on the

broughtmy undertaking
fifty-seventh
day of the siege
; since the inhabitants,
after almost every quarterof the place had either
been set on fire or laid in ruins,were
compelledto
surrender at discretion. The Tiburani,a neighbouring
and unprincipled,
tribe,equallydaring
agreedto
for their good conduct on receiving
telligenc
ingivehostages

of the fall of Pindenissum.

enabled
and

or

send my

And

not

now

supposing
any

had

justbeen captured,
obedience.
perfect

yet reduced to
have to request you

were

motion

fore,
there-

into winter-quarters,
army
brother Quintus,to be stationed

it to my
consigned
in those villages
which

which
"

to

I was,

be made

on

to

this

that
believe,

in
subject

the

senate, I shall think it my

highestglory if any
honour awarded
to myself is supported
by your approbation
And althoughI am
of
that men
aware
and influence are accustomed
the utmost dignity
both
to receive

and

this nature, I
think that you ought rather to be reminded
of past
than exposedto fresh entreaties. Let me
professions,
to

offer

requestsof

recall to your recollection the fact of your havingon

occasions distinguished
in the most
me
very many
manner
flattering

moreover,

have

both

In your speeches,
your vote.
before the senate and the people,
you

by

exalted
literally

commendations.

And

me

such

to

the

very heavens
is my
opinionof

by
the

influence of your words, that by one

single
sion
expresin my favour,I have always conceived myself
elevated to the

which
pointof dignity
highest

for me
possible

to reach.

it was

LIFE

THE

I remember

"

too that

when,

on

about
opposedthe supplication

you

329

CICERCf.

OP

former

occasion,

to be decreed to

individual,
deserving
you
asserted that you would willingly
supportthe motion,
if the honour were
proposedfor the conduct of the
same
person in the cityduringhis consulate. You
decreed to myself
also assented to the supplication
while holding
and not granted,
as to
only a civil office,
illustrious and

most

for the successful

many,
to

as

management of a
time,for the actual

war,

but,

before my
tion
preservaness
of the state.
I will not dwell upon your readithe storms,
to share with me the envy, the perils,
no

one

which

have

which

I bear

hitherto
you

attended

my publiccareer, and
have encountered
witness,
you would

greaterextent,if I could have been

prevailed
upon to allow it;or, finally,
upon your generosity
in considering
enemy
your own,
my greatest
and even
of his death in
expressing
your approbation
the senate during
in the case of Milo,
the proceedings
that I mightfully
understand
the nature and extent
of your regardtowards me.
On the other hand,and
to

much

any benefit conferred upon you,

but rather as an evidence of my real conviction and
judgment,I have not been contented with silently
I mention this not

eminent

admiringyour
there who

as

does not

do

is
virtues,(forwhat man
this ?) but in every oration,

in my
every vote ; in all my pleadings,
Latin as well as Greek, in every kind of
and

short,in

in

which

have

mentioned

whom

.1have

have

ever

I have

you as
hitherto

at

any

time

writings,
literature,
I
engaged,

not onlyto
superior

seen, but

to

every

all of whom

one

heard.

ask what can be the reason

of
will,perhaps,
mark
of
valuingat so high a rate a trifling
my
honour on the part of the senate,
I will deal with
that community
on this point,
as becomes
you frankly
"

of

You

and of duties which exists between us, our

feelings
and the goodunderstanding
sincerefriendship,
own

330

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OF

mutuallycultivated by

fathers.

our

If there

ever

yet existed a person unambitious by nature,and still

of the
and philosophy,
more
so by the exercise of reason
of the multitude,I am
that individual.
empty praises
Of this my consulate is a witness,duringwhich, as
indeed
during all the rest of my life,although
I followed,as I confess,
leads to
that path which
I yet considered that glory,
true renown,
abstractedly
and in itself,
ought never to be an objectof pursuit.
Thus influenced,
I refused the government of a valuable
and
province,
gave up the certain prospect of a
did

triumph,nor

I make

any

efforts to

obtain

the

I believe you
office of augur, although,
as
are
I might at that time have easily
obtained
opinion,
the

After

however,
injustice,

which

which

you are accustomed

calamityto the state,and which
been

no

misfortune

to

followed,
"

to

of
it.
justice
in-

as
designate

I consider to have

myself,but

rather

subject

desirous that the favourable

boasting I was
opinionentertained with respectto me by the senate
and peopleof Rome, should be manifested
by the
for

most

"

creditable and substantial marks

cf their esteem.

I, therefore,resolved to stand for the augurship

which
and am,
I had previously
over,
moreneglected",
tinction
at the present moment, ambitious of the disby which the senate are accustomed to reward
once
gardless.
militaryconduct,of which I was
equallyreThat

you

would

second

my

wishes

on

I am
to which
point,therefore,
promptedby a
inflicted by the
strong desire of healingthe wound
I have justalluded to, is now
injustice
my earnest
request; for havingpromiseda short time since not
I am
to prefer
any entreatyto you upon the subject,
now
obligedto revoke my resolution. Yet, my
that these trifling
appealis founded on the supposition
but much
of mine will not appear worthless,
exploits
other persons have
those for which many
surpassing

this

obtained similar honours

from

the senate*

LIFE

THE

"

MARCUS

CATO

TO

OP

CICERO.

TULLIUS

MARCUS

CICERO,

IMPERATOR*.

which my regardfor the state,and

feeling
render it incumbent
for yourself,
personalfriendship
my
to entertain on the presentoccasion,
upon me
I most willingly
and rejoice
to find that you
indulge,
have displayedin a military
capacityabroad,and
with undiminished
virtue,
integrity,
energy, the same
and industry,
ment,
which, in affairs of the greatestmoTh"at

"

you were
offices at home.

with
consistency

All that

could

own

of

able

defence of your
and
disinterested conduct
wise
your

provinceby your
of your preservation
of
regulations,
well

as

his

in
do, therefore,

judgment when called upon

opinion,I have done, by making
my

deliver my
honourable
mention

to

civil

to exhibit in your

accustomed

Ariobarzanes

as

kingdom,and

the affections of

our

of
your re-establishment
allies in favour of our
empire.

that the supplication

has been decreed, if,
rejoice
that we
should
indeed,you on your part are willing
to the gods,for successes
acknowledgeour obligations
in which Chance
has had no share,but in which the
have been advanced
interests of the republic
entirely
by your prudenceand forbearance. If,however,you
is a necessary preliminary
imaginethat a supplication
that account alone are willing
to a triumph,and on
should receive our
that Fortune
rather than
praises
I would
remind
distinction
that one
yourself,
you
involve the other,and that it is
does not necessarily
far

"

more

for the

honourable

provincehas

senate

judge that a
and
gentleness

to

preserved
by the
than by an
armed
blameless conduct of a general,
or by the favour of the gods; and this I declared
force,
I
called to deliver my
sentiments.
openly,when
have written to you at this length,
contrary to my
usual custom, to induce you to believe,
(asit is my
been

Ad

Diversos,
xv, 5.

THE

LIFE

OP

333

CICERO.

should,)that althoughI proposed

desired what appearedmost consistent with your
I am
and dignity,
honour
rejoicedthat what

anxious desire you

and
true

in accordance

most

was

with

has been
your wishes
! Continue
your regards

Farewell
upon.
towards me, and stillmaintain towards
and
the impartial
our
justice
republic

which
diligence

you have begun to exhibit."

"With the retreat of the Parthians

from

determined

our

allies and

Antioch,

of dangerfrom these
apprehensions
in a greatmeasure
terrible invaders were
dissipated
;
the
of their again crossing
yet continued rumours
Euphratesdid not allow Cilicia to depart from the
attitude it had assumed, during the whole
military
The cessation of the necesof the ensuingsummer.
sity
action in the field was
for prompt and vigorous
not accompaniedby a freedom, on the part of Cicero,

the

more

from

serious

numerous

minor

anxieties and

which
difficulties

management. He
not on good terms with his predecessor,
Appius,
was
who, as it has been alreadyseen, instead of advancing
the government
to meet him and formallyresigning
into his hands, had continued to exercise a separate
it
where
in a remote
authority
part of the province,
the
for Cicero to reach him within
was
impossible
by the Cornelian law, as the
thirtydays prescribed
in
the arrival of a proconsul
interval between
longest
of the magistrate
his government, and the departure
With
succeeded.
whom
he had
some
difficulty,
which
Appius was made conscious of the littlereason
tion
existed for his unfriendly
conduct; but his reconciliawhen
been effected,
with Cicero had scarcely
a

requireda

fresh

cause

dextrous

and

of distrust

delicate

arose

on

account

of

an

peachment
im-

him as soon
as he returned
broughtagainst
the pointof
to Rome, by Dolabella,who
on
was
marrying Tullia,the daughter of Cicero, after her
from her second
separation,
probablyby a divorce,

334

THE

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

husband

Crassipes.Cicero appears on the face of

of his epistles
concerned at
to have been much
some
these proceedings,
and to have taken
much
more
from
of the accused
pains to avert the suspicions
falling
agent in the prosecution,
upon himself as an
than Appius deserved.
He
has done so, indeed,at
small expense to his own
for sincerity,
no
reputation
with Atticus
since,althoughin his correspondence
he depictsthe oppressions
of the late governor of
Cilicia as almost beyond belief,
dissihe possessed
mujation enough to intimate to the same
individual,
in a letter upon the subjectof his impeachment"'",
the highest
respectand admiration for his character,
and

astonishment

whom

at

the

accusations

of

Dolabella,

he

rash and ungrateful

a
designates
young
In
another
the
man.
epistle,
acknowledging receipt
of Appius on the
of the intelligence
of the acquittal
chargeof mal-administration in his government,his
aft'ected joy is still more
vehemently expressed:
While I was
encamped,"he writest, on the banks
of the Pyramus, I received two
letters from
you,
which
forwarded
Servilius
to me
wrere
by Quintus
of April,the
Tarso, one of them dated on the nones
other undated,and as it appearedto me
more
recently
"

"

written.

in which

you

accusation
your
made

first
will,therefore,
inform

the

answer

former,

under the
of your acquittal
of mismanagement of your
authorityin
me

Of this event I
province.
acquaintedby various means

late

since the verdict

the universal

was

had

alreadybeen
of intelligence
;
of
tion,
topic conversa-

that itwould have been

any expectation
ther
otherwise,but because nothingconducingto the furnot from

is ever
gloryof men alreadyillustrious,
remain in obscurity
; yet your letter much
not onlybecause it was
more
my delight,
*

eorum,

Ad

Di versos, iii. 10.

Cum
est ad nos
tibi
"c.
qui
negotium facesserent,
"

allatum

Ad

suffered to
increased
exact
de

and

temeritato

Diversos,iii.1 1

THE

copiousin
because

OP

LIFE

its details than

I seemed

have

to

335

CICERO.
common
a

better

but
discourse,
for
opportunity

after a communication
congratulations
offering
my
In imagination,
hand.
under your own
I
therefore,
embraced
although absent, and, imprinting
you,
kisses upon
of
indulgedin a feeling
epistle,
your
self-satisfactionand rejoicing
account ;
on
own
my
for the testimonyof approvaljust awarded
by the
the senate,and the judges,
to your
people,
genius,
I
a
nd
virtue,
industry,
(although am perhapsonly
indulging
vanity,
by supposingthat I have
my own
seemed in some
measure
any share of such qualities,)
to be bestowed

myselfalso. Nor did I so much

wonder at the glorious
issue of your trial,
pravity
as at the deof those who had appearedas your enemies."
Cicero himself,"
says Melmoth, in his notes upon
of which the above extract is a part and
the epistle
it is at all times satisfactory
to turn to the justand
of this able translator
nish
will furimpartial
opinions
upon

"

"

"

"

the most

upon

letter to

this passage.
months
many

Atticus,written not
he describes the conduct
before the present,
in Cilicia,
in terms which show that he was
For

in

comment

proper

of

Appius

far from

beingunjustlyarraignedby Dolabella. He represents

him as having spreaddesolation through the
provinceby fire and sword ; as having left nothing
he could possibly
behind him which
;
carry away
all sorts
and as havingsuffered his officers to commit
of violences which
'

And

hands

am

of

the

; but

some

same

one

has

hearingthe same
by the same

breath."
too well

could

suggest.

going,'
says he, this very morning to
of his iniquitous
edicts.' It is pleasant

observe,upon

in which

avarice
'

repealsome
to

lust and

Such

the different colours

occasions,
character is paintedby different
the opportunity
not so frequently

conduct
man,

censure,

supportedby

thus abused and thus plauded

apand almost too in the same

it must

be

is but
confessed,

other passages of the

epistles

336

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

of Cicero ; and it is no
part of the
reveal only the best qualities
of the

to
biographer
of his
subject
faults
history.Yet,in the midst of the most flagrant
and weaknesses which
his exceedingly
distinguished
there are not wantingmany
unequalcharacter,
bright
relieve
the
darker
the
to
of
clined
points
picture.Inparts
as

he

was

to almost

servile flattery,
and

tempted by the weakness of

for which it is not
disingenuousness,
an

excuse,

there

the moment

yet occasions

were

all considerations

but

times
some-

into

intended

to offer

in which

he disregarded

the

simpleone of
the paths of
justice
; and, havingto choose between
interest and integrity,
promptly and unhesitatingly
made

choice

of this
the

was

of the latter.

observable

publicdebts

remarkable

in his conduct

with

instance

respectto

of the

peopleof Cyprus. This once

and populousisland was
not slow in experiencing
flourishing
the effects of its annexation
in the usual
republic,
followed fast on the
generally

of

which

the

conquest. Under

the

pretenceof

the

to the

forms

of

tories
terri-

misery

track of Roman
for
composition
winter-quarters

to furnish
ordinaryobligation
and various other pretexts,the
for the legions*,
inhabitants were
loaded with impostsas to be
so
from
the usurers
at
compelledto borrow money
over,
Rome, at an exorbitant interest. They were, morejected
during the administration of Appius, subto the lawless violence of a strong body of
horse, headed by Marcus
Scaptiusand Publius
Matinius,who levied contributions at their pleasure
;
carried their atrocious injustice
and, on one occasion,
the senate of
so far as to keep in close confinement
of their exactions,
Salamis,who had resisted some
with
until five among
their number
had perished
hungerf. Cicero had no sooner entered his province
*

under

The

sum

exacted

from

the

this head alone,amounted

yearly.

Ad

Roman
to 200

proconsulsfrom Cyprus,
talents,or about 40,OOOA,

Attic, vi. 1, 2.

THE

than he

LIFE

OF

837

CICERO.

of the Salaminians,
deputation
of this outrage,
we'll as of the serious
as
complaining
debt they had alreadyincurred,
amountingto about
twenty-threethousand pounds. Scaptius and his
cavalrywere, by his order,immediatelywithdrawn,
while the enormous
interest of forty-eight
per cent.*,
creditors,
charged upon their bonds by the Roman
reduced
to twelve, by an
edict enjoining
the
was
to be observed
rate of usance
same
throughoutthe
Cicero had to
province. In making this regulation

the

encounter

by

met

was

of the

remonstrances

Marcus

famous

held
Brutus,who, althoughthe title was
ostensibly
and Matinius,was
the real creditor of the
by Scaptius
His representations
Salaminians.
the subject
upon
backed
were
by those of Atticus,who ventured, at
the same
time, to intercede in behalf of Scaptius
;
of
the
force
he
that,at least,some
requesting
part
had formerlycommanded
might be restored to him,
The

legal interest allowed

the earliest regulations

upon

by

usurer

any

convicted of

Tacitus

restitution.

by
et

sedilionum

"

iniuus

et

tabulis sanctum,
vi. 16.
Annul,

endeavours

subject,
more

Tables:

''
"

'

Vetus

fixed,

was

cent., and

per

make

to

fold
four-

provided
expressly

was

urbi

fcenebre

malum

cohibebntur

causa

eoque
Nam
primo duode-

moribus.
corruptis

"

amplius exerceret.'
Montesquieu {Esprit des Loix, xxii. 22.)
Ne

quisunciario

that Tacitus has

to prove

one

liable

was

that this

asserts

at Rome
at

uberrima
discordiarunique

antiquisquoquc
cim

the

demanding

the laws of the Twelve

exacted

be

to

foenere

confounded

with

the Decem-

398.
A.O.C.
Alosnius,
Niebuhr, however, hns thrown the weight of his authority,which
In
the side of Tacitus.
on
will,perhaps,be considered decisive,

viral code

the

the law of the tribunes

consulate

of

Titus

Duilius and

Torquatus and

Manlius

the rate of interest

reduced

Caius

Plautius,

to one-half

was
408,
per cent.,
the
Genutribune
forward
a
by
by subsequentstatute,brought
cins,A.U.C. 413, abolished altogether. This law, however, as well

A.U.C.

and

as

not

had

although
precededit to prevent usurious interest,
dead
letter.
the
of
fell
into
condition
a
soon
formallyrepealed,

those which

Excurs.
(Brotier,
which

could

in Tacit. Annal.
be

have varied with the

vi.

demanded
legally

judgmentof
Z

the

16.)

The

in the

amount

of

provincesseems
respective
governors.

rest
inteto

338

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OP

than

horse.
To
fifty
refusal,
both,however, Cicero returned an unqualified
in it,althoughhis friendship
and continued to persist
in danger of being broughtto an
Brutus
with
was
The readiness he had shown
end by his firmness*.
of the peopleof Cyprus,
in listening
to the petition
instance of leniency. I wish,"he
no
was
solitary
excusable
exclaims to Atticus, with
an
feelingof
self-complacency,you had been present at the
the affairs of the several
courts held here for settling
from
of those of Cilicia,
with the exception
dioceses,
the ides of February to the calends of May ; so
the cities wholly freed from the burden
were
numerous
it was
those to whom
of debt,so many
greatly

althoughit might be

no

more

"

"

Several letters

the

on

says

have

passed

questionof the publicdebt

offended
the latter,

the

to

seem

by

the

with
correspondence
Attic,

Cicero,(Ad

of the

of his
inflexibility

reference
vi.

to his

2.),"has

Cicero and

between

cityof Salamis,until

friend,angrily
dropped

unjustclaims. " Brutus,"

given no replyat all; this,

has he adverted
not to divulge
; nor
you are
late letter respecting
Appius,which has the appearance

however,

and

This

arrogance.

puts

in mind

me

tus
Bru-

of what

you

to it in his

of

reserve

often used

to

repeat, Gavius did not extend to himself the contempt and hatred
"which he professed
to cherish towards
haughty tyrants.' But this
'

mirth rather than my

indignation,
my
what he writes,and to
though, to say the truth,he is too regardless
he writes."
The generalreader may feel some
whom
Melmoth.
Brutus

of

manner

raises

"

surpriseat

findingthe part of

usurer,

demanding nearlyfifty
per

who was
enacted by one
for his money,
afterwards the leading
patriotof his age. Nor does it coincide very exactlywith the sentiment
expressedin the beautiful words ascribed to him by Shakcent,

speare

"

"

For

By

heaven

And

drop

From

By
There

raise

can

any

no

! I had

hy

money
rather

vile

coin my

means

heart,

blood for drachmas, than to wring

my
the hard hands of peasants their vile trash

indirection."
"

JULIUS

CXSAR, Act iv.,Scene

a character
is,however, scarcely

of that

3.

putation
periodwhose reis not somewhat
the worse
for being viewed
the
through
of Cicero's letters. Both
and
medium
Brutus
Pompey had also
considerable claims upon Cappadocia,
nnd its monarch
ArioburzancF,
who was almost ruined by their extortions.

340

LIFE

THE

since I have

longbeen

OP

inured

times*."

of former

CICERO.

This

to it

by the hard
has
representation

vice
ser-

been

fullycorroborated by Plutarch,who has added other

tion
of the gentleand disinterested administraparticulars

as

of

Cicero,of which he himself has

the consideration
and, in quitting

made

of his conduct

of

governor
of

province,a

remarks

any

favourable

more

upon

tion
men-

no

the

clusion
con-

subjectcould

simple words in which

features :
that historian enumerates
its principal
the Cilicians elated on
Cicero,"he relates, finding
in Parthia
and the
the miscarriage
of the Romans
commotions
in Syria,
brought them to order by the
of his government. He refused the pregentleness
sents
him
the neighbouring
which
offered
princes
;
him a public
he excused the province from finding
table,and dailyentertained at his own
chargepersons
and learning,
of honour
not with magnificence
indeed,but with eleganceand propriety. He had
find him
ever
no
porter at his gate,nor did any man
in bed ; for he rose earlyin the morning,and kindly
hardly be found,than

the

"

"

"

received
either

those who

to pay

came

or
walking before
standing

told that he

to have

rods,or

caused

never

his

any

their court

to

him

his door.

We

are

with

to be beaten

man

garments rent

never

probriou
gave opin
his
insult
added
to
language
anger, nor
punishment. He recovered the publicmoney, which
had

been
the

At
*

embezzled,and
same
time,he was
earlyhabits

The

Their levees

of

to have

been

candelabrum

while

it,the influx

of his retainers.

writes

on

crowd

breaks

See also

one

on

in,

this

Juvenal. Sat.

v.

and

had

satisfied if those who

to

the appearance
I would have

"

Atticus,

"

hut

the

of

dawn, and,

scribbled

day

is

passages, Hor.

with

more," he

breaking,the

is
Philogenes(his messenger)

pointthe well-known
20.

it.

well known.
are
generally
before day-break,
and several letters
written
by the lightafforded by his

waitingfor

orcasion

the cities with

tlie Romans

often held

were

of Cicero appear

enriched

in

haste."

Sat. i.

1, and

LIFE

TIIE

OP

341

CICERO.

been

of such frauds made restitution,

and fixed
guilty
of infamyupon
mark
them*."
no
months, which stillremained
Duringthe summer
his appointto be spent before he could relinquish
ment,
of
the constant
expectation the approachof
the Parthians
camped
compelledhim to be frequentlyenever,
check, how-

in the open field. The

severe
which
these redoubted
invaders

had

lately
received in the neighbouring
provinceof Syria,still
confined them to the eastern bank of the Euphrates,
and the military
of Cicero was
not destined to
career
afford him an opportunity
his legionaries
of opposing
The
of Orodes.
to the iron sleet of the squadrons
of his troops were,
arms
therefore,only exercised
againstthe beasts of prey by which the country was
infested ; and the zeal with which they entered into
the amusement
of the chase, is expressedin one
curule
of his epistles
to his friend Marcus
Ccelius,
in answer
for as many
to an
"edile,
application
wild beasts as could be procured,
to adorn the shows
the pointof being exhibited at Rome.
I do
on
and
the panthersyou desired,
not,"he says, forget
have givenorders to the persons usuallyemployed
in huntingthem : but these animals are exceedingly
with us.
scarce
They take it so unkind,you must
know, that they should be the onlycreatures in my
should be laid,that
provincefor whom
any snares
they have withdrawn themselves from my government,
"

"

However, the
honest
Patiscus, are
huntsmen, and particularly
inquiryafter their haunts,and
making very diligent
be
all the game
they can meet with shall certainly
and

are

into Caria.

marched

yours ; but what

uncertain t."

the number

will be

is

altogether

Plutarch's Life of Cicero

translation.
Langhorne's
Coelius had at firstwritten to requestthat Cicero
"f"Melmotl).
"

"

"would exert his

authorityto

chase of these animals. "1

engage

the

be
believe,"

peopleof

his

provincein the
writes,
(Ad Diversos,viii.9.)

342
On

the 5th of

returned for

OP

LIFE

THE

June,

A.

u.

short time

arrangement

CICERO.

704, Cicero had

c.

to

Tarsus,making

again

the

departurefor Italy.*

for his

his efforts had

since his arrival in Cilicia,

Ever

without

continued

cessary
ne-

intermission

to

been

prevent the period

beingextended beyonda single

like
disfresh reason, in addition to his original
didly
employment,he has himself canforeign

of his government from

One

year.

to any

been,the consciousness that he

was
unequalto the management of the serious war by
which the eastern provinces
at that time
of Rome
were
stated to have

threatened

either upon
reflecting

his

good sense

friends at Rome
not behind
were
his wishes on this
"

I have reminded

more

those he received

me

from

Africa.

As

to

hunt

the

am

am

them

must

to Atticus

(vi.1),

of rny letters

liberalin this
no

less than

be your disgraceif you should

has
In the meantime, Curio

can

as

many

chargeyour

but

as

many
of

some

me.

of these

the

Cy-

orders likewise into

your
taken

great abundance.
league
colthis article,
as, I believe,my

they are

be upon
'"

one

presentof

easily
procure me
only sending for

solicitous upon
I shall exhibit our games

of
preparation

issuingforth

told

more

and

remarks

and

them,

Pamphylia,where

Cuiio

if you
yourself,

mory with my request,yon may

animals
as
you please. It is
barite to

and accomplishing
seconding
point. After having
in

with
Patiscus,together

from

as

His

courage.

panthersin almost every

suffer
will not
Patiscus to be more

article than

eiven

or

of the

you

and

surelyyou
yourself.He has made
"half a score.
will
Great, therefore,
not send me
a much
largernumber.
:

be considered

and the confession cannot

separately
; so

myself."

Callus

in

On

has sent

that the whole

this

Cicero
subject

his freedman

to

me

but his request respecting

the panthers,
with very pressing
letters,
and the contributions of the several states,was
scandalous. I replied

that I

was

mortified

and that it
on

the

publicbut

was

to

not

by

the

known

publicinattention
at Rome

to my
government,
I
levied
that
no
money

dischargethe publicdebts.

the
respecting

As

to his

request

I observed that it was not consistent with

panthers,
to hunt at the publicexpense."
my honour to compel the Cybaritee
Melmolh.
It is probable
from this passage that Cicero made, as
Dr. Middleton has conjectured,
the necessary advances from his own
the demands
If so, the circumstance
of Coelius.
purse, to satisfy
is a fresh evidence of the integrity
of his conduct
in his province.
*
Tarsum
venimus Nonis Juniis,
"c.
Ad Attic, vi. 14.
"

"

THE

OP

LIFE

343

CICERO.

followed the

of the Julian law,

therefore,
requisition,
of his publicaccounts
two copies
to be
by leaving
in different cities performeda last act of
deposited
though
to the publictreasury, algenerosity
by remitting
with, many
of disapprobation
on
expressions
"

the

part of

his less disinterested

short
falling
the

a sum
followers,

not

of

eighthundred thousand poundsfrom

allowance granted
him for his expenses
and committed
the government of his provinceto the pro"

Caius Coelius,
until
qua?stor
he set out

his return

on

the arrival of his

home

on

the

sor,
succes-

thirty-first

day of July,havingselected the earliestmoment

sible
posfor commencinghis journey. For the benefit
of his son and nephew Quintus,the latter of whom
had lately
assumed
the manly robe,he had intended
time at Rhodes
while on his way to
to spend some

he

stay there could not have been

the firstof October,
on
since,
any longcontinuance,
writes to Atticus of only then beingon the point

of

out
putting

Athens
of

*.

of

Etesian

Yet

his

to

from

sea

tedious voyage

winds, and

the

Ephesus,with every prospect

from the prevalence
of the

clumsiness

of the Rhodian

vessels t ; and on the 6th of the same

month mentions
his landing
reaching
at the Peireeus J. It was
on
Rhodes

that

he

informed

was

of

the

death

of the celebrated

he had long
to whom
Hortensius,
been attached by a community of tastes and pursuits,
offices.
well as by a longinterchange
of friendly
as
stillat Athens,in
On the fifteenth of October he was
of his old friend Aristus ; on the second of
and the sixth at Leucate on the
at Patrge,

thehouse
November

at Actium, he
Epirus. Having embarked
detained by tempestuous winds
at Cassiope,
was
until the twentyin the island of Corcyra,
a harbour
coast

of

Quiuto togam

davit pater.
"

Ad

purain Liberalibus
Attic, vi. 1.

cogitabamdare,sic enim

feasts in honour of Bacchus,were

The Liberalia,
or
"Cal. April."(On the 18th of March).

f Ad Attic, vi. 8.

"

Ad

mau-

celebrated xv.

vi. 9,
Attic,,

344

THE

third

day of

which

had

the

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

month

same

; several of the vessels

accompaniedhim being sunk in their

attemptsto proceed. The weather,however, having
he was
enabled,
by that time become more favourable,
with the assistance of a gentle
breeze from the south,
to reach the port of Hydrousin Italyon the twentyoff Brunduwas
fourth,and on the day following
sium *. At Patraa he had been compelled
to leave
behind him his favourite and confidential freedman
Gallius Tiro,who had been attacked by a dangerous
and his letters to this faithful retainer
indisposition,
do credit to the friendly
and benevolent feelings
by
which
his disposition
characterised t.
was
strongly
Xo parent writingto a son, or brother to a brother,
could manifest greaterinterest than Cicero in his
and
been his slave,
to one who had formerly
epistles
in every sense, his dependant. At Brunwas
still,
dusium he was
diately
met, in the forum of the cityimmeafter landing,
by his wife Terentia,whom
he had previously
summoned
to join him, and in
her company
proceededby slow journeysto Rome,
himself with considerable hopes of a triumph,
indulging
for the

attainment

honour

of which

he had

made

the leading
every exertion in his power among
and maintaining
of
by means
persons in the capital,

his laurelled fasces and

of

Ad

Di versos, xvi. 9 ; Fasti

multi

fccti simt
Inde

ternal
ex-

which
usuallyaccompaniedthe return
pomp
victorious proconsul.

a
*

escort all the

numerous

Austro

Italiam ad

iii.195.
Hellenic!,

Nos

fecerunt.
naufragia

eo

"

Qui cupidepro-

die ccenati solvimus.

ilia et die postero in

See Also Ad
"c.
peryenimus,

coelo sereno,
lenissimD,

Ilydruntcm ludibundi

node

vii. 2.
had
Tiro
"f-

Attic,

in the
been brought up from his earliest infancy
of the
he bore, and, like many
familyof Cicero, whose name

favourite domestics
He

of

supposedby some
publishedthe letters of
is

Asconius

spe;iksof

him

the Romans,

had

commentators

Cicero.
as

man

He

to

educated.
carefully
first collected and

have

life of his patron.

of elegant
siderable
mind, and no incon-

in literature.
proficiency

also

been

wrote

TOE

LIFE

OP

CHAPTER
the Dissensions

Progressof
The

Consul

Ultimate

Decree

Cassius

and

"

of the Senate

Caesar

with the Senatorial!

Adversaries
who

retreats

Cicero

of

with

Antony

to
"

and

His arrival in the

and

retreats

of the
it
"

Cato

to

Pompey

Cicero

"

Rubicon

"

view
Inter-

"

Rome

enters

"

Antony

Pompey withdraws
Alarming Progressof his
pey,
besieged Cicero declines to joinPom-

Partyfrom

Rome

"

"

"

Brundusium,

and

His Interview
Coelius

"

of

Camp

Cicero

Pompey

Is unsuccessful in his Attack

"

Sword

at Rome

Flight of the Tribunes

"

the

crosses

Corfmium

"

his
Cicero

and

rival Factions

the

between

Pompey

between

XI.

delivers

M.ircellus

345

CICERO.

upon

for Greece

embarks

with

Casar"

embarks

for

cillation
Va-

Correspondence
Dyrrachium
"

Caesar lands

"

"

at

Pharsalus

Pompcy's Entrenchments,

mand
Thessaly Buttle of Pharsalia The ComPompeian Party offered to Cicero,who declines

into

"

"

sails to Africa

"

Cicero returns

to

Brundusium.

employedin watchingover the

and endeavouring
by his just
peace of his province,
and prudentregulations
relief to the
to administer
the
evils caused by the misrule of his predecessors,
affairs of Italyhad continued daily
to assume
a more
until,from the violence of the
gloomy complexion,
the state was
two parties
distracted,
by whose rivalry
they had at lengthassumed an aspect which promised
WHILE

the

Cicero

immediate

Intimations
had

was

commencement

of

civil war.

changesfor the worse,

time,conveyedto him by his

of these constant

been,from time to
friends at Rome, but,until able to ascertain the truth
.to have listened to
by actual observation,he seems
the forebodings
he might
of his correspondents,
as
have done to the echoes of distant thunders,so far
remote
to the real character
to justify
as
as
a doubt
of the sound. The longagitated
of the recal
proposal
of Caesar from his province,
still the subject
of
was
contention on which the aristocraticand more
popular
factions (thelatter,
now
ably guidedby the celo-

346

THE

brated

Mark

LIFE

CICERO*

OF

Curio,who,
after beingfor some
time a furious opponent of Caesar,
had been bribed into becoming his equallyfurious
and
their strength,
continued to measure
partisan)
which
they threatened ere long to decide by their
After
various preliminarycontests,the
swords.
ferent
twice divided upon
the questionin difsenate was
forms; yet, althoughit was determined,chiefly
by the efforts of the friends of Caesar,that the order
to

disarm

Antony

should

not

and

be

the

younger

confined

to

either of the

appointments,but
generalsholdingextraordinary
that Pompey should also be required
to dismiss the
which met
forces under his command, the resolution,
posed
with the enthusiastic approbationof the better disthe people,
who publicly
crowned Curio
among
with flowers for the part he had taken in its support,
suffered to remain unenforced.
succeeded
It was
was
order

the

Caesar,probablyas
trial of his present disposition,
to send back
a
a
which
he had borrowed
from
Pompey, and
legion
from
his army
to be employed in
to detach another
Syriaagainstthe Parthians;both which commands
at once
were
complied with. Encouraged by this
of
submission,the consul Marcellus,
appearance
under the pretenceof a rumour,
doubt excited by
no
his own
party,that Caesar had passedthe Alps in a

by

an

from

hostile manner,
upon

his power,

senate

endeavoured

to

to inflict a second

by making a

motion

in

an

blow

dinary
extraor-

meetingof the senate, that the several states

of Italy
should be ordered immediately
to supplytheir
several contingents
for the defence of the republic
On this occasion,
however,
againsthis aggressions.
Curio
standingboldlyforward in his defence,and
findingthe majorityof the senators likelyto side
with the consul,put a stop to all further proceedings
of his authority
as tribune of the
by the interposition
people. Marcellus beingthus compelledto dismiss

348

LIFE

THE

OF

CICERO.

with the

powerfularmy actingunder his lieutenants

in Spain. Thus
circumstanced,and fullyable to
he was
all the advantages
of his position,
appreciate
contented
with
coollywatching from thence the
favourable opportunity
which he had truly
for action,
calculated the

of his adversaries would

rashness

not

be

tion
intenand beyond professing
an
longin affording,
of soon
himself as consul for the new
offering
their
overt
movement
to oppose
year, making no
demonstrations of hostility.
Meanwhile

Cicero,whose attention was, at least,

excited by the prospectof the gaudy pageant
as much
he intended to solicit,
which
as
by the portentous
sive
around him, the extensignsof intestine commotion
and

serious character of which

he

seems

to have

begun to appreciate
duringhis short stay in Greece,
met by Pompey in his progress to the capital.
was
His high standing
in the republic,
his longacquired
and splendid
made him an object
reputation
abilities,
well worth securing
by either party, and the leaders
of both

were

wantingin

efforts to

obtain,if possible,

illustrious a

so

to him

not

while yet in

support. Caesar had written

him on his
Asia,congratulating

and making severe

comments
exploits,
upon the lukeof Cato in seconding
the decree for a supwarmness
plication
in his favour,while readily
self
exertinghimin
of twenty days'continuance
to procure
one
behalf of the proconsulBibulus.
He was
ever,
not, howable by this well-timed flattery,
the
to deprive
ranks of his antagonist
of a long tried supporter;
and if Cicero had not previously
made
up his mind
as

to the

course

first interview

incumbent
with

his

upon
former

him

to pursue,

his

professedpatron
his

lution.
would, probably,have determined
waveringresoOn the fourth of December," he writes to
in company
with Pompey.
Our
Atticus, I was
"

"

conference lasted about

two

hours.

He

appeared

THE

LIFE

OF

349

CICERO.

transportedwith joy at my return, exhorted me

to follow out my plan of supplicating
'for
strenuously
a triumph,and
requestedthat I would declare myself
He

in his favour.

advised

in the

part in the debates

to take

not

me

until I had

senate

any

plished
accom-

lest I should offend some

of the
object,
of my
tribunes by the delivery
opinions, lie could
lavish of his friendly
not, in short,have been more
my

counsel

he

than

event

no

of

prospect

no

this occasion.

on

In

our

versation
con-

he spoke of a civil war

publicaffairs,
longerdoubtful. He said that there

on

an

was

since
reconciliation,

Caesar

as
was
was

to
wholly alienated from him ; that he had reason
certain of it,
now
suspect this before, but was
had formerlybeen on
since Hirtius,who
the most
with him, had lately
intimate terms
to Rome
come

payinghim a visit ; that he had

arrived on the eveningof the 6th of December, and
Balbus
to appointa meeting
after prevailing
upon
the following
with Scipiobefore daylighton
morning,
of his mission,
the generalsubject
had
respecting
of the night to join
set off again in the middle
from

Caesar without

considered

he

This

Caesar.

estrangement
"

I add

no

consolation is derived
his

enemies

even

second

consulate,and

with

supreme

commit
A
have

whom

so

career, I fear

has

insane

more

as

invested
to

if he
than

peril
once

dare

writing*."

second interview appears

taken

were

meeting,he

from

himself

placebetween

daysafterwards,on
latter

Fortune

to

man

concede

willingto

But
precipitation.

his

such
to

are

of

whole

power, will not be

everythingby
commences

but that my
the hope, that the

more

from

whom

palpable evidence

which

Cicero's letters to
and

Pompey

some

the hostile intentions of the

Of this
evidentlyrevealed.
the followingparticulars
communicates
still

more

Ad

Attic, vii. 4.

350

THE

to Atticus

with

Your

"

"

Pompey

LIFE

before I

that I should meet

conjecture
reached this placehas proved

correct,since he overtook
27th

of December.

CICERO.

OF

at Lavernium

me

the

on

toFormiae,
proceededtogether
and conversed in private
tillthe
from the eighthhour
evening.You ask if there is any prospectof a peace :
far as I can
so
equivocal
judge from Pompey's full and unI should say that there exists
expressions,
that if
for it. For it is his opinion,
not even
a wish
We

Caesar should be returned

his army,
be

when

ing
after dismiss-

destruction of the constitution would

the
inevitably

that

consul,even

he

He

consequence.
hears
of the

thinks,however,

preparations
making
againsthim, he will abandon his designsupon the
and army.
his province
and preferretaining
consulate,
He spoke with great contempt of any act of rash
aggressionon the part of Caesar,and expressedthe
greatestconfidence
the

resources

own

the
republic
; and although
clearly
arrayedbefore my

and

horrors of

those of
civil

war

I was
imagination,
ing
freed from anxietywhile listenmeasure
yet in some
of so brave, experienced,
to the prudentremarks
and influential a leader,on the greaterperils
of an
livered
insincere peace.
We
had
before us
the speechdeby Antony on the 23rd of December t, in
which
he attacks the whole life of Pompey from his
and
boyhood, complainsof his unjustcondemnations,
of the terror of his military
While perusing
despotism.
do you suppose will be the
it,Pompey asked, What
were

'

in his

"

'

conduct

of this man,
if he
in the state,when
authority
and

Ad

even

obtains the supreme

his quaestor,a destitute

dares
powerlessindividual,

in such terms
*

once

as

these?'

In

to express

self
him-

short,he appeared

Attic, vii.8.

of the Romans,
publicspeeches
short-hand
writers.
often regularly
at this time, were
reportedby
Oratio
oration
termed
An
thus preserved,
was
ejccepla.

"fIt will

be remembered

that the

LIFE

THE

not

only not

dread

OF

desire

to

351

CICERO.

peace,

but

to
absolutely

it."

On

day

the 4th

of Rome

u.

c.

705, and

at

Mar-

Cornelius

the Alban

from

January, A.

of the consulate of Claudius

the commencement
eellus* and

of

in the

Lentulus,Cicero havingset out

villa of Pompey, entered the suburbs
of office,
full pomp
guished
amidst a distin-

escort,and welcomed

by the most flattering

testimonies of popular regard. His arrival in the
city,however, took placeat an unfortunate crisis for
which
he now
intended
the triumphalhonours
to
to solicit,
set himself earnestly
beingprompted in his
exertions to obtain this distinction by a similar application
of
the
Bibulus,who, althoughhe
on
part
had never
stirred beyond the walls of Antioch, while
the Parthians had continued
to keep the field,
was
to established usage, providedwith a
yet, according
fair claim to this token of publicapprobation
by the
nant
successes
obtained,under his auspices,
by his lieuteCaius

Cassius.
in

assertion contained

The

patron,that

he

letter to Tiro from

his

had

unexpectedlyfallen into the

full flames of a war
already
ragingt,wasunfortunately
A few days before his arrival,
but too well founded.
of the new
consuls upon
very entrance
their office,
Caesar was
laid before the
a letter from

and

at

the

by Curio,and allowed,after considerable opposition,

In this,which
to be read in the house.
and menacing epistle^,
Cicero
the
terms
an
angry
reiterated that the writer would immepromisewas
senate

k*Three

consuls of this name

A.U.C.
elected,

were

703,7 04, and

705.

Januarias. Obviam
tuihi sic
"fEgo ad urbem accessi prid.non.
nihil
ut
Sed
incidi
in
cst proditum
ornatius.
flanimatn
potest esse
civilisdiscordise vel potiusbelli. Ad Diversos,xvi. 2,
J Amicus noster minaces ad senatuin ct acerbas literas misit,et
adhuc
erat
impudens qui exercitum ct provinciaminvito sonata
Ibid.
This is the epistle
which Crcsar,
toneret.
when speakingof
"

"

"

it himself,
mentions

as

his" lenissima postulata.1'

containing

352

THE

LIFE

diately
comply with
disband

OF

the

CICERO.

of the

command

senate

to

his army,

providedPompey was compelled

time
to follow his example; while it was
at the same
of
intimated,in no ambiguousterms, that if this means
accommodation
should be rejected,
he would
at once
into Italyand vindicate by force the liberties
march
of his

loud

country. A longand tumultuous

ensued, in which Lentulus the

in his

the
promisesof supporting

determined

should

to act with

debate
consul

senate

mediately
imwas

if they

resolution in defence

after asserting
authority
Scipio,
; and Metellus
that Pompey (who was
present at the time)
be wanting in his duty to the state if
would
not
seconded by his own
Order, concluded by moving,
that a certain day should be appointed
before which,
if the forces of Caesar were
not disbanded,
he should
The division
be declared an enemy
to the republic*.
this motion
on
was
summarily cut short by the
intercession of the tribunes
Antony and Quintus
of violence,
scene
Cassius;and after a renewed
fusion,
conthe
invective,and
assembly was
uproar,
compelledto dissolve itself without adoptingany
of their

resolution.

determinate

At

second

meetino-

how-

-r

"

ever, on the seventh of January,without

the senate
to the tribunitial authority,
was

by
into

the violence of the faction

which

series of enactments

might

regard
rashlyprecipitated,
of Pompey,
any

be considered

resolutions of self-destruction. It was

many
should be immediatelyapordained that successors
pointed
as

so

Caesar

to

forces should

in

be decreed

if the state had been

his
to

government ; that fresh

his rival ; and, finally,
as

threatened

with

dangerwhich
laws its only

of the
temporary suspension
and perdefence,that the consuls,praetor,
tribunes,
sons
invested with proconsular
t
hen
authority
present

rendered

in the

city,should
*

take

immediate

care

Caesar,De Bello Civ. i. 5. ; Dio, xli.

that

the

THE

LIFE

OF

353

CICERO.

received no
detriment*.
The
instant this
republic
decree was
passed,Antony and Cassius,probablynot
without reason, considering
themselves no longersafe
in the disguise
of
at Rome, fled with
precipitation,
slaves and with hired equipages
t, towards the quarters
stillat Ravenna, expecting,
of Caesar ; who was
he has himself expressedit,with a hope that
as
would
matters
yet be amicablyarrangedif there
remained
of justice
the least sense
an
men,
among
and gentle
demands.
to his most moderate
answer
resounded
with
the
now
Every quarter of Rome
bustle of military
the young
and impepreparation,
tuous
and
patricians, the ambitious of every age,
rushingeagerlyinto a contest of which they littlethe wastingcharacter or the calamitous
anticipated
issue.
The mourning habit was
assumed
by
publicly
the mass
of the people,
and strangely
contrasted with
the splendid
rents
equipmentsof the rich and noble adheof Pompey, who
in imposing
were
takingarms
divided
numbers.
The
whole
into
of Italy was
which
were
districts,
assignedto different officers;
Capua and the country in its neighbourhoodbeing
who had repeatedly
raised his
appointedto Cicero!,
voice in vain to

the continuance

of peace upon
the follyand miseryof a
to deprecate
ensure

any terms, and

civil war, while emissaries

in haste to
despatched
in all direclevies carrying
tions
the general
on
superintend
posed
diswere
by order of the senate. The provinces
were

similar manner,
without any reference to
the people,
to persons unentitled
and,in some instances,
of in

to such

session
*

either by the presentor recent

appointments,
commitof office". Sicily
was, in this manner,

Cwsar

De

Bello

Civ. i. 5. ;

Dio, xli.

"f-Plutarch, in Ant.
sunt
} Italiseregiones
descriptae

NosCapuamsumsimus.

"

Ad

quam

Diversos,xvi. 11. written

of January.
De
" Caesar,

quisque partem

Bello Civ. i.6.

A

on

tueretur.

the 12th

354

THE

ted to

Cato,Africa
Gaul

LIFE

to

to Lucius

CICERO.

OP

and Cisalpine
Tubero, Syriato Scipio,
Domitius

derable
Consi-

Ahenobarbus.
from

the

public
of
treasury for the expenses of the war, and the spirits
his followers elevated to a presumptuous confidence by
that he had already
his publicdeclaration,
ten legions
sums

fitfor service
a

were

grantedto Pompey

that he had

"

fresh army

"

and

that

butto
the

stamp his foot

to raise

troops of Caesar,already

pointof breakingout into mutiny, might be

as
expectedto desert his standard in great numbers
the Italian side of the Alps. For
soon
as they reached
the latter assertion there was
not the least ground,
and
the
former
contained
a
gross exaggeration.
miscalculated
the strength
of his
Pompey had greatly
and the extent of the publicfeeling
in his
influence,
favour.
His resources,
instead of being
moreover,
the

on

concentrated

for the

emergency,

were

yet scattered

and

self
unarranged,and long before he could avail himhe really
of the power
which
a
possessed,
single
the part of his enterprising
movement
on
antagonist
rendered
his preparations
almost useless,
and made
the final result of the struggleall but a matter
of
certainty.

Caesar had

received at Ravenna

the resolutions

him
passed against

full

of
intelligence

the senate,and
his friends in the city,a

by

of
possessing,
by means
thorough acquaintancewith the condition of the
faction of Pompey and the absence, at the moment,
of any force capableof opposinghis march
towards
of the feeling
of security
Rome, was also well aware
founded
the impression
on
prevalentin the capital,
that until his army came
up from Gaul, no movements
of a serious character were
to be expected. Having,
assembled
his thirteenth legion,
laid before
therefore,

them

the

late resolutions of the

by

their

determination

to

senate, and

tained,
ascer-

repeated asseverations of their

defend from illegal
violence the

356

THE

imposingdefences

more

force

the most

"

solemn

"

the

majestyof

claim which
of her

OF

CICERO.

than

the

awful

and

the reverential

country
the

LIFE

military
of his

regardof past generations,

constitution

Roman

countrypossesses
Whether

array of
enactments

upon

and

every
the forbearance
"

reachingthis celebrated
he paused,
as has generally
boundary of his province,
been represented,
those reflectionswhich the
to indulge
solemnityand stillnessof the hour,themidnight
aspect
sons.

of the consecrated

on

river,and

the consciousness

of the

were
importantcharacter of his daringresolve,
it is not now
well calculated to inspire,
necessary

consider.
has made

his

to

It may,
however, be observed,that if he
mention
of any such mental conflict in
no

Commentaries,few

own

so

substantial motives

can

be at

for his silence.

loss to

supply
By day-break,

in. his
was
followingmorning,Ariminum
hands, and from this town, after beingjoinedby the
tribunes Mark
a
Antony and Cassius,and receiving
communication
from Pompey, which
seemed
private
on

the

placedthem againstthe trunk of a tree." The reader need

be informed, that the identityof the Rubicon
with the
scarcely
Pisatello has been warmly disputed.Eustace, following
D'Anvillc,
in questionto have been the Fiumecino, a tributary
thinks the stream
and has brought several ingeniousarguments in
to the latter,
up and

favour

of

Ins

opinionand
the

Caesar

Rubicon

passed
crossingthe bridge

"

againstthe common
by followingthe

ad Confluenteis."

that
supposition,
^Emilian

Way,

and

Papal decree in 1756

The inscription
determined
once
a
nd
be
which
the
not
to
obelisk,
legible
uninteresting the
upon
may
classical reader, is given by Fabricius,Antiq. Lib. iii.p. 37, as
the

follows

pointin favour

jvssr

"

of the Lusa.

MANDATVV"
p

Imp. Trib. Miles, tiro,commilito,armate quisquis

es, manihie sistito,
vexillum sinito,
centurio,tunnarie, legionarie,
pularie,
citra
hunc
nee
:
amnem
Rubiconem, signa,ductum,
arma
deponito
traducito.
Si quis hujuscejussionis
commeatumve
ergo advcrsus
si contra
esto hostis p. R. ac
praeceptaierit feceritve adjudicatus
sacris
tulerit,
penetralibus
patriamarma
asportaverit,
penatesque e
Cos.

s. p. Q. R.

Sanctio plebisciti
Sve Consult!.
Ultra hos fines

arma

liceatnemiui.
signap'roferre

LIFE

THE

OP

357

CICERO.

to be

to an accommodation,he forwarded,
introductory
by Lucius Ccesar and the prastorRoscius,a letter to

the

the
consuls,containing

stillwilling
to
own

his

which

on

he

These,

arms.

be correct,could not
either partial
exorbitant
or

reportof

be considered

lay down

terms

in

them

was

if his

justice

since the

the cessation
parties,
of
of the present hostile preparations,
the departure
and the restoration of their
Pompey for his province,
former freedom to the popularassemblies,
the
were
principal
pointsinsisted upon.*
the first intelligence
of the passage of the
With
Rubicon,the senatorial party,as if Ccesar had been
ence
alreadyat the gates of Rome, began,under the influof their country
of which the history
of a panic,
had afforded few similar examples,
to flyin every
direction from the city; apprehendinga speedyrenewal
of the barbarities formerly
exercised by Marius
their order.
It then appeared,how
little
upon
reliance was
the army
to be placed either upon
which
had been so readily
ing
promisedfor the enforcof the late peremptory resolutions,
or
upon any
the
stunned
and
benefit from
effortsof Pompey
who,
confounded
of
of the bold movements
by the news
his adversary,
appears to have lost all presence of
of
disbanding

the forces of both

"

mind
with
a

at the

when

it

necessary to act
the greatest
for
promptitude. After hesitating

short time

moment

was

his fears and

between

De

the scheme

shame,

he

the
defending
bility,
noand, with the consuls and the principal
capital,
he proposedto
to retire to Capua, which
make
and centre of
for the presenthis head-quarters
operations
; hopingthat the levies in the south of
Italywould, before long,enable him to advance for
the recovery of his lost groundwith an overwhelming
of numbers.
Cicero,sorelyagainst
superiority
his inclination,
was
obligedby this resolution to denow

resolved to abandon

his

Bello Civ. i. 9.

of

358

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

by his
part from Rome, which he quittedpreceded
and with his fasces stillentwined with laurel,
lictors,
before day-breakon the 20th of January*,after an
the terror and
interview with Pompey, in which
vacillation of that

unfortunate

ciently
suffi-

were
general

t.
conspicuous
During the stern tumult of
the debates which had precededthe outbreak of the
civil strife now
commenced, his voice had
actually
still been heard in demand
of the triumphwhich he
dissuaded from
considered due to him, until he was
the consideration
of more
interrupting
.important
matters
by the consul Lentulus,who promisedthat,
if he would
suffer his claims to remain in abeyance
until the

settlement

of the

presentcommotions, he

tion
the first to propose the consideraambitious to
of the distinction of which he was

would

be himself

the senate,and support his pretensions

to it with all
But with the determination of the
his influence^.

party of Pompey to abandon

of directing
the
for the present,

Rome

ended

all hope,

attention of the

legislature
and the disappointment,
to the subject,
although
mind
been
his whole
have
grossed
might
expectedto be enaround,was, no
by the greatevents passing
felt.
doubt,acutely
The messengers chargedwith the ultimatum
of
Caesar found the two consuls,
with Pompey
together
and the leading
members
of the senate,at Theanum
in Apulia,on the twenty-fourth
day of January. A
council was
called to deliberate npon his
immediately
it was
resolved to answer,
at length
proposal
; which
him immediately
to abandon
by a message enjoining
*

Subito

consilium

conspectus fieret

ant

cepi,ut antequam luceret cxircm ; ne qui

lictoribus praesertim
laureatis. (Ad
senno,
"

is ascertained
Attic, vii. 10). The exact date of this circumstance
Ad Attic, ix. 10.
Cal.
from his epistle,
Erat igitur
in ea, quam
x.
Februarii dederas hoc modo, "c.
Hoc scribispost dieni quartum
ab
urbe
discessimus.
quam

"f-Vidi hominem
die sensi

Ad

xiv. Cal. Febr.

quid ageret,"c. Ad
xvi. 11.
Diverges,
"

illo ipso
plenum formidinis,

Attic, ix, 9.

THE

LIFE

359

CICERO.

OP

allthe

of which he was
in possession
places
beyond the
boundaries of Cisalpine
Gaul, and, havingwithdrawn
into his province,
the subjectof dispute
to submit
to the arbitration of the great council of the state.

But

the

of the discontinuance

demand

of the levies

parture
wholly evaded, and no fixed day for the deof Pompey specified.
affected
Ctesar,therefore,
to consider the replyof the consuls as a mere
stratagemto gainfurther time; but itis likelythat he
had never
entertained the expectation,
the
or, perhaps,
wish, that the terms offered by him would meet with
notwithstanding
a favourable
reception.It is certain,
that he had not
his intimations to the contrary*,
was

for

moment

with

ceased to carry

his offensive tions

operathe
all diligence
in
interval
patched
des: having

Mark

on

Antony, with

five

cohorts,to

secure

Arretium, Curio to effect the reduction of Iguvium,

and, after gainingin person Pisaurum,Fanum, and
to add Auximum
to his conquests,
Ancona, proceeding
by the voluntarysurrender of its inhabitants.
The news
of these several events, arriving
at Rome
in quick succession,
with the additional reportthat
the advance
of Caesar's cavalrywas
close at hand,
cleared the cityin an incredibly
short space of those
members

of

the senate

behind,with

De

had

ventured

to remain

mination
deterlingering
hope of a pacific
differences. Lentulus,who,
of the existing
as
Marcellus,had been recalled from Capua

well

as

who

the

Bello Civ. i. 10, 11. It is

that Caesar intended

waited
patiently

at

it to

be

Ariminum

quiteevident from these chapters

that he had
believed by his readers,
for the

advancingfurther southwards.
better established than

his reduction

At

of the

out
consuls,withtime, no fact can be

answer

the

same

of most

or

all of the towns

tioned
men-

tic,
above, before his receptionof any reply. Cicero (Ad Atthe surrender
as
of Ancona
vii. 18.)mentions
occurringsome

days before

the arrival of Luc. Caesar

Diversos,xvi.
He

adds:

mandatis

"

12.)

(Ad

de pace

occupare, vincirc

as

precedinghis

Attic,

at

own

vii. 18.)Caesarem

misso,tamen

and

Theanum^

departurefrom
quidem

aiunt acerrime

the

L. Caesare

delectum

latronem
Oh perditum
prccsidiis,

even

(Ad
city.
cum

loca
habere,

! "c.

360
on

THE

the 7th of

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

draw

February,to

additional

an

sum

from the treasuryfor the benefit of Pommoney

from Rome
pey, and afterwards to take his departure
with the usual ceremonies
of a consul proceeding
of

immediately
importantmilitaryexpedition,
with his colleague,
\vithdrewwithallhaste in company
the sacrificescustomary on such occasions unperformed.
leaving
ther
Pompey, at the same time,retired furinto Apulia,where
the two
legionsreceived
on

an

from

Caesar

stationed ; disheartened with

by the peopleof Campania to

were

reluctance shown
in his

favour,and,

maintain
soon

as

in his

the
arm

despairof being able

to
Italy,designing
into Greece.
possible,

transfer the

war,

It is evident

to
as

from

Capua, Formiae,and
into his design
Cales,that Cicero fullypenetrated
;
and that,althoughit was
perhapsnow unavoidable,
several letters written

he

foresaw

from

the first its ruinous

from

consequences.
of Pompey, and

His

the weakness
complaints
against
the timid policyof his adherents,who, including
before a
Cato himself,
were, at this time,shrinking
crisiswhich theyhad provoked,
and,
are
bitter,
long,
it is to be
his

own

for the

must,

at

of

The
feared,well deserved.
party,after every allowance

has been made

under
disadvantages

they laboured,

be
least,

allowed

which

to have

movements

been

characterised

singular
degreeof irresolution and confusion,
formed
while the plansof their enemies were
and
which
accomplishedwith a prudenceand celerity
difficult operations.
ensured
to their most
success
Thus, while the consul Lentulus was
alternately
longing
bearming and disarmingthe school of gladiators
to Caesar at Capua, and Pompey remaining
at the head of a sufficient number
motionless,
(although
saries,
harass his adverof faithful troopsto materially
if he deemed
it prudent to decline
even
their active enemy
was
meetingthem in the field,)
by

the
overrunning

whole

of Picenum

without

opposi-

LIFE

THE

OP

tion ; and, having driven

from
head of ten cohorts,
of the

town,

361

CICERO.

Lentulus

at
Spinther,

Asculum, and

the

taken

session
posdetaching
after
busilyengaged,

was

Antony to receive the surrender of Sulmo,

in making preparations
of Corfinium.
for the siege
Into this cityLucius Domitius, the new
governor of
Gaul, havinglevied a force of twenty MarCisalpine
of his
sic and Peligniancohorts for the defence
himself with the greaterpart
had thrown
province,
of his followers ; and havingcrowded the battlements
with his engines,
and made
every arrangementfor a
vising
resolute defence,despatchedletters to Pompey, adMark

him

fall upon
and, while he
besiegers,
in

to

hem

front,to

might have

in

been

kept them

his army
This advice,however

walls of the town*.

it

himself

in between

them

of the

the communications

was
respects,

some

in

play

and

the

prudent
not

plied
com-

with ; since Pompey, either too obstinately

resolved upon making Greece the theatre of the contest

strengthin any other quarter,or

the inclinations of
as he himself
alleged,
distrusting,
to waste

his

him, instead of marchingto the

junctions
support of Domitius,sent urgent and repeatedinto himt to abandon
Corfinium,and to join
the troops about

speedat Luceria with the forces under

his command.
He, at the same
time,wrote to the
two
consuls,who were
observingthe motions of
to unite their army with his own;
Caesar,
preparatory
him

to

with

all

towards

retreat

Brundusium,

whither

had

he

fourteen cohorts for the purpose

alreadydespatched
of securing
the harbour.
for himself,
Unfortunately
mitius,
only one of these orders was compliedwith. Dowith singular
rashness,continued to linger
"

De Bello Civ.
Csesar,

i. 17.

"f Quatnobrem
litcris a
destitisuperioribus

etiani et etiam

riam
ad

me

advenias.
quam

"

Etiam

primum

te

te rogo

hortor,(idquod

petere,) primo
ut

atque etiam

venias.

et

te
"

hortor,ut

quoque
cum

non

die Luce-

onini

copi"

362

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

in and about

Corfinium,
until,as Pompey had more
than once
he was
predicted*,
fairlyblockaded,and
precludedfrom all hope of escape by the army of
the garrisons
Csesar and
drawn
by Curio from
Etruria and Umbria, and compelled
to stand a siege
without

the

prospect of relief. Corfinium

remotest

surrendered

days after the commencement

of active operations
againstit,and a loss inflicted
of the Pompeian
by its fall which sank the spirits
faction to the lowest degreeof despondency. Their
information of itsreduction,
on
leader,
gaining
hastily
fellback from Luceria to Canusium, and from thence
to Brundusium, where he lost no time in embarking
was

seven

considerable division of his army, with the consuls at

their head ; remaininghimself with twenty cohorts
a

to defend

town, until the return of his vessels

from the opposite
coast,when it was his intention to
the

follow,with

the rest of his

his firstdetachment
forces,
into Epirus. Caesar,
Cicero terms
however, whom
and activityt,
upon the occasion a prodigyof vigilance
in the meantime
advancingwith incredible celerity
from Corfinium towards Apulia,
throughthe districts
of the Ferentani and the Larinates,
with six legions,
before the place; and, after
not longin appearing
was
the failure of a renewed
attempt to bring about a
commenced, for the purpose of
peaceable
negotiation,
"

"

factum
Domitius
est
ut
Quod veritus sum
implicaretur.
committere
tecum
Quod putaviet prsemonuifit ut nee in prasentia
conductis implicet. See the letters
ct omnibus
praliumvelit,
copiis
of Pompey to Domitius,
and to Marcellus,and Lentulus,contained
in Ad Attic, viii. 12, which, like many
others of the same
period,
*

"

may

be considered

as

models

if indeed
unsurpassed,

and are certainly

military
despatches,
similar
productions
by any
equalled,

of

of later date.

"f-The

by
expedition

characterised,
seems

venisse

Caesar's movements

were

at

this

ment,
produceda generalfeelingof amazethe
earnest
language of
amusingly expressedby
"
Cum
Cal. Pompcius jam Brundisium
haec scribebam
v.
edentate,dilipoterat. Sed hocrepas horribili vigilantia,

which
Cicero.

which

to -have

is

geutia est."."Ad Attic, viii.11.

364

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OF

to the
by which they had been at first summoned
attempt,to avoid the mischievous impedimentsleft
in the way
Caesar would
enemy*.
by the retiring
if he had
have considered himself but too fortunate,
versaries
his adbeen providedwith the means
of following
the
immediatelyinto Greece,and finishing
titute
blow.
war
Being,however, wholly desby a single
he was
of transports,
to content himself,
obliged
for the present,
with givingorders for the immediate

collection of

since
deemingit expedient,

and

of Brundusium

fleet in the harbour

had eluded his grasp, to lose

his

principal
enemy

time in

his
crippling
in other quarters where
most
resources
they were
he decided
considerable,
carryinghis arms
upon
without further delayinto Spain,at that time held
the lieutenants of Pompey,
by Afranius and Petreius,
and a considerable
of five legions
at the head
force of auxiliaries. In pursuance of this planhe returned
funds
in haste,
to Rome
to raise the requisite
for the apand to make
the necessary preparations
proaching
campaign.
no

pania,
meantime, Cicero had continued in Camdispirited
by the failure of his efforts to
effect a peace, disgusted
with the precipitate
retreat
and more
of his party, and
daily
wavering more
In the

in

his former

Pompey,

of

cause

resolution to

exert

himself

determination

after the

in

the

of that

period of his
life was
his conduct distinguished
tainty,
by greateruncerinstances,
by
and, it is to be feared in some
the
other
than at this. Like
greaterdisingenuousness,
generalto

leaders

abandon

the

on

the

towards

Appian road

returned
"

evasive

might be

At

no

summoned

to

able to collect with

the

had

side,he

same

unite the force he

main army by two
to advance

Italy.

been

him
letters;the first,
directing
the

Luceria,and

to Brundusium
answers

Caesar. De Bello Civ. i.28.

t.

To

second,along
both

he had

a
willingness
pretending

f Ad Attic, viii.2.

LIFE

THE

defend

to

while
and

Terracina

OF

and

yet uninformed

365

CICERO.

neighbouringcoast,
Italy,
designof quitting

the

of the

his belief that it would be

expressing
since the counfrom his position,
to move
try
impossible
throughwhich his march must be directed was
His military
alreadyin the hands of the enemy.
afterwards

command

had

since he

than

altogether
unprovidedwith
and his
any extensive levies,

service

does

level of his

not

to

seem

There

have

nominal,

funds for

was

on

the

littlemore
been,in fact,

rying
car-

inclination for

risen above

the

is

lieve,
to begreat reason
of which
he afterwards
however,that his inaction,
merit to the opposite
made
a
party, was, to
of his
a considerable extent,the result of a perception
interests. It is,at least,
own
evident,that the vision
of a triumph, which
could now
only be obtained
of Caesar,
stillfloated before his
throughthe medium
resources.

far from improbable,

and it seems
that
imagination,
his vanityhad no
this means
of gratifying
siderable
inconshare in producing
the feebleness and languor

with which
him

upon

he at firstentered upon the duties devolved

abandoned
them altogether*.
at Capua,and,finally,

It is,
at the
such

was

he

members
principal
him in the light
of a

to their cause,

while,in the
openly denounced

almost

was

that his conduct

to lead the

as

of Csesar to view
wisher

time,certain

same

camp
as

of the faction
secret well-

of

Pompey,

traitor to the

which he had a short time before professed^

principles
indeed,held out to induce
Many temptations
were,
his quietacquiescence
in the unexpected success
of
those who were
opposedto the senate. His son-in-law
Dolabella

Sit enim

triumphum.
sum

some

of

his most

themselves
strenuously
exerting

were
*

and

ad
and

nobis

Non

amicus, quod

acciperene

incertum

intimate

friends

in their service.
est, sed sit ; deferet

invidiosit,an accipere
periculosum

Attic, viii.3 ; a passage pregnant with meaning,

of much
of
highly important for the due appreciation

bonos.

"

Ad

Cicero'ssubsequent
policy.

366

THE

His

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

wife and

daughterwere
yet at Rome, and in
into the hands of the victor,
whenever
dangerof falling
of the
he should think fit to take possession
in terms
alreadyconqueredcapital.Applications,
made to him
to his vanity,
were
constantly
flattering
by Coelius,Balbus,and others,to induce him to offer
his assistance to their leader
the

rival factions ; and

hasty march towards

as

mediator

between

himself,while on his
Brundusium, had written to
thank him for his late conduct,and to requesthim to
in order that he might avail
return to the metropolis,
himself of his " wisdom, influence,
and dignity"in
the
settling

Caesar

affairs of the

Atticus,written

republic*.His letters to
exhibit a
dailyat this crisis,

almost

distress of mind

of the
singular
picture
reduced by the war
was

convictions

and
severest

lost

between

his

duty. All are full of

of Pompey,and lamentations over

censures

his character.

The

occurred

to have

been obvious to every

to
one

had

failure of his

else. With

commanded

two

the

does not

own

the view
exiled

the

guished
distin-

once

him, althoughit must

the means
of joininghis
possessing
he should ultimately
determine
upon
had

he

rest
of intefeelings

of

prudenceand constancy which

seem

to which

have
of still

Order,if

that course, he
vessels to await his directions

and the other at BrunCaieta,

of
the means
dusiumt ; keepingas long as possible
escape open either by the upper or by the lower sea.
for takingthis decisive step,
Yet, with every facility
he continued to hesitate,
beingneither willingto
incur the direct chargeof apostacy,nor able to summon
"

the

stationed at

one

sufficient disinterestedness and

everythingto
number

and

althoughhe
was
on
*

the

courage

to
hazard,by sailing

influence of the adherents

was

sensible that
painfully

to

put

increase the
of

Pompey

his vacillation

unfavourable
tion,
interpretaopen to the most
of
his late allies,
and dailythe subthe part
Ad

Attic, ix. 6.

f Ad

Attic, viii. 3.

LIFE

THE

jectof their

harshest

OF

censure.

is indicated in every
it is impossible
to view

367

CICERO.

While

page of his
his pompous

this state of feeling

correspondence,
of
expressions

the leader whom

he
extravagantdevotion towards
had recently
he might yet have
forsaken,and whom
in any other light
than mere
assisted,
materially
gerations
exagsimply dictated by his sense of the part

which
act.

it would

In

have

he
epistle

one

been

for him

decorous

most

writes in reference

to

Pompey :
inelegance,

to

As in affairs of love any appearance

of
of neatness,is apt to alienate
want
or
folly,
"

"

the

us

from

devotion to him was

objectof our affections,
my
for a while suspendedby the meanness
and disgraceful
character of his flight
action having
; not a single
been performed by him, at that time, which
fested
manithat he was
deservingof my companionship
in his retreat.
Now, however, my fondness again
breaks forth,and I find myself unable to endure the
loss of his society.Neither
books, nor literature,
affords me
distress.
nor
philosophy,
any relief in my
Night and day my gaze is fixed upon the sea, over
which, like the bird alluded to by Plato, I long to
direct my
flight*."His expressionson receiving
of the preparations
news
making againstBrunduin a similar strain :
sium are
At this juncture,
entreat you
to advise me
to
friend,I earnestly
my
the best of your ability
what course
An
to pursue.
Cneius Pompey
blockades
besieges
army of Romans
him
him \vith trench and rampart" prohibits
from
of flight.And
still exist ?
the means
do we
Docs
the cityof Rome
tinue
yet stand ? Do her praetorscon?
Her
aediles to exhibit
to distribute justice
Her
their games ?
of substance to lay out their
men
at interest ?
Nay, do I myself sit still?
money
Shall I not rather madly rush forth,and excite the
peopleof the municipaltowns to insurrection ? Alas !
"

"

"

"

Ad

Attic, ix. 10. ; Ibid. ix. J2.

LIFE

THE

will
well-disposed

the

will deride

follow

not

the

me;

cipled
unprin-

revolutionary
party, who

; the

me

CICERO.

OP

will restrain
but victorious,
only well-armed
me
by force. What, then,is your opinion? What
the end of this most
miserable
your advice respecting
I grievedand tormented,
existence?
Now, indeed, am
since some
imagine that I have been
may
prudentand fortunate in my resolution of remaining
are

not

behind.

have

never

different

How

much

so

are

adherent

that, in

his doubts

was

incumbent

he
perplexity,

to

as

him

upon

the

successes

partakerof his calamities*."

of the rhetorician,
not of the

of the

"

to share

for

the words

devoted

sentiments!

own

my

wished

to be

friend,as

of my
These

are

amused

man

the

who

tells us

exact

to pursue

himself

elsewhere

course

in this

which
season

it
of

with

declaimingon
and
both
sides of the questionin Greek
Latin t,
in the integrity
rather than of one, who
of his purpose
with the ingenuity
could well afford to dispense
of sophistic
arguments, either for the satisfaction of
his

own

the

censure

the defence

or
conscience,

of others.

While

he

of his actions from

indulginghis
laments for the absence of Pompey, the sea
pathetic
was
provided
open to him, and the sails of the galleys
for his flight
loose in the wind; and
alreadyfluttering
after the state of distraction and
described

was

doubt, which

he has

to
prompting him desperately
exert his eloquenceto excite Italyto a rebellion,
we
find that he quietly
subsided into a condition of utter
the favour of
inactivity,
by which, without ensuring
the opposite
lost the
party, he for a time completely

respectof
By the
was

as

his

almost

own.

efforts of the friends of

appointedbetween
*

"f The

of
subjects

Ad

both, an interview
Caesar and Cicero,while the

Attic, ix. 2.

of these

theses

are
given,Ad Attic, ix. 4.,
El fj.fferfov \v rrj TrarpiSi
"c.
"c. "c.
rvpa.vVfvovti.fVTi,
some

THE

former

was

OP

LIFE

from

his way

on

369

CICERO.

Brundusium

to

Rome.

complimentarycorrespondencewhich had
that
them, it was
anticipated
lately
passedbetween
in their permanent union ;
this might terminate
From

but whether

Cicero

nerved

was

on

the

occasion

to

ordinaryconstancy,by the conviction that

his character for independence
was
now
completely
be permanently affected by his
must
at stake and
Ctesar
not
was
conduct, or whether
sufficiently
in
and
remiss
deferential in manner,
promisingthe
probablyexpected
triumphalhonours which it was
that any additional
have
he would
offered, it is certain,
either side, was
far
of friendship,
on
feeling
from beingengenderedby the meeting. Cicero has
given an account of the conversation which took
corded
place,and his letter to Atticus in which it is reI have
attention *.
is well deserving
plied,"
comwith your advice ;
he writes, in both respects
than

more

"

"

for my
as

discourse with

rather to induce

towards

me;

Ca?sar

such

to feel respectthan

him

while

of

was

I remained

firm

in my

nature

gratitude
resolu-

returningto the city. Yet, in my

be persuaded
to give
that he would easily
expectation
Never
have I
his assent,I was
utterlydeceived.
a
seen
affirmed,that if I
person less pliable.He
lution

of not

absence, and

by
induced

would

his conduct

refused to come,
my
to show

the

appear to be
that others would
I

reluctance.

same

demned
con-

be

answered,
cussion
a longdis-

peculiar.After
for the
he exclaimed :
Well, then, come
!' May I do so,'
a peace for us
purpose of negociating
he
I inquired,
terms T 'Do you suppose,'
'on my own
asked in reply, that I should venture
to prescribe
them to you ?' This,then,'I continued,'will be the
I shall pursue : First,
I will endeavour to procourse
cure
to forbid forces from being
a decree of the senate
that my

own

case

was

'

"

'

'

'

Ad

Attic, ix. 18.

B

370

THE

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

In the next
conveyedinto Spain or Greece.
place,
I will draw
of the condition of
a pathetic
description
he answered, I will never
Pompey.' 'Such subjects,'
allow to be mentioned.'
I rejoined,
So I thought,'
'

'

and

for that very

other course
no

have
which

interview

a
seeking

further

but to absent

myselfaltogether,

points,and on many others upon

find it impossible
to keep silence.'
ended
by his requestingme, as if
of escape from the argument,to take

I should

Our

because

to come,

these

speakon

to

or

refuse

reason

means

time

and
refusing,

This

deliberation.

for

these

on

terms

there

was

no

separated.From

we

all that

favourite with
no
passed,I believe I am
I have, however, the approbationof my
Caesar.
own
conscience,a feelingto which I have long
been a stranger. For the rest,ye gods! what characters
those

are

about

him.

What

fiendish-

lookingband, to use an expressionof your own *.

Among others I observed Eros,the son of Celer.
How
does his cause
doned
abandesperate
appear ! How
his followers !

Here

"

the

of Titinius ; the whole

latelyblockaded Pompey,

of the
daringand vigilance

I foresee
"

end

no

Aid

arrived.

to any
"

man

have

'

multitude,in short,
in all six legions.

man

you,

are

astonishing;

with

your best advice

for the crisis has now

almost

to those of others ;

recourse

there

forgottenhis last
expression,
namely, that if he were
making use of my counsels,he would

precludedfrom
have

"

"

calamities.

present emergency,
I had, however,

offensive

most

our

I beseech

me,

in the

of

of Servius

son

son

who
The

the

and, in fact,descend

expedienthe might deem

You

to be

have

seen,

justas

lamented

I had

over

Qui

comitatus

"

the confirmation

For this,
and
opinion.
*

necessary.
then,'you will remark, ' the
described him.'
I have ; and

!
"

for every

of your previous
other suitable feeling,

qnse, ut soles

dicere,vtKvia

372

LIFE

THE

now

involved

not

to

in

OF

ruin,and

CICERO.

which

join while its resources

For, by so doing,you
while
our
friendship,
upon

blow

had determined

you
were

still unimpaired.

will inflicta serious

entirely
neglect
parture,
appear, by your de-

you

interests ; since you will

not to be seeking
a more
fortune,
prosperous
declared itselfin
(inasmuchas fortune has invariably
own

your

favour,)nor to assist the cause

formerly
you
this remainsthesameas
when yoii refused
espoused,
(for
but rather to condemn
to aid it with your counsels,)
ing
woundsome
part of my late conduct,by this means
in the severest
manner
feelings
possible.
my
I entreat
therefore,
By all the rightsof friendship,
in conto be better advised.
clusion
What, let me
you
suitable to the character of
ask, can be more
and peaceable
of a good citizen,
a virtuous
or
man,
than
to avoid
studiously
taking any part in civil
commotions
I may
also hint,that many
; from which
my

who
in

would

them,

otherwise

have

of their

been

have

been

deterred

danger?

own

by

induced
the

After

to take

part

ation
simpleconsider-

reflected

have

you

upon the evidence of my intentions afforded by my

of the friendship
"whole life,
and on the impartiality
which

prompts
safe

more

road, this
The
same

more

or

refrain from

this

honourable

contention

16th

in every

to

no

course

than
yourself,

Dated

form.

to

on

the

at

the

day of April."

letter of Caesar

time with

will find

opinion,
you

one

was

from

received almost

Antony

to

similar effect.

Cicero has described as at

unblushingprofligate
the time paradingin insolent triumph through the
in his chariot drawn
different towns
by tame lions,
the actress Cytheris*,
accompaniedby his mistress,
well as his wife, and followed by a train of carriages
as
filled witlx the abandoned
companions of his
sensuality.He had been commissioned by Caesar to
~~.
10; Ibid.x7T3.7
This

THE

command
and

was

with

LIFE

OF

373

CICERO.

the troops left in Italyduringhis absence,

his way towards Misenum, probably
now
on

the

intention

appointingproper agents to
which little
the adjacent
His epistle,
watch
coast.
is
resembles that of the assassin to his future victim,
thus worded

"ANTONY,

"

TRIBUNE

WISHES

of

OF

HEALTH

THE

PEOPLE

TO

CICERO,

AND

PROPRIETOR,

IMPERATOR.

towards you were

excessive,
friendship
and much
I should feel no
greaterthan you imagine,
which
current
are
apprehensionfrom the rumours
since I consider
especially
respecting
your intentions
"

Unless my

"

them

without

foundation.

isunbounded,I cannot

But

because

dissemble

the

ment
attach-

my

truth,that

reportshave greatweightwith me
It is surelynot
the subject
of them.

false

even

are

you

believed that

you

are

meditatingto

retire

when
to be

beyond

the sea," regarding

do your son-in-law Dolaas you
and your daughterTullia,
that most exemplary
bella,
esteem
held in so much
woman
; and beingyourself
to you, for
by all of us, whose concern, I swear
dignityand honour, is greaterif any thingthan
own.
as

your
your

I could not, however, suppose it to be my part

the discourse
friend,to be indifferent respecting

the delicate
worthless,
considering
especially
part imposedupon me by our late differences which
jury
than of any inthe effect rather of rny jealousy
were
of which
I had to complain.For I wish you to
than youris dearer to me
be persuaded,
that no one
self,
with the exception
beloved Caesar,and
of my
that I am
also convinced,that Ceesar reckons Marcus
of the

even

"

Cicero

among

his most

valuable

friends.

Therefore,my dear Cicero,I beseech you, on

the one hand, to let matters remain as they are, and
flicted
of a man
the friendship
who
firstinto disregard
that he might have an opportunity
an
injury,
of conferring
benefit ; and, on the other,not to
a
"

374

THE

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

flyfrom one who, even if he felt no affection for you,

would stillearnestly
(which is altogether
impossible,)
desire you to continue in safetyand honour.
I have
mark
sent to you, as a particular
of esteem, my most
intimate friend Calpurnius,
that you may
know
my
and
anxietyconcerning
dignity."
your safety
From
his friend Coelius,
who was
the pointof
on
settingout with Caesar for Spain,he also received
advice well calculated to act upon his timid temperament.
The latter,
after expressing
the utmost
cern
conat his determination

of

abandoninghis country,

him to the following

effect* :
proceedsto warn
I earnestly
entreat and conjureyou, Cicero,
by
not to take any resolution
your fortunes and your children,
unfavourable
welfare and safety.
to your
For I call gods and men,
well as our
as
friendship,
and warningsare
to witness,that my
predictions
founded on no rash and hastyconclusion ; but that
I convey is the result of a personal
the intelligence
I ascertained from
interview with Caesar,in which
himself the planhe is determined to pursue, if victorious.
"

"

If you think that he will retain his former clemency

in dismissing
and moderation
his enemies,and
mistaken.
of peace, you are greatly
ised
characteras well as his expressions,
are
designs,

terms
proposing

His

by nothingbut fiercenessand severity.He has

set out from the cityhighlyenragedwith the senate,
I solemnly
of the late intercessions.
account
on
of
assure
you, there will be hereafter no opportunity
his resentment.
deprecating
only son, your family, your

If, therefore,your

for the
expectations
future,are of any value to you ; if I myself,or that
excellent man
son-in-law,continue an object
your
it is your duty not to throw us into
of your regard,
that we
such a condition of suffering
or perplexity,
shall be compelled either to execrate and abandon
the cause, in the ascendency
of which
our
onlyse*

Ad

Diverges,viii.16.

THE

LIFE

375

CICERO.

OF

its success, necessarily

or
curityconsists,
by desiring
to indulgean impiouswish against
your safety.

Consider,in fine,how
alreadyincurred by your
"

Surelyit would
Caesar

much

blame

hesitation

be the extreme

have

you

and

of

follyto
making

act

delay.
against

hostile
no
victorious,after
movement
tinued
againsthim, as long as the contest coning
consistundecided; and to joina party now
of fugitives,
ing
which you avoided,while stillofferresistance.
of not
Beware, lest while ashamed
of rank, you
having fullyacted the part of a man
end by adopting
that course
which is least worthy
of

when

But

one.

advice, at
until you
which
I
in the

if you

will not

least let

hear the

me

result

will
predict

be

and

country ;

your
whose

own

loss to

ours

what

as

soon

and

resolution

appears that his mind

Caesar arrives

hope the oppositeparty

not.

on

was

than

What

Cicero.

can

be

account

latterly
begun

But

it

preoccupiedby terrors,

counterbalanced

than

more

Cassar's wrath
had

as

in joining
to those
yourself
design,
moreover,
is utterlydesperate,
I am
cause
equallyat a
turally
might naconjecture."Such representations
tended
have been expected to producethe effect inby the writer upon an individual of greater

constancy
which

of this

prevailupon you to wait

in Spain,
of our
operations

entertain after its loss I know

can

the whole

follow

of

his

to listen to the

his

dread

of

departure.

He

report,that

the

the army

the lieutenants of
actingagainst
Pompey in Spain would be a signalfor a general
and massacre,
which it would be impossible
proscription
of

return

for their leader

desire it.

Under

choosingthe

was
*

It has

also

been

defeat of Csesar'sarmy
to
mere

jointhe

surmise.

army

the

if he should
prevent, even
that he
therefore,
impression*,

to

least imminent

of two

dangers,

of the
conjectured that certain rumours
mine
in Spain might have induced
him to deterof Pompey immediately. This, however, is

376

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

lie continued his

which he
for his flight,
preparations
and nephew
intended should
be shared by his son
had givenhim, as well
Qnintus; the latter of whom
as his own
father,considerable anxiety
by a rash and
ill-advised journeyto Caesar,which ending without
the
production of any benefit to himself,had
threatened
tions
to compromisehis nearest relaseriously
It was, however, no longeran easy matter to
of Antony, who
elude the vigilance
was
yet in his
and strictly
to
neighbourhood,
observing,
according
his instructions,
of egress from Italyby
all means
the Tuscan
To him
Cicero at first applied,
sea.
under the avowed, and possibly
intention
the sincere,
of proceeding
to Malta, and there,as in a neutral
The reply
territory,
awaitingthe issue of the war.
is complimented with
of the tribune,which
the
title of a displayof drunken
insolence*,shows
how
this ready agent of a
soon
daring faction
could drop the mask
of urbanityand
politeness,
when

his

the

inclinations
and

stern

thwarted, and

were

authoritative tones

of

the

assume

imperious

will

of his
soldier,regardingnothing but the
How
in command.
cerity,"
consistent with sinsuperior
he ironically
is the planyou
commences,
"

"

propose

He

in his
makes

who
own

wishes

to remain

He

country.

who

neutral

tinues
con-

abandons

it

himself

a partisan.I, however,am
instantly
who
is licensed to depart,
not the person to determine
and who
be compelledto remain.
must
My duty,
vidual
accordingto the wish of Caesar,is to suffer no indiwhatever
to retire from Italy. It is of little
therefore,whether I approve of your
consequence,

conduct

or

not, since

am

not instructed to make

in your favour.
communicate
with

any

concession

you

should

My opinionis,that
Caesar himself,and

I doubt not that you

preferyour request to him.
will obtain it,especially
since you promise to do it
*

Vide quam

ad hsec irapoiviKcas, "c

"

Ad

Attic,

x.

10.

THE

in such

LIFE

manner

to

as

OP

show

377

CICERO.

continued

your

regard

us"
between
friendship
A reply couched
in such unambiguous terms
left
no
ground for doubt that any attempt to effect what
the commission
of Anton v was
expresslyintended
would
be opposed by open force.
to guardagainst,
remained
but the expedient
There now, therefore,
of
which
Cicero \\as not slow to adopt.
a secret escape,
You
see,"he observes by way of comment
upon
the above letter, what
scroll
I
a
genuineSpartan
for the

"

"

have

received.

will, however, yet contrive

fectually
ef-

In following
correspondent*."
wards
he set out
out this resolution,
shortlyafterfrom
Cumae for his villa near
Pompeii, as if
he had been induced to despair
of being able to quit
that Antony,as he had expected,
Italy; and finding
induced
to believe that he
was
by his movements
had now
made
up his mind to obey the prohibition
of Caesar,
completedwithout molestation all arrangements
for his voyage.
thus employed,he
While
visited by a deputation
from the inhabitants of
was
Pompeii,and from the centurions of three cohorts
stationed there in garrison,
if he would
offering,
undertake to placehimself at their head,to surrender
overreach

to

the town

into his

my

hands, and

to

commence

diate
imme-

an

insurrection

ever,
againstCtesar. Although, howhe had just before mentioned
to Atticus
an
intention of following
the example of Ccelius Caldust,
himself by his effortsto excite
(who had distinguished
the peopleof Italyagainst
at the
Sylla,)
expressing,
fection
same
time,an opinionthat,from the.growing disafthe

among
had
standard

now

of

Ad

such

revolt,he

EL"bes
Attic,

movement

favourable

most

opportunity
presenteditself for erectingthe

to intend
seriously
any

troops,a
was

placinghimself
;

nor,

10.

at

the

person
head
of

the
indeed,considering

o-Kvrd\riv
AOKCWIK^J'. Omnino

x.

beingthe

far from

excipiam hominem.
t

Ad

Attic-

x-

12-

"

378

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OP

it held out, could he justly

slight
prospectof success
be blamed for declining
an
so desperate.
undertaking
lefthis villa at day-break,
the following
on
He, therefore,
ing
rooming,for the purpose of avoidinga meetwith the deputation
towards Formia?,
; proceeding
where he was
stillpreventedfor some
time, by the
prevalent calm, from embarking. On the 8th
of June, havingat lengthobtained weather suitable
for his sailing,
and received intelligence
just before
Formiae
of the birth of a grandchild,
he
quitting
went
board the vessel he had procured
to convey
on
him

into Greece, in company

with

his

brother,his

son, and
letter to

from

nephew ; and from thence wrote a farewell

Terentia,informingher of his recovery
sudden and severe
and desiring
indisposition,

her to offer the usual sacrifices in his stead to v"scu-

lapiusand Apollo*.Of his subsequent

voyage to the
coast of Epirus,or the time of his landing
there,we
have

no

account, his letters to Atticus and

"

to

his

other friends,
for several

ing
ensuingmonths, not formpart of his extant correspondence.
He found at Dyrrachium the principal
supporters
of the cause
of Pompey, formidable both in numbers
and
in the dignityof their titles,
and
resources,
the influence of their names,
but stillbeset by all the
faults which
had from the first distinguished
their
the want
of
party, presumptionand arrogance
unanimityin council and in action and a jealousy
of each other,which effectually
preventedany great
"

"

"

and

exertion

simultaneous

for the

common

benefit.

Account, and it is amply sufficientfor

This

alone

the

supinenesswitli
astonishing
numerous
leader,althoughwith a now
and a fleet of five hundred
at his command,
galleys
all the resources
in addition to possessing
suffered his lieutenants
the East could supply,
after another
and one province
beaten in detail,

can

purpose,
which their
army
which
to be

for the

Ad

Diversos,xiv.

8.

""

380

THE

LIFE

he, before long,rendered

dislike to
his moderate

the

OF

CICERO.
mon
objectof no comabout
him, by
spirits

himself

vehement

an

and conciliatory
counsels;which

were

so

pressly
compel Pompey at lengthexto desire him to refrain from againintroducing
of a peace into the general
deliberations.
the mention
the senatorian leaders had ample
For some
months
and
for carryingon
their preparations,
opportunity
amounted
to nine
trainingtheir forces,which now
liaries,
host of auxiof infantry,
besides an immense
legions
and
thousand
seven
cavalry,without
any
of
their
the
of
on
an
interruption
part
prospect
antagonist. But towards the close of the year,
Caesar having returned
victorious from
Spain,and
he presidedas
secured at the comitia,over
which
the return of himself and Publius Servilius,
dictator,
ter,
as consuls,
began,undeterred by the tempests of winthe necessary arrangementsfor transportto make
ing
his army
from
Italyto the shores of Greece.
He himself, the moment
after he had performedthe
usual inaugural
ceremonies,set out for Brundusium
;
where, on the 4th day of January, A. u. c. 706, he
embarked, with twenty thousand
infantryand six
hundred
horse,and having fortunately
escapedthe
far superior
of a hundred
fleet of the enemy, consisting
vessels of war, (which,under Bibulus,was
lyingin
the harbours
of Corcyra,preventedfrom
puttingto
succeeded in landing
of the season,)
sea by the terrors
in Epirus; equallyregardless
his army
at Pharsalus

frequently
urged,as

to

amounted
which
to
of his convoy,
and the terrors of the ironarmed galleys,

of the weakness
but twelve
bound

coast,

heightsof

lying

beneath

the Acroceraunian

the

thunder-stricken
It does

mountains*.

Ad Attic.
itanihil poterat agiut rnihi et meis rebus aptum esset.
xi. 4.
Written from the camp at Dyrrachium,and, as it is evident,
"

shortlyafter the repulseof

Caesar.

*Casar, De

Bello Civ. Hi.

c.

6.

LIFE

THE

fall within

not
at

armies

two

381

CICERO.

the scope of the presentwork to enter

of the celebrated camthe particulars
paign

lengthupon
which

OF

Tlie demonstrations

followed.
the

upon

Apsus

and

of

the

the

Haliacmon, the
the preservation
or
"

projectson either side for

of the means
of communication
with
interruption
Italy the giganticworks raised by the contending
generalsin the neighbourhoodof Dyrrachium,and
of both
in an
the subsequentmasterly movements
for the occupationor
intricate war
of detachments
would
be more
ably
suitdefence of importantpositions,
various

"

described

life of Caesar than of Cicero.

of these the latter

most

in

and
the
In

in

of
operations

his character

entrusted

probablyan eye-witness
;
perhaps activelyengaged in

was

instances

some

the army
to which
of Imperator,he

to defend

Of

some

part

of

he

might
the

attached.

was

have

famous

been
lines

extending for the distance of fifteen miles, and

by twenty-fourforts,by which Pompey
strengthened
works
of circumastonishing
opposedthe stillmore
vallation thrown
by his antagonist.He might
up
also

been

have

one

the

among

combatants

in the

for
sternlycontested action,in which Caesar suffering,
the first time, a serious and almost fatal repulse,in
of Pompey,
an
attempt to force the entrenchments
was
only saved from rnin by the hesitation of the
and compelled,
after a loss of two thousand of
victor,
the
his best troops and thirtystandards,to abandon

whole
so

of the fortifications

time

of him

which

he had

bestowed

his
labour, and to commence
into Thessaly*. The picture,
however, drawn
is
at this period by his ancient biographer,

much

retreat

on

and

but that of a zealous and enterprising

officer.
anything
He is said,
probablyunder the influence of disappointment
to the
at not findinghis services appreciated
which
he had
extent
expected,to have made no
*

Dio, xli." Ctesar,De~Bdio Civ.

iii.67.

382

THE

secret of his

LIFE

OF

his
repenting

CICERO.

Epirus,and while
solemn expression

voyage to

the camp
with a
of countenance, as well as when
summoned
to attend
the general
himself with a
councils,to have amused

wanderingabout

succession of keen

sound

and

been

the
petulantwitticisms against
campaign*. Yet he appears, at

the

generalplan of
least,to have

and

acted

in many

the part of a
plans,if theyhad

instances

whose
adviser,
judicious

followed,would

have

Pompey from the

ruin into which he was
afterwards precipitated
soon
;
since he was
of the few who
one
strenuouslyadvised
him to protract the war
by every means
possible
;
and, while availinghimself of his unquestionable
the
by sea for the purpose of precluding
superiority
the possibility
from
of
receivingsupplies
enemy
from Italy,to reduce his strength
without
by degrees,
his
allowinghim any opportunityof retrieving
fortune by coming to a decisive engagement^. Such
*

Some

"

of

Cicero's

different writers.
late to them,
in readiness

where

sayingson this
Poinpey put him

When

'How

"

can

you?'

among

saved

To

I found

Pompey'saskinghim

upon

was

'

He

"

newly

person

preserved by
coming so

of his

'

And

in mind

are

said he, when

late,'

come

his son-in-law Dolabella

in-law,' repliedhe.

occasion

is with

arrived

nothing
cally
sarcasti-

your

from

father-

and
Italy,

that Pompey was

blocked
informingthem of a strong report at Rome
'that you
said lie,
'And you sailed thither,
therefore,'
up by Caesar:
after their defeat,
eyes.' And even
might see it with your own
"

exhortingthem to courage, because there were

You
left in Pompey 'scamp,
seven
well,'said he,
eagles
encourage
with jackdaws.'By the frequency of these
if we were
to fight
splenetic
jokes,he is said to have provoked Pompey so far as to tell
Nonnius

when

was

'

"

'

him, I wish that

begin to fear us.'
'

"

Middleton's

you would go
Vide Macrob.

over

to

Saturn,

the other

side that you may

ii.3. ; Plut. in Cic. i."
"

Life of Cicero, p. 434.

Thesame
planis suggestedby Calais,who had n'ow deserted the
"fof Caesar,
and was
cause
preparingto excite the useless insurrection in
the

course

of which

he lost his

lib. viii.17.
Diversos,
on

the

the other
enemy

Quod

side of the water

battle?

What

life,in

his

to
epistle

istic facitis,
"c.

"

What

Cicero:

"

Ad

doing
? Ai-e you imprudently
waitingto give
forces
be, I kuow not;
Pompey's
may
are

you

THE

LIFE

OF

383

CICEUO.

listened to before by the impetuopinions,

impatiently
ous
who
were
nobility,
loudlyclamouringfor battle,
treated with

were

the

utmost

contempt,

after what

pleasedto term the victoryof DyrraAn

chium
and
of Cassar.
the flight
immediate
consequentlydecided upon, and after
pursuitwas
much
deterred by illas
leavingCicero, who was
humour
state of his health* from accomas by the weak
panying
with Cato and Marcus Varro,to
him, together
defend his camp, with fifteen cohorts,
Pompey set out
with the rest of his army
for the plainsof Thessaly.
The infatuation and follywhich
had hitherto distinguished
of his principal
the conduct
adherents
they

were

continued

to

influence

them

the

to

Under

last.

overweeningestimation of their own

which
the eve
of
prompted them, on
prowess,
themselves
for the offices
battle,to disputeamong
of Cassar,while
that admirable
was
strategist
yet
in arms
before them and calmly preparingfor their
the

same

destruction ; as well as to entwine

their tents with
tion
of the easy determinalaurel and ivy,in anticipation
in their favour
them

destined

were

of

which

contest

to

never

many

survive,
theywere

among
not

long

by taunts and sarcasms, their leader into

hurrying,
an
engagementperhapsthe least called for among the
delivered. The
which have been unnecessarily
many
armies encountered on the banks of the river Enipeus,
the ninth day of
of Pharsalus, on
the town
near
with littleadvanAugustt, on a fair and open field,
in

Caesar's I

but

am

sure

are

accustomed

to

action,and

inured

to

all

"

Melmoth.
severe
campaigns.
hardshipsof the most
slain
soldiers
of
Coelius was
Caesar,at Thurii
by the
subsequently
for
His
m
otive
in Lucania.
desertinghis former paity
principal

the

"

his

of Trebonius,whom
jealousy

to

have

been

entrusted

with

the management

seems

absence,in
*

"c.

Me
"

Ad

to
preference

conficit

of the affairsof the

")"v. Id. Sextil.

"

A.U.C.

city,during his

himself.
qua etiam summa
(From the Camp.)

ex
solicitude,

Attic, xi. 5

Ctesar had

706

"

in

iufirmitas

corporis,

the beginningof June,

reality

384

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OF

either side,but with an immense

on
tage of position
in favour of Pompey, .whose
of numbers
superiority
force
The

was

double

than

more

result is familiar to

of his

that

opponent.

slightest
degree
vainglorious
acquaintedwith generalhistory.
chivalrywho had been so forward to provoke the
all in

the

The

its very commencement,

and
their flight
the archers and slingers,
whom
leaving

conflict

routed

were

by
they were

intended

at

and the flank of their

enemy,

the

support,at

to

of the

mercy

army exposedto the

by whom
they had

own

terrible

charge of the veterans

determined
the fate of
been repulsed,
irretrievably
who
had
the day. In a short time the general,
of beinginvincible,
hitherto enjoyedthe reputation
the bitterness of a defeat,
doomed
to experience
was
from

which

he

well

was

there

aware

was

no

prospect

the onlypart of hisarmy

of recovery, and after seeing
resistance cut to pieces
which
offered a determined

by the impetuous
compelledto fly,with but thirty
conquerors, was
confounded
horse, to Larissa*; too much
by the
of his misfortune
to make
a "single
attempt
greatness
of his scattered forces. Of an
the wreck
to rally
which
thousand
combatants
he
of forty-five
army
had
that morning arrayedagainsthis adversary,
fifteenthousand were
slain,either duringthe conflict
than twentyand more
in the subsequent
or
pursuit,
four thousand taken prisoners
; while the whole of the
the baggage of the
collected in his camp,
wealth
and nine
hundred
and eightystandards,
one
soldiers,
whose whole
fell into the hands of the victors,
eagles
and
dispersed,

or

his camp

stormed

to

than

loss did not amount

These

results,
however,
calendar

since the Roman

months

two

day

on

which

in

advance

the famous

were
at

was

but

men.

trivial,
compared

than
more
periodsomewhat
that the
It is singular
real date.

tained
fought is ascer1 98
vol. iii.'p.
See Fasti Hellenici,

battle of Pharsalia
"

hundred

two

this

of the

evidence.
only on slight
and

more

was

Appendix,570.
Ceesar,De Bello Civ. iii.9C.

t Ibid. 99.

THE

with

the

LIFE

OP

385

CICERO.

advantageswhich

might be
expectedto follow so decided a blow. The sovereignty
of the whole
world
the real prizeso
Roman
was
at the memorable
rashlystaked and so cheaplywon
remote

more

conflict of Pharsalia.
We

learn

Cicero*

from

the firstintelligence

that

of the

overwhelmingdisaster which had overtaken

the arms
of Pompey, was
broughtinto the camp at
Dyrrachium by Titus Labienus,who had been present
at the late engagement, and an
to
eye-witness
the rout which he reported.The news
was
speedily
confirmed by a host of fugitives
who began to flock
into the place
the younger Pompey,
whom
was
; among
with Marcus Cicero,who had been sent by his father
with the army into Thessaly,
and had been conspicuous
and
duringthe campaign for activity
It is recorded,that at
to determine

command

among

their future

upon

was

them

hurried council of

courage.
war

the
proceedings,

held
chief

formallyoffered to Cicero,as the first

in dignity
and age, by the assembled

officersof his party,and that on his prompt refusal

Pompey and his friends unsheathingtheir swords,
and

brandinghim

have slain him

from

spot had

the

on

would
the title of traitor,

with

he not

been

rescued

their

of Catot.
His
furyby the interposition
of an appointmentso fraught
with dangerto
rejection
and so evidently
useless to the cause, may easily
himself,
be believed,
and certainly
cannot but be considered as
credit
reflecting

upon

at which

ended

in

other

no

his discretion. The

it

convoy

of

have

resolution but

embarkation

under

might

hurried

been

that

sultation
con-

pronounced
of

an

mediate
im-

Italy,which took place

Rhodian
squadron, amidst

for
a

i. 32, "where the circumstance

is mentioned
Divinatione,
by Quintus Cicero,in confirmation of a curious instance of

See De

presentiment.
"f-Plutarch,

in Cic.
C

386

THE

LIFE

general confusion; the

with
being covered
thrown
of

being

use

the

flames

been

set

at

from

out

the

numerous

of

fire

on

stood

first

to

withdraw

in

the

the

quantities of
granaries, to prevent
and

and

submit

themselves
This

he

retiring.
again
Corinth, whither, after
directed

he

vessels,

general break up
theconsequence; andamong
An

of

almost

the

chance

of

threatening

all

to

reconciliation

perils

the

of

fleet

offered

at

to

free

portunity
op-

Patraj,

desertion

party

who

Caesar

of

fleet.

diminished

was

preferred
the

to

wThieh

into

solved
re-

chose

Caesar

numbers

war

had

being

thePompeian
with

with

The

who

the

his

the

its

which

Cato

where
to

corn

reddened

sea

retreating soldiery.

Corcyra,
Africa, gave

for

Rhodian

the

to

sail

gulf of

encampment

fleet of transports
the

by

the

from

immense

enemy,

over

for

roads

the

to

CICERO.

OP

more

Cato

was

of not
hastening, with the calm and settled resolution
Cicero,
termination, was
surviving its unsuccessful
after
who,
taking at Corcyra a farewell, destined
be

to

final,
he

resolved

Italy, hopeless
to

revive

almost

of

favourable

the

the

settled
horrors

the

form
of

he

scene

country,

had

itself seemed

which

and

nessed,
lately wit-

government, which
civil bloodshed,
and
with

to

attempt

any

of

miseries, compared

despotism

to

his

of

Caesar

of

return

result

liberties,

sinking
reconciled, by

supersede
to

the

to any

stop

of

the

and

Brundusium.

towards

course

await

to

friend

determined

more

his

directed

companion,
Here

his

of

the

less formidable

should

put
cise
exer-

evil.

388
some

THE

LIFE

for his

excuse

OF

CICERO.

dwellingso

calamities of others.

He

had

no

briefly
upon
sooner

the

set foot

on

the Italian coast, than he began to repent of his late

of abandoning
determination
the relics of the party
of

of
Pompey, before he had received an assurance
being again received into the favour of Ca?sar. It
was
known, moreover, that the whole prospeedily
vince
of Africa was
of
the
at
now
disposal
entirely
the representatives
of the senate.
The defeat,on the
tenant
part of Juba king of Mauritania,of Curio the lieuof Cicero,
of Caesar,and former correspondent
lated,
by which a powerfulforce was
completelyannihiand their leader driven to suicide,had previously
relief in that quarter to the long
given some

series of

which

reverses

constitutional
of the wrecks
afterwards
a

march

of

Scipioand

unshaken

hitherto
was

attended

followed

Labienus

by

the

the

at the head

of the

of Pharsalia,and soon
army
by that of Cato with his devoted band, after

through the

undertaken
other

This

cause.

arrival at Utica

had

sands

of the desert of

Barca,

with

and executed with

singiilar
daring,
resolution.
By the exertions of these and

officers of

once
rank, a formidable host was
drawn
and thoroughlyequippedfor
more
together,
service ; and since Caesar was
known
to be engaged
in a difficult and dangerousconflict with Ptolemy,
king of Egypt, which held out littlepromiseof an
earlytermination,it was
fullyexpectedthat Italy
would
be immediatelyinvaded,and possibly
overrun
by his adversaries before he could return to its rescue.
there was a reasonable prospectthat
While, therefore,
the cause
he had abandoned
as hopeless,
might,after
so
singularand unexpected a revival,even
prove
victorious in the end, Cicero,with his keen
ceptibility
susdoomed
to hear nothing
to censure, was
his whole conduct during
but severe
comments
upon
that he
the war, and the opinionopenlyexpressed,

THE

would

have

LIFE

his counsels
With

at Utica.

senate

reputation
by
of the

ent
consistvanitysingularly

still retained about

he

his

in the deliberations

exhibitions

his former

with

389

CICERO.

better consulted

much

with
assisting

OF

of the

him

the

ness,
weak-

same

appendagesof

his

the
proconsulardignity,
although there was
the resentment
by this means
greatestdangerof exciting
and jealousy
of the soldiers in the service of
Csesar

of whose

violence he

under

was

such

serious

when
apprehensions

as

be induced

their

axes

of

to

approachingBrundusium,
command
his lictors to lay aside

to

minglewith the crowd *. Yet the desire

tinction
these evidences of his pretensions
to disretaining
and

to the

decline the
return

in his

advice

of

ensure

favour,an

he would

sacrificeof
unpleasant
he at

of the

news

citizens

have

been

objectto which he was

the greatest
earnestness.

stay in Apulia, however,

which

to

better

the interference of the friends of Caesar

himself with

an

him

determined

Atticus, recommending his

Hornet, where

to

able to

to have

last,seems

was

not

presentwished

to

of

On

assume.

of the battle of Pharsalia

having shown

Even

at

his

ensured

the character

ing
devot-

now

without

neutrality,
the arrival

Rome, the

their exultation at the event

by tearingdown the statues of Syllaand Pompey,

of laws conferring
proceededtumultuouslyto pass a serus
the most extravagantpowers
mander,
upon the comcome
bewho, by his recent successes, had now
the popularidol. He was
declared consul for
five years in succession,
dictator for the year
and
next ensuing. The
of making peace or war
power
entrusted to his hands, as well as
was
unreservedly
the rightof presiding
assemblies ; while
at the general
his person was
rendered
sacred by the additional
of the tribunitial officefor life. These honours
dignity
*

Ad

quomodo

Attic, xi. 6.
sine lectoribus quos

-J-Propiusacceilere

populusdedit

possum ?

"

ut

Ibid.

voles

390
were

in

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

\vho was
made acquainted
willingly
accepted
by Ca?sar,
while in Egypt with the decrees of the people
his favour.
His first exercise of his authority
was

Antony his
who
functionary,

to create

able
which

master
was

he had established
he

the

at

that
impression
of the

same

horse,and

to this

in
guardingItaly,
carefully
an entirely
military
ment,
govern-

time

Cato and

of the

sent

orders,under

Metellus,with

other

the
bers
mem-

party,had retired in that direction,

out
to suffer no one
to land on any part of the coast withhis especial
permission. In consequence of this
command, Antony was compelledto write to Cicero,
of the letter of Ca?sar,
and entreating
a copy
inclosing
him to retire without delayfrom Bnmdusium, using
of civility,
time,
but, at the same
expressions
many
him,that his instructions were unconditional
assuring
and imperative*.Cicero,in answer,
despatchedhis
friend Lucius Lamia
to representthat Caesar had
ing
expresslydesired Dolabella to write to him, advishis return to Italy,
and Antony was
far conso
vinced
of the truth of the assertion,
as to exempt him

by

name

same

from

restrictive edict which

the

he forthwith

published: Which," observes Cicero,"I was

exceedinglyunwillingthat he should do, for the
same
objectmight have been effected equallywell
"

"

the express mention

of any individual t."
for
there is no
doubt that he had good reason

without
And

straightforward
proceedingof
notice might hereafter be
Antony. Such an especial
declaration of his intimacy
an
as
interpreted
open
with the prevailing
party, and be made use of as
if any unforeseen
to his disadvantage,
evidence,greatly
circumstances should,at a future time, placethe
his reluctance

to

the

fortune of the senate upon the ascendant,and reverse

held by itsfriends
the positions
at present
respectively
and

enemies.
*

Ad

Attic, xi. 7.

t U-"l-

THE

His

domestic

of littleless

LIFE

OP

affairs and

connexions

the

anxietythan
pursuing.

391

CICERO.
were

cause*

he had

course
political

His
son-in-law
latelybeen
Dolabella,
self
himto his dissatisfaction,
was
greatly
distinguishing
at Rome
by the most violent conduct ; and
having followed the example of the notorious Clo
dius in passing,
from a
by the ceremony of adoption,
to a plebeian
patrician
family,in order to obtain the
was
tribuneship,
paying his court to the populace
of proposingand urging
by the ordinarymethod
forward a generalact of insolvency
in the midst of
-

tumult

of Dolabella

conduct

The

bloodshed.

and

to

his wife was, at the same

time, fast hasteningon
afterwards with
the divorce which took placeshortly
the consent
after

of both

in
receiving

parties.Besides
instalments

two

allowingher,

from

Cicero

the

stituted
greaterpart of a considerable portionwhich conher dowry, to suffer considerable privations,
the consequences
and extravagance,
of his profusion

he

had

added

for him

the

which
slight

severest

it was

possible
with

inflict,
by his open connexion
standing,
wife of Lentulus, and was, notwith-

to

Metella,the

his father-in-law,who

from
expecting

was

strangerto pecuniarydifficulties*,
the remainder
of her marriageportion. The health
and
of Tullia was
to decline,
also beginning
visibly
months
after
her meeting with
her father, some
other
his arrival in Italyt,from this,
as well as from
the

at

time

no

causes, appears
tress of both.

to

To

these

contributed

have

sources

to the dis*-

of uneasiness

was

apparent indifference of Terentia

the welfare of her husband, and her neglecting
visit him duringthe whole
time of his stay at

added
to
to
;

but

the real

Ad

This

(Ad

or

Attic, xi. 25.

meeting took placeat Brundusium, June

Attic, xi. 1

Sue also,Ad

7.)

Tullia

mea

Diversos,xiv. 17.

ad

me

venit

12,

Idus
pridie

A.U

c.

707.

Junias."w

392

LIFE

THE

Brundusium,

as

Quintus. from
of

well

whom

CICERO.

OP

as

the

he

now

of his brother

conduct
suffered

the

affliction

serious estrangement. Quintus Cicero,instead

returninginto Italy after the battle of Pharsalia,had preferred

remainingat Patroe in Achaia,

of

in his

at the unsuccessful issue of the

disgust
and apprehension
of its probableconsequences
war
he constantly
to himself,
indulgedin bitter invectives
againstthe relative by whose advice he had been
induced to side with the party of Pompey ;
principally
which
were
dailyconveyed to the ears of the party
nel
againstwhom
they were directed,
by the usual chan-

where,

of

Not

friends.

common

satisfied with

this demonstrat

estrangement,he even sent forward his

andria,
son
toEphesus,tomeet Caesar on his return from Alexof his own
chargedwith letters exculpatory
conduct and full of representations
to the disadvantage
of his brother
Marcus.
The
Quintus was
younger
less violent in his abuse of his uncle,and it was
no
evident that both himself and his father,by representing
Cicero as their chief adviser,intended
to
make
the sacrifice of his credit with the victor,the
their own*.
It had been well
of establishing
means
for the reputation
of all parties
mentioned
in it,and
less for that of its author, if most of the corresno
pondence
with Atticus,duringthe years A.U.C.
705
and 707, had perished
the pictures
are
; so striking
and irresolution,
contained in it of the weakness, timidity,
induced
well as the generalselfishness,
as
of

Ad

rentius

Attic, xi. 10.

had

more

from

the

to

the younger
long oration which

complain of

short time

before

the party of
Attic, xi. 12.

presence

at

he

Ephesus, when
was
prepaiingto
Cicero

of Caesar.

this conduct,

as

he

had

the
to exculpate
expressly

ch.rgeof havingin

himself with
Ad

him

his friend Te-

states, that

he

Cicero

againsthis uncle,in the

reason

Coesar

which

in

Quintus

seen

the latter h:;d shown

deliver

"

any

measure

Pompey.

contributed
This

letter he

had the

written

to

elder
to

Quintus
his uniting

quotes

tim.
verba-

LIFE

THE

by

OP

distracted character

the

393

CICERO.

of the

times.

Almost

and regrets,
pregnantwith apprehensions
and useless laments
the morbid repinings
of Cicero over
his imprudence in bringing
himself
his own
into a situation in which, to use
thing
words, nois

every page
with

but the

alwaysbeen

averse

Neither

of

success

could prove

the constant

to which

cause

had

he

rests.
of service to his inteof the friends of

assurances

the numerous
recent instances of clemency
nor
Caesar,
the part of that leader,
the circumstance
on
nor
even
of his having forwarded
the late letter of Quintus
Cicero to Rome, with express directions that it should
be shown to the person it was
m^ant to injure,
proved
under
sufficientto relieve the disquietude
of mind
which he continued to labour; finding
a fresh cause
for alarm in every new
with
and looking
rumour,
each instance of forbearance towards the
on
suspicion
of his party as an additional proof of some
members
it
ulterior designagainstthem, which, at present,
not thought
was
prudentto reveal *.
He was
this state of unat lengthrelieved from
certainty
and dread by a letter from Caesar himself,
the most
t, and even
containing
friendly
expressions
*

Amonor

the

letters written

from

Brundusium

is

one

to

the

celebrated Caius

vice
Cassius,(Ad Diverges,xv. 15.)requestinghis adthe
and claiming
opinionas to the writer's presentcondition,

and

merit of

him

policywith

common

further resistance. The

placeassignedto

of Sch'utz is between

Cassius had
fleet of

been

in his late resolution of abandoning

this letterby the

Ad Attic, xi.24 and Ad

appointedby Pompey

to

command

rangement
ar-

Attic.xi. 20.
a

considerable

Phoenician vessels,
which he afterwards
dered
surrenof the Cydnns, where he had stationed
in the mouth
to Caesar,

Syrian and

his

of assassinating
an
squadronin the hope of finding
opportunity
in
the
river.
sudden
his
arrival
His
on
submission,
latter,
this design,
instead of following
out
broughtupon him the
naturally
from his own
and cowardice
chargeof treachery
party.

the

sunt a Caesare literaesatis libcrales ; et

"f Redditae mihi tandem
dicitur.
celerius
Ad Diversos,xiv. 23.
venturus
esse
ipseopinione
The following
is given by Fabricius,
inscription
Antiq.Mon., lib.
"

and
iii.,

C. Julius

asserted to have
M.
Caesar,

been

Tullium

found

at

Viterbo, in Etruria:

"

Ciceronem,ob egregias
ejusvirtutes,

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

allowinghim still to exhibit those coveted ensigns

of dignity his laurelled fasces and proconsular
nue
retifor as long a time as he should deem it expedient
to retain them.
A personal
interview shortly
afterwards completedthe reconciliation thus begun.
the Alexandrine war, and dissipating,
After finishing
in a brief summer
campaignof five days'continuance,
"

"

the

formidable

rebellion

of

Pharnaces

of

Pontus,
Caesar suddenlylanded in the month
of September,
in the quickA.U.C.
707, at Tarentum; deceiving,
ness
of his return, the expectations
both of friends
On the news
and enemies.
of his approachtowards
Brundusium, Cicero,who had at firstintended to send
forward his son, in company
with Cneius Sallustius,
summoned
to meet him,at length
courage enoughto set
out for that purpose in person. He has not himself left
in which he was
of the manner
account
any particular

is supplied
received,but the deficiency
by Plutarch ;
his journey
who states^that althoughhe commenced
shame and reluctance at the thoughtof trywith some
ing
how

before

he stood in the
so

many

opinionof a

he
witnesses,

victorious enemy,
discovered that he

soon

anythingbeneath his
no
sooner
dignity.Caesar,writes the same historian,
him
considerable distance advancing
at some
saw

had

occasion to say

no

him, after which

alone

for many

conference
towards

seems

he went

on

to have

Rome, amidst

to

ran

result of this

been his immediate

the

brace
em-

with
discoursing

furlongs*.The

return

splendidtrain collected,
the returning
dictator ;

progress, about
the first day of October,he writes

duringhis
since,on

and

rest,than he dismounted

before the
him

do

or

to Te-

Venusium, informingher of his intention

of beingat his Tusculan villa by the seventh or eighth
her to see that his
day of the month, and requesting
rentia from

anirai
gingularcs

tlotes per totum

perdomitumsalvum et incoluiuem
*

Plutarch's Life of Cicero

"

orbem, nostris armis

virtute que

cssejubemus.
translation.
Langhorne's

396

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

study produced his

and

of retirement

OP

De Partitione Oratorica" and "De

"

two

tises,
trea-

Claris Ora-

toribus ;" the first a clear and well-digested,

though
somewhat
between himself and his
formal,dialogue
intended;and
son
Marcus,for whose use itwas chiefly
ters
the second an invaluable comment
upon the characexcellences of the chief Greek

and

orators,intended
former

work

known

by

the

of that
the

both

Roman

supplementarybook to
Oratore."
This dialogueis

as

De

"

and

of

name

Brutus, from

his
also

the circumstance

distinguished
personage being one

of

speakersintroduced in it. Its various merits

though
alof thought and expressionits eloquent,
laments over
the ruined condition
half-suppressed,
of the republic its delicate,
and
impartial,
"

"

well-deserved

criticism upon the oratoryand

and, above all,the many curious

writings
lars
particualone respecting
to be obtained from this source
the greatworthies of the Roman
bar, must always
for it a highplacein the regards
of the stuensure
dent
literature.
either of classic or of general
of Csesar

"

His divorce from

Terentia

occurred

of these intellectual occupations.The

in the
cause

midst
which

he

for the separation

she had
alleged
was, the neglect
shown towards him duringhis continuance in Greece
and at Brundusium, and her generalinattention to
the management of his pecuniaryaffairs.
This,
but a pretextfor a
however, was, in all probability,
step which had been meditated long before. The
rious,
temper of Terentia,at all times haughty and impenot likely
to have lost anything of its
was
with the increase of years ; and
asperity
original
of
amiability
Cicero,with all his merits and general
that nervous
disposition,
appears to have possessed
and querulous
temperament, which has sometimes a
effect upon those who are in the daily
more
irritating
habit of encountering
it,than much greaterfaults of

character.

His

conduct in thus

in
parting,

the de-

THE

LIFE

OF

397

CICERO.

clineof

from one
he had so longbeen
to whom
life*,
and
united,on such trifling
grounds of complaint,
with such littlecompunction,
the subjectof genewas
ral
which
but
lessened
was
censure
anything
;
by his
marriageshortlyafterwards with Publilia a young,
beautiful and wealthy heiress towards
he had
whom
been appointed
to act in the capacity
of guardian.His
new
connexion,however, into which he is supposed
drawn
to have
been principally
by the dazzling
inducement offered by the fortune of Publilia,
proved,
been anticipated,
of unbut a source
as might have
and was
but of brief continuance.
Tehappiness,
the sympathy of her age might
rentia,for whom
have been excited,
does not appear
to have
naturally
been
greatlyafflicted by the event ; since she was
afterwards
married
rian,
to Sallust the histosuccessively
Messala
Corvinus, and Yibius
Eufus, and
"

attained the advanced

hundred
and three
age of one
last husband
is said to have proposedfor

Her
years.
her hand from

and to have
simplelove of curiosities,
two
boasted,after obtaining
it,that he now
possessed
of
men
thingswhich had belongedto the two greatest
a

the age before him

in which
Caesar was

"

the wife of Cicero and the chair

slain.

Caesar had finished

beginningof summer
his African expedition.The battle of Thapsus had
blow
at one
completelyparalysedthe republicin
that quarter. Utica had surrendered,
drawing after
had
it the whole of the adjacent
province. Numidia
givenin its submission,and the greatleaders of the
of the senate,Cato, Petreius,Scipio,
Afranius,
army
swords
and Juba, had severally
fallen by their own
The subjugation
of Spain
or by those of the victors.
alone remained,where the emissaries of the two sons
of Pompey were
to excite a
exertingthemselves
generalrevolt,and had alreadyenlisted a consider

By

the

Cicero

was

at this time

iii the

sixty-first
year of

his age.

393

THE

force for the

able

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

support of

their

enterprise.But,

field
his conquering
to a new
arms
transferring
Csesar againreturned to Rome, to enjoy
operations,

before
of

conquests,and to receive the

of his countrymen in the shapeof fresh and unprecedented
flattery
extended
His dictatorship
honours.
was
the fruits of his late

He was
declared magistermorum,
for ten years.
or
of the morals of the people, a titlehitherto
master
"

unknown.
him

Four

different

granted
triumphs were
in Gaul, Egypt,
successes

month, for his

Pontus, and Africa, in which he had the presumption
of several of the noblest
to exhibit the effigies
who
had
fallen in opposing him ; and, to
senators
the whole, a gildedcar was
crown
placednear the
in which was
erected
image of Jupiterin the capitol,
his statue,standing
an
tion
inscripupon a globe,with
of demigodto his name*.
addingthe appellation
Thus tempted by the abjectsubmission of a people
he entered
who were
rushingheadlong into slavery,
at once
authority
upon the full exercise of despotic
within

"

"

the crime

less of the individual than

of the

"

one

who

of the

than
exercises,

nity
commu-

of the

many

provoke and endure it. Without even

using
the outward
of consulting
the senate upon
formality
relations of the state,he took upon
any of the foreign
himself the whole management of this branch of the
into alliances,
treaties,entering
government concluding
and imposingtributes,
with reference to nothing
but his own
will and discretion. He
sovereign
even
(with a reliance upon their passiveacquiescence
which
nothingbut the most contemptuous opinionof
and condition could have justified)
their spirit
mitted
transto distant nations decrees ostensibly
passed
by their consent, but with the nature of which
they were
utterly
unacquainted. Do you think,"
inquiresCicero, in a letter to PapiriusPsetust,
who

"

"

"

"

Dio, xlvi.

Ad

Diversos,ix.

15.

THE
"

LIFE

OP

that the decrees of the senate

at

were

Naples?

Even

the
upon
in the house of our

up

it enters

ago that a decree

of which I was

Rome,

is set down
I

was

informed

if

as

not

Syriaand

said to bo the proposer,

the

and

confirmation

and

of their

cerned
con-

nia
Arme-

when

had ever
been heard at
subject
that I am
in jestin making this
been brought to me
Letters have

princeslivingin the remotest parts

towards
their gratitude
me
expressing
for them

if I

time

some

of the

mention
Think

at

am

carried into

was

be fewer

forum, these edicts are

friend. "NYhen, indeed,

his

head, my name
in preparing
them, and

would
I

while

in close attendance
drawn

S99

CICERO.

no

Rome.
representation.
from

of the
for

earth,
procuring

titles from

the

at the time
people; whereas I was
not only that they had been saluted kings,
ignorant,
but even
that they had ever
had an existence."
His confidence in his own
security
was, however,not
Caesar to lay aside
without its good effect in allowing
which
much
of that jealousy
is unavoidablyattendant
when its possessor is anxious of
upon authority,
holdingit upon any uncertain tenure ; and having
fullysatisfiedhimself that he had obtained a firm
senate

hold

of the

the

substance

of power,

he

was

the

less

its outward
respecting
appendages,in the
shape of perfectrespect to his person or opinions.
It was, indeed,part of the consummate
policyof this
while attackingby every description
able usurper,
dom,
both of force and stratagemthe very citadel of freeanxious

to leave for

some

time its mere

external defences

unimpared. This was

sufficiently
Cicero, after the death of the great
the quarrelof the republicat Utica,

to all appearance

shown

when

upholder of
(whose end every reader of his works must smile at
of his
findinghim propose to himself the possibility
time and opportunity*,)
at a fitting
imitating,
pro*

Csoteri"iuidem
tuus
, Pompeius, Lentulus,

Afranius,fcede
Scipio,

400

THE

his

duced

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

and

elaborate

unfortunately
long-lost
Cato"
a
carefully
wrought eulogium upon the
virtues and conduct of the unyielding
whose
patriot
it bore.
The
not only received
name
performance was
without resentment,but even with complaisance,
who, perhaps not unwillingto show
by the dictator,
"

"

his power
with his
of

the first writer of his age

encountering
own
proposedto himself the task
weapons,
in
answeringit;which be afterwards accomplished
of

his work

know

called

"

Anti-Cato."

of the character

From

the Jittlewe

of this

treatise,
much-regretted
the invective to which it was
devoted, besides being
rendered revolting
an
necessarily
by assailing
enemy
in
have
been
tute
destinot to
no
seems
longer existence,
and violence which distinguished
of the coarseness
all similar productions
of that period*. It seems,
time,to have contained passages
of delicate and elegantcompliment to the living,
which showed that its author was
capableof attaining
which
and forbearance in controversy,
to a politeness
would
few who had once
entered upon such a dispute
have been inclined to show
of a
the panegyrist
to
when
deceased adversary,
his life and fortunes were
at their disposal.
entirely
Cicero was
mentioned throughoutthe production
in terms of the greatest
respectby his imperial
opponent,
and
likened, with many
eulogiesupon his
however, at

the

same

Jam
pcrierint.At Cato praeclarti.
licebit.
"

Ad

istuc

quidem

cum

volumus

Diverse*, ix. 18.

Plutarch

mentions

that

one

of the

extravagant and alsurd

brought againstCato by Caesar set forth,that from a

of avarice he had passedthe ashes of his brother Caepio,
to
feeling
the
he was
whom
tenderlyattached, through a sieve, for
purpose
with
been
mixed
of obtaining any melted gold which might have
other
them.
The
charges probablypartook largelyof the same

accusations

character.

from

"

Anti-Cato"

seems

to

have

gatherfrom various passages in

however, not publisheduntil just before
hit Spanishcampaign.

books,
w;is,

The

as

we

been

written

ancient

the

in two

authors.

return

It

of Casar

THE

actions

well

OF

The

latter

been the dictate rather of

have

401

CICERO.

his abilities,
to Pericles and Thera-

as

of Athens.

menes

the

as

LIFE

complimentseems
the political
than

literary
judgmentof Caesar,since
but

seen

exuberant

little in

common

geniusof

the Roman

and

nervousness

he

between
orator

concentrated

could
the

of

energy

of

have

rich and

the
and

to

simple

the

two

he
to whom
greatluminaries of the Attic assemblies,
thus compared*. At the same
time it deserves
was
also to be recorded,as a further proofof the desire
of the conqueror to conciliate those lately
opposedto
to have been
him, that althoughCicero,who seems
always better able to modify his conduct than his
existing circumstances,had
of his trenchant jests
and sarcasms

conversation

to

ventured

"

some

upon

ing
respect-

the present condition of the state,in addition to

in a generalfreedom
which
of discourse,
indulging
induced

his friends

him of the proto warn

seriously
bable
of
were
consequences t, no signs disapprobation
shown towards him byCsesar;
who beingat the time,
amidst
other more
importantoccupations,
busily
of facetias and
employed in making a compilation
acquaintedwith
apophthegms,was
systematically
fresh

every

witticism

alreadyinserted many

uttered

and

Rome,

at

of Cicero's best known

had

sayings

in the collection.
To the

"

"

Cato

succeeded

the

Orator

"

"

or

treatise

dedicated also to Marcus

Brutus,
perfect
oratory^,
series of
and a worthy conclusion to the preceding

on

character of the oratory of Theramenes,

liisworks were
in the time of Cicero,may
extant
De

The

Oratore,

Lysias
"

erant

and

Omnes

ii. 22.

"

etiam

paulo uberiore

Consecuti
turn

hos

filo. The

foundation

Critias, Theramenes,

of the

is attributed

statim

of

be inferred from

retinebant ilium Periclis succum

trulyrhetorical school
ix. 1C.
"f Ad Diversos,
I luque hoc sum
aggressus
Orator,c;vp. x.
more

?"nt

althoughnone

to

mo~e

; sed

ornamental

Isocrates.

"Catone"

absoluto.
"

402

THE

works
art

LIFE

and

indeed

of which

considered

guide to
the

the whole

it forms

to the

present
which
excellence,
their

passionsof

to
aspiring

quisition
of the rhetorical disbe

portion,
may

hour

the

best

and

fellow
that

safely
surest

of

those ambitious

character above

could

To

subject. As the rules of all

this masterlyperapplication,
formance,

the same
upon
of universal

are

CICERO.

OF

ing
mov-

by eloquence,

men

of

tion,
declama-

mere

select for their direction.

into

enter

examination

detailed

merits,besides requiringa space

than

could

present work,
than

far

their

of

able
consider-

more

in the
allotted to the purpose
cism
demand
higherpowers of criti-

be

would

simplenarrator of facts
dares to pretend. Their due appreciation,
moreover,
be
reached
alone
the
noble
can
by the studyof
tongue
in which theywere
written.
For although
originally
some
generalidea might be formed, through the
medium
of translation,
of the nature and arrangement
of the subjects
and of the arguof discourse,
ments
any

adduced

distinct in sound

to

which

in

their

elucidation,what

terms,

though identical in meaning,could

mingledgrace and energy, the united

of the language,in which
beauty and perspicuity
these are preserved
?
languagewhich,in its majestic
and harmonious flow,resembles the tenour
simplicity
of some
mighty and unruffled river,whose depth
convey

the

"

may

be inferred from

murmurs

are

the

its very

blended

and
clearness,

tones

of

whose
and

melody

strength.
The

long

oratorical powers
suffered to remain

of Cicero,which

dormant,

were

had

been

about

the

againput forth in his speechin favour of

delivered in despiteof his determination
Marccllus,
of preserving
obstinate silence on all publicaffairs
an
duringthe continuance of the presentform of government.
same

time

The

name

of Marcus

Claudius

Marcellus

is

404
must

THE

have

red with

LIFE

reminded

the

CICERO.

OF

speakerof

their blood; and

the sword

where, without

any

yet
great

might have

imagined
his weakness
the stern shade of Cato rebuking
by its
silent presence, his vivid epithets
of approbation
seem,
and his finished flattery
at least,
strangely
misplaced,
stretch of the

he
imagination,

illin accordance

with recent

recollectionsand present

circumstances.

subject,
althoughless marked
address,was the speech
by the faults of the preceding
in favour of Quintus Ligarius,
who, like Marcellus,
Somewhat

similar in

in exile,
in consequence
of the
living
part he had taken againstCaesar in Africa. His two
the opposite
on
side,
brothers,who had taken arms
was

at the time

likely
urgent for his recal,and seemed not unto prevail
Quintus Tubcro, instigated
; when
of enmity of long standing,
by a feeling
formally
than an ordinary
accused him of havingshown
more

had

been

violence in favour

of the senate.

charge is

by

related

Plutarch

as

The

result of this

follows

"
"

When

Quintus Ligarius
was

impeachedon the groundof his

havingbeen among Caesar's enemies,and Cicero had
undertaken his cause, Caesar is reportedto have observed
:
Why should we not indulgeourselves on
this occasion with the pleasureof hearingCicero
plead,since it is manifest,on the clearest evidence,
that the accused is guilty
of all that has been urged
'

"

him ?' But when

the orator commenced
his
against
to excite general
emotion,and, as
speechin a manner
it proceeded,
introduced the most
powerfulas well
beautiful appealsto the passions
of his audience ;
as
it was
tenance,
clearly
changesof counseen, by his frequent
how
moved, until at
greatlyCaesar was
to the battle of Pharlength,on the speakeralluding
he was
from
so
salia,
as to tremble
violently
agitated
head to foot,and let drop the papers which he was
holdingin his hand. Being completelyvanquished,

THE

LIFE

OF

405

CICERO.

he dismissed the
therefore,
by the force of eloquence,
accusntion
againstLigarius."Such are the words
of Plutarch,and his account may possibly
be correct.
Yet, in the oration for Ligarius,
ingenious,
plausible,
it unquestionably
and judicious
as
is,there appear
but

few

emotions
such

calculated

passages

auditors

in the

of
certainly,

"

cheek, or

chieftain upon the

neither expressions
of

of the

seat.

It contains

with

the living,nor

funeral

lament

Pharsalia

trious dead ; and where

without
any reference

to

all that

disastrous

nerve
un-

judgment
sympathy
the illus-

over

is

dinary
extraor-

any

none,
to blanch the

profoundpathos as
the frame

excite

to

mentioned,it is
ruined

was

field.

blightedon

that

attempts made

gn.incredit for it on the ground of

freedom
dence
greatlysupportedby the evispeech itself. Its chief merit of the

its excessive
of the

Nor

and
the

are

to

protest contained in
connected
of wickedness,
it against
the appellation
as
"
Do
with the faction of Pompey.
then,
you,
Tubero," exclaims the orator, " term the conduct of
wicked ?
Under
what
pretext? for never
Ligarius
been distinguished
by such a
yet has that cause

kind

is to bo found

those

forcible

fear ;
some
designateit error
it by a severer
who distinguish
reasonable
unappellation,
nacy
obstiexpectation selfishness hatred
those who
give it the harshest title of all

Some

name.

in

may

"

"

"

"

"

"

rashness ; but wickedness, no

has yet termed
one
it but yourself.To me, indeed, it appears, if the
be sought for our
misfortunes
proper and true name
"

"

that

overtaken

they
should

were

certain fatal and

us, and
aware

wonder

calamitous

influence has

occupiedthe minds of men

of its approach;so that

that

human

counsels have

before
no

been

one
come
over-

Let us be called unhappy,

by divine necessity.
it is impossible
under such a conqueror,
although,
that we should be so.
I speaknot, however,of such

406

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OF

but rather of those who have perished.

survive,
obstinate,
Ambitious,resentful,
theymay have been ;
but be itallowed to the deceased Pompey, and to many
others who fell with him, to be free from the charge
of wickedness,of madness,and of parricide
*." Such
is one
in the whole
of the boldest attempts at liberty
sibly
oration, an attempt simplyto prove, that in ostenthe followers
the ancient constitution,
defending
of Pompey were
in the
not to be considered exactly
of criminals. Considering
the part which Cicero
light
had acted in the late disputes,
it was
surelyhardly
possiblefor him to say less ; and that he contented
himself with saying
and qualifying
that little
so little,
with abundant
it
praiseof the individual to whom
would be more
might prove unpalatable,
surprising
than the slight
indications of courage contained in it,
did not the general
of servile adulation which
spirit
characterised the times cause
anything,but the most
of this degradingsentiment,
extravagantexpression
to assume
the stamp and title of freedom.
the winter of the same
Towards
year, which,
besides the ordinary
months often inserted,
intercalary
increased by the addition of two others t, in conwas
sequence
of the reformation
of the Roman
calendar,
justcompletedwith the assistance of the astronomer
of Alexandria,by the great,
and all but
Sosigenes
universal genius,
now
placedat the helm of the state,
of

us

as

"

is

as

Pro

vi.
Ligario,

follows

enlargedupon

"
"

"

The

here.

Dr. Middleton's
merit

Those

of this

who

comment

speechis too

read

upon the oration

well known
to be

it will find

no

reason

to

which it breathes in
but the free spirit
charge Cicero with flattery,
the face of that power
it was
to which
suing for mercy, must givea
fresh idea of the art of the speaker,who could deliver such bold
truths without
who

This

of the judge,
well as of the generosity
as
offence,
heard them, not
only with patience,but with approbation."
is the elegant exaggerationof a learned but
prejudiced

biographer.
t In all
iii.202.

by the

insertion of

ninetydays.
"

See Fasti Hellenic!,

THE

Cassar

LIFE

into

summoned

was

OF

407

CICERO.

Spainto conduct his

of Pompcy.
With

the sons
expedition
against
A.U.C.
709, commenced
.year ensuing,
which
and
colleague,
duringwhich

nephew

Marcus,

he

the

engagingin

of

periodof

declared

Marcus

He

Cicero,and

son

the

the

third

the

of the horse.

his master
the

filled without

he

of the

took
it was

final
the

his fourth

sulate,
con-

assistance

of

his

dictatorship,
TEmilius Lepidus

with

him

with

that
difficulty

orator,was

Quintus,

from
prevented

service.

Cicero,however, who,
of respect for Caasar,had
with all his expressions
and consistently
strenuously
rejected
every opportunity
and offer of holdingany employment under
him, was resolved that no active supportshould be
givento what he yet considered the cause of usurpation
by so near a relative;and persuadedhis son, by
the promiseof an establishment in every way
suited to
his rank*, to retire to Athens, and devote his attention
under
for the presentto the study of philosophy
and
the guidanceof its then most eminent professors,
of Chrysippus,the leader of the
more
especially
This arrangement had
school of the Peripatetics.
scarcelybeen made and complied with, when the
sudden death of Tullia in child-birth took placeat
Rome, and in the house of Dolabella,
(then serving
with
of Caesar in Spaint,) which, notthe army
withstandin
her late divorce,a
step too much
in accordance
with the wishes
of both partiesto
have been productiveof any ill-feeling
either
on
The blow
side,she had still continued to occupy.
fell with astoundingeffect upon
her parent; who,
and long accustomed
to
strong in natural affection,
regard her, from her excellent moral character and
high intellectual endowments, as the flower and hope
of his house,saw
in the meridian
her snatched away
of life,
his own
at a time when
declining
years were
*

Ad

same

Attic, xii. 32,

Ad
")"

Diveruos,ix. 11.

408

THE

beginningto

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

make

valuable the solace

increasingly
and relief afforded by her society*.
Utterlyprostrated
in his anguish
by the unexpected
event,and shunning
the sightand converse
he
of his dearest friends,
retired at

once

where

endeavoured

he

Home

from

to the

house

of Atticus

find

refugefrom the pursuing

of his overwhelming calamityin his
sense
favourite studies. This retreat,however, appearing
he soon
too littlesecluded,
afterwards withdrew
to
his seat

to

the small island of Astura

on

situated in the midst of

where,

in that

seeks
obstinately

nature

as

mournful

laments

to

sorrow

such

and

useless meditations

had

of the

plungingof
"

abandonment

Antiuvn,
country;

aspects of external
minister
calculated to promote and admost
are
he spent his time in
to its indulgence,

good which

"

wild and romantic

luxurious

which

near

upon the
the murmurs

departedfrom him, amidst

the melancholy
or
forests,
surrounding

the deserted shore.

upon
In this solitude t," he writes to his friend Atticus,

am

the

freed

mankind,

and

the shelter of

from

waves

every

kind

of intercourse

with

withdrawingearlyin the morningto

dense and tangledwood, I quit
some

of the shadows. of
retreat till the appearance
nothingis so dear to me
evening. Next to yourself,

not

my

where
is with
seclusion,
my only communication
literature ; yet,how often is this interrupted
by my
I resist,
of my
indeed,to the utmost
tears,which
not yet equal to the task of fully
power, but am
in his sorrow
this occathem."
on
sion,
Still,
repressing
there was
nothingof an abjectcharacter. His
unlike those uttered duringhis
of grief,
expressions
at least manly, and often
forcible,
exile,
are, however
and indicate that,amidst the sorrow
not undignified,
as

at the
Tulliii,

time

years of age.
f Ad Attic, xii. 1-5.

of her

death,was

littlemore

than

thirty

THE

occasioned

LIFE

OP

409

CICERO.

his bereavement, he was

rather desirous
of his feelings,
of restraining
the full expression
than

by

them
to the vanityof amplifying
sacrificing
of
eyes of his friends by any ill-placed
pomp
or language.

of

The

of his misfortune

news

consolation

all

from

drew

ready with such

could supply,and the

were
philosophers

several tenets

ment
senti-

forth letters of

The

quarters.

in the

celebrated

most

comfort

as

voice of

exerted

their

private
spirit

to soothe his wounded

was
friendship
with the readylanguageof regret
and condolence.

historian Lucius
and

Lucceius*

Caesar from

"

The

the tumult

of his camp
near
Hispalisin Spaint
Brutus from Cisalpine
Gaul J,andServiusSul-

bustle

Marcus

from
picius

"

his

him

government

in

Greece, severallywrote

of their

sympathy, and exhort him to

his loss. The
of the last is
fortitude under
epistle
with beauty and
stillextant "; a compositionreplete
but, at the same
time,a mournful comment
eloquence,
the creed which
saw
beyond the burningpile
upon
and the sepulchral
little either to wish
to
urn
or
to desire ;"" nothingof that
to dread
or
deprecate,
dawning hope and glorious
expectation
by which the
able to commit
to its
most
ignorantcottageris now
the past dwelling
of suffering,
secluded resting-place
in
and the future residence of immortality
; rejoicing
to

assure

of comfort

source

hidden

once

from

unpurchaseableby the wealth

followingis a translation of this

sages, and
The

letter
*

the wisdom

Ad

of

of

kings.

celebrated

"

Di versos, v. 13, 14.

A
Attic, xiii. 20.

Csesare

literas

accepi consolatorias
datas prid.Cul. Maias Hispali Consequently,after the battle of
Munda, which appears to have been fought on the 17th of March,
Cneius
c. 709.
Pompey the younger was slain ou the 12di of
A. u.
Aprilin the same
year.
xii.
13.
Ad
Attic,
" Ad Diversos,iv. 5.
{
f

Ad

"

"

410

"

THE

SERVIUS
"

Great

LIFE

SULPICIUS

TO

and

was

severe

occasion demanded,

CICERO.

OF

TULLIUS

MARCUS

my

as

sorrow,

CICERO.

indeed the

receivingthe intelligence
of the death of your daughterTullia,
which
I considered
to us both; and had I
as
a calamity
common
been at this time in Rome, I should neither have
been wanting in my attempts personally
to console
the full extent
you, nor shrunk from openlydeclaring
of my grief
in your presence.
Since,however, this
is denied me ; althoughI am
that the office
aware
which
has devolved
be
must
me
necessarily
upon
of grief
and bitterness,
one
(sincein all cases those
friends and relations whose duty it is to undertake
to a certain extent,with the same
it,beingafflicted,
the chief sufferer,
and unable to perform
sorrow
as
it without

on

my

tears,appear

comfort than able to bestow

I

have,

before

rather

themselves
it where

need

to

required,)
to lay
briefly

most

determined
notwithstanding,

curred
ocas have
resignation
to me
; not from
any belief that they have
but imaginingthat
reflections,
escapedyour own
hitherto have
of their force may
your full perception
been hindered by the violence of your emotions.
What
feature is there in the presentcalamity
house to justify
which has fallen upon
your
your

such

you

motives

to

"

of

excess

sorrow

Consider

fortune has hitherto dealt with

has1 been
claim

upon

from

honour,our
employments. By this
country,our
what

increase has
?

Or

how

by reverses
and learn
callous,
of ill?

How

manner

and
all,

us

in which
that everything

that possesses an
children
affections with our

torn

our

the

our

equal

us

several
one

"

our

and public
dignities,

additional

former

misfortune

wretchedness

is it,that minds

tained
sus-

cised
greatlyexerendured, do not grow
previously
to regardless seriously
every kind

often must

you

have

so

come

to this

con-

412

THE

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

from

such meditations as these :

Aks!
indulging
frail and insignificant
it excite a sense
as
we
are, can
of murmuring in our
minds if one
of our
number,
doomed
has perished
to a brief existence,
necessarily
either by a natural or violent death, while in one
'

"

the earth the lifelessremains of

spot of

lie publicly
exposed to

vius,sufficient
and to prompt
Believe

me,

most

while

"

diminution
if by the

as

Is not

this,Seryour desires,

induce

of
Place,then, a spectacle

before your own

eyes.
illustrious citizens have

nature

While
been

cities

many

you to limit
the recollection that you are
I was
comforted
not lightly
to

consideration.

blow

view

our

so

mortal?'

by

this

similar

of

our

destroyed
by

one

so

many

empire has suffered so considerable

while every provincehas been shaken
shock of an earthquake is it fit to give
our

"

"

emotion
for the loss of the fleeting
to extreme
way
breath of one feeble woman,
who, if she had not died
at the

presenttime,must

years,

by

she

Let

mind

done

the very condition of

invested at her birth ?

was

"

have

advise you,

me

and

they are,

these

from

even

within

so

humanity with

few

which

however, to call off your

contemplations,
salutaryas

to increase

in their stead

such

suitable to the

tions
reflec-

of your station
dignity
lived as longas life was
desirable
that your daughter
that,duringher stay among
possesseda
us, we
country which was yet free that she had the felicity
her parent raised successively
of seeing
to the offices
as

are

"

"

"

of

praetor,consul,and
chosen

from

augur

"

was

wedded

the noblest families

"

bands
to hus-

had

full experience

and perished
at the same
blessing"
moment
sinkingstate. In all this,what
fortune is presingleground of complaintagainst
sented
?
her
either to
to yourself Forgetnot, in
or
of every
with
our

short,the

name

and admonitions

you
you

bear,nor

the

former

have been accustomed

precepts
to bestow

THE

OF

413

CICERO.

friends : neither

your

upon

LIFE

follow

the

of

example

who, while professing

a
physicians,
knowledge of medicine with regardto the diseases of
thjir patients,
of
are
whollyignorantof the means
their own;
but rather apply to yourself and
l.eiling
distresses the remedies which, in the
to your
own
of others,
to prescribe.
case
you have been accustomed
There is no shapeof grief
which
lengthof time
has not a tendency to soften and diminish ; but
gering
to await the effect of this linsurelyit is disgraceful
process, and to forbear meetingyour calamity
with the arms
which your wisdom
might supply.
even
If,indeed,there exists any power of perception
the love of your
after death, so
child
great was
unskilful

those

"

towards

you,
that I

from

strongher

so
am

affection for all her relatives,

confident such

beingconsistent

with

her

would

course

be far

wishes.

own

Yield,

to your
then, thus far to the deceased
remaining
who
friends,
sympathisewith you in your sorrow
if opportunity
be
to your country,that it may
still,
afforded,
profit
by your assistance and counsels. In
since we
sunk so low by our
tunes
misforare
conclusion,
"

"

as

condition
induce

to

of

be

act
affairs,

not

in such

to the
a

existing
as

manner

to

others to believe

lamenting
your

that you are not so much

daughteras the presentcondition of

the state,and the

"
I am
ashamed
lest I should
your prudence.
will conclude my
seen

you
and obtain the
thus

submit

compelledto

ascendancyof
to write

the victorious

fully
upon

more

party.

ject,
this sub-

appear to entertain a distrust of

With one
I
more
single
suggestion

sions,
epistle.We have, on former occanoblyplay your part in prosperity,
credit for your conduct while
greatest

circumstanced.

Let

us

now

be

convinced

that

able to sustain adversity,

and that it
you are equally
does not appear to you a more
heavy burden than it
this one of patient
with all your virtues,
ought; lest,

414

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

submission should alone appear

to be

wanting.

"With

affairs and the condition of the

my own
I will send you the
province,
necessary intelligence
when I have reason
mind
to believe your
is more

respectto

Farewell*."

composed.
As

it is not in the nature

of

men

to

measure

their

the replyof Cicero

by the estimate of others,
griefs
to the philosophical
arguments of his friend claims
for his abandonment
to his sorrow
especial
indulgence
the usual pleaof being distinguished
from others
on
He cites
of his calamity
nature
t.
by the peculiar
the most

remarkable

sustained

by

instances of similar misfortunes

the honoured
and renowned
of his nation

lessened

circumstances,
by alleviating
by which
the loss sustained by himself was
unaccompanied,
and pathetically
laments the extinction of his last
hope, after his dignity,
honour, and independence,
had successively
perished.We find from his other
that he was
intent upon
the
letters,
perpetuating
of his daughterby a splendid
templeto be
memory
erected to her honour,as well as by the ceremony
of
in excuse
a solemn
:
For," he observes,
apotheosis
for this determination, if the offspring
of Cadmus,
Amphitryon,and Tyndarus,were
thought fit to be
exalted
honour
to the heavens, the
same
ought
deceased
child. This,
to be paid to my
certainly
lent
excelmost
then, I will take due care to effect,
and accomplishedamong
and, with
women,
the approbationof the gods themselves, to whose
thou art alreadyadmitted,consecrate thce to
society
the regardand veneration of all mortals +." After
time,in the choice of
however, for some
hesitating,
first to have
for which he seems
an
site,
appropriate
fixed upon certain gardens
beyond the Tiber,with a
as

"

"

"

t This

Ad

Diversos,iv.

t I'"'d-'v- 6.

5.

passage is contained

in

fragmentof the treatise DC

thus preserved
by Lactantius.
"

afterwards quotedand
Consolatione,1'

T1IE

view

LIFE

OF

415

CICERO.

to its greaterpublicity,
and

afterwards,
by

the

advice of

some
one
Atticus,upon the ground near
of his own
villas,he was
probably induced, from
motives now
unknown, to lay aside his intention
altogether;
althoughhe had alreadyproceededso far
in its execution
with a sculptor
of
to contract
as
marble of
Chios for a number
of pillars
of the costly
that island,and to determine both upon the architect

and the

designof the

of the architect

written

regardedamong
after her
shortly
of

the violence of
to

to

able
honour-

more

elaborate

skill either

sculptorcould

have

produced,
by the

the best of his

death

the

"

works, was

result of many

wakefulness,duringwhich, although
his grief
able to banish sleepfrom
was

couch,it was

unpossessedof

divert his active

study.

far

of Tullia
memory
tion,
parent,whose treatise upon Consola-

her

of the hours

his

raised to the

was

once

But

the most
of the

or

'"'
.

than

monument

geniusof

edifice

In this

and

the

unwearied

whatever
treatise,

power whol'y
intellect from

argumentstending

encourage the exercise of fortitude under

had

been

suffering
phers,
philoso-

propoundedby the most esteemed

were
collected,
and, no doubt, adorned to the
of the great
utmost, by the judgment and imagination
mind

which
The

devoted
hand

of

tion.
itself to the task of their selec-

time,however, which

has, in

too

ferent
made
distinction between the difno
instances,
the recollection of
means
adoptedfor preserving
faded generations,
in the general
wreck,
confounding,
of
the eulogies
of the eloquentand the reasonings
the wise with the more
witness of brass
perishable
and marble, has left but few fragmentsof this carefully
finished work to indicate the considerations by
which its author endeavoured
in the breasts
to inspire
of others the firmness to which his own
was
a stranger.
Its generalcharacter seems
to have been such as to

many

~~*

Ad

Attic, xii.

18, 19

; xii. 36.

416

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

it a

frequent
perusalamong the earlyFathers
of the Christian church,but of its particular
claims
little better acquainted
to their approbation
we
are
than with the actual spot in which were
deposited
ensure

the ashes of the Roman

of

perpetuate. This
the temporary
not the onlyproduction
to which
was
retirement of Cicero from more
active life,
after the
decease

whose

death of his
"

it was

matron, the remembrance

intended

was
daughter,

Hortensius"

doomed
disquisition

was

His work

devoted.
afterwards

soon

to the

to

same

tled
enti-

published
;

fate with his treatise

which
nothing
respecting
is certain than it consisted of an imaginarydialogue
more
between
Cicero and his great predecessor
in
in which the pursuits
honour and reputation,
of philosophy
defended
His
next
were
by the former.
labour was
the composition
of his Academic
tions,
Queswritten
which, after they had been originally
in two
of Cato and Lubooks, bearingthe names
he subsequently
to four,and inscribed
cullus,
enlarged
Terentius Yarro*, in an epistle,
to his friend Marcus
of exceedingfinish and
still remaining,
elegance.
these
dissertations
also
the
envious
of
Upon
power
exerted; since the
age has been but too successfully
upon

Consolation,and

of the first book, like the stillexisting

commencement

edifice long sunk in

magnificent
of
ruin,alone exists as the undisputedrepresentative
the beauty of the series of Dialoguesto which it was
formerlyintroductory
; the Lucullus
generally
appended
doubtful
of
the
labour
to it,although
no
the second book of the
hand, beingunquestionably
Academics, and never
having constituted
original
learn
We
part of the work in its improved form.

porch of

*
"

De

The

some

celebrated author

Lingua Latina," the

Several letters to this famous

miscellaneous

of the treatises "

latter of which
individual

correspondence.Ad
"

are

was

De

Re

Rustira'' and

dedicated

to be found

Diversos,ix. I

"

8.

to

Cicero.

in Cicero's

LIFE

from

and from
tliis,
the
discussions,

villa of Cicero
task

OP

other

that
evidence,
of which

scene

in the

of

417

CICERO.

in these fancied
laid at the

was

of Cumte, tho
neighbourhood
of Arcesilaus and
principles

defendingthe
demy,)
Carneades,(thefounders of the Middle and New Acaand more
those of the latter,
was
especially
to Cicero,and that of opposingthem
to
assigned
Varro
the third speaker,
rator
Atticus,actingas modebetween
the disputants.We
also infer,
may
that in the destruction of the remainingbooks we
have to regreta perfect
and history
of the
description
various shades of opinioninto which
the schools of
had been
a name,
Greece,since philosophy
possessed
divided. The
Academics"
succeeded
were
by the
famous and long-contemplated
inquiry, De Finibus
Bonorum
et Malorum," or, in the words of its author,
the ultimate principle
dom
concerning
by which the wisof man
is to be guided for the attainment
of
and those objects
to which
nature directs
happiness,
its efforts as the greatest
of blessings,
shuns with
or
This majestic
aversion as the most serious of ills*."
of argument is pursuedthroughfive books,
subject
"

"

"

"

addressed to Marcus

Brutus, of

harmonious

and

quent
elo-

trines
reasoning.In the first and second the docof Epicurus are, with the displayof great
cate
defended by their advoand imagination,
ingenuity
and disproved
Triarius,
by the superiorarguments
The third
of Cicero.
and nobler philosophy
and

fourth

devoted

are

the

to

consideration of the

in a discussion which
of Zeno's philosophy,
principles
in an
is described as having originated
accidental
of
meetingbetween Cicero and Cato in the library
of the Porch,
Lucullus,and in which the maxims
the powerfuldefence set up by the
notwithstanding
Stoic,are provedto be equallyuntenable with those
of
of the Garden.
The fifthcontains an explanation
*

Ue

Finibus, lib. 5. cap.

E

4.

4 18

LIFE

THE

OP

CICERO.

Academy and of the earlier

Piso,before
person of Marcus
of Atticus,the elder Marcus,
audience consisting
an
and Quintus Cicero,and their cousin Lucius, convened
the appropriate
at Athens
on
spott,rendered
of the most illustrious of the
famous by the teaching
and by that immortal
pupilsof Socrates,
languagein
which the noblest of the writers of Greece has arrayed

philosophyof the
in the
Peripatetics*,

the

the sentiments
The

short

Old

of the firstamong
space

of time

her sages.
in which
these

several

performances(eachapparentlydemanding at least as
much
attention and study as was
probablybestowed
entered upon, and
the whole) were
designed,
upon
in an
even
completed,must excite surprise,
age in
united
which instances of power of rapidcomposition,
with corresponding
are
industryin literary
pursuits,
by no means
unfrequent.To the works already
ntioned,however, are yet to be added five books
me
and
of Tusculan
a
Disputations,
panegyricupon
Porcia,the sister of Marcus Cato, which were written
period of retirement. The latter
during the same
lost. The Tusculan
is entirely
Questions,which still
devoted to various moral
remain entire,
are
subjects
the contempt of death
the endurance
of pain
of sustaining
and alleviating
the
the means
sorrow
of moderating
all passions and the sufficiency
power
of virtue to ensure
happiness.They are perhapsthe
of Cicero
least pleasingof the ethical dialogues
the soil from which so luxurious
whether
a
produce
arisen had now
limited in
become
had recently
more
the more
its fertility
; or whether, in contemplating
"

"

"

"

"

"

ii soli numcrantur

vocantur,
qui Academici
sed
etiam
patetic!
PeriXenocrates,Polemo, Grantor,caeterique,
Speusippus,
-veteres, quorum
Aristoteles;
princeps
quern, excepto Plascio an rectd dixerim
tone, baud
principem philosophorum. De
*

"

in

qua

non

"

"

Finibus, v. 3.

f Cum

autem

vcnissemus

"c.~De
litata spatia,

in Academiae

v. 1.
Fiiiibus,

non

sine

causa

nobi-

420

LIFE

THE

CICERO,

OF

noveltyand the inclinations of

considered amply to warrant.
were
caprice,
in suppressing
Ctesar,
havingemployedthe summer
the last feeble show
of resistance to his authority
in Spain, after his decisive defeat of the army
of
in the month
of
Cneius Pompey, arrived in Rome
himself of the
September; where, after divesting
consulate,he conferred the honour, for the three
the

even

desire

of

Maximus

upon Quintus Fabius

His triumph over
Trebonius.

of the year,

remainingmonths

and Caius

Pompey and their adherents followed

shortlyafter. This pageant,althoughin the highest

the

of

sons

was
degreemagnificent,

witnessed

in sullen

of Rome
greaterpart of the population
havingat lengthopened their eyes to the real
had seen
of the policyof their late favourite,

by

the

havoc

of Munda

the

of the

re-establishment

extinction of
of

the

silence
;

nature

in the

their last

and
republic,

who,

hope
now

which
surrounded
the returning
pomp
of his success, not so
as
a commemoration
saries,
adverof his political
the opposing
arms

regardedthe
conqueror,
much
over
as

over

the

whole

constitution of the

state.

to a letter of
people,"
says Cicero,in answer
Atticus givinga detailed account
of the procession,
have behaved
their plaudits,
nobly in withholding
the image of Victory,in consideration of
from
even
"

The

"

the evil company

in which

it

was

exhibited*."

At

previouscelebration of the Circensian games a similar

had been given,when
token
of disapprobation
the
witli
borne in procession
statue of the dictator was
exhibited on such
those of the divinities generally
that
occasions.
Unwarned, however,by these signs,
he had alreadyreached the limit beyond which
it
would
be no longersafe to tempt the patience
of his
and imprudentlyimagining
that little
fellow citizens,
to be apprehendedfrom
was
now
a
party which no
*

Ad

Attic, xiii.44.

OP

LIFE

THE

421

CICERO.

in the field,
the ability
to meet him
longerpossessed
further reserve
he began without
all the
to assume
in addition to its subof kinglyauthority,
stantial
insignia
which
he had
long usurped.
prerogatives,
mitted
Anything short of this would probablyhave been subbut as the minds of men
to with patience,
are,
excited
more
by a singularinconsistency,
generally
by the symbols than the substance of tyranny, this
him the daggers,
conduct at once unsheathed against
which
bands by whom
the veteran
he was
against
his
surrounded could afford him no protection,
nor
of escape.
The
talents any means
splendid
military
he had been suffered to shed with

best blood of Rome

her laAvs and

impunity

libertieshad

been

yieldedat
his demand
but his laurel wreath and regalbuskins,
the armed
and the guards in
Venus upon his signet,
in
his person, (crimesinexpiable
attendance upon
the eyes of his countrymen but by the death of the
his vanity
not longin bringingupon
were
offender,)
which his ambition had hitherto been able
that fate,
with common
to shun,and might probably,
prudence,
long have avoided. Of this,however, there was at
"

"

presentno indication.

senate,with

The

continued to
passiveservility,
honours*, and to suffer their

load

him

ranks

more

than

with

fresh

be swelled

to

in addition to that of heingranked with

Among the privileges,
the gods,by this time conferred upon him by the senate, the following
are

of the most

some

precedenceof all other

and

ornaments,

have

his fasces

place of
Father
"

with

were

made

was

His

crowns
obsidionary

decreed

worshipin connexion

with

the
"

"

to

to

occupy a
and to bear the title of

"

observed

and

"

of

to him

with

laurel

in all the towns

erected

to celebrate the rites dedicated

his

take

to

his triumphal

publicgames
birthdaywas

after the fashion of those

the Julian Jove

allowed

was

magistratesconstantlyto wear
in publicin a gildedchair

the

Country.

the civic and

"

to be seated

distinction at

of his

he

"

all occasions bound

on

his statues

remarkable

of

an

sary
anniver-

Italy,adorned

kings

of
college

that of the

as

his robes ordered

ancient

to his honour

"

"

"

flamens

to

the title of

appointed

templeerected

goddessof

be

for

Clemency,

422

THE

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

dependants.He
to create no
was
allowed,in defiance of all precedent,
less than fourteen praetorsand fortyquaestorsfor a
single
year, and to confer the titles consular" and
filled
had never
individuals who
praetorian"
upon
a
publicoffice. His nomination of himself together
with Mark
Antony as consuls for the year following,
also received with all marks
and
of applause,
was
seemed
entire submission
to promise an
everything
which there is every reason
to his will,
at the period,
to believe he had
alreadyfixed upon for openly
without

his lowest

by

remonstrance

"

"

assuming the
king. While
the

crown,

and

he

thus

full tide of

was

with

it the

dailyborne

adulation

from

full title of
forward

by

distinction to

one

soon
another,Cicero,who had returned to Rome
after his triumphalentry,was
employed to plead
of Deiotarus,
before him the cause
once
kingof the
Lesser Armenia, and stillsovereign
of some
parts of
After havingapprovedhimself for many
Galatia.

duringtheir wars
in Asia,and havingbeen complimentedby the senate
in return by a confirmation of his regal
honours, and
with considerable additions to his territory,
presented
had taken arms
this monarch
during the civil war
in behalf of his former benefactor Pompey, and in
him with an auxiliary
addition to supplying
force*,
years

firm friend to the Romans

had himself been

The resentment

conduct,and

althoughhe
rebelf,was
of the whole

of Caesar

which
the annals

the

battle of Pharsalia.

excited by his
naturally
after the defeat of Pharnaces,
Deiotarus,
had taken the field againstthe Pontic
nevertheless deprivedby the conqueror
and the greaterportion
of his Armenian

Antony declared

and

present at

it would

of the

his

was

high-priest.To

these instances

be difficult to exceed

empire,at least

as

many

more

by

any

of phancy,
sycoreference
to

might be

added.

See Dio, xliv.

Caesar,De Bello Civ. iii.4." Appian,De Bell. Civil, iii.

Ixxrii.
v. ; Hirtius,De Bello Alex.
"f Pro Rege Deiotaro,
*

"

THE

of his

LIFE

423

CICERO.

OF

Galatian

possessions.Caesnr was, however,

entertained by him before his departure
magnificently
from Asia*, and all former
of enmity seemed
causes
when
to have been forgotten
Castor,
by both parties,
the grandsonof the Galatian monarch, with whom
he
dious
had been long at variance,determined
upon an insihis ruin.
plan for effecting
Having bribed
Phidippus,the medical attendant of the king, to
second his design,
he despatchedhim
to
to Rome,
Deiotarus
intention
of having entertained
an
accuse
of assassinating
his imperial
guest duringhis visit to
pleasure
his palacein Galatia.
While formerlyunder the disCaesar, Deiotarus

of

Nicaea in
force

Brutust

and

who

on

determination

defended

been

the tribunal

before
Bithynia,

by Marcus

had

at

of that

the occasion

general,
pleadedwith

which

to have

seem

sunk

deeplyinto the mind of his auditor,and to have given

him his firstperception
of that firmness of character in
destined to prove
the speaker,
which
afterwards
was
fatal to himself.
In his defence againstthe second
chargehe was aided by the talents of Cicero,to whom
he had formerlyacted as a faithful and strenuous
ally
heard
was
duringhis Cilician campaign. The cause
of Caesar, who
in the privatehouse
at Rome
was
moved
sufficiently
by the oratory of the advocate
*

"h Ad

Attic, xiv. 1:

Pro

"

"

Dciotaro,iii.

Magni refert,hie quid velit; sed quidquid

volet valde

speech of
oration

Dr.

volet,"is recorded as the comment

Brutus.
Respectingboth the time
delivered,considerable

was

Middleton

however,
47.

B.C.

renders
at

much
one,

refers

See
the

of

placeat

which

of

return

it
Fasti

latter

later
with

to

the

capitalof

Hellenici.

The

opinionalmost

cause.

same

Bithjnia,and

certain, since he

periodhave delivered himself

whose

character

thoroughlyacquainted.

he

must

Mr.

at

coast

of

short

Clinton,
the

to

observation

very

this

opinion has existed.

the
on
spoken at Nicsea,
Caesar from Spain; that is,but

the oration of Cicero in the

before

and

Cfcsar, after the

thinks that it was

the

Liguria, on
time

difference

of

of

would

year

Csesar

hardly

this effect,
ing
respectthe time have been

to

424

THE

for the defendant

himself

should

LIFE

defer

to

arrive

CICERO.

OP

in

givingjudgment until

Asia, in

the

he

of the

course

expedition
againstthe Parthians which he was then,
meditating. The speech to which Deiotarus owed
indebted
he was
for the
this delay,and to which
of his dominions,is
remained
of what
preservation
is replete
stillextant,and though comparatively
brief,
tiful
with excellences;
resemblingsome one of those beaucameos
producedby the unerring
geniusof ancient
has
art,in which, althoughthe hand of the workman
been confined to a space comprisedby narrow
limits,
is as perfect,
as
every form connected with the subject
reflectionof an image struck
if it were
a diminished
of life.
out by the chisel in the full proportions
Towards
visit from

the close of this year Cicero received a

the dictator while on his way
to Baias,of

he
:
Ctesar,"
graphicdescription
relates, havingarrived on the eveningof the second
the
day of the Saturnalia* at the house of Philippus,
which

he has left a

"

"

"

villa was

crowded

so

could not have

less than

been

of this threw
intelligence
to what

as

was

his soldiers that

for himself

room
scarcely

was

with

me

to do with

to

His retinue

sup.

two

thousand

into

no

such

there
The

men.

small

perplexity
host on the day
kindlyto my

Barba
Cassius
came
following
; but
reliefby appointing
tents were
fore
thereme
a guard.The
and the troops kept from
pitchedin the fields,
comingnear my house. Caesar staid with Philippus

the third of the Saturnalia t tillthe seventh

on

being denied

to

all

as
visitors,

accounts
engaged in inspecting

afterwards bathed,and

native

Caesar in

listened to the

18.

December
A

he was, I
with
Balbus.

He

ing
respect-

verses

J, without changingcountenance.

Mamurra
*

hour,
believe,

of

Gaul,

Formiae

famous

and

December

of
president

for his wealth

and

objectof the satire of the poet Catullus.

"

19.

the board

luxury, and
See

After

of works
the

to

especial

Pliny,xxxvi.

17.

LIFE

THE

this he

OP

425

CICERO.

anointed,sat down to supper*, and ate

well he might,since his entertainment
and drank freely,
as
and delicately
was
prepared;nor
carefully
seasoned with free and
this all,for the feast was
was
entertained
His retinue were
conversation.
agreeable
at three separate tables.
Nothing was wanting to
was

his freedmen
freedmen

rank

and

enacted

of the

kind

the host

of
*"

say,

to whom

guest

Favour

would

his ease, and seemed

He

meant

and

he

me

the next

feasted

I
subject,

he is not the

feel inclined

to

you, with a second visit

conversed upon no very serious
We
literature. To conclude,he
upon

but much
topics,
at
was
perfectly
told

this

Yet,

me.

one

even

to the

I entreat

me,

return.'

your

became

as

As

slaves.

higherorder,they were
elegance.Not to enlargeupon

with

on

of lower

to

at Baiae.

spend one

You

have

highlygratified.
day at Puteoli,

now

an

of

account

this dreaded

entertainment,which, however, has

I
proved in the issue anything but disagreeable.
intend to remain
here a short time,and then to proceed
As Ctesar passedthe villa of
to Tusculanum.
close to his horse,
his troops marched
Dolabella,
both
the rightand left,
on
althoughthey used the
This information I reelse.
ceived
precautionnowhere
from

Niciast."

day of the same

year, the consul
Fabius Maximus
havingdied suddenly,Caius Caninius Rebilus was
elected,
shortlyafter noon, to the
office by Caesar, although his dignitynecessarily
tion
expiredon the succeeding
midnight. The indignaof Rome
excited to the utmost
was
by this new
On

the

last

instance of wanton
*

This
the

Ad

contempt

Attic, xiii,52.

custom
revolting

of

Cicero

"

Unctus

seems

au-

est, accubuit, efneriK-hv

agebat.

to have

in those of

days
sign of good-fellowship.
t Ibid.
as

for all established

been

almost

and
Vitellius,

as

fashionable in

onlyconsidered

426

LIFE

THE

CICERO.

OP

the
lavished upon
bitter jestswere
thority, and many
less than
conferred
which
had
been
ephemeral honour
with
such
little deference
to popular opinion. Cicero
behind-hand
with
of irony
his wonted
tribute
not
was
to

event

an

so

dictator," he

well

calculated

observes

to

to

his

justify

friend

it.

Curius,

"

"

Our
after

taking the auspices for an election by the tribes, held

one
by the centuries, and returned, at the seventh
his authority till
hour, a consul who
to exercise
was
the Calends
with
the
of January, which
commenced
one
Know,
therefore, that not
following morning.
individual
time
dined
us
during the whole
among
that
Caninius
Nor
there
consul.
a
was
was
single
crime
perpetrated during the same
period, since our
consul
endued
with
such
marvellous
was
vigilance
his office. This
invested
with
to sleep while
as
never
of things may.
state
perhaps, excite your laughter ;
were

greater
existed

the

on

you

to

reason

at

the

spot, however,

weep*."
time

more

For

such
cause

would

have

lamentation

there

the

writer

you

than

Ides of March
probably apprehended. The famous
the flightof the advocates
the city
of freedom
from
the
ascendancy of Antony to the power
temporary
of the
deceased
dictator, and the appearance
upon
the stage of a more
selfish,subtle, and deadly foe to
Roman
liberty than Cassar, in his worst
state, had
destined
revealed
events
to be
ever
proved, were
by
"

"

the
close

year,

the

of the

of which

commencement

consulship
*

Ad

of Caninius.

Diversos, vii. 30.

announced

the

428
of
reputation
well
On

LIFE

THE

as

the

the

OP

CICERO.

nations engagedin it,as

principal

in the number

of their subsidiaries and allies.

side,the formidable bands, trained by

civil discord,the most
but most
terrible,
efficient,
and
and by
of militaryprowess
nurse
enterprise,
their previousservices in Gaul
and Britain,
as well
as by their campaigns in Macedonia, Egypt, Africa,
and Spain,to a state of efficiency
at any
unequalled
periodof the historyof their country,and headed by
commanders
all whose
names
exceedingin ability
had yet occurred in the long records of Roman
querors,
convading
of the inappearedto render the success
force an issue closely
bordering
upon certainty.
the
On the other hand,
appalling
aspectof Parthian
with his unerring
warfare, the active horseman
shafts yet sternly
occupyingthe path, red with the
his baffled host, the sterile
blood of Crassus and
wastes beyond the Euphrates, and the difficultiesof
a march
through a country,every furlongof which
to be disputed
was
by an enemy, who might
likely
but could scarcely
be defeated,were
be repulsed,
circumstances which mighthave justified
a temporary
in the minds of the most sanguine
apprehension
; and
all expectinduced the least timorous
to abandon
ation
of an
redoubted
an
so
easy triumph over
of
adversary,provided with such effectual means
for this long-planned
defence. To his preparations
cupied
Caesar,whose dreams were
expedition,
perhaps ocby the conquestsof Bacchus and Alexander,
by the spicyforests and teemingplainsof India "by
rather than the frowning circle
certainly,
anything,
enemies by which he was
to be
of unrelenting
shortly
surrounded,and the gleaming daggersabout to be
of his versatile
dyed in his blood,bent all the resources
genius all the energiesof his resolute mind.
rection
That lie contemplatedan
absence,in whatever dihe might turn his arms, of no short duration,
one

"

"

"

"

LIFE

THE
was

evident,from

his

OF

429

CICERO.

appointmentof

the

Roman

Ilirtius and Caius

for two years ; Aulus
magistrates
Pansa beingdestined to succeed himself and Antony,
the consuls of the current

year,

and

follow

His

Cneius

Plancus

office

own

as

to

consul

he

and

Decimus

next

Brutus

in succession.

intended,before setting

to confer upon
projectedexpedition,
of Antony ; who
to the displeasure
Dolabella,
greatly
with
having no inclination for such a colleague,
out

whom

his

on

he

variance,as
the

at

was

life of

the time

to have

accused

at

such

him

of

fierce and
a

open

designupon

had
standing
threatened,notwithdictator,
the displeasure
the risk he ran
of incurring
it might
of Caesar,
the election whenever
to interrupt
be appointedto take place. Having, as he fondly
secured domestic tranquillity
by a general
imagined,
teen
indemnity,and having alreadysent forward sevendonia,
legionsand ten thousand cavalryinto Macenothingremained to delayhis settingout for
the purpose
the
their march
towards
of directing
Euphrates,but the absence of the regaltitlewith
which
he was
desirous of being invested,before entering
which
he
plan of operations
upon the gigantic
meditated.
At the feast of the Lupercal,the wellknown
attempt of Mark Antony was made, in presence
assembled peopleof Rome, to
of the whole
force upon
he
his acceptance the diadem, which
to decline ; rewith unsuccessful duplicity,
ceiving
affected,
the

for his refusal,as well as for his

Ccesar and
previousdeclaration that his title was

in return

the unexto his mortification,

pected
king, much
A few
applauseof the gatheredmultitude.
days afterwards, the tribunes Marullus and Caesetius,having taken off the crown
placedupon his
statue in the rostra,and committed
to prisonthose
not

who

had

guiltyof this overt act

were
majesty of the republic,

been

againstthe

of treason

deposed

430

THE

their

from
in

return

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

from
and expelled
magistracy,

for their

the senate,
officious interference with
the

ambitious

designsof the dictator. It was finally

projectedthat,at the next meetingof the senate,
of the
or
Cotta,one of the quindecemviri
guardians
the strengthof
books, should declare,
on
Sibylline
certain propheciescontained
in
those pretended
that the Parthian
oracles,
empire was destined to
be overthrown
onlyby a king*. To this assembly,
the friends of the dictator looked
therefore,
from which the
with confidence,
as the period

long republicanin
be
of

openlydeclared to have
absolute Monarchy
an
"

Avhen,if

ever, the

blow

forward

government,
would
name,
passedinto the condition

nothingbut

his enemies, as the crisis

must

be struck

for the vindication

of their

country'sfreedom.
The
conspiracylong projectedagainsthim, and
of his real
precipitated
by the late demonstrations
far matured
that a favourable
so
now
was
intentions,
alone expectedfor carwere
rying
placeand opportunity
it into effect. The members
of the plotalready
amounted
than sixtyin number, comprising
to more
whose
lives had been sparedby the clemency
many
and some
of the dictator,
whom
he had loaded with
benefits.
the

The

names

of those
among

them

who

took

lead in their

Marcus
Brutus
were
deliberations,
and
Caius Cassius, both of them, at the time,
invested by the friendship
of Ccesar with the pras-

torian

and
dignity,
of judgment to

afterwards

summoned

from

the

sination
prominentpart in his assasTullius Cimber, Deci; Quintus Ligarius,
mus
Brutus, Caius Trebonius,and Caius Casca.
By
these,and the rest who were
privyto the design,
several meetingshad
been held for the purpose
of
the spotupon which their purpose should
determining
The Campus Martins,duringthe time
be executed.

seat

act

Dio, xliv.
"

Suetonius,Jul. 79.

THE

of the comitia
the

LIFE

OF

the Via Sacra

"

theatre,had

senate

of March

and the entrance

into

severallymentioned, and the

the success
of the designpossessed
But

summoned

had been

in the

"

been

advantagestowards
by each discussed*.
that

431

CICERO.

it was

when

to meet

on

known
the Ides

Pompey's theatre,all
difference of opinionwas
at an
end, so exactlydid the
opportunity
appear to be suited to their daringpurpose.
All preparations,
therefore,
havingbeen made,
the conspirators
waited in resolute composure
for the
of a deed, the
moment
appointedfor the perpetration
ation
guiltof which could only be lightened
by a considercondition of the state ; or vindicated,
of the desperate
after its perpetration,
grity
by the most stainless intein the lives of those engaged in its perpetration.
Cicero was
no
or
indirectly
party either directly
to the conspiracy
against the life of Csesar; his wellhis tendencyto raise
known
hesitation and timidity,
and to suggestdifficulties,
beingviewed as
objections
sufficient reasons
for excludinghim from all participation
We
find from
in so dangerousa secret.
his
letters that he had been admitted no longtime before
to

an

Curia, close

interview with

the

to

in
dictator,

which

the latter

elegantcompliment,(nodoubt intended
to reach his ears,)
a short
delay to which he had
in the ante-chamber
been subjected
leadingto the
hall of audience t :
Can
I doubt,"said the courteous
of my beingheld in generalodium,
usurper,
is kept sitting
Cicero
"when Marcus
without, and
?
If to any one,
denied access
at his pleasure
to me
repaid,by

an

"

"

"

be at all
should, at least,
him ; yet, I doubt not, that
most

bitter hatred."

time

with

then

on

accompany
*

Suetonius

Of his

times

easy of

he

regardsme
meetingabout

to

access

with
the

the
same

Cleopatra,the famous queen of Egypt,

visit to Caesar,
(whom she intended to
his Parthian expedition,)
and residing
on
in J.

Casare, cap. Ixxx.

"}"Ad

Attic, xiv. 1.

432

TUB

in his

LIFE

the

gardensupon

CICERO.

OP

Tiher,the

Accustomed
very different terms.
of Eastern servility,
this crowned
conquerors
admitted
Romans
them

have

to

seems

to her

have

to

appears

of her

had

minion

of

treated
the

sive
succes-

the

noble

pendants
de-

mere

expectedfrom

she exacted

court.

own

speaksin

to all the forms

presence as
and to have

of her paramour,
the same
deference which

titled slaves

orator

from

the

Cicero,however,

cause
especial

of resentment

of liberality
againsther, on account of her want
towards him, in return for services rendered towards
her while residing
is
at Rome, the nature of which
serves,
not very clearly
explained. The queen,"he obsubsequentlywriting to Atticus,"is an
objectof my thorough detestation. Ammonius,
who pledged
himself for the performance
of her undertaking,
that I have good reason
knows
for my
Her promises,
however,were
displeasure.
onlysuch
consistent with my
as
were
perfectly
dignityand
of letters,
should I be ashamed
character as a man
nor
As to the haughto proclaim
them from the rostra.
tiness
shown
by the queen herself while she was
livingin the gardensbeyond the Tiber, I cannot
recall it to mind without
the strongestfeelings
of
have nothingto do
I will,therefore,
resentment.
"

with

such

neither soul
The

set,who

*."
spirit
of the famous
particulars

too well known

think

that

I possess

will

ever

be memorable

more
justify

to

action for which

than

in

the

are
history,

the most

casual

dangerof the discovery

lous
the whole
plot after,accordingto the creduhistorians of later periods
t, the most awful

notice.

After

the imminent
"

in

to

nor

Ides of March

of

seem

Ad

Attic,

t Dio, xliv. Plutarch, in Cic.

Hamlet, Act i.,Scene 1.
"

In the
A

most

littleere

xv.

15.

See also the beautiful passage

highand palmy state of Rome,

"c.
Julius fell,"
the mightiest

LIFE

THE

OP

433

CICERO.

character
countable
days of unacsupernatural
with horror
darkness,and nightsreplete

warningsof

"

"

chances of escape, which almost

presentedto the intended victim

after the many

to have been

seem

and

desirous
urged upon his notice by a friendly
power,
of counteracting
the decrees of destiny the blow
illustrious
the most
at lengthstruck,by which
was
dominion
of aspirants
amidst
to arbitrary
was
offered,
circumstances
of singulartheatric pomp,
like a
crowned
and devoted sacrifice,
to the insulted liberty
of Rome.
of
Cicero,althoughwholly unsuspicious
the design,
of
witnessed,as he tells us, witli feelings
the highest
satisfaction the tragicend of the conqueror,
his praises
had been so profusely
upon whom
"

lavished.

The

at the base

of

instant Caesar had

his last

Pompey's statue,Brutus, amidst

of
panicand flight
general
with

breathed

the extent

those of the senate

the

quainted
unac-

spiracy,
objectof the conhis reeking
wTaving
weapon, called loudly
upon
and congratulated
him upon .the
the orator by name,
freedom.
The exclamation
recovery of his country's
unfortunately,
premature. By an imprudent
was,
Brutus, against
clemency on the part of Marcus
which
Cicero bitterly
and
inveighsin his epistles,

which,
his

or

states,would

he

opinionhad

been

the

have

never

consulted

been

shown

*, Antony, who

been at firstdestined to share the fate of his

suffered

was
colleague,

assassination of Caesar he had

Trebonius,under
*

ad

vestrse exercent,
reliquiae
you

had

of

March

gone
me,

before

been drawn

invited
!

Be

me

Mcfmoth.

all

that

to

rcliqniarumnihil
feast you
glorious
have

others,

See also Ad

trouble than

Diversos,x. 8.
F

you
you

me.

"

exhibited

suffered

Whereas, the part

more

fuisset.

quidem, prater cseteros

assured I would

off untouched.
above

et

none

have
can

the

aside

him
pretenceof consulting

invitasses ;

coenam

had

imperial

Vellern Idibus
Divcrsos,xii. 4. (toC. Cassius)

Ad

me

Just

to escape.

if

upon
Martiis

Nunc
"Oh!
on

by

me

that

the ide*

of it to

have

spared occasions
imagine."-"

well

434

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

to the porch of the senate-house,

privatebusiness,
unmolested
in his
was
and, after its perpetration,
amidst the rest of the terrified multitude,
flight,
himself of his consular robes,
which, after divesting
he effected with the greatestprecipitation,
directing
his course
to the house of a neighbouring
friend,
where, for the purpose of better concealment,he
hastily
arrayedhimself in the habit of a slave. By
this means
and resolute leader
was
a politic
preserved
for the ensuingwar, and a name
to act as a rallying
word to the scattered Caesarian faction,
who otherwise
submitted
to the change
might have passively
induced by the death of their chief. Still,
however,
if Cicero,
in Rome
the first man
now
unquestionably
in dignity
and reputation,
had boldlyrespondedto
the call of his country speakingby the voice of
Brutus, and presentedhimself for the purpose of
by
assumingthe helm of the state,or of finishing
his impassioned
the revolution begun by
eloquence
the courage of the republican
party,there is every
to believe,that the calamitous
reason
reaction,
by
which all that had been ventured and performedin
the cause
of liberty
rendered ineffectual,
was
might
have been avoided.
Contentinghimself with his
usual middle
the moment
at
course, and suffering

which

his interference would

have

been irresistibleto

all his after constancy

escape without improvement,
and self-devotion were
unable to avert the consequences
of his ill-timed hesitation.

As

for the

themselves,
beyondthe grandobjectof

spirators
con-

their

ulterior plan
no
projected
the results of their hardihood,
to have
to secure
nor
their own
to place
means
preparedany extraordinary
persons beyond the reach of danger. The onlyforce

design'
they seem

at their immediate

to have

command

consisted of

band

of

Brutus, which,
belongingto Decimus
gladiators
before the meeting of the senate, he had postedin
the adjoining
to be about to extheatre,pretending

436

THE

of Caesar

death

the whole

LIFE

was

senate,and

OF

CICERO.

to be considered

whether

had thus

suddenlybroken
by the greatmass

out

the
was

as

the act of

which
conspiracy
not aided and supported

of the

and
citizens,
by a force which it would be follyto resist.
While both parties
thus stood aloof,from

backed
mutual

of apprehension,
the inhabitants of Rome,
feelings
that no injury
intended to their property
was
finding
their persons, began againto issue from
their
or
houses,and to collect in the usual placesof assembly.
China, the son of the Marian chief of that name,
the first who
ventured
in
to harangue them
was
vested
favour of the conspirators.
Being at the time inwith the dignity
of prsetor,
he publicly
stripped
he
would
that
his gown from his shoulders,
declaring
no
longersubmit to wear the badgesof a usurper ; *
and proposed
that those who had been instrumental
in the death of Ca?sar,
should be immediately
invited
to descend

from

assurance

of

their

post, with
advantageous

safe-conduct.

This

motion

the
was

by Dolabella,who next appearedin public,

of consul,having
invested with the full insignia
assumed
the office with the firstinformation
audaciously
seconded

fall of Ca?sar.

of the

The

of the

consent

obtained,Brutus and Cassius

ventured to leave the capitol,
and address the multitude
heard with respect,
althoughwith
; and were
littleappearance of enthusiasm in their cause.
They
however, too cautious to entrust their safety
were,
to any thing short of the most
unequivocal
bation
approof their countrymen ; and, after concluding
their respective
harangues,returned again to the
tions
the result of their observato communicate
capitol,

people havingbeen

to their friends.

On

assuine

cient
suffifollowing
day,Antony had regained
and to reconfidence to quithis retirement,
with
the ensignsof his dignity.Endowed
the

Appian,De

Bello Civil, ii

THE

LIFE

OF

437

CICERO.

his

daring
first object
courage and
to ascertain the existing
state of popularopinion,
was
and the full extent of the strengthpossessed
by the
of freedom, before venturingto commit
assertors
himself by any decided
stepscither for or against
them.
His expressions
and conduct were
accordingly
marked
moderation, that a friendly
by so much
communication
was
spirators,
opened with him by the conin opposition
to the urgentadvice of Cicero ;
craft,only equalledby
abandoned
his
libertinism,

consummate

;i

who,

and of the persentiments,'

warned
them
character,repeatedly

of his real

aware

fidiousness of his

in vain of the consequences

trustingto any of his

he represented
as
engagements, which
observed only as long as there remained

promises or
likelyto be

thing to be dreaded
any
After several conferences,
it
of the senate
debate

should

of

their

from

violation*.

agreed,that

was

be forthwith

present condition

ing
meet-

summoned,

to

the

republic,
and
of both
partiesindiscriminately
invited to attend it. Antony, however, employed,
in acts of the
Cicero had anticipated,
the interval,
as
most
securing
prompt and masterlypolicytowards
the
upon
the members

and

augmentinghis

his first stepswas

power

and

of

influence.

One

of

mous
placea guard over the enorling,
treasure,amounting to about six millions sterwhich
had been deposited
by the late dictator
in the temple of Ops. He
of his
next, by means
interest with Calpurnia,secured the will and papers
of Cassar.
then admitted
was
Lepidus,with his legion,
into the city,and suffered,after occupying
the principal
streets with detached bodies of soldiery,
in the forum ; where
to establish his head-quarters
*

Dicebam

vcllent

ul

metueres
te futurum

illisin
ad

to

liberatoribus nostris,cum
capitolio
reinpublicamte adhortarer

defendcndam

omnia

te

tui,
"

sirnul
protnissurutn,

ii,35,
Philipp.

ac

timere

me

ad to

quoad

destsses similem

438

LIFE

THE

OP

CICEKO.

began to inveighfiercely
againstthe

he
his

patron, whose

death

he at the

assassins of
time

same

openly

lamented.
pathetically
Having thus contrived
in a somewhat
to placehimself
more
commanding
than at first,
position
Antony waited,without anxiety
the meetingof the senate,on which
as to its results,
festly
the destinies of the empire to a great extent maniheld
depended. This famous assembly was
at daybreak,on the 18th of March, in the temple of
It was
Tellus.
then
determined,partlyby the
influence of Dolabella,who
was
apprehensiveof
but
beingstrippedof his latelyassumed magistracy,
principally
throughthe able policyof his colleague,
that every act and appointmentof Caesar should be
confirmed,and his grants of land to his veterans
fullyratified. A generalact of amnesty was added,
concerned
by which all prosecutions
againstthe parties
in his death were
The
forbidden.
expressly
latter step was
warmly advocated by Cicero,who
took a prominent part in the debate, althoughhe
of the pernicious
to have been well aware
seems
sequences
conwhich
he has
of the preceding
resolutions,
in all probability
been
as
represented
erroneously
Brutus
seconding*. On the same
day, Marcus
and

haranguedthe assembled multitude from

the capitol
in a speechvindicatory
of
his

of

party,

was

received

the

with

stepsof
conduct

general

the decree of
day following,
the senate havingbeen fully
confirmed by an assembly
of the people,
the conspirators,
tony
after the son of Anhad been placedin their hands as a hostagefor
their security,
consented to descend
from their commanding
received with all outward
post. They were
demonstrations
of confidence and amity, and after

applause;

Quid

oderamus?

and

which

the

enim

the

tueri, propter quse ilium

qua.ni ea nos
cousules et tribunes plebis
in biennium, quos

miserius

Etiamnc

"c.
illevoluit,

on

"

Ad

Attic, xiv. 6.

Comp. Dio, xliv.

LIFE

THE

the mutual
to

of

Brutus,

at

that of

indicated the
of the

439

CICERO.

Cassius
civilities,

entertainment
splendid

and

exchange

OP

at

the house

the

constitution.

Ctesarean

invited

of

Antony,

Lepidus.
pearances
apfirm and peaceful
ment
re-establishAll

Beneath

external

these

indications of concord,however, lav, on

of

\vas

outward

the

part

promises,violated
and an ambition
faith,
eager to break throughthe
hollow truce, to which
its hypocrisyhad
only
stooped,in the hope of findinga more
easy prey in
its unsuspicious
victims.
committed
One of the greatestacts of imprudence
the concession
at the late meetingof the senate was
of a publicfuneral to the victim of their resentment.
Antony having previouslypublishedthe will of
contained in which
of a largess
Caesar,the legacies
and the assignment
of
to each of the inferior citizens,
well
his gardenson
the Tyber to their use, were
calculated to excite their sympathiesfor the fate of
the donor, resolved upon subjecting
their feelings
to
the day appointedfor solemnising
test on
a further
the final obsequies
of the dictator. On this occasion,
the pileon
which
his body was
to be consumed
havingbeen first erected in the Campus Martius,

daughterJulia, the corpse

was
brought with imposingpomp into the forum,
which
on
accompaniedby an effigy,
every wound
it was
inflicted upon
depicted. Here,
accurately
of muamidst the melancholy strains of a band
sicians,
skilfully
adaptedto excite the compassion
upon which he intended to work, Antony, who had
been permittedto pronounce
the funeral oration,

near

the

faction,broken

tomb

commenced

that

of

Dio,*

pages
known

his

of

admirable
the

address contained in the

purport of which
condensed,and, it

is far better

need scarcely
through its
be added, much
improvedtranscript
by the great
monarch
literature ; concluding
of dramatic
by ex*. Hist. Rom.

xliv.

440

THE

LIFE

OF

ClCEKO.

first the robe of the deceased,rent by the

hibiting
and deeplydyed with his
daggersof his assassins,
blood ; and finally,
the ghastly
image which represented
excited
his mangled remains.
The multitude,
less
to frenzyby the eloquenceof the speaker,no
than by the artful means
he had adoptedfor heightening
its effect,
by a generaltumult,to
gave testimony,
the power
The corpse of
of Antony as an orator.
Caesar was
of a pile
burned upon the spot by means
hastilyconstructed of materials collected from the
and honoured
vicinity,
by the oblations of the Roman

matrons, as well
the

as

flames their most

and continued to

for several

husbands,who
preciousornaments

of their

successive

supplythe
days. But

threw
and

into
niture,
fur-

fire with fresh fuel

the excitement

of

the

populacedid not stop with this extravagantbut

luckless
harmless
of their regrets. A
expression
Roman
who
of Cinna,
happened to bear the name
torn to pieces
was
beingmistaken for the late praetor,
in the first transport
and the
of their indignation,
houses of Brutus
and Cassius assaulted with a fury
which
mined
was
only disappointed
by the most deterresolution of their inmates.
Terrified by
this sudden outbreak of popularresentment,and confirmed
in their impression
that Rome
was
no
longer
their lives were
to be regarded
as a placein which
of Antony,who assured
secure, by the representations
Brutus for a public
them, on the requestof Decimus
for the extent to
guard,that he could not answer
which

the violence of the soldiers

might be
the

or

of the multitude

carried in

their presentstate of exasperation,

individuals engaged in the late
principal

to quitthe capital.Treconspiracy
began severally
bonius
privatelyset out for his provinceof Asia ;
Tullius
Decimus
Brutus
for CisalpineGaul ; and
for Bithynia. Marcus
Brutus
Cimber
at the same
of Lanuvium, and
time retiredto the neighbourhood

THE

LIFE

OF

441

CICERO.

accompaniedin his retreat by Cassius. Cicero was

this example ; and once
not long in following
more
of the fortunes of his country, withdrew
despairing
was

in

lament

to

the

seclusion of his villas that

which
constitution,

ruin of the

he

table
inevi-

plainlysaw

approaching.
It

of the

policyof Antony, however,

to extremities,
to
or
yet to drive the republicans
of kindling
allow their chiefs an opportunity
a war
in the distant provinces,
while there
remained
a
chance of lulling
of which
them
into a security,
he
might avail himself,suddenlyto oppress them nearer
No sooner
had Brutus and Cassius departed
home.
from
Rome, than content with the result of his
experimentupon the publicmind, he set himself in
tumults by a
earnest to put a stop to the existing
then
of action. He
prompt and vigorous course
invited the fugitives
to return to the city,and conducted
was

no

part

his negotiationswith them

"

as

to induce

result of
the

them

second

1st of

to determine

with
upon

so

much

art,

awaitingthe

the senate, to be held on

such
of discussing
purpose

meetingof

June, for

relative
questions

the

of the state,as still

settling
remained
undecided.
He himself resolved,
as
before,
interval to his own
to employ the
advantage,by
making a progress through Campania, among the
settlements

to the

Caesar,with the design

and attaching
them
inclinations,

of the veterans

of

sounding their
he
as
by liberal promisesto his interests. As soon
had set out to 'carrythis intention into effect,
his
he had left behind
at
colleagueDolabella,whom
in favour of
Home, began to exercise his authority
of conduct
the republicanparty by a bolder course
of

than

he had

the

members

hitherto dared
of

the

Csesarean

and
of foreigners
chiefly
their
continuing

to pursue.

persons

endeavours

to

A number

of

faction,consisting
of servile condition,

keep alive

the recent

442

THE

OP

LIFE

CICERO.

disturbances,
by tumultuouslyassemblinground the
spot where the body of Caesar had been burned, he
and havingput
hastily
apprehendedtheir ringleaders,
them
from
to death by crucifixion,
or
precipitation
the Tarpeianrock,proceededto demolish the column
of Numidic

dictator

marble
his

erected

the

to

admirers,with

of the

memory

tion,
imposinginscripTo the Parent
of his Country ;
at which
ignorantof the populationof the capital

by

the

"

"
"

the most

had, for sometime

past,been accustomed to offer their
if in the
as
devotions,and to decide their disputes,
of

presence
were
a

of the repubdeity. The spirits

licans
raised by these proceedings
to
more

local

once

fallacious confidence.

The

letter of Cicero to Dola-

bella upon
he
the occasion yet remains, in which
and courage in the warmest
speaks of his patriotism
of

terms

eulogy;

and

with
correspondence

his

periodshows how much reliance

he was
to placein this instance of severity
disposed
well as least
of the least culpable,
as
some
against
of arbitrary
partisans
authority. Our
dangerous,
in my
friend Brutus," he writes, might now,
of
opinion,walk through the fornm with a crown
goldupon his head, without molestation ; for who
him with the prospectof the
dare to injure
would
since the
before his eyes, especially
rock or the cross
inflicted amidst such general
late punishmentswere
tokens of approbationand applauseon the part of
Atticus at the

same

"

"

the lower

the

Under
a

orders*."

kind

pretenceof

what

of fictitious

neither
service,conferring

was

called

employment in

honour

nor

free

the

legation,
public

emolument,

held it the liberty

of
gave those who
absentingthemselves from the meetingsof the senate,
Cicero had determined, before the death of Caesar,

but

upon

which

the
to Greece,to superintend
proceeding
*

Ad

Altic. xiv. 10.

studies

444

THE

LIFE

have received at your

OP

CICERO.

hands,your

publicconduct

at

this

importantcrisis has so far endeared you to my

individual
that no
at the present time
affections,occupiesa higherplace in them than yourself."
It is not likelythat either of these practised
matists
diplofor a moment
was
plimentary
imposed upon by the comof his opponent, or induced in
professions
the slightest
degreeto relax the wariness with which
he regardedthe movements
of the adverse
party.
To Cicero Antony seems
from the first to have been
and
an
objectof the strongestdislike and suspicion,
that the feeling
be inferred,
was
as
reciprocal
may
well from other circumstances,
from the connexion
as
of the latter with Fulvia,the widow
of
by marriage
the notorious Clodius,who
not of a disposition
was
to suffer the malignant
enmity of her husband to rest
for want of fresh excitement,under the recollection
of her ancient causes
of resentment
againsthis able

adversary.
During these deep laid
the theatre

of action

was

both

sides,
occupiedby one,
silently

movements

on

with
the
himself
at first almost
who, contenting
destined ultimately
character of a mere
was
spectator,

importantinfluence upon the

fortunes of his country,and, by his superior
cunning
much
and duplicity,
to carry off the prizefor which
of
nobler disputants
were
contending. The name
Octavius, at a later period,happilyfor the world,
the title of
almost effaced by the lustre surrounding
Augustus,stands recorded as that of an individual who,
inversion of the laws of moral development,
by a singular
ant
in youth all the faults usuallyattendpossessed
to exercise

the

most

its deceit,
its
its selfishness,
vicious age,
the less terrible,
but
not
cruelty,
unimpassioned,
upon

and

inflexible

"

obduracy

to exhibit in his matured

the

more

generous

in resentment
of purpose
and declining
years many

which, if at
qualities

of

all possessed,

THE

LIFE

OF

part,shown

are, for the most

445

CICERO.

earlier

periodof
life. He
the son
of Caius Octavius,who
had
was
of Macedonia,
reached the dignity
of the prtetorship
and of Atia the niece of Ca?sar,and was
consequently
the great-nephew
of the dictator,
hy whom he had been
left heir to his

an

and the

name

His mother
second

at

greaterpart of his property.

in
this time residing Italy

at

was

marriagewith

Marcius

Philippus,
Roman
of consular rank and of singular
a
integrity
of character*.
Octavius
himself, after making his
the sons
of Pompey, had been
first campaign against
in Epirus,tto pursue his studies for
sent to Apollonia
short time in that city,and to await there the
a
after her

arrival

his way to commence

in which
it was
intended
expedition,

of the

Parthian
he

dictator

should

master

death

him
On

Ceesar,and

of the

after

in

the

his will,he decided,

his friends,
upon

purport of

short deliberation with

that

capacityof his
of the
receiving
intelligence

accompany
of the horse.

of

his

on

settingout immediatelyfor Italy; and landingnear

Brundusium, was welcomed
by the soldiers stationed
there in garrison
with such honours as they imagined
due to the representative
of their deceased general.
From thence he proceeded
by slow journeystowards
wherever
he passed,the greatest
Rome, receiving,
marks
of his

respect and
uncle,who came

his way.
where
he

At
was

of these two

his

to close

in crowds

the

house

met

by

by his friends
elect,to Cicero,and

his mother

the

course

visits and every

*

Suetonius,in

the veterans

to

him

meet

introduction

of

Cumae,

each

to
one

and

now

the

about

ambition,which

was
pursuing,

iv.

other

other

followed

indication of intimate

Octav.

on

Atia, he was presented

Pansa, the consuls

the
characters,

but too successful in

mutual

and

distinguished
career,
the

from

near
Philippus,

of

Hirtius

eminent

entering
upon
was

attachment

of

")"Ibid.

viii.

just
he

by

friend-

44G

THE

ship.

At

OF

had

boyishpolitician
in imposing,
difficulty
by his

no

apparent moderation,on
whose
to

into
penetration

elude;since we

him

CICERO.

their first interview,the

to have

seems

LIFE

the

statesman,
grey-headed

his motives

find the latter inhis letters describing

his counsels*; which
with those of Atia

perfectly
readyto follow
no
doubt, in accordance
Philippus,both of whom

as

were,

and

to

emperor

his interest

it was

himself

content

and to make
uncle's honours.

no

But

advised
his

with

the

fut\:re

ritance,
privateinhe-

effort to possess himself of his

Cicero was
not longdeceived ;

and further

the character of
of studying
opportunities
his new
to have filledhim with the
seem
acquaintance
and apprehension
with regardto
greatestdisquietude
his ultimate
Octavius,"he
policyand conduct:
with
near
writes, is still residing
us, and treats me
ants
attendsingular
respectand friendship.By his own
he is saluted by the titleof Caesar t, a name
which
Philippusnever
gives him; nor, indeed, do I. A
good citizen I am confident he can never prove, when
"

"

"

there

are

of

state

so

many

of

our

even
deliverers,

him

who

friends,and

affairs

the result when

about

tho

boy

What

arrives at

cannot

now,

the

then

Rome,

be considered

will be

where
in

that

reason

where

I may

have

anxious

am
no

totus

Modo

deditus.

"f The
into

year.

vcnit
"

Ad

Octavius

retire

further intercourse

J."
Pelopida?
As the day appointed
for
*

to

et

the

meetingof

our

safety?

Happy theymay indeed be,in the consciousness

action they have performed; but our
glorious
if I mistake
ruined. It
not, will be totally
this

structio
de-

representthe existing

intolerable.

as

threaten

of the
cause-.

is for

abroad,

with

these

the senate

milii
quidcni in proxiiuam villain,

Attic, xir. 11.

Lex

Curiata, by which Octavius was

formallyadopted
till
of
the
the family
the following
not
was
Cscsars,
passed

"

Ad

Attic, xiv. 12.

THE

the
approached,
the

secure

LIFE

447

CICERO.

efforts of
of

means

OF

redoubled
Antony were
overawingthe assembly into

to
an

with such measures

he intended to
as
acquiescence
of the papers of
lay before them.
By his possession
enabled
forward
whatever
to bringCsesar,he was
he pleased,
tator,
as
regulations
among those acts of the dicwhich
they had absurdlydeclared to have all
the force of laws. Forged grantsand directions for the
sale of the public
lands,concessions of the freedom of
the state to foreign
the payment
and people,
on
princes
of immense
to himself or to Fulvia,and bribes
sums
to those whom
he thoxight
it necessary to gainover
to
his interests,
in wTanton
were
multiplied,
accordingly

contempt

of the

common

of

sense

mankind*.

The

aid of

Lepidus had been secured by the giftof the

office of the high-priesthood,
vacant by the death of
Csesar,as well as by an alliance with the familyof
Antony by a marriagewith one of his daughters.
Dolabella was
gainedover by the promise of the
rich provinceof Syria,which
had been destined by
Caesar

to Caius

Cassius

at the

close of his

praetorof liquidating

ship,and by allowinghim, for the purpose

of the treasure in the temple
his debts,
a portion
of Ops ; which
proceeded,without
Antony now
and convert to his own
further hesitation,
to remove
purposest,as well as a separatefund, constituting
a great part of the
privatefortune of the dictator,
which had been entrusted to his care
by Calpurnia.
*

By

one

of these fictitiousacts, the whole

the island of

(Ad Attic,

admitted

Sicilywere

xiv.

12).

Ecce

to

of the

the freedom

inhabitants of
of the

city.
"

Antonius,grandi pecuniaac-

autern

civesRomani
comitiis latam,quaSiculi
cepta,finxitlegemadictatore

cujusreivivo illo mentio nulla. By a similar instrument, all his

"
It is true,"says
restored to Deiotarus.
former dominions
were
"
Cicero, commenting upon this circumstance,that there is nothing
"

which

he does

Deiotarus

not

deserve, but

is said to have

not

throughthe

undertaken

to pay

80,OOOA for the edict fabricated in his behalf,

f Ad Attic, xiv. 14.

interest of Fulvia."

the

sum

of

nearly

448

THE

Crowds

LIFE

into the

the senate

by

CICEUO.

soldiers were

of veteran

summoned

OF

the

at

cityfor

the purpose
their presence.
Alarmed

of

time

same

overawing

by these proceedings,
it
thought necessary,

the

republicanleaders
before risking
their safetyat Rome,
to ascertain from
and
warded
Antony his real intentions,
accordinglyforwhich is preservedamong
to him
an
epistle,
the letters of Cicero,
effect :
to the following
"

"

BRUTUS

AND

CASSIUS, PR^TORS,

TO

MARK

ANTONY,

CONSUL.

Were

persuadedof your honourable and

towards
should not
have
friendly
feelings
us, we
addressed to you the presentcommunication,which,
under the feelings
for which
we
giveyou credit,
yon
no
will,
doubt,take in good part. We are informed
that greatmultitudes of veteran
soldiers
by letters,
have
alreadyassembled at Rome, and that many
more
are
expectedto arrive on the first of June in
the city. We
should be actingunlike ourselves did
"

not

we

entertain

we

intentions.

either doubt

fear

or

since
But, assuredly,

we

respecting
your
have

in

sure
mea-

at
placedourselves in your power by dismissing,
adherents who
to us from
our
came
your suggestion,
the municipal
but
towns, not only by our open edict,
consider ourselves as
we
by our privateletters,
may
in
worthy to be admitted to your councils,
especially
such matters
interests.
concern
our
as
particularly

It is our
further
and

that
request,therefore,
with
acquainted

whether

safe amidst

hear,are

we

the
"

writers of
of

dictator.

would

the

us

troops,who,

the
alreadycontemplating
to

make

designsrespecting
us,
opinionthat we can be

it is your
such throngsof veteran

altar raised
The

your
real

you

memory

of

as

re-erection of

Cfesar*,a

pro-

Dio, as well as the

hy Dolabella.
the above
it an altar,from the circumstance
terms
epistle,
of the
sacrificesbeing offered before it to the divinity

thrown
pillar

down

LIFE

T1IE

OF

449

CICERO.

could desire or approve who

which
one
no
ceeding
has the slightest
regardfor our safetyand honour.
the event, that
It has plainlyappearedfrom
had no other object
in
have from the very beginning
we
No one
ceive
deview than the publictranquillity.
can
and
such
but
a
us
yourself,
design your
will never
virtue and integrity,
allow
we
are
confident,
"

you to entertain ;
do not deny,since
as

we

yet,that

we
possess the power
have hitherto implicitly
trusted,

we

you

intend for the future to trust,to your honour. Our

however, entertain the greatest

friends,
apprehensions
assured
of
concerning
us, since,well as they are
theycannot but recollect that a crowd
your sincerity,
much
be impelledto
of veterans
more
easily
may
other individual,
than reacts of violence hy some
strained
by yourself.We request that you will
The prereturn
us
a full and
answer.
satisfactory
text
that the troops have been ordered to meet at
Home, because it is your purpose to propose, during
of June, certain resolutions in their favour,
the month
and frivolous. As
is,in the highestdegree,
trifling
you

well

are

it is

that

aware

no

intention of

ours

else can
wishes,from whom
you
?
No
that
one
can
expect any opposition
suppose
show
ourselves too much
we
by our precautions
when it is evident that no misfortune
attached to life,
happen to us without
can, at the present crisis,

to

frustrate your

involving the confusion of the state, arid destruction

^

of the constitution*.
It does not appear that to these

representations
any
made
the
of
on
was
reply
satisfactory
part
Antony.
his
for
that
It is certain
preparations occupyingthe
with an overwhelmingforce of soldiery,
capital
viously
prein no respect
to the calends of June, were
of the remonstrance
relaxed in consequence
he had
indeed was
the aspectof affairs
received. So alarming
*

Ad

Diversos,xi. 2.
G

450

THE

in Rome

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

the

day of meetingdrew near, that many

of the senators who were
mined
at a distance deterresiding
their journeyto the city,
while
upon delaying
it into the
others hastilyretired from
country.
who
had
the
intention
of being
set out with
Cicero,
the twenty-sixth
of May, and of
at Tusculanum
on
from thence to assist at the openingof the
proceeding
he approachedthe capital,
such
as
senate,received,
the threatening
conduct of the
warningsrespecting
troops mustered there,and of Antony himself, as
as

inclined him to turn

In this conduct
his

he

was

and

but

and abandon

his resolution.

that
imitating

of the rest of

with the other friends

Cassius,
themselves with
to the ancient constitution,
contenting
remainingat a distance. Even Hirtius and Pansa,
of the
althoughconsuls elect,and representatives
class of politicians,
moderate
or
more
temporising
far terrified for their safetyas to resolve
so
were
them selves for the presentfrom Rome.
upon absenting
Having thus obtained,with little trouble,the very
desirous,
Antony proceeded,
objectof which he was
with
senate
a
entirelydevoted to him, to pass a
had a tendencyto
series of decrees ; each of which
of those most
diminish the strength
opposed to his
ambitious projects.Both Brutus and Cassius were
of their governments,Syriabeingtransferred,
stripped
andMacedonia
to Dolabella,
as a proconsular
province,
with the command
of the
to Antony himself,
together
assembled by Csesar for the Parthian war; his
army
from certain
first use of which, as it was
conjectured
be to drive Dehints which he had dropped,would
As a compenGaul.
cimus Brutus
from Cisalpine
sation
honourable
offices of which they
for the more
had
thus
summarily been deprived,Cassius was
of corn
of the supplies
appointedto the inspection
from Sicily,
and Brutus invested with a similar commission
considered
with respectto Asia.
Both were

party :

Brutus

back

452

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

which
uncertainty
of
of the upholders
had characterised the movements
the cause
blame of which he
of liberty,
the principal
Brutus.
whether justly
or unjustly,
laid,
upon Decimus
suading
of consequence,
howrever,beyond the disNothing*
Marcus
Brutus
from venturingto exhibit
his praetorian
in person, seems
to
at Rome
games
have been resolved upon to remedy the former imprudences
of which
all were
and the
now
fullysensible,
meeting broke up leavingCicero more
desponding

part on

than

ever

the

weakness
previous

and

with respectto the condition

of the

which

he compares
to a vessel not
the tempest,but actually
broken to

state ;

onlyshattered by
ing
piecesand strewthe waves
with its fragments*.
On his return from Antium
to his Tusculan villa,
he was
of a change
rejoicedby the intelligence
effected in the politics
of his nephew Quintus ;
lately
who, after having been long considered one of the
zealous of the adherents of Antony, had refused
most
to be accessory to a planfor seizing
hold
strongupon some
and proclaiming
him dictatort,
had
and
passed
at his inordinate
ambition,to the
over, in disgust
Cicero,on beingconvinced
party of Brutus,to whom
in
and conduct,of his sincerity
by his protestations
the adoptionof his new
principles,
subsequently
sented
prehim as a valuable acquisition
At
to the cause.
Tusculanum
he received,
while making his last preparations
from
his
visit
for
a farewell
Atticus,
journey,
moved
from
and seems
at parting
to have been much
this long-tried
friend ; who, but for the selfishness
and indolence encouraged
by his Epicureanprinciples,
which Cicero does not appear to have had, at
failings
all times,philosophy
enough to condemn, might have
nent
occupiedan honourable station among the most emiof his age, and obtained that reputation
men
by
Ad

Attic,

xv.

-|-Ad

Attic,

xv.

11.

21, 22

; xvi. 1 ; xxi 1.

THE

the exercise of his

LIFE

OP

453

CICERO.

for which he has been

abilities,
indebted almost entirely
to the geniusof his distinguished
correspondent.The intimate acquaintance
of both on this occasion with the perilous
condition of
the republic,
the troubled aspect of affairs,
and the
of their againmeeting,when
so
uncertainty
many
in
active
threw
to prevent it,
causes
were
a
operation
around
prophetic
melancholyand undefined foreboding
the pain of which does not seem
to have
a separation,
been repaidby any subsequent
interview.

During the
and
the

own

interval between

of Ca?sar

the death

his

of
departurefrom Italy,were
producedsome
noblest of those philosophical
which,
disputations,

if the

of Cicero

name

greatestorator
him

her moral

celebrated

writers.

by

far

The

the

that of the

as

country, would

immortalityas

an

among

of his

unknown

were

have
most

first of these

treatise upon " Old Age;"

be named
without reverence,

work

secured
eminent
was

his

which

hallowing,
that
of imaginative
by all the charms
eloquence,
which
it is impossible
to
periodof mortal existence,
without interest and reverence, whether
contemplate
can

never

it is viewed
to its

in relation to the

past or

as

to the

future,

The singuor to its expectations.

larly
experience
of the style
to the subject,
judicious
adaptation
cuous
althougha secondarymerit,is one which is conspithroughoutthe whole performance. Clear,
it is,at the same
harmonious, and majestic,
time,as
subdued
the lightof a tranquil
as
sunset,
beautifully
which lingers
around the solemn proportions
of some
sanctified by the recollections of ages,
mighty edifice,
and slowly yielding
to the hand of an
imperceptible
that in this treatise
be stated,
decay. It need scarcely
it is attemptedto show,that many of the evils commonly
ascribed to age, have been falsely
ascribed to it,by
Cato the elder;
the arguments of the principal
speaker,
with
who is represented
as discoursing
upon the subject

454

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OF

youthful auditors, Scipio and Lselius*. The

entitled
work
probablynext in date was the dialogue
De Amicitia,"
the delights
or
Laelius,"
respecting
and advantagesof friendship,
intended,as it is said,
of his
by Cicero as a sedative to the angry passions
is
but which, if the representation
contemporaries;
his
"

"

the
founded,notwithstanding

well

render it a

which

its

beauties

numerous

tion
worthy companion to the dissertalittle likelyto produce
as
precedingit,was
intended
the strains of an
as
effect,
exquisitely

modulated

instrument

to be heard

the hoarse

amidst

and uproar of battle. This graceful

composition
"
inscribed
De Senectute,"
was
(which,as well as the

tumult

followed

Atticus)was

to

Natura

by

the famous

Deorum," dedicated

inquiry, De
"

Marcus

to

In

Brutus.

the discussion of the exalted

thus designated,
subject
the practical
(which extends through three books,)
of tho Epicureans,
and their whole system
infidelity
and
of idle divinities,
warringor unitingatoms,
brated
maintained
of the most celeone
by Caius Velleius,
of the school to which

he

thrown
overare
belonged,
brity.
of equal celeby Caius Cotta, an Academic
The second contains the opinions
of the Stoics
as explained
subject
by Lucius Balbus,
upon the same
and, after an attempt to explainthe strangepantheistic
idolatryof the sect of Zeno, concludes with
*
"

De

may
Ad

upon

That

the

"

De

Senectute"

and
Divinatione,''

before

be inferred from the second

Yet

written

was

of

previouslyto

the

this year,
of the latter treatise and from

the middle
book

in

May

of Cicero
melancholyis the comment
in the epistle
from which this fact is ascerhis own
tained
philosophy,
ad
missus.
!
te
Legeiulusmihi s"ppiusest Cato Major"

Attic, xiv. 21.

how

"

"

Amaiiorem

enini

me

facit : stomachor

senectus

quidem fiefiturat- Vidcrint juvenes.

"

"

the work

entitled

'

Cato

omnia.

Sed

mihi

to peought frequently
ruse

Major,'which

I sent

to

you

as

an

petulanceand fretfulness which I perceiveto grow

vith my
My life is now
Everything discomposes me.
years.
and
I
and
of
the
business
relinquish
pleasures
drawing to a close,
antidote

the world

to that

to the

young who

succeed me."

"

Melmoth,

LIFE

TUE

several

OF

and sublime

continuous

chaptersof

455

CICERO.

eloquence

and
signsof providence

upon

the

manifest

which

the face of external

inscribed upon
nature;
work
might be admitted into any modern

lence
benevo-

without
its character,
depreciating
theology,
or
weakening its tendency*. In the third,
ing
of his school,without hazardCotta,in the usual spirit
natural

upon

affirmation

any

forward

of his own,
attempts to bringdoubts and difficulties
of ingenious

number

againstthe system of Balbus, which

vulnerable.
most
respectssufficiently
the contest

is described

as

was,
In

indeed,in
this

The

ending.

ner
man-

consider-

ation

of the

to
unnaturally,

in which

of the

nature

Divine

dissertation

the

"

all the

arguments both
the prediction
of

led, not
Divinatione,"

essence

De
for

and

against
the doctrine of
future events, by
the observation
of omens,
"c., are
produced by
Cicero and
his brother Quintus, in a conversation
villa of
supposed to take place in the Tusculan
the former ; who, somewhat
with
inconsistently
his office of augur,
with
and
more
considerably
than
common
sense
honesty,impugns the Stoical
of various kindst.
of prognostics
opinionof the validity
the
This treatise,
be considered among
which
may
curious and entertaining
relics of antiquity,
most
presents,in one part,an additional pointof interest,
the only remaining
by exhibiting
fragmentof Cicero's
poem
as

Marius," which he representshis brother

quoting to himself, as in his former treatise
of

Sec De

"f This
twelfth
quam
censeo

"

Natuii

Deor. ii. 39

"

67.

is surmounted
difficulty

chapterof

the

second

reipublicae
ego
causa,
sed
soli
"c.
sumus,
;

tluit he believes

the whole

palpableimposture,he

book

with
:

"

amusing
Ut

candour

ordinr ab

in

the

haruspiciua,

colendam
communisque religionis
Although the orator plainlyindicates

art of which

he

was

professorto

be

thinks that,for state reasons, it ought to be

small honour
to convey
no
to those
encouraged; and, doubtless,
the
it.
qualified
higherpowers to practise
by

456
he

THE

had

CICERO.

OF

placed several long passages

translation

His

LIFE

from

in

the

his

own

of Balhus.

mouth

has unfortunately
Fato," which
reached us in an
condition,
extremely dilapidated
of a loftier
closed his essays on a series of subjects
and more
mysteriousorder than any he had hitherto
of which
we
attemptedto investigate
; and in some
effortsof the human
the highest
may observe,perhaps,
mind
of the Divine
to obtain a correct apprehension
Nature without the guidanceof Revelation.
Cicero
the speakersrepresented
and his guest Hirtius are
the
as
maintainingthe conversation,constituting
treatise concerning
Fate, the scene of which is laid
at

work

Aratus

of

De

"

marine

the

villa belonodnor

situated
tifully

to

"

near

Puteoli,and

the
"

which

latter,beauhe

was

tomed
accus-

his Academy.
The spot,"
designate
says
in
the
both
fated
to perish
so
Eustace,
speakers
short a time, duringthe contests they both foresaw
"

to

"

"

"

and endeavoured

in vain to avert

"

circumstances

were

and
givea peculiarinterest to this dialogue,
increase our regretthat it has not reached us in a less
less just
mutilated
observation is no
state." The
than elegant. The dialogue De Fato,"however, so
far as may
of it as is still
be judged from as much
however
from its adventitious
interesting
preserved,
claims to attention,
can
scarcelybe regardedas one
The acute qualiof the ablest productions
of Cicero.
ties
of the dialectician,
rather than the lofty
lations
specuof the moralist,are brought to bear
upon
called
in
to
discussion,in which logicis vainly
a
the full comwith its puny
prehension
measure
span a subject,

which

"

of which

and

must

expanded intellectof
that

part

of

springand

more

state
perfect

of his

own

of

istence.
ex-

we
writings

constituted but a
productions
labours
of Cicero during the
literary

the

the

the evidence

From
learn

be reserved for the matured

above

summer

of the

memorable

year

distin-

THE

guishedby

LIFE

OP

the assassination

of his

4.)7

CICERO.

of Ccesar.

tory
secret his-

times,and a discourse upon Glory,

in two
books, were
completed previousto his quitting
and his last and ablest ethical work, the
Italy""",
"
I)e Officiis,"
and commenced
projected
by the same
unwearied
which
val
also,duringthis intergenius,
may
of leisure,
have been employed upon a translation
of Plato,of which
of the Timseus
two
one
or
siderable
con-

he
of

own

fragmentsstillremain.
Having completedall arrangementsfor his voyage,
embarked
board
small galley
at Pompeii on
a
ten oars, being attended
by two other vessels

of the

size, and

same

set

of

his course
againdirecting
far as Rhegium, from
as
crossingthe Ionian
upon
usual
He

the

along the

Italian

whence
sea,

he

in

Brundusium

intention

had

shore

resolved

preferenceto the
to
Dyrrachium.

left behind

pania,
him, at anchor off the coast of Camstrong fleet under Brutus and Cassius,who

Of this work

*
"

from

route

sail with

The

Dr.

treatise here

Middleton

mentioned

observes

in

one

of

his notes

"

after
Glory,which he sent soon
books, was
actually
preservedand
subsisting
long after the invention of printing,
yet happened to
perishunhappilyfor want of being produced into lightby the help
of that admirable
Raimundus
art.
Superantiusmade a present of
it to Petrarch, who, as he tells the story in one
of his epistles,
lent
it to his schoolmaster,
who, being old and poor, pawned it for the
to Atticus and

relief of his necessities into

could

never

and
Justinianus,

he

bequeathedto
in

believed
and

had

was
a

use

hand, whence

unknown

the old man's

have

mentioned

been

death.

in the

in the

About

Petrarch
two

turies
cen-

of Bernardus
possession

of
catalogue

his

books,which

of nuns;
but, when it could not be
after the strictest search,it was
generally

monastery

that monastery
that Petrus
the free

some

it,upon

recover

after,it appearedto

found

on

publishedin two

Alcyonius,who was
had
of the library,

physicianto

that

house,

stolen it,and, after

scribing
tran-

could, had destroyed the originalfor

fear of discovery; it being observed
by the criticsthat,in his book
De Exilio,'there were
bright passages, not well connected
many
with the rest of the work, which
seemed
his taste and
to be above
as

much

'

genius.1'

of

it as

he

458

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OP

been

had

time for intelligence

specting
rewaitingfor some
the expression
of opinionon the part of the
Roman
peopleat the Apollinarian
games, celebrated
The
the 3d of July, in the name
of the former.
on
applausewith which they were received appears to
have renewed
the confidence of the republican
party,
and to have contributed in no
slight
degreetowards
the resolution of Cicero to spend but a few months
in Greece, and, if possible,
at the
to be at Rome
of the consulate of Hirtius and

commencement

With

Pansa.

in one
reluctance,
therefore,
expressed
strongly
his letters,
at beingtorn from his favourite pursuits,

of

and

induced

to encounter

for which

voyage,

there

in the shape
longerseemed to exist any necessity
he continued slowlyto sail along
of dangerto himself,
the western
with his thoughts still
coast of Italy,
fixed upon the delightful
retirement of his villas and
the society
of Atticus*.
the 19th
of July he
On
no

he wrote
to his
Velia,from whence
friend Trebatius,who
native of the town,
a
was
him to expect his return before winter,and
desiring
advisinghim not to disposeof his villa upon the
Hales, the beautiful situation of which, as well as
had

reached

the recollections attached

to the noble

to

it,since it had

familyof

once

longed
be-

the

Papirii,
appears to
have attracted
his admiration t.
Upon weighing
anchor from this placehe commenced, for the benefit
*

Id

oevp

nullum
quidem,nisi fallor,

nunc

65bs troirt fiuvarai

"

villulus ineas, non

video?
Italia:,
? peiiculum
esse
; quid fugientem

Pcurocellos
sum
ego tecumnon
Sed id satissuperque tecum
me
uon
cur

ne?

mecum
Mehercule, mi Attici,ssepe

est.

Ad

"

Attic, xvi. C.

dearest
Atticus, I often put the question,of
my
I not with my
this
what avail will
? Why
am
voyage
prove to me
the most
beautiful of
Atticus ? Why lose sightof my lovelyvillas,
"

But

Italy?
am

indeed,

But

I not

not, the

enough
with

and

thee ?

danger is

at

too

What

much
do

of this.

fly? Danger

present over."
Ad

Why,

"

Melmoth.

Diversos,vii.20.

'.'

my

Atticus,

If I mistake

460

THE

the

CICERO.

Greece

to

voyage

dropped, and

OF

intention

his
intelligence,

this

of

consequence
his
pursue

LIFE

immediately

was

substituted for it of

resolution

to

pairing
re-

On
the 17th of
delayto Rome.
August, again retracinghis course, lie had once
made
the harbour
at Velia,and
more
immediately
Marcus
after his landing received a
visit from
Brutus, whose fleet was now
lying in the mouth of
without

the

The

Hales.

result

this

with

of his conference

ing
distinguished
personage, who, after warmly applaudhis changeof ptirpose, communicated
to him
an
manifesto
and
epistlelatelyissued against
angry
himself and Cassius,
with their joint
reply*,was such
*

The

ierved

is a
following

"

"

BRUTUS

We

Familiar

the

among

AND

have

translation of this

have

never

communication

"

CONSUL.

ANTONY,

threats

and hy
reproaches,

and

it hecomes

as

to

you

address

honourable

thought it fit,hy

capacityas praetors,we

to the consul.
edict,to present our demands
at such
a
proceeding,allow us in our turn

the

We

us.

Antony, nor could we have

any provocation,
if in our
that it would
appear to you at all surprising,

puhlicand
our

means

no

to

given you

conceived

subjectof

request has

our

not

conceded

been

If you

dignant
in-

are

to regret, that

to

in

us

our

racter
cha-

wiling to give you credit for honesty

torting
denying that you have ever chargedus with holding levies,exthe soldiery
here to
contributions,endeavouring to gainover
We

friends.

as

in

TO

PRJETORS,

perused your letter,which, like the manifesto preceding

it,is filled with

such

Cicero

Epistlesof

CASSIUS,

document, which is pre-

interests,or

our

actions which

we

are

sending
also

while

preservedso

littlerestraint

for the
"

part we

We

have

leave it for

consider

the

keeping
taken

it is not

rightsfor the sake of the

part
the state, without being threatened by
you

In confidence in such

will be

danger we

disappointed. To
consider

in

allowed

means

points, you

neither suitable

our
nor

us
reproach

to

ought to

lightwe

the praetors to

the consul

of

alter

what

freedom

of their

arms.

but

have

your resentment, as
in the death of Cajsar.
consider

purpose,
cannot

we

over

yourselfto

fact, that

these

silence upon

same

Yet

disavow.
unequivocally

wonder, that

the

for

abroad

missives

give

up

of
tranquillity
with an appealto

and

intimidation,be

opinionsat
becoming

assured

the

to our

that

prospect of

character,

LIFE

OF

that

much

THE
as

to convince him

he

received

had

461

CICERO.

the favourable

of

telligenc
in-

Leucopetrawas mere
and that whoever
himself at
presented
exaggeration,
Home, with the intention of opposingAntony, had
at

to the cowardice

still,owino1

the

of

and

senate

the

'

path to pursue.
presence of the military,a perilous
His determination,
to the city
however, of returning
stillunaltered ; and, after takinga final leave of
he was
the friend whom
to have the melancholy
soon

was

honour

as
preceding

of

sacrifice to the

of that

cause

sinkingfreedom which received its last blow upon

he leisurely
resumed
his
the plainsof Philippi,
journey,which terminated at the gates of Rome on
the last day of August. His approach to the city
sooner
was
no
known, than crowds of the principal
former occasions,
forth to
as
on
came
inhabitants,
the concourse
around
meet him ; and so great was
the doors of his house

day was spent

complimentsof
should

nor

assistance he

subjectthose

to

is at

whole

be

the
to

authority
arbitrary

an

presentfree.
have

would

letters

to

promptingus

were

your
threats must
freemen

With

receivingand replyingto
those who
themselves
presented

If other inducements

civil war,

that
arrival,

in

Antony attempt

by whose
"

after his

to

the

little effect

of
expedient

to

utterlyineffectual.

it.

prevent
You
are
perfectly
shall compel

in your
opinion that no one
it
is
under this conviction,
that you
to such a course,
us
possibly
in order that the determination
of our
have resorted to menaces,

correct,however,
and

the

judgment might appear

"

It

is

honourable

sincere

our

station in

We

your

enmity.

at

higherrate

are

you

We
own

cannot, however,

object;

timidity.

that you may

will we
free state,nor

than your
nor

but

by

means

value

friendship.Consider

any
our

own

invite

freedom

what
attentively

what
let

great and

occupy

strength
you possess for the
the length of Caesar's lifebe so

ment
attainmuch

the short duration of his reign.

as
your
be salutary
the
that
both for your
gods
your designs
may
pray
interests and those of the state ; if otherwise, however, that

subjectof

providedthe
they may be
"

our

desire

undertaking,and

of your

the

result of

August

reflections

honour
as

and

welfare of the constitution be

littleinjurious
to

the 4.th."

as possible.
yourself

uninjured,

402

LIFE

THE

him
congratulate
importantfor the
The

OF

CICERO.

upon his presence at a junctureso

interests of his country.

Antony had been for some time

shaken
considerably
by a rival,-whom, much as he
had at firstbeen inclined to despise
him, he had now
learned to fear as well as to respect. By the exercise
of similar determination,
united with a prudence
far greaterthan could have been expectedfrom his
Octavius had rapidlyrisen into an
years, the young
estimation at least equal to his own,
the
among
class of men
whom
he regardedas
his principal
supporters. Immediatelyafter his arrival at Rome,
the heir and nephew of Caesar was
producedby the
tribunes at a generalassembly of the people,and
marks of popularfavour.
received with extraordinary
Soon
afterwards,having first presented himself
before

power

praetor Caius

the

acceptance
devolved

Pompey,

of

of

Antonius,

inheritance which

the

declare his

had

recently

him, he repairedto the gardensof

upon
at that time the residence of Antony, who
notice whatever

of his arrival ; and

had

taken

after

having been kept waitinga

allow him

to

no

to infer that

he
acceptable,

his visit

sufficient time to
was

anythingbut

admitted into the presence

finally
of the consul.
Although Antony might have been
in some
measure
acquaintedwith his character by
it can
previousrumour,
hardlybe doubted that he
astonished and confounded
was
by the displayof
bited
and cool assumptionexhicourage, self-confidence,
out
this occasion by his boyishvisitant. Withon
as
Octavius,
any deference to his age or station,
relation to
if he had at once
been placedin the same
commenced
review
him as his uncle the dictator,
a
of his conduct

was

since the death

of

ing
Caesar,commend-

his policyin opposing

superior
been
offered by the
the thanks intended
to have
and his subsequent
intersenate to the conspirators,
in the tone

of

THE

fcrcncc

to

wrest

the

the

hands

Syria from

blaminghim
to hold

463

CICERO.

OF

Macedonia

provincesof
of Brutus

and

and

Cassius,but
for stillallowing
in strong terms
them
publicappointments,but above all for

any
Decimus
suffering

Brutus

to

establish

himself

with

lie then demanded

CisalpineGaul.
had lately
been removed
the treasure which
from
the temple of Ops, in order that he might
the sum, to
immediatelypay to the citizens of Home
which they were
entitled under the will of Caesar.
with diffiThe anger of Antony, alreadysuppressed
culty,
while listening
who ventured
to the stripling,
him to his face with expressions
of censure
to beard
directed against
his late policy,
blazed forth at the
which
last demand, with
he had
no
longerthe
and stillless the will,to comply. He
dignantl
inpower,
Octavius
that it was
reminded
owing to
his exertions alone that the body of his uncle had not
that of
been draggedthroughthe streets of Rome
as
livered
deor
a publiccriminal,
any inheritance whatever
and suffered to descend to
from confiscation,
an

armed

LIFE

his relations.
the
due

in

force

The

funds

which

Caesar

had

left in

to prove
as
beinglikely
treasury he represented
of his extensive
to the state,in consequence

use
on
publicmoney to his own
different occasions,
and refused,until the accounts
of the dictator had been regularly
examined,to part
he had secured"
which
with any portion
of the sum
poraries,
On these terms, which, to the cost of their contem-

diversions of the

were

destined not

to prove

permanent,

the

partiesto this unpromisingconference separated.

ment
embarrassOctavius,without showing the slightest
at the repulsehe had
received,began, under
pretenceof regardfor the honour of his deceased
and of sympathy with the lower orders
relative,

the

of Rome
own

under

effectsto

their

to
disappointment,

sale,for

the purpose

of

expose

his

payingpart of

464

THE

the

legacies
bequeathed by
the

moreover,

LIFE

OF

boldness

to

CICERO.

his

uncle.

exhibit

He

had,

shows

the

and

which
Caesar had
promised to the people,
games
in commemoration
of his victories,
but which
his
sudden

death

had

prevented him

from

ing.
superintend-

Having thus secured the affection of multitudes

the populace,he next proceededto imitate
among
the example recently
set by Antony, by making a
the veteran
colonies,and bribing
progress among
them
to the support of his interests by present
and still more
liberal promises. Nor
was
largesses
he the only enemy
Antony was now
againstwhom
At a meetingof the senate,
head.
called to make
Piso,the

Lucius

father-in-law

of

Caesar,a

character

in connexion
with the earlier
alreadywell known
historyof Cicero,had ventured to deliver a speech
repletewith observations to his discredit,as well as
of liberty.
with sentiments favourable to the cause
It

the information

was

the

allyamong
considered

his

of this appearance
of a new
he probably
senatorian ranks, whom

as

a considerable
representing
part among

order,which

Cicero
inducing
rendered
could

the

exert

It has not

had
to

exercised

no

presenthimself

small influence in
at

Rome,

appropriatefield

most

in which

his abilitiesfor the benefit of his

often

as

happened,althoughin

the

now

he

party.
case

of

we
cited,
have,to a certain extent,an
already
that the general
instance of this kind of inconsistency,
moral temperament induced by youth and confirmed
througha seriesof after years, has been suddenlyaltered
in the evening
of lifeso far as to assume
a totally
site
oppo-

Octavius

character. Stillmore

rare

are

the instances in which

timidityand caution,after generally

distinguishing
vancing
the conduct of an individual until the periodof adage, have
courage,

been

substituted for firmness and

to which
qualities

it is almost

from

the instinct of experience

opposed.
necessarily

The

history

LIFE

THE

of Cicero -presents
a
rule.
himself

in the

465

CICERO.

the

to
exception
singular

and irresolute on

Though weak

occasions,when

OF

it

many

requiredof him

was

face

general
previous

of

the

from

danger;

of his return to Rome

with the view
of purpose
Antony,there is no faltering

to

of
"

exert

moment

opposing
tion
vacilla-

no

from his determination

or
shrinking
repenting,
conduct.
to be traced in his political
Having,
thrown
himself into the breach, with the
finally,
no

"

"

resolve of
be

to

any

of

it to
defending
driven from it by
the perils
which he
calculated upon,

entered
with

the last,he
the actual

was

now

occurrence

not

of

appears to have both previously

and learned to contemn
; but

the duty he had undertaken

upon
tious
vigourwhich must have astonished his ambiat

once

have expected
assuredly
such displayof self-denying
from
no
patriotism
with
his disposition.
previousacquaintance
any
On
the first day of September,having ascertained
that the onlybusiness to be broughtbefore the senate
the framingof an enactment
at their assembling
was

opponent;

for

who

could

divine
assigning

honours

Cassar,he

to

absented

the
and indisposition,
pleaof fatigue
which so
consequence of his late journey an excuse
invited*
exasperated
Antony, who had particularly
in
his answer
him to attend,and easily
interpreted
its true sense, that he openlythreatened in fullsenate
his house about his ears, at the head of
to pulldown
for his contumacy*.
a body of workmen, as
a fit punishment
elicited from
This outrageous conduct
when
the day following,
Cicero on
Antony in his
turn was
absent,the admirable oration known as the
t"
the commencingpealof
firstof his
Philippics
that oratorical tempest which continued from this

himself

on

the

"

"

"

"f-So called

from

v. 7.
Philipp.

their resemblance

in

to die
pointof severity

The
againstPhilipof Macedon.
title which theyhave retained to the presentday, notwithstanding
famous

orations of Demosthenes

ii n

466

LIFE

THE

moment

almost

to rage

murderous

OF

swords

CICERO.

until
uninterruptedly,

the

arrested

the

of the

triumvirate

hand

directed.
by which it had been so fearlessly
This speech,
however, is rather a warning than an
in it of the violence
invective. The orator complaining
threatened by Antony on the previous
day protests
the honours justdecreed to Caesar
returns
against
thanks to Piso for the spirited
avowal of his sentiments,
"

"

delivered

month

before

the

plunderof

of Caesar's acts and

"

and reminds

end which

had

the

"

mentions
the

the abuse

templeof Ops
the melancholy

presentconsuls of
attended the dictator,
as

lesson upon
the exercise of a

the

superior
advantagesheld out by
justand equitable
government when compared with
those of a lawless and arbitrarydespotism. He
entreats them, in conclusion,
to attend to the numerous
declarations lately
explicit
givenby the Roman people
of dislike to their proceedings,
and approbation
of the
conduct of those who had opposedthem
and ends by
his determination of freely
his opinuttering
ions
asserting
connected with the interest of
upon all subjects
the state,if it should be stillpermitted
him to do so,
without compromisinghis own
safetyas well as that
of his auditors ; but,if otherwise,
of reserving,
not for
of his country,a
himself,but for the future exigences
for the gloryof its
life almost sufficiently
extended
"

possessor.
The
effectof this

address,which Cicero had the

mortification of finding
unseconded
by the rest of the
he terms
an
lieved
senators,whom
assemblyof slaves refreeman*,was
by the presence of but a single
such as to raise the resentment
of Antony to an
of fury. He
excess
by his authority,
immediately,
the attempt to substitute that of" Antonian
Orations " appears to
have been first given them in jestby Cicero,ia a letter to Marcus
Brutus
dani

"Jam

concedo

ut vel

Philippici
vocentur, quod tu quaEpis.2], from Urutus to Cicero,
jocansscripsisti."
epistola
:

"

"

Ad

Diversos,xii.

25,
"

(toCornifidus).

468

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OP

expedition
against
Troy. He draws an unsparing
and tyrannic
violence
his disgusting
pictureof
sensuality
while left at the head of affairs in Italy,
duringthe
him of beingthe foremost
absence of Caesar
accuses
the cause
in arms
of the republic
at Pharagainst
and of exercising
the most atrocious cruelties
salia,
upon those who had escapedthe shock of battle on
assails his conduct
the
that day of devastation
on
Lupercalia his diversion of the funds of Cassar to
his manifold
his own
of acts
forgeries
purposes
in procuringdivine
honours
his instrumentality
of the dictator
and conto be paid to the memory
cludes,
amidst
quence,
a
displayof animated elodazzling
with a touchingallusion to his own
mination
deter-

the

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

youth: I will not

the swords
despised
terror

defended

I have

abandon

the constitution in my
I have
it in my
age.

of Catiline

I will not shrink in

Freely rather will I offer my

yours.
of
to the extremest
hazard,if the liberty

from

own

person
the state appear

to
likely

If twenty years ago

that death could not

be revived

by

the sacrifice.

I asserted in this very

temple,

vidual
happen immaturelyto an indiof consular dignity,
how much
less so to one
far advanced
in years ? For my own
part,Conscript
I
when
consider
the
which
I have
actions
Fathers,
and the honours
with which
performed,
they have
been rewarded, the termination of lifeappears to me
an
objectless of dread than of desire. Two wishes
alone

remain

that,iu
first,
leave the Roman
people
my dying
which
be conferred by
can
free,the greatestblessing
the immortal
gods the second,that each individual
receive the recompense
which his conduct
speedily
may
To the reader
towards
deserves."
our
republic
of the second Philippic
it excites littlewonder, considering
the poignantexpressions
of hostility
with
which
it is replete,
the moment
to learn that from
of its publication,
that dark and unslumbering
vcnto occupy my
moments, I may

"

attention

"

LIFE

THE

OF

469

CICERO.

he at last fella sacrifice was

ably
unaltergeance to which
its author ; but few are free from
sealed against

of disappointment
at finding,
that,as in the
feeling
of the best of the orations against
Verres, notwithstandin
case
its references to an attentive auditory,
and to an adversarypale with rage and trembling
with conflicting
livered;
emotions*, it was
never
reallydebeingonlycirculated in the shapeof a political
pamphlet towards the close of autumn, when the
a

absence

of

to
respects,

from

Antony

Koine

appeared,in

some

lessen the

dangerof his resentment.

compositionof this oration,of

Shortlyafter the
which
forwarded
to both, Brutus
and
copieswere
Cassius finally
determined
quittingItaly for
upon
of Syriaand Macedonia; in which, notthe provinces
withstandin
the late decrees to the contrary,they
resolved to establish themselves by force of
were
now
induced
in
to adopt this course
arms.
They were
of a fresh disagreement
between
Antony
consequence
terminate
and Octavius,which threatened speedily
to
in an
obstinate war
unfortunatelyfor
; imagining,
themselves
and for the state,that their most prudent
plan would be to leave,for the present,the field of
contention
of the
open to the rival representatives
Caesarian faction,in order to fall afterwards,with
united forces carefully
trained and organised,
upon
the exhausted

victor.

of Octavius
application
indirectly
opposed by an

late

for the tribunate

had

been

edict of

and

the heir of Cassar

of

Antony,

havingin

return

hired

the consul in his

a

body

house.

own

the

upon

his

Antony

objectof
life,which

soon

his

Whether

afterwards
*

t On the 9th of October.

Cornificius.

or
jealousy,

seems

for

real

See Ad

this was

attempt

improbable,
Brundusiumt,

ii. 34.
Philipp.
"

der
mur-

throwingodium

far from

set out

accused

of assassins to

false plot,
preparedwith the view of

upon

was

Diversosxii. 23."

470

THE

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

where four

a part of the army

once
legions,
constituting
intended for Caesar's Parthian expedition,
had already
at the head
of this threatening
arrived,
intending
force speedily
to return to Rome
powered
; and having overin that quarter,
all resistance to his authority
Brutus
from his province,
to expelDecimus
which,

in defiance of the authority

of
alteration,
the senate,he had caused to be assigned
to himself in
the placeof Macedonia, at an assemblyof the people
of his partisans.
On his apcomposedalmost entirely
proach

by

fresh

towards

Brundusium

he

was

received without

the walls

disembarked
by the troopswho had lately
with all military
mark of
honours,but,after this single
from which he had expected
respect,found the legions,
to maintain an ominous
a clamorous
welcome, disposed
terms were
reserve, until they had heard what
posed
profor the assistance of their swords in removing
the obstacles in his way to absolute
in the usual haranguewith which
was

accustomed

power.
a Roman

When,

general

to address his soldiers after his arrival

in their camp, he mentioned his intention of presenting

with
each man, in the prospectof hi" future services,
hundred

a
sum
sestertii*,
amounting only to
three or four pounds sterling,
companied
a general
tumult, acof derision,
with
pointedexpressions
testified the disappointment
of the legionaries
at a
promisewhich fell so far short of their expectations.
for their insoOn his proceeding
lence,
to reproachthem
he was
still further exasperated
to observe
most of the cohorts composingthree of the legions
begin to defile in
present,headed by their officers,
regularorder from the groundbefore he had finished
his address. This appearance of a mutinous
was
spirit
followed by a frightful
specimenof his vindictive
temper. Orderingabout three hundred centurions and
of havingbeen especially
whom
he suspected
privates,
instrumental in exciting
the disaffection of the rest,
to
*~Dio,xlv.

four

LIFE

THE

OF

471

CICERO.

be

instantly
arrested,he stood lookingsternlyon
while they were
massacred
before his
successively
eyes.

His

wife Fulvia

is also recorded

to have

been

the fearful

and to have inspected

spectacle,
the executions with such eager curiosity,
that her
garments were deeplystained with the blood of the
of little
however,was productive
dying.This cruelty,
advantageto his cause.
Although,on his subsequent
of his
attempt to offer a satisfactory
explanation
conduct to his soldiers,
the donation which he had at
firstproffered
and the new
officershe
was
received,
had appointedto command
them
for the present
obeyed,the seeds of disaffection were only smothered
in a more
for a short time,to break out afterwards
serious revolt. The three legions
which had suffered
for their discontent,
ordered to prowere
so severely
ceed
along the coast of the Adriatic towards AriWith
the one remaining,
and that composed
minum.
of the Gallic soldiers,
known
briquet
by the militarysoof the Alaudas"*,
or Larks, (from the plumes
in such a manner
upon their helmets beingdisposed
the crests of these
to resemble,in some
as
measure,
with a considerable body of chosen
birds,)together
he againrepaired
to Rome.
cavalry,
time been idle. By
Octavius had not in the mean
dint of lavish donations,
amounting,in some instances,
to no less than sixteen pounds sterling
per man, he

presentat

had

attracted to his standards

Casilinum,Calatia,Capua, and
In most

all the veterans

2
iii,
Philipp.

ments.
settlemilitary
to
now
pretended

other

of his movements
*

from

he

Dio,xlv.
raised by Julius Cwsar, who
afterwards conferred
"}"Originally
who
constituted
it
the
freedom
of the city.
all
the
soldiers
upon
had
himself with the army,
From
this legionAntony, to ingratiate
selected
the

number

knightsand

of persons

senators.

"
"

In

dignitas."Non
lares
8

ex

to

act

as

el
judicespectari

qusero, inquit,ista : addo

Phil. i. 9.
legioueAlaudarum
"

Plin. Hist. Nat. xi. 37 ; and

with
judges conjointly
etiam

fortuna

de.betet

judicesmanipu-

See, also,Ad

Attic, xvi.

Sueton. in Jul. Cses. 24.

472

THE

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

does not

guidedby Cicero,who, however,

be

been

to have

show

this outward

by

In several of his lettersto Atticus

of deference.

communications

mentions

he

than half deceived

more

seem

in

his advice

which

demanded, as to whether it would be more

to make
an
attempt to stop the. march
advantageous
of Antony at Capua with the three thousand veterans
had assumed
who
arms
him, or to advance
against

had

them

been

at

towards

once

day,"he

asserts

on

one

"

Rome*.

letters every

I have

Octavianns,

from

"

occasion,

to exert myself in
me
requesting
him
at Capua, and a second time

his cause, to

join

preserve the
diately
state from destruction. He intends to advance immeless than in
In his present,
Rome.
no
upon

his

past conduct, he
after all,he is a mere

vigourenough. Yet,

sembling
boy. He counsels the aswould
senate
a
immediately. Who
who, if he did attend,in the present

of
attend it?

shows

to

or

pleasing
the risk of disof affairs would
run
uncertainty
Antony ? By the calends of January he
be strongenough to protectus, or before that
may
be finished.
The
time the contest may
youth is
wonderfullyin favour among the municipaltowns.
While
he stoppedat Gales
his way into Samnium
on
and

Theanum.

The

and the marks

of

numbers

To
to

me

this will be

be at Rome

much

have

you
an

sooner

him

there,
received,were

met

encouragement he

Could
quiteastonishing.
?

who

thoughtit possible

additional
than

ment
induce-

tended,
I had in-

t"
in full march for the capital.
were
now
parties
allowed to secure
Octavius having first arrived,was
the templeof Castor and Pollux,and to haranguethe
in the area before it,beingfirst
multitude assembled
introduced to them by the tribunes;but having
formally
offended the military
stationed in the cityby too
direct an avowal of his respectfor the civil authority,
Both

Ad

Attic, xvi. 8, 9~

f Ad

Attic, xvi. 11.

THE

and too violent

LIFE

OP

473

CICERO.

declaration

against
Antony, ho was
but
not onlyunsuccessful in gainingfresh recruits,
who had already
declared for
deserted by many
even
him.
Antony soon afterwards appearedbeneath the
walls, and being also admitted into the city,
proceeded,
after having quarteredhis cavalryin the
suburbs,towards his house,with an imposingbodyguard
diate
imme; and by virtue of his officeissued an
summons

for the

senate

to assemble

on

the

that whosoever
of September,
twenty-fourth
declaring,
should absent himself on
that day,should be considered
he pretended
to
accessory to a plot which
have recently
his own
and the
life,
discovered,
against
As he had lately
of the commonwealth.
fulminated
safety
edicts against
several opprobrious
Octavius,
whom
he designated
it
by the title of Spartacus*,
his intention to take
imaginedthat it was
who
his rival,
severe
measures
had, in the
against
mean
time,after orderingfresh levies to be made in
Etruria,
prudentlyretired to Alba ; as well as against
who
Quintus Cicero the younger,
was
violently
assailed in the same
the
intended
as
proclamations
was

murderer
which

both of his father and unclet ; a distinction

he probablyowed
to a promise,afterwards

openlyexpressed,of formally bringingthe

consul to account before the peoplefor his spoliation
of the templeof Ops. Antony, however, after adjourning
the proposedmeeting from
the twentyof the month, was
fourth to the twenty-eighth
vented
prehis
intended
from carrying
into
of
designs
any
effect on that occasion by unexpectedand alarming
which producedan immediate
changein
intelligence,
he was
his position
and prospects. While
in the
the porchof the senate-house he
very act of entering
informed him
met
was
by especial
messengers, who
that the Fourth and Martial legions,
constituting
part
had
suffered from his fury at
of the force which
*
8.
~f Ibid. 7.
PhilippTlii.
more

474

THE

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

fortified
Brundusium, had revolted,and strongly
in favour
themselves at Alba, after openlydeclaring
of Octavius.

him,

after

The
hurried

meetingof

nothingof

consequence

the

eveninghis

same

the head

habit,and, at
remained
towards

firm

to

thus communicated

news

his

induced

the senate,at which

determined,to changeon
consular robes for a military
which yet
of the two legions
to advance
hastily
interests,

was

the
Alba,in the hopeof finding

mutineers

who

off their guard to enable him

occupiedit sufficiently
He
their post by a vigorousassault.
to surprise
his attempting
to carry his
on
was, however, received,
as
by such a tempest of missiles,
purpose into effect,
his troopsin coninduced him to withdraw
fusion*.
speedily
Disheartened
tinued,
by his useless effort,he confor a few days afterwards,
encamped
inactively
tached
in his dewith the designof calling
at Tibur, chiefly
Gaul ;
before setting
out for Cisalpine
parties
resolved upon
towards
which
provincehe had now
his march, hoping,
entering
by immediately
directing
affection
of disto prevent the spirit
upon active operations,
diery.
from
spreadingfurther amongst his solThe citizens of Rome, beingwhollyignorant
of his intentions,
had, in the mean
time,remained
of his return,and a general
in hourlyapprehension
joy was diffused through the city,when it was at
lengthascertained that he had struck his tents,and
was
apparentlymarching in the direction of Ariservience
minum.
Octavius,still pretendingan entire subof the senate,but regarded,
to the authority
distrust of his
with well-grounded
notwithstanding,
afterwards reported
inclination towards them, shortly
that he had now
nearlycompletedan army of five
and
legions,

that

he

had

also sent

Decimus

to
message
his ground

him to stand
Brutus, desiring
in Gaul
until he should be able
resolutely
to his assistance.
Cicero, at the same
up
*

Appian.De

Bell. Civil, iii.

to

come

time,

476

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

Antony, as one fullyequalto Catiline in wickedness,

and promptitude,
althoughinferior to him in ability
tined
alreadyin effect declared a publicenemy, and desby evident omens, and other infallible signsof
divine displeasure,
to a speedydownfall*.
These orations closed the publicefforts of Cicero
duringone of the most laborious years in his active
existence. Shortly
after they were
delivered,Octavius,decampingfrom Alba, set his forces -in motion
upon the track of Antony, for the purpose of hanging
upon his rear and watchinghis movements, until the
arrival of the expectedreinforcements under Hirtius
and

Pansa.

The

Roman

sword

was,

in the

mean

time,alreadyreddened with kindred blood in Cisalpine

Gaul.
Decimus
Brutus,after having sent repeated
sence
messages to Antony,demandingthe purportof his prein

and havingonlyreceived
province,
orders in return immediately
it to the
to abandon
governor appointedby the people, either finding
himself unable to oppose the invaders in the field,
or
to hazard a general
beingunwilling
engagementuntil
the

arms

in his

forces under

should

enable him

Octavius
to

and

givebattle

the
with

Roman
an

consuls

overpowering
with
himself,

of numbers, had thrown

superiority
into Mutina
two
Antony, having
legions,
; to which
and Clasecured the towns
of Bononia
previously
neglecting
terna,beganto lay fierce and earnest siege;
of attack then visually
of the means
none
employed
each
the full
fortified towns, and addingto
against
genius. To
impulseof his hardy and enterprising
this citythe eyes of men
were
directed,
accordingly
had
to a stagewhere the liberties of Rome, which
as
been in so hazardous a state of fluctuation,
latterly
of
ruined by the firstsuccess
be recovered
must
or
either of the parties
to action.
hastening
During the time of Cicero's retirement in order to
avoid the violence of Antony, a great part of his
*

iv. 4} 6.
Pnilipp.

THE

leisure was
a

"

the less
and

in

LIFE

OF

employed in
number

the

477

CICERO.

theses devoted

of

investigating

to

of the Stoical
principles

common

last and

the
finishing
his

his "Paradoxes"

productionof

philosophy,

admirable

most

imperishabletreatise

moral

works,

whole

circle of the

duties

of

of his

upon

the

social

life,
generally
known
as the "De
Ofiiciis,"
composed in three books,
and dedicated to his son Marcus, for whose use it was
intended,and who was at the time devoting
principally
his attention to philosophyunder Cratippus,
of Mitylene*. The
beauty, both of the conception and
execution

in this celebrated dissertation

"

the exalted

character of its views of the virtues of benevolence

of as
justice its true appreciation
"

much

and

of the laws

the grasp of reason,

as lies within
obligation
and the comparative
purityof the system of conduct
which it enjoins,
have never
yet been regarded
by the
wisest without approbation
or
by the best without
of moral

esteem; and have sometimes

by

its ardent admirers

of Revelation

almost

which

caused it to be considered
as

the faint reflex of that

rapidlyapproaching
Whatever
be the opinionof its
the horizon.
may
moral
however, its merits in a literary
character,
be exaggerated.On the
pointof view cannot easily
whole, indeed,it is a compositionwhich is fully
work of Cicero
the final
worthy of beingthe closing
quence
legacyof the most illustrious of Romans, in the elosun

was

now

"

of the closet

as

well

as

that of the senate

and

the last link

the forum, to a far from unlettered age
in that goldenchain of works, rich with the wealth of
and stamped with the vital impressof
imagination,
"

vigorousthought; the generaltenor and

skill of
effect of which, owing to the consummate
with
the writer, continue,long after a familiarity
old
their details may
have ceased,to dwell,like some
but unforgotten
brance
melody,upon the mind and remem-

free and

of their readers.

"^De OffidTs~7.T

478

THE

OP

LIFE

CICERO.

XIV.

CHAPTER
Consulate

of Hirtius

and

Pansa

Fifth,Sixth, and Seventh

"

lippics
Phi-

of the Senate for the

Departure of the Ambassadors
Ninth
and
Camp
PhilippicsSuccesses of
Antony Eighth
Brutus in Macedonia
of Caius-TreboTenth Philippic Death
nius
Dolabella declared a publicEnemy
Twelfth
Philippic
"

of

"

"

"

"

"

"

General

"

Pansa

Posture

inarches

Octavius
Pansa

into

attempts to
"

Gaul

Lepiduswrites

"

Battle of Forum
Mutina

of Affairs iu the

effect

the

with

the

Death

"

to his

retreats

Cassius,in

arrival of the

the

Alps
Syria.

calends

"

of

and

Philippic
"

of Hirtius

Lines
in

Antony

"

Consul

Hirtius

attacked

of Hirtius

towards

The

to

Army

retreats

"

"

Thirteenth

"

"

Party of the Senate under

ON

Antony

Antony
Philippic Antony

and defeated
and

the Senate

Junction

Gallorum

Fourteenth

Siegeof Mutina

to

of

Letter

"

Provinces

"

before

bis

trenchment
En-

raises the

Successes of the

January of

the

of Rome
the annals
year in which
gistrates
displaythe last of the series of her presidingma-

year

711,

of Hirtius
freely elected,in the names
consuls havingperformedthe
and Pansa, the new
in the midst of a full attenusual sacrificesproceeded,
dance
in the Capitol*,
of senators convened
to lay
the generalcondition of the republic,
before them
of their
and more
to invite the expression
particularly
the conduct
of Antony in laying
opinionrespecting
siegeto Mutina, as well as on the subjectof the
which
had been decreed in the preceding
rewards
month, to Octavius,Decimus Brutus,and the soldiers
of the fourth and Martial
legions.These pointsof
introduced by both the consuls in
discussion were
of their intention of supformal orations,
declaratory
porting
the liberties of their country to the last,
their audience
againstall opponents,and exhorting
of constancy. Quintus
to exhibit a similar display
Fufius Calenus,the father-in-law of Pansa, who had,
by the nomination of Caesar,been elected four years
known
senator
to be
to the consulate,
a
previously,
*

Appian.De

Bell. Civil,

iii.;Dio, xlv.

LIFE

THE

in the interests of

OF

Antony,

form, desired

to pronounce
indignation,
although not

constitutional
his

party,
advocated
influence,

was

his
to

instead
the

479

CICERO.

more

then,

in the

usual

opinion,and to the
of
the surprise
the
of aidingthem
with
moderate

of

course

sendingambassadors to Cisalpine
Gaul, to admonish
the late consul to relinquish
his arms
and submit
to
the authority
of the senate.
His motion was
ported
supPiso
and
several
other
wlfo
by
by
speakers*,
toarguedthat it would be a palpableact of injustice
declare any man
without givinghim
a publicenemy
either of defending
his
an
or
opportunity
explaining
conduct.
This line of reasoningcalled forth from
Cicero
another
splendid exhibition of oratorical
; in
power, in the speechentitled the fifth Philippic
stration,
which,with admirable force and justiceof demonhe shows
of
the inconsistency
and madness
and of degrading
at so dangerousa juncture,
temporising
the majestyof the Roman
senate and people
with one
their
whom
by any further communications
former resolutions had placed in the condition of a
but with
He
quence,
publicenemy.
briefly,
singularelothe whole of the illegal
actions
recapitulates
of Antony since the death of Cassar,and strenuously
advises that,on such evidence of his hostility
to his
to allow him
country,instead of sendingambassadors
further time for pursuinghis traitorous designs,
it
should

be

declared

that

serious rebellion

was

in

quired,
good citizens should be reto
laying aside their ordinaryoccupations,
take arms
dom.
againstthe adversaryof the cause of freeFrom
this subjecthe passes on to the public
honours to be decreed to Marcus Lepidus,for his late
services in conciliating
Sextus Pompey to the republic,
and
Decimus
to the
to
Brutus, now, according
of Cagsar,consul elect,
as well as to Octadisposition

and
existence,

Dio

that

all

account
spurious,
(lib.
xlv.)has givena long,but evidently

of this debate.

480

THE

vius,for their late

he proposes a
first,

LIFE

OF

conduct.

CICERO.

Asa

vote of thanks

statue in the rostra

to the
recompense
and a gilded
equestrian

acknowledgment
second,a general
of his services to thestate
to the third,
he terms a divine youth providentially
sent by
of his countrymen,
superior
power to the rescue
"

to the

"

whom
some

and raisesabove Cneius

Pompey in his earlyexhibition

of the qualities
of a general
and patriotic
statesman,
the more
solid rewards
in the following
specified
Cains Caesar,
the son
Whereas
proposed decree:
of Caius,pontifex
and proprietor,
has, at a perilous
excited and levied a veteran
crisis of the republic,
of the Roman
force to defend the liberty
people;and,
"

"

whereas, the

Martial

under
the
legions,
of the said Caius
guidance,and at the suggestion
Caesar,with the most perfect
unanimityand greatest
and stilldo
zeal towards the republic,
have defended,
defend the libertyof the people of Rome
; and,

whereas,the

said Caius

and

fourth

has lately
Caesar,
propraetor,
set out to the assistance of the provinceof Gaul,
and has placedat the disposal
of the Roman
people
force
and
of horse,archers,
a
consisting
elephants,
servingunder his command, and has upheld the
and dignity
of his countryin a time of extreme
safety
danger; may it,therefore,pleasethe senate, that
Caius
Caesar,the son of Caius,be from henceforth
vested with the dignity
and
of pontifex,
propraetor,
of praetor;
senator,and vote in the placeand capacity
and that,in standing
he be refor any magistracy,
garded
in the same
lightas if he had been actually
praetorthe year before*." He then employs all his
in panegyrising
Octavius,and,with human
ingenuity
blindness to the future,engages for his sincerity
in
his attachment
to the republic.Nothing can
plify
exemthan his assertion upon
a strongerconfidence
this subject
I will even
:
dare," lie exclaims,
credit and
ConscriptFathers,to pledge my own
"

"

"

J7.
v.
Philipp.

LIFE

THE

honour

and
yourselves,

to

(which,unless
under

OP

other

to

dread

under

481

CICERO.

of

the

peopleof Rome,
I should,
compulsion,

never
circumstances,

venture

to

do, from

and on
the accusation of rashness),
incurring
this security,
promise,undertake, and declare,that

fear of

the

which

character

same

Caius
citizen,

he

now

Caesar will at all times

possesses

as

tain
mainconstantly

and continue to the end in every respectsuch as

The oration
could wish and desire him to be."
;

we

ends

with

should

recommending that

also he

allowed

to stand

Lucius

Egnatuleius

for officethree years

legalage, and appointsliberal rewards,

future
of exemptionfrom
service,and
consisting
grantsof land and money, to the veterans who had
and to the
assembled at the summons
of Octavius,
revolted legions*.The
honours proposed
by
lately
Cicero in his fifthPhilippic
were
readilyconceded by
his audience,
the difference of opinion
but so greatwas
of sending
sadors
ambasimportant
question
upon the more
to Antony, that three whole
sumed
days were conthe subject,
in warm
debates upon
during
Cicero has been represented
which
as
malignantly
at least
assailed by his opponent Calenus,in a speech
equalto any of his own in sarcastic bitternesst. The
in consequence
motion was
at length
carried,
original

before the

of the intercession of Selvius the

tribune,in

favour of

decreed that three

party ; and it was
and Serambassadors,Lucius Piso,Lucius Philippus,
the Antonian

without delay
despatched
of
into Gaul, to command
Antony, on the authority
of Mutina, and
the senate,instantly
to raise the siege
the sense
entertained by his
to convey .to Brutus
vius

should
Sulpicius,

be

the
fellow-citizens of his courage and merits. While
deliberations preceding
this resolution were
goingforward, the populationof Rome, assemblingin
immense

multitudes

the event, and

as

in the

soon

forum, anxiouslyawaited
the senate

as

J9.
*Philipp7v.
.

I I

was

f Dio, xlv.

known

to

482

THE

have

broken

givethem

an

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

voice upon Cicero to

up, called with one
of the result of the meeting
account

done, after he
accordingly
had been introduced to the assemblyby the tribune
Apuleius,in the speechwhich stands the sixth in
avowal of
the Philippics,
order among
an
containing
concede to
his conviction that Antony would
never
his
of the ambassadors,and exhorting
the demands
from

the rostra.

countrymen

This

was

for the

to prepare

longeravoidable.

It

war

concludes

which

with

an

was

no

energetic

his

auditoryto exert themselves,at

decreed to them
for the liberty
this imminent crisis,
by the gods,(who had placedall the rest of the earth
their national
in subjection
to their authority,)
as
inheritance;and either to conquer in the impending
tude
or
preferthe last extremities to that servistruggle,
to which other nations might submit,but which
with
the orator proudlydeclares to be incompatible
the destinies of the Roman
people*. Nearlyto the
exhortation

same

to

his oration before the senators,when

afterwards
consulted by the consuls soon

eftect was

they were

the Appian-way and

questions
respecting
and by one of the tribunes of the people
the coinage,
relative to the office of the Luperci.On this occasion
availed himself of
Cicero,when asked his opinion,
on

certain

the usual

which
privilege,

allowed

the national council,if he

every

member

of

thought it necessary, to
ation
departfrom the subjectimmediatelyunder considerand to introduce his opinionupon other questions
the
affecting generalinterests,
by labouring,
with the whole
force of his eloquence,
to counteract
the endeavours of the friends of Antony ; who were
recommendinga peace with him on any conditions,
at least preferable
to the horrors of civil discord
as
with which
threatened.
the state was
Antony, in
connexion with his brother Lucius,is again alluded
to in such opprobrious
terms
might well have
as
*

vi. 7.
Philipp.

484
the

THE

LIFE

loss of several

OP

CICEItO.

cavalryin the action*.

Hirtius would
probably have pushedhis successes
still farther,had he not been advised by Cicero,
with

whom

he

was

of

his

in constant

communication, to
be joinedby his

hazard

nothinguntil he should
on
Pansa, who was
colleague
vigorously
carrying
additional levies,
with the intention of hastening
as
As it was, his
to his assistance.
as
soon
possible
and
presence compelledAntony to divide his forces,
the operations
commenced
a part to continue
leaving
Mutina, to take post with the rest at Bononia,
against
to observe

the motions

the three leaders

were

of the consular army.

While
thus watchingeacliother's proceedings,

Philippusand Piso (thethird ambassador,

Sulpicius,
havingdiedsuddenly
upon the road)
at the camp of Antony,as bearers of the commands

Servius
arrived

of the

senate,and

received

were

with

great

allowed to proceedas far as

courtesy; being freely
at their leisure the formidable
Mutina, and to inspect
the city. As Cicero had
approachesmaking against
and predicted,
in
however, their journey,
anticipated
all its material points,
proved wholly ineffectual.
So far from layingdown
his arms
unconditionally,
ing
Antony continued dailyto storm with all his batterthe walls of Mutina
before their
enginesagainst
eyest; and, in replyto the peremptory order he had
notified as the only terms on which he was
received,
to listen to a treatyfor a single
moment, a
willing
confirmation of all the grantswhich he had made in
with Dolabella,
ship,
duringtheir jointconsulconjunction
he had latterly
as well as of the acts which
duced,
proCsesar
of
in
his
the
authorised
as
by
papers
should
He farther insistedthat no inquiry
possession.
be made

with

.seizedin the
allowed

the

respectto the
temple of Ops ;

to retain

provinceof
*

treasure

and

for
possession

Gallia

viii.2.
Pnilipp.

Comata,

which

he

that he should

had
he-

of
five years to come
Gaul
or
beyond the
viii.~.
t Philipp.

THE

Alps, with

LIFE

OF

force of six

from the army

continue in arms
as

485

CICERO.

be supplied

partlyto
legions,

of Decirnus

Brutus,

as

well

as

to

longas Brutus and Cassius should

retain any military
On such conditions
command*.
he promisedto suspendhis advances against
Mutina,
and to relinquish
Gaul.
his claims upon Cisalpine
The
when
receiptof these insolent propositions,
made
after their return
publicby the ambassadors
in the beginning
of the month of February,
to the city
excited a general
of indignation.
Yet, at a
feeling
senate convened
by Pansa to deliberate upon the
stepsto l"e next pursued,Calenus and his faction had
interest enoughto soften many of the resolutions proposed
by the party of Cicero,and wholly to frustrate
others. The Avar, which the latter urged the assembly
the state,
to declare to be then ragingagainst
altered to the milder designation of
O
instead
of
an
Antony,
beingproclaimed

was

"

tumult."

open enemy
its adversary
simplydesignated

to his
or

country, was
ward
broughtforprohibition,
opponent ; and a general
from
to prevent all well-wishers to the republic

from
holding
in person,

henceforth

wTith him
any communication
in favour of his
an
exception

by
lieutenant Varius Cotyla,then present,and attentively
observing,as well as taking notes of the
The main
point,however,
progress of the debate.
to

which

efforts,a
"

was

the

met

constitutionalists

resolution

that the

had

directed

habit
military

their

should

be assumed
immediately
by the citizens,was carried
with little difficulty.
This day's proceedings
are
commemorated
by Cicero in his eighthPhilippic,
addressed to the senate on the following
morning,
the
in which
the resolutions already passed,and
moderate
and Philippusin their
conduct
of Piso
late embassy,are
with indignant
commented
upon
and the additional clauses proposed,that
severity,
Antony'sadherents should be invited,by an unre"

viii.9.
Philipp.

486

THE

LIFE

stricted promiseof

by

the 15th

CICERO.

OP

March, and
Cotyla,whosoever

of Varius

to their

pardon,to.return
that

of

with

should

the

duty
exception

in the meantime

should
be declared an enemy
to his camp
pass over
and dealt with accordingly*.
to the constitution,
After

the settlement

of these

more

importantquestions,

the motion of Pansa,

on
proceeded,
the public honours
to be decreed to
to consider
Servius Sulpicius,
who, by his death in his late
capacityof ambassador,was considered by his friends
in the
sort sacrificed himself
as
having in some
the senate

in
Servilius having,
service of his country. Publius
reference
to this question,
proposedthe erection of

sepulchreat the expense of the nation,without

the usual accompaniment of a statue in the rostra,
that the latter was
reserved for those
generally
arguing
invested
who
had
fallen by actual violence when
a

with

the

sacred

character

of envoys,
brief oration,
of which

by Cicero in a
objectis to prove, that
while labouringunder

was

answered

the

principal
had persisted,
since Sulpicius
in fulfilling
a
dangerousdisease,
the duties of the office enjoinedupon
him,
his death,thus accelerated by his self-devotion,
could
be considered an ordinary
and that
scarcely
casualty;
he

therefore

was

respectpaidon

entitled

former

to

the

fullest marks

occasions to citizens who

perishedwhile in the fulfilment of a similar

We
from
learn incidentally,
a writer of much
date, that the arguments of Cicero in behalf
friend

deceased

of
had

office.
later

of his

successful ; since a brazen statue

in the third
is described as existing,
of Sulpicius

century,

on

of
doubtless,

were

the

rostra

the oration

Augustust, the result,

recommendingitserection to
of

"

the senate, which is stillextant

ninth Philippic.
*

"f-Pomponius
argument

to

de

under

viii. 11.
Philipp.

Origin?Juris, quotedby

the oration.

the titleof the

"

Miinutius

in

his

THE

LIFE

OF

487

CICERO.

The tenth of these famous

speechesowed its origin

of despatches
from Marcus
to the receipt
Brutus in
favourable
gence
intelliMacedonia, conveyingthe most
the prospectsof the party of the
respecting
his
senate in that province. Brutus, immediately
on
arrival at Athens in the precedingyear, had summoned
of the young
Roman
most
nobilitythen
their studies in the cityto joinhis councils ;
pursuing
and easily
induced them, by his persuasions,
actively
had then, after
to espouse the cause
of liberty.He
of
at the command
beingaided with all the resources
the proconsul
taken the fieldwith so much
Hortensius,
patched
vigour againstCaius Antonius,who had been desby his brother to secure the governmentagainst
the republic,
all his
as to compelhim, after abandoning
other posts,
with but seven
cohorts
to retire to Apollonia
of
remaining

his whole

Of

army.

this Brutus

gave notice to the consuls,adding at the

the

highestcommendations

Hortensius

and Marcus

of his

Cicero

the

same

now

time

active

assistants,
latter of whom,

the
at the first landingof Brutus
relinquishing
the
schools of the philosophers,
and
societyof
Cratippus,for active service under his command,
had been appointedby him to the command
of his
himself by
cavalry,and had alreadydistinguished
a whole
making prisoners
legionunder the orders of
of Antony*. Brutus also stated that
Piso,the legate
Vatinius had openedthe gatesof Dyrrachium at his
that the greaterpart of the enemy'shorse
summons;
had come
to his party;that Caius Antonius might
over
cretion
be expected
to surrender at disto be compelled
shortly
result of such a splendid
; and that as the general
series of successes, the whole of Macedonia
and
with the rest of Greece,was
at the
Illyricum,
entirely

and occupiedby
disposal,
*

To

this circumstance

:
Philippic
Legioquam
"

se

filiomeo

tradidit.

the troops, of the senate.

alludes in his tenth

his parent exultingly
L. Piso ducebat,
Antonii,Ciceroni
legatus

488

THE

lost no

Pansa

LIFE

CICERO.

summoning that assemblyto

receive this welcome
in commemoration
information,
of which
noble paean*was
uttered by the great
a
confident of the
of their deliberations,
ornament
now
ultimate victory
taken,
of the cause
which
he had underand congratulating
himself upon the vigorous
and

time

OF

resolute

in

character

his

of

counsels.

former

After

bestowinga highlywrought panegyric

upon
Calenus for his ill
Brutus, vehementlycensuring
affection to wards so eminent a patriot,demonstrating
"

"

the serious evils which

would

have

arisen from

the

of Antony,
of Greece by the partisans
possession
and provingthat nothingwas
to be dreaded from any
extraordinary
powers which mightbe conferred upon
the late victors in that country, the orator brought
forward as an improvement upon
a decree proposed
of his own,
which
was
by Calenus, one
readily
Brutus in his titleof proconsul
adopted,
;
confirming
of
him
and keep possession
to defend
empowering
Macedonia,and the whole of Greece ; to
Illyricum,
"

retain the full force

and

presentunder

at

raise such

his

command;

might appear necessary

for its maintenance,
either from the ordinary
sources
of revenue,
the strengthof the publiccredit.
or
Thanks
also givenin this decree for his eminent
were
services to the proconsul
at
was
Hortensius,who
donia
the same
time desired to hold the provinceof Maceuntil his successor
should be appointedby
to

sums

as

the senate.
The

satisfaction

felt at Rome
account
on
generally
of
of the prosperity
had attended the arms
which
afterwards
Brutus in Greece,was
soon
damped by
Tinwelcome
*

In what

up!
"

Tenet

cum

; nostrse

sunt

equitatus,
maximeque
sua

Asia ;

from

beautyof language is
igitur
populusRomanus

Graciam

tuetur
noster

news

excellentissima virtute

paterni
maternique
generis
et

this list of
Macedonian!

legiones
;

noster

est

Caius

where

triumphssummed
;
; tenet Illyricum
levis arrnatura

nostra

Brutus, semperque

reipublicse
natus, turn

noniinis.
"

Tre-

Philipp.
x.

6.

fato

noster,

quodam

LIFE

THE

bonius,one
and
Caesar,
had

OF

active

of the most
the

onlyone

established

conspirators
against

them

among

of consular rank

himself; occupyingwith

garrisonthe city of Smyrna,

beneficial communication
of almost

which, by

489

CICERO.

with

the whole

and

of

Syria,with

additions,and the
considerableforce,while on its march
orders

of

the

a
maintaining

in possession

Cassias,now

recent

to receive the

strong

an

army

defection

of

from

Egypt
in
Antony'slate colleagiie
whole
to twelve
legions.
provincehad been decreed

amounted
consulship,
the
to whom
Dolabella,
faction,and who had been sent out
by the opposite
towards the end of his consulship
to expelCassius
from it by force,had entered,while marching past
the walls of Smyrna, into a conference with Trebonius, held without the gates; at which expressions
of respect,salutations,
and even
braces,
emfriendly
took place
between
the two leaders ; and the
soldiers of Dolabella,
althoughtheywere not suffered
to enter the town, were
freelysuppliedwith provisions
by the troopswho composed the garrison.
ting
setbut illrepaid. Dolabella,
This kindness was
on
out from Smyrna with the intention,
as he gave
towards
out, of pursuing his way
Ephesus, into
which
Trebonius had promisedthat he should be
from
received on condition of his retiring
peacefully
Smyrna, onlycontinued his course in that direction as
longas he was followed by a party of horse which

Trebonius
some

commanded

had

distance.

These

to observe

had

no

sooner

his motions

for

than
retired,

his army,
he againapproached,
hastilycounter-marching
he
which
of
the
under cover
city
night,
the
had left a few hours previously;and finding
ramparts,as he had expected,only guarded by a
carried it at once
few careless sentinels,
by escalade.

Trebonius,who
of

and

had

retired to rest,without

picion
sus-

chamber,
before his remorseless captor; who,

dangerat hand, was

hurried

seized in his

any

490

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

tortures
exposinghim to the most excruciating
for two days,to force from him a confession of the
in his hands
of the publicmoney
and the
amount
commanded
him at
deposited,
placeswhere it was
his head to be fixed upon a
lengthto be strangled,
and his mangled
spear and exhibited to the people,
remains, after being openly dragged through the
after

streets,to be thrown

into the

firstnoble blood offered

of Csesar

the memory

by
slaughter

of the

followed.

to be

was

Rome,

deliberate

Dolabella,on
and

at

upon
the motion of

who

telligence
inshed

convoked
speedily
the subject,
to declare
Calenus,a publicenemy,
were

confiscation.

him of
dispossess
Asia by force of arms
; but the appointmentof a
generalto the office was the subjectof long and
dubious discussion ; the friends of Antony, on the
one
part, being anxious that the present consuls
It

was

also determined

The

it had been

his estates to immediate

to sentence

the

his vindictive avengers to

fearful omen
of the tide of
in which

manner

excited the senate

to

it

which

was

by
a

"

This

sea*.

at

should be directed to take

once

the

to

war

under

their

own

management, with Syriaand Asia as their provinces,

in the hope that their leader would thus be left comparatively
Gaul ; while a
unmolested
in Cisalpine
second party advised that Publius Serviljusshould be
entrusted with the task of avengingTrebonius,and
to the East,
for that purpose immediately
despatched
commission.
with an especial
Cicero,in his oration
advocated
(theeleventh Philippic,)
upon the subject,
different ; and after touchingin
a course
altogether
glowingand elevated languageupon the death of
Trebonius
as that of a
martyr in the cause
glorious
of the cruof freedom, and warning his audience
elties
which
might be expectedfrom the rest of the
Antonian
faction,after this terrible act of one of
advised that,by
eminent
of their leaders,
the most
.

xi. 2.
Dio, xlrii. Philipp.

492

LIFE

THE

had

fluence

OF

risen

CICERO.

height not hitherto

and
exceeded
in his most
exalted state of dignity,
who mightbe well encouraged,
by the expectedissue
of the events in which he had of late been a principal
fate
instead of the calamitous
actor, to anticipate,
reserved for him, more
tude
ample honours from the gratiof his countrymen than any by which he had
now

to

yet been distinguished.

The garrison
of Mutina, weakened
by the constant
assaults directed against
them, and preventedby the
the
of Antony from receiving
judicious
dispositions
from
their
least supplies
of men
of provisions
or
friends without,were
reduced to the last extremity.
now
had been for some
time kept
Their spirits
of the army
sent
up by intimations of the vicinity
hoisted to the
for their relief,
conveyedby lights
trees,(which,as the surrounding
country
tops of lofty
at nightfrom
seen
was
level,were
perfectly
easily
the ramparts,)and afterwards
direct
by the more
afforded by expert divers ; who uncommunications
dertook
by swimming down the river to convey to
it might be
its destination any intelligence
which
to forward
to the town, engraved
thoughtrequisite
metal
on
plates.The historian Pliny adds, that
when
this method
of intercourse was
stoppedby nets
drawn

the

across

time,

sent

attached

Brutus

by

for
still,

stream, letters were

of the

into the camp

some

consul

carrier-pigeons*.
By these
condition of the besieged
the desperate
was
means,
known
the indomitable resoat Rome
lution
; and although
of the garrison
and its commander
was
fully
almost
the intelligence
was
expected
appreciated,
*

"

Quin

to the feet of

et internuntiae in rebus

earum

pedibuaobsidione

Bruto

rnittente." The

Mutinensi

annexas
magnisfu"re,epistolas

in

castra

the

succeedingcomment
quaint but elegantwriter:

per coelum eunte

nuntio ?"

styleof this
obsidio,
vigil
atque

etiam

vetia
"

amne

consulum

Decitno

is characteristic of

Quid vallum et
Antonio,
pisetenta,profu6re

Nat. Hist. x.

"

"

53.

LIFE

THE

the town

hourlythat

had

OP

493

CICERO.

been

carried

by

the assailants,

Brutus

and

should

to the fate of Trebonius.

subjected
the influence of this apprehension,
it was
posed
proby the consul Pansa, that a second embassy
be sent to negociate
a
peace with Antony.

Many

members

Under

and

added

of the senate

their

Cicero should

seconded

advice,that

Publius

the motion,
Servilius and

be

The
chargedwith the commission.
influenced by whatever
latter,
motives,so far from
making any objectionto the plan,even
expressed
his willingness
to act in the capacity
assignedto
him.
But
a
night of reflection convinced him
with
that he could neither,consistently
his own
with the interests of the republic,
nor
safety,
appear
in the presence of Antony, and that any negociation
would
tend but to lessen the dignityof the
now
senate without a chance of producing
any other effect
than of increasing
the insolence of their enemy*. His
and determination
to decline the
change of opinion,
were
embassy which he had incautiously
accepted,
expressedthe next day in his twelfth
accordingly
Philippic
; in which, blended with his usual thunders
the state,he gave
againstthe leader in arms
against
the proposedmission,
for suspending
reasons
convincing
for exemptinghimself from undertaking
or, at least,
dismissed ;
it. The project
was
accordingly

immediate
to make
an
but, as it was
necessary
of Decimus
shape for the rescue
attempt in some
determined
that Pansa should
Brutus,it was
finally
hasten

at thevhead

in the

of four

suburbs,and

junctionwith
oblige
Antony, either at
effect

Mutina,

to

or

which
legions

were

tered
quar-

to
eager for active service,
his colleague
Hirtius, and
once

hazard,with

generalaction

to

raise the

siegeof

disevery prospect of comfiture,

with the troops of the

republic.
Pansa

seems

to have
*

set out

xii. 2.
Pbilipp.

upon

his

expedition

494

THE

towards

the

end

LIFE

CICERO.

OP

of the

month

March*, leaving

of

Cicero to manage
affairs at Rome
duringhis absence.
The indefatigable
industryand versatile mind of this

formallyacknowledgedthe
head of the party whose movements
he had so longexerted with
were
never
directed,
greateractivity
be
than at the present important
juncture
; as
may
is left
as
judged from as much of his correspondence
with the principal
for the pretinder arms
generals
servation
of the commonwealth, exhorting,
ing,
encouragand inducing
each,by every possibleargument,
taken
had underthe part he
strenuouslyto maintain
obviatingobjections allayingjealousies,
and holdingout the promise of ample and certain
eminent

statesman, now

"

"

rewards.

That

resources

clear idea may

be formed of the
which the senate and their opponents
a

upon
and of the
at this time relied,

both, it

of

upon

the

Italyand

be

well

prospectsand

condition

generalglance
of the contending
both in
position
parties,
its dependentprovinces.
may

as

to cast

In the East Caius Cassius,at the head of a powerful

which
fleetand army
had placeditself under
his -command, and

by Lentulus,who had been

into Asia,
sent with
an
extraordinarycommission
Dolabella
of victory
was
pursuingthat career
against
which
his eminent
militarytalents and thorough
knowledge of the country in which he was acting
In Macedonia
the war
were
so
likelyto ensure.
was
completelyat an end. Caius Antonius, after
his retreat to Apollonia,
information of the
on
gaining
advance
had thought
of Brutus to invest the place,
it expedient
but having
to Buthrotum;
to withdraw
been attacked on his march
by a detachment of the
by the loss of three of the seven
enemy, and weakened
cohorts he commanded, he was
routed in
completely
*

aided

See the letter of Cicero

the third of the calends of

speaksof hoth the consuls

to

Plancus, (Ad Diversos,-x.

10,)dated

April,(the30th
as

of

beingabsent from

March,)in
the city.

which

he

THE

LIFE

OF

495

CICERO.

engagement with a division headed by the

Marcus
Cicero,and compelledto surrender
younger
himself prisoner.A letter,ascribed to Brutus, is
a

second

the advice of Cicero as to the

preservedrequesting
conduct to be pursuedtowards the captive,
and speaking,
in such highterms of the services rendered by his
have been especially
to the
gratifying
son, as must
the commendation
addressed:
was
parent to whom
"
Your
to deserve
son," he writes," does so much
unwearied
by his industry,
patience,
my approbation
exertions,
magnanimity,and, in short,by the zealous
performanceof every duty,as to induce me to believe
that he constantly
bears in mind the father to whom
he owes
his birth.
he is alreadyso
Since,therefore,
"

far the

objectof your

of mine

increase your

can

thus

affection that

no

representations
cede
him, con-

regardtowards

my judgment,as to believe that he

will have no occasion to have recourse
to your renown
in order to attain to his father's honours*."
In the
far

he complainsof
epistle

same

and

the want

of

conquests. To

men

this

repliesevasively,
by statingthe opinionof

Pansa, that

all the levies that could be raised would

the

of the state in Italy,

exigencies
justlyto think that a blow decisive
of the republicmust
speedilybe

requiredby

where

both

his recent

to preserve

money

Cicero
be

to

he

of the

seems

fortunes

struckt. In this letter he also advises thatC. Antonius

should

be

strictly
guarded until

the fate

and

its governor
should be known.
of later date the doctrine of
epistles

But

of Mutina
in other

towards
severity

vanquished,to which the mild and benevolent

Brutus
of M.
was
disposition
utterlyaverse, is
urged$ ; and it is not obscurelyintimated,
strongly

the

Ad

received

t Ad

J
Brute

This

Brut.

xxi.

by Cicero

"

Dated

at Rome

Dyrraehiuni, April 1st, and

from

the

on

eighthof

the

same

month.

Brut. xxii.

dangerouspolicyis

dissentio ;

nee

thus

clementiae

expressed:

tuse

"

"

Veliementer

te

concedo,sed salutaris severitas

496

THE

that the

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

their rebellion

penaltyof

extreme

state, if inflicted upon

the

Antony, would

of the

any

meetingwith

be far from

of the citizens of Rome.

The

the

against
family of
bation
disapproto this

answer

the part of Brutus, is a noble and manly

on
suggestion,
vindication of the course
he had pursued,and, to his
eternal
to the

honour, contains a direct refusal to be accessory

death of one whom, after havinggrantedhim

in
of war, he was
now
prisoner
compelled,
and humanity,
for the future
to reserve
common
justice
people*.
judgment of the senate and Roman
held by Quintus CorThe province
of Africa was
and
of Cicero,
old friend and correspondent
an
nificius,
attached to the cause, which he afterwards
sufficiently
sealed with
his blood,to leave the senate no reason
for apprehending
to their commands
any opposition
from a country under his government. In the Farther
Spain the polishedand accomplishedAsinius
Pollio,immortalised in the pages of Horace and
his lifeas

maintained
Virgil,
to

the

expressedin
from

his

Corduba,

least that appearance

of mission
subestablished
is
authorities,which
at

letter to Cicero

admirablyworded

dated

the sixteenth

of

he givesas the reason

year; in which
the impossibility
of advancinginto
the passes of the

the

deerunt

be
epistle

quidquam

homines

focilis est, ut
the admirers

were

bella wivilia."

genuine,Ad

Brut,

vehemens

of the character of

"

si clementes
Brut.

Ad

xxiii.

expectant neque

in duces

of his

delay,

Italywhile all
guarded by the soldiers

speciemclementiae. Quod

vincit inanem

nunquam

Alps

of this

March,

esse

iii.; and

"

volumus

again,if

dissolutum

Neque
crudele.
Hujus

te

rei moderatio

sit, in milites liberalis." To

Cicero, these passages will appear

of the letters
the strongestevidences againstthe authenticity
among
If really
from his pen, the writer could little have
to M. Brntus.
the use
made
of such maxims
afterwards
soon
against
anticipated

himself.
*

Ad

Brut.

after the
attention.

iv.

"

The

of
intelligence

whole
the

of

this beautiful

relief of

written
epistle,
Mutina, is well "worthy

THE

LIFE

of

Lepidus. The
Hither Spainhad
force of

a
1

no

OF

whom

latter,to
been

the

assigned
by

less than

497

CICERO.

provinceof

Julius Caesar with

after suspending
leo-ions,

seven

"

"

11*

his inarch

to his

...

government

of the commencement

on

receiving

information

of hostilitiesin

Italy,Avas now
his steps through the territoryof
slowlyretracing
to the party which
Narbonne, yet undetermined
as

it would

be most

received

in

to his interest to espouse.

He

had

ungracioussilence the honours lately

decreed to him by the senate for his successful interference
to bringabout a reconciliation of Sextus Pompey
with the state,and was
viewed, both from this sign
of disaffection,
and from
his well-known
of
want
with equal suspicion
and dislike by the
principle,
held by the
republicans.TransalpineGaul was
consul elect,
Lucius Plancus,with an army consisting
of five legions
and a multitude of auxiliary
troops,
immediate
service.
This commander,
fully
equippedfor
after longhesitating
to make any active movement
or

open

declaration of attachment

to the

party of
lengthgainedover, by

the

had been at
the
constitution,
contained
in several letters of
powerfulpersuasions
to declare for the senate. His
Cicero,stillremaining,
to that effect to the consuls,
publiccommunication
tribunes,and senate,was received soon after
prastors,
the departureof Pansa
from
Rome, and afforded
universal joy from
the prospect it held out of the
accession of so important an
increase to the force
and the assurances
tained
conalreadyat their disposal,
under
in it,that all the cities in the province
the command
of the writer were
disposed
perfectly
to

second

national

him

in

his exertions

which
liberties,

identified with

the

maintain

to

they seemed
of Roman

cause

to

their

consider

as

freedom*.

the Apennines
the march of Pansa across
Italy,
towards Cisalpine
Gaul, and the prospect of an immeIn

Ad

Diversos,x.
K

8.

493

LIFE

THE

CICERO.

OF

cliate engagement with

of

Antony, as soon
he should
have
as
troops with those of
Hirtius and Octavius,stillfurther excited the hopes
and anticipations
of certain success
among the friends
of liberty. Beyond this, however, nothing had
been effected towards the delivery
Brutus
of Decimus
his periloussituation.
armies
from
The
relieving
were
Cornelii and Claterna,
yet stationed at Forum
separatedfrom the division coveringthe siegeof
Mutina, and commanded
by Antony in person, by
the army
united his

the streams

of the Rhenus

and

Lavinius

while

the

to
desperateefforts were
constantlymade
win the town, now
exposed to the extremities of
of the tedious blockade it
privationin consequence
had undergone,by various methods
of assault. The
whole
not comprised
strengthof Antony, however, was

most

in the army stationed about Mutina, since two

in his service,
under the orders of Ventidius,
legions

lyingin

treated
they had reafter the abandonment
of a designof suddenly
bers
mementeringRome, and carryingoff the principal
were

of the

the Picenum

such
which

his lines
after

near

command
the

and
had

letter

to Octavius

perusal,transmitted
This

commanders,

intended

by

contained

them
an

to excite

the

cause

at
a

their
ner
man-

the Flaminian

forwarded

been

the senate.

such

way.
of the

generalcondition

abroad,

Mutina

disaffection towards

Cicero

securelypostedin

was

at home

Rome,

whither

senatorial party, with

head*, and were now

as
completelyto
While

public
re-

received at

was

by Antony from
and Hirtius,and,
without
delayto

address
in both

for which

to

the

two

feelingof
in
they were
a

of the mingled
and, as singularly
expressive
of the future triumvir,
(who, like
daringand subtlety
the Spartan monarch
of old, was
never
indisposed
the lion's skin with that of the fox,)
to eke
out
arms

Appian. De

Bellis Civil, iii.

500

THE

LIFE

CICERO.

OP

veterans,established both by the peopleand the senate

promisedto restore to the peopleof Marseilles

which
they have been deprivedby rightof
that no Pompeian can
despisedthe regulation
office during life,fixed by the Hirtian
law ;
with the money
Brutus
of Apuleius;
execution

the

friends of

of Poatus and

Caesar,and gifted
by

all of
war;

hold
plied
supmended
com-

the

Menedemus,

him

the freedom

with

of the

the injuries
of Theopompus,
city;and neglected
and exiled
compelledby Trebonius to flydespoiled
to Alexandria.

camp
dagger with
as

which

he

composedof my

if for the

led them

on,

soldiers.

without

approved

same

murderers, and

of Caesar's

of your

to endanger
designs,
fellowor
quaestor,or general,

own

in

what

or

"

the

Caesar ; have collected

of veteran troops,
or
soldiery

own

unaware

What,

in

resentment

slew

destruction

the lives of their

were

behold

Sergius Galba, girdedwith

your

forces

You

short, have
could

more

he recalled to life? To

not

you

Pompey

himself

all,you

crown

done

or

do,

refuse to

of peace, unless I allow Decimus

listen to overtures
Brutus
to escape, or
supply him with provisions.

Reflect whether
veterans

who

such conduct
are

is likely
to

pleasethose
as for yoursince,
yet uncorrupted,
selves,
been purchasedby the poisoned
gifts

you have
and flatteriesof your enemies.
But you
I am
say, to assist the troops whom
have

no

wish

to

come,

you

will

besieging.I

prevent their beingsaved,and

fered
suf-

departin whatever direction yon think fit,

providedthey leave their generalto perishas he has
to

deserved.

You

been made

in

consular
effect it.

inform
the

me

senate, and

dignityare

that

appointedas

It is difficult to

of peace has
five persons of

that mention

believe

ambassadors
that

those

to

who

after I had offered the most

extremities,
and intended to remit some
conditions,
equitable
part
of these,can act in any respectwith moderation
even
drove

me

to

THE

humanity ;

or

persons who

nor

have

501

CICERO.

is it very likelythat the same

declared Dolabella a publicenemy,

act,will feel inclined

righteous
ments.
myselfa sharer in his sentime, who profess
useful
whether itis more
Consider,therefore,

to spare

creditable to those enlisted for

to your

party, or more
its support,to avenge

Caesar

be

mortal

at

OP

of his most

account

on

LIFE

the death of Trebonius

it is

whether

that
equitable

more

contention

to

or
we

that

of

should

effect the revival of the

destroyed,or unite to
prevent ourselves from becoming the sport of our
enemies, who are sure to be the gainers
by the death
of any one of us as a result of our
disputes:although
fortune has hitherto interfered to prevent the spectacle
of two armies,belonging
to the same
party,fighting,
like rival gladiators,
of
to please
Cicero,the master
of

cause

Pompey,

the show

who

so

often

has been

so

far fortunate

as

to deceive

artifices* with which he

specious
Caesar.
For my
boasted of having deluded
once
own
part,my resolution is alreadytaken, neither to
submit to insult offered to myselfor to my friends ;
you

with

desert

to

nor

the

hatred

of

the

party

Pompey;
their

ejectedfrom
to torture

same

nor

to

nor

which

incurred

once

to suffer the veterans

or
settlements,
draggedone

prove

false to the

the

to

by

be
one

faith which

to Dolabella; nor to violate my alliance

plighted
individual t^ nor
with Lepidus,that most
religious
counsels.
of my
to betrayPlancus, the participator
If the immortal
hope
gods assist me, as I confidently
out these uprightsentiments,
they will,in following

have

In

the

difficult to
not

affected phrase which

an
original elegantiis,"
translate by an appropriate
term, and which Cicero
"

suffer to escape in

his comments

upon

the

sentences

of

it is

does
the

seriatim.
epistle

"f- Piissimi hominis." No one can forgetthe concentrated force

Tu porro ne pios
of irony with which Cicero falls upon this title :
in
nullum
omnino
quidem sed piissimos
quaeris; et quod verbum
"

"

iinguA.Latinfr est,
inUucis,
"

id

propter

xiii. 19.
Philipp.

tuam

divinam

pietateinnovutn

0'02

LIFE

THE

OP

CICERO.

pleasing.If, however, a different fate

the
awaits me, I can
at least enjoy,by anticipation,
punishmentswhich will afterwards fall upon yourselves.
For if the Pompeian faction,
quished.,
althoughvanlifewill be

behave

themselves

with

so

much

insolence,

it will be for you to experience

their conduct
what
will be when
victorious. My ultimate decision is
this
me

"

by

to endure

and

inflicted upon
the injuries
forgive
if they,on their part, are disposed
friends,

own
my
to bury them

in

oblivion,
or

to add

their efforts

avengingthe death of Caesar. It is not

will be sent ;
opinionthat any ambassadors
my
when they arrive I shall be better acquainted
with
what they have to propose."
This epistle,
tlie repubso well calculated to injure
lican
the minds
of those
cause, either by influenciag
it was
addressed with a feeling
of dislike
to whom
towards
their political
when*
or
allies,
by exciting,
made
of jealousy
and distrust of their
a sense
public,
of the senatorian party
sincerity
among the members
received almost simultaneously
with a despatch
was
from Lepidus,
of
earnestly
recommendingthe adoption,
The communication
measures*.
was
garded
pacific
only reand at
of his disaffection,
as a fresh evidence
to take it into cona meetingof the senate,convened
sideration,
it was
of
at the suggestion
easilycarried,
for his.
that, after being coollythanked
Servilius,
to mine

in

"

unwelcome

under pretenceof reconciling

interference,
the prevailing
he should
be requestedto.
discords,
for the future,the senate (whose firm opinion
suffer,
it

was

should

that

no

disband

until Antony
peace could be made
his forces)
to take what
steps they

might think

tating
proper in reference to the disputesagidelivered
his
the state. On this occasion Cicero
Antony, with
against
and
opinionof Servilius,

thirteenth oration
the

xiii. 4,
Philipp.

view

of porting
supof moving, in
a

THE

LIFE

OP

50L"

CICERO.

which
had been
addition,that the offer of assistance,
received from Sextus Pompey, should be accepted
recently
with expressions
of public
His argugratitude.
ments
a
ll
of
with
overtures
against
hisenemywere
peace
supportedby a perusal of the late letter of Antony
and Hirtius,the examination
to Octavius
of which,
almost word
by word, with a view of exposingthe
writer to the

scorn

and

the greater
the

hatred

part

subject
might appear

field for the exhibition

that,among
which

by

Antony

the

second

the

to hold

stitutes
audience, con-

speech. Although

very extended
of his talents,
it must
be conceded
out

no

the several invectives of Cicero

is the

this
subject,

in vivid

is brilliant with

sentence

of

of the

is

and

power

genius,but

only surpassed
Every
energy.
it is the brilliance

of

The

which
while
consumes
lightning,
keenness
of its finely-tempered
and

haustless

sarcasm,

Greek

Roman

its remorseless

of

it dazzles.
almost

ex-

but not

undignified
and unerring
wit, (which the
irony,its uninterrupted
reader is apt to think no moral panoplyof indifference
could have repelled,)
leave it
or
certainly
effrontery
unsurpassed
by any productionof the kind either in
or

those who

seek for

and
denouncing,convicting,
avenging
need not look much
eloquence,
beyond this masterly,
but hitherto strangely
oration.
neglected,
far less likely
The peace of Antony, however, was
to be disquieted
by this burst of indignantrhetoric
than
conveyed to him shortly
by the intelligence,
afterwards, that the consul Pansa was
alreadyin
and that the two
communication
with his colleague,
to unite their
generalsmight be expectedspeedily
facilitate this desirable objectHirtius
armies.
To
the whole of the Martial
had despatched
legtonand
two
cohorts,on the nightprecedingthe
praetorian
of the expected
the march
fifteenth of April,to secure
a

model

literature ; and

of

force to his camp,

and to act

as

its advanced

guardOH

504

OF

LIFE

THE

CICERO.

detachment, after proceeding

miles without
some
molestation,fell in with the
in quest,near
Bononia, and
legionsof which it was
being safelyunited with them, began to lead the
and
head- quarters of Hirtius
the
towards
way
established much
to Mutina,
Octavius ; now
nearer
in consequence
of a succession of skirmishes,by
had been
which
the outpostsof the besieging
army
driven in,and compelled
to take up positions
disposed
the way

over

This

thither.

less extensive than the ground

space, much
they had formerlyoccupied. Antony, in the

which

of Pansa,
vicinity
if
importanceof preventing,
Hirtius,while he was at the

time, duly informed

mean

fullysensible
his union
possible,
and

time

same

of the
with

of the

of the Martial

of the movement

unaware

legionto support him, drew out from his lines,on

the same
legions,
night,the second and thirty-fifth
with two praetorian
cohorts,a strongbody of evocati*,
horse and infantry
of light
and a multitude
; deeming
the four
this force amply sufficient to overpower
alone he exwhich
levied recruits,
of recently
pected
legions
of Forum
On reaching
the village
to encounter.
Gallorum, situated on
Bononia
and Mutina, he
the houses
His

and

considerable

^Emilian

concealed

between

way,

his

behind
legions
their vicinity.

ground in
irregular
troops,among

the broken

lightcavalryand

were

the

number

of Moorish

whom

horse, were

in front,separated
from
parties
the heavy infantryby a narrow
on
pass, bordered
In this position
each side by thickets and marshes.
the arrival of the consular
awaited
he leisurely
their appearance
at length made
; the
troops, who
scattered in detached

from

The

"

Evocati"

the service,were

were

veteran

who, after havingretired

soldiers,

again induced

to take

arms

on

any

pressing

favourite leader. They were

or
by the request of some
emergency,
to any
not being subjected
considered entitled to peculiarprivileges,
the
of the ordinarylabours imposed upon
legionaries.

TUB

LIFE

OP

505

CICERO.

and the praetorian

cohorts,which
legion
accompanied it, forming the van, and the rest

Martial

at

march.

On

short
the

distance,in
first

an

extended

had
lowing
fol-

line of

sight of Antony's irregular

troops,the leadingdivision

of

the army

of Pansa,
to be placed

of the restraints attempted

regardless
rushed furl-by their officers,
upon their impetuosity
to the encounter, and finding
theenemy,
ouslyforward
instructions
in pursuance
of
previouslyreceived,
give way before them after but a feeble show of
hurried throughthe pass in pursuit,
and
resistance,
continued
their disorderly
progress until they were
checked
by the sightof the threatening
array of the
tony;
of Ancolumns
composingthe heavy-armedinfantry
their
from
out
which, having been drawn
ambush, and formed in front of the village
during
this tumultuous
skirmish,suddenly appearedamidst
the cloud of fugitives,
rapidlydown upon their
bearing
and
adversaries in order of battle. The Martial legion
but twelve cohorts,
the praetorians,
composingtogether
were
consequentlyalone able to deploy,(the two
immediatelyfollowing,
althoughsent in all
legions
haste by Pansa
to their support,being yet at some
when
they were
exposed to the terrible
distance,)
standing,
shock of the enemy'sline. The contest was, notwithtime more
maintained than
for some
fiercely
of the
might have been expectedfrom the disparity
numbers
engaged. On the rightAntony'sthirty-fifth
than
was
manfullymet and driven back for more
legion
five hundred
paces by eightcohorts of the Martial
The praetorian
cohort
under SergiusGalba.
legion,
of

Octavius, stationed

on

the

^milian

way,

and

force, distinguished
forming the centre of its own
the
but
left
itself also by a desperateresistance,
wing being oiitflanked and completelyoverthrown
by its opponents,while the cavalryof Antony began
to pour

round

in that direction and

to

threaten

the

506

LIFE

THE

whole

rear, it was
immediate
retreat.

OP

CICERO.

deemed
This

advisable

was,

to

however,

order

an

effected in

the
confusion,and the panic spreading
among
legionsbehind, a generalflightof the whole army
at lengthensued, which
not
was
stopped until the
from which
they had set out in the morning,
camp,
received the vanquished multitudes,
lowed
folwho
were
to its very gates by their pursuers.
It was
that Pansa, endeavouring
rout
duringthis disorderly
his broken columns, was
to rally
amidst
struck down
the tumult,and havingreceived several severe
wounds,
some

with

was

carried
difficulty

to Bononia.

Not

off the field

contented

Antony, on coming up
within

which

his enemies

instant orders for

rash
and

carryingthem

attempt,however,
with

havingmet

had

he

the

was

with

his attendants

vantage,
his first ad-

to the entrenchments

taken

refuge,gave

by assault. In this
completelyrepulsed,
ill

same

by

success

in several

he was
at lengthobligedto draw
repeatedattacks,
off his forces,
havingwasted much valuable time, and
inconsiderable number
of his troops,to no purpose.
no
gence
Meanwhile
the consul Hirtius,on gainingintelliof what was
going forward, had, in his turn,
drawn
cohorts composing the
out twenty veteran
seventh and fourth legions,
and advancingat the head
of these to Forum
Gallorum, had taken up the very
same
ground occupiedby Antony in the morning,
with the intention of intercepting
his retreat, The

victorious army,
camp
under

had
hours
recent

of

its assaults upon the

assailed while
labouring

from
returning

Pansa,

was

thus

similar
precisely
disadvantages
conduced

to

the

rout

of its

to those which

opponents

few

with
its
before,and being,moreover,
fatigued
borne
exertions,was, after a short resistance,

back, and
of Hirtius.
to re-form

driven

in all directions before the veterans

Antony, findinghis utmost endeavours

made
the
his flying
legionsunavailing,

508

THE

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

dress,until there existed no prospect of a necessity

for again assuming it,he powerfully
argues in this
then existing,
more
speechfor the necessity
strongly
than ever, of declaring
Antony a publicenemy; both
for the justification
of those who
had lately
been instrument
in the destruction of his followers,
and in
order to avoid the palpable
which would
inconsistency
be manifested in decreeing
for
a publicthanksgiving
the defeat of a leader who
had not yet been placed
under the ban of the republic. He mentions a late
defence of himself by the tribune Apuleius,
when,
after the prevalenceof an
unfavourable
rumour
specting
rebefore Mutina, he had been
the operations
of
accused,by a confederation formed by the partisans
Antony for the especial
purpose of his destruction,
of an
intention of illegally
assumingthe consular
fasces.* He dwells in terms
of eloquenteulogy
upon
the conduct of the fourth and Martial legions,
touches
in a strain of loftypathosupon the fate of those who
had
and ends by recommending a publicmonument
fallen,
in honour
of the slain,
to the
a supplication
gods,of fifty
days'continuance,in acknowledgmentof
the recent
and the thanks
of the nation to
victory,
he
Hirtius,Pansa, and Octavius; the latter of whom
with
by the title of imperator,
proposes to designate
much

undeserved

beatingoff

commendation

division

of

of the

surprisehis camp,
engagedwith Antony at

enemy
while

to

were

The

second

Forum

battle of Mutina

took

his
who
his

valour

had

in
tempted
at-

colleagues

Gallorum.

placea few days

and
seemed
after the first,
firmlyto establish the
tony.
of the senate,and to completethe ruin of Anpower
conscious of the weakened
Octavius and Hirtius,
condition of the garrisonof Mutina, and the
of its holdingout much
longerwithout
impossibility
of relief,
and, at the same
time,as it may
some
means
*

xiv.
Philipp.

6.

THE

LIFE

OP

509

CICERO.

be

flushed with the recollectionof

inferred,
naturally
their recent success, at lengthresolved upon the hold
the besieging
in their
expedientof assailing
army
After one
entrenchments.
two
or
days of preparatory
manoeuvring,Antony, provoked hy repeated

feints of attacks upon

to

draw

out

to
fairly

followed

serious then

more

had

after

quarters,was induced
principal
part of his troops,and

offer battle before his lines.

which
he

the

various

he

sustained

the first. With

arrayedagaintHirtius he
to flyfrom
severe
struggle,

the shelter of his works

In the
ment
engagea

the
was

defeat much

legionwhich
compelled,

the open

field to

while, at the same

time,
the opportunity,
and furiDecimus
ously
Brutus,seizing
out at the head of his garrison,
sallying
swept
from

their

the
position

division which

had

been left

from the town.

The
keep in check any movement
victors,
pursuingtheir success, were unimpeded even
the camp
of the
by the ditch and rampart protecting
have gainedfull posbesiegers
; of which they would
session,
it by storm, had not Hirtius,
after carrying
been
at the head of the assailants,
bravelyfighting
to

killed in the heat of the conflict close to the tent

of

with Pontius Aquila,

of those
one
Antony*,together
in the conspiracy
Julius
most deeply
against
implicated
Caesar.
By the confusion caused by the fall of the
of Octavius to
or
consul,and by the neglect
inability
of the
make
the proper disposition
to keep possession
Antony was enabled to
ground which he had gained,
his lines. His army was, however,so terribly
recover
shattered by the severe
loss it had suffered,
pairing
that,desof making any impression
Mutina, he
upon
the siege,
and decamping
resolved at once
to abandon
his retreat,
in the nightcommenced
by forced marches,
assistance
towards the Alps,in the hope of receiving
which was
from the army of Lepidus,
lyingon the
other side of that mountain boundary.
*

Appian, De

Bellis Civil, iii.

510

THE

At

fresh

success,

party

in

the

the

engagements
in

his
all

of

means

which

sword

the

by
This

but

in

Thus,

to

of

the

prosperity
expected,

had
the

disappointments
to

attend

progress
to

utter

to

the

seemed
It

of

been

now

change
and
the
from
and

was

gained

cause
a

in

of

hopeless

ruin.

was

doubt

of

state

smile

as

by
from

upon

but

it

of

was

which
forth
hence-

liberty, in
of

Dolabella.

little

were

Roman

delusive

highest point

and,

alone

Mutina

Syria

no

already begun,

disasters

luted
poluntil

however,

was,

life

of

to

The

triumph.

end,

an

with

contest

success

with

Rome

at

leave

to

and

licentiousness.

siege

the

as

republic.

transitory gleam

vigour

such,

quarter,

every

arms

rapid

be

put
to

operations

the

of

where

forces

he

place,

of

Antioch,

eyes,

the

by

of

termination

favourable

his

attendants,

raising

tenor

ascertained

before

the

the

having

Laodicea;

villany and
not, indeed, known

was

general

the

his

of

one

after

in

before

invested

species

event

time
the

of

every

last

some

had

port
trans-

to

of

city

two

or

one

Dolabella,

precluded

escape

Cassius

refuge

annihilated

being

navy

take

Cassius.

attempt

the

surprising

to

and

an

Macedonia,

for

compelled

was

by

plan

in

sea,

ties
extremi-

last
Caius

of

land,

by

by

into

army

the

to

Caesarian

the

of

this

of

occurrence

courage

skirmishes

severe

failed

and

talents

several

his

reduced

were

After

the

from

representatives

East

the

by

CICERO.

OP

interval

long

no

LIFE

temporary

its

THE

LIFE

OF

CHAPTER
Death

of the Consul

of the Senate

Pansa

Letters of Marcus

"

Lepidusrevolts

"

Octavius

advances

Defection

the

of

Triumvirate

and

flies to Astura
near

Caieta

offered

"

to

Antony, and

to

Rome,

Armies

and
in

of Octavius

towards

Brutus

Lepidus to

is declared
is returned

the

Public

Consul

Western

Is overtaken
Remains

slain

and

Remarks

"

"

after

"

Universal

"

Second

"

RepublicanParty Cicero
He
lands
and Nephew
Insults
by PopiliusLamas
"

"

"

his Character

on
"

Cicero

Enemy

Provinces

of his Brother

Writings Correspondence

ANTONY,

and

the Cause

of the
Proscription
Death

"

his

to

XV.

Coolness

"

511

CICEUO.

And

phical
Philoso-

"

Eloquence.

Mutina,

decamping from

was

for

days suffered to continue his march unpursued;

since Decimus
Brutus, althoughhe had plainlyperceived,
of
the
after
the
commencement
on
morning
his retreat,the works
before the town
unoccupied
by their customary guards,and the space once covered
with the tents of his adversaries again vacant, did
the slender force at his command, to
not dare, with
received
from his stronghold,
until he had
venture
raised.
that the siege
certain intelligence
was
fairly
from reasons
Octavius,on his part,also,
unexplained,
two

inactive in his camp,

to harass the rear
out parties

remained

without
of the

either

sending
retiring
enemy,

hours, of the
availinghimself,for many
with the
opportunityof opening a communication
of Mutina.
Pansa, in the meantime, from
garrison
or

even

effect of the wounds

the

engagement at
pointof death
at

an

Forum

he had

Gallorum,
It

in Bononia.

after

received in the first

period,when

was

was

lying at the
lieved
beextensively

the conduct

of Octavius

given an apparent sanction to the report,

justbefore he expired,the consul had solicited

had
that
a

he

secret

interview with

warned
earnestly

him

the young

Ccesar,in

againstplacingany

which

confi-

512

THE

LIFE

dence in the senate

that it was
of

might be
Antony, but

that his

The

cause

he

doubted
re-

ceased to be the

story was,

had

that

when

objectof their
doubt, wholly without
by Octavius,or by his

no

foundation,and forgedeither
his treacherous
to justify
partisans,
the

only as

time,
long

opposingthe ambition
destruction might be considered

the first moment

at

leader had
*.

same

serviceable in

sealed

as

terror

the

him, at
assuring

their intention to flatter him

he

as

CICERO.

OF

abandonment

first advocated.

at

No

of

greater

hand, appears to be due

to a charge,propagatedwith equal industryby his
enemies,that he had caused Hirtiusto be assassinated,
in the heat and confusion of battle,
by the swords of
his own
of
and bribed Glyco,the physician
soldiers,
Pansa, to pour poisoninto his wounds, which were
credit,however, on

the other

at first believed to be mortal

not

hands

agreed,that

to the

cause

of

the

senate

might

all

on

his adherence

henceforth

from

it is

But

t.
be

considered

as

merely nominal, and that he directly refused,

when
his march
strenuouslyurged to commence
Decimus
Brutus across
without delay,
to accompany
the Apennines; suffering
that leader to continue the
pursuitwith no other troops than the wasted garrison
and
such recruits as
actingunder his direction,
he could hastily
cumstance
add to their number.
To this cirBrutus, in
with
attributes,
every
escape of the common
that if he had

by Octavius, it
power
*

his letters to

would
war

probably have
without

another

stroke

j.

Bellis Civil, iv.

angustiasAntomum

interficcretur." Ad
"

in his

been

Sueton. in August, xi.

"f- Tacit. Annal. i. 10.
"
:" Quod si me Coesar audissct atque Apenninum
tantas

Cicero,

the
of justice,
appearance
from his hands; asserting,
enemy
but been seconded,in any respect,

to finish the

Appian. De

of

one

in
transisset,

compulissem,ut inopi"potiusquam

Diversos. xi. 10. Dated

from

the camp

of

ferro

Bruin?,

LIFE

THE

OF

513

CICERO.

As

it was,
Sabata *, on

Antony, pursuinghis way to the fens of

the Ligurian
from which
coast,a position
it was
vain to attempt dislodging
him by force,
was
there joinedby Ventidius,
with the two legions
which
he commanded
after making an effort to surprise
; and
which
was
Pollentia,
preventedby the vigilant
stillhanging with stern perseverance
his
on
enemy,
the
of crossing
rear, preparedto follow out his design
Alps without further delay.
To the interests of the senate the deaths of Hirtius
of serious detriment ; as
and Pansa were
productive

by these events the republicwas deprivedof two

able officers,
who, had they lived,would
probably
have kept the troops in their allegiance
while
the
;
whole of the force under those generals
thrown
was
into the hands of Octavius,and the consulate exposed
as

irresistiblebait to his ambition.

an

Their

first

step was to decree him the honour of an ovation for

his services, an
exceedinglypoliticdistinction ;
since,in order to enjoy it,it would be incumbent
"

him

upon
Rome.

They
marks

who, by

the

disband

to

then

his

army,

before

proceededto bestow

entering
nary
extraordi-

of their

Brutus,
respectupon Decimus
arrangement of Julius Ceesar,was now

consulship,
declaringhim
generalof all their forces both in Italyand Gaul.
Nothing more
imprudentthan this decree could well
it was
the
the moment
be imagined. From
issued,
which might yet have been
of Octavius,
future course
determined.
altered by a different policy,
was
Passing
induced by
the lukewarm
from
at once
allegiance,
of
after the siege
the prospectsopeningbefore him
under pretence
Mutina, to a state of open hostility,
entitled

to

the

Dertona, May 5.

near

in order to recruit his

vacant

In this

forces,had broken

route.
*

Ad

also stated,that Antony,

his
on
open all the prisons

it is
epistle

Diversos,xi. 10.
L

I,

514

THE

that he had

LIFE

lengthdiscovered
republican
party towards

of the

Decimus
of his

of Cicero

guide to

havingnow

forsaken
a

addressed

to receive

him

of the

friend in

There

doubtful

mention

mutual

this time

the historian*.

by

severe

as

ments
senti-

The

not

are

thoughts and

Atticus

makes

ducing
in-

by

orders but

no

issue.

at

his real

letter,
althoughof
to

but

ascertained ; his correspondence

considerable a portionof his life

so

surest

however,

began

now

well
as
legions,

thought fit to

be

Atticus,for

the

he

demanded,

army,

towards

clearlyto

very
with

had

and Martial

own

himself

he

as

him,

to their orders ; not

of Pansa,
of the legions

one

Brutus

both the Fourth

the whole

real sentiments

direct disobedience

to part with
only refusing

which

the

at

to manifest

such

CICERO.

OP

Marcus

feelings,
is extant,

authenticity^,
Brutus, which

forwardness

fresh
decreeing

honours

of

their

Octavius,
to Cicero himself,censuring
one
as well as
him, in no
indito the same
gentleterms, for a requestpreferred
*

last letter to Atticus

The

before Ad

arrangement

place,it
in
before

of

Antony

20th

of

December

Diversos,xi.
and

may

Marcus

Brutus

thoughtnecessary
Yet,

Tunstal

and

spuriousby
as

in the month

the

in

it will
the

the whole

longgiven to

considerable extent, shaken

be

If this he
of

its true

ber,
Novem-

(710),certainly

Dolabclla

and

gical
chronolo-

received

same

year.

"

See Ad

6.

the credit

"f-As
Cicero

day

the

xi. 5.

time

some

the consulate
the

in

Diversos,

probablywritten

was

is found

to

be

has

been

by a

number

for the

of

English
Qrelle,they

genuine by Ernesti, and

are

between
epistles

times, to a
some
critics,
apology
recent

more

of able

of any part of their

that although attacked

citation

Sohiitz and

placein the beautiful

in

remembered,
scholars

series of

his party, and

have

once

been

mone

to

tents.
con-

by

considered

as

readilyadmitted
be

found

in their

The
by Lemaire.
based
fence
dethe
on
Gesner, although apparentlyonly
in their
of these letters by Dr. Midilleton,is also decidedly
De epistolis
ad Brutum
imfavour :
longiorfabula,disputatio
abscisse
et exquisita,
ut
peditiorest, a me quidern non ita excussa
mihi
vidtbatur
hactenus
pronuntiareaudeam, nisi quod sufficere
valde
ut
Middlctoniana
defensio,
nova
quidern opus sit."
opera ne

testimony of
"

"

edition

of

Cicero

edited

516

From

THE

these

considered
to

reason

his

old

and

LIFE

similar

OF

CICERO.

passages, if

genuineevidence,there
believe

fault of
to the

they are

seems

too

to be

much

into
againfalling
the powerful,and contributing
flattering
that Cicero

was

ambition

of

youth
in whom,
by the exercise of his ordinarysagacity,
he might have alreadydiscovered one
to be guarded
with far
by the friends to the constitution,
against
greater precautionsthan those employed against
in no
Antony. It is probable,also,that he was
of
degreeled into subservience to the designs
slight
Octavius
Father," at this time
by the title of
usuallybestowed upon him by his pretendedpupil
well as by a continued
show
of
in state affairs,
as
authors it is
deference to his opinions.By some
amused
stated,that he was additionally
by a project
thrown
out by Octavius of beingunited with himself
and that the
for the consulship,
in an
application
afterwards
made
of the artifice was
a subject
success
That
his elevation a
of boasting
by its inventor.
second time to the highestdignityof the state wag
was
so
expected,and that the rumour
confidently
from a
generalas to reach the provinces,
appears
himself upon
letter of Marcus
Brutus, congratulating
of the republicas
the
the firm re-establishment
of such an event*.
All particinatural consequence
pation
Octavius
in the designof raising
to the same
in
honour, however, Cicero,or perhapshis imitator,
that he had not
denies ; asserting,
return explicitly
of so
only strenuouslyadvised the abandonment
in his
extraordinaryand dangerousan application
but openlyand vehemently denounced
privateletters,
which
it in the senate,where the palpableambition
had prompted the attempt was
so justly
appreciated,
that not a singlemagistrate,
tribune, or private
the
member
of the assembly,could be found to make
presumptuous

"

Ad

Brut.

Epist.iv.

THE

LIFE

motion

necessary

OP

517

CICERO.

bringingit formally under

for

consideration*.
In

the

time, Antony, closelyfollowed by

Decimus
Brutus, (who, although in consequence of
levies latelyserving
the accession of the new
under
Pansa

he

means

of sustenance

mean

at the head

still
legions,
considered
himself too weak
to hazard
a
general
with
the
his
of
and
veterans
antagonist
engagement
those of Vcntidius
united,)was
morable
continuinghis methe Alps,in order to placehis
retreat across
of Lepidus.
with
those
forces in communication
During this hazardous and all but desperate
march,
endured
miseries the most
both by
were
appalling
with astonishing
himself and his army,
intrepidity
and
The
only provision
unwavering constancy.
yieldedby the less wild and barren defiles which
of unpalatableherbs and
they threaded,consisting
roots,was eagerlydevoured ; and when this wretched
to

was

now

had

of

seven

the troops were

failed,

allaytheir hunger with

the

of trees,and the flesh of whatever

had thrown
in their way, however

t.
sight

pounded

t Plutarch, in Anton.

Shakspeare,Antony

and

Ad
"

Brut.

to the
disgusting

the

extremi-

Epist.x.

of
See, also, the powerful description

Cleopatra,act i. sc.
Antony,

iv.

thon once
thy lascivious wassels. When
beaten from
Wast
Modena, where thou slew'st
Hirtius and Pansa, consuls,at thy heel
thou fought'st
Did Famine
follow ; whom
against,
Leave

broughtup,
Though daintily
Than

with

patiencemore

savages could suffer

Thy palatethen
The

roughestberry on

Yea, like
The

bark

stag, when

of trees

thou

the rudest
snow

the

did

hedge

deign.
;

pasture sheets,

browsed'st ;

on

the

Alps,

thou didst eat strange flesh,

reported,
And all this
did die to look on.
Which some
It is

bark

chance

creatures

however, all
suffering,

After

pelled
com-

518

THE

ties of cold and

toilsome

and

Julii,on

the

rewarded

OF

CICERO.

famine, they

lengtharrived;
by

at

painfuldescent into Gaul, at Forum

15th of May, where their fortitude was

with

established

LIFE

abundance

and

comfort, in quarters

the entrenchments

near

of

from
Lepidtis,

which

only separatedby the little river

they were
Argenteus. While Antony was yet moving towards
him
from
Italy,Plancus, excited by the earnest
exhortations of Cicero to destroyhim in his present
and

condition of weakness
towards
his legions
in

the

with
conjunction

had advanced
destitution,
Isara,for the purpose of acting

Decimus

Brutus

after
immediately

arrival of the latter in Gaul.

the

Being,however,

doned
by Lepidus to join him, he had abanhis first plan,and hastening
to the support of
that general,
his march
towards
now
was
directing
Forum
Voconii,havingfirst thrown a fortified bridge

summoned

the Isara to afford

over

free passage to Brutus.

of affairs,
Lepidus,whether with the

this state
of

amusing the. senate

reallydesirous,up

to

their cause,
"

MARCUS

LEPIDUS,
WISHES

MUS,
TULLIUS

the

wrote

as

tention
in-

or
longas possible,

of porting
supfollows :

present moment,
to Cicero
AND

IMPERATOR,
PUBLIC

In

PROSPERITY

as

"

PONTIFEX
TO

MAXIMARCUS

CICERO.

that Antony, after

Having received intelligence
having sent forward Lucius Antonius with a party
of his cavalry,was
approachingmy provincewith his
I decided upon moving my army
from the confluence
forces,
"

of the Rhone

Arar, with the determination

them.
I therefore advanced,by marches
of preventing
continued
without
to Forum
Voconii,
interruption,
and have encamped beyond the town, on
the banks
(It wounds

thine

Was

so

borne

So much

as

and

speak it now,)
that thy cheek
soldier,

honour, that

like

lank'd not.

LIFE

THE

of

the

OF

519

CICERO.

Argenteus, exactly opposite the

lines

of

Antony. Publius Ventidius,with his three legions,

has joinedhim, and established his camp
somewhat
higherup the river than mine.
Antony had before
this under his command
the whole of the second,and
of soldiers from
other legions,
a multitude
although
their arms.
His cavalry is considerable,
without
since this part of his force escaped unbroken
from
the field.

Several both

"

to

over

come

our

of

his horse

camp,

and

and his

foot have

already

ing
strengthis diminish-

daily.Silanus and Calleo have deserted from him.

Although highlyoffended at their havingjoinedhim
I have, in order to maintain
contrary to my desire,
in consideration of
my character for clemency,and
inflicted no
intimate
our
acquaintance,
punishment
upon
in my
"

them.

I do

not, however, suffer them

camp, or to take upon them any command.

As to the presentwar, I shall neither be wanting

in my
take

and
republic,
with all my
to make
care
you acquainted
proceedings.Although we have hitherto been
in

to be

duty to

our

I doubt

the senate

attempts
that

nor

to the

confer benefits upon

in so extensive and

to

each

I will
future

rivals

other,

unexpecteda
accusations unworthy
of the state,some
commotion
of my
character have been broughtagainstme
by
which, from your
my calumniators in your hearing,
zeal for the interests of the republic,
have made
may
unfavourable
I am
an
impression
upon
your mind.
informed, however, by my agents,that you have
of this kind with littleappearreceived all intelligence
ance
and
have
that
of beingmoved
shown
by it,
you
not to givecredence rashlyto any such
a disposition
reports. This conduct of yours has justlygiven me
I have
the highestgratification.
not, at the same
time, forgottenthose former exertions on
your
not

part, the

results of your

to increase
friendship,

my

520

THE

LIFE

OF

publichonours, of

which

remain

my

"

on

engraven

CICERO.

the

you, my dear
hitherto considered my
conduct

in my

public employments
name, to expect from me

my
devoted

such

defend

influence.
"From

not

with

me

you

exertions

disgrace

to

even

come

more

and to

the benefits you have

inducements
are
your

all yeur

authorityand

Farewell*.

Camp

my

This

and

or
similar,

that in proportion
to
believe,
alreadyconferred upon me,
to

as

Cicero,if

of action for the time to

course

ever

heart.

entreat
earnestly

have

now

recollection will

letter
On

at

Pons

Argenteus."

dated

was

the

on

twenty-second

day of

the
month,
twenty-ninthof the same
soldiers of Lepiduswere
included in a common
camp
with
those of the enemy
of the senate.
Antony,
after he had carefully
sounded
the inclinations of the
stationed oppositeto him, by means
of his
army
and received in return
the information
emissaries,
that he had only to present himself
in person to
receive its submission, on
making his appearance
before the lines in a mourning habit,and with all the
hailed with
external
was
signsof deep distress,
clamorous
enthusiasm
by the crowds who collected
couraged
the ramparts to listen to his harangue. Enupon
of what
he
so confirmatory
by a reception
had previously
heard, he ventured on the following

May.

the

morningto
and
camp

the river at the head

cross

without

was

by

those of

its defences to
uncertain

delay admitted into their

who levelled a greatpart of
Lepidus,
the

extent

stop to the speech of

trumpets to sound ; and
Ad

Diverges,x. 34.

readier entrance.

concerned
in
was
army
affirms t that he had on

forces,

further

give him

to what

of his

of
general

its

the

defection.

It is

revolting
Plutarch

day precedingput a
Antony, by orderingall his
the

Plancus

relates,in his letter

f Plutarch,

in Anton.

THE

LIFE

OP

521

CICERO.

Cicero *,

givingan account of the transaction,

that while addressing
his soldiers from his tribunal,
in order to exhort them to continue in thoir allegiance,
he was
interrupted
by repeatedshouts, to the effect
that they were
determined
to hazard their lives no
longerin defence of either of the partiesbetween
to

which

the

state

consuls and

divided

was

immense

an

the condemnation

of

multitude

loss of two

the

that

"

Romans,

with

publicenemies,and confiscation
of the goods of others,was
an
ample sacrificeto the
unnatural
in which
contest
attemptedto
they were
be involved
that they had, therefore,resolved upon
immediate
and lasting
an
so far
peace, and intended,
could conduce
to so desirable
as their own
neutrality
to ensure
it. But the same
a result,
correspondent
far from exthat this circumstance
culpating
was
intimates,
as

"

their

leader from

treason,since

from

he had

no

taken

countermanded
effect

the firstappearance

mutiny
positively

of the

steps to prevent it,and

his former

immediate

an

deliberate

guiltof

the

Lepidus,however,

directions

his

junctionwith
whose

estates

Plancus

to

legions.
the

at

yet

were

to

be most
that it would
mercy of the senate,imagining
them to believe,
to his interest to induce
as
long as
that his recent
possible,
of compulsion,
forwarded

his
"

vindication

own

MARCUS

LEPIDUS
WISHES

MUS,

"

I call

witness

TO

MAXI-

PONTIPEX

THE

SENATE,

ROMAN

COMMONS.

godsand

men,

to the sincere

other

the effect

despatchin
following

AND

IMPERATOR,

always entertained
of the
preference
every

the

been

"

HEALTH

AND

PEOPLE,

had

conduct

and

towards
common

consideration.
*

Ad

ConscriptFathers,to
constant

bear

affection I have

and to my
republic,
safety and freedom, to

the
Of

this

Diversos,x. 2 1

should

have

522

THE

had, in

you, had

short

LIFE

OF

time, an

CICEHO.

of convincing
opportunity

not

fortune wrested

executingmy

designs.For

acted in accordance
the

with

from
my

of

means

whole

their usual

of
preservation

the

me

army
sentiments

have
with

their

fellow-countrymen,
havingmanifested their inclinations by a general
mutiny, and compelledme, to speak the truth, to
undertake
the safetyof this greatbody
to maintain
of Roman
citizens. Upon this question
I entreat and
conjureyou, ConscriptFathers, to lay aside all private
resentments,and to consult the generalwelfare ;
to consider the present instance of compassion,
nor
shown
amidst
civil commotions
by myself and my
forces,in the lightof a crime. If, moreover,
you
respectto

should
show

be

induced

to

in such

Ad

the

manner,

as

to

of all
and dignity
security
parties,
prudentcourse, both
you will take the most
for the advancement
of your own
and those
interests,
of the state.
Given from my camp at Pons Argenteus,May 30th *."
his attempt to soften the
Lepidus,notwithstanding
of the party he had now
displeasure
openly forsaken,
declared a publicenemy,
at an
was
assemblyof the
senate held on the 30th day of June.
His estates
and
time, ordered to be confiscated,
were, at the same
the gildedstatue,lately
erected to his honour, to be
demolished ; althoughthe opportunity
ignominiously
of returning
to their allegiance,
under the shelter of
free pardon,was
a
yet offered* to himself and his
adherents,until the first day of the followingSeptember.
In their prompt and vigorous
decree against
him, the senate were
encouragedby the appearance
of unshaken
still maintained
fidelity
by Plancus.
This officer,
after sendingimmediate
information of
the defection of Lepidus,had promptly fallen back
the Isara,and havingbroken down
the bridge
across

your

regardfor

act

Diversos,x.

35.

524

THE

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

preventthe approachof
he

at this time

was

their

enemies.

His

them,
against
any force acting
in actual correspondence
with
alienation

Cicero

from

he

did

as the reason
scrupleopenly to confess,assigning
that the latter had often contemptuously
termed him
a
boy, and asserted that the policyof the senate
towards
him
should
be to flatter,
to elevate,and,
Information
to destroyhim *.
of this was
finally,
conveyed to Cicero,by way of warning,in a letter
from
Decimus
debted
inBrutus, who added that he was
for his knowledge of the fact to Labeo
Seguhad just reached him, after an interview
lius,who
with Caesar ; and whom
he stronglysuspectedof
having himself played the part of informant,with
the subject
respectto the obnoxious words which were
of complaint. Cicero was, in the same
epistle,
cautioned against
of the veterans,who
the resentment
described as strongly
were
duct.
exasperatedat his conthat Segulius,"
May the gods confound
writes the orator in reply, the greatest
of villains,
Do
past, present,or to come.
you suppose he has
communicated
this calumny to you, or to Caesar
alone ?
he has any
There is not a beingwith whom
words
who
has not heard the very same
intercourse,
from
his lips. I, however, esteem
dear
you, my
cumstance
with the cirme
Brutus,as I ought,for acquainting
frivolous and contemptible
it is. As
as
I am
well content to allow him to proto Segulius,
pagate
his slanders unheeded, since all he seeks by
it is to repairhis ruined fortunes."
The
gence
intellithe vetehis unpopularity
rans,
respecting
among

not

"

"

which
of Octavius
certain

had

and Brutus

lands

among
similar indifference t.
*

Laudandum

the absence of the

arisen from
in

them,

commission
he treats

juvenem,ornanduro,tollendum.
f Ad

Di versos, xi. 21.

"

for
in

names

dividing
styleof

Ad Divers, xi. '20,

THE

LIFE

OF

525

CICERO.

ever,
ready instruments of a craftyleader,howencouragedby the secret instructions of their
perious
ima more
commander, began every day to assume
and to exercise a greaterinfluence
bearing,
in the management of the state.
After numerous
These

between

messages

the senate

and

the

iipon the

army

of their claims to past arrears,

subject
in which
the one
on
side,and briberyon
threatening
the other, had been extensively
tried without effect,
a
deputation,consistingof forty centurions and
hundred
two
privatesoldiers,appeared at Rome
from the camp, to demand, as the readiest method
of composing all differences,
of the conthe honour
sulship
for Octavius.
The
senate, with whom
they
admitted
and
who
had
to repeatedinterviews,
were
yet enough of the old Roman
spirit
remainingamong
them
to feel in the highestdegreeindignantat this
insolent demand, attempted to gain time
by the
proposedexpedientof immediatelysendinga deputation
of their own, ostensibly
for the purpose of settling
the state,but
part of the claims of the soldiery
upon
with the real intention of inducingthem, by liberal
to desert their presentgeneral. The rude
promises,
veterans, however, easilysaw
through the project,
on
frontier,

and

the

resented

One of them is said to

accordingly.
have answered
of the assemblyby
the proposition
pointingto the hilt of his dagger; and
significantly
another to have exclaimed,while resuminghis sword
the

at

door

it

of the

house,
"

"

If you

do

not

think

fit to confer the consulate

"

Nay,"

upon Octavius,this shall."

was
Cicero, who
present,and

exclaimed

listened to the

threat, "

fail of

being
found
speedily

cannot

entreaty,you
however,
sxibject,
room

for

of the

if this is the

was

styleof

heard.
to

*"

your
The

afford little

information
jesting.Octavius,on receiving

hesitation

of the
*

Dio

senate

Cassius,xlvi.

in

decidingwith

526

THE

LIFE

respectto his claim, at

advance

to

the

army,
them

took

raisinghis camp, began

capital,and meeting on his

their

hope of
slight

sent

to

treat

notice of them

other

no

CICERO.

once

upon the
commissioners

road

on

OF

perilnot

resistance

impede

to

for

was

than

with

his

to command

his march.

shoi-t time

afforded

to the

republicansin Rome
by the arrival of two
service in Africa ; but these also
legionsfrom foreign
being seized with the generalcontagion,it was
determined
to deprecatethe resentment
to endeavour
of Caesar, by yielding
which
he
to him the honour
demanded.

He

elected consul

therefore

was

after his arrival in the

with

Quintus Pedius, and

havingbeen
an

the

adopted in
and
Cassars,

city,in conjunction

without

the least mention

is said to have reof Cicero ; who

quested
interview with him, and to have received
made

reproachthat

services*.

diately
imme-

The

he

usual

but not until he

form

afterwards

soon

then

magistratewas

new

the

full late in the offer of his

was

had

given a

into

solemnly
familyof the

the

againset

out

manifest

for Gaul

indication

of

the line of

policyhe was about to adopt,by procuring

decree recentlypassed against
of the
a repeal
his colleague
Pedius
to
Dolabella,and instigating
the law
afterwards
known
by his name,
propose
inquiryshould be made
ordainingthat immediate
into the

death

of

Julius

Caesar, and

his assassins

tuted
instiformallybrought to trial. In the proceedings
by virtue of this statute, Brutus and Cassius,
with a number
of their confederates,were
publicly
to the summons,
cited,and, in default of their appearance
condemned
by a majority of their judges.
blows to the party of the repubThese were
severe
lic
;

but

stillmore

In

Italy and
already shaken
*

disastrous

the

by

events

were

provinces,their cause,
defection of Lepidus, now

western

the

Appian. De

to follow.

Bellis Civil, iv.

THE

went
cus,

LIFE

OF

rapidlyto ruin.
although he had

Cicero of his resolve

In
a

to

527

CICERO.

TransalpineGaul, Planshort

submit

time

to any

hefore assured
and
extremity,

death

rather
than abandon
itself,
the principles
he was
for which
was
contending*,
induced to listen to the overtures
of Antony and
with his whole
to join them
Lepidus, and finally
The
desertion of Asinius
Pollio in Spain
army.
lost to
more
were
followed,by which three legions
the service of the senate.
Decimus
Brutus, being
thus
left to cope
single-handedwith immensely
numbers, was
superior
speedily
obligedto quit the
field,and to set out for Illyricum,with the inten=tion of addinghis force, consisting
of ten nominal
Brutus.
But almost the
to that of Marcus
legions,
six legions
of which
whole of his army,
consisted of
raw
levies,
totally
unacquaintedwith severe
service,
melted
his
from
at
standard, he was
having
away
lengthcompelledto disband the few who remained,
and to retire in disguise
to Aquileia,
where, having
been taken prisoner
by a predatorytribe of Gauls,
he was
recognised,
by whose chief his person was
of
afterwards
soon
put to death, in consequence
of Antonyt.
orders received from the head-quarters
to encounter

even

"

"

Such

retaliation

now

in the

firstscene

the

was

about

be

to

exhibited.

of

Octavius,Lepidus,and Antony,

as

conclusion

to

the

carried
longsecretly
concentrated

once

on

more

adversaries

to

the

Nee

depugriare si

moii si casus
nee
t'uerit,
Ad Diverges, x. 21.

were

between

of

armies

soon

had

after,
been

the three

generals,
in the neighbourhoodof
left
the Alps having been
for the descent

conference

to
preliminaries
*

The

which
negotiations

the passes of
freely
open by Octavius
Mutina

terrible drama

which

which
were

of his recent

they had proposed,

speedilyand

obsideri si necesse
tulerit, nee
fuit quisquam.
incident,pro vobis paratior

occasio

"

"fAppiau.De Bellis Civil, iv.

; Dio

Cassius,xlvi.

528

THE

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

easily
adjusted.The

placeof meetingwas a
island in the middle of the river Rhenus, upon
shore of which five legions
drawn
were
up in
of battle,
each detachment
guarding the access

small
either
order
to

bridgecommunicatingwith the island from its own

side of the stream.
the first who
Lepidus was
crossed over
ascertained that no ambush
; and having
had been laid either by Antony or Octavius against
the life of his

rival,gave notice to the two leaders

that they might approach the spot with safety*.
The feeling
of suspicion
nevertheless so strongly
was
impressedupon all parties,that their firstaction
meeting was to search each other's persons for
upon
concealed weapons.
Their deliberations were
then,
without farther delay,directed to the.formation of
the celebrated league,
known
the SECOND
as
VIRATE,
TRIUMby which the whole power of nominating
honours, and assigning
magistrates,
conferring
vinces,
proassumed
the first step to the
was
as
quietly
the point of establishing.
on
military
despotismthey were
The government of Spain,with the consulship
duringthe ensuingyear, was then surrendered
to Lepidus; that of the Gauls appointed
to Antony ;
and Africa,with the islands of Sicily
and Sardinia,
his share of the spoil,
to Octavius. The
as
appointed,
war

with Brutus andCassius

;

and it was

next

ration
under conside-

came

resolved that Octavius

should be

and

Antony
against

entrusted with the command

jointly
them, while Lepidusshould be invested with the government
of the city
his
the
absence
of
colleagues.
during
The announcement
of these several arrangementswas
received with loud applause
by the troopswho lined
the

it was
farther
the river ; and to whom
communicated, that a dismissal from service and

banks

of

largedistributions

of land

should

constitute

certain
After

their

of the war.
at the conclusion
recompense
in
this openingbusiness of the confederacy,
*

Appian.De

Bellis Civil, iv.

LIFE

THE

which

the

of Fulvia

marriageof
also formed

OP

Octavius
an

529

CICERO.

with

article,as

the
an

daughter
additional

the
conducing to a union of interests,
terrible subject
of deliberation which has renmore
dered
of execration
this diabolical council a subject
in all ages was
brought under notice ; and in the
space of three days,the vindictive recollection of the
triumvirs had supplieda list of no less than three
hundred
senators,and two thousand of the equestrian
order,with numbers of inferior rank, as the first
which
victims to the proscription
they intended to
foot immediately
their arrival in Rome.
set on
on
of

means

In the selection of

these,considerable
the eager
Cicero, whom

firstarose.
had

at

once

destined

differences at
hatred of Antony

swords

to the

of

his followers,

for two
to tradition,
according
protected,
days by the reluctance of Octavius to consignhim to
destruction ; which
was
only overcome
by the offer
of Antony to barter the blood
of his own
uncle
Lucius,an objectof especial
enmityto the youthful
his
murderer, for that of the greatorator by whom
character had been so effectually
to undying
consigned
time, consented,for
infamy. Lepidus,at the same
the gratification
of both, that his brother Lucius
the ranks of those
Paulus should be placedamong
doomed
to indiscriminate
slaughter.The whole of
this inhuman
planit was not deemed advisable at first
openlyto publish. Yet, in their impatientthirst
for bloodshed,
the triumvirs could not refrain from
was

seventeen
selecting

to their

individuals

as

immediate

resentment, and sendingforward

trusty emissaries

to

commence

the

sacrifices
their most

massacre

by
by

Having then ratified their union

the most solemn oaths,the generals
separated
; and
placingthemselves at the head of their respective

their deaths.

armies, commenced

their ominous

Rome.
M

march

towards

530

THE

The

LIFE

OF

arrival of the murderers

CICERO.

commissioned

to seek

the first objects

of

and the immediate

destruction,
the number, threw the
assassination of four among
whole cityinto a frightful
and
state of apprehension
ing
dismay; the greaterpart of its inhabitants knowout

neither the extent

the

class of persons
to fall. In the

of the intended vengeance, nor

it was
tined
deschiefly
upon whom

occasioned
by the
desperation
consciousness of their conduct havingbeen such as to
marked
make
them
picion
subjectsof the dislike or susof the triumvirate,several among
the republicans
endeavoured
themselves by the wild
to defend
with the
the city; and it was
expedientof firing
that the consul Pedius,who
utmost
was
difficulty
presentin all quarterssuccessively
duringthis nightof
succeeded
in preventing
terrible confusion,
a general
In order to pacify
the fears of several
conflagration.
had nearlybeen productive
of those whose
terror
of

disastrous

such

he,
citizens,
seventeen

be

revealed

he

names

with
to

the

on

the

dreaded

open

victorious

leaders.

their fellow-

ensuingmorning,publishedthe
had

received

assurance

by

evidence

to

consequences

from

the

virs,
trium-

that

nothingwas
comprised in this first

any not
of the ferocious intentions of the

Pedius

did not

live to

see

the

which he perhapsbelieved to be correct,

declaration,
death taking place before sunset
verified;his own
the same
on
day, in consequence, as it was generally
supposed,of the effect producedby the exertions and
constitution
of the precedingnight upon
alarm
a
alreadyprobablyimpairedby age or previousdisease.
The hopes inspired
by his assertion of the limited
of Antony and his colleagues
character
of the vengeance
frustrated by the arrival of the
were
soon
in
triumvirs,who having gloomilyentered Rome
and crowded
all the publicedificeswith
succession,
lost no time
and standards of their soldiers,
the arms

532

THE

guishedformer

OF

LIFE

CICERO.

againexhibited

were
proscriptions,

of
circumstances
this,with the addition of new
scale on which
terror,in consequence of the enlarged
carried on ; while,
the murders
authorised by it were
it was, at
like those by which
it had been preceded,
the same
time,not unrelieved by instances of the most
in

and
fidelity

heroic

Cicero
have

and

been

Quintus

his brother

recorded

are

to

villa of the former, when

of
broughtof the late proceedings

at the Tusculan

information
the

devotion.

was

triumvirate,and

of the imminent

which

perilto

exposed. Their first resolution

to take flightimmediately to Astura, where
was
they expectedto find a vessel in which theymight
be conveyedto Epirus,and placedunder
protection
Brutus.
of the army
of Marcus
They accordingly
the last look of
their mournful, journey,
set out on
the orator beingnow
cast upon that delightful
retreat,
beauties of nature, and rich
adorned by the profuse
the lives of both

with

the divine

by

of art, in

treasures

he
desirable,
with

converse
tranquil

which,

circumstances

all the external

render existence
of

were

had

spent so
friends worthy

passed
encom-

could

which

days
many
intiof his macy

nights devoted to the seductive

many
The brothers,
of his beloved philosophy.
speculations
so

"

as

we

are

and
litters,

by Plutarch,were conveyedin separate

the way, the
had frequentconferences on

told

result of which

Quintus, who
funds

was

determination

the

whollyunprovidedwith

was

for his voyage,

to return
equallydestitute,
to procure

on

and

found

towards

sufficient

sum

to

part

the

sary
neces-

Cicero himself

Rome,

and

vour
endea-

defraythe

expenses
ordered his

therefore
He
of his passage to Greece.
attendants
to turn
back, after a partingwith

his

with anguishto both, in consequence

replete
stances,
by present circumpresentiment,
amply justified
that they were
destined to meet again.
never

brother
of

of

LIFE

THE

"33

CICERO.

OF

few

days afterwards,the house in which Quintus

had taken refuge,
and where he had been joinedby
his son, was
surrounded
by the relentless instruments
The
of the triumvirate.
was
instantly
young man
but the placeof his father's concealment
seized,
long
search of the assassins.
escapedthe most diligent
the
to
They therefore proposedputtingtheir captive
in order to extort from him the requisite
question,"
"

information.

But

in the

of his life the

scene
closing
affection
a constancy and
younger Quintus displayed
which could not altogether
have been expected
from

the character drawn of him in the letters of his uncle.

Amidst the agony of the severest
tortures which the

ingenuityof

his captors could devise,he persisted

undiminished
resolution in refusing
to reveal

with

the secret upon which

who
until the latter,
of the

the life of his parent depended,

within hearing
of the groans
was

longerto endure the

which
his feelings
were
subjected,
suddenly
himself
from his concealment,and presented

sufferer,
beingunable

trial to
rushed

before the executioners.*

then

between

arose

any

fresh contest of affection

the father and

as

son,

to which

additional pang inflicted by the

tinued
sightof the death of the other,and this disputecon-

should be

sparedthe

until cut short

who, impatient
by the soldiery,
for the expectedreward,consented to behead them
Thus
moment.
perished
apart and at the same
Quintus Cicero, an individual
of
history
repute in the literary
treatise

extant

shows
the

he

name

"

from

inconsiderable

times,and

to have

bore

by

whose

any

been

whose

for the Consulate,"

far from

disgracing

in intellectual
deficiency

fame
principal

is derived

the lustre shed

medium
In

his

no

the Canvass
Respecting

him

attainments,but

of

his memory
throughthe
upon
works of his brother.
of the immortal

the

by

mean

time

his attendants
*

Dio

Marcus
to

Cicero had

been

veyed
con-

a
Astura, where, finding

xlvii.
Cassius,

534

THE

LIFE

OP

CICERO.

and receiving
of
no
ship ready to set sail,
tidings
Quintus,he at lengthembarked, and coasted along
the

Latian
CircEeum.

shore with

favourable

wind

as

far

as

place,althoughthe mariners
their willingness
diately,
to stand out to sea immeprofessed
in all probability
would
have
a step which
saved his life,
he resolved to land,and, his request
to
that effect havingbeen compliedwith,was
conveyed
distance in the direction of Rome.
ever
some
By whatthis change of resolution was
cause
produced,
whether by his distaste for navigation,
faint
or
some
hope of beingyet protected
by Caesar,it was quickly
of despair
which, duringthis
changedfor the feeling
brief journey,
sunk with permanent
to have
seems
and settled darkness upon his mind.
After proceeding
about
hundred
he desired
a
therefore,
furlongs,
his servants
he

passed a

At

to

this

return

towards

Circaaum,

nightof miseryand

dreadful

where

tion
distrac-

other frenzied resolutions of

revolving,
among
the false friend by whom
he had been
revenge against
deceived and betrayed,
out for
a planof again
setting
and
the hearth
of
Rome
stabbinghimself upon
Octavius,and in the presence of his household gods,
with the view of bringing
down an awful and certain
;

retribution upon
to his murder.

the head of the cold-hearted

As

day dawned,

on

the

this feverish interval of mental

following

promisedby Antony
Rome

for his head

to beset his best

known

morning

agony, he
borne him

had
of the vessel which
desired the crew
for Caieta,and set him
to Circaeum to make
his villas situated upon
the coast.
near
to little less than
step amounted
since,on the first intimation of
numbers
of eager expectantsof

assenter

on

shore

Such

virtual suicide ;
his proscription,
the

rich reward

had

started from

placesof resort,and

Baiae,as well as the vinecovered hills of Formiae,were

echoingto the
already
in keen
of the triumvirate,
trumpetsof the soldiery
the

windingshores

of

THE

quest of

the

LIFE

OP

535

CICERO.

valuable

cealed
prizewhich might be conin the neighbourhood.A short sail brought
him to his placeof destination,
ing
from which, accordboth to Appiau* and to Plutarch,
whose
stitious
superleast
shows
itself
in
at
credulity
generally
such a manner
the effect of
to heighten
as
greatly
his picturesque
warned
narrations,he was
by a
omen.
singular

character

as

The

story is

to render

it the

of

marvellous

so

prudentcourse

more

to

allow the

words.
to tell it in his own
biographer
There wras
a
temple of Apollo,"he relates, on
that coast,from which a flight
with
of crows
came
greatnoise towards Cicero's vessel as it was making
land.
They perched on both sides the sailyard,
where
others peckingthe
sat croakingand
sqme
"

"

ends of the

yet Cicero
house, sat down
number

window,
One

to

upon

himself.

In the
doleful

to draw

with which

covered

his face.

this, the

began
they,remain

servants

Shall we, said

master's murder
and
innocent,

so

to

manner.

his

off the clothes

its beak

had

mean

on
alighting

bed, attemptedwith
he

ill

an

as

settled in the chamber

crows

croaked in the most

entered in,and
even

of them

this

his
shore,and, entering

on

repose

of the

and

looked

went

omen,

time

All

ropes.

On

sightof

reproachthemselves.

to be

of our*
spectators
?
Shall we
not protect him, so
greata sufferer as he is,when the

givehim marks of care and attention ?

Then, partlyby entreaty,and partlyby force,they
got him into his litterand carried him towards the

brute creatures

t."

sea

Thus

however, for any of

there does
narration,
the account

the

Without

far Plutarch.

tragedyby

the
*

the

credence,
soliciting
features of his
supernatural

for distrusting
appear any reason
givenof the remainingpart of
not

same

De

narrator

in which

he

Bellis Civil, ir.

translation.
"fPlutarch'sLife of Cicero,Langhorne's

is

538

THE

LIFE

less corroborated

OF

CICERO.

testimonyof other
The servants of Cicero,whose real ground
writers.
of the vicinity
of alarm was, no doubt,the intelligence
had no sooner
of a party of the military,
it,
quitted
when
making their way in all haste to the sea-shore,
headed
the agentsof Antony arrived,
by Herennius,
and the tribune Popilius
a
Laenas,whom
centurion,
defended from a
Cicero is related to have formerly
; and bursting
chargeof parricide
open the doors of
the house which had been barricaded against
them,
to the best of their ability,
by the domestics within,
demanded
in what direction the fugitives
imperiously
had retreated. The necessary information havingbeen
if Plutarch
procuredfrom a slave named Philologus,
if Appian is in preference
is correct,
to be believed,
or
from a former retainer of Clodius,who now
gratified
the orator by
a
long cherished hatred towards
out the path by which he had been
eagerlypointing
in
they lost not a moment
conveyed from the villa,
covering
and were
not longin discommencing the pursuit,
more

or

by

the

the retinue of their victim ; who were

which led
down a retired avenue
'time passing

at the

through
The approach
wood to the beach.
a close and tangled
of the assassins was
not unnoticed by Cicero,
who,
and
commanding his servants to set down his litter,
the useless resistance which
to refrain from
they
firmness
and
with
seemed inclined to offer,
prepared
he plainly
to meet the fate which
perceived
dignity
When
to be unavoidable.
Popiliusand his band
time
them for soma
approachedthe spot,he regarded
with a fixed and melancholylook, placinghis left
hand upon his chin,his usual attitude when engaged
in deep thought. His features,haggardwith care
united
and anxiety,his disordered hair and dress,
with the patientfortitude with which he appeared
readyto encounter the death theywere commissioned
to inflict,
and, probably,the contrast which his
presentappearance presentedto the circumstances

THE

outward

of

LIFE

537

CICERO.

and

splendour under
him, produced at the
feelingof commiseration

pomp
last beheld

had

OF

which

they

moment

so

his
powerful a
among
to induce them
to turn aside their faces,
as
assassins,
while
the only one
unmoved
the
Popilius,
among
after Cicero had calmlystretched forth his
company,
head

and

neck

from

the litter and

him

commanded

inflicted the fatal

perform his office,
unrelentingly
His hands were
stroke*.
then cut off by Herennius,
and, togetherwith his head, exultingly
conveyedby
the principal
agent in his death to Antony, while his
attendants interred his body in a grave hastily
dug
the spott. Popilius,
Rome, found
on
reaching
upon
to

Appian,as

circumstance

of the transaction

that his head

asserts

off,by the unskilful

of additional

of

ness

the

horror,in

rather

was

kal ^KSiairpi^iav
virb oireipios."De
"

Bellis

struck

than

sawn

timr\-i](Ta"av
-rpls

"

executioner:

his narrative

"

Civilibus,iii.

f The followingremarks are made hy Eustace with respect to the

stillindicated by tradition as that of Cicero,and on the suptomb
posed
of his death

scene

"But
neither

the

wondrous
much

Fortnian

so

villa and

that it

glory

Plancus,nor the

Homer,
and

nor

interest

of Cicero.

tomb

layabout

of

tales of

That

the
on

of

towers

Gaieta,

verses
majestic

these

coasts

Cicero had

as

villa

of

the

here,

informs
the shore,history
us, and
the left of the road,the attentive traveller

mile

at that very

distance

will observe

the remains

on

from

the fields
walls,scattered over
with vines, olives,and hedges. These shapeless

half covered

and

"

neither the mausoleum

Virgil,shed
and

of

ancient

heaps tradition pointsout as the ruins of Cicero's Formian villa.

overtaken and beheaded in the
that he was
assures
us
Again,history
the sea.
his villa and
On the
"walks of a grove that lay between
of
its
of
and
indeed
s
ide
the road,rises,
decorations,
stripped
opposite
and this disfigured
of its very shape,a sort of obelisk in two stories,
his mausoleum, raised on
the
tradition reveres
as
pilethe same
he was
butchered, and where his faithful attendants
very spot where
down
and nearer
Lower
immediately interred his headless trunk.

the sea,

or

rather

which
galleries,
as

that which

is a

are

I have

pity that

might they not

some
curiosity

its
hanging over
supposed to have

described above

excavations
be made

chance

of

are

all

not

waves,

been
was

made,

are

several vaults

part of

and

the Villa

called Villa

(and with

Inferior,
Superior. It
what

success

coast
along this interesting
!)to give

greater evidence.
acquiring

Of

the fate

538

THE

LIFE

Antony seated in state

Forum, and beingunable
of

the

dense

CICERO.

OF

upon

the

approachhim,
multitude by which
the performanceof
to

surrounded,intimated
by shakingaloft the gory
the bearer, in full view
was
who

is said to

have

tribunal

received

relics of
of his
them

in the

in

quence
conse-

he

was

his mission

which

he

employer;

with

inhuman

with an
satisfaction,
and, after rewardingPopilius
honorarycrown, in addition to an almost incredibly
in money,
to have ordered them
to
extravagantsum
be conveyed to his house^ where he further feasted
them at
his long-cherished
hatred,by contemplating
amidst his friends at his
his leisure while reclining
table.
They were afterwards carried to Fulvia,and
that monstrous
anomaly in the historyof her sex,
of Cicero's

remains

we

regard to his obsequiesand

that

nothing,as historyis
sepulture.It does not seem

know

duringAntony'slife the

most

zealous friend would

silent with

prohable
have

dared

of his most
active and deadly
to erect a monument
to the memory
to have
death,Augustus seems
enemy, and after that triumvir's
concealed
his sentiments,if favourable to Cicero,with so much

and

care

that

success,

that illustrious Roman's

his very

nephews

did

not

venture

to read

Before the death

in his presence.
personaland affectionate interest inspiredby
works

Augustus the
had probablysubsided, and
or
affinity
friendship
who
could
possiblyhave enjoyed the
emperor
of

intimate and
have

familiar

acquaintancewith

few survived

happinessof

Cicero ; fewer

the
an

still could

and urgent motive

from the
to step forward
particular
honours
his
the
But
to
long neglected
pay
memory.
these reasons, and the silence of historyupon
the
notwithstanding
and, when the rage
subject,
yet, as his son escapedthe proscription,
"f civil war
had given way to the tranquil
of Augustus,
domination

had any

crowd

"was

and

restored

have raised
him

to his
monument

to

fore,
and so illustrious in the eyes of the public. As long,therehowever
as
uncertain,attaches the
popularbelief or tradition,

Cicero

to

believe that the

one

name

he may
his rank, it is possible
of a father so affectionate to
to the memory

country and

of

these ruins,and as long as ever

can
credulity
has been
other
and
his
his residence
the
tomb,

long will every traveller who values libertyand reveres genius,

visit them with interest and hang over
them, thoughnearlyreduced

so

to a
"

heap of rubbish,with delight."Classical Tour,ii.28.

"

540

THE

LIFE

OF

CICERO/

Such, in generalterms, and in reference to his

after all deductions have been made
more
publiclife,
and
the score
of his weakness, his irresolution,
on
is the character which must
his occasional duplicity,
attentive study of his conduct,
be assigned,
an
upon
individual ; whose name
is one
to this distinguished
and whose genius,
of the household words of history,
the vast changewhich
has passed
notwithstanding
literature since the period
in which he flourished,
over
may be considered as naturalised in every partof the
civilised earth. That he was
from his earliest youth
of freedom,
attached to what appearedto him the cause
invested with
when
and that his whole policy,
tended to support it,admits of
the powers of office,
with
littledoubt in the mind of any one acquainted
for this purpose that he
to unite the senaendeavoured,duringhis consulate,
his eventful
torian and

result of

was

encroachments

with
a

It

orders
equestrian

againstthe
in which

career.

into

of the

powerfulbarrier
popularfaction,

he
propheticsagacity

natural

the
reaction,

in which
despotism,

saw,

establishment

as

thfe

of the

of the

republic
with this view also that,
destined to set. It was
was
while almost the whole
of his order were
furiously
trary
conrushinginto a war with Caesar,he protested,
of the party with which
he was
to the opinion
united,againsttheir disastrous resolution ; justly
fatal consequences
to the
apprehendingthe same
side Victory
the banners of whichever
on
republic,
alight.To what extent he was
might ultimately
prepared on every occasion to sacrifice his safety,
or property,in the support of his principles,
reputation,
of
is another question.Yet, the suppression
the conspiracy
of Catiline was
a task which
required
boldness and self-devotion as policy;
at least as much
and in his subsequent
attemptsto arrest the Caesarian
find
faction with their leader Antony, in which we
monstrous

him

the

the
and directing
organising

sun

whole

resources

of

THE

LIFE

OF

541

CICERO.

the

a
empire againstthe enemy of reviving
liberty,
spiritof noble and heroic resolution blazes forth,
which
is worthy of comparison with
the
most
instances of magnanimity recorded
in the
striking
annals of Rome.
In his policyat this crisis he was
well aware
that failure impliednothing less than

total ruin and

find

destruction

that,in castingthe

depended,his hand
taken
having once
aware

with

the

the

die upon
moment

step by

independenceof

have

himself; yet

that his life was

least inclination to

times,

for

to

do not

we

his

which
trembled

destiny
or

that,

which

he

staked

in connexion

his country, he

was

roughly
tho-

felt the

it,althoughhe might,at
deeply desponded of its favourable
recal

issue.
the preformed
vanity,which
dominant
defect in his disposition,
undoubtedly,
may,
be considered as having been at times a serviceable
ally,in enablinghim to act with promptitudeand
firmness;when, but for this support,his patriotism
disarmed by his
would
perhapshave been effectually
constitutional timidity,
and his constancy subdued
to
into inaction by the voice of that self-preservation
The

inordinate

he was, for the most

part,too much inclined
the eyes of his countrymen were
to listen. While
fixed upon
him, and their applausesringingin his
which

ened
of the revolution threatwhile,as in the case
called to the chief post of
he was
by Catiline,
encountering
honour, as well as of peril
; or as, when
he was
terrible than Catiline,
knowledged
aca foe much
more
ears

of his
leadingspirit
the leaders
to correspondwith
party; entrusted
and
of armies stationed in the distant provinces,
addressed by them in return, as the principal
sentative
repreof the insulted majestyof the constitution,
found not unequalto the task, which
his courage was
his regardfor the interests of his country might,in
and

flattered

as

the

542

LIFE

THE

the firstinstance,
have
the

prospect of

himself
expose
and, with the

CICERO.

OP

induced

In

to undertake.

him

to
triumph he was not unwilling
perilon the heightsof Amanus,

to

reward
as
a
lure,he
glittering
the
probably have stood his ground against

would

shafts of the

same

Parthians,had

fortune

him

thrown

in

invadinghost. But when called

and
from this proud pre-eminence,
upon to descend
of a principal
for that of
to exchange the character
an
ally;when, as in 'the instance of the fierce struggle
he was
between Pompey and Caesar for supremacy,
of either
able to add but littleto the actual strength
with applause
to be rewarded
likely
party, and was
for
in proportion
; his inherent weakness, overcome
a short time by the
powerful stimulant of received
or
expected approbation,
again returned,and his
marked
conduct was
by all the shades of vacillation
and timidity too often by those of their natural
and actual deceit.
insincerity
consequences,
If we
the investigation
of his character
pursue
from publicinto private
shall find it as, to
we
life,
the

way

of their

"

"

histories
certain extent, those of the best,whose
have been faithfully
recorded, even while under the

influence of holier inducements

a
"

diviner

and

the

guidanceof

light,a mixture of merits and defects ; a

hues.
mingled yarn of various and contradictory
"

"

"

father,his

conduct

unimpeachable;

towards

As

towards

his

children

was

dependantsthere

his

is

that his demeanour

was
believing
lence
for affability,
kindness, and benevodistinguished

every

for

reason

; the evidence

of his disinterestedness

in favour

;
during his foreignmagistracyis unexceptionable

but
more

whether

in his

of
deserving
be

between

relations

blame

In

determined.
himself

and

or

his

to have resembled

as

husband

he

sympathy, cannot
such

differences

was

rately
accu-

arose

as

brother,or nephew, he
the

far
aggrieved

more

pears
ap-

than

THE

LIFE

OP

543

CICERO.

the

with Atticus
offending
party. His friendship
to the last ; and his correspondence
was
uninterrupted
of familiar intimacywith
terms
on
proves that he was

the most

esteemed

and

exalted of his

His
age.
commemorated

own

ready patronage of geniushas been

strains of Catullus ; who may
by the grateful
easily
be imagined to have been by no
a solitary
means
is also described
objectof his generosity.His hospitality
as

his doors
men

of

exercised
are

liberal scale ; and

upon the most
said to have been thrown
freelyopen to

no
letters,

distinction

and his own

foreigners
resembled
frequently

being made

countrymen
the

schools

; so

between

that his villas

of

philosophyat
and celebrity
of the guests
Athens, from the number
crowded.
His propensity
to
by whom
they were
flatter the powerful,
his undisguised
avidityfor the
of truth
applauseof those about him, his disregard
instances of what
to obtain
two
or
it,with one
resembles actual dishonesty,
which, though
strangely
unnoticed by Middleton,have not escapedthe glance
of less prejudicedobservers,
be mentioned
must
as
the principal
able
defects in this otherwise not unfavourpicture.
his excellences or his deficiencies,
his virWith
tues
would, at the presenttime,
or failings,
posterity
be little concerned,
it not in the exercise of that
were
curiosity
by which nothingconnected with the career
It is to
of geniusis considered trivial or uninteresting.
mental acquirements
his singular
alone,that his name
the proud distinction it has for ages obtained ;
owes
accidents

of which the minutest

been long considered fit

and in consequence
in his life have
the
In

his

subjectsof
erudition.
accomplished

of the most
investigation
however, upon the exact
pronouncing,
talents,an impartialjudge would,

decide

them

to have

nature
no

of

doubt,

been rather of the imitative than

of the inventive cast ;

more

the
capableof clothing

544

THE

thoughtsof
givingbirth

OF

CICERO.

others in
to fresh

innate powers

his

LIFE

appropriate
language,than of
and original
conceptions,
by any

of their

In this

own.

works
philosophical

rather

respect,indeed,

resemble

highlycultivated and
well-ordered
garden,glowing with
numberless
exotics,and breathingthe fragranceof
distant lands,
than the free and interminable expanse
ficence
of hill and vale,replete
with the untransferred muniof nature,and giving
testimonyof its vigorous
fertility
by a produceof wild and luxurious growth.
is not like that of Plato,struggling
His imagination
with
shackles of
the self-imposed
moment
every
and eager to soar
into the regions
of
restraint,
logical
the sublimest speculation,
but at all times subservient
to the

rein of

reason

and

quisition
of ethical dis-

his powers

to the task of
readily
reducingto practiceprinciples
alreadyrecognised,
than of searching
in the dark recesses
of moral truth
of action hitherto unknown, or of tracing
for springs
those of uncertain nature or of latent
to their origin
to turn

seem

more

Much

of this may,
character which
prevailing
source.

common

in his

the
distinguished
Almost

acre.
"

ingenuitycould invent,in the way

with
respect to moral phenomena,
in the several schools devoted
presented
and
have
been
course

need

at this time

been

rather

the

traced to the

indeed,be

ture
litera-

all that human

of

hypothesis
had long been
to their study;

intellect of mankind

inclined to

repose upon
than to enter
alreadyaccomplished,

seems

to

what

had

upon

any

over,
moreenquiry. Like all subjects,
standingin no
(withbut a singlereservation,
which
have fixed in their
of being specified,)

of untried

turns the attention of the human

mind,

the beautiful

tion
so longpredominantin the estimaethics,
had at this time begim to show
of antiquity,
law of mutability
the common
symptoms of following
and decay. The lightin which, duringits increase,
science of

THE

the powers

LIFE

of Solon

OP

Socrates

and

545

CICERO.

had

to
delighted

gleamingwith a settingradiance ; the

the
sere
displayed
groves of the Academy already
and yellowleaf;" and Philosophy,
with much
of the
of the
wisdom, had also assumed somewhat
practical
its sobriety
and cautiousness
infirmities of age
its
bask,

was

"

"

diminished

energy

"

its less certain aspect,and

"

solute
irre-

step.
In

serious to the lighter

passingfrom the more
of Cicero,
and devoting
attention to
our
productions
his familiar correspondence,
the singular
versatility
extensive
of his talents,
and the
ments,
range of his acquirediscoverable. Learning,
less easily
in
are
no
its most
and least ceremonious
graceful
guise wit
which
with unwearied
brilliancyand an
sparkles
of expression
elegance
widelyremote from the florid
affectation prevalent
leave but little
at a later period,
to be desired in these models,no
less of the Latin
style in general.
tongue, than of the epistolary
Viewed
of the writer's feelings
and
as
transcripts
and as fixingand perpetuating
of
opinions,
many
"

"

those

shades

minute

more

historian is

of character

*, which

the

in his
capableof exhibiting
than the artist of transferring
to
generalnarrative,
his canvass
and shadows
which
the flyinglights
traverse the landscapehe attemptsto delineate,
they
As
authentic
can
scarcelybe too highly valued.
*

Voltaire's
:

"

"

no

more

opinion upon

II semble que pour

s'en rapporteraux
pourrait
restent
c"ur

d'eux,comme
et

bien

Cicero,is thus

jugerles hommes
secrets

monumens

et

non

pressed
ex-

on
publics,

suspectsqui

les lettres dans

k leurs amis, mais

admirateurs

letters of

the

ses

c'est dans

detracteurs

ils ouvrent
leur
lesquelles
les lettres de Ciceron que ses

trouvent

egalementles

preuves

de

Tout cela prouve combien il eat

leurs "logeset de leurs censures.
inutile de chercher la verit" dans les details de
difficileet peut-6tre
it must
1'histoire." Notwithstandingthe point of this observation,
the many
ment
attachinstances of undue
among
for which all the writings
of Voltairo are
to brilliantparadox,

be considered but

as

one

remarkable.
N

546

THE

evidence

LIFE

OF

CICERO.

mentous
respect to the events of a most moera, they rise into still greaterimportance.
Nearly nine hundred letters,
by far the greater portion
from the pen of the orator himself,
but among

which

with

to be found

communications
from
original
Caesar,Pompey, Antony, Brutus,Cassius,
Trebonius,
and many
other master
of
Pollio,
Sulpicius,
spirits
their generation,
constitute a series of trustworthy
tory,
documents,to which no other periodof ancient hisare

and
a

few

in that of modern

parallel.By

and

hearths

of

means

the

of these

warriors

nations,can

furnish

the council chambers

and

statesmen, whose

accessible and
easily
familiar ground. The writers themselves,
no
longer
viewed
invested with the pomp
of epicgrandeur,
or
shrink
as
giantsof mightybone and highemprise,"
from their legendarydimensions, and stand before
nity
with all the ordinary
and folliesof humaus
passions
revealed. The moulderingurn, and
distinctly
the solitary
mound, give up their included dust to
exhibited in
and life. The busy scenes
consistency
the streets or provinces
of imperial
Rome, while in
the zenith of its power,
again arise like gorgeous
of the necromancer
visions producedby the spell
; and
thus presented
of the drama,
so vivid is the picture
in which those,upon whose tombs the suns
of nearly
the principal
twenty centuries have gone down, were
reminded
are
by it of the fabled
actors, that we
cityof Eastern Romance
; in which, althoughages
and the cause
of its destruction
have passed,
since its name
of
ceased to have a placein the memory
within its silent
the traveller may
perceive,
man,
a
or
occupying its long-deserted
dwellings,
ways,
whose marble forms yet retain
numerous
population,
the attitude and expression
in which they were
taken
overby the same mysterious
agency ; and are still
employmentsof
apparentlyengagedin the stirring

sentiments

they record,become

"

active existence.

548

THE

have

to

seem

views

as

LIFE

CICERO.

limited,as was natural,his

duced
enlightened
statesman, and to have inwitli
to regard in connexion
constantly
tion
ought to have been considered in rela-

an

him

party, what

somewhat

the whole

to

OP

human

In

race.

the

hands

of

of
is the cause
of Athens
Demosthenes, the cause
of mankind
at large
freedom, of civilisation,
; the
voice of the orator appealsto sentiments as universal
of their
constant
as the elements,and
as
as the laws
is too
operation.With Cicero,the cause of liberty
often that of the senate
and aristocracy
of Rome
;

the

re-establishment

of

which

would

have

not

relieved the

provinces,
groaningunder the weightof
her intolerable exactions,from
a
impost,or
single
the march
of her victorious
stoppedfor a moment
their way to fresh conquests. The former
on
legions,
the Greek with
historyof his country,again,supplied
a lofty
imagery,from which the Latin was necessarily
debarred.
forth

the

as

her memorable
barbaric

Athens stood
of the time when
glories
in
champion of every sacred principle,
and
contest with the servile ignorance

The

monarchs, shed

force of the Persian

lustre upon his energetic

exhortations
reminiscences
of that illustrious era in the
the

world,throng around
To

From
had

the Roman

no

at his

such

resources

been

the oppressor, not

those who had fallen around
in the
never

of the

rivet the

were

able.
avail-

Rome
existence,

the deliverer,of nations ;

her standards,had fallen

of his art,who
swears
the foremost to
were

Marathon, the
his command, as

yoke

Cicero wished, at any time,

enthusiasm of the greatmaster

had

and
enthralled;

to imitate the sublime

of

the

such as had
upon
its weight,
not to raise itfrom the necks

attempt to

known

and

stant
con-

historyof
summons.
lightest

him

the earliest period

of her

by the memory
perilthemselves

whole
well

as

of those
upon

the

who

plains

series of metrical annals at

books of the
the legendary

LIFE

THE

OP

549

CICERO.

ministers of his

would have been searched in

religion,
vain for a parallel
to the cited precedent.
Yet whatever
various tastes and
the placewhich
differing
assign to Cicero among
judgment may
the leadingspirits
of Antiquity,
that he is entitled
rank

to

with

the

greatest in intellect of former

controversy. Nor will his claims

times,admits of no
the gratitudeof later generations
be easily
upon
or speedily
controverted,
forgotten.That the revival
of the study of his writingsin the Middle
Ages, did
much
of men
to refine the minds
to whom
they were,
with almost
a
pardonable exclusiveness,presented
;
and to induce those habits of candid
and
inquiry,
from
thoroughinvestigation,

benefits
all

presenthour, and will,in

to flow tillthe end of time,

his memory

Gothic

available

pileswhose

for the

external

reminiscence
onlylingering
nourish

to

measure,

garding
re-

the

of

purpose, and in those

beauty constituted the

tended, in some
genius,

intellectual life which

amidst
stagnatingand corrupting
unfavourable

for

reason

mean

tions
respect. That his producgreat extent, the gloom and
few
when
other resources
solitude,

of monastic
were

no

with

enlivened,to
tedium

extensive

such

derived to the

are

continue
probability,
possiblybe considered

may

which

to its

was

circumstances

continuance,may

be

so

mentioned

regard; as well as the

pleasurewhich the stores of his eloquencehave long
of Europe,no less
afforded to the risinggeneration
rivers
in his day by
than of regionstraversed
as

minor

demand

upon

our

"

unknown

beyond the
Roman

song,"and whose wastes were

dreams
as they were
beyond the

to

conquests.
of his

name

In his

occurs

as

reach

far
of

tion
country,the recollecalmost
at every step,in a
own

with
of departed
mementoes
thicklystrown
fabric,to the
greatness. The stupendouspolitical
of which his lifewas
maintenance
devoted,and which
land

550

THE

in his works

long ceased
and

is

LIFE

CICERO.

OF

fondlycharacterised

exist ; but the

to

the wooded

yet consecrated

to

has
eternal,

as

shores of Campania,

green

crests of the Alban

his honour.

On

that

are
hills,
formerly

the queen and arbitress of the

imperiousMetropolis,
The
earth, the signsof ruin are deeplyengraven.
jestic
once
gildedroofs of the Capitol,
shininglike a madiadem
above
the citywhich
they adorned,
have for ages crumbled
into dust ; the stately
priest,
with the attendant virgin,
ascends the hundred
steps
to the shrines of his fabled gods no
more
; the grass
rank

waves

and

in the deserted

time-worn

column

the shattered

and

Forum,

of those

speaksalone

edifices inscribed to Concord,

Jove, in
deliberate

on

which

of the traveller

Such

And

violence

to dwell upon

stillseems.

eloquentair breathes,burns

exalted

power
of
prerogative

the victor of

of

of successive
the

world,

material

reared

by

marks

of

of fresh

the hands

the

ear

"

unaltered
while

less than

no

survivor

of

by the lapse

the features of

the

monuments

of its fleeting
exhibit
inhabitants,

Tin;

LONDON
AND

of Cicero."

the

"

to wear
change,continuing
and imperishable
beauty.

sat to

the distinguishi
Intelligence,

Mind;

decay
generations
; and

"

once

"

stillthe

is the

senates

the

subjectkings; yet the

the destinies of

voice of the orator

"

assembled

or

magnificent
dering
Thun-

KVANS,

its first aspect

END.

FRINTM;S,

IVHITKFI'.IAH?.

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