marched into Dalmatia, where I attacked, and made myself master of, six of their towns.--One of these, which was of very considerable strength, I might fairly say that I took four several times for it was surrounded by a fortification consisting of four different walls, which were defended by as many forts; through all which I forced my way to the citadel, which I likewise compelled to surrender. But the excessive severity of the cold, together with the deep snows that fell at the same time, obliged me to retreat; so that I had the mortification, my dear Cicero, to find myself under the necessity of abandoning my conquests, just as I was upon the point of finishing the war. I entreat you, then, if occasion should require, to be my advocate with Cæsar, and in every other respect to take my interest under your protection; in the assurance, that no man possesses an higher degree of affection for you than myself.

Narona, Dec. the 15th.

LETTER

mentioned in the present paragraph, was one which had been decreed on account of some former successes of Vatinius in his province; and that the thanksgiving, concerning which he complains of Cæsar's neglect, was one that he was now soliciting in honour of those successes in Dalmatia, of which he here gives an account.

LETTERS

OF

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

то

SEVERAL OF HIS FRIENDS.

BOOK XII.

LETTER I.

[A. U. 709.]

To CURIUS'.

'TIS Is true, I once both advised and exhorted you to return into Italy; but I am so far from being in the same sentiments at present, that, on the contrary, I wish to escape myself,

To some blest clime remote from Pelop's race2.

My

This is an answer to the 25th letter of the foregoing book.

2

Alluding to the Cæsarian party. See rem. 7. p. 362. vol. ii.

My heart, indeed, most severely reproaches me, for submitting to be the witness of their unworthy deeds. Undoubtedly, my friend, you long since foresaw our evil days approaching, when you wisely took your flight from these unhappy regions: for though it must needs be painful to hear a relation of what is going forward amongst us, yet far more intolerable it surely is, to be the sad spectator of so wretched a scene. One advantage, at least, you have certainly gained by your absence: it has spared you the mortification of being present at the late general assembly for the election of quæstors. At seven in the morning, the tribunal of Quintus Maximus, the consul, as they called him3, was placed in the field of Mars4; when, news being brought of his sudden death, it was immediately removed. But Cæsar, notwithstanding he had taken the auspices' as for an assembly of the tribes, converted it into that

of

3 Cæsar (as Manutius observes) abdicated the consulship upon his late return from Spain, and arbitrarily appointed Quintus Maximus, together with Trebonius, consuls for the remaining part of the year. Maximus, therefore, not being legally elected, Cicero speaks of him as one whose title was acknowledged only by the prevailing faction.

4 Where the poll for the election of magistrates was usually taken. It was situated on the banks of the Tiber.

5 No assembly of the people could be regularly held, nor any public act performed, till the augurs had declared that the omens were favourable for the purpose in agitation.

of the centuries, and, at one in the afternoon, declared Caninius duly elected consul. Be it recorded, then, that, during the consulate of Caninius, no man had time to dine, and yet that there was not a single disturbance of any kind committed: for he was a magistrate, you must know, of such wonderful vigilance, that he never once slept throughout his whole administration. The truth of it is, his administration continued only to the end of the year, and both expired the very next morning. But, ridiculous as these transactions may appear to you, who are placed at so great a distance from them, believe me, you could not refrain from tears, if you were to see them in all their true and odious colours. How would you be affected, then, were I to mention the numberless instances of the same arbitrary kind which daily occur !

The citizens of Rome were cast into three general divisions; into centuries, into curæ, and into tribes. Some account of the two latter has been already given in rem. 50. p. 202. and rem. 7. p. 474. vol. i. The former was an institution of Servius Tullius, who distributed the people into 193 centuries, according to the value of their respective possessions. These companies had a vote in all questions that came before the people assembled in this manner, and the majority of voices in each determined the suffrage of that particular century. But, as the patricians and the wealthiest citizens of the republic filled up 98 of these 189 classes, the inferior citizens were consequently deprived of all weight in the public deliberations. The prætors, consuls, and censors were elected by the people assembled in centuries; but the quæstors, ædiles, and tribunes, were chosen in an assembly of the tribes. Dion. Halicarn. iv. 20.

occur ! For my own part, they would be utterly insupportable to me, had I not taken refuge in philosophy, and enjoyed, likewise, that friend of ours for the companion of my studies, whose property, you tell me, you are3.However, since you assure me, at the same time, that all the benefit which can arise from you belongs solely to myself, I am perfectly well contented; for what can property give more?

Acilius, who is sent into Greece, at the head of some legions, as successor to Sulpicius, has great obligations to me; for I successfully defended him in two capital prosecutions, before the commencement of our public troubles. He is a man of a very grateful disposition, and one who, upon all occasions, treats me with much regard. Accordingly, I herewith send you a letter, which I have written to him in your favour, in the strongest terms; and I desire you will let me know what promises he shall give you in consequence of my recommendation. Farewel.

7 Atticus.

LETTER

* See the beginning of Curius's letter to Cicero, p. 63. of this vol.