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Epistulae ad Familiares, V. xb.-xi.

four towers and four walls, and their whole citadel as well, whence I was forcibly dislodged by snow, cold, and rain; and it is a shame, my dear Cicero, that I have been compelled to leave behind me a town I had taken, and a war I had practically brought to an end.[1] And that is why I beg you, if the need arises, to plead my cause with Caesar,[2] and to consider it incumbent upon you to defend me in every respect, bearing in mind the fact that you have no more sincere friend than myself. Farewell.

XI

Cicero to Vatinius

Rome, late in October, 45 B.C.

1 I am not surprised at your gratitude to me for my services[3]; for I have found you to be the most grateful of men, and I have never ceased to proclaim that fact. For not only have you felt grateful to me, but you have shown your gratitude in full and overflowing measure. And for that reason you will find that in all the rest of your affairs my activity on your behalf is unimpaired and my goodwill unaltered.

2 You commend to me that most excellent lady, your wife Pompeia; well, as soon as I had read your letter I had a conversation with our friend Sura,[4] and asked him to tell her from me to inform me, without hesitation or reserve, if there were anything she required, and that I would do all she wanted with the utmost energy and attention; and so I will, and

  1. ↑ There is little doubt that Vatinius had been compelled to retreat by stronger forces than "snow, cold, and rain."
  2. ↑ "This is interesting as showing the strict account which Caesar exacted of any failure on the part of his generals, and the influence which Cicero must have been considered to possess with him." Tyrrell.
  3. ↑ i.e., "in procuring you a supplicatio."
  4. ↑ Probably a confidential freedman of Vatinius.
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