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Epistulae ad Familiares, VI. xii.

felicity, and then be suddenly crushed and so cast down that nothing could ever afterwards raise your spirits even to the point of composure. I have pleaded your cause more openly than my own political position warranted; for the very misfortune of my diminished influence was outweighed by my affection and my unceasing love for you, which you have yourself so assiduously fostered. All the promises bearing upon your return and restoration have been confirmed, certified, and ratified; I have seen, examined, taken part in everything.

2 In fact, opportunely enough, I have all Caesar's intimate friends so closely bound to me by familiar acquaintance and kindly feeling that, after him, they account me next. This Pansa,[1] Hirtius,[2] Balbus,[3] Oppius,[4] Matius[5] and Postumus,[6] do so absolutely that their affection for me stands alone. Had I been obliged to secure this by my own personal efforts, I should not, considering the nature of the times, regret having made such efforts. But in no respect have I played the time-server. Here my old ties of friendship with all these men come in, and I have never ceased to plead with them on your behalf. My chief support, however, I have found in Pansa (a man devotedly attached to you, and anxious to be friends with me), since he had influence with Caesar, not less because of his strong personality than

  1. ↑ C. Vibius Pansa loyally supported Caesar, who in 46 gave him the government of Cisalpine Gaul, and in 44 nominated him consul for 43 with Hirtius. Pansa was defeated by Antonius at Forum Gallorum in February 43, and mortally wounded, the victor being defeated on the same day by Hirtius.
  2. ↑ Aulus Hirtius, having joined Octavius, relieved Mutina when besieged by Antonius, whom he overcame in battle, but was himself slain.
  3. ↑ L. Cornelius Balbus was a native of Gades, but Caesar made him his praefectus fabrum, thus enabling him to amass a huge fortune. After Caesar's death he joined Octavius, and was consul in 40, being the first foreigner to hold that office.
  4. ↑ C. Oppius was always closely connected with Balbus in the service of Caesar.
  5. ↑ C. Matius was devotedly attached to Caesar. See xi. 28.
  6. ↑ Probably M. Curtius Postumus, made tribune of the soldiers by Caesar at Cicero's instance.
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