Letter 111

On the morning of the Saturnalia [December 17] the people of Pindenissus surrendered to me, on the fifty-seventh day after we began to besiege them. "What the devil!" you will say. "Who are these Pindenissitae? I have never heard the name." What am I to do about it? Could I turn Cilicia into Aetolia or Macedonia? Take it as settled, then, that with this army, and here, no such great exploit could have been carried off. Learn the rest in summary [en epitomei], for that is the license you grant me in your most recent letter. You know how I came to Ephesus, since you even congratulated me on the throng that gathered to meet me that day, than which nothing ever gave me greater pleasure. From there, marvelously received in those towns +which there were+, we reached Laodicea on the day before the Kalends of Sextilis [July 31]. There we lingered two days and were treated with great distinction, and by gracious words I undid all the earlier wrongs; the same I did at Colossae, then having lingered five days at Apamea and three at Synnada, five at Philomelium, and ten at Iconium. Nothing was more even-handed than my administration of justice, nothing more lenient, nothing more dignified. [2] From there I came into camp on the seventh day before the Kalends of September [August 24]. On the third day before [August 28] I reviewed the army at Iconium. From this camp, when grave reports about the Parthians arrived, I pushed on into Cilicia through that part of Cappadocia which borders on Cilicia, with the design that the Armenian Artavasdes and the Parthians themselves should think they were shut out from Cappadocia. When I had kept camp five days at Cybistra in Cappadocia, I was informed that the Parthians were far from that approach into Cappadocia and were threatening Cilicia more closely. And so I made my march into Cilicia at once, through the Gates of Taurus. I came to Tarsus on the third day before the Nones of October [October 5]. [3] From there I hastened to the Amanus, which divides Syria from Cilicia by a watershed; that mountain was full of our perennial enemies. Here, on the third day before the Ides of October [October 13], we killed a great number of the enemy. We took and burned their most strongly fortified strongholds by a nighttime assault under Pomptinus and a morning one under me. We were saluted as imperators ["victorious generals," the title that entitled a commander to seek a triumph]. We kept camp for a few days on that very spot which Alexander had held against Darius at Issus, a general not a little better than either you or I. There we lingered five days, and after the Amanus had been plundered and laid waste we departed. Meanwhile (for you know that certain things are called panika [panics], and likewise ta kena tou polemou [the empty alarms of war]) the rumor of our arrival both put heart into Cassius, who was being penned up in Antioch, and struck fear into the Parthians. And so, as they withdrew from the town, Cassius pursued them and managed the affair well. In that rout Osaces, the Parthian commander, a man of great standing, received a wound and died of it a few days later. Our name was in good favor in Syria. [4] Meanwhile Bibulus arrived; I suppose he wanted to be my equal by means of this empty title. On that same Amanus he began "to look for a laurel-leaf in a wedding-cake" [a proverb: to hunt for distinction in a trivial undertaking]. But he lost his whole first cohort, and the centurion of the first rank, Asinius Dento, a man noble in his own line, and the rest of that same cohort, and Sextus Lucilius, son of Titus Gavius Caepio, a wealthy and distinguished man, a military tribune; he had really taken a hateful blow, both in the thing itself and in its timing. We were at Pindenissus, a town the most strongly fortified of all the Free Cilicians, which has been under arms within the memory of all. The men are wild and fierce and prepared in every respect for defense. We ringed it with rampart and ditch; with a huge siege-mound, with mantlets, with a very tall tower, with a great supply of artillery, with many archers, with great toil and equipment, with many of our men wounded but the army intact, we finished the business. A merry Saturnalia indeed, also for the soldiers, to whom we granted all the remaining plunder, the horses excepted. The slaves were being sold on the third day of the Saturnalia [December 19]. As I write this, the proceeds on the tribunal amount to about 120,000 sesterces. From here I was handing the army over to my brother Quintus, to be led down into winter quarters in a poorly pacified district; I myself was withdrawing to Laodicea. [6] So much for now. But let us return to the past. As for what you most urge upon me, and what is worth more than everything, in which you take such pains that I should satisfy even my Ligurian Momus [a carping critic; Momus is the personification of fault-finding]: may I die if anything could be done more elegantly. And I no longer call this self-restraint, which is a virtue that seems to resist pleasure; in my whole life I have never been affected by any pleasure so great as the one I feel at this integrity, and it is not so much the renown, which is the highest, as the thing itself that delights me. What more can I say? It was worth it. I did not know myself, nor did I know well enough what I could do in this line. I am rightly pephusiomai [puffed up with pride]. Nothing is dearer than principles. Meanwhile here are the splendid things [lampra]. Ariobarzanes lives and reigns by my doing; in passing [en parodoi], by my counsel and authority, and because I showed myself toward his plotters not only aprositon [unapproachable] but adorodoketon [incorruptible by bribes], I have preserved both king and kingdom. Meanwhile from Cappadocia not so much as a single hair [not a penny]. I roused up Brutus, who was downcast, as much as I could; I love him no less than you do, I almost said than I love you. And I even hope that throughout the whole year of my command there will be not a farthing's expense to the province. [7] There you have it all. Now I was preparing to send official dispatches to Rome. They will be fuller than if I had sent them from the Amanus. But to think that you will not be in Rome! Yet everything turns on what is going to happen on the Kalends of March [March 1]. For I fear that when the matter of the provinces is taken up, if Caesar holds out, we may be detained. If you were present for this, I would fear nothing. [8] I return to city affairs, of which, long in ignorance, I finally learned from your most delightful letter on the fifth day before the Kalends of January [December 28]. Your freedman Philogenes saw to it most carefully that it was carried through by a very long and not sufficiently safe route; for the letter you say was given to Laenius's slaves I had not received. The news about Caesar was welcome, both what the Senate decreed and what you hope for. If he yields to these, we are safe. I am less troubled that, in the Plaetorian fire, you, Seius, were scorched. I am eager to know why Lucceius was so vehement about Quintus Cassius, and what was done. [9] When I come to Laodicea, I am bidden to give the toga of manhood [toga pura, marking coming of age] to Quintus, your sister's son; I shall watch over him quite carefully. Deiotarus, whose great auxiliary forces I have employed, was about to come to me at Laodicea, as he wrote, together with the two young Ciceros. I am also awaiting your letter from Epirus, so that I may have an account not only of your business but also of your leisure. Nicanor is doing his duty and is being treated generously by me. Him, I think, I shall send to Rome with the official dispatches, so that they may be delivered more carefully and so that he too may bring me back sure news about you and from you. That Alexis so often adds greetings for me is welcome; but why does he not do the same in a letter of his own, just as my Alexis [i.e., Tiro] does to you? A horn [keras] is being sought for Phemius. But enough of this. Take care to keep well and to let me know when you are thinking of going to Rome. Again and again, farewell. [10] Your interests and your people I had recommended to Thermus most carefully, both in person at Ephesus and now by letter, and I have learned from the man himself that he is most devoted to you. As for the house of Pammenes, I should like you, as I wrote to you before, to take pains that what the boy holds by your kindness and mine should not by any means be wrested away. I judge it honorable for us both; and then it will be most welcome to me.

On the morning of the 17th of December the Pindenissitae surrendered to me, on the fifty-seventh day from the commencement of my siege. “The Pindenissitae!” you will exclaim, “Who the deuce are they? I never heard the name.” That is not my fault. Could I turn Cilicia into Aetolia or Macedonia? Take this for granted that with my army and in my position such a big business was impossible. Here is a synopsis of the affair. You agreed to that in your last letter. You are aware of my arrival at Ephesus, for you have congratulated me on the reception I got on the day of arrival, which delighted me beyond words. Thence, after a marvellous welcome in the towns on my way, I reached Laodicea on the 31st of July. I stayed there two days in great state and with nattering speeches took the sting out of all past injuries. I did the same at Colossae and during a stay of five days at Apamea, three at Synnada, five at Philomelus and ten at Iconium. Nothing could be more fair, lenient or dignified than my legal decisions. From there I came to camp on the 24th of August. On the 28th I reviewed the army at Iconium. On receipt of grave news about the Parthians I left camp for Cilicia travelling through that part of Cappadocia which borders on Cilicia, intending that the Armenian Artavasdes and the Parthians themselves should realize they were cut off from entering Cappadocia. After camping five days at Cybistra in Cappadocia, I got information that the Parthians were far distant from that entrance into Cappadocia, and rather were threatening Cilicia. So I made a forced march into Cilicia by the gates of Taurus. I reached Tarsus on the 5th of October. Thence I hurried to Amanus, which divides Syria from Cilicia by its watershed, a mountain that has always been full of our enemies. Here on the 13th of October we cut up a large body of the enemy. I captured some strongly fortified posts by a night assault of Pomptinus and a day assault of my own: and we burned them. I was hailed as “General.” For a few days I pitched camp at the very spot near Issus, where Alexander had camped against Darius. He was rather a better general than you or I. We plundered and devastated Amanus, and after a stay of five days took our departure. Meantime (for you know there are such words as “panic” and “the uncertainties of war”) report of my arrival gave heart to Cassius, who was shut up in Antioch, and it inspired fear in the Parthians. So, as the Parthians retreated from the town, Cassius pursued them and scored a success. In their retreat one of their leaders, Osaces, a man of high rank, was wounded and died a few days afterwards. I was in high favour in Syria. Meantime Bibulus came. I fancy he wanted to be my peer in the matter of that empty title. On this same mountain Amanus he begins his task of looking for a needle in a bottle of hay. But the whole of his first squadron was lost as well as Asinius Dento, a centurion of the first line and of noble blood, and other centurions of the same squadron, and a military tribune. Sex. Lucilius son of T. Gavius Caepio, who has wealth and position. It was really a mortifying reverse and inopportune. I was at Pindenissus, the most strongly fortified town in Eleutherocilicia and engaged in war so long as men can remember. The inhabitants were keen warriors, thoroughly prepared to withstand a siege. We compassed it with a stockade and ditch, with big entrenchments, penthouses, a tall tower, a large supply of artillery and a number of archers. With much toil and preparation I settled the business without loss of life, though many were wounded. I am keeping a festive holiday, as also are my soldiers, to whom I gave all the spoils except the horses. The captives were sold on the third day of the festival of Saturn. At the time of writing, the sum realized at the auction has reached about £100,000. I am giving my army to my brother Quintus to take into winter quarters in the more disturbed part of the province, while I am returning myself to Laodicea. So much for that. To recur to old topics. As for the point of your exhortation, which is more important than anything else about which you are concerned—that I may satisfy even my carping Ligurian critic—may I die, if conduct could be more fastidious than mine. I am not going to talk of continence, a quality connoting resistance of pleasure: for nothing in my life has given me more pleasure than this rectitude. And it is not so much the enhancement of my reputation, though that is important, as the exercise of the virtue that delights me. I can tell you my exile has been worth while, for I did not understand myself nor realize of what I was capable in this line. I may well be puffed up. It is splendid. Meantime I have made a coup in this: it is thanks to me that Ariobarzanes lives and reigns a king. In my progress through the province I have saved a king and a kingdom by the weight of my advice and official position and by refusing to entertain even the visits much less the bribes of conspirators against him. Meantime from Cappadocia not the value of a hair. I stirred up Brutus out of his dejection as much as I could. I love him as well as you do. I had almost said as well as I do you. And I hope that during the whole of my year of office there will not be a penny’s expense in my province. That is the whole story. I am now preparing to send an official despatch to Rome. It will be richer in detail than if I had sent it from Amanus. But fancy your not being in town! Everything hangs on what happens on the 1st of March, for I fear, when the question of the provinces is under debate, that I may be kept here, if Caesar refuses to give up his province. Were you there to take part in the matter, I should have no fears. To revert to city news, with which I was put in touch only on the 26th of December from your delightful letter. It was the letter which your freedman Philogenes brought to me with scrupulous care after a long and risky journey; for I have not received the letter which you say was entrusted to the slaves of Laenius. It was glad tidings that you wrote me about Caesar and the decree of the House and your own hopes. If Caesar falls in with this, I shall be safe from any extension of office. I am not much concerned that Seius was singed in Plaetorius’ fire. I want to know why Lucceius was so keen about Q. Cassias and what has happened. I am commissioned to celebrate the coming of age of Quintus, your sister’s son, on arrival at Laodicea. I shall keep a careful hold upon him. Deiotarus, who has been of great help to me, has written that he will come to me at Laodicea with the two boys. I am awaiting another letter from you from Epirus, that I may have an account not only of your work-a-day life, but of your holiday life. Nicanor is doing his duty by me, and is being well treated. I think I shall send him to Rome with my official despatch, that it may be promptly delivered and at the same time that he may bring me certain news about you and from you. I am pleased that Alexis so often sends greetings to me; but why cannot he put them in a letter of his own, as Tiro, who is my Alexis, does for you. I am searching for a horn for Phemius. But enough now. Keep your health and let me know when you intend to go to town. Good-bye, again good-bye. I have been at pains to recommend your interests and your people to Thermus, both personally at Ephesus and now by letter, and I have gathered that he is very solicitous on your behalf. Please execute my former commissions to look after Pammenes’ house, so that the boy may not be robbed of what he owes to your kindness and mine. This I think will redound to our honour and will please me much.

Saturnalibus mane se mihi Pindenissitae dediderunt septimo et quinquagesimo die postquam oppugnare eos coepimus. 'qui malum! isti Pindenissitae qui sunt?' inquies; 'nomen audivi numquam.' quid ego faciam? num potui Ciliciam Aetoliam aut Macedoniam reddere? hoc iam sic habeto nec hoc exercitu (nec) hic tanta negotia geri potuisse. quae cognosce en epitomei; sic enim concedis mihi proximis litteris. Ephesum ut venerim nosti, qui etiam mihi gratulatus es illius diei celebritatem qua nihil me umquam delectavit magis. Inde (in) oppidis iis +quae erant+ mirabiliter accepti Laodiceam pridie Kal. Sextilis venimus. ibi morati biduum perinlustres fuimus honorificisque verbis omnis iniurias revellimus superiores, quod idem (Colossis), dein Apameae quinque dies morati et Synnadis triduum, Philomeli quinque dies, Iconi decem fecimus. nihil ea iuris dictione aequabilius, nihil lenius, nihil gravius. [2] Inde in castra veni a. d. VII Kalendas Septembris. A. d. III exercitum lustravi apud Iconium. ex his castris, cum graves de Parthis nuntii venirent, perrexi in Ciliciam per Cappadociae partem eam quae Ciliciam attingit, eo consilio ut Armenius Artavasdes et ipsi Parthi Cappadocia se excludi putarent. Cum dies quinque ad Cybistra [Cappadociae] castra habuissem, certior sum factus Parthos ab illo aditu Cappadociae longe abesse, Ciliciae magis imminere. itaque confestim iter in Ciliciam feci per Tauri pylas. Tarsum veni a. d. III Nonas Octobris. [3] Inde ad Amanum contendi qui Syriam a Cilicia in aquarum divertio dividit; qui mons erat hostium plenus sempiternorum. hic a. d. iii Idus Octobr. magnum numerum hostium occidimus. castella munitissima nocturno Pomptini adventu, nostro matutino cepimus, incendimus. imperatores appellati sumus. castra paucos dies habuimus ea ipsa quae contra Darium habuerat apud Issum Alexander, imperator haud paulo melior quam aut tu aut ego. ibi dies quinque morati direpto et vastato Amano inde discessimus. interim (scis enim dici quaedam panika, dici item ta kena tou polemou) rumore adventus nostri et Cassio qui Antiochia tenebatur animus accessit et Parthis timor iniectus est. itaque eos cedentis ab oppido Cassius insecutus rem bene gessit. qua in fuga magna auctoritate Osaces dux Parthorum vulnus accepit eoque interiit paucis post diebus. erat in Syria nostrum nomen in gratia. [4] venit interim Bibulus; credo, voluit appellatione hac inani nobis esse par. in eodem Amano coepit loreolam in mustaceo quaerere. at ille cohortem primam totam perdidit centurionemque primi pili nobilem sui generis Asinium Dentonem et reliquos cohortis eiusdem et Sex. Lucilium, T. Gavi Caepionis locupletis et splendidi hominis filium, tribunum militum sane plagam odiosam acceperat cum re tum tempore. nos ad Pindenissum, quod oppidum munitissimum Eleutherocilicum omnium memoria in armis fuit. feri homines et acres et omnibus rebus ad defendendum parati. cinximus vallo et fossa; aggere maximo, vineis, turre altissima, magna tormentorum copia, multis sagittariis, magno labore, apparatu multis sauciis nostris, incolumi exercitu negotium confecimus. hilara sane Saturnalia militibus quoque quibus equis exceptis reliquam praedam concessimus. mancipia venibant Saturnalibus tertiis. Cum haec scribebam, in tribunali res erat ad HS c_x_x_. hinc exercitum in hiberna agri male pacati deducendum Quinto fratri dabam; ipse me Laodiceam recipiebam. [6] haec adhuc. sed ad praeterita revertamur. quod me maxime hortaris et quod pluris est quam omnia, in quo laboras ut etiam Ligurino Momoi satis faciamus, moriar si quicquam fieri potest elegantius. nec iam ego hanc continentiam appello, quae virtus voluptati resistere videtur. ego in vita mea nulla umquam voluptate tanta sum adfectus quanta adficior hac integritate, nec me tam fama quae summa est quam res ipsa delectat. quid quaeris? fuit tanti. me ipse non noram nec satis sciebam quid in hoc genere facere possem. recte pephusiomai. nihil est praeequis carius. interim haec lampra. Ariobarzanes opera mea vivit, regnat; en parodoi consilio et auctoritate et quod insidiatoribus eius aprositon me non modo adorodoketon praebui regem regnumque servavi. interea e Cappadocia ne pilum quidem. Brutum abiectum quantum potui excitavi; quem non minus amo quam tu, paene dixi quam te. atque etiam spero toto anno imperi nostri terruncium sumptus in provincia nullum fore. [7] habes omnia. nunc publice litteras Romam mittere parabam. Vberiores erunt quam si ex Amano misissem. at te Romae non fore! sed est totum (in eo) quid Kalendis Martiis futurum sit. vereor enim ne cum de provincia agetur, si Caesar resistet, nos retineamur. his tu si adesses, nihil timerem. [8] redeo ad urbana quae ego diu ignorans ex tuis iucundissimis litteris a. d. v Kal. Ianuarias denique cognovi. eas diligentissime Philogenes, libertus tuus, curavit perlonga et non satis tuta via perferendas. nam quas Laeni pueris scribis datas non acceperam. iucunda de Caesare et quae senatus decrevit et quae tu speras. quibus ille si cedit, salvi sumus. incendio Plaetoriano quod Seius ambustus es minus moleste fero. Lucceius de Q. Cassio cur tam vehemens fuerit et quid actum sit aveo scire. [9] ego cum Laodiceam venero, Quinto sororis tuae filio togam puram iubeor dare; cui moderabor diligentius. Deiotarus cuius auxiliis magnis usus sum ad me, ut scripsit, cum Ciceronibus Laodiceam venturus erat. tuas etiam Epiroticas exspecto litteras, ut habeam rationem non modo negoti verum etiam oti tui. Nicanor in officio est et a me liberaliter tractatur. quem, ut puto, Romam cum litteris publicis mittam, ut et diligentius perferantur et idem ad me certa de te et a te referat. Alexis quod mihi totiens salutem adscribit est gratum; sed cur non suis litteris idem facit quod meus ad te Alexis facit? Phemio quaeritur keras. sed haec hactenus. cura ut valeas et ut sciam quando cogites Romam. etiam atque etiam vale. [10] tua tuosque Thermo et praesens Ephesi diligentissime commendaram et nunc per litteras ipsumque intellexi esse perstudiosum tui. tu velim, quod antea ad te scripsi, de domo Pammeni des operam ut quod tuo meoque beneficio puer habet cures ne qua ratione convellatur. Vtrique nostrum honestum existimo; tum mihi erit pergratum.