If I doubted your goodwill toward me, I would ask you at great length to protect my dignity. But it is surely the case, as I have persuaded myself, that you care about me. I have advanced against the Inalpini with my army, not so much seeking the title of imperator as wishing to satisfy my soldiers and make them firm in defending our cause, which I think I have achieved; for they have experienced both my generosity and my courage. I waged war with the most warlike of all peoples; I took many strongholds, I ravaged many. It was not without reason that I sent a dispatch to the senate. Support us with your vote; in doing so you will in large part serve the common good.
DCCXCIII (Fam. XI, 4) DECIMUS BRUTUS TO CICERO (AT PUTEOLI) GALLIA CISALPINA (1 NOVEMBER) Decimus Brutus , imperator, consul-designate, sends regards to Marcus Cicero . If I had had any doubt about your friendly feeling towards myself, I should have begged you at great length to defend my political position. But I am, in fact, convinced that you are earnest On my behalf. I went on an expedition against the Alpine tribes, not so much because I aimed at the title of imperator, as from a wish to content my soldiers and to render them efficient for supporting our policy. And this, I think, I have accomplished; for they have had practical proof both of my open-handed disposition and of my courage. I fought with the most warlike tribes in the country: I took numerous strong places, and laid waste a wide stretch of country. I had good grounds for sending my despatch to the senate. Assist us by your senatorial support: in doing so you will to a great degree be serving the interests of the state.
IV. Scr. in Gallia citeriore exeunte mense Novembri a.u.c. 710. D. BRUTUS IMP. COS. DESIG. S. D. M. CICERONI.
Si de tua in me voluntate dubitarem, multis a te verbis peterm, ut dignitatem meam tuerere, sed profecto est ita, ut mihi persuasi, me tibi esse curae. Progressus sum ad Inalpinos cum exercitu, non tam nomen imperatorium captans quam cupiens militibus satisfacere firmosque eos ad tuendas nostras res efficere: quod mihi videor consecutus; nam et liberalitatem nostram et animum sunt experti. Cum omnium bellicosissimis bellum gessi; multa castella cepi, multa vastavi: non sine causa ad senatum litteras misi. Adiuva nos tua sententia; quod cum facies, ex magna parte communi commodo inservieris.
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If I doubted your goodwill toward me, I would ask you at great length to protect my dignity. But it is surely the case, as I have persuaded myself, that you care about me. I have advanced against the Inalpini with my army, not so much seeking the title of imperator as wishing to satisfy my soldiers and make them firm in defending our cause, which I think I have achieved; for they have experienced both my generosity and my courage. I waged war with the most warlike of all peoples; I took many strongholds, I ravaged many. It was not without reason that I sent a dispatch to the senate. Support us with your vote; in doing so you will in large part serve the common good.
Human translation - ToposText / Shuckburgh
Latin / Greek Original
IV. Scr. in Gallia citeriore exeunte mense Novembri a.u.c. 710. D. BRUTUS IMP. COS. DESIG. S. D. M. CICERONI.
Si de tua in me voluntate dubitarem, multis a te verbis peterm, ut dignitatem meam tuerere, sed profecto est ita, ut mihi persuasi, me tibi esse curae. Progressus sum ad Inalpinos cum exercitu, non tam nomen imperatorium captans quam cupiens militibus satisfacere firmosque eos ad tuendas nostras res efficere: quod mihi videor consecutus; nam et liberalitatem nostram et animum sunt experti. Cum omnium bellicosissimis bellum gessi; multa castella cepi, multa vastavi: non sine causa ad senatum litteras misi. Adiuva nos tua sententia; quod cum facies, ex magna parte communi commodo inservieris.