M. Tullius Cicero, Philippicae, ed. Albert Curtis Clark, 1

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[1] 1 si, ut¹ ex litteris quae recitatae sunt, patres conscripti, sceleratissimorum hostium exercitum caesum fusumque² cognovi, sic, id quod et omnes maxime optamus et ex³ ea victoria quae parta est consecutum arbitramur, D. Brutum egressum iam Mutina esse⁴ cognossem⁵, propter cuius periculum ad saga issemus, propter eiusdem salutem redeundum ad pristinum vestitum sine ulla dubitatione censerem. ante vero quam sit ea res quam avidissime civitas exspectat adlata, laetitia frui⁶ satis est maximae praeclarissimaeque pugnae; reditum ad vestitum confectae victoriae reservate⁷.

Philippicae. M. Tullius Cicero. ed. Albert Curtis Clark. Oxford. 1918.

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Current edition Perseus

Philippicae (Latin) (Cicero. M. Tulli Ciceronis Orationes, Vol. 6. Clark, Albert Curtis, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1918.)

Translations (1)

Philippics Perseus (Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, Vol. 4. Yonge, Charles Duke, translator. London: Bell, 1856.) — 1 focus

If, O conscript fathers, while I learned from the letters which have been read that the army of our most wicked enemies had been defeated and routed, I had also learned what we all wish for above all things, and which we do suppose has resulted from that victory which has been achieved,—namely, that Decimus Brutus had already quitted Mutina ,—then I should without any hesitation give my vote for our returning to our usual dress out of joy at the safety of that citizen on account of whose danger it was that we adopted the robe of war, But before any news of that event which the city looks for with the greatest eagerness arrives, we have sufficient reason indeed for joy at this most important and most illustrious battle; but reserve, I beg you, your return to your usual dress for the time of complete victory. But the completion of this war is the safety of Decimus Brutus. 2

But what is the meaning of this proposal that our dress shall be changed just for today, and that tomorrow we should again come forth in the garb of war? Rather when we have once turned to that dress which we wish and desire to assume, let us strive to retain it forever; for this is not only discreditable, but it is displeasing also to the immortal gods, to leave their altars, which we have approached in the attire of peace, for the purpose of assuming the garb of war. 3 And I notice, O conscript fathers, that there are some who favor this proposal: whose intention and design is, as they see that that will be a most glorious day for Decimus Brutus on which we return to our usual dress out of joy for his safety, to deprive him of this great reward, so that it may not be handed down to the recollection of posterity that the Roman people had recourse to the garb of war on account of the danger of one single citizen, and then returned to their gowns of pence on account of his safety. Take away this reason, and you will find no other for so absurd a proposal. But do you, O conscript fathers, preserve your authority, adhere to your own opinions, preserve in your recollection what you have often declared, that the whole result of this entire war depends on the life of one most brave and excellent man.

Notes on the current edition

Philippicae

1. si ut h: sicut cett.

2. fusum caesumque Nonius p. 312

3. et ex Naugerius (1): ex codd.

4. esse si hosv

5. cognossem b: cognovissem cett.

6. laetitia frui b: laetitiae risus (rursus s1) cett.

7. reservate hv: reservare bos: servare t

Commentary

Commentary on The Fourteenth Philippic (Select Orations of Cicero (Allen and Greenough's Edition). Greenough, James Bradstreet; Kittredge, George Lyman, editors. Boston, London: Ginn & Company, 1897.) focus

si , with cognovissem (1.5), prot. cont. to fact, with censerem (1.7) as its apod.

ut , correl. with

sic (1.3).

ex litteris , i.e. despatches from the seat of war. 242.2

hostium , i.e. Antony's forces. 242.3

id quod , namely

D. Brutum egressum . . . esse (1.4). 242.4

Brutum : D. Brutus, one of Caesar's murderers, had been assigned by him to the government of Cisalpine Gaul, and took possession of the province after Caesar's death. In the summer, Antony procured the passage of a law transferring this province to himself. Brutus, supported by the Senate, refused to give it up, and upon this issue hostilities broke out. Brutus was at this time besieged in Mutina (Modena), and the consuls, Hirtius and Pansa, had moved to raise the siege. 242.6

ad saga , etc., as we should say figuratively "to arms." The sagum (Fig. 51) was a simple woollen cloak, fastened over one shoulder with a clasp or buckle ( fibula), while the toga had no fastening but was wound in elaborate folds about the body. It was put on instead of the toga (the garment of peace: see note on p. 125, l. 17 ) in the city when there was war near home, as a sign that the citizens were called to arms.

issemus , subj. of subord. clause in indir. disc.

redeundum , etc.: to return to the ordinary garb of peace, the toga, would, under the circumstances, be a sign of rejoicing. 242.8

ea res , i.e. the liberation of D. Brutus from siege. 242.10

pugnae : the victory of Hirtius and Pansa at Bononia (see Introd., p.241 of text).

M. Tullius Cicero Philippicae 1

ed. Albert Curtis Clark

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