M. Tullius Cicero, Pro Marcello: lateinischer Text und englischer Kommentar

Kapitel 5 (§13 - §15)

[13] atque hoc C. Caesaris iudicium, patres conscripti, quam late pateat attendite. omnes enim qui ad illa arma fato sumus nescio quo rei publicae misero funestoque compulsi, etsi aliqua culpa tenemur erroris humani, ab scelere certe liberati sumus. nam cum M. Marcellum deprecantibus vobis rei publicae conservavit, me et mihi et item rei publicae, nullo deprecante, reliquos amplissimos viros et sibi ipsos et patriae reddidit, quorum et frequentiam et dignitatem hoc ipso in consessu videtis, non ille hostis induxit in curiam, sed iudicavit a plerisque ignoratione potius et falso atque inani metu quam cupiditate aut crudelitate bellum esse susceptum. [14] quo quidem in bello semper de pace audiendum putavi semperque dolui non modo pacem sed etiam orationem civium pacem flagitantium repudiari. neque enim ego illa nec ulla umquam secutus sum arma civilia semperque mea consilia pacis et togae socia, non belli atque armorum fuerunt. hominem sum secutus privato officio, non publico, tantumque apud me grati animi fidelis memoria valuit ut nulla non modo cupiditate sed ne spe quidem prudens et sciens tamquam ad interitum ruerem voluntarium. [15] quod quidem meum consilium minime obscurum fuit. nam et in hoc ordine integra re multa de pace dixi et in ipso bello eadem etiam cum capitis mei periculo sensi. ex quo nemo erit tam iniustus rerum existimator qui dubitet quae Caesaris de bello voluntas fuerit, cum pacis auctores conservandos statim censuerit, ceteris fuerit iratior. atque id minus mirum fortasse tum cum esset incertus exitus et anceps fortuna belli: qui vero victor pacis auctores diligit, is profecto declarat maluisse se non dimicare quam vincere.

Notes (J. B. Greenough, G. L. Kittredge)

illa, i.e. Pompey's.

sibi: see note on Cat. 2, sect. 17 (p. 120, l. 17).

reddidit, restored, by inspiring them with confidence that no vengeance would follow, so that they have returned to their homes.

hostis, acc. plur.

Ilagitantium: before the outbreak of the Civil War, Caesar sent C. Curio (son of C. Curio, Verr. 1, sect. 18) to Rome with offers of compromise, which were spurned by the Senate.

hominem (emphat.), the man (Pompey), not his measures.

consilio, reasons.

grati animi: at the time of Cicero's recall, Pompey interested himself to go in person to several of the Italian towns to encourage the general feeling in his favor, and so atoned in part for the tardiness of his support and his earlier hesitating, cold, and ungracious course.

integra re, before anything had been done (i.e. before peace was broken).

cum capitis mei periculo: it is said that after Pompey's defeat the command was urged upon Cicero by Cato; and on his refusal to conduct the war, Sextus Pompey would have stabbed him unless Cato had interfered.

statim censuerit: Cicero was welcomed and kindly treated by Caesar on his return to Italy, B.C. 47. The war was not finished till the next year, hence incertus exitus, etc.

victor, when victorious (opposed to incertus, etc.).

Hinweis in der englischen Übersetzung

Cicero was not present at the battle of Pharsalia, but remained at Dyrrachium, vexed at his advice being totally disregarded. Cato also remained at Dyrrachium. When Labienus brought them the news of Pompey's defeat, Cato offered Cicero the command, as the superior in dignity, and Plutarch relates, that on his refusal of it, young Pompey was so enraged, that he could have killed him on the spot if Cato had not prevented him. And this is what Middleton (who quotes the sentence in the text) thinks that Cicero is alluding to here.

(M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge, B. A. London. George Bell & Sons, York Street, Covent Garden. 1891.)