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THE SIXTH ORATION OF M. T. CICERO AGAINST MARCUS ANTONIUS. CALLED ALSO THE SIXTH PHILIPPIC. ADDRESSED TO THE PEOPLE.
[20]
But (for this is what I hear is said), I
myself gave by my own vote an extraordinary commission to Caius Caesar. Yes,
indeed, for he had given me extraordinary protection; when I say me, I mean he
had given it to the senate and to the Roman people. Was I to refuse giving an
extraordinary military command to that man from whom the republic had received
protection which had never even been thought of, but that still was of so much
consequence that without it she could not have been safe? There were only the
alternatives of taking his army from him, or giving him such a command. For on
what principle or by what means can an army be retained by a man who has not
been invested with any military command? We must not, therefore, think that a
thing has been given to a man which has, in fact, not been taken away from him.
You would, O conscript fathers have taken a command away from Caius Caesar, if
you had not given him one. The veteran soldiers, who, following his authority
and command and name, had taken up arms in the cause of the republic, desired to
be commanded by him. The Martial legion and the fourth legion had submitted to
the authority of the senate, and had devoted themselves to uphold the dignity of
the republic, in such a way as to feel that they had a right to demand Caius
Caesar for their commander. It was the necessity of the war that invested Caius
Caesar with military command; the senate only gave him the ensigns of it. But I
beg you to tell me, O Lucius. Caesar,—I am aware that I am arguing
with a man of the greatest experience,—when did the senate ever confer
a military command on a private individual who was in a state of inactivity, and
doing nothing?
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