Chapter 14
Original Latin
34 sed unam rem vereor ne non probes: si enim fuissem, non solum regem sed etiam regnum de re publica sustulissem; et, si meus stilus ille fuisset, ut dicitur, mihi crede, non solum unum actum sed totam fabulam confecissem. quamquam si interfici Caesarem voluisse crimen est, vide, quaeso, Antoni, quid tibi futurum sit, quem et Narbone hoc consilium cum C. Trebonio cepisse notissimum est et ob eius consili societatem, cum interficeretur Caesar, tum te a Trebonio vidimus sevocari. ego autem—vide quam tecum agam non inimice—quod bene cogitasti aliquando, laudo; quod non indicasti, gratias ago; quod non fecisti, ignosco.
35 virum res illa quaerebat. quod si te in iudicium quis adducat usurpetque illud Cassianum, ‘cui bono fuerit,’ vide, quaeso, ne haereas. quamquam illud quidem fuit, ut tu dicebas, omnibus bono qui servire nolebant, tibi tamen praecipue qui non modo non servis sed etiam regnas; qui maximo te aere alieno ad aedem Opis liberavisti; qui per easdem tabulas innumerabilem pecuniam dissipavisti; ad quem e domo Caesaris tam multa delata sunt; cuius domi quaestuosissima est falsorum commentariorum et chirographorum officina, agrorum, oppidorum, immunitatium, vectigalium flagitiosissimae nundinae.
36 etenim quae res egestati et aeri alieno tuo praeter mortem Caesaris subvenire potuisset? nescio quid conturbatus esse videris: num quid subtimes ne ad te hoc crimen pertinere videatur? libero te metu: nemo credet umquam; non est tuum de re publica bene mereri; habet istius pulcherrimi facti clarissimos viros res publica auctores; ego te tantum gaudere dico, fecisse non arguo. respondi maximis criminibus: nunc etiam reliquis respondendum est.
Musean translation
Complete machine-assisted Musean translation made directly from the Latin in separate source-only tasks; all 46 chapters and 119 sections retained. Source-language model review is recorded with the raw witness. Latin transcription: Perseus Project, Tufts University, CC BY-SA 4.0; this adaptation uses the same license.
34 But there is one thing I fear you may not approve. Had I been involved, I would have removed not merely the king but kingship from the republic. Had that pen been mine, as people say, believe me, I would have finished not just one act but the whole play. Yet if wishing Caesar killed is a crime, consider, Antony, what will become of you. It is common knowledge that you formed this plan with Gaius Trebonius at Narbo; and it was as a partner in that design that Trebonius, as we witnessed, drew you away during Caesar’s killing. For my part—see how little hostility I show you—I praise you for once having thought well, thank you for not having betrayed the plot, and forgive you for not having acted.
35 That undertaking needed a man. But if someone brings you to trial and invokes Cassius’s famous question, “Who benefited?”, take care that you are not at a loss. The deed did benefit everyone unwilling to be a slave, as you said; but it benefited you above all. You are not merely free of slavery: you are king. At the temple of Ops you freed yourself from an enormous debt. Through those same accounts you scattered incalculable sums. So much was carried to you from Caesar’s house! Your home houses a most profitable workshop for forged memoranda and signatures, a most disgraceful market in lands, towns, exemptions and revenues.
36 What remedy for your destitution and indebtedness was there except Caesar’s death? Something seems to have unsettled you. Are you faintly afraid that this charge may appear to touch you? I release you from that fear: no one will ever believe it. To serve the republic well is not in your nature. The republic has illustrious men to claim as authors of that splendid deed. I say only that you rejoice in it; I do not accuse you of performing it. I have answered the gravest accusations. Now I must answer the rest.
Plain English translation
Complete machine-assisted Plain English translation made independently and directly from the Latin in separate source-only tasks, not from the Musean edition or a historical English translation; all 46 chapters and 119 sections retained. Latin transcription: Perseus Project, Tufts University, CC BY-SA 4.0; this adaptation uses the same license.
34 But there’s one thing I’m afraid you won’t like. If I’d been involved, I’d have removed more than the king from the republic. I’d have ended the kingship too. If I’d written that script, as people say, believe me, I wouldn’t have finished just one act. I’d have finished the whole play. Still, suppose wanting Caesar killed is a crime. Please consider what that means for you, Antony. Everyone knows you discussed this plan with Gaius Trebonius at Narbo. And because you shared in that plan, we saw Trebonius call you aside while Caesar was being killed. Now see how little hostility I’m showing you. I praise you for once having a good idea. I thank you for not exposing it. I forgive you for not carrying it out.
35 That business needed a man. But suppose someone brings you to trial. Suppose he asks that old question of Cassius’s: “Who benefited?” Please make sure you won’t be stuck for an answer. True, as you said, it benefited everyone who didn’t want to be a slave. But it benefited you most of all. You’re not just free from slavery. You’re ruling. You freed yourself from enormous debts at the Temple of Ops. Through those same accounts, you squandered vast amounts of money. So much was brought to you from Caesar’s house. Your home runs a hugely profitable workshop for forged records and handwritten documents. It’s a thoroughly disgraceful marketplace for land, towns, tax exemptions, and tax revenues.
36 What besides Caesar’s death could have relieved your poverty and debts? You seem a little upset. Are you afraid people might think this accusation applies to you? I’ll put your fears to rest. Nobody will ever believe it. Doing the republic a good turn isn’t your way. The republic has outstanding men to thank for that splendid deed. I’m only saying you’re glad it happened. I’m not accusing you of doing it. I’ve answered the most serious charges. Now I must answer the rest.
About this section
Chapter 14 is part of Second Philippic by Marcus Tullius Cicero. This page sets the Latin original beside 2 direct-source translations, so any line can be checked against the source. It is chapter 14 of 46 in the work, which is kept in the Roman tradition.
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