The familiar epistles of M.T. Cicero Englished and conferred with the: French Italian and other translations

Cicero vice-Consull, to the Consulls, Praetors, Tribunes of the people; Senate, and people of Rome. Epist. 1.

IF you bee well, &c. But that I thought Marcus Bibulus vice-Consull, could haue giuen you cert••ine information, of the euents succeeded in his Prouince: I would not haue o∣mitted,

so soone as the newes was brought me, speedily to aduertise you, that the Parthians with almost their whole forces, had passed ouer Euphra∣tes. Though this were reported to me for a certaine truth: y••t I thought it not my office, to write vnto you of the particul••rs of another mans Prouince. But perceiuing the same newes, euery day more verified, and that it was a matter of that consequence; and be∣cause we did not heare that Bibulus was come into Syria; and besides all this, in that the managing of this warre, ap∣p••rt••ined as it were vnto vs both: I iudge it requisite to giue you aduertis∣ment the••••of. The Ambassadors of King Antiochus Commagenus, were the first, that certefied me•• of a great Ar∣mie of Parthians, passing ouer Euphra∣tes. Hauing heard this, some being of opinion, that credit should not bee so suddainely giuen to the foresaid King, I thought it expedient to attend a while, till tydings might arriue of greater cer∣taintie. The xix. of September, con∣ducting mine Armie into Cilicia, be∣tweene the confines of Lycaonia, and Cappadocia, letters were deliuered me, from King Tarcondim••tus, who hath report to be as faith••ull an associate of the people of Rome, or more trustie, then any beyond Mount Taurus. Wher∣in, he gaue me to vnderstand, how Pa∣corus,

sonne to Orodes, King of the Par∣thians, was passed Euphrates, with a mightie Cauallerie, and encamp••ed himselfe vnder Ty••a. And th••t great tumults were raised through all Syria. The selfe••same day, I rec••iued letters to the same effect, from Iamblicus th'-Arabians Phyla••••: Who is thought to be well affected, and a friend to our Common-wealth. These newes being heard; though I had little securitie, of the doubtfull valour of our associats, who would take no notice thereof, ex∣pecting ••ome present innouation: yet I hoped that they were become some∣what more friendly to the people of Rome, amongst whom I had alreadie beene, and who by ••ryall, had found our integritie, and clemencie: and that Cilicia might the better be confirmed in loyaltie, if it had but some proofe of our equitie. And to this effect, and for the suppressing of those Cili••ians who were in armes; and to make the ene∣mie who was in Syria to conceiue, that the Roman•• Armie, did not only not drawe backe, as daunted by these ru∣mors, but a••so aduanc••d, as resolu'd to vanquish, I began to march with the Armie towards Mount Taurus. It is not requisite to relate vnto you, in what state these Prouinces are, in that you had other meanes to vnderstand it. But if my authoritie bee of any e∣steeme

with you, in those things espe∣cially, which you haue heard, and whereof I am an eye witnesse. I would aduise you to send succours hither, which though they shall come later then was conuenient, yet is it good to s••nd them. You know that I came to the gouernment of this Prouince, with little strength, though so dangerous a warre was feared, as now is expected. And though I knew my selfe weakely prouided, to defend it; yet for mine honors sake, I would not refuse such a charge, preferring your authoritie, be∣fore any disaster that might befall mee•• And now, seeing that to succeed, which was feared, I informe you, that if you send not in defence of th••se countries, as great an Armie as you vse to send to those places, that are pe∣stered with warres of gr••at••st conside∣ration. You are in danger to loose ••he••e Prouinces, which you well know to be of waightie consequence to the R••mane people. Neither must you put any confidence in the souldiers that are heere, for they are but few; and these few, cannot looke the en••mie in the face. And they haue g••uen so bad a tri∣all of themselues, that Marcus Bibulus, being in Asia, in great want of men, as a very prudent man, would not ent••r∣taine them, although hee had your ly∣cence to that effect. We can hope for

little from our f••iends, for, hauing beene pillaged, and oppressed by our gouernours, they are either so weake, that they can afford vs no ayde, or beare vs such an hatred, as it would bee meere ••olly, to ••••ust to them in any en∣terprise. King D••iota••us is with all his forces at our command. Cappadocia is emptie. The other Kings and Princes, cannot doe much, neither are they wil∣l••ng. I will not be discouraged, though I want souldiers. And I hope, I shall not want direction. Th'euent is vn∣certaine. God grant we may come off with safetie; for I make no doubt of honour. Farewell.