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I HAVE encountered many dangers, fellow citizens, at home and abroad, and many adversities, some of which I have endured, some averted by the gods’ help and my own courage; in all these I never lacked resolution to decide or energy to act. Adversity and prosperity changed my resources, not my character. But in these present troubles it is different, and along with Fortune everything else has deserted me. Furthermore, old age, which is in itself an affliction, redoubles my anxiety, since it is my wretched lot, when near the end of life, not even to be able to hope for an honourable death. For if I am a traitor to you, and although twice born into this state,2 hold cheap by country’s gods, my fatherland, and its highest magistracy, what torture is enough for me while I live, and what punishment after death? Surely I have committed a crime too great to be expiated by all the torments related of the Nether World.
From early youth I have passed my life before your eyes both as a private citizen and in office; those who needed my voice, my counsel, my purse, 411 have had them. I have not practised a calculating eloquence or used my talents for evil-doing. Most covetous of private friendships, I have incurred the bitterest public enmities for my country. When these had overcome me along with my country, when in need of others’ help, I looked for still greater calamities, you, fellow citizens, gave me back my country and my fathers’ gods, and added to them your highest mark of distinction. For such favours I should seem hardly grateful enough if I could give my life for each one of you. That I cannot do, since life and death are subject to natural laws; but to live unashamed among one’s fellow citizens, and with unblemished reputation and fortune, is something that may be given and received.
You have elected us to the consulship, Romans, at a time when our country, is in dire straits at home and abroad; for our generals in Spain are calling for money, men, arms, and supplies — and they are forced to do so by circumstances, since the defection of our allies and the retreat of Sertorius over the mountains prevent them from either contending in battle or providing for their necessities. Armies are maintained in Asia and in Cilicia because of the excessive power of Mithridates, Macedonia is full of foes, as is also the sea-coast of Italy and of the provinces. In the meantime our revenues, made scanty and uncertain by war, barely suffice for a part of our expenditures; hence the fleet which we keep upon the sea is much smaller than the one which formerly safeguarded our supplies.
If such a state of affairs has been brought about by treason or negligence on our part, follow the promptings of your anger and inflict punishment 413 upon us; but if fortune, which is common to all, frowns upon us, why do you resort to acts unworthy of you, of us, and of our country? I, to whom death is nearer because of my years, am ready to meet it, if that will lessen any of your ills; nor could I end my life (as in the course of nature I soon must) with more honour than in securing your safety. Behold, here I stand, Gaius Cotta, your consul! I do what our ancestors often did in adverse wars; I consecrate myself and offer my life for my country. It is your task to find someone to whom you may entrust the state; for no good man will desire such an honour, when one must render an account for the vagaries of fortune, for the uncertainties of the sea, and for war brought on by others, or else must die a shameful death. Only bear in mind that it was not for crime or avarice that I was put to death, but that I willingly gave my life as a gift in return for your great favours. In your own name,3 fellow-citizens, and by the glory of your ancestors, I conjure you to endure adversity and take thought for your country. The price of supreme power is great anxiety, many heavy burdens. It is vain for you to attempt to avoid them and to look for peace and prosperity, when all the provinces and realms, all lands and seas, are devastated or exhausted by wars.
1 During the year 75 B.C. there was civil discord at Rome and attacks were made upon the nobles by the commons. Alarmed by the dangerous outlook, Gaius Cotta, one of the consuls, put on mourning garb and made an address designed to calm the people.
2 His recall from exile is regarded as a second birth; so Cicero, as Att. 6. 6. 4, ��ǩ�����ҧ�.
3 cf. Jug. xiv. 25.
1 QUIRITES, multa mihi pericula domi militiaeque, multa advorsa fuere; quorum alia toleravi, partim reppuli deorum auxiliis et virtute mea5; in quis omnibus numquam animus negotio defuit neque decretis labos; malae secundaeque res opes, non ingenium, mihi mutabant. 2 At contra in his miseriis cuncta me cum fortuna deseruere; praeterea senectus, per se gravis, curam duplicat, cui misero acta iam aetate ne mortem quidam honestam sperare licet. 3 Nam, si parricida vostri sum et bis genitus hic deos penatis meos patriamque et summum imperium vilia habeo, quis mihi vivo cruciatus satis est aut quae poena mortuo? Quin omnia memorata apud inferos supplicia scelere meo vici.
4 A prima adulescentia in ore vostro, privatus et in magistratibus, egi; qui lingua, qui consilio meo, 410 qui pecunia voluere, usi sunt; neque ego callidam6 facundiam neque ingenium ad male faciundum exercui; avidissumus privatae gratiae maxumas inimicitias pro re publica suscepi, quis victus cum illa simul, cum egens alienae opis plura mala expectarem, vos, Quirites, rursus mihi patriam deosque penatis cum ingenti dignitate dedistis. 5 Pro quibus beneficiis vix satis gratus videar, si singulis animam quam nequeo concesserim; nam vita et mors iura naturae sunt; ut sine dedecore cum civibus fama et fortunis integer agas, id dono datur atque accipitur.
6 Consules nos fecistis, Quirites, domi bellique impeditissuma re publica; namque imperatores Hispaniae stipendium, milites, arma, frumentum poscunt — et id res cogit, quoniam defectione sociorum et Sertori per montis fuga neque manu certare possunt neque utilia parare — 7 exercitus in Asia Ciliciaque ob nimias opes Mithridatis aluntur, Macedonia plena hostium est, nec minus Italiae marituma et provinciarum, cum interim vectigalia parva et bellis incerta vix partem sumptuum7 sustinent; ita classe, quae commeatus tuebatur, minore quam antea navigamus ut monet ira, supplicium sumite; sin fortuna 412 communis asperior est, quare indigna vobis nobisque et re publica incipitis? 9 Atque ego, cuius aetati mors propior est, non deprecor, si quid ea vobis incommodi demitur; neque mox ingenio corporis honestius quam pro vostra salute finem vitae fecerim. 10 Adsum en C. Cotta consul! Facio quod saepe maiores asperis bellis fecere, voveo dedoque me pro re publica! Quam deinde cui mandetis circumspicite; 11 nam talem honorem bonus nemo volet, cum fortunae et maris et belli ab aliis acti ratio reddunda aut turpiter moriundum sit. 12 Tantum modo in animis habetote non me ob scelus aut avaritiam caesum, sed volentem8 pro maxumis beneficiis animum dono dedisse. 13 Per vos, Quirites, et gloriam maiorum, tolerate advorsa et consulite rei publicae! 14 Multa cura summo imperio inest, multi ingentes labores, quos nequiquam abnuitis et pacis opulentiam quaeritis, cum omnes provinciae, regna, maria, terraeque aspera aut fessa bellis sint.
4 Histories, ii. 47.
5 The words Quirities . . . virtue mea are found in the fragg. Berol. and Aurel; see Introd. p. xiv.
6 callidam, mss.; caninam, Carrio.
7 sumptum, V.
8 volente, V.