THE SPEECH OF PHILIPPUS IN THE
SENATE.[1]
I could wish above everything, Fathers of the Senate, that our country might be at peace, or that amidst dangers, it might be defended by its ablest citizens; or at any rate that evil designs should prove the ruin of their contrivers. But on the contrary, everything is in disorder as the result of civil dissensions, which are aroused by those whose duty it rather was to suppress them; and finally, the wise and good are forced to do what the worst and most foolish of men have resolved. For even though you may detest war and arms, yet you must take them up because it is the will of Lepidus, unless haply anyone is disposed to grant him peace and at the same time to suffer war.[2]
O ye good gods, who still watch over this city, for which we take no thought, Marcus Aemilius, the lowest of all criminals—and it is not easy to say whether he is more vicious or more cowardly—has an army for the purpose of overthrowing our liberties, from contemptible has made himself terrible! You,[3] meanwhile, muttering and shrinking, trusting to the predictions and incantations of soothsayers,[4] pray rather than fight for peace, and you do not
- ↑ When Lepidus demanded a second consulship and the restitution of the powers of the tribunes, the leader of the aristocracy, L. Marcius Philippus, opposed his demands and convinced the senate that Lepidus ought to be punished.
- ↑ cf. Livy 42. 13. 5, videbam quam impar esset sors, cum ille vobis helium pararet, vos ei securam pacem praestaretis.
- ↑ Addressed to the senators.
- ↑ The Sybilline books had been burned with the Capitol in 83 B.C., but many other prophetic writings were in circulation; see Suet, Aug. 31. 1.
