Quintus Pedius on Caesar's acta

Senators,

We meet today to discuss whether or not the Senate should confirm Caesar’s plans for the future of Rome. I believe we should enact his plans, for they truly benefit all the Roman people.

We have disagreed on many things here, most notably whether or not Caesar’s murder was justified. Some of the men present today believe that Caesar was trying to make himself a king. Other men, like myself, believe Caesar was a just leader and the most fit to lead Rome.

We have also disagreed on the type of burial Caesar deserved and on the punishment the conspirators should receive. However, one thing we can all agree on is that during his time I political office, Caesar’s actions benefitted and improved Rome in many different ways.

Caesar was a man of his word, for he gave to every veteran foot-soldier money and land as he promised, increasing faith in the government by the common people. He was a generous man, for he gave many banquets, plays, and athletic contests for the pure entertainment of the people, increasing pride in Rome. He was a fair man, for he allowed half magistrates to be elected by the people, proving Rome could function as a democracy. He was a forgiving man, for he admitted the sons of men who had been proscribed to office, allowing those whose talents might otherwise have been stifled by the mistakes of their fathers to gain political power. He even reformed the calendar, something that benefits not only us, but also future generations.

These things you cannot deny. Caesar helped mold Rome into the great place it is today through his benevolent acts. His plans succeeded in the past and there is no reason they will not work in the future. I have faith in his Acta and thus it should be put into action without being read in the Senate.