Quintus Pedius on Marc Antony's Trial

I myself do not believe that Antony forged the acta. My opinion is based on his character and it is based on lack of evidence. Antony is a smart and noble man. And the little evidence against him shows this.

The evidence that some have brought up as proof that Antony forged the acta is weak. The letters that Lepidus says Antony wrote to him warning him about the acta, do not prove that Antony forged the acta. Perhaps Antony heard from a trusted friends rumors about the acta and believed these rumors to be true based on pure trust. This proves only that Antony was trying to warn you Lepidus, to give you a heads up. It proves that Antony was trying to do the right thing. The fact that he sent you another letter telling you new information shows that he was trying to be completely honest with you and not trying to hide anything from you. Why else would he send it? The only thing Marc Antony is guilty of is trusting people too much. For a man who brings in personal letters from a friend to be read in front of the entire Senate is not trustworthy at all.

The other thing that leads me to believe in Antony’s innocence is the discrepancy between Caesar’s acta and Caesar’s will. Why would he forge one and not the other? Yes he voted for the acta to be passed without being read first, but he knew that eventually the acta would be read so the laws could be put into action. He knew that it wouldn’t be kept a secret forever. So why would he forge the acta? He knew that the will and acta would be compared and he would then look suspicious. He could still be put on trial and the acta could be made void.

Think about these two things when you decide your vote. And think clearly. Do not vote that Antony is guilty just because you want him to be guilty because you personally do not like him. Cast your vote based on the evidence presented.

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.

The Unsuccessful-March-on-Rome Speech

Conscript fathers, you all know that during the time since Caesar’s death, we have been divided into factions. Neither one of the factions have been able to make any decisions for Rome. It is only with the help of the “indeterminates,” such as Libo, that any decisions have been made in the Senate at all. The two leaders of the factions, Brutus and Antony, are so focused on their hate for each other that they can hardly see what their hate has done. In their separate factions, the two former “favorites” of Caesar each ruled with a firm hand, determining exactly the mindset of each of their minions. The Senate was not set up for the kind of division that has come about because of Caesar’s death. Not only has their power over each individual in the Senate divided up the members of the Senate, but it has also forced others to take immeasurable steps to defend the safety of Rome. The steps taken today can not be taken back, yet, for no other reason than simply the safety of Rome, I am willing to take them.

Today, Gaius Julius Caesar and I have taken the step necessary to Rome’s safety: we have marched on Rome. Rome’s safety is dependent upon capable leaders who are willing to take the necessary steps to secure that very safety. The late Caesar so named Octavian, now Gaius Julius Caesar, heir to his fortune. He adopted his grandnephew as his son. Not only did the late Caesar give him three-fourths of his estate, but he also gave him power over all his regions. Although young in age, clearly the late Caesar believed our new Caesar to be politically and militarily adept enough to handle a position of great power. For this reason, I propose that new Caesar step into the role his adoptive father left vacant. In a time of great political turmoil, truly the voice of one man alone is what the city of Rome needs. With the chaos that ensues in the Senate due to the number of factions and divisions among us, the Senate has not one voice, but several voices, and to our Roman people we appear weak and divided. Through the voice of one man, Rome will survive the turmoil, at least until the Senate once again unites as one to give their one voice to the Roman people. Until then, I propose new Caesar as dictator, and I, Marcus Lepidus, as his Magister Equitum. Just as the late Caesar relied on my military and political skills, so will the new Caesar rely on me. Because of his youth, he will need my guidance and mentoring more so than his father, which is why we will have joint power over the estate of Rome. Yet, hear me Senators, the Roman people will hear only one voice to guide them and bring them to reason in this time of turmoil. That voice will be the new Caesar’s, and that voice will bring peace to Rome.

Against Anthony (Pre-Marches on Rome)

My fellow Romans, we have gathered here today to address a most shocking and appalling issue. It grieves me deeply that such an issue most be brought before this most illustrious body of men, especially in such uncertain times. However it should not be so surprising to me or to any of you that such has come to pass. For it is in the worst of times that the most cowardly and base of men seek to pursue their own agendas and in doing so they threaten the very foundation of our most esteemed Republic and the offices that govern it. Therefore, as it is my duty as consul that I bring before this court the charge of forgery to one Mark Anthony. The accusation stands that Anthony forged the acta of Caesar in order to dispel all opposition to his selfish quest for power and to insure that he may pick up whatever scraps of Caesar he could. Not only was such a crime an attempt the honor of some of Rome’s most illustrious citizens but a crime against Rome herself.
Before I open the court to discussion I wish to address some complaints that have been brought up regarding the reasons behind this accusation. It has been said by few that such accusations have arisen is a result of personal feelings regarding Anthony, I can assure you that this is not so. You cry foul that this court seeks to punish Anthony now in such times but I ask you when exactly you would believe the right time to be. When there is a snake crawling among us oh enscripted fathers, it is only natural to strike it down before it can do the same.
You ask why we bring these charges before murderers. You say that these Liberators sought to disrupt Rome and such crimes should be called to order before the one we have gathered to discuss today. I wish to clarify here that the Liberators sought to end a tyrant for the betterment of Rome. Their methods may have been lacking but their sentiment was strong. You believe we should not place Anthony before this court crying of his character, his live for Rome and her Republic but I ask you when has Anthony displayed this love. I was not there. I however was here when Anthony sought to veto every law passed by you oh conscripted fathers in order to ensure his master would give him whatever crumbs of power he could spare. I was at the Lupercalia festival when Anthony so dared to place the diadem on a would be tyrants head. I was there that day when Anthony sought to give Rome away to one man in one gesture. And now I am here and now Anthony must pay for his crimes against the Republic. Now he can no longer hide behind his owner and we see the real Anthony.
What should be the punishment? Several methods have been mentioned. I have taken them into consideration and have decided to propose what I believe is the more moderate punishment. I do not to this for any love of Anthony but for the love of this Republic and for you oh conscripted Fathers. I do not wish for further disruption to the Republic that we are seeking to repair. Therefore, I propose that Anthony be exiled from Rome immediately and his status within its walls be stripped from him. Now shall open the court for discussion.

Breaking News Regarding the Trials for Friday's Meeting!

To the Patres conscripti (and Cleopatra),

I, Dolabella, acting on my authority as consul, have arrested Lucious Antonius and Quintus Pedius on the charge of treason to the Republic as a result of their failed attempt to march on Rome along with Marc Antoni and Publius Bassus who are both already being held for the same crimes. As a result, all four parties will be placed on trial and an appropriate sentence will be suggested by me and voted on by you during Friday's senatorial meeting.

These arrests should not effect any prepared defense against Marc Antoni for his previous charge of forgery as all stand as testimony to his character. At the meeting any speech regarding the crimes of these four individuals will be encouraged and of course they will be allowed to speak in their defense regarding these matters.

Your humble voice,
Dolabella

Marcus Terentius Varro - On the Acta of Caesar

Now, senators, we must consider what to do with the acta of a leader who seized a position that was neither his to take nor ours to give. And given that a position that does not exist holds no authority, we might throw out all the acts he decreed after his last elected dictatorship expired. Would you, senator, follow a man who claimed to be consul without examining his name and rank? When the fingertip points to the sun at midnight, the fool will not look at the finger.

And yet, were we to look at them in another way, we should not be so hasty to abandon Caesar’s acta. All of his known acta, all that he either began construction on or announced intent to construct, serve as possibilities to glorify Rome. I think it only right, then, that we the senate consider the fate of these constructions, and the remaining decrees that Marc Antony holds, intrinsically, regardless of their connections to Caesar. I shall begin with my thoughts on the known and incomplete acta.

A temple to Mars, as proposed, would serve as a fitting tribute to a deity who has smiled so favorably upon the Romans throughout our existence. I fear what might befall us should be abandon and demolish the work in place.

As for the theatre and constant pool for sea-battles on the Tarpeian hill, these are luxuries, the sesterces for which we could find better use.

A reduction of the civil code would help ensure that our rule and our justice run smoothly throughout our territories. Yet I would suggest an independent examination of the codes rather than blindly follow the revisions of one man.

Of the library, I cannot speak impartially. But I would ask the senate to consider two things. First, what terrible loss have we incurred by the destruction of the library of Alexandria? Second, what would it mean to Roman knowledge, scholarship, thought, and glory to have a library as grand, nay, grander than that of Alexandria? And consider, dear senators, that Rome, not Greece, could truly become the intellectual center of the civilized world.

To drain the Pomptine marshes and divert some of Lake Fucinus would be to claim much new farmland for the Roman people. It would also be costly, both in wealth and in lives. We must consider if we indeed required more farmland before we drain any further.

Both the highway from the Adriatic to the Tiber and the canal through the Corinthian isthmus will bring more trade to Rome. I fail to see why we should not construct either.

The Dacians, as we know, have made advances into Pontus and Thrace. I am not a man ready to cede any part of the fatherland to barbarians, yet I fear the success of any check in the midst of our political turmoil. If we are divided to any significant degree regarding the Dacians, the campaign will fall from public scorn and the unease of the soldiers.

By extension, any declaration of war on the Parthians lies beyond our grasp. We can neither divide our attention nor gamble so heavily with public opinion while we still settle the affairs of Caesar.

I began my address to you, senators, with a warning: to be wary of the agent of an action. Now, I urge you also not to be unduly prejudiced against an action because of the agent. We do not reject agriculture because the Gauls engage in it, nor hunting because it is the sport of dogs. I would advise the senate to consider each of Caesar’s proposals as just that—another proposal, to be judged as proper or not for this republic.

Marcus Terentius Varro - On What to Do with the Assassins

Senators, it is in the aftermath of one of the strangest wakes of my lifetime that we gather to determine the fate of those who inspired it. Caesar rests, and his followers from all who walk the streets of Rome came to witness, despite the will of the Senate. Now we senators also must wake—both to our moral consciences and to the will of the people, for whom the assailants say they acted.

Caesar, as I have noted, has done much both great and terrible for Rome and for the Senate. I will not speak again of his territorial gains, of his clemency for the exiled, of his constructions within Rome itself. Nor will I remind you of his march against the city, of the white sash and laurel that decorated his monument, of his grasping for a perpetual singular authority. He was a decidedly political figure, and his assailants struck him down for decidedly political reasons. They wished us to return to the age of the Republic, to a period of growth and prosperity that has lasted us more than four hundred years. Perhaps he wished to return Rome to the age of kings, to the age of Tullius and Superbus. I shall not pretend to know the aspirations of the dead, nor shall I pretend to know absolutely the right path for Rome. I have read enough of our literature to know that either such assumption is ill-advised.

I’m old, senators. I may not look it, but I feel it. Very thin—sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread. And I do not have the youthful certitude to that I, or others in the Senate, may judge correctly within a single meeting.

Therefore, let the case go to the quaestio de vi, the court of political violence. The decision regarding these assailants, especially considering their number and the complexity of the situation, requires the adequate gathering of information and argumentation that comes with such a case. Republicans, would you doubt the abilities of Cicero or others to argue such a case? And Caesarians, if you cannot find a strong enough scholar and wit on your side, I fail to see why the Roman people should entrust you to lead our fatherland.

Senators, this is a time of great turmoil, but not a time to forget ourselves. We are neither barroom brawlers nor petulant children whining over the loss of some bauble. We are the voice and rule of the people, and we would do well to act with the care, coolness, and rationality that befit a Roman senator. May Jupiter look kindly upon the just.