Oh Conscript Fathers; at our previous senate meeting, my brother, Marcus Antonius, made mention of the new… something that you all took unnecessary offence to. For did you all not reject the current state of the republic? Did you not all reject the reign of the clement Caesar? He favors reform, as all of you do. I more than anyone praise Caesar’s graciousness and clemency, for did he not grant numerous pardons to the defeated in 49? But I do agree that the focus of a new path, should be reverting back to the old path. In this respect, I believe all Republicans can agree that progress is necessary. To the subject at hand, the burial and respect of the great Caesar, I stand by my brother again. I believe in the highest honor for the man who led us through so many years. I wish to have a funerary oration, and a proper burial for Caesar, and find it repulsing that anyone even suggest throwing him into the Tiber as if he were a criminal—how can you call him, who acted as a father to so many of you, a criminal.
Brutus, did Caesar not forgive you when you joined Pompey in 49? Is it not because of him that you hold your Praetorship?
My point is that all of you were granted clemency by Caesar, so in due course grant it to him. Despite your rather harsh viewpoints on him, respect him for what he was: A great leader and servant to Rome. Give him the proper burial rites which he so deserves, and heed what my brother, Marc Antony says—for never have I known someone apart from Caesar who cares more strongly for the Republic.
--Lucius Antonius, 3/19
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