Friends and Enemies of Rome-- With today's meeting having taken place, I am filled with grief and anger. I cannot help but grieve for Rome, for I feel as if the Senate is now driven by personal motives rather than a desire to soundly govern the state. I am angry, for I was extremely frustrated to find that no matter how hard I tried to convey my reasoning to all, Republicans and Caesarians alike, no one seemed to listen. I attempted to explain my brother's goodness, yet you all turned your back to me and ignored my sound arguments.
Even if you would believe Antony to be of foul character, what criminal would alter, create, or produce two documents of such different ideas? Neither document completely favors Antony. Both the Acta and the will give authority to Brutus. Why, if he had the ability to alter the document, would Antony do this? You all say that he wished to appear "fair" in hopes that Brutus would be tried and exiled from Rome-- what then? Most of us would say the election of another consul would occur. If this were the case, obviously you Republicans would win that battle, as you have all others, either by means of bribery or sheer stubbornness to the truth. So why do you worry that Antony will seize power, when you all hold the majority?
I am disgusted by all affairs occurring in the Senate. All are seemingly voting with their partition, and not with their heart. For do you all believe in the forgery of the will by Marc Antony? Do you all believe the matter dire enough to require his trial before that of the murderers of Caesar? Do you all believe a trial necessary that will only further divide the Senate? Why do you all follow so blindly!
I feel lost and hopeless and as if those that claim do hate Antony for his so-called desire for sole power, are the ones who truly desire the sole control and power of Rome.
Lucius Antonius
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It is wrong to accuse others of failing to listen to arguments, when you yourself fail to do the same. For it is not only Republicans who call for this trial, but those who have no alliance, as well as Caesarians.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you had in fact listened in the senate, you would have heard good reason for why this trial holds precedence over my own.
For if he has committed this crime, which I say he will not be convicted of is there is not evidence for it, then it is appropriate that it is determined before my own trial.
I fail to see how if you believe Antoni is incapable of receiving a fair trial that I am capable of receiving a fair trial.
And it is fact necessary for the peace of our Republic. For how can it be restored if it is lead by a man who would go as far to change the written documents of a man to gain power?
Again I must defend myself from your accusations of being hungry for power. If the acta had removed Dolabella from power, I would have voted against being appointed consul. For if it had been the position I wanted, then I would have campaigned and justly won that right from the people, not accepted an appointment from a man who wished to single-handedly rule the Republic.
I think that you loose sight, Senator, of the power that you have to make these choices, accusations, and decrees in the Senate, which you would not have had had Caesar remained in power. I stand by my actions, and I will accept without complaint the due decision of the Senate in my case. I suggest that you and the supporters of Antoni do the same in his.