De Coniuratis Caesaris

O conscript fathers, how many years of horrific destruction and death must we bestow upon our glorious city? If state could speak she would wish for peace. The murder of Caesar was certainly not a necessity and has left me greatly disturbed. Assassins, you call yourselves tyrannicides and the “Saviors of Rome” but you have done nothing except bring chaos and embarrassment. Rather than basking in your so-called splendor, you should be begging to not be declared public enemies and put to trial or killed. Thanks to you, our current worldly reputation is disgraceful. Caesar befriended you and you thank him by shedding his blood in a sacred place. You not only slaughtered our acclaimed leader but broke the pact of friendship. Is this what our Republic has come to? Where our very own elected officials must be weary of their own friends while carrying out their duty? How can it be possible to stand united if our own Senate is severely divided by factions and broken alliances? How can we accomplish anything if our so-called meetings are reduced to squabbling? I know many of you before me, friend or foe of Caesar; have lived in fear and confusion since this atrocious action took place. Rome must come to justice! Using the words of the wise Epicurus, justice is neither to harm nor be harmed. The entire point of living with laws and punishments is to be protected from harm. Rome must be a city where we protect all citizens, whether private or those holding public office. This cannot be attained if our governing body is too busy plotting homicides rather than protecting and guiding a city the Romans can be proud of. Fathers of the Senate, I now propose, not necessarily what is fair, but what is necessary for the continuous glory of Rome. The best way to honor the grandeur of our Caesar is to show that we have learned from his astonishing clemency. We should not encourage a renewed conflict but rather move towards reconciliation. What good would continued conflict do besides further the tedious horrors of war? Remember, I am one of the most experienced senators here, having been both consul and censor, and therefore you must take what I propose very seriously. Having said this, I propose a general amnesty. One of the greatest pleasures in life is obtained by friendship and I encourage you to seek it. Seek it not by spilling more blood but instead by uniting to show our strength and honor in times of crisis. Fellow senators, please attempt to put your hatred aside and let all be forgiven. Ordinarily, I admit that I would be glad to put the murderers to trial because they committed the worst crime possible under untimely circumstances. I would gladly support this notion if I did not believe it would sink us deeper into discord. However, I am willing to go above my personal feelings on the matter for the good of Rome. Rome cannot stand tenacious if we are constantly burdened by internal conflict and I am afraid that this may be the only way to avert from warfare. Let it be understood that I am not suggesting the murderers be praised or rewarded! I am eager to see the reign of the disastrous internal collision come to an end! Let us unite and do our duty! As evidence of my neutrality, I hereby declare that I will be happy to collaborate with any of you, Fathers of the Senate, regardless of political faction, in support of reconciliation.