A defense of the Republic

August Fathers,

We have gathered to discuss what should be done, if anything, with Marcus Junius Brutus and the other men who acted with him on the Ides of March. Should they be branded as the assassins of Caesar? Should they be honored as having freed Rome from Caesar? But I must start with another question.

Who should rightfully be called a Friend of Caesar?

Marcus Lepidus stylizes himself as such, seeking to honor Caesar’s memory by seizing the Forum and erecting a pyre without the help of Caesar’s family. Has Lepidus forgot the results of Clodius Pulcher’s funeral, or does he truly believe that Caesar would wish his burial to bring confusion to the city he loved?

Should Marcus Antonius be called a friend of Caesar? Is it a True Friend who seeks to profit from your own death? Not only did Antony forcibly sieze control of the last Senate meeting, but he also refused Dolabella his rightful place as co-consul. Caesar himself endorsed Dolabella for the consulship, yet Antony, who professes to honor the memory and actions of Caesar, prevented the Senate from discussing Dolabella’s position. It will be remembered, Fathers, that it was Antony’s own vote that kept the second consulship empty. Antony could not endure for Caesar to be buried during the Consulship of Dolabella and Antonius. How shaming to us, Senators, if his own personal vote had heralded the consulship of Marcus and Antonius!

Instead, Caesar’s true friends are those who believed as he believed, and loved as he loved. Marcus Junius Brutus is such a friend. Brutus throughout his life has only concerned himself with the welfare of the Republic. The Republic that we all enjoy was born under the consulship of his ancestor, Lucius Junius Brutus. His house is filled with the busts of honorable Romans who enhanced the glory of Rome through their actions. Is it any wonder that Brutus’ every waking thought centers upon the dignity of Rome? And it was to this man that Caesar showed such affection. Caesar sought Brutus’ advice during his campaigns, and actively ensured his survival in Battle.

Brutus and those who acted with him always remained conscious of their personal debts to Caesar, and the leniency that he showed to them and others in this very room. But these men recognized that the welfare of the Republic always took precedence over personal concerns. They could not stand the loss of honor and dignity that existed– not to themselves – but to the Republic. Caesar was of like mind, having stated that he had “Always reckoned the dignity of the Republic of first importance, and preferable to life.”

But having risen to such a prominence of power, Caesar turned his back upon the Roman people. As dictator Caesar was obliged to see that Rome and the Republic came to no harm. But Caesar did not remain constant in fulfilling his duties to the Republic. He sought escape from the responsibilities of his position, openly commenting that he had achieved enough for any man. It was not hatred of this man that drove Brutus and the others, but their love of Rome and her People.

Through their love for the Republic, Brutus and the others could not ignore the outrage done against the tribunes Gaius Epidius Marcellus and Lucius Caesetius Flavius, when they sought to remove the hated royal diadem from Caesar’s statue. They could not erase from her memory the image of Caesar seated in the Senate, welcoming the Senators like a King of Parthia, instead of standing to greet them like the Roman he was. How could the Republic continue to stand, when the one chosen to lead her people would not?

I urge you, honored Senators, to consider your views of these men carefully. They acted in order to increase the welfare of the Republic. If you condemn these men, then you condemn the Republic as well.