On the virge of Civil War

Everywhere I find myself—in the Forum honoring my father's financial obligations to the citizenry, on the streets of the city in discussion with veterans, in the audience of the Senate itself, I am confronted with the specter of Rome once again in Civil War. Who can we say is responsible besides Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, a man I held in such high esteem as a great general and a great father of Rome. He has been declared an enemy of Rome for his actions in direct conflict with the Senate's authority.

So what can be done? It is not nearly as easy an issue as many Senators believe—men whom, for their considerable worldly wisdom, I fear have become increasingly distant from the actual realities of Roman life beyond their own: the lives of Rome's soldiers, Rome's citizens, and others residing within this city. Rome's soldiers, in particular, are a very different audience with very different minds than the Senate. Many of them still honor Lepidus for his great deeds in the past and even speak of following him if they were called to do so. Despite his actions against the Senate, he is still their general—this is not a reality we can afford to ignore. Contrary to what some might assume, any war against Lepidus will not be an easy one, and victory is by no means guaranteed.

My personal opinion is this situation is based on an idea: a natural urge to avoid the self-destructive act of Civil War in the nation I love, and if that is not possible, protecting it from utter destruction. The idea of Romans fighting other loyal Romans is most tragic, and the fact that our wise Senate was unable to avoid such an outcome, even as it was thrust upon them, is a severe disappointment. I wish it could have been the case that Lepidus could have been negotiated with, rather than declared an enemy of the Senate outright, in what amounts to a death-sentence for thousands of men under arms on both sides. Still, I understand that it is not my position to question the wisdom of the Senate, as I am a young man who has not benefited from the insight and judgment that comes with advanced age.

What is done is done: if Lepidus is to threaten Rome, we must rise up in her defense. I may honor Lepidus for his prior accomplishments, but I do not advocate simply staying inactive and hoping the crisis resolves itself. In fact, despite the perhaps-misinformed accusations of Marcus Junius Brutus, I have been appealing to veterans loyal to my father, and reorganizing and reequipping soldiers for new legions. Many of these loyalists—and make no mistake, there are large numbers of them—are loyal Lepidus as well as Caesar. To the best of my ability, I have sought to organize soldiers under my command, because for every veteran I successfully rally to my standard, there is one fewer man whom might oppose the Senate. I'm sure those men most vigorous in their opposition and condemnation of Lepidus, such as Marcus Tullius Cicero, understand the importance of keeping this enemy of the Senate from bolstering his army's numbers even further.

I will not shirk from any responsibilities I owe as a Roman. If asked to command or serve in any Army against Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, I will not decline—in fact, I'd consider it an honor to serve Rome in such a manner. What more serious threat is there to Rome than Civil War? The situation must be defused, one way or another, as soon as possible.