De funere patris patriae

In my speeches before the Senate and in my letters to you all, I have consistently stated that Caesar deserves those honors worthy of a Roman citizen.  Those who seek public funding with which to hold funerary games in Caesar's honor have cited their desire to remember him as "Father of the Country", as "Dictator for life", and as general of multiple triumphs.  Allow me to address each of these individually.

It is true that Caesar was voted multiple triumphs for his victories, but other Roman generals have been given the same award.  How quickly we forget the three triumphs celebrated by Pompey!  How much more quickly we have forgotten the location of his Egyptian tomb!

Caesar was given the title of "Dictator for Life", but it is of great importance to recognize the meaning behind this phrase.  Whatever may be though concerning his death, the fact remains that Caesar is dead.  The title "Dictator" had been given him for the remainder of his life, but now that he is gone, so is the title.  If honors should be given to Caesar, let them be given to him as he is, a former Dictator.  After the Caesar's end he became once again a Private Citizen of Rome, as I did after my consulship.

Arguments for Public Games for Caesar's memory begin, and often end, with the recollection that he was "Parens Patriae".  I wish to remind the Senate, however, that so am I.  After the Republic had been freed of the boil named Catiline, Quintus Catulus lead the Senate in hailing me as Parens Patriae.  

I do not speak out against Public Game for Caesar out of jealousy or envy of his legacy.  I seek to give Caesar the same form of remembrance I ask for myself.

Cicero