625. Pro Marcello by Marcus Tullius Cicero- summary

625. August 29, 2009.  Pro Marcello by Marcus Tullius Cicero. Loeb Edition.
 
         In 51 B.C. Marcus Claudius Marcellus was consul.  He made it clear early on that he intended to challenge Caesar's right to remain governor of Gaul and challenge the legality of his acts.  When Civil War came, Marcellus probably was at Pharsalia.  After battle he withdrew from political activity and refused, when the war was over, to ask for pardon.  At a dramatic moment in the Senate, Marcellus' cousin, Gaius, and virtually the entire Senate approached Caesar to gain the pardon for Marcellus.  Caesar agreed to allow him to return.  Cicero who had not spoken in the Senate since the beginning of the war in 49 rose and gave this speech. Here is a quick summary:

    Cicero congratulates Caesar on overcoming his anger and granting the pardon.  He praises Caesar's abilities to the skies. Then suggests the restoration of the Republic and concludes with expression of admiration for Marcellus and for Caesar's generosity.

    This has served as a club against Cicero by some scholars, because he so openly praises Caesar.  This has been interpreted as groveling by some and lack of fortitude by others.  Here is my view of the matter.

    Cicero praises Caesar to the skies because he knew his man.  Caesar was someone whose ego was so bloated that to protect his dignity, he plunged his country into a savage war, no not a savage war but a savage civil war. 

    Cicero refers specifically to Caesar's battles in Gaul and on the Rhine but refers much, much more obliquely to those battles which tore the country apart.  When Cicero does refer to the civil war he refers to Caesar's efforts to minimize casualties.

    Early in the speech Cicero says:
    ...te auctoritatem huius ordinis dignitatemque rei publicae tuis vel doloribus vel suspicionibus anteferre
    ...you place the authority of this order and the dignity of the Republic ahead of your own pains and suspicions.

    Cicero seems to be saying that Caesar's act of pardon gave at least a measure of authority back to the Senate, whether Caesar had intended or not.

    Much of the early part of the speech seems to be designed to make it clear that Caesar is the master, gentle but master nevertheless.  Consequently Caesar must protect himself in order to protect those whose existence rely on his survival.

    Many must have nodded approval.  However, I also suggest that Senators also sat there wondering how this fit into the fabric of 400 plus years of the Roman Republic. 

    Cicero also points out that Caesar's foes are dead.  This statement may have had more negative impact which some seem to neglect.  By saying what he says Cicero subtly dramatizes the massive power Caesar has acquired via the slaughter of his opponents.

    Not long after this Cicero says: noli...defetigari... specie quadam rei publicae.  Do not become weary of (at least) a certain semblance of the Republic.  This may have caused Caesar to shift uncomfortably in his seat.

    Cicero comments several times about potential threats to Caesar's life.  Sed quinam est iste tam demens?  Who in the world is so out of their skull?  De tuisne...?  Is it one of your friends?  It was not beyond Cicero's powers to perceive that Caesar's position of unquestioned power was a major source of danger. Multos timere debet quem multi timent. Whom many fear ought to fear many.   Publilius Syrus is on target here. Cicero may suggest to Caesar: because of the position you have, there is danger to your life.  That danger will remain until there is some semblance of the Republic.

    There seem to be two ways of looking at this:  Cicero a fawning lap dog or maybe a blunt dramatization that Caesar has eliminated all foes and rivals.  It would have been suicide for Cicero to say- restore the Republic or die.  But just that lies below the surface. 

    It seems even clearer when Cicero says:
    doleoque, cum res publica immortalis esse debeat eam in unius mortalis anima consistere.  ...and I grieve, when the Republic ought to be immortal, that it relies on the breath of one man. 

    I do not see how this can be construed as a compliment.

    Cicero moves closer to direct language:
            omnia sunt excitanda tibi, C. Caesar, uni...
            constituenda iudicia
            revocanda fides
            comprimendae libidines
            propaganda suboles
            everything must be revitalized by you
            courts must be restored
            trust must be shored up
            unlawful desires must be curbed
            the birth rate needs attention

    This is somewhat in response to Caesar's often repeated saying that he has lived long enough for a natural life and for gloria.  Gloria can mean renown but also ambition, pride.  I am not so sure that Cicero, who used in other speeches vague language which could be taken either way, was not doing the same thing here.  Cicero may be making Caesar seem selfish and self-centered.  He began a war to protect his personal dignity, but now because of events, more is at stake than himself, his standing.  It is not all about Caesar.

    Cicero also refers to the disaster the war brought to the country.  The country paid for Caesar's defense of his dignitas. 

    Leadership has been lost in the Senate.  The country is in chaos and Caesar talks about how he has lived long enough for his fame (or ambition). What you did, Caesar, put the country in total dependence upon you.  Now you seem to make no provisions beyond yourself.

    There is a hint that Cicero knew in advance Marcus Marcellus would be pardoned:

            ...sed quia non est omnibus stantibus necesse dicere, a me certe dici volunt...

            but because it is not necessary for each member to speak, they do wish these things to be said by me...

    This means that there were Senators sitting there visually or silently signing approval.  A hint of orchestration suggests that a meeting took place and Cicero was to lead the charge. 

    It just maybe that Caesar's fate was sealed when he ignored Cicero's suggestion and then planned to leave matters in the air and head off against Parthia.  And Cicero displayed more guts than often given credit for.  He was a careful, methodical planer who understood the minutiae of careful attention to details.