§15.1.1S. v. v. h. e. e. q. v. etsi non dubie mihi nuntiabatur Parthos transisse Euphratem cum omnibus fere suis copiis, tamen, quod arbitrabar a M. Bibulo procos.
S. v. v. h. e. e. q. v. (If you are well, and if things are according to your wish, I am well.) Although it was reported to me without doubt that the Parthians had crossed the Euphrates with almost all their forces, yet, because I thought that more certain reports concerning these matters could be written to you by the proconsul Marcus Bibulus, I decided that it was not necessary for me to write officially about things reported from another's province.
certiora de his rebus ad vos scribi posse, statuebam mihi non necesse esse publice scribere ea quae de alterius provincia nuntiarentur. postea vero quam certissimis auctoribus, legatis, nuntiis, 10 litteris, sum certior factus, vel quod tanta res erat vel quod nondum audieramus Bibulum in Syriam venisse vel quia administratio huius belli mihi cum Bibulo paene est communis, quae ad me delata essent scribenda ad vos putavi.
But after I was made more certain by most reliable authorities—by legates, messengers, and letters—either because the matter was so important, or because we had not yet heard that Bibulus had arrived in Syria, or because the administration of this war is almost shared between me and Bibulus, I thought that the things reported to me ought to be written to you.
§15.1.2Regis Antiochi Commageni legati primi mihi nuntiarunt is Parthorum magnas copias Euphratem transire coepisse.
The legates of King Antiochus of Commagene first reported to me that large forces of the Parthians had begun to cross the Euphrates.
quo nuptio adlato, cum essent non nulli qui ei regi minorem fidem habendam putarent, statui exspectandum esse si quid certius adferretur.
When this report was brought, since there were some who thought that less credit should be given to that king, I decided that I should wait to see if any more certain information would be brought.
A. d. xiii K. Oct. , cum exercitum in Ciliciam ducerem, in finibus Lycaoniae et Cappadociae mihi litterae redditae sunt a Tarcondimoto, qui fidelissimus socius trans Taurum amicissimusque p. R. existimatur, Pacorum Orodi regis Parthorum filium cum permagno equitatu Parthico transisse Euphratem et castra posuisse Tybae, magnumque tumultum esse in provincia Syria excitatum.
On September 19, while I was leading the army into Cilicia, at the borders of Lycaonia and Cappadocia, a letter was delivered to me from Tarcondimotus, who is considered the most faithful ally beyond the Taurus and the greatest friend to the Roman people, stating that Pacorus, the son of Orodes, the king of the Parthians, had crossed the Euphrates with a very large Parthian cavalry and had pitched camp at Tyba, and that a great tumult had been excited in the province of Syria.
eodem die ab Iamblicho, phylarcho Arabum, quem homines opinantur bene sentire amicumque esse rei p. nostrae, litterae de isdem rebus mihi redditae sunt.
On the same day, a letter concerning the same matters was delivered to me from Iamblichus, the phylarch of the Arabs, whom people believe to have good feelings and to be a friend to our republic.
§15.1.3his rebus adlatis, etsi intellegebam socios infirme animatos esse et novarum rerum exspectatione suspensos, sperabam tamen eos, ad quos iam accesseram quique nostram mansuetudinem integritatemque perspexerant, amiciores p. R. esse factos, Ciliciam autem firmiorem fore, si aequitatis nostrae particeps facta esset.
When these reports were brought, although I understood that the allies were weakly disposed and suspended in expectation of a revolution, yet I hoped that those whom I had already approached and who had perceived our clemency and integrity had been made friendlier to the Roman people, and that Cilicia would be firmer if it were made a partner in our justice.
et ob eam causam et ut opprimerentur ii qui ex Cilicum gente in armis essent, et ut hostis is qui esset in Syria sciret exercitum p. R. non modo non cedere iis nuntiis adlatis sed etiam propius accedere, exercitum ad Taurum institui ducere.
And for this reason, and so that those of the Cilician nation who were in arms might be suppressed, and so that the enemy who was in Syria might know that the army of the Roman people, so far from retreating upon the receipt of these reports, was even approaching closer, I decided to lead the army to the Taurus.
§15.1.4sed si quid apud vos auctoritas mea ponderis habet, in iis praesertim rebus, quas vos audistis, ego paene cerno, magno opere vos et hortor et moneo ut his provinciis serius vos quidem quam decuit, sed aliquando tamen consulatis.
But if my authority has any weight with you, especially in those matters which you have heard of and I almost see, I greatly urge and advise you that you should at last provide for these provinces—later indeed than was fitting, but yet at some time.
nos quem ad modum instructos et quibus praesidiis munitos ad tanti belli opinionem miseritis non estis ignari.
In what way you sent us out, equipped and fortified with what protections for the expectation of so great a war, you are not ignorant.
quod ego negotium non stultitia occaecatus sed verecundia deterritus non recusavi; neque enim umquam ullum periculum tantum putavi quod subterfugere mallem ' quam vestrae auctoritati obtemperare.
I did not refuse this task, not because I was blinded by folly, but because I was deterred by respect; for I never thought any danger so great that I would prefer to escape it rather than obey your authority.
§15.1.5hoc autem tempore res sese sic habet ut, nisi exercitum tantum, quantum ad maximum bellum mittere soletis, mature in has provincias miseritis, summum periculum sit ne amittendae sint omnes hae provinciae, quibus vectigalia p. R. continentur.
But at this time the matter is in such a state that, unless you send maturely into these provinces an army as large as you are accustomed to send to the greatest war, there is the greatest danger that all these provinces, on which the revenues of the Roman people depend, must be lost.
quam ob rem autem in hoc provinciali dilectu spem habeatis aliquam causa nulla est.
Furthermore, there is no reason why you should have any hope in this provincial levy.
neque multi sunt et diffugiunt qui sunt metu oblato; et quod genus hoc militum sit iudicavit vir fortissimus M. Bibulus in Asia, qui, cum vos ei permisissetis, dilectum habere noluerit.
They are not many, and those who are there flee when fear is presented; and what kind of soldiers these are has been judged by that most brave man Marcus Bibulus in Asia, who, although you had permitted him, refused to hold a levy.
nam sociorum auxilia propter acerbitatem atque iniurias imperi nostri aut ita imbecilla sunt ut non multum nos iuvare possint, aut ita alienata a nobis ut neque exspectandum ab iis neque committendum iis quicquam esse videatur.
For the auxiliary forces of the allies, because of the bitterness and injustices of our rule, are either so weak that they cannot help us much, or so alienated from us that it seems nothing should be expected from them nor anything committed to them.
§15.1.6Regis Deiotari et voluntatem et copias, quantaecumque sunt, nostras esse duco; Cappadocia est inanis, reliqui reges tyrannique neque opibus satis firmi nec voluntate sunt.
I consider the goodwill and the forces of King Deiotarus, whatever they may be, to be ours; Cappadocia is empty; the other kings and tyrants are neither firm enough in resources nor in goodwill.
mihi in hac paucitate ' militum animus certe non deerit, spero ne consilium quidem; quid casurum sit incertum est.
In this scarcity of soldiers, courage will certainly not fail me, and I hope not even counsel; what will happen is uncertain.
utinam saluti nostrae consulere possimus! dignitati certe consulemus.
Would that we could provide for our safety! We shall certainly provide for our dignity.