DCCCXCV (F XI, 13, §§ 4 AND 5)
[DECIMUS BRUTUS AND L. MUNATIUS PLANCUS TO
THE SENATE AND MAGISTRATES]
(CULARO, ABOUT 9 JUNE)
...they had hoped,1 because they
neither thought that the four legions of Plancus
were a match for their forces, nor believed that
an army could be brought across the Alps from
Italy with such speed. Yet the Allobroges
themselves with the whole body of
cavalry—sent forward by us with that
express purpose—have been able to hold
them in check up to now in a confident manner
enough: and when we arrive we feel sure that they
will be still more easily held up.
Nevertheless, if they have by any chance crossed
the Isara, we shall take the greatest care to
prevent loss to the public service. We would have
you be of high courage and entertain the best
hopes of the public safety, since you see our
armies united in complete sympathy and prepared
for any and every service on your behalf.
Nevertheless you must not relax in your earnest
attention, and you must do your best to enable us
in defence of your safety to confront, in the
highest state of preparation both as to men and
other necessaries, the utterly abominable
combination of our enemies, who have in fact
suddenly converted the forces, which they had long
been collecting under pretence of serving the
state, to the purpose of endangering their
country.
(CULARO, ABOUT 9 JUNE)
