De Bello Civili 1.1

BC 1.1.1Litterīs C. Caesaris cōnsulibus redditīs aegrē ab hīs impetrātum est summā tribūnōrum plēbis contentiōne ut in senātū recitārentur;

When Gaius Caesar's letter had been delivered to the consuls, it was obtained from them only with difficulty, through the utmost insistence of the tribunes of the plebs, that it should be read in the senate;

Note. The Civil War opens abruptly in January 49 BC: Caesar's letter (litterīs … redditīs, ablative absolute) offered to give up his army if Pompey did the same. impetrātum est … ut: impersonal passive, 'it was obtained that'. The tribūnī plēbis (here Antony and Cassius) were Caesar's allies; their office let them veto (intercēdere) any decree of the senate.

BC 1.1.1ut vērō ex litterīs ad senātum referrētur, impetrārī nōn potuit.

but that a motion should be put to the senate on the basis of the letter could not be obtained.

Note. ut … referrētur: 'that a motion should be put', refer(r)e ad senātum being the technical term for bringing business before the senate. Caesar's proposals were read out but not debated.

BC 1.1.2referunt cōnsulēs dē rē pūblicā īnfīnītē.

The consuls put a motion on the state of the republic in general terms.

Note. referunt … dē rē pūblicā īnfīnītē: the consuls put a general motion 'on the state of the republic', a way of avoiding a vote on Caesar's specific offer.

BC 1.1.2L. Lentulus cōnsul senātū reī pūblicae sē nōn dēfutūrum pollicētur, sī audācter ac fortiter sententiās dīcere velint;

Lucius Lentulus the consul promises that he will not fail the senate and the republic, if they are willing to state their opinions boldly and bravely;

Note. L. Lentulus: L. Cornelius Lentulus Crus, consul in 49 and one of Caesar's fiercest enemies. sē nōn dēfutūrum: indirect statement after pollicētur, with esse omitted from the future infinitive dēfutūrum (esse).

BC 1.1.3sīn Caesarem respiciant atque eius grātiam sequantur, ut superiōribus fēcerint temporibus, sē sibi cōnsilium captūrum neque senātūs auctōritātī obtemperātūrum;

but if they look to Caesar and court his favour, as they had done in former times, he will take counsel for himself and not obey the authority of the senate;

Note. sīn: 'but if'. sē sibi cōnsilium captūrum: 'he would take counsel for himself', i.e. act on his own. The future participles captūrum and obtemperātūrum stand for future infinitives.

BC 1.1.3habēre sē quoque ad Caesaris grātiam atque amīcitiam receptum.

he too, he says, has a refuge in Caesar's favour and friendship.

Note. receptum: 'a refuge, a way back' (receptus, -ūs). Lentulus is threatening to change sides himself.

BC 1.1.4in eandem sententiam loquitur Scīpiō: Pompēiō esse in animō reī pūblicae nōn dēesse, sī senātus sequātur;

Scipio speaks to the same effect: Pompey intends not to fail the republic, if the senate follows him;

Note. Scīpiō: Q. Caecilius Metellus Scipio, Pompey's father-in-law. Pompeiō esse in animō: 'it is in Pompey's mind', i.e. Pompey intends. reī pūblicae nōn deesse: 'not to fail the republic' (deesse + dative).

BC 1.1.4sī cūnctētur atque agat lēnius, nēquīquam eius auxilium, sī posteā velit, senātum implōrātūrum.

if it hesitates and acts too gently, the senate will beg for his help in vain, should it want it later.

Note. nēquīquam … implōrātūrum: 'would beg in vain'. Scipio's threat: if the senate dithers now, Pompey will not help later.