Such a position was accepted by Quintus, our Cicero's brother, and in performance of the duties which fell to him he incurred terrible danger, having been nearly destroyed by the Gauls in his winter quarters among the Nervii.

Labienus, who was Caesar's right-hand man in Gaul, was of the same politics as Cicero--so much so that when Caesar rebelled against the Republic, Labienus, true to the Republic, would no longer fight on Caesar's side.

It was open to Cicero, without disloyalty, to accept the offer made to him; but with an insight into what was coming, of which he himself was hardly conscious, he could not bring himself to accept offers which in themselves were alluring, but which would seem in future times to have implied on his part an assent to the breaking up of the Republic.

[Greek: Aideomai Troas kai Troadas elkesipeplous.] What will be said of me in history by my citizens if I now do simply that which may best suit my own happiness?
Had he done so, Pliny and the others would not have spoken of him as they have spoken, and it would not have been worth the while of modern lovers of Caesarism to write books against the one patriot of his age.
During the remainder of this year, B.C.59, Cicero was at Rome, and seems gradually to have become aware that a personal attack was to be made upon him.

At the close of a long and remarkable letter written to his brother Quintus in November, he explains the state of his own mind, showing us, who have now before us the future which was hidden from him, how greatly mistaken he was as to the results which were to be expected.
He had been telling his brother how nearly Cato had been murdered for calling Pompey, in public, a Dictator.