Letter coll=F:book=6:letter=14 Letter LXVI: ad familiares 6.14
Rome, Nov. 26 (Sept. 23 of the Julian calendar), 46 B.C.
Q. Ligarius was in 50 B.C.
legate in charge of the province of Africa. When in 49 B.C.
the Pompeian P. Attius Varus, who had formerly been propraetor of Africa, appeared in the province, Ligarius delivered it over to him, and assisted him later in maintaining his position against L. Aelius Tubero, who had been sent out by the senate as governor. After the battle of Thapsus, in which Ligarius took part against Caesar, he was captured by the Caesarians, and in 46 B.C.
was living in exile. The combined efforts of Cicero and the relatives of Ligarius had thus far failed to secure his recall. To prevent the success of the movement in his behalf, Q. Tubero, son of Aelius Tubero, brought a charge de vi against him. In his defense Cicero delivered an oration (still extant), which made so deep an impression upon Caesar, who presided at the trial (cf. pro Lig. 37), that Ligarius was ultimately recalled. He joined later the conspiracy against Caesar, and was probably put to death under the Second Triumvirate.
[sect. 1]
exploratum habeam: Cf. sollicitum habent, Ep. LI.1n. and Intr. 84d.