[sect. 2]
magis idoneum: see introd. note to Ep. XLII. and mederi, Ep. XLII.2n.
cum primum potui: sc. after Jan. 4, on his arrival from Cilicia. Cf. Fam. 4.1.1; 16.12.2; 4.14.2; Vell. Paterc. 2.48.5.
belli: Cicero is thinking of the fact that he had not accompanied the Pompeians in their flight. Furthermore, he had done practically nothing to levy recruits for the Pompeians in Campania. Cf. nihil fugam, Ep. XLV.5n. While Cicero's statement in the text seems to be true, it does not harmonize with the impression which he sought to convey to Pompey a month earlier; cf. Att. 8.11B.2. See also Att. 7.14.2.
beneficio: with reference to the law passed in 52 B.C.
giving Caesar the right to sue for the consulship while absent from the city. Cf. Ep. XLII. introd. note, and Intr. 26.