In a letter to Atticus, written in mid-December 50 b.c.e., Cicero included Labienus’ wealth among the milestones of Caesar’s ignominous rise to power (7.7.6). At this time, Labienus was in charge of Cisalpine Gaul, a move calculated, at least ostensibly, to promote his candidature for the consulship with Caesar in 48.[1] But by now Labienus had been approached by Caesar’s enemies (Hirt. BG 8.52.3). Cicero had no inkling, however, of these negotiations and reckoned Labienus, along with Mamurra and Balbus, as a prominent Caesarian. This in itself is not surprising. Although Caesar had been informed, the knowledge of the solicitation of Labienus need not have been widespread. But on December 11 and later on the twenty-fifth, Cicero discussed with Pompey the possibility of war.[2] On the first occasion, Pompey thought it certain and, two weeks later, even desirable. If he knew of the advances toward Labienus, a topic certainly relevant to their conversations, he did not tell Cicero. When they met outside Rome[3] on January 17, 49 b.c.e., Pompey must have again said nothing of Labienus, for a few days later Cicero was surprised by the rumor that he had left Caesar:[4]