Was it Curio\'s idea to cross the Rubicon?

[Nathan Ross]

There is a mention of Curio's shifty dealings in Appian (Civil Wars, II). Curio is initially described as 'a bitter enemy of Caesar' when he becomes Tribune of the Plebs, but also 'heavily burdened with debt'. Caesar buys his allegiance, to act as his agent-provocateur in Rome, along with the neutrality of consul Aemilius Paulus. (Appian II.26). By this account, Curio's suggestions that both Caesar and Pompey resign their commands are merely ploys, in Caesar's interest.

Later, after the consuls have panicked and presented the sword to Pompey, Curio travels to Caesar's camp at Ravenna:

After embracing Curio and returning thanks for what he had done for him, [Caesar] reviewed the situation. Curio advised him to bring his whole army together now and lead it to Rome, but Caesar thought it best still to try to come to terms. So he directed his friends to make an agreement in his behalf, that he should deliver up all his provinces and soldiers, except that he should retain two legions and Illyria with Cisalpine Gaul until he should be elected consul. This was satisfactory to Pompey, but the consuls refused. Caesar then wrote a letter to the Senate, which Curio carried a distance of 1300 stades in three days and delivered to the newly-elected consuls as they entered the senate-house on the first of January.12 The letter embraced a calm recital of all that Caesar had done from the beginning of his career and a proposal that he would lay down his command at the same time with Pompey, but that if Pompey should retain his command he would not lay down his own, but would come quickly and avenge his country's wrongs and his own. When this letter was read, as it was considered a declaration of war, a vehement shout was raised on all sides... (Appian II.32)

The same story appears in Caesar's own Commentaries:

Curio had made many and energetic struggles, in behalf of the republic and Caesar's cause: at length when he perceived that all his efforts were vain, he fled through fear of his adversaries, and informed Caesar of all the transactions that had taken place, and of the efforts made by his enemies to crush him. Caesar received Curio with great kindness, as he was a man of the highest rank, and had great claims on himself and the republic, and thanked him warmly for his numerous personal favors. But Curio, as war was being openly prepared against Caesar, advised him to concentrate his troops, and rescue the republic now oppressed by a few daring men. Caesar, although he was not ignorant of the real state of affairs, was however of opinion that particular regard should be paid to the tranquillity of the republic, lest any one should suppose that he was the originator of the war.(Caesar, Civil War, I.0)

- Nathan