I.
Exordium (§§ 1, 2).
Solicitude of the Senate for Cicero. But the question of the traitors'
doom must be settled without regard to such considerations.
si haec
,
etc., i.e. if the consulship has been given me on these terms.
at ... perferrem
, subst. clause of
purpose in apposition with
condicio.
ego sum ille consul
, I am a consul
(i.e. that kind of consul).
aequitas
: in the Forum was the
tribunal of the praetor who
administered justice between citizens.
campus
: see note on Cat. 1, sect. [11] ( [p. 104, l. 7]
).
auspicus
:
the taking of the auspices always preceded the election.
The Roman commonwealth was regarded as depending directly upon the will of
the gods. Their will was thought to be expressed in signs sent by them (auspicia). These could be observed only under
the supervision of the board of augurs, a body whose duty it was to know the
rules of interpretation as a special science called jus
augurium. Most public acts of any kind had to be performed auspicato, especially the holding of all public
assemblies in which business was transacted. Thus the Campus was
"consecrated by auspices" every time that the comitia
centuriata were held.
auxilium
:
the Roman Senate, having the management of foreign affairs, was at this
time a great court of appeal for subject or friendly nations.
sedes lionoris
, i.e. the sella curulis or seat used by the curule magistrates: viz. interrex,
dictator, magister equitum, consul, praetor censor, and
curule aedile. It was like a modern camp-stool without back or
sides, with crossed legs of ivory, so that it could be folded up and
carried with the magistrate wherever he went. The bracketed words sella curalis are doubtless an explanatory
marginal note.
fuit
: we should expect the subj. of
characteristic, but the indic. is used (as often) to emphasize the
fact.
at . . . eriperem
(l.15, below): subst.
clause of result, in appos. with exitum
(l.10).
foedissima
, horrible,
with the added idea of polluting things sacred.
sabeatur
,
hortatory subjunctive.
fatale
: see Cat. 3, sect. [9] (p.130).
laeter
: § [444]
(268); B. 277; G. 466; H. 559, 4 (484, v); H-B. 513, I: apodosis, see § [515],
a (306, a); G. 595; H. 586 (508, 4); H-B. 582, I.
II.
Propositio (§§ 3-10).
The Senators need not fear for Cicero: they should take counsel for
the
welfare of the state. Enormous guilt of the conspirators, judgment
has
been already rendered by the action of the Senate. The sole question
is:
What shall be the punishment?
pro eo . . . ac mereor
, in proportion as
1 deserve.
relaturos gratiam
, will
reward ("return favor": cf. habere,
agere).
immatura
:
because an ex-consul had reached the highest point of Roman ambition.
misera
:
the philosophy of the ancients professed to make them despise death (see
Plato, Apologia, and Cicero, Tusc. Quaest. 1.
ille ferreas, qui
, so iron-hearted as
(hence
movear, subj.).
fratris
: his brother Quintus, younger
than he, and at this time praetor
elect. He served with credit in Caesar's Gallic campaigns.
neqae . . . non
, nor can it be but
that, etc.: the two negatives make an affirmative, but with a
kind of emphasis which the simple affirmative statement could not give.
axor
:
his wife Terentia.
filia
: his daughter Tullia, married
to C. Calpurnius Piso. Daughters took the gentile name of the father;
see § [108], b (So, c); G. P- 493; H. 354, 9 (649,
4); H.-B. 678,5.
filias
:
his son Marcus, now two years old.
gener
:
Piso was not yet a member of the Senate, and was probably standing in
the lobby.
moveor
(emphat., as shown by its
position), I am affected .
ati sint
, [to wish] that,
etc. (the verb being implied in moveor
);
pereamus
is in the same construction
as sint .
ana . . . peste
,
i.e. by a destruction which is at the same time that of the whole state.
non Ti. Gracchus
, etc.: to preserve the
emphasis, render it
is
not
Ti. Gracchus who, etc. For the historical allusions, cf.
Cat. 1, sects. [3], [4] (p. 100), and notes.
agrarios
: see note on [p. 147, l. 29].
Memmium
:
C. Memmius, one of the most upright men of his time; he was a candidate
for the consulship against Glaucia, and was murdered by instigation of
Glaucia and Saturninus (B.C. ion).
tenentur
, are in custody:
to preserve the emphasis we may Change the voice, - we have in
our hands.
vestram Omnium
: § [302],
e (184, d); B. 243,3, a; G.321, R.2; H-B. 339, b.
ut. . . nemo
: instead of the usual ne quis or ne
quisquam because of the following ne
. . . quidem; § [538],
310, a, b (319, d, R., cf. 105, d, N.); G. 543, 4, cf. 317, I; H. 568,
Cf. 513 (497, ii, cf. 457); Cf. H.-B. 276, I and 7.
judicils
:
their verdict on the conspirators' guilt consisted in the acts recounted
in the following clauses.
gratias egistis
: Cf. relaturos, [p.
142, l. 25].
abdicare
, etc.: see Cat. ut sect. [14]
( [p. 133, l.
4]), and note.
sed
,
i.e. though you have in fact decided.
tamquam integrum
, as if an
open question (i.e. as if you had not already expressed your
judgment).
judicetis
refers to their
judgment as a court with respect to the facts;
censeatis
, to their view
as a public council respecting the punishment.
illa . . . consulis
, etc., I will say
in advance what belongs to [me as] the
consul: i.e. declare the need of instant action;
what action, it is for the Senate to determine; for
construction, see § [343],4 (214, c); G. 366; H. 439
(401); H.-B. 340.
nova . . . misceri
, that a
revolution subversive of the government was on
foot ;
nova
(subject of
misceri
) means innovations
or unconstitutional
measures ;
misceri
refers to the disorder which these would produce.
concitari mala
, that evil
designs were set in motion.
videbam
: for tense, see § [471], b (277, b); B. 260, 4; G. 234; H. 535(469, 2);
H.-B. 485.
opinione
: § [406],a(247,
b); B.217,4; G.398,N.1; H. 471,7 (417, 1, N.1); H.-B. 416, e.
provincias
,
especially Spain, with which Cn. Piso had had relations. It had not yet
become fully reconciled since the overthrow of Sertorius, only eight
years before.
sustentando
, by forbearance
;
prolatando
, by
procrastination.
ratione
:
abl. of manner.
placet
, sc.
vindicare.
Silanus proposes death; Caesar, perpetual imprisonment. Caesar's
proposition discussed.
haec
(with a gesture), all
this, i.e. city, citizens, and government.
amplectitur
, adopts.
pro
, in
accordance with.
versatur in
, exhibits
.
mortem
,
etc.: a doctrine of the Epicureans, to which sect Caesar and many other
eminent Romans belonged.
et ea
: cf. note on [p.
136, l. 17].
municipus dispertiri
, Sc.
eos in
custodiam
.
iniquitatem
,
since it might expose them to danger, and it would be unjust to choose
among so many;
difficultatem
,
since they might decline the service.
statueritis
:
subj. of integral part.
dignitatis
: § [343],
c (214, d) ; cf. B. 198, 3; G. 366, R.1; H 439, 3 (401, N.2); cf. H.-B.
340.
adjungit
, he [Caesar]
adds to his proposal.
ruperit
: § [592],
2 (341, c) ; cf. B. 323; G. 366; H. 439 (401); H.-B. 536, a.
sancit
,
ordains (under penalties).
per senatum
, by an executive decree;
per populum, by a law.
uno
, Sc.
dolore.
itaque
,
etc.: an artful way of making the punishment of death seem less cruel;
since death is a relief, these myths, says Cicero, have been invented to
give it terror.
eis remotis
: equiv. to a fut. protasis; § [521], a
(310, a); G. 593,2 ; H. 638, 2 (549, 2); H.-B. 578, 6.
mea
: § [355],a
(222,a); B. 211, i,a; G.381; H. 449, I (408, t 2); H.-B. 345.
popularis
, not popular
but devoted to the people,
democratic: Caesar was now the recognized leader of this
party.
auctore
(abl. abs.), proposer
;
cognitore
, sponsor (a
legal term).
majorum
: none of Caesar 5 ancestors
were men of any distinction, although some distant relatives were
prominent in public affairs in the time of Sulla; see note on [p.
137, l. 23]. He belonged, however, to one of the oldest
patrician families.
obsidom
,
i.e. he is pledged at all events to defend the state as against the
conspirators.
interesset
: for tense, see § [485], d (287, d); H.-B. 482, I. levitatem, want
of principle, i.e. of the steady purpose, or stability of
character, implied in
gravitas.
saluti
, i.e. not voluntati: their interests, not their
capricious wishes. >
non neminem
: it is said that the
person referred to was Q. Metellus Nepos, brother of Celer (see Cat. 1,
sect. [19]), a partisan of Pompey and an
enemy of Cicero.
dedit
,
decrevit
,
adfecit
:
i.e. gave his vote for these acts. With this, of course, his present
action is inconsistent.
qui
has
for antecedent the subject of
judicarit
.
re
, the
matter (in general);
causa
, the
issue to be decided.
C. Caesar
: the full name gives
emphasis, contrasting him with the non nemo
( [p.
145, l. 29]). Caesar votes for a judgment against the
conspirators which seems contrary to the Sempronian Law, but
he, a true friend of the people (vere
popularis), recognizes that this law applies to Roman citizens
only, and that it therefore cannot protect these traitors.
Semproniam
: see note on "Crucifixion,"
etc., [p. 61, l.
10].
latorem
,
i.e. C. Gracchus.
jussu populi
: not strictly true, for
C. Gracchus was put to death, not by
order
of the people, but by virtue of the dictatorial authority
conferred upon the consuls by the Senate.
rei publicae
:
dative.
dependisse
: punishment with the Romans
was regarded as a penalty
paid by the offender to the injured party (hence dare,
solvere, pendere of the guilty; capere,
petere, repetere, postulare, etc., of the person wronged).
Lentulum
: by discussing this
conspirator as an example of the would-be
popularis, Cicero skillfully throws discredit on the non nemo (p. 145, l.29) and others like
him.
largitorem
, etc., i.e. however
lavish, — a symptom of courting the popular favor.
se jactare
, i.e. as a pretended
friend of liberty, like the non
nemo above.
omnis cruciattis
:
accusative plural.
III.
Contentio (§§ 11-19).
Death is none too severe a penalty; rigor in punishing the
conspirators
is mercy to the city. Opinion of L. Caesar.
quamob rem
,
etc.: because Caesar's view has in Caesar a popular sponsor, while the
view of Silanus is in fact the more merciful one.
statueritis
,
dederitis: § [516], c and N. (307, c and
a.); G. 595, N.2; H. 540, 2 (473, 2); cf. H.-B. 490.
contionem
: see Introd. to Manilian
Law in notes (p.272). The action of the consul would have to be
justified before the people, who might regard it as a tyrannical
measure. In this justification Cicero would have Caesar to assist him.
obtinebo eam
, make it appear
that it [this view], etc.
ita . . . liceat
:
an asseveration like our "so help me God." The point lies in the idea of
"so and not otherwise" implied in it.
ut . . . moveor
, as [it is
true that] I am influenced, etc.
animo
, hr my mind's eye
(properly, abl. of means).
patria
, native
city.
cum vero
:
vero
introduces (as often) the most
striking point. The other conspirators are bad enough, but when,
etc.
Vestalium
: see note on [p. 130, l. 19].
si quis
: for form, see § [148], b, N. (104, a, N.); G. 106, R.; H. 512, I
(454, I); cf. H-B. 141, a.
sumpserit
: see note on dependisse, [p. 146, l. 7];
for tense, see note on statueritis, [p.
146, l.
17].
ut . . . conlocarent
: purp. clause in
appos. with id .
nisi vero
, etc.: reductio ad absurdum, as usual with this
phrase; § [525], b, N. (315, b, N.); G. 591, R.4;
H.-B. 578, 31 a.
L. Caesar
: L. Caesar (consul B.C. 64), was a distant relative of the
Dictator, son of Lucius Caesar (consul B.C. 90,
the year of the Social War), the author of the law giving citizenship to
the Italian allies (see note, Arch., sect. [7]).
The sister of Lucius Caesar (the younger) was married to Lentulus, and
his mother, Fulvia, was daughter of M. Fulvius Flaccus, the leading
adherent of C. Gracchus. When Gracchus and Flaccus found themselves (B.C. 121) drawn into a collision with the
Senate, they sent the young son of Flaccus with a proposition of
compromise. The Senate, however, refused to listen to any terms, threw
the messenger into prison, — where he was afterwards strangled, —and
moved upon the insurgents with all the power of the state. In the
contest that followed, both leaders and several thousands of their
partisans lost their lives. It was to these events that L. Caesar had
appealed in justifying his vote in condemnation of his brother-in-law
Lentulus.
ejus
refers to
avum
.
legatum
: of course the informal
messenger of insurgents could have no claim to the title
ambassador, or to the privileges which attached to the title in
ancient as well as modern times.
quorum
limits
factum
: understand with simile some
word describing the present conspiracy (what
act of theirs was like this?).
largitionis . . . versata
est
: the plans of C.
Gracchus embraced not only a lex
frutmentaria, allowing every citizen to buy a certain
amount of corn from the state at less than half its market rate, and a lex agraria, providing for the distribution
of public land among the poorer citizens, but also the establishment of
several colonies, both in Italy and the provinces, the object of which
was at once to provide poor citizens with land, and to relieve the city,
by emigration, of a part of its proletariat. Though these grants were
perhaps just, yet their proposal was regarded by the nobility as a
political bid for popular favor, and hence gave rise to violent party
jealousy (partium
contentio).
avus
(see note on [p.
131, l. 6]): he was an active supporter of the Senate on this
occasion;
ille
(1.32) refers to the same person.
urbem inflammandam
:
according to Sallust's Catiline, ch. 43, this work was assigned to
Gabinius and Statilius.
vereamini
follows
censeo
(ironical), as if with ut omitted.
Severe measures will be supported by the people. The humblest
Citizens
are stanch. The Senators are urged to act fearlessly: the consul
will
not fail them.
voces
,
remarks.
eorum
, on
the part of those, etc.
vereri . . . ut
: § [564](331,
f); B. 296, 2; G. 550, 2; 11.567, I (498, iii, N.1); H.-B. 502, 4.
mea
, etc.: observe the antithesis
between mea
summa
cura and majore
populi. . . voluntate .
ad
,
for.
consentiunt
, unite.
ita . . ut
, only to, etc.
(lit. with this
limitation that): see § [537], b (319,
b); G. 552, R3; H-B. 521, 2, d.
summam ordinis consilique
, superiority
in rank andprecedence in counsel ,
hujus ordinis
(i.e. the Senate) limits dissensione in the sense of cum hoc, etc. For the long contest here
alluded to, see Introduction, p. lxv.
quam st etc.
, and if we keep this
union, etc.
confirmo
, I assure, in
a different sense from confirmatam:
Latin style does not (as ours does) object to such repetitions with a
variation in meaning.
tribunos aerarios
, deans
if the tribes. The Roman people were divided into
thirty-five tribes, local and territorial, like wards. These tribes were
made the basis of the comitia
centuriata, as well as of the comitia
tributa. They served also as general administrative and
financial divisions. From the latter character the name tribuni aerarii was given to their
presiding officers.
scribas
: the scribae
quaestorii (treasury clerks) formed an important and powerful
corporation. As they were a permanent body, while the
quaestors
(treasurers) were elected annually, they had the real responsibility in
the management of the treasury.
sortis
: the quaestors entered upon
office on the Nones of December (Dec. 5); all other patrician
magistrates on the first of January. The scribae
had therefore come together in order to be present while the quaestors
drew lots for their provinces.
ingenuorum
, free-born. Freedmen, libertini, were always regarded as inferior
in rank, if not in civil and political rights. Even these, however, are
shown in the next chapter to be interested in the safety of the
republic.
sua vktute
: manumission was very
commonly bestowed as the reward of some peculiar merit in the slave.
hic nati
,
i.e. citizens, as contrasted with the manumitted slaves (who were for
the most part of foreign birth).
qui modo . . . sit
: § [535],
d (320, d); H.-B. 579, N.2.
condicione
: § [415],
N. (251, N.); Cf. B. 224, I; G. 400; H. 473, 2, N.1 (419, 2 4); H.-B.
443.
voluntatis
: partitive gen. with
quantum, as if tantum
voluntatis quantum, etc.
circum tabernas
,
i.e. among the artisans. The Roman shops were like little stalls along
the street, open in front, with a "long room," or perhaps two, at the
back.
cubile ac lectulum
:
both words mean nearly the same thing, and imply a very humble way of
living.
otiosum
,
peaceable; so oti (1.6).
quorum
relates to eorum, three lines above.
incensis
, Sc.
tabernis.
futurum fuit fuisset
; § [517],
d (308, d); G. 597, R3 H. 582 (51 I, 2); H-B. 581, a; the protasis is implied in
incensis
.
populi Romani
, as contrasted with the
Senate: cf. the formula Senatus
Populusque Romanus.
impiae
,
impious (in its strict sense a want of filial duty).
arcem et Capitolium
: the Capitoline was a
saddle-shaped hill, having the temple of Jupiter Capitolinus
(Capitolium) on the southwestern point and the old citadel (arx) on the northeastern (see Cat. 3, sect. [20]). Since Jupiter Capitolinus was the
protecting divinity of Rome, his temple was the most sacred spot in the
whole empire.
aras Penatium
: the Penates were gods of the household and the
larder (penus), worshipped by every paterfamilias in his own atrium. The state, being developed from the
family, had likewise its Penates, which were fabled to have been brought
by Aeneas from Troy and established at Lavinium, whence they were
transferred to Alba Longa, and afterwards to Rome. Their temple was on
the Velia, the low hill Connecting the Palatine and Esquiline.
ignem Vestue
: the temple of Vesta was
on the Sacra
Via, toward the Palatine, — a small round building
containing the symbolic household fire of the Roman state. see note on
the Vestals, [p. 130, l. 19] .
focis
: the
focus, the symbol of household life, was a brazier for burning
charcoal. It originally stood at the rear end of the atrium, or great hall, of the house. Later
it was moved, for all practical purposes, to the kitchen, but a
representative focus remained in the atrium
and continued to be the symbol of household life.
quae facultas
: § [307],
e (201, d); cf. B. 251, 4, b; G. 616, 2; H.-B. 327.
in civili causa
, on a political
question.
quantis . . . delerit
:
this clause will be best turned into English by translating the
participles
fundatum
,
etc., as verbs, and
delerit
as a relative clause, — with
how great toil this empire was established, which one night,
etc. In Latin the question is contained in the interrogative modifiers
of imperium and not in the main clause.
IV.
Peroratio (§§ 20-24).
Cicero is undismayed: his fame is secure. He has undertaken a
perpetual
war with the bad elements in the state; but the result is certain.
Then
let the Senate dare to act rigorously.
me . . . factorum
: for cases, see § [354], b (22 I, b); B. 209, I; G. 377; 11.457(409,
iii); H-B. 352, I.
gesta
: abl. abs. with re publica.
Scipio
: the elder Africanus, who
brought the Second Punic War to a triumphant close by the battle of
Zama, B.C.
202. By "carrying the war into Africa," he forced Hannibal to
retire from Italy.
alter Africanus
: the younger, surnamed
Aemilianus. He was the son of L. Aemilius Paulus (mentioned below), and
adopted by the son of the elder Africanus. He captured Carthage, B.C. 146, and Numantia, in Spain, B.C. 133.
Paulus
: father of the younger
Africanus, and, like his son, the most eminent and upright man of his
generation. He brought the Third Macedonian War to a close by the battle
of Pydna, B.C. 168, and led King Perseus
captive in his triumphal procession.
currum
[
triumphalem]: the captives did not go with or behind the
triumphal chariot, but preceded it in the procession.
bis liberavit
: by the victories over
the German invaders, —over the Teutones at Aquae Sextiae (B.C. 102), and the Cimbri at Vercellae (B.C. 101).
Pompeius
:
it should be remembered that Pompey was now in the East, in the midst of
his career of conquest, and that his return was looked for with
expectancy by all parties. Cicero took every means to win the confidence
of the great general, and gain him over to his views in public affairs;
but to no purpose. After some wavering, Pompey associated himself with
Caesar, thus giving the Senate a blow from which it never recovered, and
preparing the way for his own downfall.
aliquid loci
: § [346],
a, 3 (216, a, 3); B. 202, 2; G. 369; H. 442 (397, 3); H.-B. 346.
quamquam
, and yet
uno loco
, in one respect
oppressi serviunt
, are
crushed and enslaved: § [
496], N.2 (292, R.); cf. B. 337,2; H-B. 604, I.
pro impeno
, in place if:
all these honors, which Cicero might have gained by a foreign command,
he has renounced in order to stay at home and protect the city.
clientelis
hospitusque
: the relation
of cliens to
patronus was that of a subordinate to a superior, carrying
with it services on the one side and protection on the other; the hospites were, on the other hand, equals,
and their connection was one of mutual aid and friendship. Foreign
states and citizens were eager to form such ties with influential
Romans, and they were equally advantageous to the Roman. Of course a
provincial governor had peculiar opportunities for this.
urbanis opibus
, the means
afforded by a city life. Such ties would be more easily formed
by a sojourn in a province, but they could also be formed by a statesman
who remained at home; for the value of such a relation to the provincial
consisted in the opportunities for protection and assistance which the
statesman possessed in the city itself.
pro meis studiis
, in return for my
efforts.
quae dum
, and as long as this
.
mentibus
: § [429],
3 (254, a); cf. B. 228, I; H. 485, I (425, 12); H.-B. 436.
suo solius
: § [302],
e (197, e); B. 243, 31 a; G. 321, R.2; H. 446, 3 (398, 3); H.-B. 339, b.
eum. . . qui
, a consul who,
etc.: § [297], d (102, d); B. 247, I, a; H.-B. 271,
ii.
per se ipsum praestare
, make good
(so far as he may) on his own
part