[62]‘Not more by law than by nature;’ that is, ‘by nature as well as by law.’[63]In suppliciis, ‘in the worship of the gods;’ for as it was customary, in worshipping, to fall down, the wordsuppliciumhas this religious meaning, which also appears insupplicatio. The other and more common meaning of ‘execution,’ ‘capital punishment,’ or ‘severe chastisement,’ likewise originates in the prostration of the person so punished.[64]Seque remqueis an unusual expression foret se et rem.[65]Quam; before this word we must supplymagis, ‘they carried on the government more with acts of kindness than with fear.’ This ellipsis beforequamis not uncommon.[66]When they had suffered a wrong, they would rather pardon it than take revenge.’ Topersequiwe must supplyeamfrom the preceding ablative.
[67]Propius virtutem, alsopropius virtuti. See Zumpt, § 411.[68]Concupivit, ‘No man in his senseshasever coveted money for its own sake;’ that is, and even now no one does so, nor will any one ever do so. But ahomo avaruscovets money only that he mayhaveit, and not for any ulterior objects.[69]Bonis initiisis the ablative absolute, ‘though his beginnings were good.’ Although Sulla’s government began well, it became arbitrary and bad, especially by the unlimited partiality with which he treated the men of his own party.[70]In civibus. It would have been more in accordance with the common usage to writein cives; but the ablative signifies ‘in the case of citizens.’[71]‘In order thereby to render him faithful or attached to himself,’quobeing equivalent tout eoorut ea re.[72]Namely, the charming and delightful places in Asia Minor, near the sea-coast, under a mild climate, abounding in all the means calculated to afford pleasure and delight.[73]Amare, ‘to indulge in illicit intercourse with the other sex:’amareis often used to denote an immoral intercourse between the sexes.[74]Vasa caelata, vessels adorned with figures, and wrought with thecaelum, the chisel.Caelareandcaelaturadenote the art of making raised figures in metal,alto relievo.[75]Delubra, ‘temples of the gods.’ Sallust has chosen this word in preference to the commontemplaoraedes, because it conveys the idea of antiquity, sanctity, and mysterious seclusion, which is also contained in the wordfanum.[76]Ne illi — temperament‘not to speak of their using their victory with moderation;’ that is, they were far from using their victory with moderation.Neis here used in the sense ofnedum.
[77]‘Honest conduct was regarded as malevolence or envy,’ inasmuch as an honest and incorruptible man was not praised for these virtues, but rather drew upon himself the suspicion of envying others for their increasing their possessions, and of wishing to prevent them from becoming rich by the base means which in their greediness they considered to be fair.[78]Operae pretium est, ‘it is worth while (properly “the labour has its reward”) to compare the extensive country-houses of our present aristocracy with the small temples of the gods erected by our ancestors, notwithstanding their intense piety.’[79]This is the same precept as that advanced by Cicero, that in punishing an enemy, we should be satisfied if we have placed him in a position in which he can no longer injure us.
[80]‘Mountains are levelled, and seas are produced artificially.’ In the latter expression, Sallust, as inchap. 20(maria extruuntur), alludes to the formation of immense basins in the interior of the country, into which the water was conducted from the sea, for the purpose of keeping in them sea-fish and oysters. In this kind of luxury and extravagance all the earlier Roman grandees were eclipsed by L. Lucullus, who had amassed immense wealth in the war against Mithridates. He possessed a very extensivepiscinaof this kind near the coast of Campania, in the neighbourhood of Baiae.[81]Cultuscomprises the whole domestic arrangement, and especially includes costly furniture and dresses.[82]‘To the acquisition and to the squandering of money;’ for, as we stated before, it was peculiar to the corruption prevalent among the Romans that they squandered their own property, and appropriated to themselves, by violent means, that which belonged to others.
[83]The author, after having given a description of the state of morality in the time of Sulla, now proceeds to the life of Catiline himself, and in the following two chapters, describes the associates in whom that criminal placed his confidence, and with whose help he hoped to overturn the constitution.Flagitiaandfacinorain this passage have the meaning ofhomines flagitiosi, andfacinorosi.[84]Manu, ‘by playing at dice’ (alea), because that game was played with the hand, either with or without the cup containing the dice (fritillus).[85]Difficulter. See Zumpt, § 267, note 2.[86]‘In accordance with his (still) youthful age.’ Zumpt, § 309.[87]Dumfordummodo, ‘if but.’
[88]Catiline then had a son from a previous marriage, whom he got rid of because Orestilla would not become his wife, from fear of the young man, who was already grown up, and who would have become her stepson (privignus).[89]‘The consciousness of his guilt disturbed his thinking powers,’ for this is the meaning ofmensas distinct fromanimus, which has reference to the feelings.
[90]Gratuito, ‘gratuitously,’ ‘without any advantage.’ Respecting the form of this adverb, see Zumpt, § 266.[91]Sulla had given settlements to the legions with which he had gained the victory over the Marian party in the territory of those towns which had longest remained faithful to his adversaries; and it was more especially in Etruria that this measure had brought about a complete change of the owners of the soil. But the new landowners had acted very recklessly on their new estates, and therefore were inclined to favour any fresh revolutionary attempt which seemed to promise an equally favourable result.[92]Gn. Pompeius. Respecting the orthography of the prenomenGneius, see Zumpt, § 4. Pompey was then engaged in the war against Mithridates, king of Pontus, and Tigranes, king of Armenia; and in consequence of this war, the extensive country of Syria, which had before been an independent kingdom, became a Roman province.[93]Nihil sane intentus, ‘in no way attentive.’ For the difference between nihil and non, see Zumpt, § 677.
[94]That is, in the year B.C. 64, or 690 after the building of the city.[95]Necessitudo, ‘a close connection’ or ‘friendship’ is commonly distinguished fromnecessitas, ‘necessity,’ or ‘a compulsory circumstance;’ but the two words are often confounded with each other, as here, and subsequently in this chapter,necessitudois used in the sense ofnecessitas.[96]For the difference betweenpluresandcomplures, see Zumpt, § 65.[97]Juventus pleraque, ‘most young men.’ Commonly the pluralpleriqueonly is used; but see Zumpt, § 103.[98]Ea tempestate, an old-fashioned expression, such as Sallust is fond of, foreo tempore; for in ordinary Latinity,tempestasis used only in the sense of ‘storm’ or ‘tempest.’[99]M. Licinius Crassus had been consul several years before (B.C. 70), together with Cn. Pompey, and enjoyed considerable popularity both on account of his former practical usefulness in the state, and on account of his colossal wealth, which he used with proper discretion.
[100]Antea. Sallust, who has commenced speaking of the conspiracy entered into in the year B. C. 64, considers it necessary, before relating its progress, to go back to an earlier conspiracy, which failed, and in which Catiline had likewise taken an active part. This earlier conspiracy the author relates in chaps.19and20.[101]Qua; supplyconjuratione, which is to be taken from the verbconjuravere. This is an irregularity arising from the desire to be brief and concise.[102]That is, in the year B. C. 66, or 688 after the building of the city.[103]Interrogati— that is,accusati, ‘taken to account by accusers,’ because the beginning of all such accusations consisted in the accused being asked whether they owned having done this or that thing forbidden by law.[104]Post paulois less common thanpaulo post.[105]Repetundarum reus, ‘accused of extortion.’Res repetundae, in legal phraseology, signifies the things or money which had been illegally taken by public officers from those subject to their authority; for such citizens or subjects had a right, after the expiration of the official year of their ruler, to reclaim (repetere) their property in a court of law. Those officers who were found guilty had, in addition, to pay a fine, or were otherwise punished. A person who stood accused of extortion was not allowed to come forward as a candidate for any other office before he was tried and acquitted.[106]Profiteri, ‘to announce one’s self’ as a candidate for an office.[107]These are the consuls of the year B. C. 65, who had obtained their office after the condemnation of the above-mentioned P. Sulla (a nephew of the dictator) and P. Autronius.[108]Hispanias. Ancient Spain was, for administrative purposes, divided into two provinces —Hispania Tarraconensis, orprovincia citerior, with Tarraco (the modern Tarragona) for its capital; andHispania Baetica, orulterior, deriving its name from the river Baitis (the modern Guadalquiver). Its chief towns were Corduba and Hispalis (now Seville).[109]About the force ofquod, when joined to conjunctions, see Zumpt, § 807. Compare p.14, note 6 [note 14].
[110]That is, he was only quaestor, but had the powers of a praetor, being commissioned to supply the place of a praetor.[111]Respecting the indicativedicunt, see Zumpt, § 563.
[112]The author now continues his account of the conspiracy entered into in B.C. 64.[113]Per ignaviam, ‘by means of cowardice,’ here means, ‘with the assistance of cowardly men,’ ‘such as you are not, since I have evidence of your valour and trustworthiness.’Vana ingeniaare men of untrustworthy character. In both cases the abstract quality is mentioned instead of the person possessing it.[114]Diversi, ‘separately;’ that is, at different times, and in different places.[115]Tetrarchais a title which properly belonged only to such princes as ruled over the fourth part of a whole nation. Such a division took place in Galatia, and afterwards also in Judaea. A similar title,ethnarcha, but that of king also, was sometimes granted to powerful princes; or, when they had had it before, the Roman senate sometimes allowed them to keep it.[116]Pro fidem, orproh fidem, is an exclamation, andproan interjection. The accus.fidemis governed by some such verb astestororinvoco. See Zumpt, § 361.[117]Superarehere has an intransitive meaning, ‘to exist in abundance.’[118]Lar familiaris, a domestic or family divinity, whose image stood in the interior of the house, by the domestic altar; hencelar, or the plurallares, is sometimes used in the sense of ‘a house,’ or ‘home.’[119]Toreumataare thevasa caelatamentioned inchap. 11; works in metal, especially silver, with raised figures. The instrument called by the Latinscaelum, was called by the Greeksτορος,whenceτορευειν, τορευμα.[120]‘They cannot master their wealth;’ that is, they are not able to spend it.[121]Quin— that is,qui nonorquo non? ‘why not?’[122]En, as well asecce, are most commonly construed with the accusative.
[123]Tabulae novaeare literally ‘new registers of debts;’ that is, a change or reduction of debts, when, for example, the interest already paid was deducted from the principal, or when the amount of debts was reduced by one-half, or even by three-fourths. Such regulations of debts in favour of debtors were often resorted to in the revolutions of the ancient republics.[124]‘If he should be consul with him, he would begin to carry the matter into effect.’[125]Ignominia, ‘disgrace’ which a person incurs, either because he has been condemned in a court of law, or with which he has been branded by the censors.
[126]Popularis, properly ‘a fellow-countryman,’ or ‘belonging to the same people;’ but Sallust here, and inchapter 24, uses it in the more general sense ofparticeps, socius, ‘associate.’[127]Dictitare, a contraction fordictitavere: ‘it was frequently said that Catiline had done it for this reason.’ This contraction has nothing that is offensive here, though in form it is the same as the present infinitive; for such an ambiguity of form is not always avoided, provided the context clearly shows what the meaning is.Dictitarecontains a repetition of what is implied infuere qui dicerent.
[128]Metis a suffix which may be appended to all the cases ofsuus, and answers to our ‘own.’ It is usually followed byipse. See Zumpt, § 139, note.[129]Stuprumis the name for every unchaste connexion with unmarried as well as with married women; butadulteriumis the illicit intercourse with married women.[130]‘To behave more ferociously;’ foragereandagitare, even without an accusative, signify ‘to behave,’ ‘conduct one’s self,’ ‘lead a life.’[131]Sublato auctore, ‘without mentioning the one of whom she had learned it.’[132]‘The nobility was boiling with envy;’ a figurative expression, taken from the boiling of water over the fire, which is frequently used to describe violent passions. So alsoincendi, ardere, flagrare cupiditate.[133]Ahomo novuswas at Rome the name for any person, none of whose ancestors had been invested with a curule office; that is, with the consulship, praetorship, quaestorship, or curule aedileship.[134]Post fuere; that is,postposita sunt, ‘were put on one side.’
[135]‘Which facthadat first intimidated the associates of the conspiracy.’ The pluperfect here seems to be used for the perfect, but is necessary from the idea, which properly should have been expressed by some such sentence as this: ‘which fact, although it had at first intimidated the conspirators, yet did not stop the progress of the conspiracy.’[136]Faesulae, now Fiesole, a town in the northern part of Etruria, not far from Florentia (Florence), which is now the largest town in that district, though it was not so in ancient times.[137]Portare, ‘he caused money to be taken.’ See Zumpt, § 713.[138]Sumptus tolerare, ‘to bear the expenses,’ implying the difficulty of defraying them.
[139]Haud facile discerneres, ‘it was not easy to determine whether she was less concerned about her money or her reputation,’ since she was reckless in regard to both. Respecting the imperfect subjunctive, see Zumpt, § 528, note 2.[140]Praecepsis used of steep and precipitous places, and of persons who fall or throw themselves headlong down from or into anything. HenceSempronia praeceps abieratis, ‘she had thrown herself headlong into ruin,’ which might also be expressed byin praeceps iverat.
[141]Namely, for the year beginning with the first of January, B. C. 62. The elections took place about the middle of the preceding year, consequently, in the present instance, about the middle of the year B. C. 63.[142]Ad hocis a common expression in Sallust forpraeterea.[143]Pactione provinciae, by coming to an understanding with him about the provinces which were assigned to the consuls after the expiration of their year of office at Rome. Cicero had obtained by lot the lucrative province of Macedonia and exchanged it for Gallia Cisalpina, which had fallen to the lot of Antonius; but afterwards he declined the latter also, in order to be able to remain at Rome, which at that time was considered to be a sign that a man did not care for money —continentia abstinentia.[144]TheCampus Martius, an extensive open plain between the city and the Tiber, was the place for the large assemblies of the people; that is, for the Comitia Centuriate, in which the consuls and praetors were elected.[145]Aspera foedaquemight also have been expressed by the adverbsaspere foedeque, ‘his attempts turned out unfavourably and disgracefully.’ Compare Zumpt, § 682.
[146]Camers, ‘a native of Camerium,’ (the capital of the Umbrians), for the inhabitants of that place were called Camertes.Picenumorager Picenus, was the Roman territory on the Adriatic between the mouths of the rivers Aesis and Aternus with the capitals of Ancona and Asculum.
[147]Sicuti salutatum,‘as if to offer him his morning salutation,’ for such a morning call before sunrise was a common politeness among the Romans.[148]Or according to the common orthography,intelligit.
[149]Exagitatamforagitatam; but the prepositionexgives to the word the idea of something brought out of its obscurity to light. The matter had already been discussed on the ground of certain rumours.[150]Aboutdecrevit, with the mere subjunctive, withoutut, see Zumpt, § 624.[151]Parareshould properly beparandi; but see Zumpt, § 598.
[152]That is, ‘on the 6th day before the 1st of November,’ or on the 27th of October. In such computations withanteandpost, the point of time from which the calculation begins is included. See Zumpt, § 867. But we here reckon according to the calendar such as it was subsequently reformed and rectified by J. Caesar.[153]Portentaare chiefly human beings or animals presenting at their birth anything abnormal or monstrous;prodigia, on the other hand, are strange phenomena in the heavens; and the superstition of the ancients regarded both as signs sent by the gods to warn men.[154]Senatiforsenatus. See Zumpt, § 81.[155]Hi utriqueforhorum uterque. Zumpt, § 141, note 2.[156]Both had received the military command (imperium) from the senate and people: Marcius Rex as proconsul of Cilicia, and Metellus for the purpose of subduing Crete. After their return from their provinces, they tarried for a time outside the walls of Rome (ad urbem), because, by entering the city, they would have lost their imperium, which they were anxious to retain until their solemn entrance in a military procession (the triumph), to which the senate had not yet given its sanction. Accordingly, as they were still generals in active service, they could legally be intrusted with the military command in the disturbed districts of Italy.[157]The intrigues of some influential members of the senate, who had either received bribes from the opponents of the two commanders, or expected some from the commanders themselves, prevented the resolution of the senate here alluded to. Respectingmos erat vendere, see Zumpt, § 598.[158]Supply to the two names of placesmissus est, which is implied in the preceding sentence.[159]Sestertia centum; that is,centum millia sestertiorum, or the ancient census of the citizens of the first class; for the neuter sestertia was used in calculations as an imaginary coin ofmille sestertiior ten nummi aurei.[160]‘According to the means of every town.’ As the Roman gladiators might easily be tempted to join in conspiracies, they were quartered at a distance from Rome, in the towns of a certain class of Roman citizens (municipia); and the citizens of such places were ordered to watch over those bands of gladiators, that they might not make their escape.Familiae, in its proper sense, signifies the whole body of slaves belonging to one master.[161]Minores magistratusare those officers who did not, by virtue of their office, become members of the senate. The quaestors, accordingly, did not belong to them, but they comprised the masters of the mint, the superintendents of the paving of the roads, and especially the superintendents of all matters connected with prisons, and thedecemviri litibus judicandis.
[162]Quibus. Sallust more frequently uses the accusative in such expressions. Seechapter 8.[163]Afflictare sese, ‘they worried themselves.’ The expression is properly used of that kind of grief which manifests itself in inflicting pain on the body, by pulling the hair, striking the breast or loins, or by throwing one’s self on the ground. So alsoplangeredenotes the physical expression of pain.[164]A lawde vienacted in the year B.C. 89, and aimed at those who might attempt by violence to subvert the existing constitution of the state. On the ground of this law Catiline had already been summoned before a court of law, though no formal charge had yet been brought against him.[165]Sicutiis here used forquasi,velut, orperinde ac si, ‘as if.’[166]This is the first of Cicero’s speeches against Catiline, which was delivered A.D. 6, Id. Novemb.; that is, on the 8th of November.[167]‘When he had sat down;’ that is, when he had finished his speech, for those who spoke in the senate did so standing.[168]The imprudence of this speech, independent of the audacious denial of facts, consists in his boasting of his patrician descent, and in the insinuation that Cicero, who was born in the municipium of Arpinum, was only an alien at Rome, although in regard to political rights there no longer was any difference between patricians and plebeians, nor between the citizens of Rome and those of a municipium. Respecting the construction ofopus est, with the ablative of a participle, see Zumpt, § 464, note 1.
[169]The adjectiveexpershere is joined in the same sentence with two different cases; this is an unusual construction, thoughexpersmay be joined with the genit. as well as with the ablat. See Zumpt, § 437, note 1.[170]From what he quotes as the substance of the law, we see that he means the lex Papiria Poetelia, which had been passed in B.C. 326, and according to which the property of a debtor served as a security to the creditor, while his person or his personal liberty could not be touched.[171]Vestrum; it would be more in accordance with the common usage to sayvestri, but the genitive of the personal pronoun also may be used. See Zumpt, §§ 424 and 431.[172]Literally, ‘the borrowed silver was repaid in copper;’ that is, instead of the ordinary silver coin, the sestertius, the value of four copper ases, only one copper as was paid. By this means debtors gained three-fourths of the capital they had borrowed. This reduction of debts took place in B.C. 86, during the ascendancy of the Marian party.[173]Amittit; that is,missam facit,dimittitoromittit, ‘he gives up.’
[174]Massilia(the modern Marseilles) was a free and independent city, leagued with the Roman people by treaty. It had been founded about the year B.C. 600, by Greek emigrants from Phocaea in Asia Minor. As Massilia thus was not subject to the civil law of Rome, the Romans who withdraw from the laws of their own country — that is, who went into exile — might choose that city as a safe place of residence, without fear of being delivered up to their own country.
[175]Catiline writes that he will not undertake a detailed defence of his new design of taking up arms, but he says that he wishes to justify himself in regard to one point, and that merely because he is not conscious of any criminal act.Satisfactiois nearly the same asdefensio, but less formal. A man defends himself against opponents, but before friends he merely gives an explanation, whereby they may be gained over to his side.Ex nulla conscientia, ‘in consequence of his not being conscious of guilt.’ The expression is rather harsh and artificial, and seemingly in Catiline’s own style of writing.[176]Medius fidius, the same asmehercules. See Zumpt, § 361.[177]‘I could not maintain the position of my dignity;’ that is, I could not maintain my position in society after my enemies had deprived me of the consulship.[178]‘Not as if I could not pay my own debts out of my property, since Orestilla has paid even other persons’ debts out of her own purse;’ she would accordingly have done the same much more for me, her husband.Aes alienum meis nominibusis the same asmeum ipsius aes alienum, ‘debts on my own account.’Nomen, in money transactions, is something put down to a person’s account. Henceaes alienum alienis nominibusis the same asaliorum debita, ‘other persons’ debts,’aes alienumbeing understood from the preceding clause.[179]‘I felt that I had become estranged by false suspicions,’ namely, ‘from the Roman people,’ who confer the honours which have been obtained by unworthy persons.[180]Hoc nomine, the same asideo, ‘accordingly,’ ‘for this reason.’[181]This is said in allusion to the consul Cicero, as if he had intended to arrest Catiline, and imprison him. Catiline evidently has recourse to this expedient for the purpose of avoiding his awkward explanation. They are hollow phrases about honour, the republic, and persecution, and well suited to the ruined circumstances of that nobleman.[182]Haveto. It is much more common to use this word in meeting a person, whilevaleis the ordinary expression in parting from a friend.
[183]In agro Arretino, ‘in the territory of Arretium,’ in the heart of Etruria, near the lake Trasimenus.[184]Sine fraude, ‘without injury’ — that is, without the fact that hitherto they had been with Manlius, drawing any punishment upon them.[185]Praeter, adverbially forpraeterquam; but he might also have usedpraeteras a preposition:praeter — condemnatas.[186]Perditum irent. See Zumpt, § 669.
[187]Aliena; supplya republica.[188]Adeorenders the sentence emphatic, ‘nay, the common people seemed to do this even according to their custom.’Adeoin this sense is always preceded by a demonstrative pronoun. See Zumpt, § 281.[189]Boni. In the political signification of this word, the ideas of quiet conduct, aversion to innovations, and acquiescence in the actual state of things, are combined with solid wealth. The reason of this is easily perceptible; for he who possesses property, dreads every change, and supports the existing state of things. A still more decided political meaning is implied in the termoptimates, which denotes the party in the state which we now call Conservative, but at Rome it implied at the same time the idea of ‘faction,’ and of a tendency to occasional violence.[190]‘Poverty (that is, poor people) maintains itself, or continues in all disturbances without suffering any loss;’ for he who has nothing, cannot sustain any loss.[191]Ea vero, ‘this in particular.Veroindicates the transition to that circumstance, which in the present case is of the greatest importance. Compare Zumpt, § 348, note.[192]Sentinaproperly signifies the sediment which, in a vessel filled with water, sinks to the bottom. Hence ‘the residue,’ or the place where all that is bad or impure is collected.[193]The largesses in money and provisions with which the state supported the needy population of the capital, and by which private persons, anxious to gain partisans, catered numbers of clients, attracted to Rome many people from the country: the city plebs was thus constantly increasing.[194]‘They were as much concerned about the good of the state as about their own good’ — that is, just as little.[195]Connectquorumwithparentesand the following words,bonaandjus. Sulla had excluded the sons of those whom he proscribed from all public offices, and thus curtailed their rights of free citizens.
[196]In B. C. 70, these consuls restored the power of the tribunes in its full extent, after it had been greatly reduced by Sulla in B. C. 81. The Roman people received this restoration of the tribunian power with the greatest joy; but Sallust does not seem to approve of it.[197]Senatus specie; under the pretence of supporting the senate, thenobilesformed opposition to the tribunes, but in reality it was for their own aggrandisement.[198]Quoforut eo, ‘that the authority of the senate might be the highest in the state.’
[199]Innoxiushas a twofold meaning, one active, ‘one who does no harm’ (noxa), and a passive, ‘one who is not injured,’ ‘one to whom no harm is done,’qui non afficitur noxa, and in this latter sense it is used in this passage.[200]‘In order that, when in office, they themselves might guide the populace more gently,’ since those who excited the multitude would be kept in awe by the terror of the law.Placidius, ‘without harshness,’ ‘without severity,’ harshness and severity being applied only against the popular leaders.[201]Dubiis rebus, the ablative absolute;cum res dubiae essent, ‘the state of affairs being dangerous.’[202]‘A more powerful man would even have wrested their freedom from them.’ Aboutquin, see Zumpt, § 542; and about the imperfect in the sense of a pluperfect, § 525.
[203]The Allobroges inhabited the country from Lacus Lemannus and the Rhone as far south as the Isara. They were subject to Rome, but, with a certain degree of independence, they governed themselves within their own country. Their chief towns were Vienna and Geneva.[204]Aliena consilii. See Zumpt, § 470.[205]Respecting the orthography ofaccersit, see Zumpt, § 202.[206]Magnus animusis the usual Latin expression for ‘courage,’ andamplioris the same asmajor.
[207]Manifestum habeo aliquem, ‘I catch a person in the act,’ so that he can be convicted of his crime by unexceptionable evidence.
[208]Gallia citerioris Gaul south of the Alps, or the province of Cisalpine Gaul.Gallia ulterioris Gaul north of the Alps, as far as the Cebenna mountains. The part of modern France beyond those mountains was not yet subject to Rome, but became a Roman province by the conquests of Caesar.[209]Bruttiumis the peninsula of Italy, which extends towards Sicily. It was a mountainous country with many forests.[210]He was legate to his brother L. Murena, who had then already left the province of Gaul, being a candidate for the consulship for the year B.C. 62, which he obtained.
[211]Signum,in military phraseology, is the visible or audible signal for a movement which the army is to execute. The attack of the tribune of the people on Cicero during his address to the people was to be the signal. ‘After this signal had been given’ (eo signo),datobeing understood.Conjurationisforconjuratorum.[212]Sed. According to ordinary Latinity, the sentence ought to have been introduced byautem; see Zumpt, § 348, note. But it must be observed that in the historical style of Sallustsedvery frequently expresses not only opposition, but also mere transition from one thing to another, which seems to be an affectation of simplicity.[213]The idea expressed byfilius familiasis ‘a son who is not yet independent, who has not yet a household of his own.’[214]Inter haec, &c.; that is,dum haec parantur atque decernuntur.
[215]Conveniunt, with the accusative. See Zumpt, § 387.[216]Quiforquis. See Zumpt, § 134, note.[217]He means to say, ‘even from the slaves, who, as is now seen, have not been received by Catiline into his army.’
[218]Cuncta. Respecting this accusative, see Zumpt, § 391, note 1.[219]Pons Mulvius, a bridge across the Tiber, about one mile from the city, outside the porta Flaminia. It still exists under the name of ponte Molle, and is passed by all travellers who go from Rome to the north.[220]Obsidunt. For this verb, see Zumpt, § 189, undersido.[221]Ad id loci; that is,ad eum locum.[222]He betrayed his treasonable designs even by surrendering to the public authorities, as if they were a foreign and hostile power, and by praying them to spare his life.
[223]See Zumpt, § 662.[224]The meeting of the senate was held in the Temple of Concord, close by the Forum. Temples were often used instead of the Curia Hostilia, which was the regular place for the senate to assemble in. Lentulus was taken to the senate by the consul himself; the others were conducted thither by guards, to be brought before the assembly after the business had been opened.
[225]‘He was ordered to make his statement on the ground of the promise made to him, on behalf of the state, that he should not be punished.’ Sallust might have used the more complete expression,fide publica dataoraccepta; but such expressions are to be completed by the sense rather than by any grammatical ellipsis.[226]Sibyllais the ancient Greek name for a prophetic woman; and at Rome prophecies and counsels (libri Sibyllini) were kept in the Capitol which were believed to have been given as early as the time of the kings by a Sibyl of Cumae. They contained information about festivals, sacrifices, and other religious observances, and the means by which calamities which threatened the state might be averted. They were under the superintendence of a special college of priests, by whom alone they were consulted, on the command of the senate, in cases of public distress or apprehension. This college was called at different times, according to the number of its members,duoviri,decemviri, orquindecemviri sacrorum.[227]ThegensCornelia comprised a large number of families, such as the Scipios, Dolabellas, Merulas, Sullas, Cinnas, Cethegi, and Lentuli. L. Cinna, by repeated consulships, and as the leader of the Marian party, obtained the highest power at Rome after the death of C. Marius, but was slain in B.C. 84 by his own soldiers, whom he intended to lead against L. Sulla. Sulla, after having been consul as early as the year B.C. 88, became dictator in B.C. 82. Respecting the expressionurbis potiri, see Zumpt, § 466.[228]Haruspiceswere the interpreters of the signs which were believed to be contained in the entrails of victims sacrificed to the gods, as well as of the phenomena in the atmosphere (monstra), and other occurrences in nature, which seemed to be contrary to the ordinary course of things. The system of this kind of superstition had been principally developed by the ancient Etruscans, and the haruspices engaged in the state religion of the Romans were generally natives of Etruria; and the Romans, owing to the uncertainty of their knowledge of things divine, dreaded this kind of superstition rather than practised it.[229]Libera custodiais opposed to thecarcer publicus, in which the prisoners were treated like slaves, and kept in chains. There were at Rome no prisons for those persons whose guilt was not yet established, or whose punishment consisted merely in confinement; but private persons, or the relatives of the accused, were obliged to keep the person of a criminal in their own houses, until the final decision upon his offence was given by the ordinary courts of justice.
[230]Such transitions from the historical infinitive to the present or imperfect, andvice versa, are not uncommon in Sallust. See chapters18,23,56,58.[231]Erant; according to the style of Cicero, it would beessent. See Zumpt, § 565.[232]Fordeprehensio Lentuli et aliorum, which would be more in accordance with the usage of modern languages.[233]In tali tempore. See Zumpt, § 475, note.[234]They demanded that the consul should bring forward the matter, as to whether the statement of Tarquinius was to be believed, in order that the votes might be taken upon it. For without a specialrelatioby the magistrate authorised to make it (commonly the presiding consul, but sometimes also a tribune of the people), no senatus consultum could be made.[235]Potestatem; supply from the contextindicandi.[236]Praedicantem. See Zumpt, § 636.
[237]These two leaders of the party of the optimates had been consuls, Catulus in the year B.C. 78, and C. Piso in B.C. 67; and Catulus had also been censor in B.C. 65. Both were enemies of Caesar, who had defeated Catulus in his canvas for the office of pontifex maximus, and had caused a judicial inquiry to be instituted against Piso, about the manner in which he had conducted the proconsular administration of Gaul. Caesar was even then considered as the leader of the popular party, and as an opponent of the senate and its influence in the constitution.[238]It was at that time that Caesar, on going from home to the elective assembly, said to his mother, ‘To-day you shall see your son either as pontifex, or you shall never see him again.’ Caesar, however, is here called anadolescentulusonly in comparison with the aged Catulus, for he was at that time thirty-six years old.[239]‘In public life by the greatest exhibitions;’ formuneraare exhibitions by means of which a private person, and still oftener a magistrate, endeavoured to win the favour of the people. As regards Caesar, that which is said here refers to the brilliant exhibitions in his aedileship, and the games which he gave while invested with that office. But he had thereby got so deeply into debt, that when, after his praetorship — with which he was invested in B. C. 62, the year after the Catilinarian conspiracy — he wanted to leave Rome to go to his province of Spain, he was kept back by his creditors; and he was not allowed to depart until M. Crassus had given security for him.[240]Dicerent. Respecting this subjunctive, see Zumpt, § 551.[241]Mobilitas animi, ‘irritability,’ or that state of mind which is easily excited, or upon which it is easy to make an impression.Clarius essetis an explanation ofgladio minitarentur.
[242]Multitudines; that is,catervae, factiones, crowds or bands of men united for the purpose of creating disturbances among the people.[243]This is the customary form of condemnation in a decree of the senate, whereby it is declared that a wrong has actually been done to the state, or that an attempt has been made upon the constitution. The verdict of ‘guilty,’ therefore, had been pronounced by the senate itself.[244]Sententiam rogatus. See Zumpt, § 393, note 1.[245]He had declared that at the voting, which took place after the members of the senate had expressed their opinions, he would vote for the opinion of Tib. Nero; for the voting took place by a division (discessio), only one proposal being voted upon at a time, so that those who supported it separated from those who did not support it, but intended to vote for any other opinion (alia omnia).[246]This opinion then aimed only at an adjournment of the matter. Its issue was to be waited for; but in the meantime, the posts of guards were to be strengthened, and a fresh proposal was to be made respecting the punishment of the prisoners. The Tib. Nero here mentioned is the grandfather of the Emperor Tiberius, who was raised to the imperial throne in A. D. 14, in the fifty-sixth year of his age.
[247]Male consulere, ‘to form bad’ or ‘injurious resolutions.’[248]Perse. Respecting the forms of this name, see Zumpt, §§ 52, 54.[249]Anmust be explained by supplying another interrogation before it, such asalione?‘had that speech any other object, or had it this one?’ foranis used only in the second part of a double question.[250]‘To be sure words will fire him on, whom the thing itself did not move’ — that is, words are sure not to rouse him whom the thing itself did not move; forscilicethas an ironical force.[251]Injuriae suae, ‘the injuries done to him.’[252]‘Many have taken them more seriously to heart than was necessary.’ It is more common to saygravius tulerunt. The perfect,habuere, in expressing a general truth, has the sense of a present, or rather of a Greek aorist, denoting that which once happened, and still continues to happen. Compare p.22, note 2 [note 68].[253]Vitam habentforvitam agunt, which is more common. Sallust is very fond of the verbhaberein certain phrases. SeeJug. 10.[254]Equidem egoforego quidem. See Zumpt, § 278.[255]Inimicitiae. About this plural, see Zumpt, § 94. The singularinimicitiais not used at all.[256]‘Such I know to be the character of the man.’[257]Subigerehere, as in many other passages of Sallust, has the meaning ofcogere, invitum impellere(‘to force a person to something’), followed by an infinitive instead of a clause withut.[258]Id quod res habet, ‘that which is in the nature of the thing.’ Caesar hereby means to represent his opinion as philosophically correct, and in accordance with nature.Id quodbelong together.[259]Such had indeed been the custom in former times. The condemned person, previous to being beheaded with the axe, was bound to a post and scourged. This barbarous punishment continued to be inflicted sometimes even at a later period, when it was expressly mentioned in the verdict that the criminal should be punishedmore majorum.Animadvertereis the proper expression for the infliction of bodily punishment by a lictor, whohas to pay attention to his orders; but it is also used of the person who gives the order, and causes it to be carried into effect, just asinterficereis said both of the executioner and the person who orders a man to be put to death.[260]This law, proposed by one Porcius, and passed by the people, forbade the scourging of Roman citizens on the naked body; so that, after the passing of that law, an execution consisted simply in beheading a criminal with the sword; and if he was a soldier, flogging took the place of scourging. The celebrated M. Porcius Cato, about B. C. 160, recommended this bill to the people; but it was not he who proposed it, but an unknown person of the name of Porcius, probably a tribune of the people.[261]There were no Roman laws forbidding capital punishment, or substituting exile in its place, and for this reason Caesar does not refer to any such law. He supports his view only by the circumstance that, in all the more recent laws, especially in the criminal law of Sulla, exile (interdictio aquae et ignis) was fixed upon as the extreme penalty; and that according to the usual indulgence (not sanctioned by any law), accused persons, if they denied being guilty, and were defended by some one, remained in the enjoyment of their freedom until the sentence was passed. Thus it happened that a person, foreseeing his condemnation, might quit the Roman territory, and take up his abode within the territory of some town or city where the Roman law was not in force, and where the Roman state placed no obstacles in his way.[262]‘How is it consistent?’ Respectingquiforquomodoorquo pacto, see Zumpt, § 133, note. Theminus negotiumis the scourging, and themajus negotiumthe execution.[263]At enimintroduces an objection raised by the orator himself.Atrepresents the objection, andenimintroduces an explanation of it. See Zumpt, § 349.[264]Caesar means to say that the present senate, which, as he flatteringly says, consists of worthy men, will not abuse the power of putting Roman citizens to death; but that a subsequent senate, taking such an example as a precedent, might abuse its power. It must be observed that the Roman senate possessed the power over the life and death of citizens, not by virtue of legal enactments, but only by ancient custom. This power legally belonged only to the people assembled in the Comitia Centuriata, or to those to whom the people expressly intrusted it — namely, the ordinary and extraordinary courts of justice. It may seem surprising that Caesar does not express himself more energetically against the right claimed by the senate; but he would certainly have spoken in vain, for it was every senator’s interest that the power of the senate should be recognised in its greatest extent, even though it should not be exercised in every particular case.[265]That is, the so-called thirty tyrants in the year B. C. 404.[266]Ea; for this accusative, see Zumpt, § 385.[267]Damasippuswas only a surname of the praetor M. Junius Brutus, who in the year B. C. 82 put to death a great many Roman nobles of the party of Sulla.[268]Namely, by Sulla, after he had been made dictator.[269]Pleraque; most of the ensigns and distinctions by which the magistrates were distinguished from private persons, especially thetoga praetexta,sella curulis,fasces(which were carried by the lictors), and, above all, the splendid procession of thetriumphatores.[270]Legibusis here a pleonasm, and might have been omitted. We must here repeat that Caesar makes an artful application of the circumstance that, in all the late criminal laws, theinterdictio aquae et igniswas fixed as the severest punishment, as if thereby a person had been simply permitted to withdraw from the republic. Theinterdictiowas a much more severe punishment, inasmuch as the person on whom it was inflicted lost all his rights as a citizen, and as every one was forbidden to receive him into his house, so that he was a complete outcast. Wherever these regulations were not carried into effect, and even in case a criminal made his escape before the sentence was pronounced, we can see nothing but an abuse of clemency.[271]Quominusis here used because the leading clause conveys the idea of a hindrance; butnealso might have been written.[272]Per municipia, ‘among the municipia.’ See Zumpt, § 301.
[273]Cato says, ‘When I consider the danger of our situation, I form quite a different viewfrom what I do when I reflect upon the opinions expressed by some about the punishment of the criminals; for the present danger demands energetic measures of defence, while some of you are speaking only about the punishment of a crime already committed. But such a view is incorrect, for we are still surrounded by the greatest dangers.’[274]Pluris facere, ‘to esteem higher.’[275]Capessere rem publicam, ‘to take part in the administration of the state,’ or ‘to devote one’s self to its service.’[276]Verba facere, ‘to speak,’ or ‘to make a speech.’[277]‘I who had never connived at any of my bad acts’ — that is, I who had never given way to my own weaknesses. About this subjunctive expressing the reason why the orator does not allow the faults of others to pass unnoticed, see Zumpt, §§ 555, 558.[278]‘The strength of the state bore the negligence’ in restraining the arbitrary proceedings in which individuals indulged.[279]‘And here any one will speak to me of clemency and mercy!’ alluding to Caesar. The negative pronounquisquamis used because the meaning implied is, that no one ought to have done so. See Zumpt, § 709.[280]Equidemforquidem, as often in Sallust, but never in Cicero. The meaning is: ‘We have indeed (quidem) long since lost the habit of calling things by their true names, but this erroneous application of the wordmercyis not to be borne.’[281]Eo; Cicero would have saidea re.[282]Instead ofet, the author might have usedneve(neu), since from the preceding clause we have to supplynetoet. This is not a very common mode of speaking; but it occurs most frequently when, after a negative clause,etintroduces a kind of antithesis, and thus acquires the power ofsed.[283]Et noncorrects the untrue supposition, that there were no rebels except at Rome. In such a case we can neither usenonwithoutet, norneque. See Zumpt, § 334.[284]‘If Caesar alone is unconcerned, it is more requisite (necessary or important) that I should be concerned for me and for you.’ Aboutrefert, see Zumpt, §§ 23, 449, note.[285]Habetote; this future imperative denotes that something is to be done when something else shall take place. Zumpt, § 583.[286]The meaning is: ‘All will be there immediately’ — that is, they will rise to make the attack.[287]Cato means to say, ‘It is a wrong opinion that our state has become great by arms; for if this were true, it would now be in the most flourishing condition, as our military power is now greater than it ever was. The republic has become great much more by the activity of the citizens, and by the justice of the government, and it is this activity and stern justice that must be restored.’[288]Obnoxius, ‘subject to a punishment,’ or ‘to be injured (noxa);’ hence, figuratively, ‘bound,’ ‘dependent.’ Our ancestors, says Cato, could deliberate and judge without bias, for their minds were not crippled either by crimes they had committed, nor by immoderate desires and passions — a hint intimating that those who were in favour of lenient measures were conscious of their own guilt, and not free from bad intentions.[289]Hic— that is, in the senate, in discussing matters of public importance, you allow yourselves to be guided only by your desire to gain money and popularity, being anxious not to offend any one who may be in your way.[290]Vacuam— namely,a defensoribus, ‘defenceless,’ ‘helpless.’[291]Incendere, a free use of the infinitive forad patriam incendendam.[292]A question expressive of wonder, in which the interrogative particles are commonly not used. See Zumpt, § 351, note.[293]Ironically: ‘I am of opinion that you should have mercy, and dismiss the criminals.’ The subjunctive withoututdepends upon the verbcenseo; it is not a subjunctive for an imperative.[294]‘Assuredly this clemency of yours will end in misery.’ Respectingnae, see Zumpt, § 360; and on the transitive sense ofvertere, § 145.[295]The sentence beginning withscilicetis again ironical. The sense, without the irony, is: ‘Nor can it be supposed that you consider the matter indeed difficult, but that you are without fear. You are, on the contrary, full of fear, but you hesitate.’[296]Immo vero, ‘oh no; on the contrary.’ See Zumpt, § 277.[297]Respecting this form of hypothetical sentences, see Zumpt, § 524, note 1. The verb in the apodosis might beimplorabis, without altering the meaning.[298]This statement differs in two points from the current tradition of history. First, the praenomen of this Manlius is commonlyTitus, and so we must no doubt correct here, even though the manuscripts haveAulus. Secondly, he did not show his severe military discipline towards his son in the Gallic war, but in the great Latin war, which ended, in B.C. 340, with the subjugation of Latium. Manlius ordered his son to be executed in presence of the army; and to characterise that harsh severity, the orator uses the wordnecareinstead ofinterficereoroccidere.[299]Quidquamis stronger thansiquid— that is, the expression of the negative is more strongly marked in the protasis.[300]‘If there were room for a mistake’ — namely, in the resolution to be come to. The meaning is: ‘No time is to be lost, since, if you come to a wrong determination, you will be ruined before you have time to correct your decision.’[301]‘Is upon our necks,’ a figurative expression, properly applied to a wrestler who seizes another by the throat.
[302]‘What has chiefly helped in carrying out such great undertakings.’Negotium sustinere, ‘to be able to carry out a business,’ representing thenegotiumas a burden.[303]Sallust states that, after mature consideration of all the circumstances, he has come to the conviction that the merit of individual citizens had raised Rome to its supremacy over the world, but that afterwards there were no men of importance, or excelling others by mental superiority, and that the state, as a whole, alone made the faults of individuals bearable. We must honour the judgment of Sallust, but cannot agree with it; we must rather believe that the unvarying ability of the whole Roman people, notwithstanding the not very prominent minds of individuals, was the cause of the rapid progress of the Roman dominion. In the later times, on the other hand, we meet a Scipio the younger, a Marius, a Sulla, a Pompey, and a Caesar, all of whom were men or generals of eminent talent, while all those who served under them were persons of inferior abilities.[304]Effeta parentum, the same aseffeta parens, ‘a mother who has had children, but can have no more.’ Respecting the partitive genitive (as inaliqui militumforaliqui milites), see Zumpt, § 430. The author in the progress of his sentence abandons the construction with which he began, and which ought to have been continued thus:Roma haud sane quemquam virtute magnum protulit, for which he says,Romae haud sane quisquam virtute magnus fuit. This deviation from the construction may be explained still more easily, if in our mind we addfacitto the wordssicuti effeta parentum, ‘as is the case with an aged mother.’Multis tempestatibus, ‘during a long time.’ The singulartempestasin the sense of ‘time’ is not uncommon, but the pluraltempestatesin the sense of ‘periods of time’ occurs only in Sallust in this passage, andJug.73,96, and108.[305]Quinis used regularly forut nonafter a negative clause: ‘I would not pass them over in silence, without unfolding their characters.’
[306]‘But the one a different one from the other.’ The Latin custom of repeating the same word obliges the author, having once saidalia, to usealii, which, strictly speaking, should bealteri, as he is speaking of only two persons.[307]‘The less he strove after fame, the more it followed him of itself,’ so thatgloriamust be supplied.
[308]Dicessit; that is, after the senate, a division having taken place, had decided in favour of Cato’s opinion. Compare p. 50, note 2 [note 245].[309]Readtresviros; each one by himself was calledtriumvir‘one of the college of the three.’ These officers belonging to the magistratus minores, had the superintendence of the public prison, and the carrying of the sentence into execution; whence their complete title wastresviri capitales. The singular,triumvir, does not justify the pluraltriumviri, since the ordinary grammatical laws requiretres viri. In manuscripts, we usually hadIII. viri. Compare Zumpt, § 124.[310]The prepositiondein this compound adds to the idea of the simple verbducere, that of the place to which a person is led, and in which he is to remain; hence it is frequently used in the expressiondomum deducere, ‘to take’ or ‘lead a person home.’[311]Locus, quod. Respecting the gender of the relative pronoun, see Zumpt, § 372.[312]The whole structure was calledcarcer Mamertinus, and its main parts still exist, being changed into a Christian church,San Pietro in carcere. It is situated not far from the ancientforum Romanum, to the north-east, at the foot of the Capitoline hill. According to Sallust’s description, persons on entering had to go down a few steps leading to the entrance of theTullianum, a subterraneous apartment cut into the rock, and covered over with a roof; and this was the place where prisoners were executed. Their corpses were afterwards publicly exhibited in the adjoiningScalae Gemoniae. The name Tullianum is derived by the Romans from their king, Tullius Hostilius.[313]‘The roof is bound together by arches of stone,’ to make it strong, for otherwise, wooden beams were used for such purposes.[314]Incultus, a substantive of rare occurrence, denoting ‘want of cleanliness,’ ‘the absence of care.’[315]‘Punishers of capital offences’ is only a paraphrase forcarnifices, ‘executioners.’[316]Cornelius Lentulushad been consul as early as B.C. 71, but the year after, he had been ejected from the senate by the censors, on account of his base conduct. In order to be able to re-enter the senate, he caused himself to become praetor a second time in this year, B.C. 63, in which he ended his life so disgracefully. It is mentioned that he was of a manly and handsome appearance; but the baseness of his character is attested also by other authors.[317]The only one among the others who was a member of the senate was Cornelius Cethegus; Gabinius and Statilius were men of equestrian rank, and Caeparius was a native of the municipium of Terracina.