[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 word supplicium has
this religious meaning, which also appears in supplicatio. 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 remque is an unusual expression for et se et rem.
[65] Quam; before this word we must supply magis, ‘they carried on
the government more with acts of kindness than with fear.’ This
ellipsis before quam is not uncommon.
[66] When they had suffered a wrong, they would rather pardon it than
take revenge.’ To persequi we must supply eam from the preceding
ablative.
[67] Propius virtutem, also propius virtuti. See Zumpt, § 411.
[68] Concupivit, ‘No man in his senses has ever coveted money for
its own sake;’ that is, and even now no one does so, nor will any
one ever do so. But a homo avarus covets money only that he may
have it, and not for any ulterior objects.
[69] Bonis initiis is 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 write in cives; but the ablative signifies ‘in the case of
citizens.’
[71] ‘In order thereby to render him faithful or attached to himself,’
quo being equivalent to ut eo or ut 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:’
amare is often used to denote an immoral intercourse between the
sexes.
[74] Vasa caelata, vessels adorned with figures, and wrought with the
caelum, the chisel. Caelare and caelatura denote 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 common templa or aedes, because it conveys
the idea of antiquity, sanctity, and mysterious seclusion, which is
also contained in the word fanum.
[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. Ne is here used in the sense of nedum.
[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 in chap. 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 extensive piscina of this kind
near the coast of Campania, in the neighbourhood of Baiae.
[81] Cultus comprises 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. Flagitia and facinora in this
passage have the meaning of homines flagitiosi, and facinorosi.
[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] Dum for dummodo, ‘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 of mens as distinct from animus, 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 prenomen Gneius,
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 from necessitas, ‘necessity,’ or ‘a compulsory
circumstance;’ but the two words are often confounded with each
other, as here, and subsequently in this chapter, necessitudo is
used in the sense of necessitas.
[96] For the difference between plures and complures, see
Zumpt, § 65.
[97] Juventus pleraque, ‘most young men.’ Commonly the plural
plerique only is used; but see Zumpt, § 103.
[98] Ea tempestate, an old-fashioned expression, such as Sallust is
fond of, for eo tempore; for in ordinary Latinity, tempestas
is 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. 19 and 20.
[101] Qua; supply conjuratione, which is to be taken from the verb
conjuravere. 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 paulo is less common than paulo 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, or provincia
citerior, with Tarraco (the modern Tarragona) for its capital; and
Hispania Baetica, or ulterior, deriving its name from the river
Baitis (the modern Guadalquiver). Its chief towns were Corduba and
Hispalis (now Seville).
[109] About the force of quod, 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 indicative dicunt, 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 ingenia are
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] Tetrarcha is 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, or proh fidem, is an exclamation, and pro an
interjection. The accus. fidem is governed by some such verb as
testor or invoco. See Zumpt, § 361.
[117] Superare here 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; hence lar, or
the plural lares, is sometimes used in the sense of ‘a house,’ or
‘home.’
[119] Toreumata are the vasa caelata mentioned in chap. 11; works
in metal, especially silver, with raised figures. The instrument
called by the Latins caelum, was called by the Greeks
τορος,whence
τορευειν, τορευμα.
[120] ‘They cannot master their wealth;’ that is, they are not able to
spend it.
[121] Quin — that is, qui non or quo non? ‘why not?’
[122] En, as well as ecce, are most commonly construed with the
accusative.
[123] Tabulae novae are 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 in chapter 24, uses it in the
more general sense of particeps, socius, ‘associate.’
[127] Dictitare, a contraction for dictitavere: ‘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.
Dictitare contains a repetition of what is implied in fuere qui
dicerent.
[128] Met is a suffix which may be appended to all the cases of
suus, and answers to our ‘own.’ It is usually followed by ipse.
See Zumpt, § 139, note.
[129] Stuprum is the name for every unchaste connexion with unmarried
as well as with married women; but adulterium is the illicit
intercourse with married women.
[130] ‘To behave more ferociously;’ for agere and agitare, 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 also incendi, ardere,
flagrare cupiditate.
[133] A homo novus was 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 fact had at 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] Praeceps is used of steep and precipitous places, and of persons
who fall or throw themselves headlong down from or into anything.
Hence Sempronia praeceps abierat is, ‘she had thrown herself
headlong into ruin,’ which might also be expressed by in 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 hoc is a common expression in Sallust for praeterea.
[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] The Campus 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 foedaque might also have been expressed by the adverbs
aspere 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. Picenum or ager 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] Exagitatam for agitatam; but the preposition ex gives 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] About decrevit, with the mere subjunctive, without ut, see
Zumpt, § 624.
[151] Parare should properly be parandi; 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 with ante and post, 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] Portenta are 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] Senati for senatus. See Zumpt, § 81.
[155] Hi utrique for horum 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. Respecting mos erat
vendere, see Zumpt, § 598.
[158] Supply to the two names of places missus 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 of mille
sestertii or 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 magistratus are 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 the decemviri litibus judicandis.
[162] Quibus. Sallust more frequently uses the accusative in such
expressions. See chapter 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 also
plangere denotes the physical expression of pain.
[164] A law de vi enacted 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] Sicuti is here used for quasi, velut, or perinde 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 of opus est, with the
ablative of a participle, see Zumpt, § 464, note 1.
[169] The adjective expers here is joined in the same sentence with two
different cases; this is an unusual construction, though expers may
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
say vestri, 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, dimittit or omittit, ‘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. Satisfactio is nearly the
same as defensio, 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 as mehercules. 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 nominibus is the same as meum ipsius
aes alienum, ‘debts on my own account.’ Nomen, in money
transactions, is something put down to a person’s account. Hence
aes alienum alienis nominibus is the same as aliorum debita,
‘other persons’ debts,’ aes alienum being 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 as ideo, ‘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, while vale is 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 for praeterquam; but he might also have
used praeter as a preposition: praeter — condemnatas.
[186] Perditum irent. See Zumpt, § 669.
[187] Aliena; supply a republica.
[188] Adeo renders the sentence emphatic, ‘nay, the common people
seemed to do this even according to their custom.’ Adeo in 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 term optimates,
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. Vero indicates the transition to
that circumstance, which in the present case is of the greatest
importance. Compare Zumpt, § 348, note.
[192] Sentina properly 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] Connect quorum with parentes and the following words, bona
and jus. 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, the
nobiles formed opposition to the tribunes, but in reality it was
for their own aggrandisement.
[198] Quo for ut eo, ‘that the authority of the senate might be the
highest in the state.’
[199] Innoxius has 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.’ About quin, 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 of accersit, see Zumpt, § 202.
[206] Magnus animus is the usual Latin expression for ‘courage,’ and
amplior is the same as major.
[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 citerior is Gaul south of the Alps, or the province of
Cisalpine Gaul. Gallia ulterior is 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] Bruttium is 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),
dato being understood. Conjurationis for conjuratorum.
[212] Sed. According to ordinary Latinity, the sentence ought to have
been introduced by autem; see Zumpt, § 348, note. But it must be
observed that in the historical style of Sallust sed very
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 by filius familias is ‘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] Qui for quis. 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, under sido.
[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
data or accepta; but such expressions are to be completed by the
sense rather than by any grammatical ellipsis.
[226] Sibylla is 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, or quindecemviri sacrorum.
[227] The gens Cornelia 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 expression urbis potiri, see Zumpt, § 466.
[228] Haruspices were 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 custodia is opposed to the carcer 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, and vice versa, are not uncommon in Sallust. See
chapters 18, 23, 56, 58.
[231] Erant; according to the style of Cicero, it would be essent.
See Zumpt, § 565.
[232] For deprehensio 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 special
relatio by 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 context indicandi.
[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 an adolescentulus only in comparison
with the aged Catulus, for he was at that time thirty-six years old.
[239] ‘In public life by the greatest exhibitions;’ for munera are
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 esset is an explanation of gladio 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] An must be explained by supplying another interrogation before
it, such as alione? ‘had that speech any other object, or had it
this one?’ for an is 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; for scilicet has 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 say gravius 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 habent for vitam agunt, which is more common. Sallust is
very fond of the verb habere in certain phrases. See Jug. 10.
[254] Equidem ego for ego quidem. See Zumpt, § 278.
[255] Inimicitiae. About this plural, see Zumpt, § 94. The singular
inimicitia is not used at all.
[256] ‘Such I know to be the character of the man.’
[257] Subigere here, as in many other passages of Sallust, has the
meaning of cogere, invitum impellere (‘to force a person to
something’), followed by an infinitive instead of a clause with ut.
[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 quod belong 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 punished more majorum.
Animadvertere is the proper expression for the infliction of
bodily punishment by a lictor, who has 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 as interficere
is 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?’ Respecting qui for quomodo or quo
pacto, see Zumpt, § 133, note. The minus negotium is the
scourging, and the majus negotium the execution.
[263] At enim introduces an objection raised by the orator himself.
At represents the objection, and enim introduces 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] Damasippus was 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 the
toga praetexta, sella curulis, fasces (which were carried
by the lictors), and, above all, the splendid procession of the
triumphatores.
[270] Legibus is 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, the interdictio
aquae et ignis was fixed as the severest punishment, as if
thereby a person had been simply permitted to withdraw from the
republic. The interdictio was 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] Quominus is here used because the leading clause conveys the
idea of a hindrance; but ne also 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 view from 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 pronoun quisquam is used because the
meaning implied is, that no one ought to have done so. See
Zumpt, § 709.
[280] Equidem for quidem, 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 word mercy is not to be borne.’
[281] Eo; Cicero would have said ea re.
[282] Instead of et, the author might have used neve (neu), since
from the preceding clause we have to supply ne to et. This is not
a very common mode of speaking; but it occurs most frequently when,
after a negative clause, et introduces a kind of antithesis, and
thus acquires the power of sed.
[283] Et non corrects the untrue supposition, that there were no rebels
except at Rome. In such a case we can neither use non without et,
nor neque. 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.’ About
refert, 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 for ad 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 without ut depends upon the
verb censeo; it is not a subjunctive for an imperative.
[294] ‘Assuredly this clemency of yours will end in misery.’ Respecting
nae, see Zumpt, § 360; and on the transitive sense of vertere,
§ 145.
[295] The sentence beginning with scilicet is 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 be implorabis, without
altering the meaning.
[298] This statement differs in two points from the current tradition
of history. First, the praenomen of this Manlius is commonly Titus,
and so we must no doubt correct here, even though the manuscripts
have Aulus. 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 word
necare instead of interficere or occidere.
[299] Quidquam is stronger than siquid — 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 the negotium as 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 as effeta parens, ‘a mother who has
had children, but can have no more.’ Respecting the partitive
genitive (as in aliqui militum for aliqui 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 add facit to the words sicuti effeta
parentum, ‘as is the case with an aged mother.’ Multis
tempestatibus, ‘during a long time.’ The singular tempestas in the
sense of ‘time’ is not uncommon, but the plural tempestates in the
sense of ‘periods of time’ occurs only in Sallust in this passage,
and Jug. 73, 96, and 108.
[305] Quin is used regularly for ut non after 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 said alia,
to use alii, which, strictly speaking, should be alteri, as he is
speaking of only two persons.
[307] ‘The less he strove after fame, the more it followed him of
itself,’ so that gloria must 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] Read tresviros; each one by himself was called triumvir ‘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 was tresviri capitales. The singular, triumvir,
does not justify the plural triumviri, since the ordinary
grammatical laws require tres viri. In manuscripts, we usually had
III. viri. Compare Zumpt, § 124.
[310] The preposition de in this compound adds to the idea of the
simple verb ducere, that of the place to which a person is led,
and in which he is to remain; hence it is frequently used in the
expression domum 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 called carcer Mamertinus, and its main
parts still exist, being changed into a Christian church, San Pietro
in carcere. It is situated not far from the ancient forum 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 the Tullianum, 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 adjoining Scalae 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 for
carnifices, ‘executioners.’
[316] Cornelius Lentulus had 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.