The Letters of Cicero, Volume 1

724

The condemnation of T. Munatius Plancus Bursa, who, being tribune in b.c. 52, had promoted the riots following the death of Clodius, especially in regard to burning his body in the Curia, and had, after his office terminated (10th December), been prosecuted de vi by Cicero successfully. Bursa, with others, had supported Pompey's wish for the dictatorship, as well as his legislation, and accordingly, in attacking him, Cicero had against him the weight of Pompey's influence. He therefore looks upon it as a great triumph.

725

The condemnation of Bursa was a point in favour of Milo, whereas Milo's murder of Clodius only brought his ultimate condemnation and exile. Milo's trial had taken place in April.

726

Pompey and his friends.

727

The new laws introduced by Pompey de vi, de magistratibus, de pecunia ob iudicium.

728

The intercalary month was inserted between the 23rd and 24th of February. Whether it was to be inserted or not depended on the pontifices, who kept their secret jealously. If it is inserted, Cicero will be kept all the longer in town with senatorial and legal business, and so be prevented from seeing Marius, who lived near his Pompeian villa.

729

It is to be observed that at this time Pompey is reckoned as inclined to the populares. His legislation in b.c. 70 had been somewhat in their favour; but he had not, as a fact, ever declared himself either way.

730

C. Antonius, impeached by Cæsar for plundering Macedonia, appellavit tribunos iuravitque se forum eiurare, quod æquo iure uti non posset (Ascon. § 84). His offences in Macedonia, where he had been left by Sulla, were in b.c. 83-80; his impeachment, b.c. 76; his expulsion from the senate, b.c. 70.

731

M. Marius Gratidianus (Ascon. § 84). These denunciations of Antonius and Catiline seem to be taken from the oration in toga candida.

732

Cælius, consul b.c. 94 with Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus.

733

Cicero, of course, was now a senator, but he was the first of his family who had been so. The others who came forward for the consulship were two patricians, P. Sulpicius Galba, L. Sergius Catilina; four plebeians, C. Antonius, L. Cassius Longinus, whom Asconius calls nobiles, i.e., members of families who had held curule office; and Q. Cornificius and C. Licinius Sacerdos, whose families had only recently risen to this position, tantum non primi ex familiis suis magistratum adepti erant (Asc.)

734

He hints, I think, at Cæsar, who supported Antonius and Catiline, and also the Luculli, who were opponents of Pompey.

735

C. Fundanius, defended by Cicero b.c. 66, fr. p. 216. Q. Gallius, defended by Cicero on ambitus b.c. 64, fr. p. 217 (Brut. § 277). C. Cornelius, quæstor of Pompey, tr. pl. b.c. 67, defended by Cicero b.c. 65 (Ascon. § 56 seq.) C. Orchivius, Cicero's colleague in prætorship b.c. 66 (Or. § 160). We don't know on what charge Cicero defended him. The passage in pro Cluent. § 147, does not mean that he was accused of peculatus, but that he presided over trials of peculatus as prætor.

736

Manilius, tr. pl. b.c. 66, proposed the law for appointing Pompey to supersede Lucullus in the East. After his year of office he was accused of maiestas, and later on of repetundæ, but apparently neither case came on. C. Cornelius, tr. pl. b.c. 57, was accused of maiestas in b.c. 55, and defended by Cicero. He had become alienated from the senate by its opposition to his legislation against usury in the provinces, and the case made a great sensation.

737

From fio, according to Cicero, credamusque quia "fiat" quod dictum est, appellatam fidem (de Off. i. § 23). He is referring to his promise to emancipate Tiro on a particular day.