For Sextus Roscius of Ameria |
Translator: C. D. Yonge
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121 |
ergo idcirco turpis haec culpa est , quod duas res sanctissimas violat , amicitiam et fidem . nam neque mandat quisquam fere nisi amico neque credit nisi ei quem fidelem putat . perditissimi est igitur hominis simul et amicitiam dissolvere et fallere eum qui laesus non esset , nisi credidisset .
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This fault therefore is very base, because it violates two most holy things, friendship and confidence; for men commonly do not entrust anything except to a friend, and do not trust any one except one whom they think faithful. It is therefore the part of a most abandoned man, at the same time to dissolve friendship and to deceive him who would not have been injured unless he had trusted him. |
122 |
itane est ? in minimis rebus qui mandatum neglexerit , turpissimo iudicio condemnetur necesse est , in re tanta cum is cui fama mortui , fortunae vivi commendatae sunt atque concreditae , ignominia mortuum , inopia vivum adfecerit , is inter honestos homines atque adeo inter vivos numerabitur ? in minimis privatisque rebus etiam neglegentia in crimen mandati iudiciumque infamiae vocatur , propterea quod , si recte fiat , illum neglegere oporteat qui mandarit non illum qui mandatum receperit ; in re tanta quae publice gesta atque commissa sit qui non neglegentia privatum aliquod commodum laeserit sed perfidia legationis ipsius caerimoniam polluerit maculaque adfecerit , qua is tandem poena adficietur aut quo iudicio damnabitur ?
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Is it not so? In the most trifling affairs he who neglects a commission, must be condemned by a most dishonouring sentence; in a matter of this importance, when he to whom the character of the dead, the fortunes of the living have been recommended and entrusted, loads the dead with ignominy and the living with poverty, shall he be reckoned among honourable men, shall he even be reckoned a man at all? In trifling affairs, in affairs of a private nature, even carelessness is accounted a crime, and is liable to a sentence branding a man with infamy; because, if the commission be properly executed, the man who has given the commission may feel at his ease and be careless about it: he who has undertaken the commission may not. In so important an affair as this, which was done by public order and so entrusted to him, what punishment ought to be inflicted on that man who has not hindered some private advantage by his carelessness, but has polluted and stained by his treachery the solemnity of the very commission itself? or by what sentence shall he be condemned? |
123 |
si hanc ei rem privatim Sex . Roscius mandavisset ut cum Chrysogono transigeret atque decideret , inque eam rem fidem suam , si quid opus esse putaret , interponeret , ille qui sese facturum recepisset , nonne , si ex eo negotio tantulum in rem suam convertisset , damnatus per arbitrum et rem restitueret et honestatem omnem amitteret ?
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If Sextus Roscius had entrusted this matter to him privately to transact and determine upon with Chrysogonus, and to involve his credit in the matter if it seemed to him to be necessary—if he who had undertaken the affair had turned ever so minute a point of the business to his own advantage, would he not, if convicted by the judge, have been compelled to make restitution, and would he not have lost all credit? |
124 |
nunc non hanc ei rem Sex . Roscius mandavit sed , id quod multo gravius est , ipse Sex . Roscius cum fama vita bonisque omnibus a decurionibus publice Tito Roscio mandatus est ; et ex eo Titus Roscius non paululum nescio quid in rem suam convertit sed hunc funditus evertit bonis , ipse tria praedia sibi depectus est , voluntatem decurionum ac municipum omnium tantidem quanti fidem suam fecit .
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Now it is not Sextus Roscius who gave him this commission, but what is a much more serious thing, Sextus Roscius himself, with his character, his life, and all his property, is publicly entrusted by the senators to Roscius; and, of this trust, Titus Roscius has converted not some small portion to his own advantage, but has turned him entirely out of his property; he has bargained for three farms for himself; he has considered the intention of the senators and of all his fellow-citizens of just as much value as his own integrity. |
125 |
videte iam porro cetera , iudices , ut intellegatis fingi maleficium nullum posse quo iste sese non contaminarit . in rebus minoribus socium fallere turpissimum est aequeque turpe atque illud de quo ante dixi ; neque iniuria , propterea quod auxilium sibi se putat adiunxisse qui eum altero rem communicavit . ad cuius igitur fidem confugiet , cum per eius fidem laeditur cui se commiserit ? atque ea sunt animadvertenda peccata maxime quae difficillime praecaventur . tecti esse ad alienos possumus , intimi multa apertiora videant necesse est ; socium cavere qui possumus ? quem etiam si metuimus , ius offici laedimus . recte igitur maiores cum qui socium fefellisset in virorum bonorum numero non putarunt haberi oportere .
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Moreover, consider now, O judges, the other matters, that you may see that no crime can be imagined with which that fellow has not disgraced himself. In less important matters, to deceive one's partner is a most shameful thing, and equally base with that which I have mentioned before. And rightly; because he who has communicated an affair to another thinks that he has procured assistance for himself. To whose good faith, then, shall a man have recourse who is injured by the want of faith in the man whom he has trusted? But these offences are to be punished with the greatest severity which are guarded against with the greatest difficulty. We can be reserved towards strangers; intimate friends must see many things more openly; but how can we guard against a companion? for even to be afraid of him is to do violence to the rights of duty. Our ancestors therefore rightly thought that he who had deceived his companion ought not to be considered in the number of good men. |
126 |
at vero Titus Roscius non unum rei pecuniariae socium fefellit , quod , tametsi grave est , tamen aliquo modo posse ferri videtur , verum novem homines honestissimos , eiusdem muneris , legationis , offici mandatorumque socios , induxit , decepit , destituit , adversariis tradidit , omni fraude et perfidia fefellit ; qui de scelere suspicari eius nihil potuerunt , socium offici metuere non debuerunt , eius malitiam non viderunt , orationi vanae crediderunt . itaque nunc illi homines honestissimi propter istius insidias parum putantur cauti providique fuisse ; iste qui initio proditor fuit , deinde perfuga , qui primo sociorum consilia adversariis enuntiavit , deinde societatem cum ipsis adversariis coiit , terret etiam nos ac minatur tribus praediis , hoc est praemiis sceleris , ornatus . in eius modi vita , iudices , in his tot tantisque flagitiis hoc quoque maleficium de quo iudicium est reperietis .
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But Titus Roscius did not deceive one friend alone in a money matter, (which, although it be a grave offence, still appears possible in some degree to be borne) but he led on, cajoled, and deserted nine most honourable men, betrayed them to their adversaries, and deceived them with every circumstance of fraud and perfidy. They who could suspect nothing of his wickedness, ought not to have been afraid of the partner of their duties; they did not see his malice, they trusted his false speech. Therefore these most honourable men are now, on account of his treachery, thought to have been incautious and improvident He who was at the beginning a traitor, then a deserter—who at first reported the counsels of his companions to their adversaries, and then entered into a confederacy with the adversaries themselves, even now terrifies us, and threatens us, adorned with his three farms, that is, with the prizes of his wickedness. In such a life as his, O judges, amid such numerous and enormous crimes, you will find this crime too, with which the present trial is concerned. |
127 |
etenim quaerere ita debetis : ubi multa avare , multa audacter , multa improbe , multa perfidiose facta videbitis , ibi scelus quoque latere inter illa tot flagitia putatote . tametsi hoc quidem minime latet quod ita promptum et propositum est ut non ex illis maleficiis quae in illo constat esse hoc intellegatur verum ex hoc etiam , si quo de illorum forte dubitabitur , convincatur . quid tandem , quaeso , iudices ? num aut ille lanista omnino iam a gladio recessisse videtur aut hic discipulus magistro tantulum de arte concedere ? par est avaritia , similis improbitas , eadem impudentia , gemina audacia .
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In truth you ought to make investigation on this principle; where you see that many things have been done avariciously, many audaciously, many wickedly, many perfidiously, there you ought to think that wickedness also lies hid among so many crimes; although this indeed does not lie hid at all, which is so manifest and exposed to view, that it may be perceived, not by those vices which it is evident exist in him, but even if any one of those vices be doubted of, he may be convicted of it by the evidence of this crime. What then, I ask, shall we say, O judges? Does this gladiator seem entirely to have thrown off his former character? or does that pupil of his seem to yield but little to his master in skill? Their avarice is equal, their dishonesty similar, their impudence is the same; the audacity of the one is twin-sister to the audacity of the other. |
128 |
etenim , quoniam fidem magistri cognostis , cognoscite nunc discipuli aequitatem . dixi iam antea saepe numero postulatos esse ab istis duos servos in quaestionem . tu semper , Titi Rosci , recusasti . quaero abs te : 'Eine qui postulabant indigni erant qui impetrarent , an is te non commovebat pro quo postulabant , an res ipsa tibi iniqua videbatur ?' postulabant homines nobilissimi atque integerrimi nostrae civitatis quos iam antea nominavi ; qui ita vixerunt talesque a populo Romano putantur ut quicquid dicerent nemo esset qui non aequum putaret . postulabant autem pro homine miserrimo atque infelicissimo qui vel ipse sese in cruciatum dari cuperet , dum de patris morte quaereretur .
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Now forsooth, since you have seen the good faith of the master, listen to the justice of the pupil. I have already said before, that two slaves have been continually begged of them to be put to the question. You have always refused it, O Titus Roscius. I ask of you whether they who asked it were unworthy to obtain it? or had he, on whose behalf they asked it, no influence with you? or did the matter itself appear unjust? The most noble and respectable men of our state, whom I have named before, made the request, who have lived in such a manner, and are so esteemed by the Roman people, that there is no one who would not think whatever they said reasonable. And they made the request on behalf of a most miserable and unfortunate man, who would wish even himself to be submitted to the torture, provided the inquiry into his father's death might go on. |
129 |
res porro abs te eius modi postulabatur ut nihil interesset , utrum eam rem recusares an de maleficio confiterere . quae cum ita sint , quaero abs te quam ob causam recusaris . cum occiditur Sex . Roscius ibidem fuerunt . servos ipsos , quod ad me attinet , neque arguo neque purgo ; quod a vobis oppugnari video ne in quaestionem dentur , suspiciosum est ; quod vero apud vos ipsos in honore tanto sunt , profecto necesse est sciant aliquid , quod si dixerint perniciosum vobis futurum sit . — in dominos quaeri de servis iniquum est . — at non quaeritur ; sex . enim Roscius reus est ; neque enim , cum de hoc quaeritur , in dominos quaeritur ; vos enim dominos esse dicitis . — cum Chrysogono sunt . — ita credo ; litteris eorum et urbanitate Chrysogonus ducitur ut inter suos omnium deliciarum atque omnium artium puerulos ex tot elegantissimis familiis lectos velit hos versari , homines paene operarios , ex Amerina disciplina patris familiae rusticani .
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Moreover, the thing demanded of you was such that it made no difference whether you refused it or confessed yourself guilty of the crime. And as this is the case, I ask of you why you refused it? When Sextus Roscius was murdered they were there. The slaves themselves, as far as I am concerned, I neither accuse nor acquit; but the point which I see you contending for, namely, that they be not submitted to the question, is full of suspicion. But the reason of their being held in such horror by you, must be that they know something, which, if they were to tell, will be pernicious to you. Oh, say you, it is unjust to put questions to slaves against their masters. Is any such question meant to be put? For Sextus Roscius is the defendant, and when inquiry is being made into his conduct, you do not say that you are their masters. Oh, they are with Chrysogonus. I suppose so; Chrysogonus is so taken with their learning and accomplishments, that be wishes these men—men little better than labourers from the training of a rustic master of a family at Ameria, to mingle with his elegant youths, masters of every art and every refinement—youths picked out of many of the politest households. |
130 |
non ita est profecto , iudices ; non est veri simile ut Chrysogonus horum litteras adamarit aut humanitatem , non ut rei familiaris negotio diligentiam cognorit eorum et fidem . est quiddam quod occultatur ; quod quo studiosius ab istis opprimitur et absconditur , eo magis eminet et apparet . quid igitur ?
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That cannot be the truth, O judges; it is not probable that Chrysogonus has taken a fancy to their learning or their politeness, or that he should be acquainted with their industry and fidelity in the business of a household. There is something which is hidden; and the more studiously it is bidden and kept back by them, so much the more is it visible and conspicuous. |
131 |
Chrysogonus suine malefici occultandi causa quaestionem de eis haberi non volt ? minime , iudices ; non in omnis arbitror omnia convenire . ego in Chrysogono , quod ad me attinet , nihil eius modi suspicor ; neque hoc mihi nunc primum in mentem venit dicere . meministis me ita distribuisse initio causam : in crimen cuius tota argumentatio permissa Erucio est , et in audaciam cuius partes Rosciis impositae sunt . quicquid malefici , sceleris , caedis erit , proprium id Rosciorum esse debebit . nimiam gratiam potentiamque Chrysogoni dicimus et nobis obstare et perferri nullo modo posse et a vobis , quoniam potestas data est , non modo infirmari verum etiam vindicari oportere .
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What, then, are we to think? Is Chrysogonus unwilling that these men shall be put to the question for the sake of concealing his own crime? Not so, O judges; I do not think that the same arguments apply to every one. As far as I am concerned, I have no suspicion of the sort respecting Chrysogonus, and this is not the first time that it has occurred to me to say so. You recollect that I so divided the cause at the beginning; into the accusation, the whole arguing of which was entrusted to Erucius; and into audacity, the business of which was assigned to the Roscii;—whatever crime, whatever wickedness, whatever bloodshed there is, all that is the business of the Roscii. We say that the excessive interest and power of Chrysogonus is a hindrance to us, and can by no means be endured; and that it ought not only to be weakened, but even to be punished by you, since you have the power given to you. |
132 |
ego sic existimo , qui quaeri velit ex eis quos constat , eum caedes facta sit , adfuisse , cum cupere verum inveniri ; qui id recuset , eum profecto , tametsi verbo non audeat , tamen re ipsa de maleficio suo confiteri . dixi initio , iudices , nolle me plura de istorum scelere dicere quam causa postularet ac necessitas ipsa cogeret . nam et multae res adferri possunt , et una quaeque earum multis cum argumentis dici potest . verum ego quod invitus ac necessario facio neque diu neque diligenter facere possum . quae praeteriri nullo modo poterant , ea leviter , iudices , attigi , quae posita sunt in suspicionibus de quibus , si coepero dicere , pluribus verbis sit disserendum , ea vestris ingeniis coniecturaeque committo .
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I think as follows; that he who wishes these men to be put to the question, whom it is evident were present when the murder was committed, is desirous to find out the truth; that he who refuses it, though he does not dare admit it in words, yet does in truth by his actions, confesses himself guilty of the crime. I said at the beginning, O judges, that I was unwilling to say more of the wickedness of those men than the cause required, and than necessity itself compelled me to say. For many circumstances can be alleged, and every one of them can be discussed with many arguments. But I cannot do for any length of time, nor diligently, what I do against my will, and by compulsion. Those things which could by no means be passed over, I have lightly touched upon, O judges; those things which depend upon suspicion, and which, if I begin to speak of them, will require a copious discussion, I commit to your capacities and to your conjectures. |
133 |
venio nunc ad illud nomen aureum Chrysogoni sub quo nomine tota societas latuit ; de quo , iudices , neque quo modo dicam neque quo modo taceam reperire possum . si enim taceo , vel maximam partem relinquo ; sin autem dico , vereor ne non ille solus , id quod ad me nihil attinet , sed alii quoque plures laesos se putent . tametsi ita se res habet ut mihi in communem causam sectorum dicendum nihil magno opere videatur ; haec enim causa nova profecto et singularis est . bonorum Sex . Rosci emptor est Chrysogonus .
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I come now to that golden name of Chrysogonus, under which name the whole confederacy is set up, concerning whom, O judges, I am at a loss both how to speak and how to hold my tongue; for if I say nothing, I leave out a great part of my argument, and if I speak, I fear that not he alone (about whom I am not concerned), but others also may think themselves injured; although the case is such that it does not appear necessary to say much against the common cause of the brokers. For this cause is, in truth, a novel and an extraordinary cause. Chrysogonus is the purchaser of the property of Sextus Roscius. |
134 |
primum hoc videamus : eius hominis bona qua ratione venierunt aut quo modo venire potuerunt ? atque hoc non ita quaeram , iudices , ut id dicam esse indignum , hominis innocentis bona venisse — si enim haec audientur ac libere dicentur , non fuit tantus homo Sex . Roscius in civitate ut de eo potissimum conqueramur — verum ego hoc quaero : qui potuerunt ista ipsa lege quae de proscriptione est , sive Valeria est sive Cornelia — non enim novi nec scio — verum ista ipsa lege bona Sex . Rosci venire qui potuerunt ?
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Let us see this first, on what pretence the property of that man was sold, or how they could be sold. And I will not put this question, O judges, so as to imply that it is a scandalous thing for the property of an innocent man to be sold at all. For if these things are to be freely listened to and freely spoken, Sextus Roscius was not a man of such importance in the state as to make us complain of his fortune more than of that of others. But I ask this, how could they be sold even by that very law which is enacted about prescriptions, whether it be the Valerian or Cornelian law,—for neither know nor understand which it is—but by that very law itself how could the property of Sextus Roscius be sold? |
135 |
scriptum enim ita dicunt esse : VT AVT EORVM BONA VENEANT QVI PROSCRIPTI SVNT ; quo in numero Sex . Roscius non est : AVT EORVM QVI IN ADVERSARIORVM PRAESIDIIS OCCISI SVNT . Dum praesidia ulla fuerunt , in Sullae praesidiis fuit ; postea quam ab armis omnes recesserunt , in summo otio rediens a cena Romae occisus est . si lege , bona quoque lege venisse fateor . sin autem constat contra omnis non modo veteres leges verum etiam novas occisum esse , bona quo iure aut quo modo aut qua lege venierint quaero .
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For they say it is written in it, “that the property of those men who have been proscribed is to be sold”; in which number Sextus Roscius is not one: “or of those who have been slain in the garrisons of the opposite party.” While there, were any garrisons, he was in the garrisons of Sulla; after they laid down their arms, returning from supper, he was slain at Rome in a time of perfect peace. If he was slain by law, I admit that his property was sold by law too; but if it is evident that he was slain contrary to all laws, not merely to old laws, but to the new ones also, then I ask by what right, or in what manner, or by what law they were sold? |
136 |
in quem hoc dicam quaeris , Eruci ? non in eum quem vis et putas ; nam Sullam et oratio mea ab initio et ipsius eximia virtus omni tempore purgavit . ego haec omnia Chrysogonum fecisse dico , ut ementiretur , ut malum civem Sex . Roscium fuisse fingeret , ut eum apud adversarios occisum esse diceret , ut his de rebus a legatis Amerinorum doceri Lucium Sullam passus non sit . denique etiam illud suspicor , omnino haec bona non venisse ; id quod postea , si per vos , iudices , licitum erit , aperietur .
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You ask, against whom do I say this, O Erucius. Not against him whom you are meaning and thinking of; for both my speech from the very beginning, and also I is own eminent virtue, at all times has acquitted Sulla. I say that Chrysogonus did all this in order to tell lies; in order to make out Roscius to have been a bad citizen; in order to represent him as slain among the opposite party; in order to prevent Lucius Sulla from being rightly informed of these matters by the deputies from Ameria. Last of all, I suspect that this property was never sold at all; and this matter I will open presently, O judges, if you will give me leave. |
137 |
opinor enim esse in lege quam ad diem proscriptiones venditionesque fiant , nimirum Kalendas Iunias . aliquot post mensis et homo occisus est et bona venisse dicuntur . profecto aut haec bona in tabulas publicas nulla redierunt nosque ab isto nebulone facetius eludimur quam putamus , aut , si redierunt , tabulae publicae corruptae aliqua ratione sunt ; nam lege quidem bona venire non potuisse constat . intellego me ante tempus , iudices , haec serutari et prope modum errare qui , cum capiti Sex . Rosci mederi debeam , reduviam curem . non enim laborat de pecunia , non ullius rationem sui commodi ducit ; facile egestatem suam Sc laturum putat , si hac indigna suspicione et ficto crimine liberatus sit .
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For I think it is set down in the law on what day these proscriptions and sales shall take place, forsooth on the first of January. Some months afterwards the man was slain, and his property is said to have been sold. Now, either this property has never been returned in the public accounts, and we are cheated by this scoundrel more cleverly than we think, or, if they were returned, then the public accounts have some way or other been tampered with, for it is quite evident that the property could not have been sold according to law. I am aware, O judges, that I am investigating this point prematurely, and that I am erring as greatly as if, while I ought to be curing a mortal sickness of Sextus Roscius, I were mending a whitlow; for he is not anxious about his money; he has no regard to any pecuniary advantage; he thinks he can easily endure his poverty, if he is released from this unworthy suspicion, from this false accusation. |
138 |
verum quaeso a vobis , iudices , ut haec pauca quae restant ita audiatis ut partim me dicere pro me ipso putetis , partim pro Sex . Roscio . quae enim mihi ipsi indigna et intolerabilia videntur quaeque ad omnis , nisi providemus , arbitror pertinere , ea pro me ipso ex animi mei sensu ac dolore pronuntio ; quae ad huius vitae casum causamque pertinent et quid hic pro se dici velit et qua condicione contentus sit iam in extrema oratione nostra , iudices , audietis .
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But I entreat you, O judges, to listen to the few things I have still to say, under the idea that I am speaking partly for myself, and party for Sextus Roscius. For the things which appear to me unworthy and intolerable, and which I think concern all men unless we are prudent, those things I now mention to you for my own sake, from the real feelings and indignation of my mind. What relates to the misfortunes of the life, and to the cause of my client, and what he wishes to be said for him, and with what condition he will be content, you shall hear, O judges, immediately at the end of my speech. I ask this of Chrysogonus of my own accord, leaving Sextus Roscius out of the question. |
139 |
ego haec a Chrysogono mea sponte remoto Sex . Roscio quaero , primum qua re civis optimi bona venierint , deinde qua re hominis eius qui neque proscriptus neque apud adversarios occisus est bona venierint , cum in eos solos lex scripta sit , deinde qua re aliquanto post eam diem venierint quae dies in lege praefinita est , deinde cur tantulo venierint . quae omnia si , quem ad modum solent liberti nequam et improbi facere , in patronum suum voluerit conferre , nihil egerit ; nemo est enim qui nesciat propter magnitudinem rerum multa multos partim improbante partim imprudente L . Sulla commisisse .
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First of all, why the property of a virtuous citizen was sold? Next, why the property of a man who was neither proscribed, nor slain in the garrisons of the opposite party, were sold; when the law was made against them alone? Next, why were they sold long after the day which is appointed by the law? Next, why were they sold for go little! And if he shall choose, as worthless and wicked freedmen are accustomed to do, to refer all this to his patrons, he will do himself no good by that For there is no one who does not know that on account of the immensity of his business, many men did many things of which Lucius Sulla knew very little. |
140 |
placet igitur in his rebus aliquid imprudentia praeteriri ? non placet , iudices , sed necesse est . etenim si Iuppiter optimus maximus cuius nutu et arbitrio caelum terra mariaque reguntur saepe ventis vehementioribus aut immoderatis tempestatibus aut nimio calore aut intolerabili frigore hominibus nocuit , urbis delevit , fruges perdidit , quorum nihil pernicii causa divino consilio sed vi ipsa et magnitudine rerum factum putamus , at contra commoda quibus utimur lucemque qua fruimur spiritumque quem ducimus ab eo nobis dari atque impertiri videmus , quid miramur , iudices , Lucium Sullam , cum solus rem publicam regeret orbemque terrarum gubernaret imperique maiestatem quam armis receperat iam legibus confirmaret , aliqua animadvertere non potuisse ? nisi hoc mirum est quod vis divina adsequi non possit , si id mens humana adepta non sit .
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Is it right, then, that in these matters anything should be passed over without the ruler knowing it? It is not right, O judges, but it is inevitable. In truth, if the great and kind Jupiter, by whose will and command the heaven, the earth, and the seas are governed, has often by too violent winds, or by immoderate tempests, or by too much heat, or by intolerable cold, injured men, destroyed cities, or ruined the crops; nothing of which do we suppose to have taken place, for the sake of causing injury, by the divine intention, but owing to the power and magnitude of the affairs of the world; but on the other hand we see that the advantages which we have the benefit of, and the light which we enjoy, and the air which we breathe, are all given to and bestowed upon us by him; how can we wonder that Lucius Sulla, when he alone was governing the whole republic, and administering the affairs of the whole world, and strengthening by his laws the majesty of the empire, which he had recovered by arms, should have been forced to leave some things unnoticed? Unless this is strange that human faculties have not a power which divine might is unable to attain to. |
141 |
verum ut haec missa faciam quae iam facta sunt , ex eis quae nunc cum maxime fiunt nonne quivis potest intellegere omnium architectum et machinatorem unum esse Chrysogonum ? qui Sex . Rosci nomen deferendum curavit , cuius honoris causa accusare se dixit Erucius ... Desunt non pauca .
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But to say no more about what has happened already, cannot any one thoroughly understand from what is happening now, that Chrysogonus alone is the author and contriver of all this, and that it is he who caused Sextus Roscius to be accused? this trial in which Erucius says that he is the accuser out of regard for honour |
142 |
... aptam et ratione dispositam se habere existimant , qui in Sallentinis aut in Bruttiis habent unde vix ter in anno audire nuntium possunt .
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They think they are leading a convenient life, and one arranged rationally, who have a house among the Salentii or Brutii, from which they can scarcely receive news three times a year. |
143 |
alter tibi descendit de Palatio et aedibus suis ; habet animi causa rus amoenum et suburbanum , plura praeterea praedia neque tamen ullum nisi praeclarum et propinquum . domus referta vasis Corinthiis et Deliacis , in quibus est authepsa illa quam tanto pretio nuper mercatus est ut qui praetereuntes quid praeco enumeraret audiebant fundum venire arbitrarentur . quid praeterea caelati argenti , quid stragulae vestis , quid pictarum tabularum , quid signorum , quid marmoris apud illum putatis esse ? tantum scilicet quantum e multis splendidisque familiis in turba et rapinis coacervari una in domo potuit . familiam vero quantam et quam variis cum artificiis habeat quid ego dicam ?
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Another comes down to you from his palace on the Palatine; he has for the purposes of relaxation to his mind a pleasant suburban villa, and many farms besides, and not one which is not beautiful and contiguous; a house filled with Corinthian and Delian vessels, among which is that celebrated stove which he has lately bought at so great a price, that passers by, who heard the money being counted out, thought that a farm was being sold. What quantities besides of embossed plate, of embroidered quilts; of paintings, of statues, and of marble, do you think he has in his house? All, forsooth, that in a time of disturbance and rapine can be crammed into one house from the plunder of many magnificent families. But why should I mention how vast a household too was his, and in what various trades was it instructed? |
144 |
Mitto hasce artis volgaris , coquos , pistores , lecticarios ; animi et aurium causa tot homines habet ut cotidiano cantu vocum et nervorum et tibiarum nocturnisque conviviis tota vicinitas personet . in hac vita , iudices , quos sumptus cotidianos , quas effusiones fieri putatis , quae vero convivia ? honesta , credo , in eius modi domo , si domus haec habenda est potius quam officina nequitiae ac deversorium flagitiorum omnium .
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I say nothing of those ordinary arts, cooks, bakers, and litter-bearers; he has so many slaves to gratify his mind and ears, that the whole neighbourhood resounds with the daily music of voices, and stringed instruments, and flutes. In such a life as this, O judges, how great a daily expense, and what extravagance do you think there must be? And what banquets? Honourable no doubt in such a house; if that is to be called a house rather than a workshop of wickedness, and a lodging for every sort of iniquity. |