[7]
The punishments of Roman citizens are driving him mad, some of whom he has
delivered to the executioner, others he has put to death in prison, others he has
crucified while demanding their rights as freemen and as Roman citizens. The gods of
his fathers are hurrying him away to punishment, because he alone has been found to
lead to execution sons torn from the embraces of their fathers, and to demand of
parents payment for leave to bury their sons. The reverence due to, and the holy
ceremonies practiced in, every shrine and every temple—but all violated by
him; and the images of the gods, which have not only been taken away from their
temples, but which are even lying in darkness, having been cast aside and thrown
away by him—do not allow his mind to rest free from frenzy and madness.
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M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge. London. George Bell & Sons. 1903.
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