[69]
That fellow put on the tribunal Artemidorus Cornelius, the
physician, Valerius, the crier, Tlepolemus, the painter, and judges of that sort;
not one of whom was a Roman citizen, but Greek robbers of temples, long since
infamous, and now all Corneliuses. The Agyrians saw that whatever charge Apronius
brought before whose judges, he would very easily prove; but they preferred to be
convicted, and so add to his unpopularity and infamy, rather than accede to his
conditions and terms. They asked what formula would be given to the judges on which
to try them? He answered, “If it appeared that they had acted contrary to
the edict,” on which formula he said that he should pronounce judgment.
They preferred trying the question according to a most unjust formula, and with most
profligate judges, rather than come to any settlement with him of their own accord.
He sent Timarchides privately to them, to warn them, if they were wise, to settle
the matter. They refused. “What, then, will you do? Do you prefer to be
convicted each of you in a penalty of fifty thousand sesterces?” They said they did. Then he said out loud, in the
hearing of every one, “Whoever is condemned, shall be beaten to death with
rods.” On this they began with tears to beg and entreat him to be allowed
to give up their cornfields, and all their produce, and their allotments, when
stripped of everything, to Apronius, and to depart themselves without insult and
annoyance.
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