[113]
You heard Theodorus and Numinius and Nicasio, deputies from Enna, say, in the name of their state, that they had
this commission from their fellow-citizens, to go to Verres, and to demand from him
the restoration of the statues of Ceres and
of Victory. And if they obtained it then they were to adhere to the ancient customs
of the state of Enna, not to give any
public testimony against him although he had oppressed Sicily, since these were the principles which they had received from
their ancestors. But if he did not restore them, then they were to go before the
tribunal, to inform the judges of the injuries they had received, but, far above all
things, to complain of the insults to their religion. And, in the name of the
immortal gods I entreat you, O judges, do not you despise, do not you scorn or think
lightly of their complaints. The injuries done to our allies are the present
question; the authority of the laws is at stake; the reputation and the honesty of
our courts of justice is at stake. And though all these are great considerations,
yet this is the greatest of all,—the whole province is so imbued with
religious feeling, such a superstitious dread arising out of that man's conduct has
seized upon the minds of all the Sicilians, that whatever public or private
misfortunes happen, appear to befall them because of that man's wickedness.
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