[94]
The other man first
of all sold peace for an enormous sum to the Thracians and Dardani. Then, in
order that they might be able to make up the money which they were to pay
him, he gave up Macedonia to them
to ravage and plunder. Moreover, he distributed the property of their
creditors, Roman citizens, among their Greek debtors; he exacted immense
sums from the people of Dyrrachium,
he plundered the Thessalians, he exacted a fixed sum of money from the
Achaeans every year; and, above all, in no public or consecrated place has
he left one statue, or picture, or ornament. Who, I say, will embrace the
cause of the republic when he knows all this, and when he sees that these
men are so triumphant who deserve most richly, according to every law in
existence, every sort of penalty, and every extremity of punishment? and
that these two men whom you see here are brought to trial? I say nothing of
Numerius, and Serranus, and Aelius, the mere dregs of the sedition of
Clodius; but still, even these go triumphantly about as you behold; nor, as
long as ever you are in a state of apprehension for yourselves, will they
ever be alarmed for themselves.
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M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge, B. A. London. George Bell & Sons, York Street, Covent Garden. 1891.
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