[54]
Slaughter of the chief men is
indicated; that is added which must inevitably follow the death of the
nobles. We are warned to take care that the republic does not fall under the
absolute dominion of a single individual. And even if we were not led to
this fear by the warning of the gods, still we ourselves, of our own accord,
by our own senses and conjectures, should he forced to entertain it. For
there is not usually any other termination to dissensions between eminent
and powerful men, except either universal destruction, or the domination of
the victorious party, or regal power. Lucius Sulla, a most noble and gallant
consul, quarreled with Caius Marius, a most illustrious citizen. Each of
these men, when defeated, fell so completely that the conqueror became a
king. Cinna quarreled with his colleague Octavius. To each of these men
prosperity gave kingly power, and adversity brought death. The same Sulla
became victorious a second time.
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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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