[61]
For why, O judges, should I speak of Quintus Lollius, a Roman knight of tried
probity and honour? (the matter which I am going to mention is clear, notorious, and
undoubted throughout all Sicily;)—who, as he was a cultivator of the domain in the
district of Aetna, and as his farm belonged
to Apronius's district as well as the rest, relying on the ancient authority and
influence of the equestrian order, declared that he would not pay the collectors
more than was due from him to them. His words are reported to Apronius. He laughed,
and marveled that Lollius had heard nothing of Matrinius or of his other actions. He
sends his slaves of Venus to the man. Remark this also, that a collector had
officers appointed to attend him by the praetor; and see if this is a slight
argument that he abused the name of the collectors to purposes of his own gain.
Lollius is brought before Apronius by the slaves of Venus, and dragged along, at a
convenient moment, when Apronius had just returned from the palaestra, and was lying
on a couch which he had spread in the forum of Aetna Lollius is placed in the middle
of that seemly banquet of gladiators.
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