4.
[9]
Moreover, when that conspiracy had burst forth from its hiding place and from
darkness, and stalked about in arms through the city, he came with the army
to Capua; which city we
suspected, on account of its exceeding resources and advantages in time of
war, was likely to have attempts made on it by that impious and wicked band.
And he drove Marcus Aulanus, a military tribune devoted to Antonius,
headlong out of Capua; a
profligate man, and one who without much disguise had mixed in the intrigues
of the conspiracy at Pisaurum,
and in other parts of the Gallic territory. He also took care to get rid of
Caius Marcellus out of that city, after he had not only come to Capua, but, as if from a fondness for
warlike arms, had frequently visited a very numerous troop of gladiators. On
which account that illustrious body of Roman settlers which is at Capua, which, on account of the way in
which I preserved the safety of that city during my consulship, has adopted
me as their only patron, returned the greatest thanks to this Publius
Sestius, when he was at my house; and at this very time those same men,
changing only their name, and appearing as colonists, and
decurions,—most gallant and virtuous men that they
are!—come forward to give evidence, and to declare the services
done to them by Publius Sestius, and to inform you of their public vote
according to which they entreat you to protect him from danger.
[10]
Read, I beg, O Publius Sestius, what the decurions1 of Capua decreed, in order that your
childish voice may be able to give some hint to our adversaries what it
appears likely to be able to do when it has acquired strength. [The decree
of the decurions is read.] I am not having a decree read which has been
dictated by any obligations of neighbourhood, or clientship, or relation of
public hospitality, or which was passed because of a canvass for it, or
because of the recommendation of some powerful man. I am reciting to you the
expression of a recollection of dangers which have been passed through, the
declaration of a most honourable service done to a people, a present return
of kindness, and a testimony of past events.
[11]
And at that very time when Sestius had released
Capua from fear, and the
senate and all good men, by the detection and crushing of all domestic
enemies, had, under my guidance, delivered the city from the greatest
dangers, I sent letters to summon him from Capua with that army which he had at that time with him.
And the moment he had read the letters, he flew to the city with
inconceivable rapidity. And in order that you may thoroughly call to mind
the atrocity of those times, listen to the letters, and stir up your
memories to a contemplation of the time that is gone by. [The letters of
Cicero, the consul, are read.]
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1 It has been said before that decuriones was the name of the senators of a senate of a colony.
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