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5.


an si quis, etc., equiv. to or, when, if any one had, etc., the Senate would have called hint imperator, shall we take away, etc.? The Latin expresses the thought by two coordinate interrogative sentences: appellaret senatus (with its protasis si quis occidisset) and adimemus (with its modifiers). In English it is more natural to make the first of these sentences subordinate. Cf. a similar construction in Manil. Law, sect. 58.

quae increbuit: in the later days of the republic the title of imperator and the honor of a triumph were granted on much slighter grounds than in earlier times.

appellaret, would have styled (imperf. because of repeated action).

isti hostes domestici, i.e. the partisans of Antony remaining in Rome.

ovantem: evidently some informal demonstration of joy on the part of the citizens is referred to, in which Cicero, as a well-known champion of the Senate, was escorted to the Capitol to give thanks to the gods. Strictly the ovatio was an inferior triumph, sometimes granted by the Senate in cases when the proportions or circumstances of the victory, or the rank of the commander, did not warrant the supreme honor of a triumph (see note on p. 70, l. 17). The general did not wear the purple embroidered robe or the laurel crown, but the ordinary toga praetexta and a wreath of myrtle. Moreover, he walked, or (in later times) rode on horseback, instead of riding in a chariot.


Digression: Cicero defends himself against false charges and gives a history of the rumors circulated to his discredit. His tribute to his generous rivals of former days. The people know the purity of his sentiments. He has always opposed Antony.


meritis, masculine gender.

tu igitur, Sc. gloriaris.

dixerit, potential subjunctive.

gratiam non referri, that a favor should not be returned.

impietatis: the stories told charged Cicero with intended treason (see l.10), which would be impietas against his patria.


Parilibus: the Parilia or Palilia (April 21) was one of the most ancient Roman festivals, in honor of Pales, a goddess of flocks. This day was regarded as the anniversary of the founding of the city.

qui dies, etc., which occur this very day.

cum fascibus descensurum, i.e. was coming down to the Forum with the insignia of usurped power, as if to assume the throne.

hoc esse conlatum, that this [intention] was attributed.

ne quid: § 537, a, N. (319, a, N.); G. 553; cf. H.-B. 502, 3, a, footnote I

ut: if this word is retained, the expression is subj. of exclam.; § 462, a (332, c); G. 558; H. 559, 5(486, ii, N.); H.-B. 503, a; if omitted, a rhetorical question, § 444 (268); B. 277; G. 259; H. 557 (486, ii); H.-B. 503.

exsisterem, etc., should turn out of a sudden another Catiline: imperf., as referring back to the time when his enemies said "descendet"

quibus auspiciis: the whole Roman polity was based on the assumed approval of the gods, secured in every case by auspices (auspicia), taken by the proper authority. Only magistrates had the right to take the auspices (see note, Cat. 4, sect., p. 142, l. 4). The augur was not in any sense a magistrate, though he had the power of interpreting the auspices. Hence Cicero, though an augur, would be unable to take the first step to any usurpation of power. A technical obstacle like this would not stand long in the way of a modern usurper; but the stress here laid upon it illustrates the degree to which the peculiar formalism of the Roman religion had become worked into the Roman mind, and, further, the power that lay in this formalism to protect the institutions of the state.

augur, I, an augur (emphatic): i.e. an augur would know his science too well for such an attempt. This was the latest of Cicero's official honors received ten years before, and he fully appreciated the dignity of the priestly craft.

cui traderem: as the usurped authority would be illegal in its inception, so it could not be legally transferred to any successon

quemquamne fuisse: § 462 (274); B. 334; G. 534; H. 616, iii (539, iii); H.-B. 596.


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hide References (4 total)
  • Commentary references from this page (4):
    • Cicero, On Pompey's Command, 58
    • A. A. Howard, Benj. L. D'Ooge, G. L. Kittredge, J. B. Greenough, Allen and Greenough's New Latin Grammar, 444
    • A. A. Howard, Benj. L. D'Ooge, G. L. Kittredge, J. B. Greenough, Allen and Greenough's New Latin Grammar, 462
    • A. A. Howard, Benj. L. D'Ooge, G. L. Kittredge, J. B. Greenough, Allen and Greenough's New Latin Grammar, 537
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