1 XLIII. The excellent consul] “Optimo consuli.” With the exception of the slight commendation bestowed on his speech, luculentam atque utilem reipublicæ, c. 31, this is the only epithet of praise that Sallust bestows on the consul throughout his narrative. That it could be regarded only as frigid eulogy, is apparent from a passage in one of Cicero's letters to Atticus (xii. 21), in which he speaks of the same epithet having been applied to him by Brutus: " Brutus thinks that he pays me a great compliment when he calls me an excellent consul (optimum consulem); but what enemy could speak more coldly of me?"
2 Twelve places of the city, convenient for their purpose] “Duodecim--opportuna loca.” Plutarch, in his Life of Cicero, says a hundred places. Few narratives lose by repetition.
3 In order that, during the consequent tumult] “Quò tumultu.” "It is best," says Dietsch, "to take quo as the particula finalis (to the end that), and tumultu as the ablative of the instrument."
4 Delay] “Dies prolatando.” By putting off from day to day.
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