[7]
But as for the contagious
nature to that servile war, why is it spoken of by you more than by all the rest of
the officers who were governors of the other provinces? Is it because before that
time there had been wars of runaway slaves in Sicily? But that is the very cause why that province is now and has
been in the least danger. For ever since Marcus Aquillius left it all the
regulations and edicts of the praetors have been to this effect, that no slave
should ever be seen with a weapon. What I am going to mention is an old story, and
one, probably, owing to the severity of the example, not unknown to any one of you.
They tell a story that Lucius Domitius was praetor in Sicily, and that an immense boar was brought to him; that he,
marveling at the size of the beast, asked who had killed it. When he was told that
it was such-an-one's shepherd, he ordered him to be summoned before him; that the
shepherd came eagerly to the praetor, expecting praise and reward; that Domitius
asked him how he had slain so huge a beast; that he answered “With a
hunting spear;” and that he was instantly crucified by order of the
praetor. This may, perhaps, appear harsh: I say nothing either way; all that I
understand from the story is, that Domitius preferred to appear cruel in punishing,
to seeming negligent in overlooking offences.
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M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge. London. George Bell & Sons. 1903.
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