33.
[92]
I see therefore that there were many causes which urged that man to this crime. Let us
now see whether he had any opportunity of committing it. Where was Sextus Roscius
slain?—at Rome. What of you, O
Roscius? Where were you at that time?—at Rome. But what is that to the purpose? many other men were there too. As
if the point now were, who of so vast a crowd slew him, and as if this were not rather
the question, whether it is more probable that he who was slain at Rome was slain by that man who was constantly at
Rome at that time, or by him who for many
years had never come to Rome at all?
[93]
Come, let us consider now the other circumstances
which might make it easy for him. There was at that time a multitude of assassins, as
Erucius has stated, and men were being killed with impunity. What!—what was
that multitude? A multitude, I imagine, either of those who were occupied in getting
possession of men's property, or of those who were hired by them to murder some one. If
you think it was composed of those who coveted other men's property, you are one of that
number,—you who are enriched by our wealth; if of those whom they who call
them by the lightest name call slayers, inquire to whom they are bound, and whose
dependents they are, believe me you will find it is some one of your own confederacy,
whatever you say to the contrary, compare it with our defence, and by this means the
cause of Sextus Roscius will be most easily contrasted with yours.
[94]
You will say, “what follows if I was constantly at
Rome?” I shall answer,
“But I was never there at all.” “I confess that I am a
broker, but so are many other men also.” “But I, as you yourself
accuse me of being, am a countryman and a rustic.” “It does not
follow at once, because I have been present with a troop of assassins, that I am an
assassin myself.” “But at all events I, who never had even the
acquaintance of assassins, am far removed from such a crime.” There are many
things which may be mentioned, by which it may be understood that you had the greatest
facilities for committing this crime, which I pass over, not only because I do not
desire to accuse, but still more on this account,—because if I were to wish to
enumerate all the murders which were then committed on the same account as that on which
Sextus Roscius was slain, I fear lest my speech would seem to refer to others also.
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