[72]
As there was a great number wanting, that most infamous
man began to substitute, in the room of those of the pirates whom he had taken into
his own house, the Roman citizens whom he had previously thrown into prison; some of
whom he accused of having been soldiers of Sertorius, and said that they had been
driven on shore in Sicily, while flying
from Spain; others, who had been taken by
pirates, while they were engaged in commerce, or else sailing with some other
object, he accused of having been with the pirates of their own free will: and
therefore some Roman citizens, with their heads muffled up; that they might not be
recognised, were taken from prison to the fatal stake and to execution; others,
though they were recognised by many Roman citizens, and though all attempted to
defend them, were put to death. But of their most shameful death did most cruel
tortures I will speak when I begin to discuss this topic; and I will speak with such
feelings, that, if in the course of that complaint which I shall make of that man's
cruelty, and of the most scandalous execution of Roman citizens, not only my
strength, but even my life should fail me, I should think it delightful and
honourable.
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