[56]
And, now that this trial had taken place, now that
Oppianicus was convicted in fact, and in the general opinion of every one, though he was not
yet condemned by any sentence having been legally passed upon him, still Habitus did not at
once proceed criminally against Oppianicus. He wished to know whether the judges were severe
against those men only whom they had ascertained to have poison in their own possession, or
whether they judged the intention and complicity of others in such crimes worthy of the same
punishment. Therefore, he immediately proceeded against Caius Fabricius, who, on account of
his intimacy with Oppianicus, he thought must have been privy to that crime; and, on account
of the connection of the two causes, he obtained leave to have that cause taken first. Then
this Fabricius not only did not bring to me my neighbours and friends the citizens of
Aletrinum, but he was not able himself any longer to employ them as men eager in his defence,
or as witnesses to his character.
This text is part of:
M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge, B. A. London. Henry G. Bohn, York Street, Covent Garden. 1856.
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