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Verres having a son who had fallen into disgraceful courses。
Hortensius the orator； not daring directly to undertake the defence of
Verres； was yet persuaded to appear for him at the laying on of the
fine； and received an ivory sphinx for his reward； and when Cicero
in some passage of the speech； obliquely reflected on him； and
Hortensius told him he was not skilful in solving riddles； 〃No；〃
said Cicero； 〃and yet you have the sphinx in your house！〃
Verres was thus convicted； though Cicero； who set the fine at
seventy…five myriads； lay under the suspicion of being corrupted by
bribery to lessen the sum。 But the Sicilians； in testimony of their
gratitude； came and brought him all sorts of presents from the island；
when he was aedile； of which he made no private profit himself； but
used their generosity only to reduce the public price of provisions。
He had a very pleasant seat at Arpi； he had also a farm near Naples；
and another about Pompeii； but neither of any great value。 The portion
of his wife； Terentia； amounted to ten myriads； and he had a bequest
valued at nine myriads of denarii； upon these he lived in a liberal
but temperate style with the learned Greeks and Romans that were his
familiars。 He rarely； if at any time； sat down to meat till sunset；
and that not so much on account of business； as for his health and the
weakness of his stomach。 He was otherwise in the care of his body nice
and delicate； appointing himself； for example； a set number of walks
and rubbings。 And after this manner managing the habit of his body； he
brought it in time to be healthful； and capable of supporting many
great fatigues and trials。 His father's house he made over to his
brother； living himself near the Palatine hill； that he might not give
the trouble of long journeys to those that made suit to him。 And；
indeed； there were not fewer daily appearing at his door； to do
their court to him； than there were that came to Crassus for his
riches； or to Pompey for his power amongst the soldiers； these being
at that time the two men of the greatest repute and influence in Rome。
Nay； even Pompey himself used to pay court to Cicero； and Cicero's
public actions did much to establish Pompey's authority and reputation
in the state。
Numerous distinguished competitors stood with him for the
praetor's office； but he was chosen before them all； and managed the
decision of causes with justice and integrity。 It is related that
Licinius Macer； a man himself of great power in the city； and
supported also by the assistance of Crassus； was accused before him of
extortion； and that； in confidence on his own interest and the
diligence of his friends； whilst the judges were debating about the
sentence； he went to his house； where hastily trimming his hair and
putting on a clean gown as already acquitted； he was setting off again
to go to the Forum； but at his hall door meeting Crassus； who told him
that he was condemned by all the votes； he went in again； threw
himself upon his bed； and died immediately。 This verdict was
considered very creditable to Cicero； as showing his careful
management of the courts of justice。 On another occasion； Vatinius；
a man of rude manners and often insolent in court to the
magistrates； who had large swellings on his neck； came before his
tribunal and made some request； and on Cicero's desiring further
time to consider it； told him that he himself would have made no
question about it had he been praetor。 Cicero； turning quickly upon
him； answered； 〃But I； you see； have not the neck that you have。〃
When there were but two or three days remaining in his office；
Manilius was brought before him； and charged with peculation。 Manilius
had the good opinion and favour of the common people； and was
thought to be prosecuted only for Pompey's sake； whose particular
friend he was。 And therefore； when he asked a space of time before his
trial； and Cicero allowed him but one day； and that the next only； the
common people grew highly offended； because it had been the custom
of the praetors to allow ten days at least to the accused； and the
tribunes of the people； having called him before the people and
accused him； he； desiring to be heard； said； that as he had always
treated the accused with equity and humanity； as far as the law
allowed； so he thought it hard to deny the same to Manilius； and
that he had studiously appointed that day of which alone； as
praetor； he was master； and that it was not the part of those that
were desirous to help him to cast the judgment of his cause upon
another praetor。 These things being said made a wonderful change in
the people； and commending him much for it they desired that he
himself would undertake the defence of Manilius； which he willingly
consented to； and that principally for the sake of Pompey； who was
absent。 And； accordingly； taking his place before the people again； he
delivered a bold invective upon the oligarchical party and on those
who were jealous of Pompey。
Yet he was preferred to the consulship no less by the nobles than
the common people； for the good of the city； and both parties
jointly assisted his promotion； upon the following reasons。 The change
of government made by Sylla； which at first seemed a senseless one
by time and usage had now come to be considered by the people no
unsatisfactory settlement。 But there were some that endeavoured to
alter and subvert the whole present state of affairs； not from any
good motives； but for their own private gain； and Pompey being at this
time employed in the wars with the kings of Pontus and Armenia；
there was no sufficient force at Rome to suppress any attempts at a
revolution。 These people had for their head a man of bold； daring； and
restless character； Lucius Catiline； who was accused； besides other
great offences； of deflowering his virgin daughter； and killing his
own brother； for which latter crime； fearing to be prosecuted at
law； he persuaded Sylla to set him down； as though he were yet
alive； amongst those that were to be put to death by proscription。
This man the profligate citizens choosing for their captain； gave
faith to one another； amongst other pledges； by sacrificing a man； and
eating of his flesh； and a great part of the young men of the city
were corrupted by him； he providing for every one pleasures； drink；
and women； and profusely supplying the expense of these debauches。
Etruria； moreover； had all been excited to revolt； as well as a
great part of Gaul within the Alps。 But Rome itself was in the most
dangerous inclination to change on account of the unequal distribution
of wealth and property； those of highest rank and greatest spirit
having impoverished themselves by shows； entertainments； ambition of
offices； and sumptu