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him an extraordinary…looking man； nor had he any shame； after the
great actions he had done； in testifying to his own great qualities。
And thus much of his opinion as to divine agency。
In general he would seem to have been of a very irregular character；
full of inconsistencies with himself much given to rapine； to
prodigality yet more； in promoting or disgracing whom he pleased；
alike unaccountable； cringing to those he stood in need of； and
domineering over others who stood in need of him； so that it was
hard to tell whether his nature had more in it of pride or of
servility。 As to his unequal distribution of punishments； as； for
example； that upon slight grounds he would put to the torture； and
again would bear patiently with the greatest wrongs； would readily
forgive and he reconciled after the most heinous acts of enmity； and
yet would visit small and inconsiderable offences with death and
confiscation of goods； one might judge that in himself he was really
of a violent and revengeful nature； which； however； he could
qualify； upon reflection； for his interest。 In this very Social War；
when the soldiers with stones and clubs had killed an officer of
praetorian rank； his own lieutenant； Albinus by name； he passed by
this flagrant crime without any inquiry； giving it out moreover in a
boast； that the soldiers would behave all the better now； to make
amends； by some special bravery； for their breach of discipline。 He
took no notice of the clamours of those that cried for justice； but
designing already to supplant Marius； now that he saw the Social War
near its end； he made much of his army； in hopes to get himself
declared general of the forces against Mithridates。
At his return to Rome he was chosen consul with Quintus Pompeius； in
the fiftieth year of his age； and made a most distinguished marriage
with Caecilia； daughter of Metellus； the chief priest。 The common
people made a variety of verses in ridicule of the marriage； and
many of the nobility also were disgusted at it； esteeming him； as Livy
writes； unworthy of this connection； whom before they thought worthy
of a consulship。 This was not his only wife； for first； in his younger
days； he was married to Ilia； by whom he had a daughter； after her
to Aelia； and thirdly to Cloelia； whom he dismissed as barren； but
honourably； and with professions of respect； adding； moreover；
presents。 But the match between him and Metella； falling out a few
days after； occasioned suspicions that he had complained of Cloelia
without due cause。 To Metella he always showed great deference； so
much so that the people； when anxious for the recall of the exiles
of Marius's party； upon his refusal； entreated the intercession of
Metella。 And the Athenians； it is thought； had harder measure； at
the capture of their town； because they used insulting language to
Metella in their jests from the walls during the siege。 But of this
hereafter。
At present esteeming the consulship but a small matter in comparison
of things to come； he was impatiently carried away in thought to the
Mithridatic War。 Here he was withstood by Marius； who out of mad
affectation of glory and thirst for distinction； those never dying
passions； though he were now unwieldy in body； and had given up
service； on account of his age； during the late campaigns； still
coveted after command in a distant war beyond the seas。 And whilst
Sylla was departed for the camp； to order the rest of his affairs
there； he sate brooding at home； and at last hatched that execrable
sedition； which wrought Rome more mischief than all her enemies
together had done； as was indeed foreshown by the gods。 For a flame
broke forth of its own accord； from under the staves of the ensigns；
and was with difficulty extinguished。 Three ravens brought their young
into the open road； and ate them； carrying the relics into the nest
again。 Mice having gnawed the consecrated gold in one of the
temples； the keepers caught one of them； a female； in a trap； and
she bringing forth five young ones in the very trap； devoured three of
them。 But what was greatest of all； in a calm and clear sky there
was heard the sound of a trumpet； with such a loud and dismal blast；
as struck terror and amazement into the hearts of the people。 The
Etruscan sages affirmed that this prodigy betokened the mutation of
the age； and a general revolution in the world。 For according to
them there are in all eight ages； differing one from another in the
lives and the characters of men； and to each of these God has allotted
a certain measure of time； determined by the circuit of the great
year。 And when one age is run out； at the approach of another； there
appears some wonderful sign from earth or heaven； such as makes it
manifest at once to those who have made it their business to study
such things； that there has succeeded in the world a new race of
men； differing in customs and institutes of life； and more or less
regarded by the gods than the preceding。 Among other great changes
that happen； as they say； at the turn of ages； the art of
divination； also； at one time rises in esteem； and is more
successful in its predictions； clearer and surer tokens being sent
from God； and then； again； in another generation declines as low；
becoming mere guesswork for the most part； and discerning future
events by dim and uncertain intimations。 This was the mythology of the
wisest of the Tuscan sages； who were thought to possess a knowledge
beyond other men。 Whilst the senate sat in consultation with the
soothsayers； concerning these prodigies； in the temple of Bellona； a
sparrow came flying in； before them all； with a grasshopper in its
mouth； and letting fall one part of it； flew away with the
remainder。 The diviners foreboded commotions and dissensions between
the great landed proprietors and the common city populace； the latter；
like the grasshopper； being loud and talkative； while the sparrow
might represent the 〃dwellers in the field。〃
Marius had taken into alliance Sulpicius； the tribune； a man
second to none in any villainies； so that it was less the question
what others he surpassed； but rather in what respects he most
surpassed himself in wickedness。 He was cruel； bold； rapacious； and in
all these points utterly shameless and unscrupulous； not hesitating to
offer Roman citizenship by public sale to freed slaves and aliens； and
to count out the price on public money…tables in the forum。 He
maintained three thousand swordsmen； and had always about him a
company of young men of the equestrian class ready for all
occasions； whom he styled his Anti…senate。 Having had a law enacted；
that no senator should contract a debt of above two thousand drachmas；
he himself； after death； was found indebted three millions。 This was
the man whom Marius let in upon the Commonwealth； and who； confounding
all things by force and the sword； made several ordinances of
dangerous consequence； and amongst the rest one giving Marius the
conduct of the Mithridatic war。 Upon this the consuls proclaimed a
public cessation of business； but as they were holding an assembly
near the temple of Castor and Pollux； he let loose the rab