Читать книгу Yale Classics - Roman Classical Literature - Луций Анней Сенека - Страница 463

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Having staid a few days with C. Flaminius in the territory of Reate, till he had furnished that neighbourhood, which had before been gained over to his party, with arms, he proceeded with the fasces and the other ensigns of consular authority to Manlius’s camp. When this was known at Rome the senate declared Catiline and Manlius enemies to the state, with pardon to such of their followers as should quit their arms by a certain day, those only excepted who were under sentence for capital crimes. They likewise decreed that the consuls should levy forces; that C. Antonius should pursue Catiline with all expedition, and Cicero stay to defend the city.26 The Roman state, at this juncture, appears to me to have been in a condition extremely deplorable; since, though all nations, from the rising to the setting sun, were reduced to its obedience; though peace and prosperity, the greatest blessings of life in the estimation of men, reigned at home, there were yet some of her citizens desperately bent on their own ruin and that of the commonwealth: for, notwithstanding, the two decrees of the senate, not a man was found among the numerous followers of Catiline to accept the reward and discover the conspiracy; not a single person to desert his camp: so strong a spirit of disaffection had, like a pestilence, taken possession of their minds.