Читать книгу Yale Classics - Roman Classical Literature - Луций Анней Сенека - Страница 466

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But when Pompey was sent against the pirates and Mithridates, the power of the people declined, and the whole sway was in the hands of a few. These engrossed all public offices, the government of the provinces, and every thing else; lived unaccountable themselves, in great ease and security; overawed the popular magistrates with impeachments, and thus prevented them from exciting the spirit of the people. But as soon as there was any hope of a change in the state, the old contest fired the minds of the populace. And if Catiline had conquered in the first engagement, or come off but with equal loss, great distress and calamity must certainly have overwhelmed the state: nor would the conquerors have long enjoyed their victory; but, when they were weakened and exhausted, whoever had most power would have seized the government, and subverted liberty.

Some there were, however, who, though not concerned in the conspiracy, yet immediately joined Catiline. Among these was A. Fulvius, the son of a senator; who was taken on the road, brought back to the city, and put to death by his father’s orders.27 At the same time Lentulus, in obedience to Catiline’s orders, was endeavouring to gain over, by himself or others, all such as, from their characters or circumstances, he thought proper to be employed in bringing about a revolution; not only citizens of Rome, but all that could bear arms.