Читать книгу The Greatest Works of Roman Classical Literature - Луций Анней Сенека - Страница 474

Table of Contents

Volturcius, being questioned about his journey, the packet of letters, and lastly, what his design was, and from what motives he acted, made, at first, ridiculous pretences, affecting to know nothing of the conspiracy. But being promised his pardon, on the security of the public faith, he discovered every thing; and told them, that a few days before Gabinius and Cæparius had drawn him in for an associate; that he knew no more than the deputies did; only he used to hear Gabinius say that P. Autronius, Ser. Sulla, L. Vargunteius, with many more, were engaged in the conspiracy. The Gauls gave the same account; they likewise convicted Lentulus (who pretended ignorance of the whole matter) not only by his letters, but by his common discourse, “that, according to the Sibylline oracles, three of the Cornelian family should be sovereigns of Rome; that Sylla and Cinna had been so already; and he himself was now the third, appointed by the Fates to be master of the city: besides, that the present was the twentieth year from the burning of the capitol,30 which the augurs, from several prodigies, had often foretold would produce a civil war and much bloodshed.” On this the letters were read, and the criminals having acknowledged their several seals, the senate decreed that Lentulus should lay down his office, and, together with the rest, be kept in custody. Accordingly, Lentulus was delivered to P. Lentulus Spinther, who was then ædile; Cethegus to Q. Cornificius; Statilius to C. Cæsar; Gabinius to M. Crassus; and Cæparius (who was taken in his flight, and brought back immediately before) to Cn. Terentius, a senator.