Caesar rose and delivered
a studied oration, to the effect that it was not consistent with the
constitution, nor was it just to put to death without a trial men
distinguished for their high character and their family, unless there
was the most urgent necessity; and he added that, if they were
imprisoned in the Italian cities which Cicero himself might choose,
until the war against Catiline was brought to an end, the senate might
have time to deliberate on the case of each prisoner when peace was
restored.
VIII. This proposal appeared so humane, and was supported by so
powerful a speech, that not only those who rose after Caesar sided
with, him, but many of those who had already spoken changed their
opinions and went over to that of Caesar, till it came to the turn of
Cato and Catulus to speak. After they had made a vigorous opposition,
and Cato in his speech had also urged suspicious matter against Caesar
and strongly argued against him, the conspirators were handed over to
the executioner, and as Caesar was leaving the Senate many of the young
men who then acted as a guard to Cicero, crowded together and
threatened Caesar with their naked swords.[461] But Curio[462] is said
to have thrown his toga round Caesar, and to have carried him off; and
Cicero also, when the young men looked to him, is said to have checked
them by a motion, either through fear of the people or because he
thought that the death of Caesar would be most unjust and a violation
of law.
Pages:
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590