CHAPTER XI.

4: _detester ac deprecer_: both these words mean “to seek to remove anything from one, such as blame, &c., by calling the gods to witness (_testari deos_) and by imploring (_precari_) their aid.” Note the middle force of these deponents.

5: _quaeso_: conjugate this verb.

6: _loquatur_: see § 18.

7: _tune_: join with _exire patiere_.

8: _evoratorum servorum_: Catiline, however, refused the help of slaves (Sallust, Cat. C., 56), though Lentulus urged him to use these.

9: _emissus--immissus_: paronomasia.

10: _hunc--duci_: what is the usual construction of _imperari_? H. 498, I. The infinitive with _imperare_ is always passive.

11: _mactari_: the official word of sacrifice, “to slay a victim.” It is connected with old verb _magere_: probably “to strike:” cp. μάχη, hence “to kill.”

§ 28.--

1: _tandem_: cp. note 1, § 1. Cicero shews that neither precedent, nor laws, nor the judgment of future generations deter Catiline.

2: _At_: introduces the objection of an opponent: “Yes, but.” Cicero refers here to the case of P. Scipio Nasica who headed the nobility against Tib. Gracchus.

3: _an leges?_ Principally the _leges Valeriae_, and _leges Porciae_. The former were proposed by (1) P. Valerius Poplicola 509 B.C. which enacted that no Roman magistrate should put to death or flog a Roman citizen if he had appealed to the people: (2) in 449 B.C. L. Valerius Potitus enacted that no magistracy should be held with an exemption from appeal: (3) in 300 B.C. M. Valerius Corvus brought in a bill sanctioning the other laws on the subject of appeal. The _leges Porciae_ were proposed by three of the _Porcii_, and exempted from stripes the persons of Roman citizens, and imposed heavy fines on any one who should scourge or kill a Roman citizen.

4: _rogatae sunt_: “have been passed.” The people at the _comitia_ were _asked_ to pass a law by the presiding magistrate in the words “_velitis, jubeatis, Quirites_.” Hence _rogare legem_, “to pass a bill.” When the people voted _two_ ballots were usually given them, one marked with the letters U R (i.e. _uti rogas_ or “yea”), and the other with A (i.e. _antiquo, antiqua probo_, “I annul”).

5: _praeclaram gratiam_: “a fine return:” strongly ironical.

6: _hominem--cognitum_: i.e. _hominem novum_: the Romans applied the term (_novus homo_) to the first of a family who had raised himself to a consul office, _tam mature_: the _lex annalis_ enacted that no one could obtain the _quaetorship_ till he was 31; the _aedileship_ till 37; the _praetorship_ till 41; and the _consulship_ till 43. Cicero means that he obtained these offices as soon as he was eligible to hold them.

7: _propter invidiam_: “because of too disquieting fear of unpopularity.”

§ 29.--

1: _num--pertimescenda?_ “Is the ill-will arising from a strict and a firm discharge of duty to be feared rather than that arising from indolence and indifference.”