Concessa est? Emere omnes, hic vendidit urbem.
Lucan, Pharsalia, iv. 799-804, 809-end.
Context. In 49 B.C. Curio was sent by Caesar to wrest the corn-province of Africa from the Pompeians. He won a signal success over Varus (allied with Juba) at Utica, but allowed himself to be surprised on the plain of the Bagradas, and, when all was lost, died sword in hand.
800 tribunicia arce = from the citadel of the tribune, i.e. the inviolability of the office and the right of veto. As tribune Curio played an all-important part in the crisis of 50 B.C.
801 prodita iura senatus, i.e. of the right of the senators to appoint governors of the provinces.—Haskins.
802 gener atque socer: by the early death of Julia (54 B.C.)—a beloved wife and daughter—the personal relation between Pompeius and Caesar was broken up.
812 senium (senex) = decay (of lapse of time).
813 digna . . . vitae = such a panegyric (praeconia) as thy life deserves.—H.
815-818 As tribune Curio for a time played the part of an independent republican, till his talent induced Caesar to buy him up.
819 momentum (= movi + mentum) rerum = that which turned the scale of history.—H.