praetoris urbani. The business of the praetors during their year of office was mainly judicial. They were now eight in number; two presided in the civil court; of these the praetor urbanus tried suits between citizens at a fixed tribunal in the Forum; the praetor peregrinus suits between citizens and foreigners. The remaining six (without distinctive name) acted as judges in criminal cases. Cicero means that Catilina and his friends tried to intimidate the praetor in the discharge of his duties.
malleolos. The 'malleolus' was a missile used in sieges. It was filled with tow, which was ignited before it was thrown, and had an arrow affixed. The name seems to be derived from the shape, which resembled a mallet.
tantam in vobis, etc., i.e. he would as consul secure the execution of whatever the senate might decree.
cum. Used of the attendant circumstances of an action. In English, 'to the salvation of the state, the destruction of yourself,' etc.
Iuppiter. The temple of Iuppiter Stator (the 'Stayer of flight,' the 'Stablisher,') was vowed by Romulus during the fight with the Sabines (Livy 1. 12); it was not, however, built till 294 b.c. (Livy 10. 37).
auspicia, augury from the flight of birds, which always preceded any important undertaking. As the auspices were taken by the chief, 'to do a thing under a person's auspices' came to mean 'to act under his leadership and protection.'