per quem, the agent was Umbrenus. Cf. [§14 below].

subito, adverb, with demens.

cum, 'although.'

dicendi exercitatio. Lit. 'practice in speaking,' i.e. 'fluency.'

[§12].

Quis sim, etc. The general sense of the letter is similarly given by Sallust (Cat. 44) with verbal differences.

locum, 'position.'

etiam infimorum, i.e. he was to arm the slaves.

[§13].

cum . . . tum, 'just as ... so also.' Cf. [3. 18]. illa in each clause refers to what follows. Note that 'certiora' follows 'certissima,' showing that the latter means 'very sure,' not 'the surest possible.' Cicero is fond of using the superlative in this sense.