The following table will show the relationship:
M. Fulvius Flaccus (cos. 125)
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M.F. FlaccusFulvia m. L.J. Caesar (cos. 90)
(filius) |
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L.J. Caesar (cos. 64) Julia m. (1) M. Antonius Creticus.
(2) P.C. Lentulus.
nudius tertius. At the meeting of the senate described in the Third Speech.
quorum, etc. 'What had they (i.e. Flaccus and C. Gracchus) done that could compare with this' (the present conspiracy)? factum is treated as a substantive.
largitionis voluntas, etc. 'Designs of largess were then rife in the state, accompanied by some party rivalry.' C. Gracchus passed a law providing the people with corn at low rates. He also transferred the right of sitting as iudices in the law-courts from the senate to the equites, and thus stirred up strife ('partium contentio') between the two orders.
Cicero purposely makes light of those measures, which had really very important effects, in order to give point to his argument, which is—If such comparatively moderate designs as those of C. Gracchus met with so signal a punishment, what do the violent schemes of Catilina deserve? Cf. [1. 4].
avus. Cornelius Lentulus, consul 162 b.c., and princeps senatus at the time of Gracchus' death. Cf. [3. 10].
ne quid, etc., 'lest the majesty of the state should be in any degree impaired.'
Vereamini censeo, lit. 'it is my opinion that you should fear' ('ut' being omitted, as often after 'censeo'). Ironical advice, where the contrary is really intended. 'You had better be afraid, I should think.' Cf. the similar ironical passage in Sallust, Cat. 52 (Cato is speaking in favour of executing the conspirators), 'Misereamini censeo—deliquere homines adulescentuli per ambitionem—atque etiam armatos dimittatis.' multo magis verendum, etc. below gives his serious opinion.