[278] Servilia, mother of Brutus, was reported to be Cæsar's mistress. As Cicero is insinuating that the whole affair was got up by Cæsar to irritate Pompey with the boni, this allusion will be understood.
[279] If Vettius did say this, he at any rate successfully imitated Cicero's manner. These names are always in his mouth. See 2 Phil. §§ 26, 87; pro Mil.. §§ 8, 82, etc. For a farther discussion of Vettius, see [Appendix B].
[280] Probably a prætor, not the triumvir.
[281] Q. Considius Gallus, who, according to Plutarch (Cæs. 13), said in the senate that the attendance of senators was small because they feared a massacre. "What made you come, then?" said Cæsar. "My age," he replied; "I have little left to lose."
ἑλικτὰ κοὐδὲν ὑγιὲς ἀλλὰ πᾶν πέριξ φρονοῦντες.
Eur. Androm. 448.
"With tortuous thoughts, naught honest, winding all."
τὰς τῶν κρατούντων ἀμαθίας φέρειν χρεών.