[67] Having recovered the government—Receptâ republicâ. Having wrested it from the hands of Marius and his party.
[68] All became robbers and plunderers—Rapere omnes, trahere. He means that there was a general indulgence in plunder among Sylla's party, and among all who, in whatever character, could profit by supporting it. Thus he says immediately afterward, "neque modum neque modestiam victores habere."
[69] which he had commanded in Asia—Quem in Asiâ dustaverat. I have here deserted Cortius, who gives in Asiam, "into Asia," but this, as Bernouf justly observes, is incompatible with the frequentative verb ductaverat.
[70] in public edifices and private dwellings—Privatim ac publice. I have translated this according to the notion of Burnouf. Others, as Dietsch and Pappaur, consider privatim as signifying each on his own account, and publice, in the name of the Republic.
[71] XII. A life of innocence was regarded as a life of ill-nature —Innocentia pro malivolentiâ duci caepit. "Whoever continued honest and upright, was considered by the unprincipled around him as their enemy; for a good man among the bad can never be regarded as of their party." Bernouf.
[72] It furnishes much matter for reflection—Operae pretium est.
[73] Basest of mankind—Ignavissumi mortales. It is opposed to fortissumi viri, which follows, "Qui nec fortiter nec bene quidquam fecere." Cortius.
[74] XIII. Seas covered with edifices—Maria constructa esse.
Contracta pisces aequora sentiunt,
Jactis in altum molibus, etc. Hor. Od., iii. 1.
—The haughty lord, who lays
His deep foundations in the seas,
And scorns earth's narrow bound;
The fish affrighted feel their waves
Contracted by his numerous slaves,
Even in the vast profound. Francis.