[142] XXVI. By an arrangement respecting their provinces—Pactione provinciae. This passage has been absurdly misrepresented by most translators, except De Brosses. Even Rose, who was a scholar, translated pactione provinciae, "by promising a province to his colleague." Plutarch, in his Life of Cicero, says that the two provinces, which Cicero and his colleague Antonius shared between them, were Gaul and Macedonia, and that Cicero, in order to retain Antonius in the interest of the senate, exchanged with him Macedonia, which had fallen to himself, for the inferior province of Gaul. See Jug., c. 27.
[143] Plots which he had laid for the consuls in the Campus Martius —Insidiae quas consuli in campo fecerat. I have here departed from the text of Cortius, who reads consulibus, thinking that Catiline, in his rage, might have extended his plots even to the consuls-elect. But consuli, there is little doubt, is the right reading, as it is favored by what is said at the beginning of the chapter, insidias parabat Ciceroni, by what follows in the next chapter, consuli insidias tendere, and by the words, sperans, si designatus foret, facile se ex voluntate Antonio usurum; for if Catiline trusted that he should be able to use his pleasure with Antonius, he could hardly think it necessary to form plots against his life. I have De Brosses on my side, who translates the phrase, les pieges où il comptait faire périr le consul. The words in campo, which look extremely like an intruded gloss, I wonder that Cortius should have retained. "Consuli," says Gerlach, "appears the more eligible, not only on account of consuli insidias tendere, c. 27, but because nothing but the death of Cicero was necessary to make everything favorable for Catiline." Kritzius, Bernouf, Dietsch, Pappaur, Allen, and all the modern editors, read Consuli. See also the end of c. 27: Si prius Ciceronem oppressisset.] [note 144: Had ended in confusion and disgrace—Aspera faedaque evenerant. I have borrowed from Murphy.
[145] XXVII. Of Camerinum—Camertem. "That is, a native of Camerinum, a town on the confines of Umbria and Picenum. Hence the noun Camers, as Cic. Pro. Syll., c. 19, in agro Camerti." Cortius.
[146] Wherever he thought each would be most serviceable—_Ubi quemque opportunum credebat. "Proprie reddas: quam, et ubi illum, opportunum credebat," Cortius. See c. 23.
[147] When none of his numerous projects succeeded—Ubi multa agilanti nihil procedit.
[148] XXVIII. On that very night, and with but little delay—Ea nocte, paulo post. They resolved on going soon after the meeting broke up, so that they might reach Cicero's house early in the morning, which was the usual time for waiting on great men. Ingentem foribus domus alla superbis Mane salutantûm totis vomit aedibus undam. Virg. Georg., ii. 461.
[149] XXIX. This is the greatest power which—is granted, etc. —Ea potestas per senatum, more Romano, magistratui maxima permittitur. Cortius, mirâ judicii peversitate, as Kritzius observes, makes ea the ablative case, understanding "decretione," "formula," or some such word; but, happily, no one has followed him.
[150] XXX. By the 27th of October—Ante diem VI. Kalendas Novembres. He means that they were in arms on or before that day.
[151] Quintus Marcius Rex—He had been proconsul in Cilicia, and was expecting a triumph for his successes.
[152] Quintus Metellus Creticus—He had obtained the surname of Creticus from having reduced the island of Crete.