[92] Romans—Togatorum. Romans, with, perhaps, some of the allies, engaged in merchandise, or other peaceful occupations, and therefore wearing the toga. They are called Italici in c. 26.
[93] Three young men—Tres adolescentes. Cortius includes these words in brackets, regarding them as the insertion of some sciolist. But a sciolist, as Burnouf observes, would hardly have thought of inserting tres adolescentes. The words occur in all the MSS., and are pretty well confirmed by what is said below, c. 25, that when the senate next sent a deputation, they took care to make it consist of majores natu, nobiles. See on adolescens, Cat., c. 38.
[94] XXII. Told much less than the truth—Sed is rumor clemens erat. "It fell below the truth, not telling the whole of the atrocity that had been committed." Gruter. "Priscian (xviii. 26) interprets clemens 'non nimius,' alluding to this passage of Sallust." Kritzius. All the later commentators have adopted this interpretation, except Burnouf, who adopts the supposition of Ciacconius, that a vague and uncertain rumor is meant.
[95] Right of nations—Jure gentium. "That is, the right of avenging himself." Rupertus.
[96] XXIV. Pays no regard—Neque—in animo habeat. This letter of Adherbal's, both in matter and tone, is very similar to his speech in c. 14.
[97] I have experienced, even before—Jam antea expertus sum. He means, in the result of his speech to the senate.
[98] XXV. Chief of the senate—Princeps senatûs. "He whose name was first entered in the censors' books was called Princeps Senatûs, which title used to be given to the person who of those alive had been censor first (qui primus censor, ex iis qui viverent, fuisset), but after the year 544, to him whom the censors thought most worthy, Liv., xxvii. 13. This dignity, although it conferred no command or emolument, was esteemed the very highest, and was usually retained for life, Liv., xxxiv. 44; xxxix. 52. It is called Principatus; and hence afterward the Emperor was named Princeps, which word properly denotes rank, and not power." Adam's Rom. Antiq., p. 3.
[99] At length the evil incitements of ambition prevailed—Vicit tamen in avido ingenio pravum consilium. "Evil propensities gained the ascendency in his ambitious disposition."
[100] XXVI. The Italians—Italici. See c. 21.
[101] XXVII. By the Sempronian law—Lege Semproniâ. This was the Lex Sempronia de Provinciis. In the early ages of the republic, the provinces were decreed by the senate to the consuls after they were elected; but by this law, passed A.U.C. 631, the senate fixed on two provinces for the future consuls before their election (Cic. Pro Dom., 9; De Prov. Cons., 2), which they, after entering on their office, divided between themselves by lot or agreement. The law was passed by Caius Gracchus. See Adam's Rom. Antiq., p. 105.