[187] With his own son—Cum filio suo. With the son of Metellus. He tells Marius that it would be soon enough for him to stand for the consulship in twenty-three years' time, the legitimate age for the consulship being forty-three.
[188] In the camp with his father—Contubernio patris. He was among the young noblemen in the consul's retinue, who were sent out to see military service under him. This was customary. See Cic. Pro Cael. Pro Planc. 11.
[189] LXV. Which was as weak as his body—Ob morbos—parum valido. Sallust had already expressed this a few lines above.
[190] Merchants—Negotiatores. "Every one knows that Romans of equestrian dignity were accustomed to trade in the provinces." Burnouf.
[191] With the most honorable demonstrations in his favor —Honestissimâ suffragatione. "Suffragatio was the zealous recommendation of those who solicited the votes of their fellow-citizens in favor of some candidate. See Festus, s.v. Suffragatores, p. 266, Lindem." Dietsch. It was honorable, in the case of Marius, as it was without bribery, and seemed to have the good of the republic in view.
[192] The Mamilian law—See c. 40.
[193] LXVI. Advantageous positions—Suos locos. Places favorable for his views. See Kritzius on c. 54.
[194] LXVII. Were in trepidation. At the citadel, etc.—I have translated this passage in conformity with the texts of Gerlach, Kritzius, Dietsch, Müller, and Allen, who put a point between trepidare and ad arcem. Cortina, Havercamp, and Burnouf have trepidare ad arcem, without any point. Which method gives the better sense, any reader can judge.
[195] On the roofs of the houses—Pro tectis aedificiorum. In front of the roofs of the houses; that is, at the parapets. "In prima tectorum parte." Kritzius. The roofs were flat.
[196] Worthless and infamous character—Improbus intestabilisque. These words are taken from the twelve tables of the Roman law: See Aul. Gell. vi. 7, xv. 3. Horace, in allusion to them, has intestabilis et sacer, Sat. ii. 3.181, Intestabilis signified a person to be of so infamous a character that he was not allowed to give evidence in a court of justice.