as Clodius maliciously pointed out to him, he would either be knocked on the head once for all, or else have to win a battle twice over.[1] Lucullus notwithstanding gave his voice for fighting, and Cato probably was of the same mind.[2] Hortensius, on the other hand, strongly advised that Cicero should bow to the storm, and retire voluntarily from the city. The majority of the Nobles agreed with him, protesting that it would only be a matter of a few days, and that Cicero would soon be brought home in triumph.
Cicero made a final appeal to Pompey. In his despair he flung himself at his feet and begged him to redeem his promise; but Pompey did not even raise him from the ground and coldly replied that he could do nothing against Cæsar's wishes.[3] Thus baulked of his last hope, Cicero removed from his house a consecrated image of Minerva bearing the inscription "The Guardian of the City," and deposited it as a pledge and memorial in 58 B.C., End of March.the temple of Jupiter on the Capitol; then with a heavy heart he departed from Rome.
The same day Clodius carried his bill. The opposition to his measures had now collapsed, and he might do what he pleased. After first paying the consuls their hire, he next carried a resolution- ↑ Pro Sestio, 19, 43.
- ↑ Dio Cassius (xxxviii., 17, 4) and Plutarch (Cato Minor, 35, 1) assert the contrary, but their authority is not sufficient to outweigh Cicero's words (Ad Att., iii., 15, 2) expressly exonerating Cato from the blame which he heaps on Hortensius. See also Ad Fam., xv., 4, 12.
- ↑ Ad Att., x., 4, 3.
