The tvvo most vvorthy and notable histories which remaine vnmained to posterity (viz:) the conspiracie of Cateline, vndertaken against the gouernment of the Senate of Rome, and the vvarre which Iugurth for many yeares maintained against the same state. Both written by C.C. Salustius.

CHAP. 6.

1. Cateline in suing for the Consulship, is denied. 2. His first Treason discouered. 3. Piso is sent into Spaine. 4. The reasons: his death.

1. LTullus, and Marcus Lepidus bee∣ing Consuls, P. Antronius and P. Silla Consuls elect, were accused of bribery, a 1.1 and therfore fined & disgraced. Not long after, Cateline being in office, was also attainted for extortion, and prohibited to stand for the Consulship, for that according to Law hee could not trauers the accusation, and giue in his b 1.2 name blamelesse within his ti••e limitted.

At the same time liued G. Piso, a young Gentleman, dis∣cended of Honourable parentage, but exceeding wilde, poore, and factious. Penury and euill education set his thoughts on working to innouation.

2. About the Nones of December; Cateline, this yong Gentleman, and Antronius, laid their heads together, in the Capitoll to murder the two Consuls, L: Torquatos and L. Cotta: vppon the Kalends of Ianuary, and then, c 1.3 they two seizing on the Ensignes of honor and office, to poast away this Piso with an Army, for the retaining of both d 1.4 Spaines to their vses. Which complot being discouered, they deferred the second resolution of the murder vntill

the Nones of February. Then, they intended not the de∣struction of the two Consuls onely, but the destructi∣on also of many of the Nobility. Wherein if Cateline had not made too much hast to Court, to haue giuen his com∣plices the watch-word, without doubt, that day had pro∣ued the bloudiest season, that euer the Citty of Rome had beheld, sithence the laying of her first foundations. The c 1.5 slow approach of the Conspirators, broke the neck of the intended enterprize.

3 Notwithstanding Piso was sent Lord President into the hether-Spaine,f 1.6 not without the conniuance of Marcus Crassus, for that, he stood assured, that Piso was no small aduersary vnto the greatnesse of C: Pompeius.

4. Neither yet could the Lords of the Senate be taxed of improuidence, for intrusting the prouince to such a companion; for it was their pollicy to remoue so corrupt a member farre from the more sounder and vitall parts of the Commonweale; partly, for that they mistrusted, that many good men, might houer vnder the wing of his pre∣ferment; and partly, for that the power of Pompey, and his credit with the army, were (with reason) growne verie suspitious vnto the state. But this very Piso, in the midst of his iourney, was slaine, by those horsemen ouer whom he commanded.

Some gaue out, that the Barbarians could not disgest g 1.7his iniust, imperious, and cruell gouernment; Others, that those horsemen being the ancient followers of Pompey, & his faithfull seruitors, committed the murder not without his priuity: affirming, that the Spaniards neuer committed so execrable an homicide, & yet had indured many more seuere Lieutenants. For our parts, we will leaue it, as we found it, and so end the Relation of this first Treason.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Quod per ambi∣tum, aut alia via sinistra ad magi∣stratus pervenisse conuinc••bantur, et poenas dabaut, & à magistratu abire cogebantur.
• b 1.2

  Quicum{que} ma∣gistra••um p••tebat, nomen suum im∣mune dare oporte∣bat.
• c 1.3

  Correptis facibus
• d 1.4

  S. superiorem, & inferiorem.
• c 1.5

  N••ndum conve∣neran••, cum signū d••••et.
• f 1.6

  Viciniorē Italiae.
• g 1.7

  Minus est, im••e∣ratorem iniustum esse, quam superbū: Minus, superbum esse, quā crudelem