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consulship before he had applied to Pompey。 The request was made
accordingly； and was eagerly embraced by Pompey； who had long sought
an occasion to oblige him in some friendly office； so that he
solicited for Crassus； and entreated the people heartily； declaring
that their favour would be no less to him in choosing Crassus his
colleague； than in making himself consul。 Yet for all this； when
they were created consuls； they were always at variance； and
opposing one another。 Crassus prevailed most in the senate； and
Pompey's power was no less with the people； he having restored to them
the office of tribune； and having allowed the courts of judicature
to be transferred back to the knights by a new law。 He himself in
person； too； afforded them a most grateful spectacle； when he appeared
and craved his discharge from the military service。 For it is an
ancient custom among the Romans that the knights； when they had served
out their legal time in the wars； should lead their horses into the
market…place before the two officers； called censors； and having given
an account of the commanders and generals under whom they served； as
also of the places and actions of their service； should be discharged；
every man with honour or disgrace； according to his deserts。 There
were then sitting in state upon the bench two censors； Gellius and
Lentulus； inspecting the knights； who were passing by in muster before
them； when Pompey was seen coming down into the forum； with all the
ensigns of a consul； but leading his horse in his hand。 When he came
up； he bade his lictors make way for him； and so he led his horse to
the bench； the people being all this while in a sort of amaze； and all
in silence； and the censors themselves regarding the sight with a
mixture of respect and gratification。 Then the senior censor
examined him： 〃Pompeius Magnus； I demand of you whether you have
served the full time in the wars that is prescribed by the law？〃
〃Yes；〃 replied Pompey； with a loud voice； 〃I have served all； and
all under myself as general。〃 The people hearing this gave a great
shout； and made such an outcry for delight； that there was no
appeasing it； and the censors rising from their judgment seat
accompanied him home to gratify the multitude who followed after；
clapping their hands and shouting。
Pompey's consulship was now expiring； and yet his difference with
Crassus increasing； when one Caius Aurelius； a knight； a man who had
declined public business all his lifetime； mounted the hustings； and
addressed himself in an oration to the assembly； declaring that
Jupiter had appeared to him in a dream； commanding him to tell the
consuls that they should not give up office until they were friends。
After this was said； Pompey stood silent； but Crassus took him by
the hand； and spoke in this manner： 〃I do not think；
fellow…citizens； that I shall do anything mean or dishonourable in
yielding first to Pompey； whom you were pleased to ennoble with the
title of Great； when as yet he scarce had a hair on his face； and
granted the honour of two triumphs before he had a place in the
senate。〃 Hereupon they were reconciled and laid down their office。
Crassus resumed the manner of life which he had always pursued before；
but Pompey in the great generality of causes for judgment declined
appearing on either side； and by degrees withdrew himself totally from
the forum； showing himself but seldom in public； and； whenever he did；
it was with a great train after him。 Neither was it easy to meet or
visit him without a crowd of people about him； he was most pleased
to make his appearance before large numbers at once； as though he
wished to maintain in this way his state and majesty； and as if he
held himself bound to preserve his dignity from contact with the
addresses and conversation of common people。 And life in the robe of
peace is only too apt to lower the reputation of men that have grown
great by arms； who naturally find difficulty in adapting themselves to
the habits of civil equality。 They expect to be treated as the first
in the city； even as they were in the camp； and on the other hand； men
who in war were nobody； think it intolerable if in the city at any
rate they are not to take the lead。 And so when a warrior renowned for
victories and triumphs shall turn advocate and appear among them in
the forum； they endeavour their utmost to obscure and depress him；
whereas； if he gives up any pretensions here and retires； they will
maintain his military honour and authority beyond the reach of envy。
Events themselves not long after showed the truth of this。
The power of the pirates first commenced in Cilicia； having in truth
but a precarious and obscure beginning； but gained life and boldness
afterwards in the wars of Mithridates； where they hired themselves out
and took employment in the king's service。 Afterwards； whilst the
Romans were embroiled in their civil wars； being engaged against one
another even before the very gates of Rome； the seas lay waste and
unguarded； and by degrees enticed and drew them on not only to seize
upon and spoil the merchants and ships upon the seas； but also to
lay waste the islands and seaport towns。 So that now there embarked
with these pirates men of wealth and noble birth and superior
abilities； as if it had been a natural occupation to gain
distinction in。 They had divers arsenals； or piratic harbours； as
likewise watch…towers and beacons； all along the sea…coast； and fleets
were here received that were well manned with the finest mariners； and
well served with the expertest pilots； and composed of swift…sailing
and light…built vessels adapted for their special purpose。 Nor was
it merely their being thus formidable that excited indignation； they
were even more odious for their ostentation than they were feared
for their force。 Their ships had gilded masts at their stems； the
sails woven of purple； and the oars plated with silver； as if their
delight were to glory in their iniquity。 There was nothing but music
and dancing； banqueting and revels； all along the shore。 Officers in
command were taken prisoners； and cities put under contribution； to
the reproach and dishonour of the Roman supremacy。
There were of these corsairs above one thousand sail； and they had
taken no less than four hundred cities； committing sacrilege upon
the temples of the gods； and enriching themselves with the spoils of
many never violated before； such as were those of Claros； Didyma；
and Samothrace； and the temple of the Earth in Hermione； and that of
Aesculapius in Epidaurus； those of Neptune at the Isthmus； at
Taenarus； and at Calauria； those of Apollo at Actium and Leucas； and
those of Juno in Samos； at Argos； and at Lacinium。 They themselves
offered strange sacrifices upon Mount Olympus； and performed certain
secret rites or religious mysteries； among which those of Mithras have
been preserved to our own time having received their previous
institution from them。 But besides these insolencies by sea； they were
also injurious to the Romans by land； for they would often go inland
up the roads； plundering and destroying their villages and
country…houses。 Once they seized upon two Roman praetors； Sextilius
and Bellinus； in their purple…edged robes； and carried them off
together with their officers and lictors。 The daughter also of
Antonius。 a man that had had the honour of a triumph； taking a journey
into the country； was seized； and redeemed upon payment of a large
ransom。 But it was most abusive of all that； when any of the
captives declared himself to be a Roman； and told his name； they
affected to be surprised； and feigning fear； smote their thighs and
fell down at his feet humbly beseeching him to be gracious and forgive
them。
The captives； seeing them so humble and suppliant； believed them
to be in earnest； and some of them now would proceed to put Roman
shoes on his feet； and to dress him in a Roman gown； to prevent；
they said； his being mistaken another time。 After all this
pageantry； when they had thus deluded and mocked him long enough； at
last putting out a ship's ladder； when they were in the midst of the
sea； they told him he was free