M. Tullius Cicero Pro Archia Poeta 7

Silvani lege , etc., i.e. the Lex Plautia-Papiria, of the tribunes M. Plautius Silvanus and C. Papirius Carbo (not to be confounded with his infamous cousin Cneius, the Marian leader after the death of Cinna), extended the Roman citizenship to all Italian communities which had not yet received it. These towns now exchanged their independence for Roman citizenship, and became incorporated with the republic; though many of them, as Heraclia, hesitated about making the change, and did it with great reluctance. They lost all rights of independent government (such as that of coining money, the jus exsili, etc.). Latin became the official language; justice was administered by Roman law; and in most cases their government was organized on the model of Rome, having duumviri,for consuls, and a curia for the Senate. The passage here given from the Plautian-Papirian Law contains its application to citizens of foreign birth, like Archias.

si qui , etc.: the law is quoted in indir. disc., but the main clause is omitted, being implied in

data est ; see § 592 , 2 (341, c) ; G. 663, 2, b; H.-B. 535, I, a.

essent professi , should have declared their intention.

Q. Metellum [ Pium], praetor, B.C. 89: the most eminent living member of this family, and one of the leaders of the aristocracy.