illa defensio
,
such a defence, i.e. the defence by violence (cf.
vi vis defenditur, sect.
9
).
176.24
e re publica
,
in the interest of the commonwealth.
177.1
decrevi
,
notavi ,
I voted, I marked, i.e. as deserving punishment, leaving the person of the criminal to the decision of the court (sect.
31
). These words refer to Cicero's acts and votes in the Senate when Pompey's law was under discussion (see note on 1.8).
177.3
crimen
:
the charge against any particular person;
rem
,
the act itself
177.5
tribunum
: Plancus.
licuisset
: the action was stayed by the tribune's
intercessio.
177.6
decernebat
,
it was on the point of deciding: §
471
, e (277, c); B. 260, 3; G. 233; H. 530 (469, ii'); cf. H.-B. 484.
177.7
extra ordinem
,
out of turn: i.e. that they should have precedence of the regular docket, but that no new provisions should be made for an investigation.
177.8
divisa sententia est
,
the question was divided. When Pompey's proposed law
de vi, establishing a special tribunal (
hanc quaestionem, sect.
13
) for the investigation of the disturbances referred to, was discussed in the Senate, a resolution opposed to it was offered. This consisted of two clauses: (I) that the disturbances were
contra rem publicam, and (2) that cases arising out of them should be brought in the regular courts, but should be advanced on the docket (
veteribus —
legibus,
extra ordinem). The tribune Q. Fufius Calenus (whom Cicero refuses to name:
nescio quo) demanded that the question be divided. The first clause was then passed, whereupon the tribune Plancus interposed his veto (
empta intercessione, l.10) and prevented the second from being voted upon. Thus it was made to appear that the Senate approved the new tribunal, and Pompey's law was immediately passed by the public assembly, while the more cautious action of the Senate (
reliqua auctoritas) was blocked by the
intercessio of Plancus.
