Page:Roman Constitutional History, 753-44 B.C..djvu/247

Rh recalling Pompeius immediately from Asia to protect Italy against Catiline. On this occasion he disregarded the intercession of Cato and another colleague, who in return infringed on his inviolability. Excitement ran high and martial law was declared. Metellus and Caesar, who had supported him, were suspended from office. The former thereupon went to Pompeius, although it was illegal for him to leave the city.

Return and Retirement of Pompeius. — Pompeius had every reason to believe that the oligarchy was unfriendly to him; and, in view of the fact that political phrases are so potent, he might have seized the excellent opportunity to pose as the defender of the right of appeal and especially of tribunician inviolability. He was, however, not enough of a politician for this, and he probably deceived himself, both in regard to the stability of the republic, that is, of the oligarchy, and in regard to his own influence. He was not willing to wage civil war for the sake of his own aggrandizement, and so he delayed.

In the meantime the oligarchy strengthened its position. The Catilinarian insurrection had been suppressed, and an attempt was made to win even the support of the rabble, which dominated the public meetings (contiones). On the proposal of Cato the number of those entitled to share in the distribution of grain was increased to such an extent as to involve an additional expense of about $1,650,000 annually.

Nevertheless, the oligarchy seemed to be no match for the victorious general, and everybody expected him to seize the helm of state. But on arriving at Brundisium he promptly disbanded his army, and thereby revolutionized the political situation. He might have entered Rome as a dictator or king; he came simply as a general awaiting a triumph and the position of leading senator.