Page:Roman Constitutional History, 753-44 B.C..djvu/262

248 his ablest adjutant, and the opposition gained a great victory.

The Consular Election for 53. — In the meantime Caesar's candidate had read the now notorious agreement in the senate, and had, as a result, lost the support of his chief. The tribunes, however, prevented any election by religious and ordinary intercession. The year 53 consequently opened with an interregnum, without any regular magistrates except the tribunes, and this state of affairs lasted until July. Pompeius, who desired to become dictator, allowed anarchy to take its course. By a final senatorial decree (senatus consultum ultimum) he was intrusted with the deliverance of the state; but he did not have the courage to press his demands, and failed to secure the coveted distinction. Under his protection an interrex then held the consular election. The candidate who made the agreement public was defeated, his confederate was elected — an occurrence characteristic of the times.

The Consular Election for 53. — The political campaign in 53-52 revived the state of anarchy. Milo, the bold partisan of the oligarchy, was a candidate for the consulship; Clodius, who was now an adherent of the triumvirs, was a candidate for the praetorship. The former gave magnificent games, the latter promised democratic laws. The candidates contended not only by means of money, but with arms. Once, when the election was being held, a riot was raised to prevent the choice of Milo, and both consuls were wounded.

The year 52 consequently began without consuls. Moreover, Pompeius, through a tribune, prevented the senate from passing the customary, but not legally necessary, decree, calling on the patrician senators to meet and choose an interrex. Thus anarchy reached its climax. On