The
Syrian revenue farmers were present, open-mouthed with their accusations.
Gabinius was condemned, stripped of his spoils, and sent into banishment.
Cicero was left with his shame. Nor was this the worst. There were still
some dregs in the cup, which he was forced to drain. Publius Vatinius was
a prominent leader of the military democratic party, and had often come in
collision with Cicero. He had been tribune when Caesar was consul, and had
stood by him against the Senate and Bibulus. He had served in Gaul in
Caesar's first campaigns, and had returned to Rome, at Caesar's instance,
to enter for higher office. He had carried the praetorship against Cato;
and Cicero in one of his speeches had painted him as another Clodius or
Catiline. When the praetorship was expired, he was prosecuted for
corruption; and Cicero was once more compelled to appear on the other
side, and defend him, as he had done Gabinius. Caesar and Pompey, wishing
perhaps to break completely into harness the brilliant but still half
unmanageable orator, had so ordered, and Cicero had complied. He was
ashamed, but he had still his points of satisfaction. It was a matter of
course that, as an advocate, he must praise the man whom, a year before,
he had spattered with ignominy; but he had the pleasure of feeling that he
was revenging himself on his conservative allies, who led the prosecution.
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