“Conscript Fathers:--It is true that Sextus Pedius is a man of exalted birth; the more shame, therefore, that he has disgraced the name of a _clarissimus_ of the Venerable Senate. It is true his victims were either provincials or citizens of provincial origin:--the law is impartial, the Roman Empire has been established upon the inflexible rule of ‘piety’ giving alike to gods and to men that which is lawfully their due. If he has outraged provincials the case is clear; long ago the Emperor Tiberius expressed the ruling policy when he said, ‘A good shepherd shears his sheep but does not flay them.’ If Pedius has also outraged citizens, much more equites, wherein lies the boast ‘_Civis Romanus sum!_’, if these men, whatever their original birth, cannot demand lawful vengeance at our hands? “My opinion, therefore, is this: let the defendant’s ill-gotten bribes be confiscated to the treasury, and let Pedius himself be banished from Rome, and Italy; let his lesser confederates be banished from Rome, from Italy, and also from the Province of Asia. Since also Publius Calvus and Titus Atilius have pleaded the cause of the provincials with diligence and fearlessness, let them receive the thanks of the Senate. Such is my opinion!” A great murmur rises--applause with some shouts of dissent. “Hangman!” “Butcher!” rise from the little knot of Pedius’s relatives. Then Varus calls on the second consul designate, Atticus, who, rising stiffly, says with clear voice, “I agree with the most noble Lupercus,” and promptly takes his seat. One by one the ex-consuls, each summoned by turn, announce that they also agree with Lupercus, until one cynical old aristocrat, the ex-consul Gavius, notorious for his own sensual life and the manner whereby he enriched himself in Africa, yet powerful through his vast wealth and influential connections, announces that he is confident the Senate should show mercy. “Let Pedius disgorge the money and forfeit the priesthood of Mars which he holds--that will be punishment enough. A good lesson has been taught and the unfortunate man has been disgraced enough already.” =296. An Uproar in the Senate: an “Altercation.”=--Instantly the Senate is in an uproar. The shorthand reporters[184] can hardly take down all the interrupting shouts that are tossed back and forth: “How now, Marcus Æmilius Gavius, will you let such a scoundrel go?” “What are those provincials but scum anyway!” etc., etc. A violent “altercation” follows, several senators rising and demanding that Gavius explain himself. The old reprobate however cleverly stands his ground, and is vigorously cheered by many who will not actually support his proposal.