[94] XXII. Told much less than the truth--_Sed is rumor clemens erat_. "It fell below the truth, not telling the whole of the atrocity that had been committed." _Gruter._ "Priscian (xviii. 26) interprets _clemens_ 'non nimius,' alluding to this passage of Sallust." _Kritzius._ All the later commentators have adopted this interpretation, except Burnouf, who adopts the supposition of Ciacconius, that a _vague and uncertain_ rumor is meant. [95] Right of nations--_Jure gentium._ "That is, the right of avenging himself." _Rupertus._ [96] XXIV. Pays no regard--_Neque--in animo habeat._ This letter of Adherbal's, both in matter and tone, is very similar to his speech in c. 14. [97] I have experienced, even before--_Jam antea expertus sum._ He means, in the result of his speech to the senate. [98] XXV. Chief of the senate--_Princeps senatûs._ "He whose name was first entered in the censors' books was called _Princeps Senatûs_, which title used to be given to the person who of those alive had been censor first (_qui primus censor, ex iis qui viverent, fuisset_), but after the year 544, to him whom the censors thought most worthy, Liv., xxvii. 13. This dignity, although it conferred no command or emolument, was esteemed the very highest, and was usually retained for life, Liv., xxxiv. 44; xxxix. 52. It is called _Principatus_; and hence afterward the Emperor was named _Princeps_, which word properly denotes rank, and not power." Adam's Rom. Antiq., p. 3. [99] At length the evil incitements of ambition prevailed--_Vicit tamen in avido ingenio pravum consilium._ "Evil propensities gained the ascendency in his ambitious disposition." [100] XXVI. The Italians--_Italici._ See c. 21. [101] XXVII. By the Sempronian law--_Lege Semproniâ._ This was the _Lex Sempronia de Provinciis._ In the early ages of the republic, the provinces were decreed by the senate to the consuls after they were elected; but by this law, passed A.U.C. 631, the senate fixed on two provinces for the future consuls before their election (Cic. Pro Dom., 9; De Prov. Cons., 2), which they, after entering on their office, divided between themselves by lot or agreement. The law was passed by Caius Gracchus. See Adam's Rom. Antiq., p. 105. [102] Publius Scipio Nasica--"The great-grandson of him who was pronounced by the senate to be _vir optimus_; and son of him who, though holding no office at the time, took part in putting to death Tiberius Gracchus. He was consul with Bestia, A.U.C. 643, and died in his consulship. Cic. Brut., 34." _Burnouf._ [103] Lucius Bestia Calpurnius--"He had been on the side of the nobility against the Gracchi, and was therefore in favor with the senate. After his consulship he was accused and condemned by the Mamilian law (c. 40), for having received money from Jugurtha, Cic. Brut. c. 34. De Brosses thinks that he was the grandfather of that Bestia who was engaged in the conspiracy of Catilina." Burnouf._