In favor of Cicero’s interpretation it may in the first place be stated that he was not simply offering a conjecture as to the original intention of the usage, but was interpreting the formula of the law as it existed in his own day. There would be no point to his interpretation unless the formula ran somewhat like that of an election; and he affirms definitely that the law bestows the magistracy upon a person who has already received the same office from other comitia—that it is, in other words, a second bestowal of the office.[1099] That this interpretation is not a mere invention of Cicero is proved by a statement of Messala[1100] that the magistracy in the strict legal sense of the term is granted by the curiate law. And the point maintained by Messala is further confirmed by that article of the agrarian rogation of P. Servilius Rullus which provides that the decemviri agris adsignandis may, if necessary, dispense with the curiate law and yet be “decemvirs in as legal a sense as are those who hold the office according to the strictest law.”[1101] In other words, the person who has been elected by the comitia centuriata or tributa is a magistratus, though not a magistratus iustus or optimo iure (optima lege); the completion of all formalities, ending with a second election (by the curiae), is essential to the latter. Optimo iure requires explanation. It often signifies “with perfect justice,” “most deservedly.”[1102] Closely related to this meaning is that of “perfect formality,” as in making a bequest[1103] or in creating a sacerdos[1104] or a magistrate.[1105] In this sense optimo iure is interchangeable with optima lege. Developed in another direction, either phrase readily gives the idea of completeness or perfection of title, not only to property,[1106] but also to office.[1107] One who holds a perfect title to a property, or has been granted a civil status[1108] or an office[1109] in a perfectly legal way, necessarily enjoys all the immunities, honors, and powers inherent in such absolute condition. To indicate that due legality has been observed in the creation of a magistrate, and that the latter has accordingly complete possession of his office, and of all the honors and powers belonging to it, the phrase ut qui optima lege sunt, erunt is often inserted in the formula of appointment or election. These words continued to be used, for example, in the creation of the dictator as long as his power remained absolute, but after it became subject to appeal, they were dropped.[1110] The author of the act was at the same time author of the condition attaching to it expressed by the phrase under consideration: in the appointment of a dictator it was the consul; in the creation of a promagistrate or the assignment of a province it might be the senate.[1111] Laws must often have contained provisions that the magistrates created under them should be ut qui optima lege.[1112] The Servilian bill most probably