that in the time of this praetor GaulThe passages preceding this figure do not occur in old editions; they were
found in the Vatican by Niebuhr, and published by him
in 1820. They are still in a very corrupt state. The Roman figures at
the heads of the subsequent chapters are those which occur in all older editions, in which the
oration began here. was overwhelmed with debt. From whom do they say that loans of such
sums were procured? From the Gauls? By no means. From whom then? From Roman citizens who are
trading in Gaul. Why do we not hear what they have got
to say? Why are no accounts of theirs produced? I myself pursue and press the prosecutor, O
judges; I pursue him I say, and I demand witnesses. In this cause I am taking more pains and
trouble to get them to produce their witnesses, than other advocates for the defence usually
take to refute them. I say this boldly, O judges, but I do not assert it rashly. All Gaul is filled with traders,—is full of Roman citizens. No
Gaul does any business without the aid of a Roman
citizen; not a single sesterce in Gaul ever changes
hands without being entered in the account-books of Roman citizens.
See how I am descending, O judges, how far I seem to be departing from my
ordinary habits, from my usual caution and diligence. Let one set of accounts be produced, in
which there is any trace whatever which gives the least hint of money having been given to
Fonteius; let them produce out of the whole body of traders, of colonists, of publicans, of
agriculturists, of graziers, but one witness, and I will allow that this accusation is true. O
ye immortal gods! what sort of a cause is this? what sort of a defence? Marcus Fonteius was
governor of the province of Gaul, which consists of
those tribes of men and of cities, some of whom (to say nothing of old times) have in the memory
of the present generation carried on bitter and protracted wars with the Roman people; some have
been lately subdued by our generals, lately conquered in war, lately made remarkable by the
triumphs which we have celebrated over them, and the monuments which we have erected, and lately
mulcted, by the senate, of their lands and cities: some, too, who have fought in battle against
Marcus Fonteius himself, have by his toil and labour been reduced under the power and dominion
of the Roman people.