From the Equites, too, were taken the tax-gatherers of the provinces.

They pillaged and robbed the people at will, and, if a governor had the courage to interfere with them, a threat of prosecution was held over his head.

The average governor preferred to connive at their exactions; the bolder ones paid with fines or exiles for their courage.

Another trouble was threatening the commonwealth.

The Italian allies of Rome did not possess the franchise belonging to a Roman citizen.