After that he had himself given evidence.

An attempt was made to prove an alibi, but Cicero came forward to swear that he had seen Clodius on the very day in question.

There had, too, been an exchange of repartee in the Senate between himself and Clodius after the acquittal, of which he gives the details to his correspondent with considerable self-satisfaction.

The passage does not enhance our idea of the dignity of the Senate, or of the power of Roman raillery.

It was known that Clodius had been saved by the wholesale bribery of a large number of the judges.