Then he started on his travels, as to which I have already spoken.

While he was absent Sulla died, and the condition of the Republic during his absence was anything but hopeful.

Lepidus was Consul during these two years, than whom no weaker officer ever held rule in Rome--or rebelled against Rome; and Sertorius, who was in truth a great man, was in arms against Rome in Spain, as a rebel, though he was in truth struggling to create a new Roman power, which should be purer than that existing in Italy.

What Cicero thought of the condition of his country at this time we have no means of knowing.

If he then wrote letters, they have not been preserved.