In the thirty-seventh year he was elected AEdile, and was then called upon by the Sicilians to attack Verres on their behalf.

Verres was said to have carried off from Sicily plunder to the amount of nearly L400,000,[94] after a misrule of three years' duration.

All Sicily was ruined.

Beyond its pecuniary losses, its sufferings had been excruciating; but not till the end had come of a Governor's proconsular authority could the almost hopeless chance of a criminal accusation against the tyrant be attempted.

The tyrant would certainly have many friends in Rome.