A great portion of the bread eaten in Rome was grown in Sicily, and much of it was supplied in the shape of a tax.

It was the hateful practice of Rome to extract the means of living from her colonies, so as to spare her own laborers.

To this, hard as it was, the Sicilians were well used.
They knew the amount required of them by law, and were glad enough when they could be quit in payment of the dues which the law required; but they were seldom blessed by such moderation on the part of their rulers.
To what extent this special tax could be stretched we shall see when we come to the details of the trial of Verres.

It is no doubt only from Cicero's own words that we learn that, though he sent to Rome plenteous supplies, he was just to the dealer, liberal to the pawns, and forbearing to the allies generally; and that when he took his departure they paid him honors hitherto unheard of.[95] But I think we may take it for granted that this statement is true; firstly, because it has never been contradicted; and then from the fact that the Sicilians all came to him in the day of their distress.
As to the little story to which I have alluded, it has been told so often since Cicero told it himself, that I am almost ashamed to repeat it.

It is, however, too emblematic of the man, gives us too close an insight both into his determination to do his duty and to his pride--conceit, if you will--at having done it, to be omitted.