This had become so much a matter of course that a public man would have felt himself deserted had he been left alone either at home or abroad.

Rome was full of idlers--of men who got their bread by the favors of the great, who lounged through their lives--political quidnuncs, who made canvassing a trade--men without a conviction, but who believed in the ascendency of this or the other leader, and were ready to fawn or to fight in the streets, as there might be need.

These were the Quirites of the day--men who were in truth fattened on the leavings of the plunder which was extracted from the allies; for it was the case now that a Roman was content to live on the industry of those whom his father had conquered.

They would still fight in the legions; but the work of Rome was done by slaves, and the wealth of Rome was robbed from the Provinces.

Hence it came about that there was a numerous class, to whom the name "assectatores" was given, who of course became specially prominent at elections.