Sicily and Africa were the granaries from which Rome was supplied with its bread.

To get supplies from a province was necessary.

Rich men have servants in order that they may live at ease themselves.

So it was with the Romans to whom the provinces acted as servants.

It was necessary to have a sharp agent, some Proconsul or Propraetor; but when there came one so sharp as Verres, all power of recreating supplies would for a time be destroyed.