A governor in Sicily had, among other special duties, to keep a sharp lookout for the pirates.
This Verres omitted so entirely that these scourges of the sea soon learned that they might do almost as they pleased on the Sicilian coasts.

But it came to pass that on one day a pirate vessel fell by accident into the hands of the governor's officers.

It was not taken, Cicero says, but was so overladen that it was picked up almost sinking.[131] It was found to be full of fine, handsome men, of silver both plated and coined, and precious stuffs.

Though not "taken," it was "found," and carried into Syracuse.

Syracuse is full of the news, and the first demand is that the pirates, according to Roman custom, shall all be killed.