But jealousies prevailed, and the Senate was afraid of Pompey.

Gabinius, however, carried his law by the votes of the people, and Pompey was appointed.
Nothing tells us more clearly the wretched condition of things in Rome at this time than this infliction of pirates, under which their commerce was almost destroyed.

Sulla had re-established the outside show of a strong government--a government which was strong enough to enable rich men to live securely in Rome; but he had done nothing to consolidate the Empire.

Even Lucullus in the East had only partially succeeded, leaving Mithridates still to be dealt with by Pompey.

Of what nature was the government of the provinces under Sulla's aristocracy we learn from the trials of Verres, and of Fonteius, and of Catiline.