There was much violence, and the men who brought the accusation about Cornelius--two brothers named Cominii--had to hide themselves, and saved their lives by escaping over the roofs of the houses.
This took place when Cicero was standing for the Praetorship, and the confusion consequent upon it was so great that it was for awhile impossible to carry on the election.

In the year after his Praetorship Cornelius was put upon his trial, and the two speeches were made.
The matter seems to have been one of vital interest in Rome.

The contest on the part of the Senate was for all that made public life dear to such a body.

Not to bribe--not to be able to lay out money in order that money might be returned ten-fold, a hundred-fold--would be to them to cease to be aristocrats.

The struggles made by the Gracchi, by Livius Drusus, by others whose names would only encumber us here, by this Cornelius, were the expiring efforts of those who really desired an honest Republic.