His industry, his ability, and his honesty were acknowledged.

The citizens had given him all that it was in their power to give.

Now at the earliest possible day, with circumstances of much more than usual honor, he was put in the highest place which his country had to offer, and knew himself to be the one man in whom his country at this moment trusted.

Then came the one twelve-month, the apex of his fortunes; and after that, for the twenty years that followed, there fell upon him one misery after another--one trouble on the head of another trouble--so cruelly that the reader, knowing the manner of the Romans, almost wonders that he condescended to live.
[Sidenote: B.C.64, aetat.

43.] He was chosen Consul, we are told, not by the votes but by the unanimous acclamation of the citizens.