The strong hand was used, and the punishment came upon him, not from his enemies but from his friends, almost to the bursting of his heart.
Though the Senate had decreed that the Consuls were to see that the Republic should take no harm, and though it was presumed that extraordinary power was thereby conferred, it is evident that no power was conferred of inflicting punishment.

Antony, as Cicero's colleague, was nothing.

The authority, the responsibility, the action were, and were intended, to remain with Cicero.

He could not legally banish any one.

It was only too evident that there must be much slaughter.