What is lost probably may have contained great part of Cotta's arguments against the providence of the Stoics.
[273] Here is one expression in the quotation from Caecilius that is not commonly met with, which is _praestigias praestrinxit;_ Lambinus gives _praestinxit_, for the sake, I suppose, of playing on words, because it might then be translated, "He has deluded my delusions, or stratagems;" but _praestrinxit_ is certainly the right reading.
[274] The ancient Romans had a judicial as well as a military praetor; and he sat, with inferior judges attending him, like one of our chief-justices.

_Sessum it praetor_, which I doubt not is the right reading, Lambinus restored from an old copy.

The common reading was _sessum ite precor_.
[275] Picenum was a region of Italy.
[276] The _sex primi_ were general receivers of all taxes and tributes; and they were obliged to make good, out of their own fortunes, whatever deficiencies were in the public treasury.
[277] The Laetorian Law was a security for those under age against extortioners, etc.

By this law all debts contracted under twenty-five years of age were void.
[278] This is from Ennius-- Utinam ne in nemore Pelio securibus Caesa cecidisset abiegna ad terram trabes.
Translated from the beginning of the Medea of Euripides-- [Greek: Med' en napaisi Pelion pesein pote tmetheisa peuke.] [279] Q.Fabius Maximus, surnamed Cunctator.
[280] Diogenes Laertius says he was pounded to death in a stone mortar by command of Nicocreon, tyrant of Cyprus.
[281] Elea, a city of Lucania, in Italy.

The manner in which Zeno was put to death is, according to Diogenes Laertius, uncertain.
[282] This great and good man was accused of destroying the divinity of the Gods of his country.