18/33 Every one knew that his fiat was law. He has trained up bands of gladiators whom his friends, both senators and knights, are drilling for him. He is doubling his soldiers' pay, giving them extra corn, slaves, attendants, and land grants. A great part of the Senate,--yes, Cicero even, they say,--owes him money, at low and favourable rates of interest; he has actually made presents to freedmen and influential slaves. |