To persons repeatedly inquiring, whence that garb, whence that ghastly appearance of body, (the multitude having now assembled around him almost like a popular assembly,) he says, "that whilst serving in the Sabine war, because he had not only been deprived of the produce of his land in consequence of the depredations of the enemy, but also his residence had been burned down, all his effects pillaged, his cattle driven off, a tax imposed on him at a time very distressing to him, he had incurred debt; that this debt, aggravated by usury, had stripped him first of his father's and grandfather's farm, then of his other property; lastly that a pestilence, as it were, had reached his person.
That he was taken by his creditor, not into servitude, but into a house of correction and a place of execution." He then showed his back disfigured with the marks of stripes still recent.

At the hearing and seeing of this a great uproar takes place.

The tumult is now no longer confined to the forum, but spreads through the entire city.

Those who were confined for debt, and those who were now at their liberty, hurry into the streets from all quarters and implore the protection of the people.

In no place is there wanting a voluntary associate of sedition.
They run through all the streets in crowds to the forum with loud shouts.