[437] _Gallicus axis._ Cf. Cæs., B. G., i., 51. "The war chariot;" or the "climate of Gaul," as colder than that of Rome, and breeding fiercer men. Cf. vi., 470. "Hyperboreum axem," xiv., 42.
[438] _Messoribus._ These reapers are the _Africans_, from whom Rome derived her principal supply of corn. Cf. v., 119. Plin., v., 4.
[439] _Circo._ Cf. x., 80, "duas tantum res anxius optat, Panem et Circenses." Tac., Hist., i., 4, "Plebs sordida ac Circo et Theatris sueta."
"From those thy gripes restrain, Who with their sweat Rome's luxury maintain, And send us plenty, while our wanton day Is lavish'd at the circus or the play." Dryden.
[441] _Discinxerit._ Cf. Virg., Æn., viii., 724, "Hic Nomadum genus et discinctos Mulciber Afros." Sil. Ital., ii., 56, "Discinctos Libyas." Money was carried in girdles (xiv., 296), and the Africans wore but little other clothing. For the amount of his plunder, see Plin., ii., Ep. xi., "Cornutus, censuit septingenta millia quæ acceperat Marius ærario inferenda."
[442] _Acersecomes._ Some "puer intonsus" with flowing locks like Bacchus or Apollo. Φοῖβος ἀκερσεκόμης. Hom., Il., xx., 39. Pind., Pyth., iii., 26.
[443] _Conjuge._ Cf. the discussion in the senate recorded Tac., Ann., iii., 33, _seq._
[444] _Conventus._ "Loca constituta in provinciis juri dicundo." The different towns in the provinces where the Roman governors held their courts and heard appeals. The _courts_ as well as the _towns_ were called by this name. They were also called Fora and Jurisdictiones. Vid. Plin., III., i., 3; V., xxix., 29. Cic. in Verr., II., v., 11. Cæs., B. G., i., 54; vi., 44.
[445] _Celæno._ Cf. Virg., Æn., iii., 211, "dira Celæno Harpyiæque aliæ."
"E'en from Prometheus' self thy lineage trace, And ransack history to adorn thy race." Hodgson.
"Rods broke on our associates' bleeding backs, And headsmen laboring till they blunt their axe." Dryden.
"The lofty pride of every honor'd name Shall rise to vindicate insulted fame, And hold the torch to blazon forth thy shame." Hodgson.
"Will to his blood oppose your daring claim, And fire a torch to blaze upon your shame." Gifford.
[450] _Temples._ The sealing of wills was usually performed in temples; in the morning, and fasting, as the canon law afterward directed.