Publius Servilius Vatia Isauricus

It was alleged, the Tarquinii had been too long accustomed to the possession of sovereign power.

Priscus first began, next indeed reigned Servilius Tullius.

Yet though that interruption occurred, Tarquinius Superbus never lost sight of the crown, so as to consider it the right of another, but by violence and by flagitious means reclaimed it, as the inheritance of his family.

Now that Superbus had been expelled, the government was in the hands of Colatinus.

I find it asserted by some writers that the battle at the lake Regilius was not fought until this year, and that Aulus Postumius, because the fidelity of his colleague was doubtful, abdicated the consulship, and was then made dictator.

Such perplexing mistakes with regard to dates occur from the magistrates being ranged in different order by different writers, that it is impossible at this distance of time, when not only the facts, but the authors who relate them, are involved in the obscurity of antiquity, to trace out a regular series of the consuls as they succeeded each other, or in the transactions as they occurred in each particular year.

Appius Claudius and Publius Servilius were next appointed to the consulship.

This year was rendered remarkable by the news of Tarquinius's death.

For what did I determine? What did I contrive? What did I do that was not determined, contrived, or done by the counsel and authority, and in accordance with the sentiments of this order? And have you, O wise men, O men not merely eloquent, dared to find fault with these actions before the very men by whose counsel and wisdom they were performed? But who was ever found before, except Publius Clodius, to find fault with my consulship? And his fate indeed awaits you, as it also awaited Gaius Curio, since that is now in your house which was fatal to each of them.

Marcus Antonius disapproves of my consulship, but it was approved of by Publius Servilius, to name that man first of the men of consular rank who had died most recently.

It was approved by Quintus Catulus, whose authority will always carry weight in this republic.

It was approved of by the two Lucullai, by Marcus Crassus, by Quintus Hortensius, by Gaius Curio, by Gaius Piso, by Marcus Glabrio, by Marcus Lepidus, by Lucius Volcatius, by Gaius Figulus, by Decimus Silanus, by Lucius Marena, who at that time were the consuls elect.

You have such an opportunity as no one ever had.

It is in your power so as to avail yourself of this wise firmness of the Senate, of this zeal of the equestrian order, of this ardor of the Roman people, as to release the Roman people from fear and danger forever.

As to the matters to which your emotion before the Senate refers, I agree with Publius Servilius.

End of the seventh oration of Marcus Tullius Cicero against Marcus Antonius, called also the seventh Philippic.

For what did I determine, what did I contrive, what did I do that was not determined, contrived, or done by the counsel and authority, and in accordance with the sentiments of this order? And have you, O wise men, O men not merely eloquent, dared to find fault with these actions before the very men by whose counsel and wisdom they were performed? But who was ever found before, except Publius Clodius, to find fault with my consulship? And his fate indeed awaits you, as it also awaited Gaius Curio, since that is now in your house which was fatal to each of them.

Marcus Antonius disapproves of my consulship, but it was approved of by Publius Servilius, to name that man first of the men of consular rank who had died most recently.

It was approved by Quintus Catulus, whose authority will always carry weight in this republic.

It was approved of by the two Lucullai, by Marcus Crassus, by Quintus Hortensius, by Gaius Curio, by Gaius Piso, by Marcus Glabrio, by Marcus Lepidus, by Lucius Volcatius, by Gaius Figulus, by Decimus Silanus, by Lucius Morena who at that time were the consuls elect.

It is in your power so as to avail yourself of this wise firmness of the Senate, of this zeal of the equestrian order, of this ardor of the Roman people.

as to release the Roman people from fear and danger forever.

As to the matters to which your motion before the Senate refers, I agree with Publius Servilius.

End of the seventh oration of Marcus Tullius Cicero against Marcus Antonius, called also the seventh Philippic.