Theft from Segasta

Segesta est oppidum pervetus in Sicilia, iudices, quod ab Aenea fugiente a Troia atque in haec loca veniente conditum esse demonstrant.

Segesta is an ancient town in Sicily, members of the jury, which they/the inhabitants say was founded by Aeneas when he was fleeing from Troy and came to this place.

Itaque Segestani non solum perpetua societate atque amicitia,
verum etiam cognatione se cum populo Romano coniunctos esse arbitrantur.

And so the inhabitants of Segesta judge that they are related to the Roman people not only by alliance and friendship but also by kindred.

Hoc quondam oppidum, cum illa civitas cum Poenis suo nomine ac sua sponte bellaret, a Carthaginiensibus vi captum atque deletum est,

Long ago this town, when that state was on their own account and of their own accord at war with the Carthaginians, was captured and destroyed by the Carthaginian force.

omniaque quae ornamento urbi esse possent Carthaginem sunt ex illo loco deportata.

And everything which could be an ornament to the city was taken away from that place to Carthage.
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Fuit apud Segestanos ex aere Dianae simulacrum, cum summa atque antiquissima praeditum religione tum singulari opere artificioque perfectum.

There was among the Segestians a bronze image of Diana, both endowed with the highest and most ancient sanctity and executed with unique skilled craftsmanship.

Hoc translatum Carthaginem locum tantum hominesque mutarat, religionem quidem pristinam conservabat;

When she was moved to Carthage, only the place and the men had changed, she retained indeed the same sanctity.

nam propter eximiam pulchritudinem etiam hostibus digna quam sanctissime colerent videbatur.

For because of [her] special beauty, she seemed worthy of even [her] enemies most devout worship.

Illo tempore Segestanis maxima cum cura haec ipsa Diana, de qua dicimus, redditur; reportatur Segestam; in suis antiquis sedibus summa cum gratulatione civium et laetitia reponitur.

At that time the same Diana, herself, of which we speak is returned to the inhabitants of Segesta with the greatest care. Brought back to Segesta; she is put back in her ancient site with the highest rejoicing and happiness of the citizens.

Haec erat posita Segestae sane excelsa in basi, in qua grandibus litteris P. Africani nomen erat incisum eumque Carthagine capta restituisse perscriptum.

It was placed by the inhabitants of Segesta on a truly high pedestal on which was engraved in large letters the name P. Africanus and it was written in detail that she was restored after he had taken Carthage.

Colebatur a civibus, ab omnibus advenis visebatur; cum quaestor essem, nihil mihi ab illis est demonstratum prius.

She was worshipped by the citizens, she was looked at by all visitors, when I was quaestor, nothing was shown to me before her [i.e. it was the first thing I was shown].

Erat admodum amplum et excelsum signum cum stola; verum tamen inerat in illa magnitudine aetas atque habitus virginalis;

She was a very large and high statue with a dress; and yet truly there was still, in[spite of] that great size, a maiden's youth and garments.

sagittae pendebant ab umero, sinistra manu retinebat arcum, dextra ardentem facem praeferebat.

Arrows were hanging from [her] shoulder, [her] left-hand was holding a bow, [her] right hand was carrying a burning torch.

Hanc cum iste sacrorum omnium et religionum hostis praedoque vidisset, quasi illa ipsa face percussus esset, ita flagrare cupiditate atque amentia coepit; imperat magistratibus ut eam demoliantur et sibi dent; nihil sibi gratius ostendit futurum.

When that robber and enemy of everything sacred and holy saw her, it was as if he himself had been hit by that very torch and thus he began to burn with desire and madness. He ordered the magistrates to take her down and give her to him and pointed out that nothing would be more pleasing to him.

Illi vero dicere sibi id nefas esse, seseque cum summa religione tum summo metu legum et iudiciorum teneri.

They, indeed, said to him it was a crime and that they were held not only by the highest religion but also the highest fear of law and justice.

Iste tum petere ab illis, tum minari, tum spem, tum metum ostendere.

But he at one time begged at another time threatened; at one time showed them hope at another time fear (or more freely "he played on their hopes and fears.").

Opponebant illi nomen interdum P. Africani; populi Romani illud esse dicebant; nihil se in eo potestatis habere quod imperator clarissimus urbe hostium capta monumentum victoriae populi Romani esse voluisset.

They every now and again set against his demands the name of Publius Africanus; they said that she belonged to the Roman People; that they had no power over a thing which, captured from the city of the enemy, the most famous Roman general wanted to be a monument to the victory of the Roman People.

Itaque illo tempore ac primo istius adventu pernegatur.

And so at that time and at the first visit of that man it was refused absolutely.

Cum iste nihilo remissius atque etiam multo vehementius instaret cotidie, res agitur in senatu: vehementer ab omnibus reclamatur. Postea, quidquid erat oneris in nautis remigibusque exigendis, in frumento imperando, Segestanis praeter ceteros imponebat, aliquanto amplius quam ferre possent.

When he, by no means more relaxed and even more furious every day, insisted, the matter was taken to the senate: it was violently protested by everyone. Afterwards, whenever any burden of sailors and oarsmen, or any corn was demanded, he inflicted on the Segestians beyond the others (i.e. other cities), considerably more than they could bear.

Praeterea magistratus eorum evocabat, optimum quemque et nobilissimum ad se arcessebat, circum omnia provinciae fora rapiebat, singillatim uni cuique calamitati fore se denuntiabat, universis se funditus eversurum esse illam civitatem minabatur.

Furthermore he sent for their magistrates, he summoned each of the best and most noble of them, he carried them off around all the provincial forums, he gave notice to them one by one that he would ruin them, he threatened that those citizens would be utterly swept away altogether.

Itaque aliquando multis malis magnoque metu victi Segestani praetoris imperio parendum esse decreverunt.

Thus finally, conquered by many evils and great fear, the Segestian resolved to obey the command of the Praetor.

Magno cum luctu et gemitu totius civitatis, multis cum lacrimis et lamentationibus virorum mulierumque omnium simulacrum Dianae tollendum locatur.

With great sorrow and groans of all the citizens, many tears and lamentations of all the men and women a contract was placed to remove the image of Diana.

Videte quanta religio fuerit. Apud Segestanos repertum esse, iudices, scitote neminem, neque liberum neque servum, neque civem neque peregrinum, qui illud signum auderet attingere;

Behold what an object of devotion it was. Among the Segestans there was found, be it known, O jury, no one, neither free or slave, neither citizen nor foreigner, who dared to touch that statue.

barbaros quosdam Lilybaeo scitote adductos esse operarios; ii denique illud ignari totius negoti ac religionis mercede accepta sustulerunt.

Take note, some barbarian workmen from Lilybaum, were brought. They finally, ignorant of this whole business and of piety, having received a reward took [it] away.

Quod cum ex oppido exportabatur, quem conventum mulierum factum esse arbitramini, quem fletum maiorum natu?

Which when she was carried out of the town, can you imagine what a gathering of women, what weeping of the elders?

quorum non nulli etiam illum diem memoria tenebant cum illa eadem Diana Segestam Carthagine revecta victoriam populi Romani reditu suo nuntiasset.

Of whom some even remembered that day when that same Diana, being brought back to Segesta from Carthage, announced by its return the victory of the Roman people.

Quam dissimilis hic dies illi tempori videbatur! Tum imperator populi Romani, vir clarissimus, deos patrios reportabat Segestanis ex urbe hostium recuperatos:

How unlike that time this day seemed! Then the general of the Roman people, a most illustrious man, was carrying back to the Segestans the gods of [their] fathers, restored from the city of [their] enemies.

nunc ex urbe sociorum praetor eiusdem populi turpissimus atque impurissimus eosdem illos deos nefario scelere auferebat.

Now from the city of allies, the corrupt and evil Praetor of the same people was wickedly and criminally stealing those very same gods.

Quid hoc tota Sicilia est clarius, quam omnis Segestae matronas et virgines convenisse cum Diana exportaretur ex oppido, unxisse unguentis, complesse coronis et floribus, ture, odoribus incensis usque ad agri finis prosecutas esse?

What is more well known in all Sicily than that all the Segestan mothers and maids assembled when Diana was carried out of the town? That they anointed [Diana] with ointment? That they covered [her] with garlands, flowers, [and] perfumed incense? That she was followed to the end of [their] territory?

Hanc tu tantam religionem si tum in imperio propter cupiditatem atque audaciam non pertimescebas, ne nunc quidem in tanto tuo liberorumque tuorum periculo perhorrescis?

If you were not frightened by this very strong religious feeling while you were in command because of greed and boldness, do you not indeed tremble now you and your children are in such danger?

Quem tibi aut hominem invitis dis immortalibus aut vero deum tantis eorum religionibus violatis auxilio futurum putas? Tibi illa Diana in pace atque in otio religionem nullam attulit?

What man do you think will come to your aid, either against the will of the immortal gods, or indeed against the gods, after their great religious practices have been violated?
In settled peaceful times, did that [statue of] Diana bring you no religious devotion?

quae cum duas urbis in quibus locata fuerat captas incensasque vidisset, bis ex duorum bellorum flamma ferroque servata est; quae Carthaginiensium victoria loco mutato religionem tamen non amisit, P. Africani virtute religionem simul cum loco recuperavit.

Who though she had seen two cities in which she was placed seized and burnt, twice out of two wars she was saved from fire and sword; who by the victory of the Carthaginians changed [her] location yet [her] sanctity was not lost, [but] by the courage of Publius Africanus recovered [her] sanctity at the same time as [she recovered] her location.

Quo quidem scelere suscepto cum inanis esset basis et in ea P. Africani nomen incisum, res indigna atque intoleranda videbatur omnibus non solum religiones esse violatas, verum etiam P. Africani, viri fortissimi, rerum gestarum gloriam, memoriam virtutis, monumenta victoriae C. Verrem sustulisse.

Indeed, when this crime was committed and an empty base with the name Publius Africanus inscribed on it remained, it seemed to everyone an unworthy and intolerable matter not only because the sanctity was violated, but also because Gaius Verres had taken away the glory of the deeds, the memory of the virtue, and the monuments of the victory of Publius Africanus, a most brave man.

Quod cum isti renuntiaretur de basi ac litteris, existimavit homines in oblivionem totius negoti esse venturos si etiam basim tamquam indicem sui sceleris sustulisset.

But when it was told him about the pedestal and the writing, he thought men would come to forget the whole business if he even took away the pedestal [which was] as it were a witness of his crime.

Itaque tollendam istius imperio locaverunt; quae vobis locatio ex publicis litteris Segestanorum priore actione recitata est.

And so they contracted the removal [of the pedestal] by the command of this man, which contract has been read out to you from the public records of the Segestans at the previous part of the trial.

Te nunc, P. Scipio, te, inquam, lectissimum ornatissimumque adulescentem, appello, abs te officium tuum debitum generi et nomini requiro et flagito.

I say to you now P[ublius] Scipio, I call on you, most excellent and most accomplished youth, I require and demand from you the duty you owe to your family and name.

Cur pro isto, qui laudem honoremque familiae vestrae depeculatus est, pugnas,
cur eum defensum esse vis,
cur ego tuas partis suscipio,
cur tuum munus sustineo,
cur M. Tullius P. Africani monumenta requirit, P. Scipio eum qui illa sustulit defendit?

Why do you fight for this man, by whom the praise and honour of your family is robbed?
why do you wish him to be defended?
why do I take up your rôle?
why do I undertake your duty?
why does Marcus Tullius [Cicero] pine for the monument of Publius Scipio Africanus, when P[ublius Cornelius] Scipio defends him who stole it?

Quisnam, per deos immortalis, tuebitur P. Scipionis memoriam mortui, quis monumenta atque indicia virtutis, si tu ea relinques aut deseres, nec solum spoliata illa patieris sed etiam eorum spoliatorem vexatoremque defendis?

Who on earth, by the immortal gods, will defend the memory of Publius Scipio now that he is dead, who [will defend] the monuments and evidences of his valour, if you will leave him and desert him,
[and] not only will permit them to be spoiled but also are defending the spoilers and abusers of them?

Adsunt Segestani, clientes tui, socii populi Romani atque amici; certiorem te faciunt P. Africanum Carthagine deleta simulacrum Dianae maioribus suis restituisse, idque apud Segestanos eius imperatoris nomine positum ac dedicatum fuisse;

[The] Segestans are present here, your clients and the allies and friends of the Roman people; They assure you [that]:
P[ublius] Africanus, when he had destroyed Carthage, returned the image of Diana to their ancestors; And it was placed with the Segestans and dedicated in the name of that general;

hoc Verrem demoliendum et asportandum nomenque omnino P. Scipionis delendum tollendumque curasse;

[They assure you that] Verres demolished and removed it and undertook entirely the expunging and deletion of the name of Publius Scipio;

orant te atque obsecrant ut sibi religionem, generi tuo laudem gloriamque restituas, ut, quod per P. Africanum ex urbe hostium recuperarint, id per te ex praedonis domo conservare possint.

They beg and beseech that you restore to them [their] religious object and praise and glory to your family. So that, That which through Publius Africanus they regained from the city of an enemy, they will be able to save through you from the house of a robber.

Quid aut tu his respondere honeste potes aut illi facere, nisi ut te ac fidem tuam implorent? Adsunt et implorant.

(Either) what can you honorably reply to them or what can they do other than beg you and your good faith? They are present and they beg.