8.
cam (correl. with tam vera, 1.9), i.e. we cannot merely guess it (for the reason in the quod-clause following), but still more we can almost see it with our own eyes. quod . . . potuisse (parenthetical), because, etc. consili (pred. gen. limiting gubernatio), to belong to human wisdom. possemas: for tense, see § 485, a (287, a); B. 268, 7; G. 511, a.3; H. 546 (495, i); H.-B. 481. faces, etc.: these omens are such as the Romans observed and noted carefully. Livy's history is full of them. praetermittendam, inadvertently; relinquendam, intentionally.
Cotta et Torquato: consuls B.C. 65, the year in which Catiline first intended to carry out his conspiracy. aera: the laws were engraved on bronze tables. ille . . . Romulas: there is a bronze statue of the wolf suckling the infants in the Capitoline Museum at Rome, which bears marks either of lightning seaming one of its hind legs, or of some defect in the casting (Fig. 36). This is probably identical with that here mentioned. haruspices: see note on p. 130, l. 14. flexissent: in direct disc. flexerint, following appropinquare, which points to the future; § 516, d (307, d) ; G. 595; H. 580 (508, 4); cf. H.-B. 582, 1.
illoram, i.e. the haruspices. ladi: festivals in which races and theatrical performances were celebrated in honor of the gods ; such festivals were especially appointed to appease the deities in times of danger and distress; Cf. Verres, 1, sect. 31. idem (plur.), they also. contra atqae, opposite to what: § 324, c (156, a); B. 341, I, c; G. 643; H. 516, 3 (459, 2); H.-B. 307, 2, a. solis . conspiceret: the Forum and the Senate house (curia) were east of the south end of the Capitoline Hill, on which stood the Capitolium, or temple of Jupiter Capitolinus (see Plan of Forum). inlustrarentur: the word is chosen with reference to the omen of Jupiter looking toward the rising sun. conlocandam . . . locaverant: locare with the gerundive is the regular expression for giving out a contract; § 500, 4 (294, d); B. 337, 7, b, 2; G. 430; H. 622 (544, N.2); H-B. 612, iii. illi, i.e. of year before last. consulibas and nobis: abl. abs. expressing the date.
