264 MARCELLUS.

Greek has the titles of Euius and Thriambus.* But the thing is otherwise. For it was the custom for command- ers, in their triumph, to immolate an ox, but in their ova- tion, a sheep : hence they named it Ovation, from the Latin ovis. It is worth observing, how exactly opposite the sacrifices appointed by the Spartan legislator are, to those of the Eomans. For at Lacedajmon, a captain, who had performed the work he undertook by cunning, or cour- teous treaty, on laying down his command immolated an ox ; he that did the business by battle, offered a cock ; the Lacedaemonians, though most warlike, thinking an exploit performed by reason and wisdom, to be more excellent and more congruous to man, than one effected by mere force and courage. Which of the two is to be preferred, I leave to the determination of others. Marcellus being the fourth time consul, his enemies suborned the Syracusans to come to Rome to accuse him, and to complain that they had suffered indignities and wrongs, contrary to the conditions granted them. It hap- pened that Marcellus was in the capitol offering sacrifice when the Syracusans petitioned the senate, yet sitting, that they might have leave to- accuse him and present their gi'ievances. Mai'cellus's colleague, eager to protect him in his absence, put them out of the court. But Mar- cellus himself came as soon as he heard of it. And first, in his curule chair as consul, he referred to the senate the cognizance of other matters; but when these were transacted, rising from his seat, he passed as a private man into the place where the accused were wont to make their defence, and gave free liberty to the Syracusans to impeach him. But they, struck with consternation by

• The old Greek word thriambus which, though a little diflPerent in

was accordingly employed as an sense, is always rendered by it. equiyalent to the Latin triumphus,