ABSTRACT
The situation at Rome was indeed becoming critical; for during the winter of 58—57 famine supervened to intensify the prevalent disorders. Its cause is probably to be found in the enormous purchases made by Clodius in the preceding year and his reckless profusion in their distribution, perhaps also in the general anarchy and uncertainty, which frightened the merchants and paralysed the magistrates. The first explanation was at any rate that which commended itself to the enemies of the ex-Tribune, who were anxious to deprive him of his post under the corn law, and held him personally responsible for the distress.
