position that there was no need to trouble Sulla with the affair. The
name should be removed from the list; the property should be restored.
Capito, who was one of the ten, added his personal assurance to the same
effect, and the deputation, satisfied that their object had been
attained, returned to Ameria. There was of course no intention of
fulfilling the promises thus made. The first idea of the trio was to
deal with the son as they had dealt with the father. Some hint of this
purpose was conveyed to him, and he fled to Rome, where he was
hospitably entertained by Caecilia, a wealthy lady of the family of
Metellus, and therefore related to Sulla's wife, who indeed bore the
same name. As he was now safe from violence, it was resolved to take the
audacious step of accusing him of the murder of his father. Outrageous
as it seems, the plan held out some promise of success. The accused was
a man of singularly reserved character, rough and boorish in manner, and
with no thoughts beyond the rustic occupations to which his life was
devoted. His father, on the other hand, had been a man of genial temper,
who spent much of his time among the polished circles of the Capitol. If
there was no positive estrangement between them, there was a great
discrepancy of tastes, and probably very little intercourse. This it
would be easy to exaggerate into something like a plausible charge,
especially under the circumstances of the case. It was beyond doubt that
many murders closely resembling the murder of Roscius had been committed
during the past year, committed some of them by sons. This was the
first time that an alleged culprit was brought to trial, and it was
probable that the jury would be inclined to severity. In any case, and
whatever the evidence, it was hoped that the verdict would not be such
as to imply the guilt of a favorite of Sulla. He was the person who
would profit most by the condemnation of the accused, and it was hoped
that he would take the necessary means to secure it.