these was subdivided into Lugdunensis and Aquitania. Roman money was
introduced, and Latin became the official language.




CHAPTER XXXI.

CLODIUS AND MILO.--DEATH OF CRASSUS.


During the nine years (59-50) passed by Caesar in Gaul, great
confusion prevailed at Rome. The Republic needed a strong, firm hand,
which would stop the shedding of blood and insure security of person
and property. Pompey had attempted to bring about this result, but had
failed. There were two prominent factions, one led by CLODIUS, the
other by MILO.

"Clodius is the most extraordinary figure in this extraordinary
period. He had no character. He had no distinguished talent save for
speech; he had no policy; he was ready to adopt any cause or person
which for the moment was convenient to him; and yet for five years
this man was the leader of the Roman mob. He could defy justice,
insult the Consuls, beat the Tribunes, parade the streets with a gang
of armed slaves, killing persons disagreeable to him; and in the
Senate itself he had high friends and connections, who threw a shield
over him when his audacity had gone beyond endurance." Milo was as
disreputable as Clodius. His chief fame had been gained in the schools
of the gladiators. Gangs of armed slaves accompanied him everywhere,
and there were constant collisions between his retainers and those of