Clodius.

In 57 Consuls were elected who favored Cicero, and his recall was
demanded. Clodius and his followers opposed the recall. The nobles,
led by their tool Milo, pressed it. Day after day the opposing parties
met in bloody affrays. For seven months the brawl continued, till
Milo's party finally got the ascendancy; the Assembly was convened,
and the recall voted.

For seventeen months Cicero had been in Greece, lamenting his hard
lot. He landed at Brundisium on August 5, 57, and proceeded to Rome.
Outside the city all men of note, except his avowed enemies, were
waiting to receive him. The Senate voted to restore his property, and
to rebuild his palace on the Palatine Hill and his other villas at the
public expense. But Clodius, with his bands of ruffians, interrupted
the workmen engaged in the repair of his Palatine house, broke down
the walls, and, attacking Cicero himself, nearly murdered him.

At last Clodius even attempted to burn the house of Milo. The long
struggle between these two ruffians culminated when Milo was a
candidate for the consulship, and Clodius for the praetorship. The two
meeting by accident in the Via Appia at Bovillae, Clodius was
murdered, 20 January, 52. This act of violence strengthened Pompey,
who was nominated sole Consul. Milo was impeached. His guilt was
evident, and he went into exile at Massilia. Cicero prepared an
elaborate speech in his defence, but did not dare to deliver it.

During the interval between the two campaigns of 57 and 56, Caesar
renewed his alliance with his two colleagues in interviews that were
held at Ravenna and Luca. He retained the command of Gaul; Pompey,