rogatus. Haveto.'[182]

[175] Catiline writes that he will not undertake a detailed defence of
his new design of taking up arms, but he says that he wishes to
justify himself in regard to one point, and that merely because he
is not conscious of any criminal act. _Satisfactio_ is nearly the
same as _defensio_, but less formal. A man defends himself against
opponents, but before friends he merely gives an explanation, whereby
they may be gained over to his side. _Ex nulla conscientia_, 'in
consequence of his not being conscious of guilt.' The expression is
rather harsh and artificial, and seemingly in Catiline's own style
of writing.
[176] _Medius fidius_, the same as _mehercules_. See Zumpt, S 361.
[177] 'I could not maintain the position of my dignity;' that is, I could
not maintain my position in society after my enemies had deprived me
of the consulship.
[178] 'Not as if I could not pay my own debts out of my property, since
Orestilla has paid even other persons' debts out of her own purse;'
she would accordingly have done the same much more for me, her
husband. _Aes alienum meis nominibus_ is the same as _meum ipsius
aes alienum_, 'debts on my own account.' _Nomen_, in money
transactions, is something put down to a person's account. Hence
_aes alienum alienis nominibus_ is the same as _aliorum debita_,
'other persons' debts,' _aes alienum_ being understood from the
preceding clause.
[179] 'I felt that I had become estranged by false suspicions,' namely,
'from the Roman people,' who confer the honours which have been
obtained by unworthy persons.
[180] _Hoc nomine_, the same as _ideo_, 'accordingly,' 'for this reason.'
[181] This is said in allusion to the consul Cicero, as if he had