[sect. 3]
in tuis litteris: the clause ne [gap in text] offenderes shows that Cicero is referring to Pompey's letter to the senate (Bckel).
ne [gap in text] offenderes: those who sympathized with the Catilinarian conspirators, those who on constitutional grounds opposed their execution, the democrats in general, and Cicero's enemies in particular, would have all taken umbrage if Pompey had approved Cicero's course in 63 B.C
orbis terrae: the entire world, while orbis terrarum indicates the Roman world. The phrase employed here is used, therefore, to exaggerate Cicero's fame.
Africanus [gap in text] Laelium: Bckel quotes, in explanation of Cicero's meaning, de Re Pub. 1.18 fuit enim hoc in amicitia quasi quoddam ius inter illos, ut militiae propter eximiam belli gloriam Africanum ut deum coleret Laelius, domi vicissim Laelium, quod aetate antecedebat, observaret in parentis loco Scipio.
Laelium: attracted into acc. by me.