[sect. 3]
ad Apollinis: cf. a Vestae, Ep. XIII.2n
ut Pompeius adesset: since Pompey's house was probably near the Circus Flaminius, this arrangement enabled him to avoid the danger of coming through the City to the Curia.
Cato: the tribune; cf. 1 n.
me invito: Cicero did not wish to be drawn into the dispute.
illius in me perfidiam: in allowing Cicero to be banished.
magno silentio malevolorum: a speech in which Pompey was censured and Cicero praised would tend to make them enemies, and would therefore please the democrats.
Crassum descripsit: i.e. without mentioning his name.
quem C. Carbo interemisset: Scipio Africanus Minor was found dead in his bed, and probably died a natural death; but the statement of Pompey was the explanation of his decease which the aristocrats gave for party purposes. In this case Pompey is the Africanus, and C. Cato, secretly supported by Crassus, the Carbo.