The first topic is derived from authority, when we relate what a great subject of anxiety that affair has been to the immortal gods, or to those whose authority ought to carry the greatest weight with it.  And that topic will be derived from prophecies, from oracles, from prophets, from tokens, from prodigies, from answers, and from other things like these.  Also from our ancestors, from kings, from states, from nations from the wisest men, from the senate, the people, the framers of laws.  The second topic is that by which it is shown with amplification, by means of indignation, whom that affair concerns,—­whether it concerns all men or the greater part of men, (which is a most serious business,) or whether it concerns the higher classes, such as those men are on whose authority the indignation which we are professing is grounded, (which is most scandalous,) or whether it affects those men who are one’s equals in courage, and fortune, and personal advantages, (which is most iniquitous,) or whether it affects our inferiors, (which is most arrogant).

The third topic is that which we employ when we are inquiring what is likely to happen, if every one else acts in the same manner.  And at the same time we point out if this man is permitted to act thus, that there will be many imitators of the same audacity, and then from that we shall be able to point out how much evil will follow.

The fourth topic is one by the use of which we show that many men are eagerly looking out to see what is decided, in order that they may be able to see by the precedent of what is allowed to one, what will be allowed to themselves also in similar circumstances.

The fifth topic is one by the use of which we show that everything else which has been badly managed, as soon as the truth concerning them is ascertained, may be all set right, that this thing, however, is one which, if it be once decided wrongly, cannot be altered by any decision, nor set right by any power.

The sixth topic is one by which the action spoken of is proved to have been done designedly and on purpose, and then we add this argument, that pardon ought not to be granted to an intentional crime.

The seventh topic is one which we employ when we say that any deed is foul, and cruel, and nefarious, and tyrannical; that it has been effected by violence or by the influence of riches—­a thing which is as remote as possible from the laws and from all ideas of equal justice.

LIV.  An eighth topic is one of which we avail ourselves to demonstrate that the crime which is the present subject of discussion is not a common one,—­not one such as is often perpetrated.  And, that is foreign to the nature of even men in a savage state, of the most barbarous nations, or even of brute beasts.  Actions of this nature are such as are wrought with cruelty towards one’s parents, or wife, or husband, or children, or relations, or suppliants; next to them,