[Footnote 345:  The Romans carried on a thriving trade in this way in the provinces.  In Cicero’s period we find that many men of rank did not scruple to enrich themselves in this manner; and they were unsparing creditors.]

[Footnote 346:  The word ([Greek:  telonai]) which I have elsewhere translated by the Roman word Publicani, means the men who farmed the taxes in the provences.  The Publicani at this period belonged to the order of the Equites.  A number of them associated themselves in a partnership (societas) for the farming of the taxes of some particular province.  These associations had their agents in the provinces and a chief manager (magister) at Rome.  The collection of the taxes gave employment to a great number of persons; and thus the Publicani had at their disposal numerous places in the provinces, which gave them great influence at Rome. (Cicero, Pro Cn.  Plancio, c. 19.) The taxes were taken at some sum that was agreed upon; and we find an instance mentioned by Cicero (Ad Attic. i. 17) in which their competition or their greediness led them to give too much and to call on the Senate to cancel the bargain.  The Romans at this time derived little revenue from Italy, and the large expenditure had to be supplied out of the revenue raised in the provinces and collected by the Publicani.  The Publicani thus represented the monied interest of modern times, and the state sometimes required their assistance to provide the necessary supplies.

It seems probable that the Publicani who farmed the taxes of a province, underlet them to others; which would be one cause of oppression.  These Collectors ([Greek:  telonai]) are called Publicans in the English version of the New Testament, where they are no doubt very justly coupled with sinners.]

[Footnote 347:  Appian (Mithridat.  War, c. 71) states that Mithridates invaded Bithynia, for King Nikomedes had just died childless and left his kingdom to the Romans.  Cotta fled before him and took refuge in Chalkedon, a city situated on the Asiatic side of the Thracian Bosporus opposite to the site of Constantinople.  The consul would not go out to meet the enemy, but his admiral Nudus with some troops occupied the strongest position in the plain.  However, he was defeated by Mithridates and with difficulty got again into the city.  In the confusion about the gates the Romans lost three thousand men.  Mithridates also broke through the chain that was thrown across the harbour and burnt four ships and towed the other sixty off.  His whole loss was only twenty men.]

[Footnote 348:  See the Life of Sulla, c. 11.  Mithridates was much dissatisfied with the terms of the peace that had been brought about by Archelaus, who fearing for his life went over to Murena, who was left by Sulla in the command in Asia.  At the instigation of Archelaus, Murena attacked and plundered Comana in Cappadocia, which belonged to Mithridates, and contained a temple of great sanctity and wealth.  Mithridates in vain complained to Murena, and then sent an embassy to Rome.  Appian considers this conduct of Murena as the commencement of the Second Mithridatic War, B.C. 83.  The Third commenced B.C. 74 with the league of Mithridates and Sertorius. (Appian, Mithridat. 64-68; Life of Sertorius, c. 24.)]