Marcus Tullius Cicero, In Pisonem  27.65-66   (ca. 55 B.C.): Italia cuncta exsecratur, cuius idem tu superbissime decreta et preces repudiasti. Fac huius odii tanti ac tam universi periculum, si audes: instant post hominum memoriam apparatissimi magnificentissimique ludi, quales non modo numquam fuerunt, sed ne quo modo fieri quidem posthac possint possum ullo pacto suspicari: da te populo, committe ludis. Sibilum metuis? Ubi sunt vesetrae scholae? Ne acclametur times? Ne id quidem est curare philosophi. Manus tibi ne adferantur? Dolor enim est malum, ut tu disputas; existimatio, dedecus, infamia, turpitudo verba atque ineptiae. Sed de hoc non dubito: non audebit accedere ad ludos. Convivium publicum non dignitatis causa inibit—suis, cenet—sed plane animi sui causa: ludos nobis idiotis relinquet; solet enim in disputationibus suis oculorum et aurium delectationi abdominis voluptates anteferre. All Italy execrates you, for it was you again who arrogantly disregarded their resolutions and their prayers. Test by experience this bitter and widespread hatred, it you dare. We are close upon the celebration of the most elaborate and gorgeous games in the memory of man—games which are not only without parallel in the past, but of which it is difficult to conceive that future ages will ever show their like. Trust yourself to the people; make your venture at these games. Are you afraid of hisses? Where are your disquisitions? Do you fear to be hooted? That again is no matter to worry a philosopher. Do you fear physical violence? Aye, there's the rub; pain is an evil, according to your view. Reputation, infamy, disgrace, degradation—these are merely phrases, mere bagatelles. But no, I have no misgivings; he will venture to come to the games. He will attend the public banquet, not as a mark of respect—unless indeed he desires to dine with Publius Clodius or, in other words, with his minion—but, obviously, as his feelings demand; the games he will leave to "ignoramuses" like us. For it is his habit in all discussions to attach higher value to the pleasures of the belly than to the delights of the eye and ear. (N. H. Watts, trans.)