Ab urbe condita

Now, if this is the case, who in heaven or earth could regard it as an indignity that the men whom you have honoured with curule chairs, with the toga praetexta, the tunica palmata, and the toga picta, [*](for the toga praetexta, see note 2 to Book I. The tunica palmata was an under-garment embroidered with figures of victory and palm branches. Over this was thrown the toga picta, a purple toga embroidered with gold. These were the vestments of the Capitoline Jupiter, and were lent from the Capitol to be worn by the victorious general while he celebrated his triumph. The triumphal crown —stones set in gold —was held over him by an official as he rode in the chariot drawn by four white horses which formed the centre of the procession. The laurel wreath he wore upon his brows.)with the triumphal crown and the laurel wreath, the men upon whose houses you have conferred special distinction by affixing to them the spoils taken from the enemy —that these men, I say, should have in addition to their other marks of rank the insignia of the pontiffs and