There is in that farm a field of two hundred acres, which is called the Popilian field, O
 judges, which had always belonged to Marcus Tullius, and which even his father had possessed. That new neighbour of his, full of wicked hope, and the more confident because Marcus
 Tullius was away, began to wish for this field, as it appeared to him to lie very
 conveniently for him, and to be a convenient addition to his own farm. And at first, because
 he repented of the whole business and of his purchase, he advertised the farm for sale. But he
 had had a partner in the purchase, Cnaeus Acerronius a most excellent man. He was at
 Rome , when on a sudden messengers came to Marcus
 Tullius from his villa, to say that Publius Fabius had advertised that neighbouring farm of
 his for sale, offering a much larger quantity of land than he and Cnaeus Acerronius had
 lately purchased. 
 He applies to the man. He, arrogantly enough, answers just
 what he chooses. And he had not yet pointed out the boundaries. Tullius sends letters to his
 agent and to his bailiff, to go to the procurator of Caius Claudius, in order that he
 might point out the boundaries to purchasers in their presence. But he 
 refused to do this. He pointed out the boundaries to Acerronius while they
 were absent; but still he did not give them up this Popilian field. Acerronius excused himself
 from the whole business as well as he could, and as soon as he could; and he immediately revoked any agreement which he had with
 Fabius, (for he preferred losing his money to losing his character,) 
 and dissolved partnership with such a man, being only
 slightly scorched. Fabius in the meantime brings on the farm picked men of great courage and
 strength, and prepares arms such as were suitable and fit for each of them; so that any one
 might see that those men were equipped, not for any farming work, but for battle and murder.
 In a short time they murdered two men of Quintus Catius
 Aemilianus, an honourable man, whom you all are acquainted with. They did many other things;
 they wandered about everywhere armed; they occupied all the fields and roads in an hostile
 manner, so that they seemed not obscurely but evidently to be aware of what business they were
 equipped for. In the meantime Tullius came to Thurium . Then that worthy father of a family, that noble Asiaticus, that new
 farmer and grazier, while he was walking in the farm, notices in this very Popilian field a
 moderate-sized building, and a slave of Marcus Tullius, named Philinus. “What business have you,” says he, “in my
 field?” The slave answered modestly and sensibly, that his master was at the villa;
 that he could talk to him if he wanted anything. Fabius asks Acerronius (for he happened to be
 there at the time) to go with him to Tullius. They go. Tullius was at the villa. Fabius says
 that either he will bring an action against Tullius, or that Tullius must bring one against
 him. Tullius answers that he will bring one, and that he will exchange securities with Fabius
 at Rome . Fabius agrees to this condition. Presently
 he departs.