Despite five consulates in twenty-three years, the Metelli soon found that their power was passing. […] Many knights were to be found in the following of a proconsul, in a variety of functions. […] When Brutus entered his province in April he found only two legions there. […] Yet he found himself, not unnaturally, on the side of Pompeius, of the party of the constitution, and of the majority of the active consulars. […] Oppius and Balbus found the result not altogether satisfactory.