It is manifest in action on various occasions, arrayed in open day to defend an extortionate provincial governor, to attack some pestilential tribune, or to curb a general hostile to the government. 3 But the Optimates were solid only to outward show and at intervals. […] But Caesar refused to join the long roll of Pompeius’ victims, to be superseded like Lucullus, to be discarded and disgraced as had been Gabinius, the governor of Syria. […] Licinius Crassus was made governor of the Cisalpina in 49 (Appian, BC 2, 41, 165). […] Gabinius, at least, an old Pompeian partisan, author of salutary legislation in defence of provincials, had been an admirable governor of Syria, as the clearest of NotesPage=>066 1 On Q. […] Aufidius, once a publicanus, but rising to be governor of Asia (Val.