Brutus, or On Eminent Orators Passage 226

Coniunctus igitur Sulpici aetati P. Antistius fuit, rabula sane probabilis, qui multos cum tacuisset annos neque contemni solum sed inrideri etiam solitus esset, in tribunatu primum contra C. Iuli illam consulatus petitionem extraordinariam veram causam agens est probatus; et eo magis quod eandem causam cum ageret eius conlega ille ipse Sulpicius, hic plura et acutiora dicebat. Itaque post tribunatum primo multae ad eum causae, deinde omnes maximae quaecumque erant deferebantur.

Publius Antistius was therefore close to Sulpicius in age, and was a quite commendable pettifogger. After remaining silent for many years and habitually being not merely despised but even mocked, he first won approval during his tribunate by arguing the true side of the case against that extraordinary candidacy of Gaius Julius for the consulship. He won greater approval because, while his colleague Sulpicius himself argued the same case, Antistius made more numerous and more acute points. After his tribunate, therefore, first many cases and then every important case that arose were entrusted to him.

Publius Antistius fut donc presque contemporain de Sulpicius. C’était un avocat criard, mais assez estimable. Après s’être tu pendant de nombreuses années et avoir été habituellement non seulement méprisé, mais même tourné en ridicule, il se fit apprécier pour la première fois durant son tribunat, en plaidant une cause juste contre la candidature extraordinaire de Caius Julius au consulat. Il le fut d’autant plus que, plaidant la même cause que son collègue Sulpicius lui-même, il disait davantage de choses et avec plus de pénétration. Aussi, après son tribunat, beaucoup de causes lui furent-elles d’abord confiées, puis toutes les plus importantes sans exception.