When the Syracusans accuse Marcellus, their Roman conqueror, of legal wrongs, he reacts by preparing to defend himself legally, instead of acting like a tyrant, and this FREAKS THEM OUT.

>[Marcellus](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5d/Marcellus_%28by_George_Crabbe%29.PNG) being the fourth time consul, his enemies suborned the Syracusans to come to Rome to accuse him, and to complain that they had suffered indignities and wrongs, contrary to the conditions granted them. >It happened that Marcellus was in the capitol offering sacrifice when the Syracusans petitioned the senate, yet sitting, that they might have leave to accuse him and present their grievances. Marcellus’s colleague, eager to protect him in his absence, put them out of the court. But Marcellus himself came as soon as he heard of it. And first, in his curule chair as consul, he referred to the senate the cognisance of other matters: but when these were transacted, rising from his seat, he passed as a private man into the place where the accused were wont to make their defence, and gave free liberty to the Syracusans to impeach him. >But they, struck with consternation by his majesty and confidence, stood astonished; and the power of his presence now, in his robe of state, appeared far more terrible and severe than it had done when he was arrayed in armour. ________________________ **Source:** Plutarch, John Dryden, and Arthur Hugh Clough. "Marcellus." *Plutarch's Lives*. New York: Modern Library, 2001. 425. Print. ________________________ **Further Reading:** [Marcus Claudius Marcellus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Claudius_Marcellus)