14. And yet do we not see that, in these years and seasons that have intervened, victories innumerable have been gained from the conquered enemy,—that the boundaries of the empire have been extended, and that nations whose names we had not previously heard, have been brought under our power,—that very often there have been the most plentiful yields of grain, seasons of cheapness, and such abundance of commodities, that all commerce was paralyzed, being prostrated by the standard of prices? For in what manner could affairs be carried on, and how could the human race have existed27    For qui durare Ursinus would read quiret durare; but this seems to have no ms. authority, though giving better sense and an easier construction. even to this time, had not the productiveness of nature continued to supply all things which use demanded?

XIV. Atqui non videmus mediis his annis, mediisque temporibus, ex victis hostibus innumerabiles esse victorias reportatas? prolatos imperii fines, et in potestatem redactas inauditi nominis nationes? 0735B saepenumero maximos annonae fuisse proventus, vilitates, 0736A atque abundantias rerum tantas, ut commercia stuperent universa pretiorum auctoritate prostrata? Quemadmodum enim res agi, et usque ad hoc tempus genus qui durare mortalium, si non omnia, quae usus posceret subministraret fertilitas rerum?