His office as aedile gave him the necessary authority.
The next morning, when the people saw these splendid monuments of their great favorite restored, the whole city was animated with excitement and joy.

The patricians, on the other hand, were filled with vexation and rage.

"Here is a single officer," said they, "who is attempting to restore, by his individual authority, what has been formally abolished by a decree of the Senate.

He is trying to see how much we will bear.

If he finds that we will submit to this, he will attempt bolder measures still." They accordingly commenced a movement to have the statues and trophies taken down again, but the people rallied in vast numbers in defense of them.