The Life of Julius Caesar
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1. Caesar sides with Marius against Sylla.
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2. Caesar taken by Pirates.
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3. Caesar's eloquence.
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4. Cicero's judgment of Caesar. Caesar's funeral oration over his aunt Julia.
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5. Caesar sets up images of Marius.
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6. He is made chief Bishop of Rome.
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7. His action in the case of Catiline's conspiracy.
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8. Intrigue of Clodius with Caesar's wife Pompeia.
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9. Caesar's acts in Spain.
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10. He reconciles Pompey and Crassus.
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11. His first consulship and laws.
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12. His daughter Julia is married to Pompey; he himself marries Calphurnia.
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13. He sends Cato to prison, and drives Cicero out of Italy.
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14. His conquests in Gaul.
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15. The valour of Acilius, Cassius Scaeva, and Granius Petronius.
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16.Description of Caesar's valour, bounty, health and habits.
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17. His first war with the Gauls and victory over the Helvetti.
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18. His second war, against Ariovistus.
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19. He defeats the Belgae.
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20. He defeats Nervii.
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21. His conference with Pompey, Crassus and others at Lucca.
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22. His war against the Ipes and Tenterides.
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23. He makes a bridge over the Rhine.
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24.His expedition to England. Death of his daughter Julia.
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25. Rebellions of the Gauls, and defeat of Vercingetorix.
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26. Siege of Alexia.
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27. Discord between Caesar and Pompey.
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28. Caesar bribes the magistrates at Rome.
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29. He crosses the Rubicon.
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30. Pompey flees to Epirus.
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31. Caesar is made Dictator. His advanture in the pinnace.
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32. His ill success in Epirus.
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33. Battle of Pharsalia dand defeat of Pompey.
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34. Caesar makes Cleopatra Queen of Egypt.
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35. "Veni, vidi, vici."
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36. Adventures in Afric and death of Cato.
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37. Caesar's three triumphs.
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38. His expedition to Spain against the sons of Pompey; battle of Munda.
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39. He is chosen perpetual Dictator.
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40. He reforms the Calendar.
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41. Feast of the Lupercalia. Caesar twice refuses the diadem.
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42. Brutus conspires against him.
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43. Prognostics of his death.
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44. He is assassinated.
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45. Events following his death.
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46. Fate of Brutus and Cassius.
1.
Caesar joined with Cinna and Marius. |
At what time Sylla was made lord of all, he would have
had Caesar put away his wife Cornelia, the daughter of Cinna
dictator: but when he saw he could neither with any promise
nor threat bring him to it, he took her jointure away from him.
The cause of Caesar's ill will unto Sylla was by means of marriage:
for Marius the elder married his father's own sister, by
whom he had Marius the younger, whereby Caesar and he were
cousin-germans. Sylla being troubled in weighty matters, putting
to death so many of his enemies, when he came to be
conqueror, he made no reckoning of Caesar: and he was
not contented to be hidden in safety, but came and made suit
unto the people for the priesthoodship that was
void
1, when he
had
scant
2 any hair on his face. Howbeit he was repulsed by
Sylla's means, that secretly was against him. Who, when he
was determined to have killed him, some of his friends told him,
that it was to no purpose to put so young a boy as he to death.
But Sylla told them again, that they did not
consider
3 that
there were many Marians in that young boy. Caesar understanding
that, stole out of Rome, and hid himself a long time
in the country of the Sabines, wandering still from place to
place. But one day being carried from house to house, he fell
into the hands of Sylla's soldiers, who searched all those places,
and took them whom they found hidden. Caesar bribed the
captain, whose name was Cornelius, with two talents which he
gave him.
2. After he had escaped them thus, he went unto the seaside,
and took ship, and sailed into Bithynia to go unto king
Nicomedes. When he had been with him awhile,
Caesar took sea and went unto Nicomedes, king of Bithynia. Caesar taken of pirates. |
took sea
again, and was taken by pirates about the
ile
4 of Pharmacusa:
for those pirates kept all upon the sea-coast, with a great fleet
of ships and boats. They asking him at the first twenty talents
for his ransom, Caesar laughed them to scorn, as though they
knew not what a man they had taken, and of himself promised
them fifty talents.
Then he sent his men up and down to get
him this money, so that he was left
in manner
5 alone among
these thieves of the Cilicians (which are the cruellest butchers
in the world) with one of his friends, and two of his slaves only:
and yet he made so little reckoning of them, that when he was
desirous to sleep, he sent unto them to command them to make
no noise. Thus was he thirty-eight days among them, not kept
as prisoner, but rather waited upon by them as a prince. All
this time he would boldly exercise himself in any sport or
pastime they would go to. And otherwhile also he would write
verses, and make orations, and call them together to say them
before them: and if any of them seemed as though they had
not understood him, or
passed
6 not for them, he called them
blockheads and brute beasts; and laughing, threatened them
that he would hang them up. But they were as merry with the
matter as could be, and took all in good part, thinking that this
his bold speech came through the simplicity of his youth. So
when his ransom was come from the city of Miletum, they being
paid their money, and he again set at liberty, he then
presently
7
armed and manned certain ships out of the haven of
Miletum, to follow those thieves, whom he found yet riding at
anker
8 in the same
iland
9. So he took the most of them, and
had the spoil of their goods; but
for
10 their bodies, he brought
them into the city of Pergamus and there committed them to
prison, whilst he himself went to speak with
Junius, who had
the government of Asia, as unto whom the execution of these
pirates did belong, for that he was Praetor of that country.
But this Praetor, having a great fancy to be fingering of the
money, because there was good store of it, answered that he
would consider of these prisoners at better leisure. Caesar,
leaving Junius there, returned again unto Pergamus, and there
hung up all these thieves openly upon a cross, as he had oftentimes
promised them in the
ile
11 he would do, when they thought
he did but jest.
3. Afterwards when Sylla's power began to decay, Caesar's
friends wrote unto him, to pray him to come home again. But
he sailed first unto Rhodes, to study there a time under Apollonius
the son of Molon, whose scholar also Cicero was, for
he was a very honest man and an excellent good rhetorician.
It is reported, that
Caesar had an excellent natural gift to speak
well before the people; and besides that rare gift, he was excellently
well studied, so that doubtless he was counted the second
man for eloquence in his time, and gave place to the first,
because he would be the first and chiefest man of war and
authority, being not yet come to the degree of perfection to
speak well, which his nature could have performed in him,
because he was given rather to follow wars and to manage great
matters, which in the end brought him to be lord of all Rome.
And therefore in a book he wrote against that which Cicero
made in the praise of Cato, he prayeth the readers not to compare
the style of a soldier with the eloquence of an excellent
orator, that had followed it the most part of his life.
When he
was returned again unto Rome, he accused Dolabella for his ill
behaviour in the government of his provinces, and he had divers
cities of Greece that gave in evidence against him. Notwithstanding,
Dolabella at the length was dismissed. Caesar, to
requite the good will of the Grecians which they had shewed
him in his accusation of Dolabella, took their cause in hand,
when they did accuse Publius Antonius before Marcus Lucullus,
Praetor of Macedon: and followed it so hard against him in
their behalf, that Antonius was driven to appeal before the
tribunes at Rome, alleging, to colour his appeal withal, that
he could have no justice in Greece against the Grecians. Now
Caesar immediately
wan
12 many men's good wills at Rome,
through his eloquence in pleading of their causes, and the
people loved him marvellously also, because of the courteous
manner he had to speak to every man, and to use them gently,
being more ceremonious therein than was
looked for
13 in one of
his years. Furthermore,
Caesar loved hospitality. |
he ever kept a good board, and fared
well at his table, and was very liberal besides: the which indeed
did advance him forward, and brought him in estimation with
the people. His enemies, judging that this
Caesar a follower of the common people. |
favour of the common
people would soon
quail
14, when he could no longer
hold
out that charge and expense, suffered him to run on, till by
little and little he was grown to be of great strength and power.
But in fine, when they had thus given him the bridle to grow to
this greatness, and that they could not then pull him back, though
indeed
in sight
15 it would turn one day to the destruction of the
whole state and commonwealth of Rome: too late they found,
that there is not so little a beginning of any thing, but continuance
of time will soon make it strong, when through contempt
there is no impediment to hinder the greatness.
4. Thereupon Cicero, like a wise shipmaster that feareth
the calmness of the sea, was the first man that, mistrusting his
manner of dealing in the commonwealth, found out his craft
and malice, which he cunningly cloaked under the habit of outward
courtesy and familiarity.
16"And yet," said he, "when I
consider how finely he combeth his fair bush of hair, and how
smooth it lieth, and that I see him scratch his head with one
finger only, my mind gives me then, that such a kind of man
should not have so wicked a thought in his head, as to overthrow
the state of the commonwealth." But this was long time
after that.
The love of the people in Rome unto Caesar. Caesar chosen Tribunus milium. |
The first shew and proof of the love and goodwill
which the people did bear unto Caesar, was when he sued to be
tribune of the soldiers (to wit, colonel of a thousand footmen)
standing against Caius Pompilius, at what time he was preferred
and chosen before him. But the second and more manifest
proof than the first, was at the death of his aunt Julia, the
wife of Marius the elder.
Caesar made the funeral oration, at the death of his aunt Julia. |
For being her nephew, he made a
solemn oration in the market-place in commendation of her,
and at her burial did boldly venture to shew forth the images of
Marius: the which was the first time that they were seen after
Sylla's victory, because that Marius and all his confederates had
been proclaimed traitors and enemies to the commonwealth.
For when there were some that cried out upon Caesar for doing
of it, the people on the other side kept astir, and rejoiced at it,
clapping of their hands; and thanked him, for that he had
brought, as it were out of hell, the remembrance of Marius'
honour again into Rome, which had so long time been obscured
and buried. And
where
17 it had been an ancient custom of long
time, that the Romans used to make funeral orations in praise
of old ladies and matrons when they died, but not of young
women:
Caesar the first that praised his wife in funeral oration. |
Caesar was the first that praised his own wife with
funeral oration when she was dead, the which also did increase
the people's goodwills the more, seeing him of so kind and
gentle nature. After the burial of his wife,
he was made treasurer
under Antistius Vetus praetor, whom he honoured ever
after: so that when himself came to be praetor, he made his
son to be chosen treasurer. Afterwards, when he was come out
of that office,
Pompeia Caesar's third wife. |
he married his third wife Pompeia, having a
daughter by his first wife, Cornelia, which was married unto
Pompey the Great.
5. Now
for that
18 he was very liberal in expenses, buying (as
some thought) but a vain and short glory of the favour of the
people, (
where
19 indeed he bought good
cheap
20 the greatest
things that could be :) some say, that before he bare any office
in the commonwealth, he was grown in debt, to the sum of
thirteen hundred talents. Furthermore, because he was made
overseer of the work for the highway called Appius' way, he
disbursed a great sum of his own money towards the
charges
21
of the same. And on the other side, when he was made Aedilis,
for that he did shew the people the pastime of three hundred
and twenty couple of sword-players, and did besides exceed all
other in sumptuousness in the sports and common feasts, which
he made to delight them withal, and did as it were drown all
the stately shews of others in the like, that had gone before
him, he so pleased the people and
wan
22 their love therewith,
that they devised daily to give him new offices for to requite
him.
At that time there were two factions in Rome, to wit,
the faction of Sylla, which was very strong and of great power;
and the other of Marius, which then was under foot, and durst
not shew itself. But Caesar, because he would renew it again,
even at that time when, he being Aedilis, all the feasts and
common sports were in their greatest
ruff
23, he secretly caused
images of Marius to be made, and of victories that carried
triumphs; and those he set up one night within the capitol
The next morning, when every man saw the glistering of these
golden images excellently well wrought, shewing by the inscriptions
that they were the victories which Marius had won upon
the Cimbres, every one marvelled much at the boldness of him
that durst set them up there, knowing well enough who it was.
Hereupon it ran straight through all the city, and every man
came thither to see them.
Caesar accused to make a rebellion in the state. |
Then some cried out upon Caesar,
and said, it was a tyranny which he meant to set up, by renewing
of such honours as before had been trodden under foot and
forgotten by common decree and open proclamation: and that
it was no more but a bait to gauge the people's good wills, which
he had set out in the stately shews of his common plays, to see
if he had brought them to his lure, that they would abide such
parts to be played, and a new alteration of things to be made.
They of Marius' faction on the other side, encouraging one
another, shewed themselves straight a great number gathered
together, and made the mount of the Capitol ring again with
their cries and clapping of hands: insomuch as the tears ran
down many of their cheeks, for very joy, when they saw the
images of Marius, and they extolled Caesar to the skies, judging
him the worthiest man of all the
kinred
24 of Marius. The
Senate being assembled thereupon, Catulus Luctatius, one of
the greatest authority at that time in Rome, rose, and vehemently
inveighed against Caesar, and spake that then which
ever since hath been noted much: that Caesar did not now
covertly go to work, but by plain force sought to alter the state
of the commonwealth. Nevertheless, Caesar at that time answered
him so, that the Senate was satisfied. Thereupon they
that had him in estimation did grow in better hope than before,
and persuaded him, that
hardily
25 he should give place to no
man, and that through the goodwill of the people he should
be better than all they, and come to be the chiefest man of
the city.
6.
The death of Metellus chief Bishop of Rome. |
At that time the chief bishop Metellus died, and two
of the notables, men of the city, and of the greatest authority
(Isauricus and Catulus), contended for his
room
26: Caesar, notwithstanding
their contention, would give neither of them both
place, but presented himself to the people, and made suit for it
as they did. The suit being equal betwixt either of them,
Catulus, because he was a man of greater calling and dignity
than the other, doubting the uncertainty of the election, sent
unto Caesar a good sum of money, to make him leave off his
suit. But Caesar sent him word again, that he would lend a
greater sum than that, to maintain the suit against him. When
the day of the election came, his mother bringing him to the
door of his house, Caesar, weeping, kissed her, and said: " Mother,
this day thou shalt see thy son chief Bishop of Rome, or
banished from Rome."
In fine
27, when the voices of the people
were gathered together, and the strife well debated, Caesar
wan
28
the victory, and
Caesar made chief Bishop of Rome. |
made the Senate and noblemen all afraid of
him, for that they thought that thenceforth he would make
the people do what he thought good.
Caesar suspected to be confederate with Catiline in his conspiracy. |
Then Catulus and Piso
fell flatly out with Cicero, and condemned him for that he did
not
bewray
29 Caesar, when he knew that he was of conspiracy
with Catiline, and had opportunity to have done it.
7. For when Catiline was bent and determined, not only to
overthrow the state of the commonwealth, but utterly to destroy
the Empire of Rome, he escaped out of the hands of justice for
lack of sufficient proof, before his full treason and determination
was known. Notwithstanding, he left Lentulus and Cethegus in
the city, companions of his conspiracy: unto whom, whether
Caesar did give any secret help or comfort, it is not well
known.
Yet this is manifest, that when they were
convinced
30 in open
Senate, Cicero being at that time Consul, asking every man's
opinion in the Senate what punishment they should have, and
every one of them, till it came to Caesar, gave sentence they
should die:
Caesar went about to deliver the conspirators. |
Caesar then rising up to speak, made an oration
(penned and premeditated before) and said, that it was neither
lawful, nor yet their custom did bear it, to put men of such
nobility to death (but in an extremity) without lawful
inditement
31
and condemnation. And therefore, that if they were put
in prison in some city of Italy, where Cicero thought best,
until that Catiline were overthrown, the Senate then might at
their pleasure quickly
take such order
32 therein, as might appear
best unto their wisdoms.
This opinion was thought more gentle,
and withal was uttered with such a
passing
33 good grace and
eloquence, that not only they which were to speak after him
did approve it: but such also as had spoken to the contrary
before, revoked their opinion, and stuck to his, until it came
to Cato and Catulus to speak. They both did sharply inveigh
against him, but Cato chiefly: who in
Cato's oration against Caesar. |
his oration made Caesar
suspected to be of the conspiracy, and stoutly spake against
him, insomuch that the offenders were put into the hands of
the officers to be put to death. Caesar coming out of the
Senate, a company of young men which guarded Cicero for
the safety of his person, did set upon him with their swords
drawn. But some say, that Curio covered Caesar with his gown,
and took him out of their hands. And Cicero self, when the
young men looked upon him, beckoned with his head that they
should not kill him, either fearing the fury of the people, or
else that he thought it too shameful and wicked a part. But
if that were true, I marvel why Cicero did not put it into his
book he wrote of his consulship. But certainly they blamed him
afterwards, for that he took not the opportunity offered him
against Caesar, only for overmuch fear of the people, that loved
him very dearly. For shortly after, when Caesar went into the
Senate, to clear himself of certain presumptions and false accusations
objected against him, and being bitterly taunted among
them, the Senate keeping him longer than they were wont:
the people came about the council-house, and called out aloud
for him, bidding them let him out. Cato then, fearing the
insurrection of the poor needy persons, which were they that
put all their hope in Caesar, and did also move the people to stir,
did persuade the Senate to make a
frank
34 distribution of corn
unto them, for a month. This distribution did put the commonwealth
to a new charge of five hundred and fifty
myriads
35. This
counsel quenched a present great fear, and did in happy time
scatter and disperse abroad the best part of Caesar's force and
power, at such time as he was made Praetor, and that for respect
of his office he was most to be feared.
Yet all the time he was
officer, he never sought any alteration in the commonwealth;
but
contrarily
36, he himself had a great misfortune fell on his
house, which was this.
8.
The love of P. Clodius unto Pompeia, Caesar's wife. The good doddess, what she was, and her sacrifices. |
There was a young nobleman of the order of the Patricians,
called Publius Clodius, who lacked neither wealth nor
eloquence; but otherwise as insolent and impudent a person as
any was else in Rome. He became in love with Pompeia
Caesar's wife, who misliked not withal: notwithstanding she
was so
straightly looked to
37, and Aurelia (Caesar's mother) an
honest gentlewoman, had such an eye
of
38 her, that these two
lovers could not meet as they would, without great peril and
difficulty. The Romans do use to honour a goddess which they
call the good goddess, as the Grecians have her whom they call
Gynaecia, to wit, the goddess of women. Her, the Phrygians do
claim to be peculiar unto them, saying: that she is king Midas'
mother. Howbeit the Romans hold opinion, that it is a nymph
of the woods married unto the god Faunus. The Grecians, they
say also, that she was one of the mothers of the god Bacchus,
whom they dare not name. And for proof hereof, on her feastday,
the women make certain tabernacles of vine-twigs, and
leaves of vine-branches; and also they make, as the tale goeth,
a holy dragon for this goddess, and do set it by her: besides, it
is not lawful for any man to be present at their sacrifices, no,
not within the house itself where they are made. Furthermore
they say, that the women in these sacrifices do many things
amongst themselves, much like unto the ceremonies of Orpheus.
Now when the time of this feast came, the husband (whether he
were Praetor or Consul) and all his men and the boys in the
house, do come out of it, and leave it wholly to his wife, to
order
39
the house at her pleasure, and there the sacrifices and ceremonies
are done the
most
40 part of the night, and they do besides
pass the night away in songs and music.
Pompeia, Caesar's
wife, being that year to celebrate this feast, Clodius, who had
yet no hair on his face, and thereby thought he should not
be
bewrayed
41, disguised himself in a singing wench's apparel,
because his face was very like unto a young wench. He finding
the gates open, being secretly brought in by her chambermaid
that was made privy unto it, she left him, and ran to
Pompeia her mistress, to tell her that he was come. The
chamber-maid tarried long before she came again, insomuch as
Clodius, being weary waiting for her where she left him, he
took his pleasure and went from one place to another in the
house, which had very large rooms in it, still shunning the
light; and was by chance met
withal
42 by one of Aurelia's
maids, who taking him for a woman, prayed her to play.
Clodius refusing to play, the maid pulled him forward, and
asked him what he was: Clodius then answered her, that he
tarried for Abra, one of Pompeia's women. So Aurelia's maid,
knowing him by his voice, ran straight where the lights and
ladies were, and cried out, that there was a man disguised in
woman's apparel. The women therewith were so amazed, that
Aurelia caused them
presently
43to leave off the ceremonies of the
sacrifice, and to hide their secret things; and having seen the
gates fast locked, went immediately up and down the house with
torch-light to seek out this man: who at the last was found out
in the chamber of Pompeia's maid, with whom he hid himself.
Clodius taken in the sacrifices of the good goddess. |
Thus Clodius being found out, and known of the women, they
thrust him out of the doors by the shoulders. The same night
the women told their husbands of this chance as soon as they
came home. The next morning, there ran a great rumour
through the city, how Clodius had attempted a great villany,
and that he deserved not only to be punished of them whom
he had slandered, but also of the commonwealth and the gods.
Clodius accused for profaning the sacrifices of the good goddess. |
There was one of the tribunes of the people that did
indite
44 him,
and accuse him of high treason to the gods. Furthermore, there
were also of the chiefest of the nobility and Senate, that came to
depose against him, and burthened him with many horrible and
detestable facts, and specially with incest committed with his
own sister, which was married unto Lucullus. Notwithstanding
the people stoutly defended Clodius against their accusations:
and this did help him much against the judges, which were
amazed, and afraid to stir the people. This notwithstanding,
Caesar putteth away his wife Pompeia. |
Caesar presently put his wife away, and thereupon being brought
by Clodius' accuser to be a witness against him, he answered,
he knew nothing
of
45 that they objected against Clodius. This
answer being clean contrary to their expectation that heard it,
the accuser asked Caesar, why then he had put away his wife:
"Because I will not," said he, "that my wife be so much as
suspected." And some say that Caesar spake truly as he
thought. But others think that he did it to please the common
people, who were very desirous to save Clodius.
Clodius quit by the judges for profaning the sacrifices of the good goddess. |
So Clodius
was discharged of this accusation, because the most part of the
judges gave a confused judgment, for the fear they stood in one
way of the danger of the common people, if they condemned him,
and for the ill opinion on the other side of the nobility, if they
did
quit
46 him.
9.
The government of the province of Spain being fallen
unto Caesar, for that he was Praetor, his creditors came and cried
out upon him, and were importunate of him to be paid. Caesar,
being unable to satisfy them, was compelled to go unto Crassus,
who was the richest man of all Rome, and that stood in need of
Caesar's boldness and courage to withstand Pompey's greatness
in the commonwealth.
Crassus surety for Caesar to his creditors. |
Crassus became his surety unto his
greediest creditors for the sum of eight hundred and thirty
talents: whereupon they suffered Caesar to depart to the government
of his province. In this journey it is reported, that passing
over the mountains of the Alps, they came through a little poor
village that had not many households, and yet poor cottages.
There his friends that did accompany him asked him merrily,
if there were any contending for offices in that town, and whether
there were any strife there amongst the noblemen for honour.
Caesar speaking in good earnest, answered: "I cannot tell that,"
said he, "but for my part I had rather be the chiefest man here
than the second person in Rome." Another time also when he
was in Spain, reading the history of Alexander's acts, when he
had read it, he was sorrowful a good while after, and then burst
out in weeping. His friends seeing that, marvelled what should
be the cause of his sorrow. He answered them, " Do ye not
think," said he, " that I have good cause to be heavy, when king
Alexander, being no
elder
47 than myself is now, had in old time
won so many nations and countries: and that I hitherunto have
done nothing worthy of myself?"
Therefore when he was come
into Spain, he was very careful of his business, and had in few
days joined ten new
ensigns
48 more of footmen unto the other
twenty which he had before. Then marching forward against
the Callecians and Lusitanians, he conquered all, and went as
far as the great sea Oceanum, subduing all the people which
before knew not the Romans for their lords. There he took
order
49 for pacifying of the war, and did as wisely take order for
the establishing of peace. For he did reconcile the cities together,
and made them friends one with another, but specially he
pacified all suits of law and strife betwixt the debtors and creditors,
which grew by reason of usury.
Caesar's order between the creditor and the debtor. |
For he ordained that
the creditors should take yearly two parts of the revenue of their
debtors, until such time as they had paid themselves: and that
the debtors should have the third part themselves to live
withal.
10.
Caesar's soldiers called him Imperator. |
He having won great estimation by this good order
taken, returned from his government very rich, and his soldiers
also full of rich spoils, who called him Imperator,
to say
50, sovereign
Captain.
Now the Romans having a custom, that such
as
demanded honour of triumph should remain a while without
the city, and that they on the other side which sued for the
Consulship should of necessity be there in person: Caesar
coming
unhappily
51 at the very time when the
Consuls were
chosen, he sent to pray the Senate to do him that
favour, that,
being absent, he might by his friends sue for the Consulship.
Cato at the first did vehemently inveigh against it,
vouching
52 an
express law to the contrary. But afterwards, perceiving that
notwithstanding the reasons he alleged, many of the Senators
(being won by Caesar) favoured his request, yet he cunningly
sought all he could to prevent them, prolonging time, in dilating
his oration until night. Caesar thereupon determined rather to
give over the suit of his triumph, and to make suit for the
Consulship: and so came into the city, and had such a device
with him, as went beyond them all but Cato only. His device
was this: Pompey and Crassus, two of the greatest personages
of the city of Rome being at
jar
53 together,
Caesar reconcileth Pompey and Crassus together. |
Caesar made them
friends, and by that means got unto himself the power of them
both, for
by colour
54 of that gentle act and friendship of his, he
subtilly (unawares to them all) did greatly alter and change the
state of the commonwealth. For it was not the private discord
between Pompey and Caesar, as many men thought, that caused
the civil war: but rather it was their agreement together, who
joined all their powers first to overthrow the state of the Senate
and nobility, and afterwards they fell at
jar
55 one with another.
Cato's foresight and prophecy. |
But Cato, that then foresaw and prophecied many times what
would follow, was taken but for a vain man: but afterwards they
found him a wiser man than
happy
56 in his counsel.
11.
Caesar's first Consulship with Calpurnius Bibulus. |
Thus Caesar, being brought unto the assembly of the
election, in the
middest
57 of these two noble persons whom he
had before reconciled together, he was there chosen Consul with
Calphurnius Bibulus, without gainsaying or contradiction of;
any man. Now when he was entered into his office,
Caesar's laws. Lex agraria. |
he began to
put forth laws meeter for a seditious Tribune of the people than
for a Consul: because by them he preferred the division of
lands, and distributing of corn to every citizen gratis, to please
them withal. But when the noblemen of the Senate were
against his device, he, desiring no better
occasion
58, began to cry
out and to protest, that by the overhardness and austerity of
the Senate, they
drave
59 him against his will to lean unto the
people: and thereupon, having Crassus on the one side of him
and Pompey on the other, he asked them openly in the assembly,
if they did give their consent unto the laws which he had
put forth. They both answered, they did. Then he prayed
them to stand by him against those that threatened him with
force of sword to
let
60 him. Crassus gave him his word, he,
would; Pompey also did the like, and added thereunto, that he
would come with his sword and
target
61 both, against them that
would withstand him with their swords. These words offended
much the Senate, being far unmeet for his gravity, and
undecent
62
for the majesty and honour he carried, and most of all
uncomely for the presence of the Senate whom he should have
reverenced: and were speeches fitter for a rash light-headed
youth, than for his person. Howbeit the common people on the
other side, they rejoiced.
12.
Caesar married his daughter Julia to Pompey. |
Then Caesar, because he would be more assured of
Pompey's power and friendship, he gave him his daughter Julia
in marriage, which was made sure before unto Servilius Caepio,
and promised him in exchange Pompey's daughter, who was
sure
63 also unto Faustus, the son of Sylla. And shortly after
also,
Caesar married Calphurnia the daughter of Piso. |
Caesar
self
64 did marry Calphurnia, the daughter of Piso,
whom he caused to be made Consul, to succeed him the next
year following. Cato then cried out with open mouth, and
called the gods to witness, that it was a shameful matter, and
not to be suffered, that they should in that sort make havoc of
the Empire of Rome, by such horrible bawdy matches, distributing
among themselves, through those wicked marriages, the
governments of the provinces, and of great armies. Calphurnius
Bibulus, fellow-Consul with Caesar, perceiving that he did
contend in vain, making all the resistance he could to withstand
this law, and that oftentimes he was in danger to be slain with
Cato in the market-place and assembly; he kept close in his
house all the rest of his Consulship. When Pompey had married
Julia,
Pompey by force of arms authorized Caesar's laws. |
he filled all the market-place with soldiers, and by
open force authorized the laws which Caesar made in the behalf
of the people. Furthermore, he procured that Caesar had Gaul
on this side and beyond the Alps, and all Illyria, with four
legions granted him for five years.
13.
Caesar sent Cato to prison. |
Then Cato standing up to speak against it, Caesar bad
his officers lay hold on him, and carry him to prison, thinking
he would have appealed unto the Tribunes. But Cato said
never a word, when he went his way. Caesar perceiving then,
that not only the Senators and nobility were offended, but that
the common people also, for the reverence they bare unto Cato's
virtues, were ashamed, and went away with silence; he himself
secretly did pray one of the Tribunes that he would take Cato
from the officers. But after he had played this part, there were
few Senators that would be President of the Senate under him,
but left the city, because they
could not away with
65 his doings.
And of them there was an old man called Considius, that on a
time boldly told him, the rest durst not come to council because
they were afraid of his soldiers. Caesar answered him again:
"and why then dost not thou keep thee at home, for the same
fear?" Considius replied, "because my age taketh away fear
from me: for having so short a time to live, I have no care to
prolong it further." The shamefullest part that Caesar played
while he was Consul seemeth to be this: when he chose P. Clodius
Tribune of the people, that had offered his wife such dishonour,
and profaned the holy ancient mysteries of the women,
which were celebrated in his own house. Clodius sued to be
Tribune to no other end, but to destroy Cicero: and
Caesar, by Clodius, drave Cicero out of Italy. |
Caesar self
also departed not from Rome to his army before he had set
them together by the ears, and driven Cicero out of Italy.
14. All these things they say he did before the wars with
the Gauls. But the time of the great armies and conquests he
made afterwards, and of the war in the which he subdued all the
Gauls (entering into another course of life far contrary unto the
first) made him to be known for as
Caesar a valiant soldier, and a skilful captain. |
valiant a soldier and as
excellent a captain to lead men, as those that afore him had
been counted the wisest and most valiant generals that ever
were, and that by their valiant deeds had achieved great honour.
For whosoever would compare the house of the Fabians, of the
Scipios, of the Metellians, yea, those also of his own time, or
long before him, as Sylla, Marius, the two Lucullians, and
Pompey self:
Whose fame ascendeth up unto the heavens:
it will appear that Caesar's prowess and deeds of arms did excel
them all together. The
one
66, in the hard countries where he
made wars:
another
67, in enlarging the realms and countries
which he joined unto the Empire of Rome: another, in the multitude
and power of his enemies whom he overcame: another, in
the rudeness and austere nature of men with whom he had to do,
whose manners afterwards he softened and made civil: another,
in courtesy and clemency which he used unto them whom he had
conquered: another, in great bounty and liberality bestowed unto
them that served under him in those wars: and
in fine
68, he
excelled
them all in the number of battles he had fought, and in
the multitude of his enemies he had slain in battle.
Caesar's conquests in Gaul. |
For in less
than ten years' war in Gaul he took by force and assault above
eight hundred towns: he conquered three hundred several nations:
and having before him in battle thirty hundred thousand
soldiers, at sundry times, he slew ten hundred thousand of them,
and took as many more prisoners.
The love and respect of Caesar's soldiers unto him. |
Furthermore, he was so
entirely beloved of his soldiers, that to do him service (where
otherwise they were no more than other men in any private
quarrel) if Caesar's honour were touched, they were invincible,
and would so desperately venture themselves and with such
fury, that no man was able to abide them.
15.
The wonderful valiantness of Acilius, Cassius, Scoeva, and divers others of Caesar's soldiers. |
And this appeareth plainly by the example of Acilius:
who in a battle by sea before the city of Marseilles,
bording
69
one of his enemies' ships, one cut off his right hand with a
sword; but yet he forsook not his
target
70 which he had in his
left hand, but thrust it in his enemies' faces, and made them fly,
so that he
wan
71 their ship from them. And Cassius Scaeva also,
in a conflict before the city of Dyrrachium, having one of his
eyes put out with an arrow, his shoulder stricken through with
a dart, and his thigh with another, and having received thirty
arrows upon his shield, he called to his enemies, and made as
though he would yield unto them. But when two of them came
running to him, he crave one of their shoulders from his body
with his sword, and hurt the other in the face: so that he made
him turn his back, and at the length saved himself, by means of
his companions that came to help him. And in Britain also,
when the captains of the bands were driven into a
marrish
72 or
bog full of mire and dirt, and that the enemies did fiercely assail
them there, Caesar then standing to view the battle, he saw a
private soldier of his thrust in among the captains, and fought
so valiantly in their defence, that at the length he
drave
73 the
barbarous people to fly, and by his means saved the captains,
which otherwise were in great danger to have been cast
away
74.
Then this soldier, being the hindmost man of all the captains,
marching with great pain through the mire and dirt, half swimming
and half on foot, in the end got to the other side, but left
his shield behind him. Caesar, wondering at his noble courage,
ran to him with joy to embrace him. But the poor soldier
hanging down his head, the water standing in his eyes, fell
down at Caesar's feet, and besought him to pardon him, for that
he had left his target behind him. And in Africa also, Scipio
having taken one of Caesar's ships, and Granius Petronius
abord
75 on her amongst other, not long before chosen Treasurer;
he put all the rest to the sword but him, and said he would give
him his life. But Petronius answered him again, that Caesar's
soldiers did not use to have their lives given them, but to give
others their lives: and with these words he drew his sword, and
thrust himself through.
16. Now Caesar's self did breed this noble courage and life
in them. First, for that he gave them bountifully, and did
honour them also, strewing thereby, that he did not heap up
riches in the wars to maintain his life afterwards in wantonness
and pleasure, but that he did keep it in store, honourably to
reward their valiant service: and that by so much he thought
himself rich, by how much he was liberal in rewarding of them
that had deserved it. Furthermore, they did not wonder so much
at his valiantness in putting himself at every instant in such
manifest danger, and in taking so extreme pains as he did,
knowing that it was his greedy desire of honour that set him on
fire, and pricked him forward to do it: but that he always continued
all labour and
hardness
76, more than his body could bear,
that filled them all with admiration. For, concerning the constitution
of his body, he was lean, white, and soft-skinned,
and
Caesar had the falling sickness. |
often subject to headache, and otherwhile to the falling
sickness
77
(the which took him the first time, as it is reported,
in Corduba,
a city of Spain :) but yet therefore yielded not to the
disease of his body, to make it a cloak to cherish him withal,
but contrarily, took the pains of war as a medicine to cure his
sick body, fighting always with his disease, travelling continually,
living soberly, and commonly lying abroad in the field.
For the most nights he slept in his coach or litter, and thereby
bestowed his rest, to make him always able to do something:
and in the day-time he would travel up and down the country
to see towns, castles, and strong places. He had always a
secretary with him in the coach, who did
still
78 write as he went
by the way, and a soldier behind him that carried his sword.
He made such speed the first time he came from Rome, when
he had his office, that in eight days he came to the River of
Rhone. He was so excellent a rider of horse from his youth,
that holding his hands behind him, he would gallop his horse
upon the spur. In his wars in Gaul, he did further exercise
himself to indite letters as he rode by the way, and did
occupy
79
two secretaries at once with as much as they could write: and,
as Oppius writeth, more than two at a time. As it is reported,
that Caesar was the first that devised friends might talk together
by writing cyphers in letters, when he had no leisure to speak
with them for his urgent business, and for the great distance
besides from Rome.
The temperance of Caesar in his diet. |
How little account Caesar made of his
diet, this example cloth prove it. Caesar supping one night in
Milan with his friend Valerius Leo, there was served
sperage
80
to his board, and oil of perfume put into it instead of salletoil
81.
He simply
eat
82 it, and
Caesar's civility not to blame his friends. |
found no fault, blaming his friends that
were offended: and told them, that it had been enough for them
to have abstained to eat of that they misliked, and not to shame
their friend, and how that he lacked good manners that found
fault with his friend. Another time, as he travelled through the
country, he was driven by foul weather on the sudden to take a
poor man's cottage, that had but one little cabin in it, and that
was so narrow, that one man could but scarce lie in it. Then he
said to his friends that were about him: " Greatest rooms are
meetest for greatest men, and the most necessary rooms for the
sickest persons." And thereupon he called Oppius that was
sick to lie there all night: and he himself, with the rest of his
friends, lay without doors, under the
easing
83 of the house.
17. The first war that Caesar made with the Gauls, was
with the Helvetians and Tigurinians, who having set fire
on
84 all
their good cities, to the number of twelve, and four hundred
villages besides, came to invade that part of Gaul which was
subject to the Romans, as the Cimbri and Teutons had done
before, unto whom for valiantness they
gave no place
85: and
they were also a great number of them (for they were three
hundred thousand souls in all) whereof there were an hundred
four score and ten thousand fighting men. Of those, it was not
The Tigurinians slain by Labienus. Arax fl. |
Caesar himself that overcame the Tigurinians, but Labienus his
lieutenant, that overthrew them by the river of Arax. But the
Helvetians themselves came suddenly with their army to set
upon him, as he was going towards a city of his confederates.
Caesar perceiving that, made haste to get him some place of
strength, and there did set his men in battle
ray
86. When one
brought him his horse to get upon, which he used in battle, he
said unto them: "When I have overcome mine enemies, I will
then get upon him to follow the chase, but now let us give them
charge." Therewith he marched forward on foot and gave
charge: and there fought it out a long t.me, before he could
make them fly that were in battle. But the greatest trouble he
had was to distress their camp, and to break their
strength
87
which they had made with their carts. For there, they that
before had fled from the battle did not only put themselves in
force, and valiantly fought it out:
The Helvetians slain by Caesar. |
but their wives and children
also, fighting for their lives to the death, were all slain, and the
battle was
scant
88 ended at midnight. Now if the act of this
victory was famous, unto that he also added another as notable,
or exceeding it. For of all the barbarous people that had
escaped from this battle, he gathered together again above an
hundred thousand of them, and compelled them to return home
into their country which they had forsaken, and unto their
towns also which they had burnt: because he feared the Germans
would come over the river of
Rheyn
89, and occupy that
country Iying void.
18.
Rhenus fl. Caesar made war with king Ariovistus. |
The second war he made, was in defence of the Gauls
against the Germans: although before he himself had caused
Ariovistius their king to be received for a confederate of the
Romans. Notwithstanding, they were grown very unquiet
neighbours, and it appeared plainly, that, having any occasion
offered them to enlarge their territories, they would not content
them with their own, but meant to invade and possess the rest
of Gaul. Caesar perceiving that some of his captains trembled
for fear, but specially the young gentlemen of noble houses of
Rome, who
thought
90 to have gone to the wars with him as only
for their pleasure and gain, he called them to council, and commanded
them that were afraid that they should depart home
and not put themselves in danger against their wills,
sith
91 they
had such womanish faint hearts, to shrink when he had need of
them. And for himself, he said, he would set upon the barbarous
people, though he had left him but the tenth legion only
saying that the enemies were no valianter than the Cimbri had
been, nor that he was a captain inferior unto Marius. This
oration being made, the soldiers of the tenth legion sent their
lieutenants unto him, to thank him for the good opinion he had
of them: and the other legions also
fell out
92 with their captains
and all of them together followed him many days' journey with
good will to serve him, until they came within two hundred
furlongs of the camp of the enemies. Ariovistus' courage was
well cooled, when he saw Caesar was come, and that the
Romans came to seek out the Germans;
where
93 they thought
and made account, that they durst not have
abidden
94 them
and therefore,
nothing
95 mistrusting it would have come so to
pass, he wondered much at Caesar's courage, and the more
when he saw his own army in a
maze
96 withal. But much more
did their courage fall,
The wise women of Germany; how they did foretell things to come. |
by reason of the foolish women-prophesiers
they had amongst them, which did foretell things to come:
who, considering the waves and trouble of the rivers, and the
terrible noise they made running down the stream, did forewarn
them not to fight until the new moon. Caesar having intelligence
thereof, and perceiving that the barbarous people thereupon
stirred not, thought it best then to set upon them, being
discouraged with this superstitious fear, rather than, losing time,
he should tarry their leisure. So he did skirmish with them
even to their forts and little hills where they lay, and by this
means provoked them so, that with great fury they came down
to fight.
King Ariovistus overthrown by Caesar. |
There he overcame them in battle, and followed them
in chase, with great slaughter, three hundred furlongs, even
unto the river of Rheyn: and he filled all the fields "hitherto
with dead bodies and spoils. Howbeit Ariovistus, flying with
speed, got over the river of Rheyn, and escaped with a few of
his men. It is said that there were slain fourscore thousand
persons at this battle.
19. After this exploit, Caesar left his army amongst the
Sequanes to winter there: and he himself in the meantime,
thinking of the affairs at Rome, went over the mountains into
Gaul about the river of Po, being part of his province which he
had in charge. For there the river called Rubico divideth the
rest of Italy from Gaul on this side of the Alps. Caesar Iying
there, did
practise
97 to make friends in Rome, because many
came thither to see him: unto whom he granted their suits they
demanded, and sent them home also, partly with liberal rewards,
and partly with large promises and hope. Now during
all this conquest of the Gauls, Pompey did not consider how
Caesar
enterchangeably
98 did conquer the Gauls with the weapons
of the Romans, and
wan
99 the Romans again with the money of
the Gauls. Caesar, being
advertised
100 that the Belgae (which
were the
warlikest
101 men of all the Gauls, and that occupied the
third part of Gaul) were all up in arms, and had raised a great
power
102
of men together: he straight made towards them with
all possible speed, and found them spoiling and overrunning the
country of the Gauls, their neighbours, and confederates of the
Romans.
The Belgae overcome by Caesar. |
So he gave them battle, and they fighting cowardly,
he overthrew the most part of them, which were in a
troup
103
together; and slew such a number of them, that the Romans
passed over deep rivers and lakes on foot, upon their dead
bodies, the rivers were so full of them.
20. After this overthrow, they that dwelt nearest unto the
seaside, and were next neighbours unto the Ocean, did yield
themselves without any compulsion or fight:
Nervii the stoutest warriors of all the Belgae. |
whereupon he led
his army against the Nervians, the stoutest warriors of all the
Belgae. They, dwelling in the wood country, had conveyed their
wives, children, and goods into a marvellous great forest, as far
from their enemies as they could; and being about the number
of six score thousand fighting men and more, they came one
day and set upon Caesar, when his army was out of order, and
fortifying of his camp, little
looking
104 to have fought that day.
At the first charge, they
brake
105 the horsemen of the Romans,
and compassing in the twelfth and seventh legion, they slew
all the centurions and captains of the bands. And had not
Caesar
self
106 taken his shield on his arm, and, flying in amongst
the barbarous people, made a lane through them that fought
before him: and the tenth legion also, seeing him in danger,
run unto him from the top of the hill where they stood in
battle, and broken the ranks of their enemies, there had not
a Roman escaped alive that day. But taking example of
Caesar's valiantness, they fought desperately beyond their power,
and
The Nervii slain by Caesar. |
yet could not make the Nervians fly, but they fought it out
to the death, till they were all
in a manner
107 slain in the field. It
is written that of threescore thousand fighting men, there escaped
only but five hundred: and of four hundred gentlemen and
counsellors of the Romans, but three saved.
The Senate understanding
it at Rome, ordained that they should do sacrifice unto
the gods, and keep feasts and solemn processions fifteen days
together without intermission, having never made the like ordinance
at Rome for any victory that ever was obtained: because
they saw the danger had been marvellous great, so many nations
rising as they did in arms together against him: and further, the
love of the people unto him made his victory much more
famous.
21. For when Caesar had set his affairs
at a stay
108 in Gaul,
on the other side of the Alps, he always used to lie about
the river of Po in the winter time, to give direction for the
establishing of things at Rome at his pleasure. For not only
they that made suit for offices at Rome were chosen Magistrates,
by means of Caesar's money which he gave them, with
the which, bribing the people, they bought their voices, and
when they were in office did all that they could to increase
Caesar's power and greatness: but the greatest and
The great lords of Rome came to Lucca to Caesar. |
chiefest
men also of the nobility went into Lucca unto him;
as
109
Pompey, Crassus, Appius, Praetor of Sardinia, and Nepos
Proconsul in Spain. Insomuch that there were at one time
sixscore sergeants carrying rods and axes before the Magistrates:
and above two hundred Senators besides. There they fell in
consultation, and determined that Pompey and Crassus should
again be chosen Consuls the next year following. Furthermore
they did appoint, that Caesar should have money again
delivered him to pay his army; and besides, did prorogue the
time of his government five years further. This was thought
a very strange and an unreasonable matter unto wise men;
for they themselves that had taken so much money of Caesar,
persuaded the Senate to let him have money of the common
treasure, as though he had had none before: yea, to speak
more plainly, they compelled the Senate unto it, sighing and
lamenting to see the decrees they passed. Cato was not there
then, for they had purposely sent him before into Cyprus.
Howbeit Faonius, that followed Cato's steps, when he saw that
he could not prevail nor withstand them, he went out of the
Senate in choler, and cried out amongst the people that it
was a horrible shame. But no man did hearken to him: some
for the reverence they bare unto Pompey and Crassus; and
others, favouring Caesar s proceedings, did put all their hope
and trust in him: and therefore did quiet themselves, and
stirred not.
22. Then Caesar, returning into Gaul beyond the Alps unto
his army, found there a great war in the country. For two
great nations of Germany had not long before passed over
the river of
Rheyn
110, to conquer new lands: and the one of
Ipes and Tenterides, people of Germany. |
these people were called Ipes, and the other Tenterides. Now
touching the battle which Caesar fought with them, he himself
doth describe it in his Commentaries, in this sort. That
the barbarous people having sent ambassadors unto him to
require
111
peace for a certain time, they notwithstanding, against
the law of arms, came and set upon him as he travelled by the
way, insomuch as
Caesar's horsemen put to flight. |
eight hundred of their men of arms overthrew
five thousand of his horsemen, who
nothing at all mistrusted
112
their coming. Again, that they sent him other ambassadors to
mock him once more: but that he kept them, and
therewith
113
caused his whole army to march against them, thinking it a
folly and madness to keep faith with such traitorous barbarous
breakers of leagues. Canutius writeth, that the Senate appointing
again to do new sacrifice, processions, and feasts, to give
thanks to the gods for this victory, Cato was of contrary opinion,
that Caesar should be delivered into the hands of the barbarous
people, for to purge their city and commonwealth of this breach
of faith, and to turn the curse upon him that was the author
of it. Of
The Ipes and Tenterides slain by Caesar. |
these barbarous people, which came over the
Rheyn
114
(being about the number of four hundred thousand persons)
they were all
in manner
115 slain, saving a very few of them,
that flying from the battle got over the river of Rheyn again,
who were
Sicambri, a people of the Germans. |
received by the Sicambrians, another people of the
Germans.
23. Caesar taking this occasion against them, lacking no
goodwill of himself besides, to have the honour to be counted
the first Roman that ever passed over the river of Rheyn with an
army, he built a bridge over it.
Caesar made a bridge over the river of Rhine. |
This river is marvellous broad,
and runneth with great fury; and in that place specially where
he built his bridge, for there it is of a great breadth from
one side to the other: and it hath so strong and swift a stream
besides, that men casting down great bodies of trees into the
river (which the stream bringeth down with it) did with the
great blows and force thereof marvellously shake the posts of
the bridge he had set up. But to prevent the blows of those
trees, and also to break the fury of the stream, he made a
pile of great wood above the bridge a good way, and did
forcibly ram them into the bottom of the river; so that in ten
days space he had set up and finished his bridge of the goodliest
carpenters' work, and most excellent invention
to see to
116,
that could be possibly thought or devised.
Then,
passing
117
over his army upon it, he found none that durst any more
fight with him. For the Suevians, which were the warlikest
people of all Germany, had gotten themselves with their goods
into
wonderful
118 great valleys and bogs, full of woods and
forests. Now when he had burnt all the country of his enemies,
and confirmed a league with the confederates of the Romans, he
returned back again into Gaul after he had tarried eighteen
days at the most in Germany, on the other side of the Rheyn.
24.
Caesar's journey into England |
The journey he made also into England was a noble
enterprise and very commendable. For he was the first that
sailed the West Ocean with an army by sea, and that passed
through the sea Atlanticum with his army, to make war in that
so great and famous
iland
119 (which many ancient writers would
not believe that it was so indeed, and did make them vary about
it, saying it was but a fable and a lie), and was the first that enlarged
the Roman Empire beyond the earth
inabitable
120. For
twice he passed over the narrow sea
against
121 the firm land of
Gaul, and fighting many battles there, did hurt his enemies
more than
inrich
122 his own men: because,
of
123 men hardly
brought up and poor there was nothing to be gotten. Whereupon
the war had no such success as he looked for, and therefore,
taking pledges only of the King, and imposing a yearly
tribute upon him, to be paid unto the people of Rome, he
returned again into Gaul. There he was no sooner landed, but
he found letters ready to be sent over the sea unto him: in the
which he was
advertised
124 from Rome
The death of Julius Caesar's daughter. |
of the death of his daughter,
that she was dead with child by Pompey. For the which Pompey
and Caesar both were marvellous sorrowful: and their friends
mourned also, thinking that this alliance which maintained
the commonwealth (that otherwise was very
tickle
125) in good
peace and concord, was now severed and broken asunder;
and the
rather
126 likely, because the child lived not long after
the mother. So the common people at Rome took the corpse
of Julia, in despite of the Tribunes, and buried it in the field
of Mars.
25.
The rebellion of the Gauls. |
Now Caesar, being driven to divide his army (that
was very great) in sundry garrisons for the winter-time, and
returning again into Italy as he was wont, all Gaul rebelled
again, and had raised great armies in every quarter to set
upon the Romans, and to
assay
127 if they could distress their
forts where they lay in garrison. The greatest number and
most warlike men of these Gauls that entered into action of
rebellion, were led by one Ambiorix: and first did set upon
Cotta, and Titurius, with their army, slain. |
the garrisons of Cotta and Titurius, whom they slew, and
all the soldiers they had about them. Then they went with
threescore thousand fighting men to besiege the garrisons which
Quintus Cicero had in his charge, and had almost taken them
by force, because all the soldiers were every man of them hurt:
but they were so valiant and courageous, that they did more
than men (as they say) in defending of themselves. These
news being come to Caesar, who was far from thence at that
time, he returned with all possible speed, and leaving seven
thousand soldiers, made haste to help Cicero that was in such
distress. The Gauls that did besiege Cicero, understanding of
Caesar's coming, raised their siege
incontinently
128, to go and
meet him: making account that he was but a handful in their
hands, they were so few. Caesar, to deceive them, still drew
back, and made as though he fled from them, lodging in places
meet for a captain that had but a few to fight with a great
number of his enemies; and commanded his men in no wise to
stir out to skirmish with them, but compelled them to raise up
the
rampiers
129 of his camp, and to fortify the gates as men that
were afraid,
because
130 the enemies should the less esteem of
them: until at length he took opportunity by their disorderly
coming to assail the trenches of his camp,
Caesar slew the Gauls led by Ambiorix. |
(they were grown to
such a presumptuous boldness and bravery,) and then, sallying
out upon them, he put them all to flight with slaughter of a great
number of them.
This did suppress all the rebellions of the
Gauls in those parts, and furthermore he himself in person
went in the midst of winter thither, where he heard they did
rebel: for that there was come a new supply out of Italy of
three whole legions,
in their room
131 which he had lost: of the
which, two of them Pompey lent him, and the other legion he
himself had levied in Gaul about the river Po. During these
stirs,
brake
132 forth the beginning of the greatest and most
dangerous war that he had in all Gaul, the which had been
secretly
practised
133 of long time by the chiefest and most warlike
people of that country, who had levied a wonderful great
power.
The second rebellion of the Gauls against Caesar. |
For everywhere they levied multitudes of men, and
great riches besides, to fortify their strongholds. Furthermore
the country where they rose was very
ill to come unto
134, and
specially at that time, being winter; when the rivers were frozen,
the woods and forests covered with snow, the meadows drowned
with floods, and the fields so deep of snow that no ways were to
be found, neither the
marrishes
135 nor rivers to be discerned, all
was so
overflown
136 and drowned with water: all which troubles
together were enough (as they thought) to keep Caesar from
setting upon the rebels. Many nations of the Gauls were of
this conspiracy, but two of the chiefest were the Avernians and
Carnutes: who had chosen
Vercingentorix captain of the rebels against Caesar. |
Vercingentorix for their lieutenant-general,
whose father the Gauls before had put to death, because
they thought he aspired to make himself king.
This
Vercingentorix, dividing his army into divers parts, and appointing
divers captains over them, had gotten to take his part all
the people and countries thereabouts, even as far as they that
dwell towards the
sea Adriatick
137, having further determined
(understanding that Rome did conspire against Caesar)to make
all Gaul rise in arms against him. So that if he had but tarried
a little longer, until Caesar had entered into his civil wars, he
had put all Italy in as great fear and danger as it was when the
Cimbri did come and invade it. But Caesar, that was valiant
in all
assays
138 and dangers of war, and that was very skilful to
take time and opportunity, so soon as he understood the news
of this rebellion, he departed with speed and returned back the
self-same way which he had gone, making the barbarous people
know that they should deal with an army invincible, and
which they could not possibly withstand, considering the great
speed he had made with the same in so sharp and hard a winter.
For where they would not possibly have believed that a
post
139
or
currer
140 could have come in so short a time from the place
where he was unto them, they wondered when they saw him
burning and destroying the country, the towns, and strong forts,
where he came with his army, taking all to mercy that yielded
unto him: until such times as
The Hedui rebel against the Romans. |
the Hedui took arms against
him, who before were wont to be called the brethren of the
Romans, and were greatly honoured of them. Wherefore
Caesar's men, when they understood that they had joined with
the rebels, they were marvellous
sorry
141, and half discouraged.
Thereupon Caesar, departing from those parts, went through the
country of the Lingones to enter the country of the
Burgonians
142,
who were confederates of the Romans, and the nearest unto
Italy on that side, in respect of all the rest of Gaul. Thither
the enemies came to set upon him and to environ him on all
sides, with an infinite number of thousands of fighting men.
Caesar on the other side tarried their coming, and fighting with
them a long time, he made them so afraid of him, that at length
he overcame the barbarous people.
Vercingentorix overthrown by Caesar. |
But at the first, it seemeth
notwithstanding, that he had received some overthrow: for the
Arvernians shewed a sword hanged up in one of their temples,
which they said they had won from Caesar. Insomuch as
Caesar
self
143 coming that way by occasion, saw it, and fell alaughing
at it. But some of his friends going
about
144 to take it
away, he would not suffer them, but bad them let it alone and
touch it not, for it was an holy thing.
26. Notwithstanding, such as at the first had saved themselves
by flying, the most part of them were gotten with their
king into the city of Alexia, the which Caesar went and besieged,
although it seemed
inexpugnable
145, both for the height of the
walls as also for the multitude of soldiers they had to defend it.
But now, during this siege, he fell into a marvellous great danger
without
146, almost incredible. For an army of three hundred
thousand fighting men, of the best men that were among all the
legions of the Gauls, came
against him being at the siege of
Alexia, besides them that were within the city, which amounted
to the number of threescore and ten thousand fighting men at
the least: so that perceiving he was shut in betwixt two so
great armies, he was driven to fortify himself with two walls,
the one against them of the city, and the other against them
without
147. For if those two armies had joined together, Caesar
had been utterly undone. And therefore,
Caesar's great victory at Alexia. |
this siege of Alexia,
and the battle he
wan
148 before it, did deservedly win him more
honour and fame than any other. For there, in that
instant
149
and extreme danger, he shewed more valiantness and wisdom
than he did in any battle he fought before. But what a wonderful
thing was this! that they of the city never heard anything
of them that came to aid them until Caesar had overcome them
and furthermore, that the Romans themselves, which kept watch
upon the wall that was built against the city, knew also no more
of it than they, until it was done, and that they heard the cries
and lamentations of men and women in Alexia, when they perceived
on the other side of the city such a number of
glistering
150
shields of gold and silver, such store of bloody corslets and
armours, such a deal of plate and moveables, and such a number
of tents and pavilions after the fashion of the Gauls, which the
Romans had gotten of their spoils in their camp! Thus suddenly
was this great army vanished, as a dream or vision:
where the most part of them were slain that day in battle
Furthermore, after that they within the city of Alexia had done
great hurt to Caesar and themselves also,
Alexia yielded up to Caesar. |
in the end they all
yielded themselves. And Vercingentorix (he that was their king
and captain in all this war) went out of the gates excellently well
armed, and his horse
furnished
151 with rich caparison accordingly,
and rode round about Caesar, who sat in his chair of estate.
Then lighting from his horse, he took off his caparison and
furniture
152, and unarmed himself, and laid all on the ground, and
went and sat down at Caesar's feet, and said never a word. So
Caesar at length committed him as a prisoner taken in the wars,
to lead him afterwards in the triumph at Rome.
27. Now Caesar had of long time determined to destroy
Pompey, and Pompey him also. For Crassus being killed
amongst the Parthians, who only did see that one of them two
must needs fall, nothing kept Caesar from being the greatest
person, but because he destroyed not Pompey, that was the
greater: neither did anything
let
153 Pompey to withstand that it
should not come to pass, but because he did not first overcome
The discord betwixt Caesar and Pompey, and the cause of the civil wars. |
Caesar, whom only he feared. For till then, Pompey had not
long feared him, but always before
set light by
154 him, thinking it
an easy matter for him to put him down when he would,
sith
155
he had brought him to that greatness he was come unto. But
Caesar contrarily, having had that drift in his head from the beginning,
like a wrestler that studieth for tricks to overthrow his
adversary, he went far from Rome,
to exercise himself in the
wars of Gaul; where he did train his army, and
presently
156
by his valiant deeds did increase his fame and honour. By these
means became Caesar as famous as Pompey in his doings, and
lacked no more to put his enterprise in execution, but some
occasions of
colour
157, which Pompey partly gave him, and partly
also the time delivered him, but chiefly, the hard fortune and ill
government at that time of the commonwealth at Rome.
The people's voices bought at Rome for money. |
For
they that made suit for honour and offices bought the voices of
the people with ready money, which they gave out openly to
usury, without shame or fear. Thereupon the common people
that had sold their voices for money, came to the market-place
at the day of election, to fight for him that had hired them: not
with their voices, but with their bows, slings, and swords. So
that the assembly seldom times brake up, but the pulpit for
orations was defiled and sprinkled with the blood of them that
were slain in the market-place, the city remaining all that time
without government of magistrate, like a ship left without a
pilot. Insomuch as men of deep judgment and discretion, seeing
such fury and madness of the people, thought themselves
happy if the commonwealth were no worse troubled than with
the absolute state of a monarchy and sovereign lord to govern
them. Furthermore, there were many that were not afraid to
speak it openly, that there was no other help to remedy the
troubles of the commonwealth, but by the authority of one man
only, that should command them all: and that this medicine
must be ministered by the hands of him that was the gentlest
physician, meaning covertly Pompey. Now Pompey used many
fine speeches, making semblance as though he would none of it,
and yet cunningly underhand did lay all the irons in the fire he
could, to bring it to pass that he might be chosen Dictator.
Cato finding the mark he shot at, and fearing lest in the end the
people should be compelled to make him Dictator, he persuaded
the Senate rather to make him sole Consul, that, contenting
himself with that more just and lawful government, he should
not covet the other unlawful. The Senate, following his counsel,
did not only make him Consul, but further did
prorogue
158 his
government of the provinces he had.
Pompey governed Spain and Africa. |
For he had two provinces,
all Spain and Africk, the which he governed by his lieutenants:
and further, he received yearly of the common treasure, to pay
his soldiers, a thousand talents.
Caesar sueth the second time to be Consul, and to have his government prorogued. |
Hereupon Caesar took occasion
also to send his men to make suit in his name for the consulship,
and also to have the government of his provinces
prorogued.
Pompey at the first held his peace; but Marcellus and Lentulus
(that otherwise hated Caesar) withstood them, and, to shame and
dishonour him, had much needless speech in matters of weight.
Furthermore they took away the freedom from the colonies which
Caesar had lately brought unto the city of Novumcomum in
Gaul towards Italy, where Caesar not long before had lodged
them. And moreover, when Marcellus was Consul, he made
one of the senators in that city to be whipped with rods, who
came to Rome about those matters: and said, he gave him
those marks, that he should know he was no Roman citizen, and
bade him go his way, and tell Caesar of it.
28.
Caesar bribeth tha magistrates at Rome. |
After Marcellus' consulship, Caesar, setting open his
coffers of the treasure he had gotten among the Gauls, did
frankly give it out amongst the magistrates at Rome, without
restraint or spare. First, he set Curio the tribune clear out of
debt: and gave also unto Paul the Consul a thousand five hundred
talents, with which money he built that notable palace by
the market-place, called Paul's Basilick, in the place of Fulvius'
Basilick. Then Pompey, being afraid of this
practice.
159, began
openly to procure, both by himself and his friends, that they
should send Caesar a successor: and moreover, he sent unto
Caesar for his two legions of men of war, which he had lent
him for the conquest of Gaul. Caesar sent him them again,
and gave every private soldier two hundred and fifty silver
drachmas. Now, they that brought these two legions back
from Caesar, gave out ill and seditious words against him among
the people, and did also
Pompey abused by flatterers. |
abuse Pompey with false persuasions
and vain hopes, informing him that he was marvellously desired
and wished for in Caesar's camp: and though in Rome,
for the malice and secret spite which the governors there did
bear him, he could hardly obtain that he desired, yet in Gaul
he might assure himself, that all the army was at his commandment.
They added further also, that if the soldiers there did
once return over the mountains again into Italy, they would
all straight come to him, they did so hate Caesar, because he
wearied them with too much labour and continual fight: and
withal, for that they suspected he aspired to be king. These
words breeding security in Pompey, and a vain conceit of himself,
made him negligent in his doings, so that he made no
preparation of war, as though he had no occasion to be afraid:
but only studied to thwart Caesar in speech, and to
cross
160 the
suits he made. Howbeit Caesar
passed not of
161 all this. For
the report went, that one of Caesar's captains which was sent
to Rome to prosecute his suit, being at the Senate-door, and
hearing that they denied to prorogue Caesar's time of government
which he sued for, clapping his hand upon his sword, he
said: "
Sith
162 you will not grant it him, this shall give it him."
Notwithstanding,
Caesar's requests unto the Senate. |
the requests that Caesar propounded carried
great semblance of reason with them. For he said, that he was
contented to lay down arms, so that Pompey did the like: and
that both of them, as private persons, should come and make
suit of their citizens to obtain honourable recompence: declaring
unto them that, taking arms from him, and granting
them unto Pompey, they did wrongfully accuse him
in
163 going
about to make himself a tyrant, and in the mean time to grant
the other means to be a tyrant. Curio making these offers and
persuasions openly before the people in the name of Caesar, he
was heard with great rejoicing and clapping of hands, and there
were some that cast flowers and nosegays upon him when he
went his way, as they commonly use to do unto any man, when
he hath obtained victory and won the games. Then Antonius,
one of the tribunes, brought a letter sent from Caesar, and
made
164 it openly to be read in despite of the Consuls. But
Scipio in the Senate, Pompey's father-in-law, made this motion:
that if Caesar did not dismiss his army by a certain day appointed
him, the Romans should proclaim him an enemy unto
Rome. Then the Consuls openly asked in the presence of the
senators, if they thought it good that Pompey should dismiss
his army: but few agreed to that demand. After that again
they asked, if they liked that Caesar should dismiss his army:
thereto they all
in manner
165 answered, "Yea, yea." But when
Antonius requested again that both of them should lay down
arms, then they were all
indifferently
166 of his mind. Notwithstanding,
because Scipio did insolently behave himself, and
Marcellus also, who cried, that they must use force of arms and
not men's opinion against a thief, the Senate rose straight upon
it without further determination; and men changed apparel
through the city because of this dissension, as they
use
167 to do
in a common calamity.
After that, there came other letters
from Caesar, which seemed much more reasonable: in the
which he requested that they would grant him Gaul that
lieth between the mountains of the Alps and Italy and Illyria,
with two legions only, and then that he would request nothing
else; until he made suit for the second Consulship. Cicero the
orator, that was newly come from the government of Cilicia,
travailed to reconcile them together, and pacified Pompey the
best he could: who told him he would yield to anything he
would have him, so he did let him alone with his army. So
Cicero persuaded Caesar's friends to be contented, to take those
two provinces, and six thousand men only, that they might be
friends and at peace together. Pompey very willingly yielded
unto it, and granted them. But Lentulus the Consul would not
agree to it, but shamefully
drave
168 Curio and Antonius out of the
Senate: whereby they themselves gave Caesar a happy
occasion
169
and
colour
170 as could be, stirring up his soldiers the more
against them, when he shewed them these two noblemen and
tribunes of the people, that were driven to fly, disguised like
slaves, in a carrier's cart.
Antonius and Curio, tribunes of the people, fly from Rome to Caesar. |
For they were driven for fear to steal
out of Rome, disguised in that manner.
Now at that time
Caesar had not in all about him above five thousand footmen
and three thousand horsemen: for the rest of his army he left
on the other side of the mountains, to be brought after him by
his lieutenants. So, considering that, for the execution of his
enterprise, he should not need so many men of war at the first
but rather, suddenly stealing upon them, to make them afraid
with valiantness, taking benefit of the opportunity of time; because
he should more easily make his enemies afraid of him
coming so suddenly when they looked not for him, than he
should otherwise distress them, assailing them with his whole
army, in giving them leisure to provide further for him: he
commanded his captains and lieutenants to go before, without
any other armour than their swords, to take the city of Ariminum
(a great city of Gaul, being the first city men come to,
when they come out of Gaul) with as little bloodshed and tumult
as they could possible. Then, committing that force and
army he had with him unto Hortensius, one of his friends, he
remained a whole day together, openly in the sight of every
man, to see the sword-players handle their weapons before him
At night he went into his lodging, and, bathing his body a
little, came afterwards into the hall amongst them, and made
merry a while with them whom he had bidden to supper. Then,
when it was well forward night, and very dark, he rose from the
table, and prayed his company to be merry, and no man to stir,
for he would straight come to them again: howbeit he had
secretly before commanded a few of his trustiest friends to follow
him; not
altogether
171, but some one way, and some another
way. He himself in the mean time took a coach he had hired,
and made as though he would have gone some other way at the
first, but suddenly he turned back again towards the city of
Ariminum.
29.
Caesar's doubtful thoughts at the river of Rubicon. |
When he was come unto the little river of Rubicon,
which divided Gaul on this side the Alps from Italy, he
stayed
172
upon a sudden. For, the nearer he came to execute his purpose,
the more remorse he had in his conscience, to think what
an enterprise he took in hand: and his thoughts also fell out
more doubtful, when he entered into consideration of the desperateness
of his attempt. So he fell into many thoughts with
himself, and spake never a word,
waving
173 sometime one way,
sometime another way, and oftentimes changed his determination,
contrary to himself. So did he talk much also with his
friends he had with him, amongst whom was Asinius Pollio,
telling him what mischiefs the beginning of this passage over
that river would breed in the world, and how much their posterity,
and they that lived after them, would speak of it in time
to come. But at length, casting from him with a noble courage
all those perilous thoughts to come, and speaking
these words
174.
which valiant men commonly say, that attempt dangerous and
desperate enterprises : "A man can be but once undone; come
on," he passed over the river; and when he was come over, he
ran with his coach and never stayed, so that before daylight
he was within the city of Ariminum, and took it ... ....
Caesar took the city of Ariminum. |
The city
of Ariminum being taken, and the rumour thereof dispersed
through all Italy even as if it had been open war both by sea
and land, and as if all the laws of Rome, together with the extreme
bounds and confines of the same, had been broken up: a
man would have said, that not only the men and women for fear,
as experience proved at other times, but whole cities themselves,
leaving their habitations, fled from one place to another through
all Italy.
Rome in uproar with Caesar's coming. |
And Rome itself also was immediately filled with the
flowing repair of all the people their neighbours thereabouts,
which came thither from all parts like droves of cattle, that
there was neither officer nor magistrate that could any more
command them by authority, neither by any persuasion of
reason bridle such a confused and disorderly multitude: so that
Rome had
in manner
175 destroyed itself for lack of rule end order.
For in all places men were of contrary opinions, and there were
dangerous stirs and tumults everywhere, because they that
were glad of this trouble could keep in no certain place; but,
running up and down the city, when they met with others in
divers places that seemed either to be afraid or angry with this
tumult (as otherwise it is impossible in so great a city) they
flatly fell out with them, and boldly threatened them with that
that was to come. Pompey himself, who at that time was not
a little amazed, was yet much more troubled with the ill words
some gave him on the one side, and some on the other. For
some of them reproved him, and said, that he had done
wisely, and had paid for his folly, because he had made
Caesar so great and strong against him and the commonwealth.
And other again did blame him, because he had refused the
honest offers and reasonable conditions of peace which Caesar
had offered him, suffering Lentulus the Consul to abuse him toe
much. On the other side, Phaonius spake unto him, and bade
him stamp on the ground with his foot: for Pompey being one
day in a
bravery
176 in the Senate, said openly: " Let no man
take thought
177 for preparation of war; for when he listed, with one
stamp of his foot on the ground, he would fill all Italy with
soldiers." This notwithstanding, Pompey at that time had a
greater number of soldiers
then
178 Caesar: but they would never
let him follow his own determination. For they brought him so
many lies, and put so many examples of fear before him, as if
Caesar had been already at their heels, and had won all: so that
in the end he yielded unto them, and gave place to their fury
and madness, determining (seeing all things in such tumult and
garboil
179 that there was no way but to forsake the city; and
thereupon commanded the Senate to follow him, and not a man
to tarry there, unless he loved tyranny more than his own liberty
and the commonwealth.
Thus the Consuls themselves, before
they had done their common sacrifices
accustomed
180 at their
going out of the city, fled every man of them. So did likewise
the most part of the senators, taking their own things in haste
such as came first to hand, as if by stealth they had taken them
from another. And there were some of them also that always
loved Caesar, whose wits were then so troubled and
besides
181
themselves with the fear they had conceived, that they also fled,
and followed the stream of this tumult, without manifest cause
or necessity. But above all things it was a lamentable sight to
see the city itself, that in this fear and trouble was left at all
adventure, as a ship tossed in storm of sea, forsaken
of
182 her
pilots and despairing of her safety. This their departure being
thus miserable, yet men esteemed their banishment (for the love
they bare unto Pompey) to be their natural country, and
reckoned Rome no better than Caesar's camp.
Labienus forsook Caesar, and fled to Pompey. |
At that time
also Labienus, who was one of Caesar's greatest friends, and
had been always used as his lieutenant in the wars of Gaul,
and had valiantly fought in his cause, he likewise forsook him
then, and fled unto Pompey. But Caesar sent his money and
carriage
183 after him, and then went and encamped before the city
of Corfinium, the which Domitius kept with thirty cohorts or
ensigns. When Domitius saw he was besieged, he straight
thought himself but undone; and despairing of his success, he
bade a physician, a slave of his, give him poison. The physician
gave him a drink, which he drank,
thinking
184 to have died. But
shortly after, Domitius hearing them report what clemency and
wonderful courtesy Caesar used unto them he took, repented
him then that he had drunk this drink, and began to lament and
bewail his desperate resolution taken to die. The physician
did comfort him again, and told him that he had taken a drink
only to make him sleep, but not to destroy him.
Domitius escaped from Caesar, and fled to Pompey. |
Then Domitius
rejoiced, and went straight and yielded himself unto Caesar;
who gave him his life, but he notwithstanding stole away immediately
and fled unto Pompey. When these news were
brought to Rome, they did marvellously rejoice and comfort
them that still remained there: and moreover there were
of
185 them
that had forsaken Rome, which returned thither again.
In the
meantime Caesar did put all Domitius' men in pay, and he did
the like through all the cities, where he had taken any captains
that levied men for Pompey.
30. Now Caesar, having assembled a great and dreadful
power together, went straight where he thought to find Pompey
himself.
Pompey flieth into Epirus. |
But Pompey tarried not his coming, but fled into
the city of Brundusium; from whence he had sent the two
Consuls before, with that army he had, unto Dyrrachium: and
he himself also went thither afterwards, when he understood
that Caesar was come, as you shall hear more amply hereafter
in his life. Caesar lacked no good will to follow him, but,
wanting
186 ships to take the seas, he returned forthwith to Rome:
so that in less than threescore days he was lord of all Italy,
without any bloodshed. Who when he was come to Rome,
and found it much quieter then he looked for, and many
senators there also, he courteously
intreated
187 them, and prayed
them to send unto Pompey to pacify all matters between them,
upon reasonable conditions. But no man did attempt it, either
because they feared Pompey, for that they had forsaken him, or
else for that they thought Caesar meant not as he spake, but
that they were
words of course
188 to
colour
189 his purpose withal.
And when Metellus also, one of the tribunes, would not suffer
him to take any of the common treasure out of the temple
of Saturn, but told him that it was against the law: "Tush,"
said he, " time of war, and law, are
two
190 things. If this that I
do,"
'Silent leges interarma.' |
quoth he, "do offend thee, then get thee hence for this time:
for war cannot abide this frank and bold speech. But when
wars are done, and that we are all quiet again, then thou shalt
speak in the pulpit what thou wilt: and yet I do tell thee this of
favour, impairing so much my right; for thou art mine, both
thou, and all them that have risen against me, and whom
I have in my hands." When he had spoken thus unto
Metellus,
Caesar taketh money out of the temple of Saturn. |
he went to the temple-door where the treasure lay,
and, finding no keys there, he caused smiths to be sent for,
and made them break open the locks. Metellus thereupon
began again to withstand him, and certain men that stood by
praised him in his doing: but Caesar at length, speaking bigly
to him, threatened him he would kill him presently, if he
troubled him any more: and told him furthermore, "Young
man," quoth he, " thou knowest it is harder for me to tell it
thee, than to do it." That word made Metellus quake for fear,
that he got him away
roundly
191; and ever after that Caesar had
all at his commandment for the wars.
Caesar's journey into Spain, against Pompey's lieutenants. |
From thence he went
into Spain, to make war with Petreius and Varro, Pompey's
lieutenants: first to get their armies and provinces into his
hands which they governed, that afterwards he might follow
Pompey the better, leaving never an enemy behind him. In
this journey he was oftentimes himself in danger through the
ambushes that were laid for him in divers strange sorts and
places, and likely also to have lost all his army for lack of
victuals. All this notwithstanding, he never
left
192 following of
Pompey's lieutenants, provoking them to battle and intrenching
them in, until he had gotten their camp and armies into
his hands, albeit that the lieutenants themselves fled unto
Pompey.
When Caesar returned again to Rome, Piso his father-in-law
gave him counsel to send ambassadors unto Pompey,
to treat for peace. But Isauricus, to flatter Caesar, was
against it.
31.
Caesar being then created Dictator by the Senate, called
home again all the banished men, and restored their children
to honour, whose fathers before had been slain in Sylla's time:
and did somewhat cut off the usuries that did oppress them;
and besides, did make some such other ordinances as those,
but very few. For he was Dictator but eleven days only, and
then did yield it up of himself, and
Caesar and Isauricus Consuls. |
made himself Consul with
Servilius Isauricus, and after that determined to follow the
wars. All the rest of his army he left, coming on the way,
behind him, and went himself before with six hundred horse,
and five legions only of footmen, in the winter quarter, about
the month of January, which after the Athenians is called Posideon.
Then having passed over the sea Ionium, and landed
his men, he
wan
193
the cities of Oricum and Apollonia. Then
he sent his ships
Caesar goeth into the kingdoms of Epirus |
back again unto Brundusium, to transport
the rest of his soldiers that could not come with that speed
he did. They, as they came by the way, (like men whose
strength of body and lusty youth was decayed) being wearied
with so many sundry battles as they had fought with their
enemies, complained of Caesar in this sort:—
Complaints of the old soldiers against Caesar. |
"To what end and
purpose cloth this man
hale
194 us after him, up and down the
world, using us like slaves and drudges? It is not our armour,
but our bodies that bear the blows away: and what, shall we
never be without our
harness
195 on our backs, and our shields on
our arms? Should not Caesar think, at the least when he seeth
our blood and wounds, that we are all mortal men, and that
we feel the misery and pains that other men do feel? And now,
even in the dead of winter, he putteth us unto the mercy of
the sea and tempest, yea, which the gods themselves cannot
withstand, as if he fled before his enemies and pursued them
not." Thus spending time with this talk, the soldiers, still
marching on, by small journeys came at length unto the city
of Brundusium. But when they were come, and found that
Caesar had already passed over the sea, then they
straight
196
changed their complaints and minds. For they blamed themselves,
and
took on
197 also with their captains, because they
had not made them make more haste in marching: and sitting
upon the rocks and cliffs of the sea, they looked over the main
sea, towards the realm of Epirus, to see if they could discern the
ships returning back to transport them over.
Caesar in the
mean time, being in the city of Apollonia, having but a small
army to fight with Pompey, it grieved him for that the rest
of his army was so long a-coming, not knowing what way
to take.
A great adventure of Caesar. |
In the end he followed a dangerous determination, to
imbark
198 unknown in a little pinnace
of 12 oars only, to pass
over the sea again unto Brundusium, the which he could not
do without great danger, considering that all that sea was full of
Pompey's ships and armies. So he took ship in the night,
apparelled like a slave, and went aboard upon this little pinnace,
and said never a word, as if he had been some poor man of
mean condition. The pinnace lay in the mouth of the
river of
Anius, the which commonly was wont to be very calm and quiet,
by reason of a little wind that came from the shore, which every
morning
drave
199 back the waves far into the main sea. But that
night (by ill fortune) there came a great wind from the sea, that
overcame the landwind, insomuch as, the force and strength
of the river fighting against the violence of the rage and waves
of the sea, the encounter was marvellous dangerous, the water
of the river being driven back and rebounding upward, with
great noise and danger in turning of the water. Thereupon
the master of the pinnace, seeing that he could not possibly
get out of the mouth of this river, bade the mariners to
cast about
200 again, and to return against the stream. Caesar hearing
that, straight discovered himself unto the master of the pinnace,
who at the first was amazed when he saw him; but Caesar
then taking him by the hand, said unto him, " Good fellow,
be of good cheer, and forwards hardily; fear not, for thou hast
Caesar and his fortune with thee." Then the mariners, forgetting
the danger of the storm they were in,
laid on load
201 with
oars, and laboured for life what they could against the wind, to
get out of the mouth of this river. But at length, perceiving
they laboured in vain, and that the pinnace took in abundance
of water, and was ready to sink, Caesar then, to his great
grief, was driven to return back again: who when he was returned
unto his camp, his soldiers came in great companies
unto him, and were very sorry that he mistrusted he was not
able with them alone to overcome his enemies, but would put
his person in danger to go fetch them that were absent, putting
no trust in them that were present.
In the mean time
Antonius arrived, and brought with him the rest of his army
from Brundusium.
32.
Caesar's dangers and troubles in the realm of Epirus. |
Then Caesar, finding himself strong enough, went and
offered Pompey battle, who was
passingly
202
well lodged for
victualling of his camp both by sea and land. Caesar on the
other side, who had no great plenty of victuals at the first,
was in a very hard case: insomuch as his men gathered roots,
and mingled them with milk, and
eat
203 them. Furthermore,
they did make bread of it also; and sometime when they
skirmished with the enemies, and came along by them that
watched and
warded
204, they cast
of
205 their bread into their
trenches, and said that, as long as the earth brought forth
such fruits, they would never leave besieging of Pompey. But
Pompey straitly commanded them, that they should neither
carry those words nor bread into their camp, fearing lest his
men's hearts would fail them, and that they would be afraid
when they should think of their enemies'
hardness
206, with whom
they had to fight,
sith
207 they were weary with no pains, no more
than brute beasts.
Caesar's army fled from Pompey. |
Caesar's men did daily skirmish hard to the
trenches of Pompey's camp, in the which Caesar had ever the
better, saving once only, at which time his men fled with such
fear, that all his camp that day was in great hazard to have been
cast away. For Pompey came on with his battle upon them,
and they were not able to abide it, but were fought with, and
driven into their camp, and their trenches were filled with dead
bodies, which were slain within the very gate and bulwarks
of their camp, they were so valiantly pursued. Caesar stood
before them that fled, to make them to turn head again, but
he could not prevail. For when he would have taken the
ensigns to have stayed them, the ensign-bearers threw them
down on the ground: so that the enemies took two and thirty of
them, and Caesar's self also escaped hardly with life. For, striking
a great big soldier that fled by him, commanding him to
stay
208 and turn his face to his enemy: the soldier, being afraid,
lift
209 up his sword to strike at Caesar. But one of Caesar's pages,
preventing
210 him, gave him such a blow with his sword that he
strake
211 off his shoulder. Caesar that day was brought unto so
great extremity, that (if Pompey had not either for fear, or
spiteful fortune, left off to follow his victory, and retired into his
camp, being contented to have driven his enemies into their
camp) returning to his camp with his friends, he said unto them:
Caesar's words of Pompey's victory. |
"The victory this day had been our enemies', if they had had a
captain that could have told how to have overcome." So when
he was come to his lodging, he went to bed, and
Caesar troubled in mind after his loss. |
that night
troubled him more than any night that ever he had. For still
his mind ran with great sorrow of the foul fault he had committed
in leading of his army, of self-will to remain there so
long by the sea-side, his enemies being the stronger by sea,
considering that he had before him a goodly country, rich and
plentiful of all things, and goodly cities of Macedon and Thessaly:
and had not the wit to bring the war from thence, but to
lose his time in a place, where he was rather besieged of his
enemies for lack of victuals than that he did besiege them by
force of arms. Thus fretting and chafing to see himself so
straighted
212
with
213 victuals, and to think of his ill luck he raised
his camp, intending to
go set upon
214 Scipio, making account,
that either he should draw Pompey to battle against his will,
when he had not the sea at his back to furnish him with plenty
of victuals; or else that he should easily overcome Scipio, finding
him alone, unless he were aided.
Pompey's determination for the war. |
This remove of Caesar's
camp did much encourage Pompey's army and his captains,
who would needs in any case have followed after him, as though
he had been overcome and had fled. But for Pompey himself,
he would in no respect hazard battle, which was a matter of so
great importance. For finding himself so well provided of all
things necessary to tarry time, he thought it better to draw this
war out in length by
tract
215 of time, the rather to consume this
little strength that remained in Caesar's army: of the which, the
best men were marvellous well trained and good soldiers, and
for valiantness at one day's battle were incomparable. But on
the other side again, to remove here and there so oft, and to
fortify their camp where they came, and to besiege any wall, or
to keep watch all night in their armour: the most part of them
could not do it, by reason of their age, being then unable to
away with
216 their pains, so that the weakness of their bodies did
also take away the life and courage of their hearts. Furthermore,
there fell a pestilent disease among them, that came by ill
meats hunger
drave
217 them to eat. Yet was not this the worst:
for besides, he had no store of money, neither could tell how to
come by
218 victuals; so that it seemed, in all likelihood, that in
very short time he would come to nothing.
For these respects
Pompey would in no case fight, and yet had he but Cato only of
his mind in that, who
stuck
219 in it the rather, because he would
avoid shedding of his countrymen's blood. For when Cato had
viewed the dead bodies slain in the camp of his enemies at the
last skirmish that was between them, the which were no less
than a thousand persons, he covered his face, and went away
weeping. All
other
220 but he,
contrarily
221, fell out with him, and
blamed him because he so long refrained from battle: and some
pricks him forward, and
Pompey called Agamemnon, and king of kings. |
called him Agamemnon, and king of
kings, saying that he delayed this war in this sort, because he
would not leave his authority to command them all, and that
he was glad always to see many captains round about him,
which came to his lodging to honour him and wait upon him.
And Faonius also, a hare-brained fellow, franticly counterfeiting
the
round
222 and plain speech of Cato, made as though he was
marvellous angry, and said: " Is it not great pity, that we shall
not eat this year of Tusculum figs, and all for Pompey's ambitious
mind to reign alone?" and Afranius, who not long before was
but lately come out of Spain (where, because he had but ill success,
he was accused of treason, that for money he had sold his
army unto Caesar), he went busily asking, " why they fought not
with that merchant, unto whom they said he had sold the
province of Spain? " So that Pompey, with these kinds of
speeches, against his will, was driven to follow Caesar to fight
with him. Then was Caesar at the first marvellously perplexed
and troubled by the way, because he found none that would
give him any victuals, being despised of every man for the late
loss and overthrow he had received. But after he had taken the
223city of Gomphes in Thessaly, he did not only meet with plenty
of victuals to relieve his army with, but he strangely also did rid
them of their disease. For the soldiers meeting with plenty of
wine, drinking hard, and making merry, crave away the infection
of the pestilence. For they disposed themselves unto dancing,
masking, and playing the
Baccherians
224 by the way, insomuch
that drinking drunk they overcame their disease, and made their
bodies new again.
33. When they both came into the country of Pharsalia,
and troth camps lay before each other, Pompey returned again
to his former determination, and the rather, because he had ill
signs and tokens of misfortune in his sleep.
Pompey's dream in Pharsalia. |
For he thought
in his sleep that, when he entered into the theatre, all the
Romans received him with great clapping of hands*. Whereupon
they that were about him grew to such boldness
The security of the Pompeians. |
and
security, assuring themselves of victory, that Domitius,
Spinther,
and Scipio in a
bravery
225 contended between themselves for the
chief bishopric which Caesar had. Furthermore, there were
divers that sent unto Rome to hire the nearest houses unto the
market-place, as being the fittest places for Praetors and
Consuls: making their account already, that those offices could
not scape them,
incontinently
226 after the wars. But besides
those, the young gentlemen and Roman knights were marvellous
desirous to fight, that were bravely mounted, and armed
with
glistering
227 gilt armours, their horses fat and very finely
kept, and themselves goodly young men, to the number of seven
thousand, where the gentlemen of Caesar's side were but one
thousand only. The number of his
footmen
228 also were much
after the same reckoning.
Pompey's army as great again as Caesar's. |
For he had five and forty thousand
against two and twenty thousand.
Wherefore Caesar called his
soldiers together, and told them how Cornificius was at hand
who brought two whole legions, and that he had fifteen ensigns
led by Calenus, the which he made to stay about Megara and
Athens. Then he asked them, if they would tarry for that aid
or not, or whether they would rather themselves alone venture
battle. The soldiers cried out to him, and prayed him not to
defer battle, but rather to devise some
fetch
229 to make the enemy
fight as soon as he could. Then as he sacrificed unto the
gods,
for the purifying of his army, the first beast was no sooner sacrificed
but his soothsayer assured him that he should fight within
three days. Caesar asked him again, if he saw in the sacrifices
any lucky sign or token of good luck. The soothsayer answered:
" For that, thou shalt answer thyself better than I can do: for
the gods do promise us a marvellous great change and alteration
of things that are now, unto another clean contrary. For if thou
beest well now, cost thou think to have worse fortune hereafter ?
and if thou be ill, assure thyself thou shalt have better."
A wonder seen in the element, before the battle in Pharsalia. |
The
night before the battle, as he went about midnight to visit the
watch, men saw a great firebrand in the
element
230, ail of a
light fire, that came over Caesar's camp, and fell down in
Pompey's. In the morning also, when they relieved the watch,
they heard a false alarm in the enemies' camp, without any apparent
cause: which they commonly call a sudden fear, that
makes men
besides
231 themselves. This notwithstanding, Caesar
thought not to fight that day, but was determined to have raised
his camp from thence, and to have gone towards the city of
Scotusa:
and his tents in his camp were already
overthrown
232,
when his scouts came in with great speed, to bring him news
that his enemies were preparing, themselves to fight. Then was
he very glad, and after he had made his prayers unto the gods
to help him that day,
Caesar's army and his order of battle, in the fields of Pharsalia. |
he set his men in battle
ray
233, and divided
them into three squadrons, giving the middle
battle
234 unto Domitius
Calvinus, and the left wing unto Antonius, and placed himself
in the right wing, choosing his place to fight in the tenth
legion. But seeing that against that his enemies had set all
their horsemen, he was half afraid when he saw the great number
of them, and so brave besides. Wherefore he
closely
235 made six
ensigns to come from the
rereward
236 of his battle, whom he had
laid as an ambush behind his right wing, having first appointed
his soldiers what they should do when the horsemen of the
enemies came to give them charge.
Pompey's army and his order of battle. |
On the other side Pompey
placed himself in the right wing of his battle, gave the left wing
unto Domitius, and the middle battle unto Scipio his father-inlaw.
Now all the Roman knights (as we have told you before)
were placed in the left wing,
of purpose
237 to environ Caesar's right
wing behind, and to give their hottest charge there, where the
general of their enemies was: making their account, that there
was no squadron of footmen, how thick soever they were, that
could receive the charge of so great a troop of horsemen, and
that at the first onset they should overthrow them all, and march
upon their bellies. When the trumpets on either side did sound
the alarm to the battle, Pompey commanded his footmen that
they should stand still without stirring, to receive the charge of
their enemies, until they came to throwing of their darts.
An ill counsel and foul fault of Pompey. |
Wherefore Caesar afterwards said, that Pompey had committed a
foul fault, not to consider that the charge which is given running
with fury, besides that it giveth the more strength also unto
their blows, cloth set men's hearts also on fire: for the common
hurling
238 of all the soldiers that run together, is unto them as a
box on the ear that sets men on fire. Then Caesar, making his
battle
239 march forward to give the onset, saw one of his captains
(a valiant man, and very skilful in war, in whom he had also
great confidence) speaking to his soldiers that he had under his
charge, encouraging them to fight like men that day. So he
called him aloud by his name, and said unto him: "Well, Caius
Crassinius, what hope shall we have to-day? how are we determined,
to fight it out manfully? " Then Crassinius, casting
up his hand, answered him aloud: "This day, O Caesar, we
I shall have a noble victory, and I promise thee ere night thou
shalt praise me alive or dead." When he had told him so, he
was himself the foremost man that gave charge upon his enemies,
with his band following of him, being about six score men; and
making a lane through the foremost ranks with great slaughter,
he entered far into the battle of his enemies, until that, valiantly
fighting in this sort, he was thrust in at length into the mouth
with a sword, that the point of it came out again at his neck.
The battle in the fields of Pharsalia. |
Now the footmen of both battles being come to the sword, the
horsemen of the left wing of Pompey did march as fiercely also,
spreading out their troops, to compass in the right wing of
Caesar's battle. But before they began to give charge, the six
ensigns of footmen which Caesar had laid in ambush behind him,
they began to run full upon them, not throwing away their darts
far off, as they were wont to do, neither striking their enemies
on the thighs nor on the legs, but to seek to hit them full in the
eyes, and to hurt them in the face, as Caesar had taught them.
For he hoped that these lusty young gentlemen that had not
been often in the wars nor were used to see themselves hurt,
and the which, being in the prime of their youth and beauty,
would be afraid of those hurts, as well for the fear of the
present danger to be slain, as also for that their faces should
not for ever be deformed. As indeed it came to pass, for they
could never abide that they should come so near their faces
with the points of their darts, but hung down their heads for
fear to be hit with them in their eyes, and turned their backs,
covering their face because they should not be hurt. Then,
breaking of themselves
240, they began at length cowardly to fly,
and were occasion also of the loss of all the rest of Pompey's
army. For they that had broken them ran immediately to
set upon the squadron of the footmen behind, and slew them.
Then Pompey, seeing his horsemen, from the other wing of
his battle, so scattered and dispersed, flying away,
Caesar overcometh Pompey. |
forgat that
he was any more Pompey the Great, which he had been before,
but was rather like a man whose wits the gods had taken
from him, being afraid and amazed with the slaughter sent
from above, and so retired into his tent, speaking never a
word, and sat there to see the end of this battle; until at
the length all his army being overthrown and put to flight,
the enemies came, and got up upon the
rampiers
241 and defence
of his camp, and fought hand to hand with them that stood
to defend the same. Then as a man come to himself again,
he spake but this only word: "What, even into our camp?"
So in haste, casting off his
coat-armour
242 and apparel of a
general, he
shifted him
243, and put on such as became his
miserable fortune, and so stole out of his camp. Furthermore,
what he did after this overthrow, and how he had put himself
into the hands of the Egyptians' by whom he was miserably
slain, we have set it forth at large in his life.
Then Caesar,
entering into Pompey's camp, and seeing the bodies laid on
the ground that were slain, and others also that were a-killing
said, fetching a great sigh: "It was their own doing, and
against my will. For Caius Caesar, after he had won so many
famous conquests, and overcome so many great battles, had
been utterly condemned notwithstanding, if he had departed
from his army." Asinius Pollio writeth, that he spake these
words then in Latin, which he afterwards wrote in Greek; and
saith furthermore, that the most part of them which were put to
the sword in the camp were slaves and bondmen, and that there
were not slain in all this battle above six thousand soldiers. As
for them that were taken prisoners, Caesar did put many of
them amongst his legions, and did pardon also many men of
estimation, among whom
Brutus that slew Caesar taken prisoner at the battle of Pharsalia. |
Brutus was one, that afterwards slew
Caesar himself: and it is reported that Caesar was very sorry
for him, when he could not immediately be found after the
battle, and that he rejoiced again when he knew he was alive,
and that he came to yield himself unto him.
Caesar had many
Signs and tokens of Caesar's victory. |
signs and tokens of victory before this battle, but the notablest
of all other that happened to him, was in the city of Tralles.
For in the temple of Victory, within the same city, there was
an image of Caesar, and the earth all about it very hard of itself,
and was paved besides with hard stone: and yet some say that
there sprang up a palm hard by the base of the same image. In
the city of Padua,
A strange tale of Cornelius an excellent pronosticator. |
Caius Cornelius, an excellent soothsayer (a
countryman and friend of Titus Livius the historiographer), was
by chance at that time set to behold the flying of birds. He (as
Livy reporteth) knew the very time when the battle began, and
told them that were present, " Even now they give the onset on
both sides, and both armies do meet at this instant." Then sitting
down again, to consider of the birds, after he had bethought
him of the signs, he suddenly rose up on his feet, and cried out
as a man possessed with some spirit: " O Caesar, the victory is
thine." Every man wondering to see him, he took the crown
he had on his head, and made an oath that he would never put
it on again, till the event of his prediction had proved his art
true. Livy testifieth that it came so to pass.
Caesar afterwards
giving freedom unto the Thessalians, in respect of the victory
which he
wan
244 in their country, he followed after Pompey.
When he came into Asia, he gave freedom also unto the Guidians
for Theopompus' sake, who had gathered the fables together.
He did release Asia also the third part of the tribute which the
inhabitants paid unto the Romans. Then he came into Alexandria
after Pompey was slain: and detested Theodotus that
presented him Pompey's head, and turned his head aside because
he would not see it. Notwithstanding, he took his seal,
and beholding it, wept.
Caesar's clemency in victory. |
Furthermore, he courteously used all
Pompey's friends and familiars, who wandering up and down
the country, were taken
of
245
the king of Egypt, and
wan
246 them all
to be at his commandment. Continuing these courtesies, he
wrote unto his friends at Rome. that the greatest pleasure he
took of his victory was, that he daily saved the lives of some of
his countrymen that bare arms against him.
34.
The cause of Caesar's war in Alexandria. |
And for the war he made in Alexandria, some say he
needed not to have done it, but that he willingly did it for the
love of Cleopatra: wherein he
wan
247 little honour, and besides
did put his person in great danger. Others do lay the fault Upon
the king of Egypt's ministers, but specially on
Pothinus the eunuch caused Pompey to be slain. |
Pothinus the
eunuch, who bearing the greatest sway of all the king's servants,
after he had caused Pompey to be slain, and driven Cleopatra
from the court, secretly laid wait all the ways he could, how he
might likewise kill Caesar. Wherefore Caesar, hearing an
inkling
248
of it, began thenceforth to spend all the night long in feasting
and banqueting, that his person might be in the better safety.
But besides all this, Pothinus the eunuch spake many things
openly, not to be borne, only to shame Caesar, and to stir up the
people to envy him. For he made his soldiers have the worst
and oldest wheat that could be gotten: then, if they did complain
of it, he told them they must be contented, seeing they eat
at another man's cost. And he would serve them also at the
table in
treen
249 and earthen dishes, saying, 'that Caesar had
away all their gold and silver, for a debt that the king's father
(that then reigned) did owe unto him :' which was a thousand
seven hundred and fifty
myriads
250; whereof Caesar had before
forgiven seven hundred and fifty thousand unto his children.
Howbeit then he asked a million to pay his soldiers withal
Thereto Pothinus answered him, that at that time he should do
better to follow his other causes of greater importance, and afterwards
that he should at more leisure recover his debt, with the
king's good will and favour. Caesar replied unto him, and said,
that he would not ask counsel of the Egyptians for his affairs,
but would be paid: and thereupon secretly sent for Cleopatra,
which was in the country, to come unto him.
She, only taking
Apollodorus Sicilian of all her friends,
Cleopatra came to Caesar. |
took a little boat, and
went away with him in it in the night, and came and landed
hard by the foot of the castle. Then having no other
mean
251
to come into the court without being known,
Cleopatra trussed up in a mattress, and so brought to Caesar, upon Apollodorus' back. |
she laid herself down
upon a mattress or flockbed, which Apollodorus her friend tied
and bound up together like a bundle with a great leather thong,
and so took her upon his back and brought her thus hampered
in this
fardle
252 unto Caesar in at the castle gate. This was the
first occasion (as it is reported) that made Caesar to love her:
but afterwards, when he saw her sweet
conversation
253 and
pleasant entertainment, he fell then in further liking with her,
and did reconcile her again unto her brother the king, with condition
that they two jointly should reign together. Upon this
new reconciliation, a great feast being prepared, a slave of Caesar's
that was his barber, the fearfullest wretch that lived,
still
254
busily prying and listening abroad in every corner, being mistrustful
by nature, found that Pothinus and Achillas did lie in wait to
kill his master Caesar. This being proved unto Caesar, he did
set such sure watch about the hall, where the feast was made,
that in
fine
255 he slew the eunuch Pothinus himself. Achillas
on the other side saved himself, and fled unto the king's camp,
where he raised a marvellous dangerous and difficult war for
Caesar: because he, having then but a few men about him,
was to fight against a great and strong city. The first danger
he fell into was the want of water: for that his enemies had
stopped the mouth of the pipes, the which conveyed the water
into the castle. The second danger he had was, that seeing
his enemies came to take his ships from him, he was driven
to repulse that danger with fire, the which burnt the arsenal
where the ships lay, and
The great library of Alexandria burnt. |
that notable library of Alexandria
withal. The third danger was in the battle by sea, that was
fought by the tower of
Phars
256: where
meaning
257 to help his men
that fought by sea, he leapt from the pier into a boat. Then
the Egyptians made towards him with their oars on every side:
but he, leaping into the sea, with great hazard saved himself
by swimming. It is said,
Caesar's swimming with books in his hands. |
that then, holding divers books in
his hand, he did never let them go, but kept them always
upon his head above water, and swam with the other hand,
notwithstanding that they shot marvellously at him, and was
driven sometime to duck into the water: howbeit the boat was
drowned
presently
258. In fine, the king coming to his men that
made war with Caesar, he went against him and gave him
battle, and
wan
259
it with great slaughter and effusion of blood.
But for the king, no man could ever tell what became of him
after.
Caesar made Cleopatra queen of Egypt. |
Thereupon Caesar made Cleopatra his sister queen of
Egypt, who, being great with child by him, was
Caesarion, Caesar's son, begotten of Cleopatra. |
shortly brought
to bed of a son, whom the Alexandrians named Caesarion.
35. From thence he went into Syria, and so going into
Asia, there it was told him that Domitias was overthrown in
battle by Pharnaces, the son of king Mithridates, and was fled
out of the realm of Pont with a few men with him: and that
this king Pharnaces, greedily following his victory, was not
contented with the winning of Bithynia and Cappadocia, but
further would needs attempt to win Armenia the less,
procuring
260
all those kings, princes, and governors of the provinces
thereabouts to rebel against the Romans. Thereupon Caesar
went thither straight with three legions, and
Caesar's victory of king Pharnaces. |
fought a great
battle with king Pharnaces by the city of Zela, where he slew
his army, and
drave
261 him out of all the realm of Pont. And
because he would advertise one of his friends of the suddenness
of this victory,
Caesar writeth three words to certify his victory. |
he only wrote three words unto Anitius at Rome:
""Veni, vidi, vici:" I came, I saw, I overcame." These
three words, ending all with like sound and letter in the Latin,
have a certain short grace more pleasant to the ear than can
be well expressed in any other tongue.
After this he returned
again into Italy and came to Rome, ending his year for the
which he was made dictator the second time, which office
before was never granted for one whole year,
but
262 unto him.
Then was he chosen consul for the year following. Afterwards
he was very ill spoken of, for that his soldiers in a mutiny
having slain two Praetors, Cosconius and Galba, he gave them
no other punishment for it, but instead of calling them soldiers
he named them citizens, and gave unto every one of them a
thousand drachmas a man, and great possessions in Italy.
He was much misliked also for the desperate
parts
263
and madness
of Dolabella, for the covetousness of Anitius, for the drunkenness
of Antonius and Cornificius; which made Pompey's
house be pulled down and builded up again, as a thing not
big enough for him, wherewith the Romans were marvellously
offended. Caesar knew all this well enough, and would have
been contented to have redressed them: but to bring his
matters to pass, he pretended he was driven to serve his turn by
such instruments.
36.
Caesar's journey into Africa against Cato and Scipio. |
After the battle of Pharsalia, Cato and Scipio being fled
into Africa, king joined with them, and levied a great
puissant
264
army. Wherefore Caesar determined to make war with
them: and, in the
middest
265 of winter, he took his journey into
Sicily. There, because he would take all hope from his captains
and soldiers to make any long abode there, he went and lodged
upon the very sands by the seaside, and with the next gale of wind
that came, he took the sea with three thousand footmen and a
few horsemen. Then having put them
a land
266, unawares to them
he
hoised
267 sail again to fetch the rest of his army, being afraid
lest they should meet with some danger in passing over; and
meeting them midway, he brought them all into his camp.
Where, when it was told him that his enemies trusted in an
ancient oracle, which said, that it was predestined unto the
family of the Scipios to be conquerors in Africa: either of purpose
to mock Scipio, the general of his enemies, or
otherwise
268,
in good earnest, to take the benefit of this name (given by the
oracle) unto himself, in all the skirmishes and battles fought, he
gave the charge of his army unto a man of mean quality and
account, called Scipio Salutius, who came of the race of Scipio
African, and made him always general when he fought. For he
was
eftsoons
269 compelled to weary and harry his enemies, for that
Caesar's troubles in Africa. |
neither his men in his camp had corn enough, nor the beasts
forage, but the soldiers were driven to take sea-weeds, called
Alga and dog's-tooth given to the horse to eat. |
Alga: and (washing away the brackishness thereof with fresh
water, putting to it a little herb called dog's-tooth) to cast it so
to their
horse
270 to eat. For the Numidians (which are light
horsemen, and very ready of service) being a great number
together, would be on a sudden in every place, and spread all
the fields over thereabout, so that no man durst peep out of the
camp to go for forage.
Caesar's dangers in Africa. |
And one day, as the men of arms were
staying to behold an African doing notable things in dancing
and playing with the flute (they being set down quietly to take
their pleasure of the view thereof, having in the meantime
given their slaves their horses to hold) the enemies stealing suddenly
upon them, compassed them in round about, and slew a
number of them in the field, and chasing the other also that fled,
followed them pellmell into their camp. Furthermore, had not
Caesar himself in person, and Asinius Pollio with him, gone out
of the camp to the rescue and stayed them that fled, the war that
day had been ended. There was also another skirmish where
his enemies had the upper hand, in the which it is reported
that Caesar, taking the ensign-bearer by the collar that carried
the eagle in his hand, stayed him by force, and turning his
face, told him: " See, there be thy enemies."
These advantages
did lift up Scipio's heart aloft, and gave him courage to hazard
battle: and leaving Afranius on the one hand of him, and king
Juba on the other hand, both their camps lying near together,
he did fortify himself by the city of Thapsacus, above the lake,
to be a safe refuge for them all in this battle. But whilst he was
busy intrenching of himself, Caesar, having marvellous speedily
passed through a great country full of wood by by-paths which
men would never have
mistrusted
271: he stole upon some behind,
and suddenly assailed the other before, so that he overthrew
them all, and made them fly. Then following the first good
hap he had, he went forthwith to set upon the camp of Afranius,
the which he took at the first onset, and the camp of the Numidians
also, king Juba being fled.
Caesar's great victory and small loss. |
Thus in a little piece of the
day only, he took three camps, and slew fifty thousand of his
enemies, and lost but fifty of his soldiers. In this sort is set
down the effect of this battle by some writers. Yet others do
write also, that Caesar self was not there in person at the execution
of this battle.
Caesar's trouble with the falling sickness. |
For as he did set his men in battle
ray
272,
the falling sickness
273 took him, whereunto he was given; and
therefore feeling it coming, before he was overcome withal,
he was carried into a castle not far from thence where the
battle was fought, and there took his rest till the extremity of
his disease had left him. Now
for
274 the Praetor and Consuls
that scaped from this battle, many of them being taken
prisoners did kill themselves, and others also Caesar did put
to death:
but he being specially desirous of all men else to
have Cato alive in his hands, he went with all possible speed
unto the city of Utica, whereof Cato was governor, by means
whereof 'he was not at the battle. Notwithstanding being certified
by the way that Cato had slain himself with his own hands,
he then made open show that he was very sorry for it, but
why or wherefore, no man could tell. But this is true, that
Caesar said at that present time:
Caesar was sorry for the death of Cato. |
"O Cato, I envy thy death,
because thou didst envy my glory to save thy life." This notwithstanding,
Caesar wrote against Cato being dead. |
the book that he wrote afterwards against Cato,
being dead, did shew no very great affection nor pitiful heart
towards him. For how could he have pardoned him, if living
he had had him in his hands, that being dead did speak so
vehemently against him? Notwithstanding, men suppose he
would have pardoned him, if he had taken him alive, by the
clemency he shewed unto Cicero, Brutus, and divers others that
had borne arms against him. Some report that he wrote that
book, not so much for any private malice he had to his death,
as for civil ambition, upon this occasion.
Cicero wrote a book in praise of Cato being dead. |
Cicero had written a
book in praise of Cato, which he entitled 'Cato.' This book in
likelihood was very well liked of, by reason of the eloquence of
the orator that made it, and of the excellent subject thereof
Caesar therewith was marvellously offended, thinking that to
praise him of whose death he was author was even so much
as to accuse himself: and therefore he wrote a letter against
him, and heaped up a number of accusations against Cato,
and entitled the book 'Anticaton.' Both these books have
favourers unto this day, some defending the one for the love
they bear to Caesar, and others
allowing
275the other for Cato's
sake.
37. Caesar, being now returned out of Africa, first of all made
an oration to the people wherein he greatly praised and commended
this his last victory, declaring unto them that he had
conquered so many countries unto the empire of Rome, that he
could furnish the commonwealth yearly with two hundred thousand
bushels of wheat, and twenty hundred thousand pound
weight of oil. Then he made three triumphs, the one for Egypt,
the other for the kingdom of Pont, and the third for Africa: not
because he had overcome Scipio there, but
Juba, the son of king Juba, a famous historiographer. |
king Juba. Whose
son being likewise called Juba, being then a young boy, was led
captive in the show of this triumph. But this his imprisonment
fell out happily for him: for, where he was but a barbarous
Numidian, by the study he fell unto when he was prisoner,
he came afterwards to be reckoned one of the wisest historiographers
of the Grecians. After these three triumphs ended,
he very liberally rewarded his soldiers: and to curry favour
with the people,
Caesar's feasting of the Romans. |
he made great feasts and common sports. For
he feasted all the Romans at one time, at two and twenty
thousand tables, and gave them the pleasure to see divers
sword-players to fight
at the sharp
276, and battles also by sea,
for the remembrance of his daughter Julia, which was dead
long before. Then after all these sports,
The muster taken of the Romans. |
he made the people
(as the manner was) to be mustered: and where there were, at
the last musters before, three hundred and twenty thousand
citizens, at this muster there were only but a hundred and fifty
thousand. Such misery and destruction had this civil war
brought unto the commonwealth of Rome, and had consumed
such a number of Romans, not speaking at all of the mischiefs
and calamities it had brought unto all the rest of Italy, and to
the other provinces pertaining to Rome.
38.
Caesar Consul the fourth time. |
After all these things were ended, he was chosen Consul
the fourth time, and went into Spain to make war with the sons
of Pompey: who were yet but very young, but had notwithstanding
raised a marvellous great army together, and shewed they
had manhood and courage worthy to command such an army,
insomuch as they put Caesar himself in great danger of his life.
Battle fought between Caesar and the young Pompeys, by the city of Munda. |
The greatest battle that was fought between them in all this war,
was by the city of Munda. For then Caesar, seeing his men
sorely distressed, and having their hands full of their enemies,
he ran into the
prease
277 among his men that fought, and cried out
unto them: "What, are ye not ashamed to be beaten and taken
prisoners, yielding yourselves with your own hands to these
young boys?"
Caesar's victory of the sons of Pompey. |
And so, with all the force he could make, having
with much ado put his enemies to flight, he slew above thirty
thousand of them in the field, and lost of his own men a thousand
of the best he had. After this battle he went into his tent
and told his friends, that he had often before fought for victory,
but, this last time now, that he had fought for the safety of his
own life He
wan
278 this battle on the very feast-day of the
Bacchanalians, in the which men say that Pompey the Great
went out of Rome, about four years before, to begin this civil
war.
For
279 his sons, the younger scaped from the battle; but,
within few days after, Didius brought the head of the elder.
This was the last war that Caesar made.
Caesar's triumph of Pompey's sons. |
But the triumph he
made into Rome for the same did as much offend the Romans,
and more, than any thing that ever he had done before: because
he had not overcome captains that were strangers, nor barbarous
kings, but had destroyed the sons of the noblest man of
Rome, whom fortune had overthrown. And because he had
plucked up his race by the roots, men did not think it meet for
him to triumph so for the calamities of his country, rejoicing at
a thing for the which he had but one excuse to allege in his
defence unto the gods and men, that he was compelled to do
that he did. And the rather they thought it not meet, because
he had never before sent letters nor messengers unto the
commonwealth at Rome, for any victory that he had ever won
in all the civil wars: but did always for shame refuse the glory
of it.
39. This notwithstanding, the Romans, inclining to Caesar's
prosperity and taking the bit in the mouth, supposing that to be
ruled by one man alone, it would be a good
mean
280 for them to
take breath a little, after so many troubles and miseries as they
had
abidden
281 in these civil wars, they chose him perpetual Dictator.
Caesar Dictator perpetual. |
This was a plain tyranny: for to this absolute power of
Dictator, they added this, never to be afraid to be deposed.
Cicero pronounced before the Senate, that they should give him
such honours as were meet for amen: howbeit others afterwards
added too honours beyond all reason. For men striving who
should most honour him, they made him hateful and troublesome
to themselves that most favoured him, by reason of the unmeasurable
greatness and honours which they gave him. Thereupon
it is reported, that even they that most hated him were no
less favourers and furtherers of his honours than they that most
flattered him,- because they might have greater
occasions
282 to
rise
283, and that it might appear they had just cause and
colour
284
to attempt that they did against him. And now for himself, after
he had ended his civil wars, he did so honourably behave himself,
that there was no fault to be found in him: and therefore
methinks, amongst other honours they gave him, he rightly deserved
this, that
The temple of clemency dedicated unto Caesar, for his coutesy. |
they should build him a temple of Clemency, to
thank him for his courtesy he had used unto them in his victory.
For he pardoned many of them that had borne arms against
him, and furthermore, did prefer some of them to honour and
office in the commonwealth: as, amongst others,
285Cassius and
Brutus, both the which were made Praetors. And, where Pompey's
images had been thrown down, he caused them to be set
up again: whereupon Cicero said then, that, Caesar setting up
Pompey's images again, he made his own to stand the surer.
And when some of his friends did counsel him to have a guard
for the safety of his person, and some also did offer themselves
to serve him, he would never consent to it, but said:
Caesar;s saying of death. |
"It was
better to die once, than always to be afraid of death." But to
Goodwill of subjects, the best guard and safety for princes. |
win himself the love and goodwill of the people, as the honourablest
guard and best safety he could have, he made common
feasts again and general distributions of corn. Furthermore, to
gratify the soldiers also, he replenished many cities again with
inhabitants, which before had been destroyed, and placed them
there that had no place to repair unto: of the which the noblest
and chiefest cities were these two, Carthage and Corinth: and
it chanced also, that like as aforetime they had been both taken
and destroyed together, even so were they both set on foot again,
and replenished with people, at one
self
286 time.
And as for greet
personages, he
wan
287 them also, promising some of them to make
them Praetors and Consuls in time to come; and unto others
honours and preferments: but to all men generally good hope,
seeking all the ways he could to make every man contented
with his reign. Insomuch as one of his Consuls called Maximus,
chancing to die a day before his consulship ended, he
Caninius Rebilius consul for one day. |
declared Caninius Rebilius Consul only for the day that remained.
So, divers going to his house (as the manner was) to salute him,
and to congratulate with him of his calling and preferment,
being newly chosen officer, Cicero pleasantly said: "Come, let
us make haste, and be gone thither before his consulship
come out
288." Furthermore, Caesar being born to attempt all great
enterprises, and having an ambitious desire besides to covet
great honours, the prosperous good success he had of his former
conquests bred no desire in him quietly to enjoy the fruits of his
labours; but rather gave him the hope of things to come, still
kindling more and more in him thoughts of greater enterprises
and desire of new glory, as if that which he had present were
stale and nothing worth. This humour of his was no other but
an emulation with himself as with another man, and a certain
contention to overcome the things he prepared to attempt. For
he was determined, and made preparation also, to make war
with the Persians. Then, when he had overcome them, to pass
through Hyrcania (compassing in the sea Caspium, and mount
Caucasus) into the realm of Pontus, and so to invade Scythia:
and, overrunning all the countries and people adjoining unto
high Germany, and Germany itself, at length to return by Gaul
into Italy, and so to enlarge the Roman empire round, that it
might be every way compassed in with the great sea Oceanum.
But whilst he was preparing for this voyage, he attempted to cut
the bar of the
straight
289 of Peloponnesus, in the market-place
where the city of Corinth standeth. Then he was minded to
bring the
rivers of Anienes and Tiber straight from Rome unto
the city of
Circees
290, with a deep channel and high banks cast
up on either side, and so to fall into the sea at Terracina, for
the better safety and commodity of the merchants that came to
Rome to traffic there. Furthermore, he determined to drain
and
sew
291 all the water of the
marishes
292 betwixt the cities of
Nomentum and Setium, to make firm land, for the benefit of
many thousands of people: and on the sea-coast next unto
Rome, to cast great high banks, and to cleanse all the haven
about Ostia of rocks and stones hidden under the water, and to
take away all other impediments that made the
harborough
293
dangerous for ships, and to make new havens and arsenals
meet to harbour such ships as did continually traffic thither.
All these things were purposed to be done, but took no effect.
40.
Caesar reformed the inequality of the year. |
But the
ordinance
294 of the calendar, and reformation of
the year, to take away all confusion of time, being exactly calculated
by the mathematicians and brought to perfection, was a
great commodity unto all men. For the Romans, using then the
ancient computation of the year, had not only such uncertainty
and alteration of the month and times, that the sacrifices and
yearly feasts came, by little and little, to seasons contrary for
the purpose they were ordained: but also, in the revolution of
the sun (which is called Annus Solaris) no other nation agreed
with them in account: and, of the Romans themselves, only
the priests understood it. And therefore when they
listed
295, they
suddenly (no man being able to control them) did thrust in a
month above their ordinary number, which they called in old
time
Mercedonius
296. Some say that Numa Pompilius was the
first that devised this way, to put a month between: but it was
a weak remedy, and did little help the correction of the errors
that were made in the account of the year, to
frame
297 them to
perfection. But Caesar, committing this matter unto the philosophers
and best expert mathematicians at that time, did set
forth an excellent and perfect calendar, more exactly calculated
than any other that was before: the which the Romans do use
until this present day, and
do nothing
298 err as others in the
difference of time. But his enemies notwithstanding, that envied
his greatness, did not stick to find fault withal. As Cicero the
orator, when one said, "to-morrow the star Lyra will rise :"
"Yea," said he, "at the commandment of Caesar;" as if men
were compelled so to say and think by Caesar's edict.
But the
chiefest cause that made him mortally hated was the covetous
desire he had to be called king: which first gave the people
just cause, and next his secret enemies honest
colour
299, to
bear him ill-will. This notwithstanding, they that procured
him this honour and dignity gave it out among the people that
it was written in the Sybilline prophecies, 'how the Romans
might overcome the Parthians, if they made war with them and
were led by a king, but otherwise that they were unconquerable.'
And furthermore they were so bold besides, that, Caesar returning
to Rome from the city of Alba, when they came to salute
him, they called him king. But the people being offended, and
Caesar also angry, he said he was not called king, but Caesar.
Then every man keeping silence, he went his way heavy and
sorrowful. When they had decreed divers honours for him in
the Senate, the Consuls and Praetors, accompanied with the
whole assembly of the Senate, went unto him in the marketplace,
where he was set by the pulpit for orations, to tell him
what honours they had decreed for him in his absence. But he,
sitting still in his majesty, disdaining to rise up unto them when
they came in, as if they had been private men, answered them:
'that his honours had more need to be cut off than enlarged.'
This did not only offend the Senate but the common people also,
to see that he should so lightly esteem of the magistrates of the
commonwealth: insomuch as every man that might lawfully
go his way departed thence very sorrowfully. Thereupon also
Caesar rising departed home to his house, and tearing open his
doublet-collar, making his neck bare, he cried out aloud to his
friends, 'that his throat was ready to offer to any man that
would come and cut it.' Notwithstanding it is reported, that
afterwards, to excuse his folly, he imputed it to his disease,
saying, 'that their wits are not
perfit
300 which have this disease of
the
falling evil
301, when standing on their feet they speak to the
common people, but are soon troubled with a trembling of their
body, and a sudden dimness and giddiness.' But that was not
true, for he would have risen up to the Senate, but Cornelius
Balbus one of his friends (or rather a flatterer) would not let
him, saying: "What, do you not remember that you are
Caesar, and will you not let them reverence you and do their
duties?"
41. Besides these
occasions
302 and offences, there followed
also his shame and reproach, abusing the tribunes of the people
in this sort.
At that time the feast Lupercalia was celebrated,
the which in old time men say was the feast of shepherds or
herdmen, and is much like unto the feast of the Lycaens in
Arcadia. But howsoever it is, that day there are divers noblemen's
sons, young men, (and some of them magistrates themselves
that govern then), which run naked through the city,
striking in sport them they meet in their way with leather
thongs, hair and all on, to make them
give place
303. And many,
noblewomen and gentlewomen also go of purpose to stand in
their way, and do put forth their hands to be stricken, as scholars
hold them out to their schoolmaster to be stricken with the
ferula
304: persuading themselves that, being with child, they shall
have good delivery; and so, being barren, that it will make them
to conceive with child. Caesar sat to behold that sport upon
the pulpit for orations, in a chain of gold, apparelled in triumphant
manner.
Antonius, being Consul, was one of the Lupercalians. |
Antonius, who was Consul at that time, was
one of them that ran this holy course. So when he came into
the market-place, the people made a lane for him to run at
liberty, and he came to Caesar, and
Antonius presented the diadem to Caesar. |
presented him a diadem
wreathed about with laurel. Whereupon there rose a certain
cry of rejoicing, not very great, done only by a few appointed
for the purpose. But when Caesar refused the diadem, then all
the people together made an outcry of joy. Then Antonius
offering it him again, there was a second shout of joy, but yet of
a few. But when Caesar refused it again the second time, then
all the whole people shouted. Caesar having made this proof,
found that the people did not like of it, and thereupon rose out
of his chair, and commanded the crown to be earned unto
Jupiter in the Capitol. After that, there were set up images of
Caesar in the city, with diadems upon their heads like kings.
Those the two tribunes, Flavius and Marullus, went and
pulled down, and furthermore, meeting with them that first saluted
Caesar as king, they committed them to prison. The people
followed them rejoicing at it, and called them Brutes, because
of Brutus, who had in old time driven the kings out of Rome,
and that brought the kingdom of one person unto government
of the Senate and people. Caesar was so offended withal,
that he deprived Marullus and Flavius of their tribuneships,
and accusing them, he spake also against the people, and called
them Bruti and Cumani, to wit, beasts and fools.
42. Hereupon the people went straight unto Marcus Brutus,
who from his father came of the first Brutus, and by his mother
of the house of the Servilians, a noble house as any was in
Rome, and was also nephew and son-in-law of Marcus Cato.
notwithstanding, the great honours and favour Caesar shewed
unto him kept him back that of himself alone he did not conspire
nor consent to depose him of his kingdom.
Caesar saved Brutus' life, after the battle of Pharsalia. |
For Caesar
did not only save his life after the battle of Pharsalia, when
Pompey fled, and did at his request also save many
mo
305 of
his friends besides: but furthermore, he put a marvellous confidence
in him. For he had already preferred him to the Praetorship
for that year, and furthermore was appointed to be Consul
the fourth year after that, having through Caesar's friendship
obtained it before Cassius, who likewise made suit for the
same: and Caesar also, as it is reported, said in this contention,
"indeed Cassius hath alleged best reason, but yet shall he not be
chosen before Brutus." Some one day accusing
Brutus conspireth against Caesar. |
Brutus while
he
practised
306 this conspiracy, Caesar would not hear of it, but,
clapping his hand on his body, told them, "Brutus will look for
this skin :" meaning thereby, that Brutus for his virtue deserved
to rule after him, but yet that, for ambition's sake, he would not
shew himself unthankful or dishonourable. Now they that
desired change, and wished Brutus only their prince and governor
above all other, they durst not come to him themselves to
tell him what they would have him to do, but in the night did
cast sundry papers into the Praetor's seat, where he gave audience,
and the most of them to this effect: "Thou sleepest,
Brutus, and art not Brutus indeed."
Cassius stireth up Bruteth against Caesar. |
Cassius, finding Brutus'
ambition stirred up the more by these seditious
bills
307, did
prick
308
him forward and
egg him on
309 the more, for a private quarrel
he had conceived against Caesar: the circumstance whereof we
have set down more at large in Brutus' life. Caesar also had
Cassius in great jealousy, and suspected him much: whereupon
he said on a time to his friends, "what will Cassius do, think
ye? I like not his pale looks." Another time when Caesar's
friends complained unto him of Antonius and Dolabella, that
they
pretended
310 some mischief towards him: he answered them
again, "As for those fat men and smooth-combed heads,' quoth
he, " l never reckon of them; but these pale-visaged and carrionlean
people, I fear them most," meaning Brutus and Cassius.
43. Certainly destiny may easier be foreseen than avoided,
considering the strange and wonderful signs that were said to be
seen before Caesar's death. For, touching the fires in the
element
311,
and spirits running up and down in the night, and also
Predictions and foreshews of Caesar's death. |
the solitary birds to be seen at noondays sitting in the great
market-place, are not all these signs perhaps worth the noting,
in such a wonderful chance as happened? But Strabo the philosopher
writeth, that divers men were seen going up and down
in fire: and furthermore, that there was a slave of the soldiers
that did cast a marvellous burning flame out of his hand, insomuch
as they that saw it thought he had been burnt; but when
the fire was out, it was found he had no hurt. Caesar
self
312 also
doing sacrifice unto the gods, found that one of the beasts
which was sacrificed had no heart: and that was a strange thing
in nature, how a beast could live without a heart. Furthermore
there was a certain
Caesar's day of his death prognosticated by a soothsayer. |
soothsayer that had given Caesar warning
long time afore, to take heed of the day of the Ides of March,
(which is the fifteenth of the month), for on that day he should
be in great danger. That day being come, Caesar going unto
the Senate-house, and speaking merrily unto the soothsayer,
told him, "the Ides of March be come :" " so they be," softly
answered the soothsayer, " but yet are they not past." And the
very day before, Caesar, supping with Marcus Lepidus, sealed
certain letters, as he was wont to do, at the board: so, talk falling
out amongst them, reasoning what death was best, he,
preventing
313
their opinions, cried out aloud, " death unlooked for."
Then going to bed the same night, as his manner was, and
lying with his wife Calpurnia, all the windows and doors of his
chamber flying open, the noise awoke him, and made him
afraid when he saw such light: but more, when he heard his
wife Calpurnia, being fast asleep, weep and sigh, and put forth
many
fumbling
314 lamentable speeches: for
The dream of Calpurnia, Caesar's wife. |
she dreamed that
Caesar was slain, and that she had him in her arms. Others
also do deny that she had any such dream, as, amongst other,
Titus Livius writeth that it was in this sort: the Senate having
set upon the top of Caesar's house, for an ornament and
setting forth
315 a of the same, a certain pinnacle, Calpurnia dreamed that
she saw it broken down, and that she thought she lamented
and wept for it. Insomuch that, Caesar rising in the morning,
she prayed him, if it were possible, not to go out of the doors
that day, but to adjourn the session of the Senate until another
day. And if that he made no reckoning of her dream, yet that
he would search further of the soothsayers by their sacrifices,
to know what should happen him that day. Thereby it seemed
that Caesar likewise did fear or suspect somewhat, because his
wife Calpurnia until that time was never given to any fear and
superstition: and that then he saw her so troubled in mind
with this dream she had. But much more afterwards, when the
soothsayers having sacrificed many beasts one after another,
told him that none did
like
316 them: then he determined to send
Antonius to adjourn the session of the Senate.
44.
Decius Brutus Albinus' persuasion to Caesar. |
But in the mean time came Decius Brutus, surnamed
Albinus, in whom Caesar put such confidence, that in his last
will and testament he had appointed him to be his next heir,
and yet was of the conspiracy with Cassius and Brutus: he,
fearing that if Caesar did adjourn the session that day, the conspiracy
would be betrayed, laughed at the soothsayers, and
reproved Caesar, saying, " that he gave the Senate occasion to
mislike with him, and that they might think he mocked them,
considering that by his commandment they were assembled,
and that they were ready willingly to grant him all things, and
to proclaim him king of all his provinces of the Empire of
Rome out of Italy, and that he should wear his diadem in all
other places both by sea and land. And furthermore, that if
any man should tell them from him they
should
317 depart for
that present time, and return again when Calpurnia should have
better dreams, what would his enemies and
ill-willers
318 say, and
how could they
like of
319 his friends' words? And who could
persuade them otherwise, but that they would think his dominion
a slavery unto them and tyrannical in himself? And yet if
it be so," said he, "that you utterly
mislike
320 of this day, it is
better that you go yourself in person, and, saluting the Senate,
to dismiss them till another time." Therewithal
Decius Brutus brought Caesar unto the Senate house. |
he took Caesar
by the hand, and brought him out of his house. Caesar was not
gone far from his house, but a bond-man, a stranger, did what
he could to speak with him: and when
The tokens of conspiracy against Caesar. |
he saw he was put
back by the great press and multitude of people that followed
him, he went straight into his house, and put himself into Calpurnia's
hands, to be kept till Caesar came back again, telling
her that he had greater matters to impart unto him.
And one
Artemidorus also, born in the isle of Cnidos, a doctor of rhetoric
in the Greek tongue, who by means of his profession was
very familiar with certain of Brutus' confederates, and therefore
knew the most part of all their
practices
321 against Caesar,
came and brought him a little
bill
322, written with his own hand,
of all that he meant to tell him. He, marking how Caesar received
all the supplications that were offered him, and that he
gave them
straight
323 to his men that were about him, pressed
nearer to him, and said: " Caesar, read this memorial to yourself,
and that quickly, for they be matters of great weight, and
touch you nearly." Caesar took it of him, but could never read
it, though he many times attempted it, for the number of people
that did salute him: but holding it still in his hand, keeping
it to himself, went on withal into the Senate-house. Howbeit
others are of opinion, that it was some man else that gave him
that memorial, and not Artemidorus, who did what he could
all the way as he went to give it Caesar, but he was always
repulsed by the people.
For these things, they may seem to
come by chance; but
The place where Caesar was slain. |
the place where the
murther
324 was prepared,
and where the Senate were assembled, and where also
there stood up an image of Pompey dedicated by himself
amongst other ornaments which he gave unto the theatre, all
these were manifest proofs, that it was the ordinance of some
god that made this treason to be executed, specially in that
very place. It is also reported, that Cassius (though otherwise
he did favour the doctrine of Epicurus) beholding the image of
Pompey, before they entered into the action of their traitorous
enterprise, he did softly call upon it to aid him: but the instant
danger of the present time, taking away his former reason,
did suddenly put him into a furious passion, and made him
like a man half
besides
325 himself.
Antonius, Caesar's faithful friend. |
Now Antonius, that was a
faithful friend to Caesar, and a valiant man besides of his hands,
him Decius Brutus Albinus entertained out of the Senate-house,
having begun a long tale of set purpose. So Caesar coming
into the house, all the Senate stood up on their feet to do him
honour. Then part of Brutus' company and confederates stood
round about Caesar's chair, and part of them also came towards
him, as though they made suit with Metellus Cimber, to call
home his brother again from banishment: and thus prosecuting
still their suit, they followed Caesar till he was set in his chair.
Who denying their petitions, and being offended with them
one after another, because the more they were denied the more
they pressed upon him and were the earnester with him, Metellus
at length, taking his gown with both his hands, pulled it
over his neck, which was the sign given the confederates to
set upon him.
Casca the first that struck at Caesar. |
Then Casca, behind him,
strake
326 him in the
neck with his sword; howbeit the wound was not great nor
mortal, because it seemed the fear of such a devilish attempt
did amaze him and take his strength from him, that he killed
him not at the first blow. But Caesar, turning straight unto
him, caught hold of his sword and held it hard; and they both
cried out, Caesar in Latin: " O vile traitor Casca, what doest
thou?" and Casca, in Greek, to his brother: "Brother, help
me." At the beginning of this stir, they that were present, not
knowing of the conspiracy, were so amazed with the horrible
sight they saw, they had no power to fly, neither to help him,
nor so much as once to make an outcry. They on the other side
that had conspired his death compassed him in on every side with
their swords drawn in their hands, that Caesar turned him no where
but he was stricken at by some, and still had naked swords in
his face, and was
hackled
327 and mangled among them, as a wild
beast taken
of
328 hunters. For it was agreed among them that
every man should give him a wound, because all their parts
should be in this
murther
329: and then Brutus himself gave him
one wound about his privities. Men report also, that Caesar
did still defend himself against the rest, running every way with
his body: but when he saw Brutus with his sword drawn in his
hand, then he pulled his gown over his head, and made no more
resistance, and was driven either casually or
purposedly
330, by the
counsel of the conspirators, against the base whereupon Pompey's
image stood, which ran all
of
331 a gore-blood till he was
slain. Thus it seemed that the image took just revenge of
Pompey's enemy, being thrown down on the ground at his feet,
and yielding up the ghost there, for the number of wounds he had
upon him. For it is reported,
Caesar slain, and had 23 wounds upon him. |
that he had three and twenty
wounds upon his body: and divers of the conspirators did hurt
themselves, striking one body with so many blows.
45. When Caesar was slain, the Senate (though Brutus
stood in the
middest
332 amongst them, as though he would have
said something touching this
fact
333) presently ran out of the house,
and flying, filled all the city with marvellous fear and tumult.
Insomuch as some did shut to the doors, others forsook their
shops and warehouses, and others ran to the place to see what
the matter was: and others also that had seen it ran home to
their houses again. But Antonius and Lepidus, which were two
of Caesar's chiefest friends, secretly conveying themselves away,
fled into other men's houses and forsook their own. Brutus
and his confederates on the other side, being yet hot with this
murther
334 they had committed, having their swords drawn in
their hands, came all in a troup together
The murderers of Caesar do go to the market-place. |
out of the Senate and
went into the market-place, not as men that made countenance
to fly, but otherwise boldly holding up their heads like men of
courage, and called to the people to defend their liberty, and
stayed to speak with every great personage whom they met
in their way. Of them, some followed this troup and went
amongst them, as if they had been of the conspiracy, and falsely
challenged
335 part of the honour with them: amongst them was
Caius Octavius and Lentulus Spinther. But both of them were
afterwards put to death for their vain covetousness of honour,
by Antonius and Octavius Caesar the younger; and yet had no
part of that honour for the which they were both put to death,
neither did any man believe that they were any of the confederates
or of counsel with them. For they that did put them to
death took revenge rather of the will they had to offend than of
any
fact
336 they had committed. The next morning, Brutus and
his confederates came into the market-place to speak unto the
people, who gave them such audience, that it seemed they
neither greatly reproved nor
allowed
337 the
fact
338: for by their great
silence they shewed that they were sorry for Caesar's death, and
also that they did reverence Brutus. Now the Senate granted
general pardon for all that was past; and, to pacify every man,
ordained besides,
that Caesar's funerals should be honoured as
a god, and established all things that he had done, and gave
certain provinces also and convenient honours unto Brutus and
his confederates, whereby every man thought all things were
brought to good peace and quietness again.
But when they
had opened Caesar's
testament
339, and found a liberal legacy of
money bequeathed unto every citizen of Rome, and that they
saw his body (which was brought into the market-place) all
bemangled
340
with gashes of swords, then there was no order to keep
the multitude and common people quiet, but they plucked up
forms, tables, and stools, and laid them all about the body, and
setting them afire, burnt the corset Then when the fire was
well kindled, they took the fire-brands, and went unto their
houses that had slain Caesar, to set them afire.
Others
341 also ran
up and down the city to see if they could meet with any of them,
to cut them in pieces: howbeit they could meet with never a
man of them, because they had locked themselves up safely in
their houses.
There was one of Caesar's friends called Cinna,
that had a marvellous strange and terrible dream the night before.
He dreamed that Caesar
bad
342 him to supper, and that he
refused and would not go: then that Caesar took him by the
hand, and led him against his will. Now Cinna, hearing at
that time that they burnt Caesar's body in the market-place, notwithstanding
that he feared his dream, and had an ague on him
besides, he went into the market-place to honour his funerals.
When he came thither, one of the
mean sort
343 asked him what
his name was? He was straight called by his name. The first
man told it to another, and that other unto another, so that it
ran
straight
344 through them all, that he was one of them that
murthered
345 Caesar: (for indeed one of the traitors to Caesar was
also called Cinna as himself) wherefore taking him for Cinna
the
murtherer
346,
they fell upon him with such fury that they
presently
347
dispatched him in the market-place. This stir and fury
made Brutus and Cassius more afraid than of all that was past,
and therefore within few days after they departed out of Rome:
and touching their doings afterwards, and what calamity they
suffered till their deaths, we have written it at large in the life of
Brutus.
Caesar 56 years old at his death. |
Caesar died at six and fifty years of age, and Pompey
also lived not passing four years more than he. So he reaped
no other fruit of all his reign and dominion, which he had so
vehemently desired all his life and pursued with such extreme
danger, but a vain name only and a superficial glory, that procured
him the envy and hatred of his country.
46.
The revenge of Caesar's death. |
But his great prosperity and good fortune that favoured
him all his lifetime, did continue afterwards in the revenge of
his death, pursuing the
murtherers
348 both by sea and land, till
they had not left a man more to be executed, of all them that
were actors or counsellers in the conspiracy of his death.
Cassius being overthrown at the battle of Philippes slew himself with the selfsame sword, wherewith he struck Caesar. |
Furthermore,
of all the chances that happen unto men upon the
earth, that which came to Cassius above all other, is most to be
wondered at: for he, being overcome in battle at the journey of
Philippes, slew himself with the same sword with the which he
strake
349 Caesar.
Wonders seen in the elements after Caesar's death. |
Again, of signs in the
element
350, the great
comet, which seven nights together was seen very bright after
Caesar's death, the eighth night after was never seen more. Also
the brightness of the sun was darkened, the which all that year
through rose very pale and
shined
351 not out, whereby it gave
but small heat: therefore the air being very cloudy and dark,
by the weakness of the heat that could not come forth, did cause
the earth to bring forth but raw and unripe fruit, which rotted
before it could
ripe
352. But above all, the ghost that appeared
unto Brutus shewed plainly, that the gods were offended with
the
murther
353 of Caesar.
The vision was thus: Brutus being
ready to pass over his army from the city of Abydos to the
other coast lying directly against it, slept every night (as his
manner was) in his tent; and being yet awake, thinking of his
affairs (for by report he was as careful a captain and lived with
as little sleep as ever man did) he thought he heard a noise at
his tent-door, and looking towards the light of the lamp that
waxed very dim,
A spirit appeared unto Brutus. |
he saw a horrible vision of a man, of a wonderful
greatness and dreadful look, which at the first made him marvellously
afraid. But when he saw that it did him no hurt, but
stood by his bed-side and said nothing; at length he asked
him what he was. The image answered him: "I am thy ill
angel, Brutus, and thou shalt see me by the city of Philippes."
Then Brutus replied again, and said, "Well, I shall see thee
then." Therewithal the spirit
presently
354 vanished from him.
After that time Brutus, being in battle near unto the city of
Philippes against Antonius and Octavius Caesar, at the first
battle he
wan
355 the victory, and overthrowing all them that
withstood him, he
drave
356 them into young Caesar's camp, which
he took.
The second appearing of the spirit unto Brutus. |
The second battle being at hand, this spirit appeared
again unto him, but spake never a word. Thereupon Brutus,
knowing that he should die, did put himself to all hazard in
battle, but yet fighting could not be slain. So seeing his men
put to flight and overthrown, he ran unto a little rock not
far off, and there setting his sword's point to his breast, fell
upon it and slew himself; but yet, as it is reported, with the
help of his friend that despatched him.