The Twelve Caesars

In the book The Twelve Caesars
Gaius Suetonius Quiet
Written in the second century D.C.

Julius Caesar

I. Julius Caesar (1) ... was sixteen years old when his father died. The following year, appointed flamin dial (priest of Jupiter) (2), repudiated Cossutia, daughter of simple but opulent gentlemen, with whom he was betrothed since childhood, he married Cornelia, daughter of Cinna, who had been consul four times of that Julia was born, shortly after, without the dictator Sulla could by no means get divorced, for that reason stripped him of the priesthood, his wife's property and inheritance from his home, pursuing the so that had to hide, and though sick with fever quartan was forced to move for asylum almost every night and redeemed at the price of gold from the hands of those who chased him, got to be forgiven through the end of the Vestal Virgins (3), Emilio Mamercus and Aurelius Cotta, his relatives and friends. It is certain that Sulla refused a pardon for a long time to the pleas of his best friends and most important characters, and finally, overcome by the perseverance of these, uttered as driven by inspiration or secret presentiment:
"They succeeded, and they wear it. Rejoice, but know that there will come a day when that which is so dear to them, destroy the party of the nobles, that together we have protected, because in many Marios Caesar (4).

II. He made his debut in Asia with the praetor M. Termo, sent by him to Bitin in search of a note, stopped at the home of Nicomedes, running the rumor that he prostituted (5); rumor which grew by reason of having returned a few days after Bitin, claiming to send a freedman of his clients, a certain amount of money owed. The rest of the campaign favored over its popularity, and in making Mytilene received a civic crown from the hands of Thermo (6).

III. He served also in Cilicia, under Servilius Isaurcio but not for long, since the news of the death of Sulla were hopeful that M. Lepidus attracted further turmoil, rushed back to Rome. However, while offering advantages Lepidus him, refused to endorse his plans, his character does not inspire confidence, or apparently so favorable an opportunity as I thought.

IV. Calm civil insurrection, accused of extortion to Cornelius Dolabella, to whom consular man had been awarded the honors of victory; acquitted the defendant, Caesar decided to retire to Rhodes, both to prevent their foes like to relax and hear the wise teacher Apollonius Molon. During the voyage he made in winter, he was taken prisoner by pirates near the island Farmacusa. They remained in power almost forty days, always maintaining its integrity (7), with no company but his doctor and two cubicularies, because immediately sent all his colleagues and the rest of the slaves to bring him the money necessary for the rescue. It was arranged in a hundred and fifty talents, and as he landed, chased pirates in front of a fleet, capturing them in the recall and subjecting them to torture with which many times had threatened them in jest. At that time Mithridates was devastating the surrounding regions, and not wanting to appear Caesar as indifferent to the misfortunes of the allies of Rhodes, where he went, moving to Asia, he found relief in it, threw the prefect of the province of the king and loyalty robusteció faltering cities.

V. On his return to Rome, the first dignity with which he invested the people's vote was that of military tribune (8), then work with all their forces trying to restore the power tribune, deeply broken by Sulla. He also apply the proposition Plocia, for the repatriation of L. Cina, brother of his wife, and all those in civil turmoil had joined Lepidus, Sertorius using, after the death of the consul, and even gave a speech on this issue.

VI. As quaestor, delivered from the rostrum of the speeches, as was usual (9), the praise of his aunt Julia and his wife Cornelia, who had just died. In the first set of the way that follows the double origin of his aunt and her own father for her mother, my aunt Julia was descended from kings, for his father, is linked to the deathless gods, because of the kings descended Anco Marcio Marcio, whose name took my mother came from the Julian Venus, whose race is ours. So are, in our joint family, the majesty of kings, who are masters of men, and holiness of the gods, who are the owners of the Kings. To replace Cornelia, he married Pompeii, daughter of Q. Pompey and niece of L. Sila, who later divorced on suspicion of adultery with P. Clodius, who was publicly accused of having introduced into their rooms disguised as a woman during religious ceremonies, the Senate decreed information sacrilege.

VII. During his quaestorship, won the Ulterior Spain (10), where, traversing the assemblies of this province, to administer justice by delegation from the praetor, to get to Cadiz, watching near a temple of Hercules a statue of Alexander the Great (11) He sighed deeply as regretting his inaction, and not censoring anything worth having done yet at the same age when Alexander had already conquered the world, immediately resigned his post to return to Rome and wait in it the opportunity for large events. The authors gave more nourishment to their hopes, playing a dream (12) who had the previous night and disturbed his spirit (for he had dreamed that raped his mother), promising the world empire, because that mother who had been subjected to He was none other than Earth, our common mother.
VIII. Having gone ahead of schedule, visited the Latin colonies bidding for the right of Roman citizenship, and had driven to try a bold undertaking, where, fearing it so all the consuls, had not retained some time the legions to Cilicia, but not meditate on it stopped shortly after large projects that were carried out in Rome itself.

IX. In fact, shortly before taking possession of the councilor, conspired, it is said, with M. Crassus, consular man, and P. Sila and the latter Autronio-convicted for bribery, having been appointed consul, to attack them early in the year to the Senate, diesen death of senators and awarded the dictatorship Crassus, Caesar would appoint the head of the cavalry , after seizing the government in this way, it was his intention to return Autronio Sila and that the consulate had dispossessed. Tanusio Geminus in its history, M. Bibulus in his edicts and C. Curio, the father, in his speeches, talking about this conspiracy. Even the Cicero seems that the quote in a letter to Axius, where he claims he made during his consulship Caesar project conceived to be mayor.

Tanusio adds that Crassus, either by fear or remorse, did not appear the day appointed for the massacre, and that is why Caesar did not give the signal. This signal writes Curio was dropping the shoulder toga. The same curiosity and M. Nason actori attributed another conspiracy with young Cn. Pison, and claim that the suspicions raised by the management of this in Rome, was awarded for extraordinary commission, the Government of Spain, agreeing, however, raise matching movements, one outside and one in Rome itself through Ambron and the Transpadane, but that the death of Ram set aside the project.

X. As mayor, not merely decorate the Comitium, the Forum and the basilicas, but also decorated the Capitol and built frames for temporary exhibits, which showed the public some of the many objects that had gathered. Sometimes with his colleague and others separately, organized games and hunts wild beasts gather for himself getting all the popularity of joint expenses, for which reason, his colleague M. Bibulus said, comparing himself to Pollux, that as was the custom to appoint the sole name of Castor's temple erected in the Forum to the two brothers of the donations were called Bibulus Caesar and Caesar's bounty.

Caesar added to this donation gladiatorial combat, which included some couples less than you wanted, because so many had come from everywhere, which alarmed his opponents, made to limit, by a special law, the number of contestants, in the future could be in Rome.

XI. Having caught the popular favor, tried by the influence of some tribunes to be given by plebiscite, the Government of Egypt, serving time for this unexpected request for a special command that the inhabitants of Alexandria had expelled their king, friend and ally of the Roman people universally depraved attitude. The party of big claims led to failure of Caesar, who, in order to weaken the authority of those then by all means possible, rebuilt trophies C. Mario over Jugurtha, the Cimbri and Teutons monuments had been destroyed in earlier times Sila, and when the gunmen opened process, had included among the murderers, despite the objections of the law Cornelia, to all those who, during the Prohibition , received money from the public treasury as the price of heads of Roman citizens.

XII. He also found who is accused of capital crimes to C. Rabirius, who some years before more than anyone cooperating with the Senate to punish sedition raised by the tribune L. Saturnino, and designated by lot to judge, so passionately condemned to no avail as much as this partiality to the accused in his appeal to the people.

XIII. Faint hope of command, tried Pontifex Maximus (13), and so much largesse showered, which scared by the enormity of his debts, his mother said, kissing her before going to the polls, they never see him again but pontiff. For these procedures beat its two competitors, but very frightening and above him in his age and dignity, also getting them the advantage of getting more votes in their tribes than they in all others.

XIV. He was praetor (14) Caesar when he discovered the conspiracy of Catiline, it was agreed unanimously by the Senate the death of the guilty, and he only said that the trustees separately in municipal cities and they alienate the property. Moreover, those who had proposed severe punishments, so terrified by the repeated threat of popular hatred that someday unleash against them, Tenth Silano, consul-designate, dared to soften by a vote interpretation that dignity could not change, and they had understood, he explained, in a much more rigorous than had given him. Caesar was going to succeed: many senators had added to his side, and with them Cicero, the consul's brother's victory, therefore, was safe, whether the sentence of Cato would not energize the faltering Senate. But far from wavering in their opposition, Caesar persisted in it so that the group of Roman knights who guarded the hall of the Senate armed, threatened him with death; swords were directed against him, so that those who stood it turned away, and only some wedged between his arms and covering her with the toga, managed to save him, with great difficulty. Then influenced by fear, yielded, and throughout the rest of the year declined to attend the Senate (14a).

XV. The first day of his Pretura summoned before the people to Q. Catullus, in charge of rebuilding the Capitol (15), and proposed to be conferred the care to another. But noting that the patricians, instead of going to greet the new consul, marched in haste to the assembly to oppose stubborn resistance, considering the unequal struggle, the company withdrew.

XVI. With great zeal and passion kept Caecilius Metellus. author of more turbulent laws against the right of opposition from their colleagues, until a decree of the Senate suspended the two in their duties. Caesar had the audacity to continue in office and administer justice yet. But when he learned that they would employ him violence and weapons, lictors fired, stripped of the pretext and secretly retired to his home, resigned, according to the custom of the time, to remain calm. Two days later calmed the crowd, who spontaneously had gathered at his door and offered their cooperation to restore their dignity. Astonished at such restraint, the senators that the news of the riot had gathered hastily sent to thank the most illustrious of them, being called to the Senate where he was paid high praise, reinstated in his office and removing the first decree.

XVII. Sobreviniéronle new troubles soon, for having denounced as an accomplice of Catiline, before the Niger Groom quaestor, L. Vetti Judex, and before the Senate Q. Curio (16), who were granted public rewards for being the first to reveal the plans of the conspirators. Curio Catiline wanted to know what he said, and were forced to submit Vetti signature given by him to Caesar Catiline. Caesar felt that it should not bear these attacks, and begged the testimony of Cicero, to show that he had spontaneously provided some details about the plot to deprive Curio getting the rewards he had been offered, in terms of Vetti, who was had requested bail for appearance, he was stripped of its assets, personally mistreated, that nearly tore him apart in the assembly at the foot of the rostrum rostral and imprison him, getting the same regarding the quaestor Groom, by have consented to the prosecution at his court a senior judge him.

XVIII. In concluding his Pretura, designóle Further fate of Spain, but held by his creditors, was not free them until he gave bail, and without waiting for, according to the customs and laws, the Senate had arranged everything concerning provinces, left, and to escape legal proceedings which arise wanted to stop in office, and soon in raising aid to the allies who implored the protection of Rome. When he had pacified the province (17), returned without waiting successor, with equal haste, calling the triumph and the consulate together. But having now set the election day, could not present his candidacy if he did not enter the city as a private citizen, and when asked to be exempt from the law, found vigorous opposition, so he had to give up the win for not therefore be excluded from the consulate.

XIX. Of its two competitors to the consulate, L. Lucey (18) and Marco Bibulus, joined the first, which enjoyed little influence, but who possessed considerable wealth, on condition that his name would link the termination of their largesse to the centuries (19). The nobles, aware of this pact, fearing the consequences, and believing that Caesar, invested with the highest judiciary of the State and with a colleague completely yours, would not put limits to their audacity, they wanted him to do the same promises to Bibulus century , and most of them contributed money to do so; Cato himself said, during this, which by that time the corruption would be beneficial for the Republic. Caesar became consul Bibulus and large failed to do but to assign to future charges consuls inconsequential, as the inspection of forests and roads. Caesar moved by this injury, spared no means to win over Cn. Pompey, then angry against the Senators, who hesitated to approve his actions, despite their victories over King Mithridates, also reconciles with M. Crassus, who was still at odds with him from the violent quarrels of his consulate, entering into an alliance with them why nothing would be done in the state that dislike to any of the three.

XX. He ordered the pair to take possession of his dignity, was to keep a diary of all popular acts of the Senate and its publication. Restored also the ancient custom be preceded by an usher and follow lictors, during the months they had the fasces the other consul (20). Promulgated the Agrarian Law, and unable to overcome the resistance of Bibulus, threw it on the forum at gunpoint. The next day he presented his complaints to the Senate, but not found anyone who dared to report on violence or that any of those agreed to propose solutions, so often, had adopted much lower risks. Desperate Bibulus thus retired to his home, where everything was hidden during his consulate, while not being another opposition through edicts. Since that time Caesar went all state affairs for its unique and sovereign authority to the extent that some, before signing his letters, dating as a joke, not the consulate of Caesar and Bibulus but Julio and Caesar thus making two consuls of one, separating the name and Aguadilla is also known, were also disclose these lines:

Non Bibulus quidquam nuper, sed Cesare farctum est:
Nom Bibulus memini nil fieri see (21).

The territory of Stella, consecrated by our ancestors, and the fields of Campania, addressing the needs of the Republic, were distributed among twenty thousand citizens parents with three or more children (22). Asking tenants reduction of the state, one third of them forgave leases, and publicly exhortólos recklessly in not raising taxes next award. Well acted throughout, giving generously as you asked, because no one dared to confront him, because if anyone dared to point a victim of his revenge. One day apostrofóle Cato, and ordered a lictor dragging him out of the Senate and take him to prison. Having endured some moments, L. Lucullus, became apprehensive about his threats to such an extent that she apologized to his knees. Since Cicero lamented in a lawsuit the state of affairs of the Republic, at nine o'clock the same day the order commoner posing the patrician P. Clodius, Cicero's enemy, who had vainly attempted to pass a long time. Wanting to finally conclude with adversaries Vetti bribed by dint of gold, declaring that some of them had incited him to kill Pompey, and that led to the Forum, to name some of the alleged perpetrators of the plot. But Vetti accusing without evidence as to both one another, immediately suspected fraud, Caesar's triumph and despair of that crazy business, he is believed to poison the accuser.

XXI. By this time marrying Calpurnia, daughter of L. Ram, who was to succeed at the consulate, and awarded to Ch. Pompey in marriage his daughter Julia, Servilius Cepión repudiated her fiance, who just before ayudóle Bibulus mightily to get rid of. After this new alliance, began in the Senate to approve at first, the view of Pompey, when primarily used to interrogate and Crassus was customary for the consul maintain year-round in order established by the same on the Kalends of January to receive the votes.

XXII. Supported by the father and son, chose us among all the Roman provinces of Gaul, which, among other advantages, offering wide range of successes to his ambition. He was, first, Gaul with Illyria, under the law Vatinius, and after the Senate gave him the hair, convinced that the people had to be released if the senators refused. Unable to master the joy inside him after a few days in full Senate jactóse have maxed out their wishes, despite the hatred of its enemies appalled, and said that henceforth march on their heads. Having one for abusing him, then said: "That will not be easy for a woman, as alluded replied:" But in Syria, ruled Semiramis and the Amazons possessed much of Asia.

XXIII. Completed his consulate, the magistrates and Lucius Domitius Memmi called for consideration of the minutes of the previous year, bringing the matter to the Senate Caesar, who would not know it. After three days of fruitless discussions, went to his province, and immediately, to hurt, his quaestor was prosecuted for various crimes. Shortly after he quoted him the people's tribune L. Antistius, but through the intervention of the college of tribunes, managed to avoid being accused remained absent while serving the Republic. Hereinafter to be safe from those attacks, was careful to attract, through favor, the judges each year, forming a law not to assist their influence, nor allow it amounted to honor those who pledged to uphold during his absence; condition being sworn not hesitate to require some even written promise.

XXIV. So, having boasted publicly L. Domitian, who aspired to the consulate, Consul perform as she could not do as praetor, and also remove Caesar commanded the army, called Luca, a town of its province, Crassus and Pompey, encourages you to request them same also the consulate, to separate Domitian, and forcing then to extend his rule for five years, achieving both. Still in this regard, he added other legions to which he had received from the Republic, and held at your expense, was another in Transalpine Gaul, which gave the Welsh name of Alanda, and trained in the Roman discipline, arming and equipping the use of the republic and after granting the right of citizenship. Henceforth not leave any opportunity to escape the war, it was unjust and dangerous, attacking people indiscriminately allies and hostile nations or savage, until the Senate decreed send commissioners to Gaul to inform him of the state of that province, even suggested by some to deliver it to the enemy. The booming success of all those companies made them, however, taxed more flattering praise and frequent than they had managed others before him.

XXV. In the nine years of his command conducted the following companies: He reduced all Gaul between the Pyrenees and the Alps, the Cevennes, the Rhone and the Rhine, a Roman province, except the cities allies and friends, forcing the conquered territory payment of an annual tribute of forty millions of sesterces. It was the first who, after a bridge over the Rhine, the Germans attacked across the river, and got signal victories over them. He also attacked the Britons, hitherto unknown, the defeat and demanded money and hostages. Amid so many hits, only suffered three losses, one in Britain, where a storm was about to destroy their fleet, the other in Gaul, before Gergovia, where an army was defeated and the third in the territory of the Germans , where killed in an ambush Titurio and Aurunculeyo legacies.

XXVI. During these expeditions, he lost first his mother, his daughter later and later his grandson. Meanwhile, the death of P. Clodius had caused riots in Rome and the Senate, he thought no more than establish a consul, appointed nominally to Ch. Pompey. The tribunes of the people he designated as a companion to Caesar, but not wanting to return for this nomination before the war ended, to make them understand that the people grant him permission to call, away, his second consulship, when he was to complete the term of its mandate, was given this privilege, and designing since most large projects and high hopes, nothing spared to attract supporters at the expense of public and private favors. With the extra money to the enemy, began construction of a forum whose land alone cost over a hundred thousand sesterces. He promised the people, in memory of his daughter, shows and a feast, unknown and unprecedented, and finally, and to satisfy public impatience, used their slaves in the preparations for this feast, which had entrusted to contractors. Rome commissioners had seized by force, to book, the most famous gladiators, at the time that viewers were to pronounce his death sentence. And as for the young gladiators, did not educate in schools or by Lanistes (23), but in private houses and Roman knights, senators also made him adept in handling arms and asking, as shown in his letters, handle the teaching of those gladiators as teachers and governing their exercise. Caesar doubled the pay of perpetual legions. In the lavish, wheat distributed without stint or measure, and sometimes he was seen giving each man a slave taken of the spoils.

XXVII. To retain the support of Pompey with a new alliance, offered him Octavia, niece of his sister, despite being married to C. Marcelo, and asked the hand of his daughter intended to Faustus Sulla. A few surrounding Pompey and most of the senators had made his debtors, rather than making interest or being this very small; also made magnificent presents to the citizens of other classes, guests who came to him or spontaneously. Your donations are extended to the freedmen and slaves, as their influence on the mind of his master or employer. The defendants, citizens burdened with debt, the prodigal youth, found in the safe haven, unless the charges were too serious, complete ruin or disorders that could be too great to remedy. For them frankly said: they needed a civil war.

XXVIII. No less carefully deployed in attracting the favor of kings and provinces throughout the extent of land, providing some free of charge thousands of captives, sending other auxiliary troops in the time and place they wanted, without consulting the Senate or the people . Adorned with splendid monuments, not just Italy, Gaul and Spain, but also the most important cities of Greece and Asia. Everyone began to sense with alarm to many companies, when the consul M. Claudio Marcelo issued an edict by which, after announcing that it was the salvation of the republic, the Senate proposed giving to Caesar's successor before the expiry of the time of its mandate, and because the war was over and was assured peace, which licenses the victorious army; requested also that in the upcoming elections were not taken into account the absence of Caesar, Pompey since it had canceled the plebiscite given in his favor. It happened in the law about the rights of judges, in the chapter in which prohibited absent the request for honor, excepting forgot Caesar, the error was not corrected by Pompey until the law It was engraved in brass, and deposited in the treasury (24). Not content with removing Caesar Marcelo its provinces and their privileges, would also support a motion to Letinio, which deprived the colony he had founded in Novumcomum, the right of citizenship, an ambition that, contrary to the laws, had been granted by both.

XXIX. Disturbed by these attacks, and convinced, as she had often heard that when occupying the highest state post would be more difficult to make him descend to the second rank from it to the last, resisted with all his power to Marcelo, opposing and tribunes, and the other consul, Servius Sulpicius. The following year, having happened at the consulate M. Marcelo to his cousin Marco, continuing the same effort, advocates were prepared through considerable extravagance. Were these defenders, Aemilius Paullus and Gaius Curio, tribunes very violent. But finding strong resistance everywhere, and seeing that the consuls were appointed opponents also wrote to the Senate, pleading not deprive him the benefit of the people, or at least give orders to the other generals also dejasen their hosts relying as believes, meet, whenever he wanted, his veterans more easily than Pompey new soldiers. He offered, however, their opponents eight legions license, leaving the Transalpine Gaul, Cisalpine retain two legions, or only with Illyria until it was made consul.

XXX. Rejected, however, by the Senate and refusing his requests to his enemies in a pact the health of the Republic, went to Gaul Citerior and provincial elections held now, stopped in Ravenna, ready to avenge on the strength of arming the tribunes supporters, if the Senate preparing violent actions against them. This was indeed the guise of civil war, but is believed to have other motives. Cn. Pompey said, unable to finish the work begun Caesar or personal resources to meet the expectations that people had put in his back, he wanted to disrupt and move him around. Others assert that he feared forced to realize what he had done in conflict with the law, against the auspices and intercessions during his first consulship, because M. Cato stated under oath that he would cite as licensing justice to the army. It is generally said that if he returned to private status, would be forced, as Milo, to defend himself before the judges surrounded by armed soldiers, giving odds that this criterion refers Asinius Pollio and is, in the battle of Pharsalia, looking defeated their opponents and defeated, spoke these words:

They wanted it, after I had made so many companies convicted me, C. Caesar, if he had not asked for help to the army.

Others believe, finally, he dominated the habit of command, and having compared it with his own forces of their enemies, believed this opportunity to seize the sovereign power, who in his youth had been coveting. It appears that Cicero believed it too well. In the third book of Offitiis (of Duties), said that Caesar was always on his lips the verses of Euripides who translated this way:

If violandum Nam est jus, regnandi gratia
Violandum est: aliis rebus pietatem tails (25).

XXXI. When he learned that rejected the intercession of the tribunes, they had to leave Rome, he put forward some cohorts in secret to avoid arousing suspicion, in order to mask, chaired a public spectacle, is occupied in a building plan for a circus gladiator, and delivered as usual to the pleasures of the feast. But as the sun went to his car sent to yoke the mules from a bakery nearby, and with little accompaniment, took hidden paths. Consumed torches, long astray, and wandered at random, until at dawn, having found a guide, went on foot along narrow paths to the Rubicon, which was the limit of his province, where he waited his cohorts. He paused a moment, and reflecting on the consequences of your company, exclaimed to the nearest:

"We can still go back but if we cross this bridge, all weapons will have to decide.

XXXII. When stood hesitating, a wonder he decided. A man of remarkable size and beauty, suddenly appeared sitting a short distance from him, playing the flute. Besides the pastors, soldiers of the posts immediately, and among them trumpets, came to listen, then grabbing one trumpet, headed in toward the river, and pulling vibrant sounds of the instrument, he reached the other shore. Then Caesar said:

"Let us go to where we call the signs of the gods and the iniquity of the enemy. Jacta est alea. (The die is cast.)

XXXIII. When the army had crossed the river, was submitted to the tribunes of the people, who, driven from Rome, had come to his camp, he harangued the soldiers and weeping, he invoked his fidelity, rending their garments over the chest. He believed he had promised to each census of the equestrian order, which resulted in error which showed several times during the speech the ring finger of his left hand, saying he was ready to give everything to taste, until his ring, those who defend their dignity so that those who were in the back rows, in a better position to see than to hear themselves that movement had no significance, not long hence, in disseminated rumor that Caesar had promised his soldiers' rights and men's income, ie, four hundred thousand sesterces.

XXXIV. The order and summary of what he did after it: He held the first Piceno, Umbria and Etruria. He surrendered to L. Domitius, who was appointed his successor for the riots, and stood with his garrison to Corfinio, but leaving him at liberty, then coasted above the sea (Adriatic) and marched on toast, where the consuls had taken refuge Pompey, intending to spend the sooner the sea. After trying in vain to prevent the realization of this project, he went to Rome, summoned the Senate, and ran to grab the best troops of Pompey, who were in Spain under the three legacies, M. Petreius, L. African and M. Varro, having said to his men before leaving that he would fight an army without a general to return to fight a general without an army. Although delayed by the siege of Marseilles, who had closed their doors, and at the severe shortage of food, got, however, soon their purpose.

XXXV. He returned quickly to Rome, went to Macedonia, he attacked Pompey, and mantúvose shut for four months in immense grounds of fortifications, defeating the purpose, in Pharsalia: he pursued after his flight to Alexandria, where he was found murdered, having to do King Ptolemy, who tended plots, a war very difficult and dangerous for him, the disadvantages of time and place, the harsh winter, the activity of your adversary, provided with all the precincts of the capital, and low preparing for a fight that was far from expected. Having emerged victorious, he granted the kingdom of Egypt to Cleopatra and her younger brother, not wanting to do a Roman province, for fear that someday could provide the opportunity to further discord to fall into the hands of a governor turbulent. Alexandria went to Syria, and thence to the point where he called urgent messages because Farnace, son of the great Mithridates, exploiting the unrest, to war, having already won numerous victories that had filled him with pride. Caesar Bastáronle four hours of fighting, the fifth day of his arrival, to destroy that enemy, and thus is often made fun of the triumphs of Pompey, who was due largely to his military reputation such weak enemies. He won once to Juba and Scipio, who had collected in Africa the remains of his party, and defeated the sons of Pompey in Spain.

XXXVI. During these civil wars not only suffered setbacks in the persons of their legacies and of these C. Curio perished in Africa, C. Antonio fell to his enemies in Illyria, P. Dolabella lost his fleet at the same Illyria, and Cn. Domitian Calvin, his army in Pontus. To himself, always victorious, fortune left him only twice: in Dyrrhachium, he refused Pompey and not harassment said he could not beat this opponent, and another in the last battle fought in Spain, where his case was so desperate that even thought of killing himself.

XXXVII. On completion of the war, five times enjoyed the honors of victory, four in the same month, after the victory over Scipio and a few days apart, and the fifth after defeating Pompey's sons. His first and most illustrious victory was over Gaul, after that of Alexandria, of Pontus, that of Africa, and most recently, of Spain, always with pomp and different apparatus. In his triumph over Gaul, as he passed by the Velabro, was almost thrown from the car as a result of having broken the shaft (26), went up straightway out of the Capitol in the light of torches, which enclosed in lanterns, were worn by forty elephants left and right aligned. When he celebrated his victory over Pontus, among others warned triumphal ornaments a poster with the words Veni, vidi, vici (I came, I saw, I conquered), which did not express any additional marks the events of the war, but his quickness.

XXXVIII. Besides the two sesterces double that at the beginning of the civil war, had given to each child of the legions of veterans by way of booty, he gave them twenty thousand ordinary assigning you lots, though not immediately divest non-owners. He divided the people ten o'clock bushels of wheat per head and as many pounds of oil, with three hundred sesterces which previously offered, adding another hundred in compensation for the delay. He pardoned a year rent in Rome until the amount of two thousand sesterces, and even five hundred in the rest of Italy. Added to all this meat distribution, and after the victory over Spain, two public feasts, and not quite worth considering the first of its magnificence, offered five days after a more abundant.
XXXIX. He also gave performances in various genres: gladiator fights, representations in all areas of the city, by players of all nations and all languages, gave further games in the circus struggles of athletes and a mock naval combat. In the Forum between the gladiators fought, Furio pretoria family leptin, and Q. Calpena, who had served in the Senate and defended cases before the people. The children of many princes of Asia and Bithynia danced the pyrrhic dance. The Tenth Roman knight in games Liberia as a mimic of its membership, receiving five hundred sesterces and a gold ring, after passing from the scene, the orchestra, to settle among the knights. In the circus ensanchóse the sand on both sides opened around a moat (the Euripus) (27), which filled with water, and young noble chariots raced in that room and beams, or jumped in horses trained for this purpose. Children divided into two groups according to age difference, called Trojans run the games. Dedicáronse five days of fierce fighting, and recently there was a battle between two armies, with the participation of five hundred laborers, three hundred horse and forty elephants. To allow more space troops had removed the barriers of the circus, each end forming a camp. Athletes fought for three days in a stadium built on purpose near the Campus Martius. Opened a lake in the lower Codet, and engaged in naval combat biremes there, and triremes quadriremes crowded Tyrian and Egyptian soldiers. The announcement of these events had brought to Rome abundant number of outsiders, most of whom slept in tents in the streets and squares, many people, including two senators, were crushed or suffocated by the crowd.

XL. Caesar then devoted himself to the organization of the Republic reformed the calendar (28), so messy because of the high priests and the abuse, and old, collations, the harvest festivals and summer did not match, or of the grape harvest in autumn, distributed during the year as the sun, and wrote three hundred and sixty-five days, intercalary month and deleted one day increased every year quarter. For this new order of things could make a beginning on the Kalends of January the following year, added two months between November and December, having, therefore, this year, fifteen months, counting the old intercalary was happening there.

XLI. He completed the Senate (29), appointed patrician, the number of magistrates (30), councilors, and judges Quaestorships subordinates who had rehabilitated his dignity stripped of censors or the courts convicted for bribery. He shared with the people's right to choose in elections, so that, apart from its competitors through the consulate, the other candidate's designated half the people and himself. Hers the names on tablets that were sent to all tribes, containing this brief inscription: Caesar, dictator, the tribe itself: I recommend to this or that to obtain their dignity for your vote. He admitted to honors the children of the proscribed. Judiciary restricted to two kinds of judges, senators and knights, and suppressed the tribunes of the treasury, who formed the third jurisdiction. He was the census of the people, not the usual way or in the ordinary place, but by districts and rolls as owners of the houses reduced the number of citizens who supplied wheat to the State, three hundred and twenty-one hundred and fifty thousand , and for the formation of these lists could not be in the future cause further disturbances, decreed that the praetor could replace, by lottery, with those not enrolled were those who died.

XLII. Eighty thousand citizens were distributed in the colonies overseas, and not to remain exhausted the population of Rome, decreed that any citizen under twenty years and more than forty, who does not compel public office, serve more than three years in a row outside Italy, that no senator's son undertake distant voyages, if not in a union or under the patronage of a magistrate, and, finally, that they raised cattle tuviesen among its pastors than a third of free men at puberty. Granted the right of citizens to those who practiced medicine in Rome or cultivated the liberal arts, with the intention of fixing them this way in the city and attract those outside. As to the debts, instead of granting abolition, expect and demand with constant zeal, decreed that the debtors would pay according to the estimation of their owners and according to the amount before the civil war, and capital to be deducted from all that was paid in cash or written promises by way of usury, whose provision is nullified nearly a quarter of the debts. He dissolved all unions, except those with origins in the early days of Rome. Increased penalties in regard to crimes, and as the rich often committed, because they paid with exile without being prejudicial to their flow, decreed against parricide, as Cicero relates the absolute confiscation, and against other criminals, the half of their property.

XLIII. In the administration of justice Caesar was jealous and severe. Deprived of the senatorial order people convicted of extortion, declared invalid the marriage of a former prefect who had married a woman the second day apart from her husband, although it is not suspected of adultery. Tax imposed on foreign goods, prohibited the use of berths, purple and pearls, except certain people and ages, and on certain days. Primary Care watching the sumptuary laws, commanded the guards markets prohibited items confiscated and moved to his house, and sometimes lictors and soldiers went to pick up in the dining rooms which had escaped the vigilance of the guards .
XLIV. For the police and adornment of Rome and for the enlargement and security of the Empire, was designed from day to day increasingly numerous and large projects. First of all wished to erect a temple of Mars was the largest in the world, filling up to ground level in the lake that gave the show of naval combat, and a very large theater at the foot of Mount Tarpey, wanted to reduce to just share all civil law and in rare books epitomize the best and most indispensable of the huge number of laws and diffuse existing public libraries intended to be Greek and Latin, as nourished as possible, and instruct M. Varro care to acquire and classify the books dry proposed Pontine marshes, open water exits the lake Fucino, build a road from the sea to the Tiber across the Apennines, open the Isthmus (of Corinth), to repress the Dacians, who had scattered throughout Pontus and Thrace after the war to take delivery, through the Lesser Armenia, not in battle but fighting them after they have experienced. In between these projects and work Surprised death, but before talking about it will not be useless to say something briefly of her figure, appearance, dress and customs, as well as civilian and military work.

XLV. It is claimed that Caesar was tall, white-skinned, well-shaped members, round face, dark eyes and vivid temperament robust, although in later times his attackers sudden fainting and night terrors that disturbed sleep. Also experienced seizures twice, while performing his public office. Attached great importance to the care of his body, and not content with that they cut his hair and shave often did you start the hair, so it was censored, and not bear with patience the baldness, which exposed him more than once the jeers of his enemies. For this reason, drew on his forehead the thinning hair on the back, and therefore, of those honors were granted by the people and the Senate, none were so nice as always carrying a laurel wreath. It was also fastidious about his dress, trimmed with stripes used lacticlavia which came to the hands, always putting the garment on a belt too loose. This custom to exclaim Sila frequently turning to the nobles: Do not trust this young man so bad tight.

XLVI. Lived at first a modest home on the Subura (31), but when he became Pontifex Maximus, was installed in a building of the State in the Via Sacra. They say many who had very great love of luxury and magnificence in Aricia had built a cottage, the construction and ornament had invested considerable sums, and is said to have ordered to demolish it because it did not meet what I expected, although then his fortune was short and had acquired many debts. In his expeditions had floor tiles and mosaic for their stores.
XLVII. It ensures that led him to Britain hoping to find the pearls, and who delighted in sospesa compare in size and in his hand eagerly seeking incredibly precious stones, sculptures, statues and paintings, which paid the exorbitant prices beautiful and clever slaves, and prohibiting write these expenses. Both he embarrassed himself.

XLVIII. As ruled in the provinces always maintained two tables, one for high servitude and one for the Roman magistrates and people in the country. Domestic Discipline was very strict at home, in small things as in great, and once made his baker jailed for serving the guests other than bread which helped him to a freedman who loved was punished by death for committing adultery with the wife of a Roman knight, although no one had filed suit against.

XLIX. His intimacy with Nicomedes is a stain on his reputation, that covers the eternal shame and therefore had to suffer many satirical attacks. I omit the lines of Calvo Lucinio very well known:

Bithinia quicquid
umquam habuit et poedicator Cesaris (31a)

Pass over in silence the accusations of Dolabella, and Curio, father called them Dolabella rival and iron queen bed inside the real and stable Curione bitiniana Nicomedes and prostitute. Nor do I dwell on Bibulus edicts against his colleague, in which she is queen of Bithynia and censure those who, in turn, his old love for a king and a kingdom now. M. Gross reports that by this time, one Octavius, who said kind of crazy as he came in mouth, gave Pompey in front of large crowd, the title of king and Caesar, the queen. C. Memmi accused of having served at the table of Nicomedes, with the eunuchs of the king, and presented him the cup and the wine in front of numerous guests, among whom were many Roman merchants, whose names are mentioned. Cicero Not satisfied with having written some of his letters that Caesar was taken to the royal chamber by soldiers, who slept in it covered in purple on a bed of gold, and that this descendant of Venus Bithynia prostituted the prime of life , said one day in full Senate, while Caesar was defending the cause of Nyssa, daughter of Nicomedes, and when I remembered the favors he owed to the king: Skips, I beg you, all that because too know what it is received and what you have provided. And finally, the day of his triumph over the Gauls, the soldiers, between the lines that usually conclude with the march of the winner, sang the very well known:

Gallias subegit Caesar, Nicomedes Cesarem.
Ecce Caesar nunc triumphat that subegit Gallias:
Nicomedes non triumphat that subegit Caesarem (32).

L. Held for certain that was much given to incontinence and spared no expense to get such pleasures, having corrupted considerable number of women of distinguished families, among which are cited Postumia, wife of Servius Sulpicius; to Lolli, Aulus Gabinius ; to Tertulla, M. Crassus, as well as Mucia of Cn. Pompey. But the truth is that Curio, father and son and many others complain that Pompey have taken to wife, driven by ambition, repudiating the other had given him three sons, a daughter of the man who, in his bitter memories , used to call new Aegisthus. But none so loved and the mother of Brutus, Servilia, which during its first consulate gave a pearl that had cost six million sesterces, and which at the time of civil wars, and other rich gifts, low cost award made the most beautiful homes that are then sold at auction (33). Given the strangeness manifested many of the low price it had paid, he quipped Cicero: For you to understand well the sale was derived Tercia, alluding that Servilia was said to favor the trade of his daughter Tertia to Caesar.

LI. It saved more respect in the provinces under his command to the marriage bed, to judge by the verses sung in chorus their soldiers on the day of his triumph over the Gauls:

Urbani, servade uxor, moechum calvum adducimus.
Aurum in Gallia effutuisti: at hic sumsisti inutuum (34).

LII. He also had love affairs with queens, including with Eunus, Bagudà wife, king of Mauritania, and that as regards Nason, did what her husband is rich and present, but the most loved was Cleopatra, with which often lasted until the new dawn feast, and sumptuous craft had gone into accompanied them from Egypt to Ethiopia if the army had not refused to follow him. He did come to Rome, leaving only go after it filled with gifts and have consented to carry his name the child he fathered with her. Greek writers said that this son was like Caesar in the face and stance M. Antonio said in full senate that Caesar had recognized him, and invoked the testimony of C. Mario, C. Oppio and other friends of Caesar, But C. Oppio refuted the assertion by publishing a book entitled: It is not Caesar's son who claims to be Cleopatra. Hervio Cinna, tribune of the people, said many people had written and prepared a bill, proposing that Caesar commanded in his absence, which was allowed to marry as many women wanted to bear children. So messy were in order, customs and so obvious the infamy of his adultery, Curio father who called in a speech husband of all women and women of all husbands.

LIII. Neither his enemies deny that he was sober in the use of wine. Known is the phrase of Cato: Of those who have sought to overthrow the Republic, but Caesar was sober. C. Oppio says he was so indifferent to the quality of the food, which Having served a feast day for fresh rancid oil, Caesar was the only one who refused, and even repeated it so they do not believe the host accused of neglect or rudeness.