24 3945b AM
3954b AM, 4664 JP, 50 BC
4832. When L. Emilius. Paulus and C. Claudius Marcellus were consuls, the senate at Rome decreed a parade for Cicero, because he had conquered in Cilicia {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 2. epist. 11., l. 8. epist. 11., l. 13. epist. 5, 6, 13., ad Attic. l. 7. epist. 1.}
4833. When C. Cassius, who had been M. Crassus’ treasurer was about to leave after the Parthian war from Syria, he commended M. Fabius to Cicero who was then at Laodicea. {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 9. epist. 25. & l. 15. epist. 14.} Cicero wrote back and congratulated him for the greatness of the actions and his timing on leaving for he left the province while he was greatly favoured and held in high esteem. Cicero advised him to hurry to Rome because of his recent victory and his arrival would be very well received.
4834. Cicero commended to Quintus Thermus, the praetor of Asia, his lieutenant, M. Anneius, whose wisdom, virtue, and fidelity he had proven in the war in Cilicia. Thermus was to go to settle a dispute he had with the Sardinians and desired Anneius that might be sent back before the month of May, when he intended to go into Cilicia. (??) {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 13. epist. 55. 57.}
4835. P. Cornelius Dolabella, who a little latter was married to Tullia, the daughter of Cicero, was accused of treason and bribery for his office. Appius Claudius Pulcher, demanded a triumph at Rome for the good work he had done in Cilicia. As soon as Dolabella came before the tribunal, Appius entered the city and laid aside his demand of a triumph. Finally Q. Hortensius and M. Brutus defended him and he was acquitted for each crime. {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 8. epist. 13, 16., l. 3. epist. 10. 11, 12, ad Attic. l. 6., de claris Oratoribus.}
4836. The cavalry men that were left by Gabinius in Italy, killed two sons of M. Bibulus, the proconsul. {Caesar. Civil War, l. 3.} {Valerius Maximus, l. 4. c. 1.} Cleopatra, the queen, sent the murderers in bonds to Bibulus so that he might punish the murderers as he wished. He soon sent them back to Cleopatra without harming them and said that the authority of punishing them belonged to the senate and not to him. {Valerius Maximus, l. 4. c. 1.} {Seneca, ad Marcian}
4837. Cicero thought of going into Cilicia, on the seventh of May. {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 2. epist. 13., ad Attic. l. 6. epist. 2.} However he did not come to the Taurus Mountains before the fifth of June, (Julian April 2nd) Many things troubled him. There was a great war in Syria and many robberies in Cilicia. {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 6. epist. 4.}
4838. He went from there and when he camped by the Pyramus River, Q. Servilius sent him letters from Taurus that were written from Appius Claudius Pulcher. They were dated at Rome the fifth of April (Julian February, 1st) and he wrote that he had been cleared of the charge of treason. {Cicero, Letters to his Fiends, l. 3. epist. 11.}
4839. Syria was in a turmoil with the Parthian war and there was great fear at Antioch. In spite of the sorrow for the murder of his sons, Bibulus managed the war. Although there were great hopes of having Cicero and his army help, yet it is said that Bibulus stated that he would rather endure anything than get help from Cicero. Hence, he wrote to Thermus, the praetor of Asia about the Parthian war and he never wrote to Cicero even though he knew that the greatest part of the danger of the war belonged to him. Notwithstanding, his lieutenants sent letters to Cicero that he should come and help them. {Cicero, Letters to Friends, l. 3. epist. 17., ad Attic. l. 6. epist. 5.}
4840. Although Cicero’s own army was weak, he had good auxiliaries from the Galatians, Pisidians and Lycians. He thought it his duty to have his army as near as he could to the enemy as long as he should command in that province according to the decree of the senate. Since the term of his office lasted only a year and was almost expired, he agreed with Dejotarus that the king should be in his camp with all his forces. {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 6. epist. 1., 5.} Cicero, in his 11th Philippic, said about Dejotarus:
"I and Bibulus were both captains general in near and neighbouring provinces. Often we were both helped by that king with cavalry and foot soldiers.’’
3954c AM, 4664 JP, 50 BC
4841. The Parthians kept Bibulus besieged. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 2.} As long as the Parthians were in the province, he stayed within the extremely well fortified town and with his men. {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 12. epist. 19.} He never set foot out of the town as long as the Parthians were on this side of the Euphrates River. {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 6. epist. 8., l. 7. epist. 2.}
4842. The Parthians left Bibulus only half alive. {Cicero, ad Attic. l. 7. epist. 2.} By an incredible stroke of good luck left {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 6. epist. 6., l. 7. epist. 1., Letters to his Friends, l. 2. epist. 17.} for Bibulus had set the Parthians at odds with one another. He befriended with Ornodophantes, who was a noble man and an enemy of Orodes. He persuaded him by messengers who went between them that he should make Pacorus the king and that with his help he should make war on Orodes. {Dio, l. 40.}
4843. Bibulus, in his letter he wrote to the senate concerning the things that he had done stated that the things that he and Cicero had done together, he claimed he had done alone by himself. He said the things Cicero had done alone were done by both of them together. Cicero complained of this in a letter that he wrote to Salust, his treasurer. {Cicero, Letter to his Friends, l. 2. epist. 17.} He also notes as a mark of a poor, malicious and vain spirit that he attributed not to Ariobarzanes the king but to his son (whom the senate called king and commended him to Cicero.) When he that had done no great deeds tried to obtain a triumph, Cicero also thought it would be a disgrace to him not to obtain the same. Bibulus’ army had their hopes in Cicero’s army. Cicero also by the advise of his friends, began to think of a triumph. {Cicero, ad Attic, l. 6. epist. 7, 8., l. 7. epist. 2.}
4844. After the danger of the Parthians was gone, Cicero withdrew all the garrisons, which were good and strong that he had provided for Apamea and other places. {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 2. epist. 17.}
4845. About two days before August (??) (Julian May 26th), Cicero’s term of office was almost over since it only lasted for a year. Someone had to replace him when he left according to the decree of the senate. Cicero wanted C. Caelius Caldus to take over the government of the province which was now freed from the fear of the Parthian war. He was recently sent to him from Rome to be his treasurer, (in the place of Cn. Volusius) and was a noble young gentleman indeed but one that lacked gravity and self control. {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 2. epist. 15., 19., ad Attic., l. 6. epist. 4., 6.}
4846. The 3rd of August, (Julian May 29th) when his annual command had expired, Cicero sailed to Sida, a city of Pamphilia. {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 3. epist. 12.} From there, he went to Laodice, the farthest bound of the province. At this place he ordered his treasurer, Messinius to wait for him that he might leave his accounts according to the Julian law in the province in the two cities of Laodicea and Apamea. {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 6. epist. 7., Letters to his Friends, l. 2. epist. 7., l. 5. epist. 20.} Cicero had not taken a penny of the plunder from Mount Amanus, but left it all as also he did his yearly salary which was given to him. It amounted to 1000 sestertia and was put into the treasury. (His cohort grumbled at this who thought it ought to be distributed among them.) He took security also of all the public money at Laodicea that it might be safely returned to him and the people without any danger of loss. {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 7. epist. 1., Letters to his Friends, l. 2. epist. 17.}
4847. When the senate had received Bibulus’ letters, Cato persuaded the senate to decree to hold a very large parade lasting 20 days for M. Bibulus. {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 7. epist. 2, 3.} The legions were detained which the senate had decreed should be sent into Syria by Marius (who was to succeed Salust in the office of treasurer.) The province was now freed from the fear of the Parthian war. {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 2. epist. 17.} The senate decreed that there should be sent to Bibulus for the Parthian war, one legion from C. Pompey and another from Julius Caesar. Pompey did not give any of the legions that he had with him. However, he commanded the commissioners of that business that they should demand that legion from Caesar that he had lent Caesar. Caesar, although he made no doubt but that his adversaries intended that he should be left without any legions, sent back to Pompey his legion and also gave another from his own number that he might satisfy the decree of the senate. Therefore these two legions were furnished, as though they were to be sent against the Parthians. However since there was no need of them for that war, the consul Marcellus feared that they should be again restored to Caesar and kept them in Italy and gave them to Pompey. Although Caesar knew well enough why these things happened, he determined to endure all things because he saw here was offered him no absurd pretence of keeping those legions by him that he had already and of raising more. {Caesar. Civil War, l. 1.} {Hirtius, The War in Gaul, l. 8.} {Plutarch, in Pompey} {Dio, l. 40. fin} 3954d AM, 4664 JP, 50 BC
4848. Cicero persuaded Q. Thermus, the praetor, who was to depart from Asia that he would leave a noble young gentleman, his treasurer, governor of that province. His name was C. Antonius as Pighius showed in his annals. {Pighius, Annals, Tom. 3. p. 431.} {Cicero. Letters to his Friends, l. 2. epist. 18.}
4849. Cicero gave the publicans at Ephesus all the money which lawfully came to him there, which was 22,000 sestertiums {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 5. epist. 20.} He was greatly hindered by the easterly winds and on the first of October (Julian July 25th) he sailed from Ephesus {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 6. epist. 8.} and landed at Rhodes {Plutarch, in Cicero} for his children’s sake. {Cicero, ad Attic. l. 6. epist. 7., Letters to his Friends, l. 2. epist. 17.} There he heard of Hortensius’ death. {Cicero, Brutus (init) or, de claris oratoribus.}
4850. With the winds against him, Cicero, on the 14th of October, (Julian August 7th) came to Athens. {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 14. epist. 5., ad Attic., l. 6. epist. 9.}
4851. As the civil war between Caesar and Pompey approached, a little after sunrise, (Julian August 21st) the sun was eclipsed almost two digits (about 17%). Pertronius seems to refer to this in the signs of this war: For blondy Sol appeared with visage like to death, Thou’dst think the civil wars just then began to breathe.
4852. Bibulus departed from Asia on December 9th (Julian October 1st). {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 7. epist. 8.} 3955a AM, 4664 JP, 50 BC
4853. On the first of January, (Julian October 22nd) when C. Claudius Marcellus and L. Cornelius assumed the office of consuls, the senate decreed that Caesar should dismiss his army before a certain day, and if he did not that this action would be assumed to be against the state. M. Antony and Q. Cassius, the tribunes of the people had in vain interceded against this decree. This was the beginning of the civil war between Caesar and Pompey. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 1.} {Cicero, in Philippic. 2.} {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 9.} {Dio. l. 41, init.}
4854. On January 4th, (Julian October 25th) Cicero came to the city. He was given such a welcome that nothing could be more honourable. This happened just before the civil war. {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 16. epist. 11.} He did not enter the city. Amid these troubles, a packed senate earnestly demanded a triumph for him. Lentulus, the consul, that he might make Cicero’s honour seem the greater, deferred this request. {Cicero. at Attic., l. 7. epist. 1.} Since the senate decreed a triumph for him, Cicero said that he had rather if there were a peace made, to follow Caesar’s chariot. {Plutarch, in Cicero} However, the discord increased and neither Bibulus or Cicero ever received a triumph. {Cicero, at Attic., l. 9. epist. 2., 6., l. 11. epist. 6.}
4855. On January 7th, (Julian October 28th) the senate decreed that the consuls, praetors, tribunes of the people, and all proconsuls that were in the city, (among whom Cicero was one) should do their utmost so that the state would not be harmed. Immediately, the tribunes of the people, who had interceded against that decree of the senate, fled from the city and went to Caesar. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 1.} {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 16. epist. 11.} {Dio, l. 41.}
4856. In the next day when the senate convened outside the city and Pompey was also present, the provinces were assigned to private men, two of them were for the consuls, the rest the praetors had. Syria was given to Scipio. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 1} Metellus Scipio had married Caesar’s daughter Cornelia, the widow of Publius Crassus who was slain by the Parthians. He shared Syria with Pompey this year, (that is two years before Pompey was killed) and had been his colleague three years before in the consulship. {Plutarch, in Pompey} {Dio, l. 40.} Sextius or Sestius, succeeded Cicero in the province of Cilicia. {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 5. epist. 20., cf. ad Attic. l. 11. epist. 7.} He was sent as the first quaester, with praetorian authority to Cyprus, which was after this was distinct from Cilicia. {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 13. epist. 48.} The three governments of Asia (Cybyra, Synnada and Apemea) were taken from the province of Cilicia and were given to the new proconsul of Asia, P. Servilius Sigonius. {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 13. epist. 67.} {Cicero, de antiquo jure provinciarum, l. 1. c. 11.}
4857. On the same day, seven days before March, (Julian December 11th) on which the Feralia was celebrated, (as we may see in the inscriptions of Gruterus, p. 133.) Caesar came from Corsinium to Brundusium in the afternoon and Pompey came from Canusium in the morning. {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 8. epist. 22. & l. 9. epist. 2.} when autumn was already past. {Dio, l. 41.}
4858. Pompey sent his father-in-law, Scipio and his son Sceus, from Brundusium to Syria to raise a fleet. {Plutarch, in Pompey} In a letter Cicero {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 9. epist. 1.} wrote on March 6th, (Julian December 23rd) he stated that Scipio went into Syria, either according as his lot fell or for the honour of his son-in-law or he fled from an angry Caesar.
4859. On March 9th, (Julian December 26th) Caesar came to Brundusium and camped before its walls as he wrote in a letter to Oppius and Cornelius Balbus. {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 9. epist. 16.} 3955b AM, 4665 JP, 49 BC
4860. On March 16th, (Julian January 3rd) (according to {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 9. epist. 10.} not three days before March as it is in Lipsius in the 31st epistle of the century to the Germans and Frenchmen) when the Liberalia was celebrated. (This appears in the marble records in Gruter’s inscriptions, p. 133.) Pompey sailed from Brundusium with all the forces that he had to Epirus which was the very day of the Liberalia or Dionysia. Pompey’s sons were defeated in Spain at the battle of Munda, four years later that their father was said to go to the war. {Plutarch, in Caesar} This was the same day when Pompey, their father, left Italy and made the centre of the civil war in Greece. It was not that he fled from the city to make war, as mistakenly written by Orosius. {Orosius, l. 6. c. 16.}
4861. The next day Caesar entered Brundusium and made a speech and marched toward Rome. He wanted to be at the city before the first of the next month. {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 9. epist. 18.}
4862. From there, Caesar sent Aristobulus to his own country of Palestine that he might do something against Pompey. {Dio, l. 41.} Josephus stated that Caesar sent Aristobulus after freeing him from prison to go into Syria. He gave him two legions that he might the more easily keep the province in order. Both of their plans were thwarted. Aristobulus was poisoned by Pompey’s side and he was buried by Caesar’s side. {Josephus, Wars, l, 1. c. 7. Antiq. l. 14. c. 13.}
4863. Alexander, the son of Aristobulus, was beheaded at Antioch by Scipio according to Pompey’s letters. He was first publicly accused of what he had done against the Romans. However, Ptolemy Mannaeus, the governor of Chalcis which was located in Libanus Mountain, had sent his son, Philippio, to Ascalon to the wife of Aristobulus. He sent for her son Antigonus and her two daughters. The youngest daughter was called Alexandra and Philippio fell in love with her and married her. {Josephus, Wars, l, 1. c. 7. Antiq. l. 14. c. 13.} Pompey had a year to raise forces in. Since he was free from war and as his enemy was not active, he assembled a large fleet from Asia, the Cyclades Islands, Corcyra, Athens, Pontus, Bithynia, Syria, Cilicia, Phoenice and Egypt. He took care that a large navy should be built in all places and he exacted also large sums of money from Asia, Syria, and all kings, governors, tetrarchs and the free people of Achaia. He forced those provinces which were allocated to him, to pay him large sums of money. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.} It is reported that 60 ships were sent to him from Egypt from Cleopatra and Ptolemy who were then but a child king and queen of Egypt. He had also auxiliaries from Ionia, archers from Crete, javelin throwers from Pontus and cavalry from Galatia. Commagenians were sent from Antiochus, Cilicians and Cappadocians and some from Armenia the less. The Pamphilians and Pisidians also came to him. {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 458, 472.}
4864. M. Cato was sent into Asia by Pompey, to help those who gathered the fleet and soldiers. He took along with him his sister, Servilia, and a son that Lucullus had by her. After he had persuaded the Rhodians to be on Pompey’s side, he left Servilia and her son with them and returned to Pompey. He was well furnished with very strong land and naval forces. {Plutarch, in Cato the Younger} Pompey planned to make war in the whole world by sea and land and to stir up barbarous kings and to bring armed cruel nations into Italy. {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 8, epist. 11.}
4865. Pompey also tried to draw to his side, Orodes, the king of the Parthians. Although after the death of Crassus, Pompey was reckoned an enemy. Orodes promised him his help if Syria might be given to him. Pompey did not grant him Syria, so he brought no forces {Dio, l. 41.} although otherwise the Parthians were on Pompey’s side. They favoured him because of the friendship they had made in the Mithridatic war and also after the death of Crassus they heard that his son was on Caesar’s side. They knew his son would revenge his father’s death if Caesar won the war. {Justin, l. 42. c. 4.}
4866. Pompey used a large fleet which he had provided from Alexandria, Colchis, Tyre, Sidon, Andros, (or rather Arados) Cyprus, Pamphilia, Lycia, Rhodes, Byzantium, Lesbos, Smyrna, Miletum, and Cos. They were to intercept the provisions from Italy, and to seize the provinces from where the grain came from. {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 9. epist. 11.}
4867. Pompey’s son was the admiral of the Egyptian fleet. Over the Asiatic fleet were D. Laebius and C. Triarius. Over the Syrian fleet was C. Cassius. Over the Rhodian fleet was C. Marcellus. C. Pomponius commanded the light ships. The Achian fleet was under Scribonius Libo and M. Octavian. Over all the naval forces was M. Bibulus, the chief admiral. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.} 3956a AM, 4665 JP, 49 BC
4868. Julius Caesar was made dictator. After eleven days, he and Servilius Isauticus were declared consuls and Caesar resigned his dictatorship. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3. init.} {Plutarch, in Caesar} {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 457.}
4869. From this first dictatorship of Caesar, the Macedonians of Syria began their reckoning of the time of the Caesars (of which there is mention made in an old stone, in the inscription of Gruter, p. 277.) This was the 24th of the Julian September, (on which we have shown in another place, that the solar year of the Macedonians began.) From that day, not only the Macedonian but also the Roman Emperors began their indictions or the cycle of 15 years. The Antiochians’ reckon the same way, (which was divided by 15 and always shows the indictions of the emperors) although the form of the year was later changed and the Macedonian months made to conform to the Italian ones. The Antiochians refer the beginning of their period and the rest of the Eastern people, the beginning of their indictions, to the beginning of their new year, and have moved it from the 24th of September to the first of September. Whatever is said concerning the original of the indictions, (which they commonly refer to the times of Constantine) it ought to be without controversy, that the start of the Antiochian period is to be determined from the September of the Julian year 4665 or 49 BC.
4870. In the end of the year when Marcellus and Lentulus were consuls, Pompey was made general of the Romans and the senate which was with him in Ephesus, bestowed honourson kings and people that had earned them. Lucan mentions: {Lucan, l. 5.} Phoebus sea-powerful Rhodes reward was, And Spartans rough, praised were the Athenian
Phocis made free where Massylians: Faithful Dejotarus, young Sadalis, The valiant Cotys and Rhasipolis Of Macedonia were praised: Juba to thee The senate gives all Libya by decree.
4871. By the same way, Lucan affirms that the kingdom of Egypt was at this time confirmed to Ptolemy who was but a child. Those words refer to Pothinus, the governor of Ptolemy, concerning Pompey, Lucan {Lucan, l. 8.} mentions:
---The senate gave to me The sceptre when persuaded to it by thee.
4872. About the winter solstice, Caesar sent messengers to the army that they should meet him at Brundusium. He departed from Rome in the month of December, not expecting to assume his office as consul on the first of the next year. Hence, Appian, {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 458.} thought that at that time there was the same account of the Roman year as was in his own time. However, the first of January, when Caesar was to begin his second consulship, corresponded to Julian October 11th. Florus makes a similar mistake and affirmed {Florus, l. 4. c. 2.} that Caesar sailed to go to the war although it was in the middle of winter. Likewise Plutarch {Plutarch, in Pompey} wrote that Caesar came to Brundusium, sj hrspais hdh ou cfmwnos ottos and he left there at the time of the winter solstice in the beginning of the month of January which he says corresponds to the Athenian Posideon. Indeed Caesar {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.} confirmed that he set sail on January 4th with seven legions and the next day he landed at the Ceraunia. However, that was not the Julian January, on which in the time of Plutarch the Athenian Posideon fell but which the account of the Roman year used then. The 5th of January (when Caesar landed at the Ceraunia) correspondedto Julian October 15th with winter approaching. Thereupon, Pompey marched from Ephesus to his winter quarters to Apollonia and Dyrrachium, as Caesar showed later. By no means was it winter, that is, the height of winter.
4873. Pompey provided for a large quantity of grain from Theslalia, Asia, Egypt, Crete, Cyrenia and other countries. He planned to winter in Dyrrachium, Apollonia and in all the sea towns that he might prevent Caesar from crossing the sea (although it was all in vain.) {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.}
4874. Scipio, the governor of Syria and the father-in-law of Pompey, received some losses about the Mountain Amanus and declared himself captain general. After this, he imposed large sums of money on the cities and the tyrants and also extracted two years of taxes from the Publicans of the province. He borrowed from them the money for the following year and ordered the whole province to provide him with cavalry. When all the forces were gathered together, he left the Parthians who were enemies on his border, behind him. He with his legions and cavalry marched from Syria. When the soldiers complained that they would go against an enemy but not against the consul and their fellow citizens, he brought the legions to their winter quarters into the richest cities like Pergamos. He gave huge bribes and to confirm the soldiers to him he allowed them to plunder the cities. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.}
4875. In the meantime, the money that was imposed on the cites, was most cruelty collected. Moreover, many things were generally done for covetousness. The pole money tax was imposed on both bond and free. Money was demanded for making of pillars and doors, for soldiers and mariners, for arms and engines and wagons. If anything could be found that had a name, this was sufficient reason for taxing it. There were governors with commands appointed, not over cities and citadels but even villages. He that did anything most outrageously and cruelly, was accounted the man and the best citizen. The province was full of lictors and commanders and was over burdened with petty governors and tax collectors. These collected the money they were supposed to and also lined their own pockets. They said that they were expelled from their own houses and country and that they needed all necessary things that they might white wash their business with some honest pretence. In addition to these exactions, large interest baring loans were incurred, (which mainly happen in war.) In these things, they said that the extending of a day was giving them as much. Thereupon the debt of all the province was much multiplied in these two years. No less were money exacted for this cause from the Roman citizens of the province than upon all the guilds and from every city a certain amount of money was exacted. They told them that they borrowed this money by the decree of the senate. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.}
4876. Moreover at Ephesus, Scipio ordered that the money that had been deposited there, should be taken from the temple of Diana. When he came into the temple accompanied by as many of the senators whom he had called together for that purpose, he received letters from Pompey that Caesar had crossed the sea with his legions. He should quickly come to
Pompey with the army and set everything else aside. As soon as he had received these letters, he dismissed those who he had called to him and began to prepare for his march into Macedonia. A few days later he left and this action spared the money at Ephesus. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.}
4877. In the meantime, Pompey had in his army besides the Roman and Italian legions, two which Lentulus the consul raised. He also had archers from Crete, Lacedemon, Pontus, Syria and other cities, for a total of 3000 slingers, six cohorts, two mercenary cohorts, 7000 cavalry of which Dejotarus brought 500 Galatians, Ariobarzanes 500 from Cappadocia, 500 Gauls and Germans whom Gabinius had left at Alexandria to guard King Ptolemy and the son that Pompey had brought with the fleet. Tarcundarius, Castor and Domlaus sent from Galatia 300 troops. One of them came along himself, the other sent his son. Antiochus, the Commagenian, on whom Pompey had bestowed great rewards, sent 200 among who were many archers on horseback. Scipio was expected to bring two legions from Syria. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.} 3956b AM, 4666 JP, 48 BC
4878. After Caesar arrived at Ephesus many months passed and winter came on. Neither the ships nor legions that had left Brundusium, arrived to Caesar. However, M. Antony and Fusius Calinus sailed and had a fair south wind and brought with them three legions of veterans and one recently raised legion along with 800 cavalry to Caesar. When Q. Coponius, who commanded the Rhodian fleet at Dyrrachium, tried to hinder the ships, a storm arose and so troubled the fleet that of the sixteen ships, fifteen were driven against one another and perished by shipwreck. Most of the mariners and soldiers were dashed against the rocks and killed. Part were dispersed by Caesar’s forces, whom Caesar saved alive and sent home again. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.}
4879. In Egypt, the young Ptolemy with help from his relatives and friends, expelled Cleopatra who was his wife and sister, from the kingdom. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.} {Livy, l. 111.}But all his power will and affections be Under Pothinus’ girdle----
4880. This we find in Lucan, {Lucan, l. 10.} where we read that Cleopatra was complaining. Strabo stated how she was put out by the friends of the lad who made a rebellion. This affair is attributed to Pothinus. {Plutarch, in Caesar} At that time Ptolemy ruled the kingdom, an eunuch that was his governor called Pothinus, (as it is read in Caesar) who is called by the Greek writers, Potheinus which is likely more correct. After Cleopatra was expelled, she left for Syria with her sister, {Strabo, l. 17. p. 796.} so that she might raise an army. {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 480.}
4881. Pharnaces, the son of Mithridates the king of Pontus and king of Bosphorus Cimmerius, heard that there was civil war among the Romans. He hoped it would continue for a long time. Since Caesar was not close, he revolted from the Romans from a desire of regaining all his father’s former possessions. He committed the government and defence of Bosphorus to Asandrus. He subdued to him without much resistance, Colchis and all Armenia along with the kingdom of Moschis where as Strabo notes that he spoiled the temple of Leucothea. {Strabo, l. 11. p. 498.} Since Dejotarus was absent, he added to these some cities of Cappadocia and Pontus which belonged to the jurisdiction of Bithynia. {Dio, l. 42.} He also captured Sinope and marched for Amisus. At that time he was not able to capture it. {Appian, in Mithridatic., p. 254.}
4882. Pompey sent his wife Cornelia secretly into the isle of Lesbos so that she could live quietly at Mitylene free from all troubles of the wars. {Lucan, l. 5. init.} She was accompanied by her son-in-law Sextius, the younger son of Pompey. {Plutarch, in Pompey}{Dio, l. 42.} However, Lucan said that he stayed in the camp with his father. {Lucan, l. 6. fin.}
4883. L. Hirtius (otherwise called Hirrius) was sent as an ambassador to the Parthians (as it is understood from Caesar, {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.}) and did not get any help from Orodes but was thrown into prison by him against the law of countries. {Dio, l. 42.} Orodes did this because Syria was not given to him. {Dio, l. 41.} 3956c AM, 4666 JP, 48 BC
4884. Pompey besieged Dyrrachium for four months with huge siege works. Finally he was utterly defeated in the battle of Pharsalus. {Sueton, in Julius Caesar, c. 35.}
4885. When Caesar came into Thessaly, (when the battle was fought at Palaeo-pharsalus) and a few days later Pompey also came when the grain was ripe. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.} Appian also confirmed that at the same time that the battle was, it was the Caesar’s sitologia, {Appian, Civil War, l. 2.} that it was in the middle of summer and very hot weather, if we believe Plutarch. {Plutarch, in M. Brutus}
4886. On the same day of the battle at Pharsalus, twice at Antioch people heard such a shouting of an army, such sounding of alarms, such rattling of arms that the whole city ran up to the wall with their weapons. The same thing happened at Ptolemais. From the vestry of the temple of Bacchus at Pergamos where it was only lawful for the priests to enter, a loud noise of drums and cymbals started and went through all the city. At Tralles, in the temple of victory, where they had consecrated a statue to Caesar’s, a green palm tree was shown inthe root, which sprung out of the pavement between the cracks of the stones. The Syrians also had two young men appear to them and declared the intent of the battle and they were never seen again. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.} {Julius Obsequens, de prodigiis} {Plutarch, in Caesar} {Dio, l. 2.}
4887. In the army of Pompey, almost all the countries that live around the sea towards the east were represented. There were troops from the Thracians, Hellespontians, Bithynians, Phrygians, Ionians, Lydians, Pamphilians, Pisidians, Paphlagonians, Cilicians, Syrians, Phoenicians, Hebrews and their neighbours the Arabians, Cypriots, Rhodians, Cretian slingers and other islanders. There were kings and governors: Dejotarus, the tetrarch of Galatia and Ariarathes, the king of the Cappadocians, Taxiles who led those Armenians on this side of the Euphrates, Megabates, the lieutenant of King Arrasias led those beyond the Euphrates. Other minor princes helped also according to their power. {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 472.} Since most of his army consisted of Asians who were not used to the wars, Pompey was defeated. {Dio, l. 41.} Petronius also stated:
He who made Pontus and Hydaspes quake, Did quell the pirates, by his triumph shake Three times great Jove, to whom Pontus submits wave And likewise Posphors their submission gave To his shame! has fled and left the name emperor.
4888. When Caesar had taken Pompey’s files he did not read nor make copies of the pirate letters which showed their good will toward Pompey or their displeasure with Caesar. In a good deed, he soon burnt them all lest from the letters he should be compelled to act too severely against any man. {Pliny, l. 6, 7. c. 25. fin.} {Dio, l. 41. fin.} He later pardoned the kings and the people who had helped Pompey and did not impose any punishment on them except for two monetary fines. For he considered that he had either very little or no dealings with any of them. Pompey had deserved very much at their hands and Caesar much more commended those who had received favours from Pompey and yet had forsaken him in his greatest dangers. {Dio, l. 41. fin.}
4889. Pompey left the camp and fled to Larissa with very few accompanying him. He did not enter the city although he was invited to by the citizens lest the Larissaeans should be punished for receiving him. Later, he had asked them to seek the victor’s friendship. When he had received necessary supplies from them, he went toward the sea. {Dio, l. 42.}
4890. Caius Cassius came into Cilicia with a fleet of Syrians, Phoenicians, and Cilicians. After he burnt Caesar’s ships, he learned of the battle that was fought in Thessalia and he departed with his fleet. {Dio, l. 42.}
4891. After the battle of Pharsalus, the Rhodian fleet, under C. Coponius, deserted Pompey’s side and returned home. {Cicero, de divinatione., l. 1.}
4892. L. Lentulus (Crus) who was consul the former year and P. Lentulus (Spinther) who had been consul and others who had followed Pompey from the flight, arrived at Rhodes. They were not received into either the town or the port. After they sent messengers to them, they were ordered against their will, to get out of Rhodes. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.}
4893. Caecilius Bassus, an equestrian on Pompey’s side, retired to Tyre. He hid himself in that place where merchants used to trade. {Dio, l. 47.} {Libo (??)} {Appian, Civil War, l. 3. p. 576.}
4894. M. Claudius Marcellus was afraid of Caesar and went to Mitylene. He lived there most happily in the study of good arts, (as Seneca relates from Brutus, in his conciliation to Albina.) Cicero in vain tried to persuade him that he should return from there to Rome and ask pardon of Caesar. {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 4. epist. 7. & 8.}
4895. Labienus left the battle at Pharsalus and brought news of the defeat of the Pompey’s army to Dyrrachium. M. Cato was there with 15 cohorts and 300 galleys. Thereupon both he and Cicero and others that were with them were afraid and sailed away. As they looked back to the town, they saw all their cargo ships on fire which the soldiers had burned because they would not follow them. Cato crossed into Corcyra, (an island located under Epirus, in the Ionian and Adriatic sea) where the fleet was with those that had fled for fear. He took the rest that had fled from the battle of Pharsalus or otherwise followed Pompey. From the battle also came L. Scipio, the father-in-law of Pompey, Labienus, Afranius and many other famous men. A little later Octavian, who was guarding the Ionian sea, had taken C. Antony with him. Also Cneus Pompey, (the oldest son of Pompey the Great) who sailed in the Egyptian fleet, had made incursions on Epitus. When his father was defeated, the Egyptians went home and he went to Corcyra. C. Cassius also, who had attacked Sicily and along with others fled to Cato, whom they observed to excel all others in virtue. {Cicero, de Divinat., l. 1.} {Plutarch, in Cato the Younger} {Appian, the Civil War, l. 2. p. 482.} {Dio, l. 42.}
4896. There Cato resigned his command to Cicero since he was only a praetor and the others had been consuls. When Cicero refused (he was a man, as Livy {Livy, l. 3.} notes was not bound for the wars,) and wanted to leave the wars, he was almost killed. The young Pompey and his friends called him a traitor and drew their swords on him. Cato withstood them and kept Cicero from being killed and withdrew him from the camp. {Plutarch, in Cato, Cicero}
4897. After this, the fleet was divided among Pompey’s main friends. Cassius sailed into Pontus to Pharnaces with an intent of stirring him up against Caesar. Scipio sailed into Africa with Varus and his forces with him and the auxiliaries of Juba and Moor. {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 482.}
4898. Cato surmised that Pompey had fled either into Africa or Egypt and he hurried after him. Before he sailed, he gave permission to all that were not ready to follow him to either leave him or go with him. {Plutarch, in Cato} Lucan describes the voyage like this: {Lucan, l. 9.} He sails to Corcyra’s shore, And in a thousand ships carries away The conquered remnant of Pharsalus. Who would have thought so great a fleet had held All fleeing men? That conquered ships had filled The straitened seas? from there they sailed away To Ghost field Tenarus, and long Malea, There to Cytherus: Boreas blowing fair, Crete flies and getting a good sea they clear The Cretan coast; Phycus, that dared deny Their men to land, they sack deservedly.
4899. Phycus is a promontory of the country of Cyrene and a town, which, as the poet notes, Cato gave its plunder to his soldiers. Leaving Cato we will now continue the narrative of Pompey the Great’s flight and of Julius Caesar pursuing him.
3956d AM, 4666 JP, 48 BC
4900. Caesar stayed two days at Pharsalus to offer sacrifices for the victory he had won and to refresh his soldiers that were tired after the battle. On the third day, he pursued Pompey, { Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 482.} for he thought it best to set aside everything else and to pursue Pompey wherever he went lest he should be forced again to raise new forces and to renew the war again. Therefore he went every day with his cavalry as far as he possibly could and commanded one legion to follow after him by shorter marches. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.}
4901. Pompey came to the sea and rested all night in a fisherman’s cottage. About the break of day, he went into a ferry and took with him all the freemen. He ordered all the slaves to go to Caesar without any fear. He left the land. {Plutarch, in Pompey} Concerning this Lucan wrote: {Lucan, l. 8.} Now to the shore he came where Peneus ran Red with Pharsalus’ slaughter to the main;
There a small barque unfit for seas and winds, Scarce safe in shallowest rivers Pompey finds And goes aboard-----
4902. As he sailed in this boat along the shore, he saw a large ship under sail. The captain of it was Peticius, a Roman citizen. He knew Pompey and took him from the boat into the ship together with the two Lentuli (who had been consuls, who, as we have shown from Caesar’s writings, were excluded from Rhodes), Favonius, (who had been praetor, {Velleius Paterculus, l. 1. c. 53.}) and all others that wanted to come. Shortly after this, King Dejotarus (who trusted to the flight of birds, which he thought portended good success to him,) came to Pompey. {Cicero, de Divinat., l. 1.}) When they saw him riding toward them from the land, they took him in also. {Plutarch, in Pompey}
4903. At anchor one night, Pompey called to his friends at Amphipolis. After he had received money from them for his necessary expenses and when he knew that Caesar was coming after him, he left that place. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.}
4904. After he sailed by Amphipolis, within a few days he came to shore at the isle of Lesbos. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.} {Plutarch, in Pompey} {Dio, l. 42.}
4905. He sent for his wife from Mitylene to sea where they bewailed together their bad fortune. Then she ordered her baggage to be brought from the town and called her maid servants to come to her. However, Pompey refused to come into the town of the Mitylenians although they came to greet him and invited him in. He advised them to obey the conqueror and not to be afraid for Caesar was merciful and generous. Then he turned to Cratippus, the philosopher (for he came from the town to visit him) and bewailed his misfortune and disputed with him some things concerning providence. The philosopher affirmed that:
"by reason of the poor government of the commonwealth,’’
4906. there was need of a monarchy. He asked Pompey:
"How and by what token can we believe that you would have used your good fortune better than Caesar if you had overcome Caesar?’’ {Plutarch, in Pompey}
4907. He was detained there for two days by a storm. He took other light ships and he put all his belongings into four galleys which came from Rhodes and Tyre. He sailed along the coast to Cilicia with his wife and friends and stopped along the havens that he might take on fresh water and supplies. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.} {Plutarch, in Pompey} {Appian. p. 479, 480.} {Dio, l. 42.} 4908. To these we may add what Lucan said: {Lucan, l. 8.} So hid the stars, and land discovered When those that from Pharsalus’ battle fled To Pompey came, and first from Lesbos shores He met his son; then kings and senators: For Pompey yet (although at that sad time Vanquished and fled) had kings to wait on him;
Proud sceptred kings that in the east did reign Attended there in banished Pompey’s train.
Then Pompey, King Dejotarus commands, To go for help to furthest eastern lands.
4909. Pompey gave his instructions in which Dejotarus was sent to request help from the Parthians, (which he never did.) Lucan, the poet, goes on to describe the journey of Pompey.
--------------The king took leave at shore And by the Icarian rocks great Pompey gone Leaves Ephesus and sea calm Colophone, Shaving small Samos foamy rocks he goes, A gentle gale blows from the shore of Cos:
Gnidon and Phoebus honoured Rhodes he leaves And sailing straight in the mid-ocean saves Telmessus long and winding circuits. First Pamphylia greets their eyes: but Pompey durst Commit his person to no town but thee Little Phaselis: thy small company And few inhabitants could not cause fear More in thy ships than in thy walls there were.
4910. The first town that Pompey entered was Attalia of Pisidia. Some ships came to him there from Cilicia with some soldiers also and about 60 senators. When he heard news that his navy was safe and that Cato had crossed into Africa with a strong force of soldiers that he had gathered from the flight, then he began to regret that he had fought with Caesar so far from the help of his fleet. But it was too late now to change what was done. {Plutarch, in Pompey} Lucan stated that at Selinus in Cilicia, Pompey began to discuss with Lentulus, who was the previous year’s consul, and with the rest of the senators about some safe place where he might retreat to. {Lucan, l. 8.}
4911. Pompey sailed to Cyprus from Cilicia. {Caesar, Civil Wars, l. 3.} Those who came to offer their service to him at Paphos, assured him that Cicero had made a very honourable mention of him. {Cicero, in Philippica. 2.} He also knew that by the general consent of all the Antiochians and Roman citizens who traded there, the citadel of Antioch was already taken merely to keep him out. It was also reported of them that they had sent messengers to all the neighbouring cities where any had retired from the flight that they should not come to Antioch. If they did, it would be at the risk of their lives. Now there was a report circulated around the cities about Caesar’s coming there. When Pompey knew this, he set aside his intention of going into Syria. He took away the money that belonged to the guilds and also from private persons and shipped this huge sum of money to defray the charges of the army. He took 2000 well armed soldiers (some whom he took from the families of the guilds and some whom he forced from the merchants and whomever he thought fit for this purpose), and he sailed to Pelusium. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.}
4912. Theophanes, from Lesbos, and Pompey’s other friends, persuaded him that he should forget about every other place and go into Egypt. It was within three day’s journey and was a rich and powerful country. He might expect help from the king who was his charge, especially since Pompey had restored his father to his kingdom with the help of Gabinius and the son was not ungrateful but had sent ships to Pompey against Caesar. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 53.} {Plutarch, in Pompey} {Appian, p. 480.} {Dio, l. 42.} As soon as that opinion prevailed, Pompey and his wife went into a ship of Seleucis and set sail from Cyprus. Some accompanied him in long ships and others in cargo ships. {Plutarch, in Pompey} Lucan describes this voyage thus: {Lucan, l. 8.} Pompey departing thence, his course he bend, Round all the Cyprian Rocks that southward tend, And got into the interposed main; Nor by the nights weak light could he attain Mount Casius, but with struggling sails and strength, A lower port of Egypt reached at length, Where parted Nile greatest channel flows, And to the ocean at Pelusium goes.
4913. Caesar lacked galleys and crossed the Hellespont in small ships. As he was crossing in a ferry boat, Cassius was coming to Pharnaces with ten war ships and met Caesar in the middle of the crossing. Caesar did not avoid him but headed straight toward him and advised his adversary to surrender. Crassus was astonished at the incredible boldness of Caesar and thought that they sailed against him on purpose. He held Caesar’s hand to help him from the galley and humbly demanded his pardon. He immediately turned over the fleet of 70 shipsto him, if we believe Appian. {Sueton, in Julius Caesar, c. 63.} {Appian, p. 482, 483.} {Dio, l. 42.}
4914. As soon as Caesar came into Asia, he granted the Cnidians’ liberty as a favour to Theopompus who had collected the fables. {Plutarch, in Caesar} He received into favour the
Ionians and Aeolians. He pardoned the other countries who lived in the lesser Asia who asked Caesar’s pardon through their ambassadors. {Appian, p. 483} Caesar only asked moneyfrom them which yet he recompensed with another benefit. He freed Asia from the publicans who had grievously vexed it and converted part of the customs into a convenient payment of tribute. {Dio, l. 42.} He remitted the third part of the tribute to all the inhabitants of Asia. {Plutarch, in Caesar}
4915. T. Ampius intended to take away the money from the temple at Ephesus and called the senators of that province that they might be witnesses of what money he took. He was forced to flee when he heard that Caesar was coming. Thus Caesar saved the money at Ephesus twice. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.}
4916. Since no one knew for certain where Pompey planned to flee to, Caesar took part of his journey alone with M. Brutus (who defected to him from Pompey’s side and Caesar esteemed among his chiefest friends.) Caesar asked his opinion and because they could make no certain conjecture about Pompey’s flight, they thought to take the most probable journey and set aside all other places and headed straight for Egypt. {Plutarch, in M. Brutus} They feared lest Pompey got control of that kingdom that he should again rally his forces. {Dio, l. 42.} Therefore he crossed to Rhodes and did not wait until all his army had come together. He continued on with the ships of Cassius and the Rhodian galleys with those forces that he had with him. He told no one where he planned to go and set sail about evening. He ordered all the ship captains that by night they should follow the light of the admiral’s galley and his own flag by day. When they were now far from land, he ordered his captain of his ship to direct his course for Alexandria and they arrived there on the third day. {Appian, p. 483.}
4917. Lucan, {Lucan, l. 9.} describes this voyage of Caesar more like a poet than an historian. He stated how Caesar stayed at Ilium and the places around there. He sailed from there and he came into Egypt on the seventh night.
-------This said, to shore He hastens, takes shipping, and to Coreus lends His full spread sails with haste to make amends For these delays and with a prosperous wind, Leaves wealthy Asia and fair Rhodes behind: The west wind blowing still, the seventh night Discovers Egypt’s shore by Pharian light; But ere they reach the harbour, day appears, And dims the night by fires.------- 4918. Caesar explained what happened the most clearly. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.}
"After Caesar had spent a few days in Asia, he heard that Pompey was seen at Cyprus. Caesar conjectured that Pompey had sailed to Egypt since he had ties with that kingdom and other opportunities in that place. Caesar came to Alexandria with the legions, one which he ordered to follow him from Thessaly, and another which he had ordered to come to him from Achaia under his lieutenant Fusius with 800 cavalry in the ten Rhodian ships and a few from Asia. In these legions were 3200 men. The rest were so weakened with their wounds in battle and with the labour and length of the journey that they could not catch up to Caesar. Caesar trusted in the fame of what he had done and made no doubt of what was goingon. For all his forces were so weak and he thought that each place would be secure enough for him.’’
4919. Lucan describes when Pompey came into Egypt ahead of Caesar. {Lucan, l. 8.} That time was come wherein just Libra weighs The hours and makes the nights equal with days;
Then pays the winter nights hours which the spring Had taken away.--------------
4920. This was at the end of September as the year was then accounted that Lucan knew that Pompey came into Egypt. Lucan knew that at the end of the same month in the Julian year which was used in his time, the sun was entering Libra. Thereupon, not considering the different account of the times, he wrote that Pompey came into Egypt about the autumnal solstice. This was the time when the sun began to enter into Leo about the beginning of the dog days and the Nile River began to flood. It was in Libra when the river usually recedes to within its banks.
4921. Not far from Pelusium, one of the mouths of the Nile, about the Mountain Cassius, which is located between the borders of Egypt and Arabia, King Ptolemy was waging war with his sister Cleopatra with large forces. He had expelled her from the kingdom a few months earlier. His camp was not far from Cleopatra’s camp. {Caesar, Civil Wars, l. 4.} {Plutarch, in Pompey} {Appian, p. 480.} {Dio, l. 42.} Caesar stated that Ptolemy was only a boy in age. Mirtius says he was a middle aged boy. {Mirtius, de bell. Alexandro.} Strabo said he was a very young boy. {Strabo, l. 17. p. 796.} Dio stated he was only a boy. {Dio, l. 40.} Orosius stated he was a young man. {Orosius, l. 6. c. 15.} Plutarch stated he was a very young man. {Plutarch, in Pompey} Velleius said he was nearer a boy than a man. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2, c. 53.} Appian wrote that he was at the most only thirteen years old. {Appian, p. 480.}
4922. When Pompey saw so large an army on the shore, he dared not land unless he might do so safely. Finding the king to keep within the Cassian Mount. He turned aside. {Lucan, l. 8.}
4923. He sent some of his followers to the king who would humbly tell him of his arrival. They were to intreat him, for the sake of the friendship he had with his father and the benefits confirmed on himself that Pompey might be received into Alexandria and be protected by his forces in this calamity. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.} {Plutarch, in Pompey} {Appian, p. 480} {Dio, l. 42.} After those that went from Pompey had delivered their message, they began to talk more freely with the king’s soldiers that they should perform their duty to Pompey and not despise his ill fortune. In this number were many of Pompey’s soldiers whom Gabinius had received from his army in Syria and had taken to Alexandria to establish Ptolemy. After that war was over, he had left them with Ptolemy, the father of the lad. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.}
4924. The king did not reply but his friends who had the administration of the kingdom, Achillas an Egyptian, who was lord general and Pothinus an eunuch, who was lord treasurer, began to discuss Pompey’s situation. They held a council and talked with other officers including Theodorus. He was either a Chian or a Samian, a mercenary teacher of rhetoric. He was held in great authority with the king since he was the king’s school teacher. {Livy, l. 112.} {Plutarch, in Pompey} {Appian, p. 480}
4925. In this council, some were of the opinion that Pompey was to be received, and others that he should be kept from entering Egypt. However, Theodorus who bragged of his eloquence and skill in arguments, stated that both sides were mistaken. There was only one expedient thing to do. They should receive him and put him to death. He added at the close of his speech that the dead do not bite. {Plutarch, in Pompey, Brutus}
4926. The rest followed his opinion through fear. They later said that lest by tampering with the king’s army, Pompey would seize Alexandria and Egypt. If they condemned his misfortune, as is commonly done in times of trouble, many of his friends would become enemies. Therefore they publicly answered kindly to those who were sent to them from Pompey and asked him to come to the king. Privately, they sent to kill Pompey, Achillas, the king’s general and a man of singular audacity and L. Septimius, a colonel, who in the wars against the pirates had a command under Pompey. {Caesar, Civil Wars, l. 3.}
4927. These with Salvius, another centurion and three or four such officers went aboard a little ship and came to Pompey. In the meanwhile, the whole army stood in battle formation along the shore as if it were in honour of his arrival. The king was at the head of them and clothed in his robes. There were many of the king’s ships around that were full of men to make sure Pompey could not escape if they should change their minds. As the little ship approached, Septimius arose first and in Latin greeted Pompey by the name of imperator. Achillas greeted him in Greek and asked him to come aboard that little ship. It would be impossible to land in Pompey’s large ship because the sea was full of sand bars. The king desired to see him as soon as he could along with all the chief men of those who had accompanied Pompey. All those who sailed with him came to him and advised him that while they were out of danger of their weapons, he should set sail back again toward the sea. When Pompey saw the army in battle array, the small ship that was sent to him, that the king did not come to meet him, nor any of the chief noblemen, he also began to suspect as much. However, he greeted Cornelia who had already bewailed his death. He ordered two centurions and from his free men, Philip and a servant called Scynes, to board the little ship ahead of him. Then Achillas helped him with his hand, Pompey also entered the ship. Just before turning to his wife and son, Pompey spoke those lines of Sophocles. Who deal with tyrants they shall surely be Enslaved, though before they are never so free.
4928. As they sailed there was a dead silence and his suspicion was increased. He held a book in his hand in which he had written the speech he intended to give to Ptolemy and he began to read it when they came near the shore. They determined to kill Pompey before they came to land for they feared lest he meet with Ptolemy, he should be safely delivered either by the king or by the Romans who he had with him or the Egyptians (who bore him much good will.) Cornelia with his friends from the ship, stood in great suspense and watched the whole thing. Pompey began to be encouraged because at his landing point, he saw many of the king’s friends come running to greet him with honour. However, as Philip lent him his hand to help him up, Septimius first came behind him and ran him through. After him, Salvius and Achillas thrust him through with their swords. Pompey had no way of defending himself or escaping. With both his hands, he hid his face with his gown. He neither spoke nor did anything unworthy of himself and only gave a groan and patiently received all their thrusts. {Caesar, Civil Wars, l. 3.} {Plutarch, in Pompey} {Appian, p. 480.} {Dio, l. 42}
4929. When his wife and friends who were on the ships saw this, they gave a great shriek which was heard even on the shore. They held up their hands to heaven and implored the gods that were the revengers of covenant breaking. They quickly weighed anchor and fled. {Plutarch, in Pompey} {Appian, p. 480.} Some of those who were taken by the Egyptians that pursued them and some escaped who {Dio, l. 42} first sailed as far as Tyre and were shown hospitality by the Tyrians in their flight. {Dio, l. 42.} Of those that escaped, his wife Cornelia and his son Sextus Pompey fled to Cyprus. {Livy, l. 112.} The rest of Pompey’s fleet was taken and everyone in it was most cruelly murdered. Then Pompey, the Bithynian (of whom Cicero mentioned, {Cicero, in Brutus or declaris of atoribus} as one who lived at that time) was killed. Lentulus, who had been consul, was killed at Pelusium. {Orosius, l. 6. c. 15.} He was the same L. Lentulus who was the consul in the previous year whom Caesar wrote was captured by the king and killed in prison. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.} Plutarch {Plutarch, in Pompey} noted that he together with Pompey went to Cyprus and that he did not leave Cyprus for Egypt until a long time after the burial of Pompey. A little after leaving Cyprus, he was taken at sea and killed.
4930. Caius Caesar and Publius Servilius were consuls when Pompey was killed in the 58th year of his age, the day before his birthday. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 53.} On that very day, he had triumphed in earlier times over Mithridates and the pirates. {Dio, l. 42.} That triumph lasted for two days and started on the third day before the month of October as we have shown from Pliny. {Pliny, l. 7. c. 29, l. 37. c. 2.} Hence he died the day after his birthday. The last day of September which was the last day of the life of Pompey, was Julian July 25th. The Roman calendar was in a mess at that time.
4931. Septimius cut off the head of Pompey, (as Lucan says)and it was kept until Caesar arrived and he hoped for a large reward. The body was thrown naked from the ship, to be seen by all that would. Philip, his freed man, stayed by it until all had satisfied their eyes. Then he washed it with sea water and wrapped it in a coat of his own. When he had nothing present, he looked around the shore and he found the broken planks of a fishing boat. This was enough to burn the naked body but not completely. As he was gathering the planks together and laying them in order, a grave old citizen of Rome, who had served under Pompey in his younger days, came and helped him to perform the funeral rites. {Plutarch, in Pompey} Appian wrote that a certain man buried Pompey on the shore and made a little monument for him and another man added this inscription: {Appian, p. 481.} -------Scarce would the temple hold, That which is covered over with a little mould.
4932. We read {Aurelius Victor, de viris illustribus, c. 77.} that the trunk of his body was cast into the Nile and burnt. It was buried by Servius Codrus who wrote this on his tomb, "HERE LIETH POMPEY THE GREAT". Lucan wrote: {Lucan, l. 8.} ---To the shore did fearful Codrus come Out of his lurking hole that was before, Great Pompey’s quaester and from Cyprus shore Had followed him; he by the shades of night Durst go true love had vanquish terror quite To find his slaughtered lord, along the sand, And through the waves to bring the trunk to land.
4933. For the poet more correctly seeks his body in the sea than Aurelius Victor who stated it was in the Nile. It is shown by other writers that Pompey was killed and buried not far from the Cassian Mountain. {Strabo, l. 16. p. 760.} {Pliny, l. 5. c. 12.} This was the end of the great Pompey’s life, who was accounted the most powerful among the Romans. He was surnamed Agamemnon because he also had the command of 1000 ships but then died near Egypt in a little ship like one of the smallest Egyptian’s boats. He had an oracle a long time earlier that made him suspect all the clan of the Cassian family. He was killed and buried near Mount Cassius. {Dio, l. 42.} This mountain is located not far from the border of Judea which he first subjected under the Roman yoke.
4934. Those who were with Cato arrived in Cyrene and heard of the death of Pompey. {Dio, l. 42.} Cornelia, with her son-in-law, Sextus Pompey, was driven there from Cyprus as Lucan stated: {Lucan, l. 9.} They first arrived on Cyprus foamy shore, From there a mild east wind commanding bore Their ships to Cato’s Libyan Camp--------
4935. He adds moreover that the son of Pompey (Cnaeus the elder) who was with Cato, there learned from his younger brother Sextus, who was with Cornelia about the death of his father. Cornelia burnt the remains of Pompey. By her example the rest of the army made funeral piles and performed funeral rites to the ghosts of those who died in Pharsalum. Cato made a funeral speech in the memory of Pompey.
4936. After this, they had different ideas as what to do. Those who had no hope of obtaining pardon from Caesar, stayed with Cato. Others left and went where chance took them. Others went directly to Caesar and obtained pardon. {Dio, l. 42.} Cornelia, was given a pardon and returned safely to Rome. {Dio, l. 42.} In the Mount Albanus, she buried the remains of her husband that were brought to her. {Lucan, l. 8.} {Plutarch, Pompey, in fin.}
4937. The soldiers of Cato, who were chiefly mariners of Cilicia under their captain, Tarcho, were ready to leave him. They were stirred with the words Cato spoke to them and returned to their duty. {Lucan, l. 9.}
4938. Cato was allowed to enter by the citizens in Cyrene, when a few days earlier, they had shut their gates against Labienus. {Plutarch, in Cato} {Lucan, l. 9.} -------Their second labour is To scale Cyrene’s lofty walls on whom, Cato no vengeance took when overcome (Though they against him shut their gates) to him Revenge sufficient did their conquest seem.
He hence to Libyan Juba’s kingdom goes.
4939. Cato was told that Scipio, the father-in-law of Pompey was welcomed by King Juba and that Appius Varus, to whom the province of Africa was given by Pompey, had gone to them with his army. {Plutarch, in Cato}
4940. After three days in his pursuit (for as much as can be gathered from the epitome of Lucan), Caesar came to Alexandria. King Ptolemy was still around the Cassius Mountain.
{Appian, p. 483.} He found that the Alexandrians were in rebellion over the death of Pompey. He dared not go ashore immediately but left the shore and stayed off for some time. {Dio, l. 42} Lucan stated: {Lucan, l. 9.}
-------where when he saw the shore With giddy tumult all confused over Doubting if safe to trust them did forbear To bring his ships to land-------
4941. When Caesar knew Pompey was dead, he went first from his ship and heard the shout of the soldiers whom Ptolemy had left for a garrison in the town. He saw them come running out to him because his fasces was carried before him. In this all the crowd said that the royal majesty was disgraced. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.} {Dio, l. 42} Concerning this event, Lucan wrote: {Lucan. l. 9.} But perceiving that the throng Of people murmured that in Egypt he Bare the ensigns up of Rome’s authority He finds their wavering faiths-------
4942. In spite of this, Caesar entered Alexandria when it was in a turmoil without any danger to himself. {Livy, l. 112.} He retired by fleeing into the palace. The weapons were taken from some of his soldiers. The crowd went back as all the ships came to shore. {Dio, 42.}
4943. Caesar was very angry when Theodorus offered to him the head and signet of Pompey. He took the ring and started to weep. {Livy, l. 112.} {Plutarch, in Caesar} We read {Aurelius Victor, de viris illustr. c. 77.} that the head of Pompey with the ring was presented to Caesar by Achillas, the captain of Ptolemy’s guard and was wrapped in an Egyptian covering. Caesar had it burned with many and most precious odours. He did not stop weeping. Lucan mentions concerning the head that was given to him by the captain of the guard: {Lucan. l. 9.} Bringing his king’s dire guise great Pompey’s head With an Egyptian mantle covered.
4944. Both Dio and Lucan think Caesar was being a hypocrite and the tears were not genuine.
Caesar at his first gift would not refuse Nor turn his eyes away but fixedly views Till he perceived it was true, and plainly saw, It was safe to be a pious father-in-law:
Then shed forced tears and from a joyful breast Drew sighs and groans as thinking tears would best Concealed his inward joy.
4945. Concerning the burial of the head, Lucan brings in Caesar commanding:
-------But do you interr This worthies head, not that the earth may bear And hide your guilt; bring fumes and odours store, To appease his head, and gather from the shore His scattered limbs; compose them in on tomb.
4946. However, Caesar ordered the head to be buried in the suburbs and there dedicated a temple of Nemeses (revenge!). {Appian, p. 484.}
4947. So that he might show more of his good will toward Pompey, he kindly entertained his friends and associates who were captured as they wandered in that country by the king. He won them to himself by favours that he did for them. He wrote to his friends at Rome that the greatest and most pleasant fruit that he took of his victory was that he daily saved some citizens that had opposed him. {Plutarch, in Caesar}
4948. Before his army came to him and for lack of his own company, Caesar gave himself to idle pursuits. He courteously entertained all he met and walked about to see the city. He admired its beauty and stood to hear many of the professors of wisdom. His leisure won him favour and good account with the people of Alexandria. {Appian, Civil War, p. 483. fin. p. 484. init.} Thus Lucan said that he visited the temples and the cave where the body of Alexander the Great lay.
Then with a look still hiding fear goes he, The stately temple of the old god to see; Which speaks the ancient Macedonian greatness. But there delighted with no objects sweetness, Nor with their gold nor gods majestic dress, Nor lofty city walls, with greediness, Into the burying vault goes Caesar down.
There Macedonian Philip’s mad-brained son, The prosperous thief lies buried: whom just fate Slew in the world’s revenge-------
4949. Caesar turned over to Cn. Domitius Calvinus, the government of Asia, and the neighbouring provinces, {Hirtius, de bello. Alexandrino., l. 1.} Caesar ordered him to take the armies that were in Asia with him and he should make war on King Pharnaces. {Dio, l. 42.} When Caesar saw that there were many riots daily at Alexandria because of the great gathering of the multitude and that many soldiers were killed in various places of the city, he ordered the legions to be brought to him from Asia which he had gathered together from Pompey’s soldiers. He was detained there by the etesian winds which are most contrary to them that sail from Alexandria. {Caesar, l. 3.} Those are the northern winds which stop blowing about the end of the Julian August we may learn from in the Ephemerides of Geminus and Ptolemy and also in Pliny, {Pliny, l. 2. c. 47.} and Columbella, {Columbella, de re rustica., l. 2.} From there we find the error of Lucan who stated {Lucan, l. 8.} that Pompey came to Egypt at the time of the autumnal equinox. Lucan {Lucan, l. 9.} also told of that weary march of Cato with the legions through African desert, (concerning this see Livy, {Livy, l. 112.}) after he heard of the death of Pompey. He said it was taken by him in the winter that followed this equinox.
4950. When Cato left Cyrene, he tried to cross the Syrts with his fleet. A storm cast him into the marshes of Tritonis. Sextus Pompey was left with part of the forces in the more fruitful places of Africa. Cato intended to march by land since the sea was now impassable because of storms. He wanted to find the king of Mauritania as Lucan described:
Part of the fleet got off from hence again, And from the Syrts’ driven, did remain Under great Pompey’s oldest son’s command, On this side Garamantis in rich land: But Cato’s virtue brooking no delay, Through unknown regions led his troops away, To encompass round the Syrts by land, for now. The stormy seas unnavigable grow In winter time--------------- 4951. Plutarch {Plutarch, in Cato} affirmed that this overland march took place in the winter.
4952. His army was miserably oppressed in the country of the Nasamones which is near the Syrts. The winds blew the sand about and water was scarce. They found a huge number of different kinds of snakes. Cato arrived at the temple of Jupiter Ammon, and was advised by Labeio to consult the oracle about his future fortune. He refused and finally after wandering two months through the sandy deserts of Africa, he came to Leptis. He spent the winter there. {Lucan, l. 9.} After winter he assembled his 10,000 soldiers again. {Plutarch, in Cato}
4953. Caesar was detained at Alexandria by the etesian winds and spent his time in Egypt in raising money and deciding the controversy between Ptolemy and Cleopatra. {Dio, l. 42.} He collected some of that vast sum of money that was owed to him by Ptolemy Auletes, the father of the young king, to pay the costs of his army. {Plutarch, in Caesar} The Egyptians did not take kindly to Caesar’s collection procedures. They, of all people, were most superstitious worshippers of a multitude of gods, and did not approve of Caesar taking those things that were dedicated to their gods. {Dio, l. 42.} Although in this, he was deceived by the king’s guardians that they might by this show that the king’s treasury was empty and so that they might stir up the people to hate Caesar. {Orosus, l. 6. c. 15.} To encourage this unrest, the eunuch, Pothinus, a man who was in greatest authority, spoke and did many things in public. For he gave the soldiers old and musty grain and told them that they should be content because they were fed at the expense of another. He ordered that his own supper should be served up in wooden and earthen dishes and said that Caesar had taken away all the gold and silver plate, for the payment of the debt. {Plutarch, in Caesar}
4954. Caesar thought that the controversies of the king and queen belonged to the people of Rome and to him because he was a consul. They were associated with his office because in his former consulship, there was a league made with Ptolemy the father of them both. Therefore he told them that it was his pleasure that both king Ptolemy and his sister Cleopatra should dismiss their armies. They should settle their controversies by law before him rather than between themselves by fighting. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.}
4955. The death of Pompey was not believed at Rome until his signet ring was sent there later. It had three trophies engraved on it (or as Plutarch thought, a lion holding a sword.) Then the Romans strove to see who would give most honours to Caesar. He was given power to do with Pompey’s side as he wished. He was given authority to make war and peace with whomever he wanted without consulting the Roman people. He was made consul for five years. He was made dictator for a whole year not the normal six months time. He would have the authority of a tribune as long as he lived and he would sit with the tribunes and determine anything to be done together with them. This was never done before. {Dio, l. 42.}
4956. When Caesar had accepted these honours, although he was out of Italy, he immediately entered into the office of dictator. {Dio, l. 42.} Josephus correctly begins his rule from this time and assigned it a period of three and an half years. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 14. c. 17.} In Syria, as the Antiochians seem to reckon the times of the Caesars from his first dictatorship, so the Lacedomonians from this second dictatorship. Eusebius in his Chronicle at the second year of the empire of Probus showed that the Laodicean account was later than the Antiochian account, but by only one year.
3957a AM, 4666 JP, 48 BC
4957. Velleius Paterculus stated that the king and those by whom he was governed, attempted treason against Caesar. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 54.} Suetonius affirmed this of King Ptolemy himself. {Suetonius, in Julio, c. 35.} Eutropius, {Eutropius, l. 6.} and Plutarch stated the eunuch Pothinus was the instigator of the treasons that were plotted against him. Caesar began to feast whole nights in his own defence. Pothinus would tell him, that now it was time to stop and to attend to his important business and later return to his feasting. Caesar replied that he did not require any advice from any of the Egyptians. He sent for Cleopatra secretly from the country. {Plutarch, in Caesar}
4958. Previously Cleopatra, had pleaded her case before Caesar through other men. As soon as she knew his nature that his weakness was women, then she desired that she personally might plead her own case before him. {Dio, l. 42.} This was granted, and she only took one of her friends with her, Apollodorus Siculus. They sailed in a light ship to the palace as soon as it was dark. Since she could not easily hide herself, she laid herself a long in a mattress that was folded up, which Apollodorus tied up with a cord and carried up through the gate to Caesar. {Plutarch, in Caesar} Lucan describes her arrival to Caesar like this: {Lucan, l. 10} Now the young king come from Pelusium Had pacified the peoples wrath: in whom As hostage of his peace in Egypt court Caesar was safe; when, lo, from Pharos port, Bribing the keeper to unchain the same, In a small galley Cleopatra came, Unknown to Caesar entering the house The stain of Egypt, Rome’s pernicious Fury, unchaste to Italy’s disgrace.
4959. Cleopatra fell at Caesar’s feet and asked for her part of the kingdom. She was an exceedingly beautiful woman and her beauty was much increased by this. She did seem to suffer so great an injury as also the hatred of the king himself who had murdered Pompey. The king did not do this for Caesar’s sake and would have just as easily killed Caesar if he could. {Florus, l. 4. c. 2.} When Caesar saw Cleopatra and heard her speak, he immediately became her slave. As soon as it was day, he sent for Ptolemy and mediated a peace between them. He became Cleopatra’s advocate, whose judge he was previously. This thing and because he saw his sister with Caesar before he was aware of it, so inflamed the lad with anger that he ran out to the people. He shouted that he was betrayed and took his crown and threw it to the ground. {Dio, l. 42.}
4960. After this a large uproar resulted. Caesar’s soldiers took Ptolemy and carried him in but the Egyptians were all in an uproar. Unless Caesar who was afraid and had not gone to talk to them from a safe place and promised them that he do what they wanted, they could have easily captured the palace on the first assault. They had entered it by sea and land. The Romans who thought they had been among their friends, had no means to resist. {Dio, l. 42.}
4961. After these things, Caesar together with Ptolemy and Cleopatra, went out to the people and read the will of their father. It stated that after the ancient custom of the Egyptians, that the two should be married together and should hold the kingdom in common and they should be under the protection of the people of Rome. Caesar added that it was his part, who now was dictator and had all the power of the people of Rome, both to take care of the children and to see their father’s will was followed. Therefore, he gave the kingdom of Egypt to Ptolemy and Cleopatra. He gave Cyprus to Arsinoe and Ptolemy the younger for he was so afraid at that time that he would willingly have given anything of his own rather then have taken anything away that belonged to the Egyptians. By this was the riot appeased. {Dio, l. 42.} {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.} {Livy, l. 112.} {Plutarch, in Caesar}
4962. King Dejotarus came to Cn. Domitius Calvinus, Caesar’s lieutenant in Asia and wanted him not to allow Armenia the Less, his own kingdom, nor Cappadocia, the kingdom of Ariobarzanes, to be occupied and plundered by Pharnaces. Unless his activities were checked, they could not do as they were commanded nor pay the money that they had promised to Caesar. Domitius immediately sent messengers to Pharnaces that he should get out of Armenia and Cappadocia. He thought this order would carry greater weight if he came nearer those countries with his army. Therefore he selected a legion from the three legions that he had with him. He took the 36th and the other two were sent into Egypt to Caesar who had written to him for them. In addition to the 36th legion, he added two more that he had received from Dejotarus. They were disciplined and armed after the Roman manner. As well as, he gave him an hundred cavalry and Domitius took as many from Ariobarzanes. He sent also P. Sextius to C. Paetorius, his quaester, to bring to him a legion that he had quickly raised. He sent to Q. Patiscus in Cilicia, to bring more troops. All these forces were ordered by Domitius to meet as quickly as possible at Comiana. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrino.}
4963. In the meantime, the ambassadors returned an answer from Pharnaces that he had left Cappadocia and that he had recovered Armenia the Less, which he ought to keep since it belonged to his father. Furthermore, the whole business of that king should be referred to Caesar himself, for he would do whatever he should decide. He left Cappadocia because he could more easily defend Armenia since it was nearer his own kingdom than Cappadocia. When Domitius knew his reply, he still thought that he should get out of Armenia for he had no more right to Armenia than to Cappadocia. His request was unjust that the whole business should be tabled until Caesar came for nothing would change in the meantime. After Domitius had replied, he marched with his forces into Armenia. In the meantime, Pharnaces sent many embassies to Domitius to entreat for peace and offered him expensive presents. Domitius constantly refused them all and answered the ambassadors that he did not account anything more dear to him than to recover the dignity of the people of Rome and the kingdom of their allies. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrino.}
4964. While Caesar carried on the war at Alexandria, Dejotarus did what he could for Caesar and supplied Cn. Domitius’ army with lodgings. He added his own forces to Domitius as Cicero confirms in a speech that he made in his behalf. {Cicero, pro Dejotarus}
4965. In Egypt, the eunuch Pothinus, who had the oversight of all the king’s treasure and of the whole kingdom, feared lest he should be punished for the former sedition of the Egyptians of which he was the chief ringleader. He was the instigator of a new and difficult war. He first complained among his own friends that the king was called to plead his cause.To others whom he planned to have on his side, he sowed a suspicion that Caesar indeed, to appease the riot, had given the kingdom to both parties but that in the process of time, he would give it to Cleopatra alone. He solicited Achillas by letters and messengers, who was commander-in-chief of all the king’s forces. He first provoked him by his own promises and flattered him with promises from the king that he alone should lead all the king’s army of foot soldiers and cavalry from Pelusium to Alexandria. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.} {Dio, l. 42.}
4966. Caesar’s forces were not so many that if he must be forced to fight outside the town, he dared not trust them. The only thing that he could do, was to stay within Alexandria and wait and see what Achillas planned to do. He wished the king to send some of his most confident friends and of greatest authority as ambassadors to Achillas. So that he should declare his intentions, Dioscorides and Serapion, who had been ambassadors at Rome and had been in great authority with his father, were sent from the king. When they came to Achillas as soon as they came within sight, before Achillas knew why they came, he ordered them to be taken and killed. One of them was wounded and was taken away by his own men for dead and the other was killed. After this, Caesar brought things so to pass that he got the king under his own power. He thought that the name of the king would be of great authority among his own country men and that this war might seem to be undertaken rather by the outrage of a few private men and thieves, than by the advice of the king. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.}
4967. Achillas had substantial forces with him. They were 20,000 trained armed troops. These consisted of the soldiers of Gabinius, who now were accustomed to the life and licentiousness of the Alexandrians and had forgotten the name and discipline of the people of Rome. These were joined by a company of thieves and robbers from the provinces of Syria, Cilicia and the neighbouring provinces. Moreover, there met here many that were condemned persons and banished men. All Roman fugitives were safe and well taken care of at Alexandria. As soon as they said their names, they were enlisted among the soldiers. If anyone was apprehended by his master, he was taken away again by a concourse of soldiers. They defended the violence of their companions because they were just as guilty and for fear of their own punishment. These were used to, according to the old custom of the Alexandrian army, demand that the king’s friends be put to death and to plunder rich men’s goods to increase their pay. They besieged the king’s palace, banished some and recalled others from banishment. There were also 2000 cavalry, many of whom had served a long time in the wars of Alexandria. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.}
4968. Achillas trusted in these forces and despised the fewness of Caesar’s soldiers. He captured Alexandria and attempted to break into Caesar’s house. However, Caesar, had stationed his cohorts in the passes and they withstood the assault. They fought at the same time at the harbour where the fiercest fighting took place of all. At the same time, the enemy brought their forces and fought in many passes and endeavoured also with many troops to seize the long ships. Fifty of these were sent to help Pompey and when the battle in Thessalia was over, they returned. They were all galleys with either three of five oars on a bank, well rigged and furnished with all tackling for sailing. In addition to these, 22 ships always stationed there at Alexandria to guard it. They were all covered (or rather beaked with ramming prows.) which the enemy had seized since Caesar’s fleet had left. They had the harbour and the whole sea at their command and had kept Caesar from all provisions and any help from coming to him. Therefore this was the hottest part of the battle. Caesar knew the importance of the fleet and the harbour for their safety. Caesar got the better of it and burnt those ships and the rest that were in the arsenal because he could not defend them with the few troops that he had. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.} Nor over the ships alone do flames prevail; But all the houses near the shore assail, The south winds feed the flame, and drive it on Along the houses with such motion, As through the welkin fiery meteors run, That wanting fuel fed on air alone. {Lucan, l. 10.}
4969. When this fire had spread to part of the city, it burned 400,000 books that were stored in the adjoining houses. This was a singular monument to the care and industry of their ancestors who had gathered together so many and so great works of famous writers. {Orosius, l. 6. c. 15.} Livy said that here was a famous work of the glory and care of those kings as it is in Seneca, {Livy, de Tranquillitate animi, l. 1. c. 9.} where the same number of books is said to have been burned. A. Gellius {Gellius, l. 5. c. 17.} stated the same. Ammianus Marcellinus {Marcellius, l. 22.} stated that there were 700,000 burned. Indeed when at the end of the Alexandrian war, the city was plundered by the soldiers. However, Plutarch, {Plutarch, in Caesar} stated that at the beginning of this war, the flame was increased by the arsenal and that the library was burned. Dio {Dio, l. 42.} confirmed that the store houses, granaries and library were burned together with the arsenal.
4970. After the fleet was burned and the enemy was still engaged in fighting, Caesar at the island of Pharos (which was joined to the city with a narrow neck of land of 900 paces long and makes the harbour) landed his soldiers from the ships and placed a garrison there. As soon as he had done this, he was able to bring grain and troops to him by ship. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.} Lucan wrote of the taking of Pharos by him: {Lucan, l. 10.} Two helps on Caesar both that fort bestow:
Commands the seas, the foes incursions stayed, And made a passage safe for Caesar’s aid.
4971. In other parts of the town they fought so that neither of them had the upper hand. Neither side gave ground because of the narrowness of the places and only a few were killed on either side. After Caesar had taken the most important places, he fortified them by night. On that side of the town, there was a little part of the palace where they first brought him to live. A theatre which was joined to the house, was like a citadel and had a way to the harbour and the arsenal. He strengthened these fortifications daily so that they would be like a strong wall for him and so that he might not be forced to fight except when he wanted to. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.}
4972. The Egyptians feared lest Caesar who won the battle at sea, would now seize the harbour of the city. They built a rampart to bar his entrance and only left a little space. Caesar blocked that space by sinking cargo ships filled with stones. This blocked all the enemy’s ships in the harbour so they could not leave. By this he could get what he needed with less trouble. He was able to get water also (for Achillas, had taken all water from him, by cutting the conduits.) {Dio, l. 42.}
4973. Caesar sent into all the neighbouring countries and called for help from there. {Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.} He sent for the whole fleet from Rhodes, Syria and Cilicia. He ordered them to bring archers from Crete and cavalry from Malchus, the king of the Nabataeans. He ordered to be brought to him battering rams, grain and other supplies. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.} He told Domitius Calvinus of his danger and desired him by all means to send supplies to him as soon as he possibly could. He wanted him to come to Alexandria through Syria. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.} However, Mithridates of Pergamos was a man of great nobility in his country with knowledge and valour in the wars. He was held in great esteem, credit and friendship with Caesar. He was sent into Syria and Cilicia, to hurry on the supplies. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.} {Josephus, Wars, l. 14. c. 14.} {Dio. l. 42.}
4974. In the meanwhile Ganymedes, an eunuch, stole away Arsinoe who was carelessly guarded, and carried her to the Egyptians. They made her queen and fought the war with new enthusiasm than before because they had gotten one of the family of the Ptolemy’s as a commander. {Dio, l. 42.} Lucan wrote thus: {Lucan, l. 10.} Arsinoe from court escaped goes By Ganymedes’ help to Caesar’s foes, The crown (as Lagus’ daughter) to obtain.
4975. Caesar wrote this near the end of the commentaries of the civil war:
"The young daughter of King Ptolemy, hoped after the vacant possession of the kingdom, escaped from the palace to Achillas and commanded in the war together with him. Immediately there was a dispute as to who would be the chief commander. The matter was aggravated by many bribes among the soldiers. Each strove to get the good will of the soldiers to the detriment of themselves.’’
4976. While these things were done among the enemies, Pothinus the king’s governor and administrator of the kingdom for Caesar, sent messengers to Achillas. He told him that he should follow the business and not desist in the war. The messengers were approached and apprehended and Pothinus was put to death by Caesar. (Caesar, Civil War, l. 3.} After this, Caesar kept the young king in strict custody and by this he more exasperated the minds of the Egyptians. {Dio, l. 42.}
4977. While these things were happening in Egypt, Domitius Calvinus marched against Pharnaces with long and continual marches. He camped not far from Nicapolis, (a city of Armenia the Less built by Pompey which Pharnaces had already seized to live in.) About seven miles from there, Pharnaces had made ambushs for him which failed. The next day, Domitius moved closer and brought his camp even to the town. Pharnaces set his men in battle array after his own custom and fashion. The next night Pharnaces intercepted the messengers who brought the letters to Domitius concerning the Alexandrian affairs. By this, he knew of the danger of Caesar and the recalling of Domitius. He accounted it as good as a victory if he stalled for time. When Domitius should have been more concerned with the danger of Caesar than his own, he brought his soldiers from the camp and prepared the fight. He placed the 36th legion in the right wing, the Pontic troops on the left and the legions of Dejotarus in the middle of the battle formation. When both armies were in battle array, they came to fight. The Pontic legion was almost wholly lost and most of Dejotarus’ soldiers were killed. The 36th legion retreated into the mountains and only lost about 250 men. In spite of this, Domitius rallied the remains of his scattered army and returned to Asia by safe journeys through Cappadocia since winter was now approaching. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.} {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 484.} {Dio, l. 42.}
4978. Caesar and the Alexandrians fought hard against one another with fortifications and works. Caesar tried most of all to isolate that part of the city which a marsh had made the narrowest from the other part of the city. Using works and ramparts, he hoped that, first, the city would be divided into two parts. Then his army would be united under him again. Also, if they were in any danger, help could be brought to him from the other part of the city. Most importantly, he wanted the abundant fresh water supply from the marsh. The Alexandrians sent messengers into all parts of Egypt to enlist men. They brought into the town all sorts of engines and weapons that are described in detail by Hirtius. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.}
4979. When Caesar saw the number of the enemy increasing, he began to take notice of an agreement between them. He ordered that Ptolemy be placed where he might be heard of the Egyptians. He was to tell them that he was not harmed in any way and that there was no need for this war. They should make peace and he would take care that the conditions were kept. However, the Egyptians suspected that he was made to do this on purpose by Caesar and still carried on their war. {Dio, l. 42.} They said that Caesar must be quickly driven out. Caesar could not receive help by sea because of the storms and the season of the year. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.}
4980. In the interim, the dissention increased between Achillas, the general of the old army, and Arsinoe, the younger daughter of Ptolemy (Auletes). Both were plotting and scheming against each other. While Achillas aimed at the taking the kingdom, Arsinoe thwarted him with the help of Ganymedes, the eunuch and her foster father. She took over it and put to death Achillas and pretended that he would have betrayed the fleet. After he was killed, she alone enjoyed the whole kingdom and Ganymedes was made the general of the army. When he had assumed that charge, he increased the soldiers’ pay and acted in all things with similar care and discretion. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.} {Dio, l. 42.}
4981. Alexandria was riddled with underground channels and these connected to the Nile River. By these, water was brought into private houses. The water settled with time and became drinkable. Ganymedes blocked those channels and all the parts of the city where Caesar’s forces were besieged. He pumped salt water into these channels so Caesar’s forces did not have fresh water to drink and began to think of fleeing. This advice was not well received and Caesar ordered that wells should be dug in the night. A large quantity of fresh water was found and all the laborious work of the Alexandrians came to nought. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.}
4982. Two days later, the 37th legion composed of those soldiers of Pompey that surrendered themselves and were shipped by Domitius Calvinus. They came to the shores of Africa a little above Alexandria with supplies of grain, arms, weapons and engines. The other legion which was sent by him though Syria by land, had not yet arrived to Caesar. With the etesian winds continually blowing, these ships stood at anchor and could not get into the harbour. When Caesar knew of this, he sailed and ordered his fleet to follow him. He did not take any soldiers with him lest he should leave the forts short of men to defend them. When he came to a steep place called Chersonesus, he set some sailors ashore for fresh water. Some of them were intercepted who told the enemy that indeed Caesar was in the fleet and he had no soldiers in the ships. Therefore they rigged their whole navy and met with Caesar as he returned with the legion of Domitius. Although Caesar did not want to fight that day, a Rhodian ship which was placed in the right wing and far from the rest, was attacked by four covered ships of the enemy and some open ones. Caesar was forced to help them and got the victory. If night had not fallen and stopped the battle, Caesar would have defeated the whole fleet of the enemy. {Dio, l. 42.}
4983. Although the Egyptians were defeated, yet they were again encouraged by Ganymedes. Although they had lost 110 long ships in the haven and arsenal, yet they started earnestly to repair their fleet. For that purpose, they gathered together all the ships from all the mouths of the Nile River and from the private arsenals that belonged to the king. In a few days, beyond the belief of all men, they made a fleet of 22 ships. They had galleys with four tiers of oars and five with five tiers plus many smaller and open ones. They furnished them with soldiers and outfitted them for battle. {Dio, l. 42.} They opened the entrance of the harbour and placed their ships in the road and troubled the Romans very much. {Dio, l. 42.}
4984. Caesar had nine Rhodian ships, (for of the ten that were sent, one was lost in the voyage on the Egyptian shore) eight ships from Pontus, five Lycian and twelve from Asia. Of these five were with five tiers of oars and ten with four. The rest were cargo ships and many were open. With these, Caesar sailed about Pharos and took up a position opposite the enemy’s ships. There were sandbars between the two fleets with a very narrow passage. They stayed in that position for a long time while they waited to see who would first cross the passage. The one who crossed first would easily be overcome by the whole enemy fleet before the rest could pass and come to the battle. The Rhodian ships asked that they might be the first to cross. By their singular skill, they withstood the whole fleet of the enemy and never turned their sides to them so that they made a safe passage for the rest to follow and to come to the battle. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.}
4985. Caesar won the victory and did not lose a single ship. On the Alexandrian side, one galley with five tiers of oars was captured and one with two tiers of oars. All the soldiers and sailors on these were captured too. Three ships were sunk and the rest fled to the town of Pharos which was near them. The citizens defended these ships from the forts and buildingswhich were over them and kept Caesar from getting close. They were routed out of there immediately by the industry of the Romans and lost both the town and island and many of their men. The island was joined to the continent by a double bridge, one of which was abandoned by the enemy. The Romans easily captured it. On the other bridge, through the rashness of some, the Romans were attacked and routed. They fled to their ships. Some of them got to the next ships which were sunk by the number and weight of the men. Some fought and did not know what to do and were killed by the Alexandrians. Some Romans escaped to safety to the ships that were at anchor. A few swam to the next ships. Caesar retired into his own ship. When a large number that followed would have broken in on him, he guessed what would happen. He jumped from the ship and swam to those ships which were farther off. From there he sent boats to help those who were in danger and saved some of them. His own ship sank when it was overloaded with the number of soldiers and a number of troops drowned. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.}
4986. It is not to be forgotten about Caesar what Hirtius did not mention but is remembered by Suetonius, {Suetonius, in Julio, c. 64.} and by Orosius who follows him, {Orosius, l. 6. c. 15.}. When he escaped by swimming to the next ship, he held up his left hand so that his commentaries should not get wet. This is also mentioned by Plutarch, {Plutarch, in Caesar} and Dio. {Dio, l. 42.} Appian, {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 523.} related the story thus. Caesar was surrounded alone on the bridge by the enemy that pressed on him. He cast off his purple coat and leaped into the sea. The king’s soldiers pursued him and he swam a long time under water and lifted his head only to get air. He swam to an only ship and by holding up his hands to them was recognised and saved. Although Suetonius wrote that he held his soldier’s coat in his mouth and dragged it behind him so that the enemy should not get it. However Florus, {Florus, l. 4. c. 2.} along with Plutarch stated that he left it in the waves either by chance or on purpose so that the enemies who were pursuing him would shoot at it with their arrows and stones. When the Egyptians got the coat, they fixed it to a monument which they had erected for their putting the enemy to flight as if they had taken the general himself. Thus says Appian and Dio. {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 484.} {Dio, l. 42.}
4987. In this fight, about 400 soldiers from the legions and a few more of the soldiers who belonged to the fleet and sailors, were killed. In that place the Alexandrians built a citadel and strengthened it with forts and many engines of war. They took the stones from the sea. They made use of the place more freely for the base for sending out their ships, {Hirtius, de bell.
Alexandrin.}
4988. In the meanwhile, Mithridates of Pergamos quickly gathered large forces from Syria and Cilicia through the extreme good will of the cities and his own diligence. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.} When he first came alone to Askelon, he sent for Antipater, the governor of Judea, to come to him. He brought 3000 soldiers with him and brought it to pass by his influence that Hyrcanus, the hight priest, and other governors joined their forces together. Strabo related this from Hypsicrates, (an historian of the Phoenicians) {Josephus, Wars, l. 14. c. 15.} For Antipater had agreed with the princes of the Arabians that they also should come to his aid. By his means especially with great earnestness, Iamblicus, the governor, Ptolemy’s son and Tholomy, the son of Sohemus, who lived at Mount Libanus and almost all the cities of Syria sent help for Caesar. {Josephus, Wars, l. 14. c. 15.}
4989. When the Alexandrians saw that the Romans were more zealous by the losses they recently had and that they were encouraged as well by losses as by success, they sent ambassadors to Caesar. They wanted him to let their king go free and come to them. For a large number were weary of the war and would do whatever the king wished them to do. Caesar thought that by the king’s means, they may become Caesar’s friends and they would stop fighting. Although Caesar knew that the fidelity both of the king and Alexandrians was suspect, he let him go. He knew by his coming that the enemy’s strength would not be increased and the war against a king would be the more glorious. Caesar advised him to take care of his kingdom and to honour the fidelity that he owed to himself and the people of Rome. The king faked his joy by his tears and desired that he might not be let go. When Caesar sent him away, he eagerly pursued the war against Caesar. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.} {Dio, l. 42.}
4990. The Alexandrians found that their new general made them no stronger and the Romans were no weaker. Worse, the soldiers daily mocked the age and weakness of the king. They were much grieved and neither saw how they could help themselves. There were reports that there were large forces coming to Caesar by land from Syria and Cilicia (which yet Caesar heard nothing of.) They determined to intercept the provisions which were brought to the Romans by sea. Therefore they rigged their ships and stationed them in convenient places about Canopus in the channel. They watched for ships bringing the provisions. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.} Since the soldiers that Caesar had sent for from Syria were now approaching, they guarded all the shores and did much harm to those forces. Those who were on the African side, brought some help to Caesar. At the mouths of the Nile River, the Egyptians made many fires as if they had been Romans. They took many by this deceit so that the rest dared not come there. {Dio, l. 42.}
4991. Thereupon Caesar commanded his fleet to be rigged, over which Tiberius Nero was the commander. In this fleet, the Rhodian ships included his flagship, the Euphranor. This ship was in every battle and was always victorious but was unlucky in this battle. When they came to Canopus, both fleets stood facing one another. The Euphranor, according to Nero’s custom, started the battle and had sank one of the enemy’s ships. She followed the chase of the next ship too far and his own side followed too slowly after him. He was surrounded by the Alexandrians and was all alone. He fought valiantly in this battle and died alone with his conquering ship. However, the enemies were defeated in this battle that Tiberius Nero had started so that his own side might safely sail to land. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.} {Dio, l. 42.}
4992. About the same time, Mithridates from Pergamos came from Syria by land where Egypt joined Syria. He brought large forces to Pelusium. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.} He tried to go by the mouth of the Nile River which is at Pelusium up stream. The Egyptians had blocked by night the entrance with their ships which were carried into the channel. He transported his ships there, (for it did not reach as far as to the sea) and he went into the Nile River with his ships. He suddenly attacked those who guarded the mouths of the Nile River simultaneously from sea and from the river. He took control of the mouths and attacked Pelusium with his fleet and land forces. {Dio, l. 42} This town was controlled by Achillas with a strong garrison because of its strategic position. (All Egypt was thought sufficiently fortified from any access by sea to it by Pharos and by land to Pelusium.) He suddenly surrounded it with large forces. The defenders stoutly defended it with a strong garrison of men but were overcome. The large number of the attackers was constantly maintained by Mithridates. He replaced any men that were wounded and weary and so by maintained a constant attack. He overcame it in the same day that he attacked it and then stationed a garrison of his own there. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.} Antipater acted valiantly for after he broke down a piece of the wall, he was the first to break in, allowing the rest to follow. {Josephus, Wars, l. 14. c. 14.}
4993. The Egyptian Jews who lived in that country called Onias, would not allow Mithridates and Antipater to march to Caesar. Antipater tried to win them over to his side since they were both fellow countrymen. He showed them the letters from Hyrcanus, the high priest, in which they were invited to be friends to Caesar and to provide him food and supplies for his army. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 14. c 14.} However, Asinius (that is, Trallianus, a writer of the civil war) wrote that Hyrcanus himself, the high priest, invaded Egypt with Mithridates as Josephus related from Strabo. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 14. c. 15.} Also those words of Caesar about Hyrcanus seem to confirm this and were inscribed on a brazen table by him in favour of Hyrcanus. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 14. c. 17.}
"In the last Alexandrian war, he came to our aid with 1500 soldiers and was sent by me to Mithridates. He surpassed all those in his company in valour.’’
4994. The Jews, the inhabitants of the country of Onias, willingly submitted through the authority of Antipater and Hyrcanus. When those who lived around Memphis heard this, they also sent for Mithridates to come to them. When he came, they also joined his side. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 14. c. 14.}
4995. King Ptolemy knew that Mithridates approached close to the place which is called Delta, because of its similarity to the Greek letter D. This was not far from Alexandria. Ptolemy knew that he must cross the Nile River. Therefore, he sent large forces against him so that he may either defeat him or prevent him from joining Caesar. Those forces which first crossed over the river at the delta, met with Mithridates and began the fight. They hurried to prevent those who followed lest they should share in the victory. Mithridates withstood their attack with great prudence. He entrenched his camp after the Roman custom. When he saw the attackers carelessly and proudly coming up even to his fortifications, he made a general sally and killed a large number of them. The rout was so complete that they all would have been killed unless the rest had hid themselves in secret places or retired to the boats they used to cross the river. After they were a little recovered from their fear, they joined with those who followed and began a fresh attack on Mithridates. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.}
4996. This battle was fought near the place that is called the Camp of Judah. Mithridates commanded the right wing and Antipater the left wing. Mithridates’ wing began to waver and likely would have been routed, unless Antipater quickly marched along the riverside with his forces. They had already defeated his enemies and came to Mithridates’ rescue. They forced the Egyptians to flee who were defeating Mithridates. They so hotly pursued after those who fled that Antipater took over the enemies’ camp. He shared the plunder with Mithridates and pursued the enemy and he had left Mithridates far behind him. Mithridates lost 800 of his men and Antipater only 50 (or 80, {Josephus, Wars, l. 1. c. 7.}) When Mithridates told Caesar of these things he stated plainly that Antipater was the cause of the victory and their preservation. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 14. c. 15.} 3957b AM, 4667 JP, 47 BC
4997. Almost at the same time also King Ptolemy marched out to surprise Mithridates and Caesar came to rescue him. The king took the quickest route by the Nile River where he had a large fleet already rigged. Caesar did not take the same route lest he would be forced to fight with his fleet. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.} Therefore he sailed by night as though he hurried to one of the mouths of the Nile. He carried many lights on all his ships so that the Egyptians would think he was sailing in that direction. At first went out with his fleet but later he put out his lights and sailed back again. He sailed around the city and he arrived at a peninsula that joined to Africa and landed his soldiers. They marched around the marsh {Dio, l. 42.} and met with the king’s forces before they could attack Mithridates. He defeated them and was received safely with his army. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.}
4998. The king with his army took up the higher ground in a place that was naturally well fortified. Caesar was about seven miles from him and there was a river between them. In crossing the river, he would have to fight with the Alexandrians. He crossed it and killed a large number of the Alexandrians that tried to hinder his crossing. Caesar camped a short distance from the king’s camp and had joined it to his camp by the outer works. His soldiers pursued the Alexandrians that fled from there even to their camp and came up to their fortifications. They began to fight bravely at a distance but they were wounded with arrows from various places. Those who were behind them fought from the river in which were many ships that were well manned with slingers and archers. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.}
4999. When Caesar perceived that his men could not fight more bravely, and yet could not prevail because of the difficulty of the places, he saw that the highest place of the camp was deserted by the Alexandrians because it was naturally well fortified. They had come down into the place where the battle was, partly to see and partly to fight. Therefore he commanded his cohorts go around the camp and to capture that highest ground. He put Casulenus in command of this for he was an excellent man both in valour and knowledge of military affairs. As soon as they arrived there, only a few were left to defend the camp. Caesar’s soldiers fought bravely and the Alexandrians were frightened with the shouting and fighting of their adversaries and began a general rout. The Romans were so encouraged by their disorder that they captured almost on all sides, the whole camp. However, they first took the highest place of the camp. These ran down and killed a huge number in the camp. To escape this danger, the Alexandrians fled and by heaps cast themselves over the rampart on that side that faced the river. The other side was being overwhelmed with the great violence of the battle so that the rest had the easier escape. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.}
5000. It is certain that the king fled from the camp and that he was received into a ship and that he died there when the overloaded ship sank because of the large number who swam to the ships that were nearest. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.} {Livy, l. 112.} {Dio, l. 42.} {Orosius, l. 6. c. 16.} His body wallowed in the mud and rolled to the bank of the Nile. It was identified by the golden breastplate which he wore (such as the Ptolemy’s used to wear, as Julius Capitolinus confirms in Maximinius the Younger) {Florus, l. 4. c. 2.} {Eutropius, l. 6.} {Orosius, l. 6. c. 16.} After the death of his father, Auleres, he lived 3 years and 8 months. Thereupon Porphyry attributed four years to his reign. {Scaliger, in Grac. Eusebius, p. 226.}
5001. In this battle 20,000 men were killed and 12,000 surrendered. Seventy long ships were captured. Caesar lost 500 men. {Orosius, l. 6. c. 16.} In this battle, Antipater was also wounded. Caesar used him in valiant service in his most dangerous adventures. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 14. c. 15.}
5002. In confidence by this great victory, Caesar marched the next day by land to Alexandria with his cavalry. He entered that part of the town as conqueror which was held by a garrison of the enemies. However, all the townsmen cast away their arms and left the forts. They put on the clothes they usually wore when they wanted to supplicate their governors. They brought out all their sacred things of their religion with which they were accustomed to appease the offended and enraged minds of their kings. They came and met Caesar and submitted to him. Caesar took them into his protection and comforted them. He came through the enemy’s fortifications to his own part of the town with great shouting of his own soldiers. They not only rejoiced that the battle was successful but also that his arrival was so joyful. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.}
5003. In the marble calender records, {Inscript. Cruter. p. 133} on the date of the 6th of April, it is thus noted. "HOC DIE CAESAR ALXAND. RECEPIT." "This day Caesar recovered Alexandria." Since the year was then reckoned at Rome that day was on the 14th of the Julian January. Hence the was Alexandrian war over. Caesar fought this war in an unfavourable place at a poor time to fight since it was in the winter. {Suetonius, in Julio, c. 35.}
5004. After Caesar had conquered Egypt, he did not subject it to the dominion of the Romans but gave it to Cleopatra for whose sake he had carried on the war. He feared lest the Egyptians would not like being under a queen and by this he would stir up the Romans against him for doing this and for being too familiar with Cleopatra. Therefore, he ordered that she should marry her brother who was still alive and that they should hold the kingdom in common between them. This he did only for appearances’ sake. For indeed the whole kingdom was committed to Cleopatra, for her husband was only a child of age eleven. (Thereupon, Strabo said he was a very youth. {Strabo, l. 17. p. 796.}) However, she could do anything with Caesar. Therefore under the pretence of marriage with her brother and of sharing the kingdom equally with her husband, she alone ruled over all. She was too familiar with Caesar also. These things Dio has related more honestly. {Dio, l. 42.} Hirtius stated them more mildly in favour of Caesar, thus: {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.}
"After Caesar had conquered Egypt, he made those kings whom Ptolemy had appointed in his will and earnestly asked the people of Rome that they would not alter it. Since the king, the older of the two sons was dead, he turned over the kingdom to the younger son and to Cleopatra, the older of two daughters. She remained under his protection and quarters.’’
5005. Suetonius stated: {Suetonius, in Julio, c. 35.}
"After Caesar had the victory, he granted the kingdom of Egypt to Cleopatra and her younger brother. He feared to make it a province lest at some time or another, they had a rebellious leader who might start a new rebellion.’’
5006. Cleopatra and Caesar feasted many times and sat up until break of day. He sailed with her on the Nile River with 400 ships. He was in the same galley with her that was called Thalamegos. He crossed Egypt as far as Ethiopia but his army refused to follow him any farther. {Suetonius, in Julio, c. 52.} {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 484.}
5007. At Alexandria, Caesar erected a brazen pillar which contained the liberties that he had granted to the Jews. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 14. c. 17., contra Appion, l. 2. p. 1063.}
5008. Pharnaces had become famous because of his successes. He hoped all things would happen to Caesar as he wished they would. He seized on Pontus with all his forces and conquered it. He was a most cruel king. Since he thought he should have better fortune than his father had, he conquered many towns and plundered the goods of the citizens of Rome and of Pontus. He decreed punishments for those that were commendable for either beauty or age that were worse than death itself. He got Pontus when there was no one to defend itand bragged that he had recovered his father’s kingdom. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.}
5009. He mainly displayed his cruelty on Amisus, a city of Pontus. After it had resisted a long time, he won it by storm and put to death all the men that were of age and gelded all that were under age. {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 484.} {Dio, l. 42.} 3957c AM, 4667 JP, 47 BC
5010. Asander, to whom Pharnaces had committed the government of Bosphorus, tried to curry favour with the Romans and hoped to get the kingdom of Bosphorus for himself. He made an insurrection against his master. {Dio, l. 42.}
5011. Caesar sent letters from Egypt to M. Cicero that he should stay where he was and that he should retain the name of imperator (for the victory that he had won in Cilicia.) Pansa carried these letters to him. Cicero returned his fasces adorned with laurel, for him to keep as long as he thought himself fit. {Cicero, pro Ligario} For after he left the province of Cilicia, he had not as yet entered Rome but was accompanied by his lictors everywhere with him, hoping in vain for a triumph. {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 11. epist. 6.} Caesar’s letters were delivered to Cicero the day before the ides of August {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 14. epist. ult.} or the last day of the Julian May.
5012. After Pharnaces had captured Bithynia and Cappadocia, he planned to take Armenia the Less. He incited all the kings and tetrarchs of that country to rebel. {Plutarch, in Caesar} He also marched into Asia in hope of the same success that his father Mithridates had there. {Dio, l. 42.}
5013. Appian stated that Caesar spent nine months in Egypt, {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 484.} and Cleopatra had either kept him there longer or accompanied him on his voyage to Rome. Pharnaces forced him to leave Egypt against his will and hindered his speedy march into Italy. {Dio, l. 42.} A short time later, Cleopatra gave birth to a son by him whom the
Alexandrians called Caesarion. {Plutarch, in Caesar} That name was given to the son by the mother by the permission of Caesar himself. {Suetonius, in Julio., c. 52.} Plutarch {Plutarch, in Antony} seems to intimate that after Caesar’s death, she, had too much familiarity with his enemy Cneus Pompey, the oldest son of Pompey the Great.
5014. Caesar brought from the kingdom, Arsinoe, the younger sister of Cleopatra, in the name of whom Ganimedes had a long time most tyrannically reigned. He wanted to prevent a future rebellion that might arise through seditious men. He wanted to keep her away until time had confirmed the authority of the king. He took his 6th veteran legion and he left three other legions there so that the king’s authority might be confirmed. He could not keep the affections of his own subjects because both the king and the queen had constantly persevered in Caesar’s friendship. Neither could they claim any basis for their authority since they were new to the throne. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.} {Suetonius, c. 76.}
5015. After Caesar had finished and settled all things, he marched by land into Syria. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.} {Suetonius, c. 35.} {Plutarch, in Julius Caesar} {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 484.} {Orosius, l. 6. c. 16.} Josephus wrote that he sailed to Syria {Josephus, Antiq. l. 14. c. 15.} and Hirtius later confirmed this.
5016. The news of Caesar’s departure from Alexandria, came to Italy on July 5th, (Julian April 23rd) {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 11. epist. 19.} C. Trebonius left Caesar at Antioch who went from Seleucia Pieria. In a 28 day journey, the 13th day before September, (Julian June 3rd) he came into Italy. {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 11. epist. 13.} From this it is deduced that Caesar was at Antioch 14 days before August. (Julian May 6th)
5017. Johannes Malela Autiochenus, in the ninth book of his Chronicle, (an unpublished manuscript) noted that on the twelfth day of the month, Artemisiusm, or May, there was an edict publicly proposed in the city of Antioch, concerning the empire of Julius Caesar. On the 20th of the same month, another edict was sent out from Julius Caesar concerning the liberty of the same city. It said: En Anpoceia tw mwtropldà iera kz aoulw kz autonomwà kz pbokazhmzuh t atarolhsà iouliosgaios Kaioar &c. "Julius Caesar to the metropolis of Antioch, the holy and privileged asylum and refuge against the vigour of the law." Finally on the 23rd day, Caesar the dictator entered Antioch. However, that he was in Antioch on the 20th day, that edict clearly shows. It should be said that he rather left from the city on the 23rd day, the night he came there.
5018. Antigonus, the son of Aristobulus, came to Caesar to complain to him about his father’s misfortune. For, by siding with Caesar he was poisoned by Pompey’s side. His brother was beheaded by Scipio. Antigonus wanted Caesar to have pity on him since he was expelled from his father’s kingdom. He likewise accused Hyrcanus and Antipater that they by force had taken over the government. They did not hold back from wronging him. He also accused them that they sent help into Egypt to Caesar not so much for good will but for fear of the ancient animosity and that they might be freed from punishment for their loyalty to Pompey. However, Antipater pleaded his own cause and justified himself and accused Antigonus. He recalled what work he had taken for Caesar in the last wars. He showed the number of his wounds and made them the witness of the truth of his words. When Caesar heard this, he made Hyrcanus the high priest and offered Antipater any government he asked and made him governor of Judea. {Josephus, Wars, l. 1. c. 8., Antiq. l. 14. c. 15.}
5019. Caesar also decreed that Hyrcanus and his children should in perpetuity retain the government and high priesthood of the Jews, according to the custom of the country and he was taken into the number of his friends and allies. If there arose any controversy concerning the discipline of the Jews, Hyrcanus should decide it. Moreover, he would not be forced to quarter soldiers in winter nor would he pay taxes. A brazen table containing these things was to be erected in the capitol and in the temples at Tyre, Sidon and Askelon. It was engraved in Latin and Greek. These decrees were to be sent into all places. {Josephus, Antiq. l. 14. c. 17.}
5020. After Caesar had stayed in almost all the cities of Syria that were of any note, he distributed both publicly and privately rewards to them that deserved them. He was made aware of and settled old controversies. Also kings and tyrants, governors of the provinces and borders, (who all came to him) he took under his protection on conditions he imposed on them for the keeping and defending of the provinces. He dismissed his friends and the friends of the people of Rome. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.}
5021. Caesar took away at Tyre all the things that were dedicated to Hercules, because they had entertained Pompey and his wife in their flight. {Dio, l. 42.}
5022. After some days had been spent in the province of Syria, he gave the command of the legions and Syria to Sextus Caesar, his friend and relative. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.} Dio wrote that he committed all things to the charge of Sextus, his treasurer and cousin. {Dio, l. 47.} Appian stated that there was a legion left in Syria by him even when he was thinking of the Parthian war. The honour of governor was granted to his relative, Sextus Julius who was a young man. {Appian, Civil War, l. 3. p. 573., l. 4. p. 923.}
5023. After Caesar had ordered the affairs in Syria, he went to Cilicia in the same fleet that he came in. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.} {Josephus, Antiq. l. 14. c. 16.} He called all the cities of which province to him to Tarsus. There he ordered all things concerning the province and the neighbouring cities. He did not stay there long because he wanted to settle the war in Pontus. {Hirtius, de bell. Alexandrin.}
5024. Here he pardoned Tarcondimotus (of whom mention is made formerly, {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 15.}) who had a part of Cilicia under him and had greatly helped Pompey by sea. {Dio, l. 41.}
5025. After Antipater had followed Caesar from Syria, he returned into Judea. As he was making his rounds through the province, he repressed by threats and advice those who were rebellious. He told them that if they would be content with their prince Hyrcanus, they would live happily in their own land. If they thought they could do better by rebelling, they would have him as master instead of a governor and Hyrcanus a tyrant instead of a king and Caesar and the Romans would be most bitter enemies instead of princes. Because of this they would not at all allow anything to be changed from what they had settled. When as Antipater knew that Hyrcanus was dull and idle, he settled the state of the province as he pleased and truly made Phasaclus, his older son, the governor of Jerusalem and the neighbouring countries. He gave the care of Galilee to Herod who was his second oldest son and a very young man. {Josephus, Wars, l. 1. c. 8., Antiq., l. 14. c. 16, 17.}
5026. Josephus stated that Herod was only 15 years old at that time. {Josephus, Antiq. l. 14. c. 17.} The following references retain the same number. {Rusinus in his translation of Josephus} {Photius, Bibliotheca, cod. 258.} {Pseudogoronides the Hebrew, l. 5. c. 3.} {Nicephorus Calistus, Ecclesiast. Histor. l. 1. c. 6.} However, the first historians, Ptolemy and Nicholas Damascenus, who wrote of Herod, from whom Josephus took his information, wrote 25 instead of 15. It is an easy mistake for the transcribers to confuse kefor ie. It was 43 and an half years from this time to the death of Herod. If we add 25 years to this we get his age at death of 68 and an half years. If he had lived six months longer, he would have been in his 70th year. Josephus himself acknowledges, that when he was dying that he was almost in his 70th year.
5027. Phasaclus had a son born whom was called also Phasaclus by his wife Salampsio, the daughter of Herod and Mariame. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 18. c. 7.} He was only 7 years old when his father died. {Josephus, Antiq. l. 14. c. 25.}
5028. Pharnaces planned an expedition against Asander who had revolted from him in the Bosphorus. When he heard that Caesar was coming quickly into Armenia, he was terrified and more afraid of Caesar who led the invasion than of his army. He sent many ambassadors to treat for peace before Caesar marched too close to him. He hoped that by any means, he might avoid this immediate danger. He made this his main pretence that he had never helped Pompey. He also hoped that he might induce Caesar to some peace terms because he was hurrying into Italy and Africa. Then after his departure, he might renew his planned war. Caesar suspected as much and courteously entertained his first and second ambassadors so that he might take him by surprise while he was still hoping for peace. {Dio, l. 42.}
5029. Caesar made long marches through Cappadocia and stayed two days at Mazace. Then he came to Comana, the most ancient temple of Bellona (goddess of war) in Cappadocia. She was worshipped with such great devotion that her priest was considered by the whole country second only to the king in majesty, command and power. {Strabo, l. 12. p. 535.} Caesar decreed this priesthood on Nicomedes of Bithynia who was a most noble man and of the family of the Cappadocian kings. He recovered the right that was undoubtedly his, although it was long interrupted. {Hirtius} Although Caesar confirmed the commands which they had received from Pompey to others who had taken part with Pompey against him, he transferred the priesthood of the Comanians from Archelaus to Nicomedes. {Appian, in Mithridaticus, p. 254.} Pompey had given it to his father Archelaus, the husband of Cleopatra’s elder sister, who was killed in Egypt by Gabinius. {Strabo, l. 12. p. 558.}
5030. When Caesar came close to Pontus and the borders of Galatia, Dejotarus the tetrarch of Galatia came to Caesar. He claimed the state of Armenia the Less which the senate had granted to him but was disputed by the rest of the tetrarchs who said it never belonged to him by law or custom. Dejotarus set aside his royal robes and dressed like a common man who was guilty. He fell prostrate at Caesar’s feet and begged his pardon in that he had served in Cn. Pompey’s army. He made the excuse that he did not know what was happening in Italy and that he was forced to do this because he was surrounded by Pompey’s armies. Caesar rejected his excuse but he said he would grant him his request for his former benefit, for his old acquaintance and friendship’s sake, for the dignity and age of the man and at the intreaty of many of Dejotarus’ friends and acquaintances who came to intercede on his behalf. Caesar said that he would later decide the controversies of the tetrarchs and he restored his royal robes to him. However, he ordered the Dejotarus’ legion brought to him. Dejotarus had formed it from his own men who were trained up in the Roman discipline. Caesar also wanted all his cavalry to be brought to him to serve him in the Pontic war. {Appian, in Mithridaticus, p. 254.} Caesar fined his old acquaintance Dejotarus a sum of money and gave Armenia the Less, that was given to Dejotarus by the senate and currently occupied by Pharnaces, to Ariobarzanes, the king of Cappadocia. {Cicero, in Orat. Philippic. 2. de divination. l. 1. & 2.} {Dio, l. 41.}
5031. Cicero made a speech for that king that Domitius paid his fine by two or three times selling his own private goods at a public sale. Caesar could then use the money in the war. Also to gain Caesar’s favour, he told Caesar this about the matter:
``What he keeps by your means, he keeps in memory, not what he lost. Neither does he think that he was punished by you but since he thought that many things were to be given by you to many men, he did not refuse but that you might take some from him who was on the other side. &c. Oh Caesar, you have given all things to Dejotarus since you have granted the name of king even to his son. As long as he retains and keeps this name, he thinks that no favour of the people of Rome nor any sentence of the senate made in his favour, is diminished.’’
5032. When Caesar was come into Pontus, he made a rendezvous of all his forces into one place. They were varied in number and in martial discipline except the 6th legion which was a veteran legion that he had brought with him from Alexandria. (However, through the labours and hazards they had undergone, they were so undermanned because of difficulties both by sea and land and partly by frequent skirmishes that they were under a thousand men.) The rest were three legions, one was from Dejotarus and two were in the battle that Cnidius Domitius had with Pharnaces. {Hirtius}
5033. Pharnaces was frightened by the approach of Caesar and sent ambassadors to treat for peace. They brought a golden crown to him when he was 25 miles away and very foolishly offered him their king’s daughter in marriage. {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 484.} First of all, they begged that he would not come as an enemy for Pharnaces would do whatever he would order him to. They especially reminded him that Pharnaces had sent no forces to Pompey against Caesar whereas Dejotarus who had sent some troops, was received into Caesar’s favour. Caesar replied that he would be very favourable to Pharnaces if he would do all things as he promised. However, he advised the ambassadors in mild terms as was his custom that they should neither object about Dejotarus to him or too much brag of that favour that they had not sent help to Pompey. {Hirtius} He also accused Pharnaces for this very thing that he had been wicked and ungrateful toward his benefactor. {Dio. l. 41, 42.} In summing up, he ordered him to get out of Pontus and that he should send back the families of the publicans. He should restore to him the allies and citizens of Rome who were in his possession. If he would do this, Caesar said that he would then accept those presents which the generals were accustomed to receive from their friends after a war was happily ended. {Hirtius}
5034. Pharnaces liberally promised all things and he hoped that Caesar would want to hurry to Rome and that he would more willingly believe his promises. He began to go more slowly about his business and to ask for more time for his departure and to interpose new conditions and in short to disappoint Caesar. Caesar knew his craft and hurried his business so much the more so that he would come to fight with him sooner than anyone would think. {Hirtius}
5035. As soon as Caesar came to Pharnaces’ camp, he said, "Shall not now this parricide (murderer of parents) be punished?" He mounted his horse and at the first shout that was given, he routed the enemy and made a great slaughter. Caesar was helped by 1000 cavalry that followed him when he first rushed into the battle. {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 485.} {Dio, l. 42} The same day that Caesar came to the enemy after his march, he went to fight with the enemy. He was sometimes troubled with the enemy’s cavalry and their chariots armed with scythes. Caesar finally obtained the victory. Julius Frontinus {Julius Frontinus, Stratagemat. l. 2. c. 2.} noted that Caesar marshalled his army on an hill and this made for an easier victory. The arrows that were shot from above on the barbarians below, made them quickly flee. Dejotarus was in the battle with Caesar against Pharnaces and risked his life. {Cicero, pro Dejotarus}
5036. This battle was fought around the mountain Scotium which is not more than three miles from the city of Zela. It was near here that Mithridates, the father of Pharnaces, defeated Triarius and the Roman army with a great slaughter. {Hirtius} {Plutarch, in Caesar} {Appian, in Mithridatic. p. 254} {Dio, l. 42.} In this mountain, Pharnaces (that we many represent the story of this fight more accurately from Hirtius) had repaired the old works of his father’s camp five miles from the enemy so that he might control the valleys that were next to the king’s camp. The next night in the fourth watch, Caesar left his camp with all his legions but without any baggage and captured that very place where Mithridates had fought against Triarius.
5037. As soon as it was day and Pharnaces knew this, he drew out all his forces before his camp. They were encouraged either by the good fortune Mithridates had in that place or were persuaded by tokens and ceremonies (which we later heard he did obey, stated Hirtius) or through contempt of the fewness of the Roman forces. Many of these had already been defeated under Domitius. Pharnaces, of his own accord in an uneven place attacked the Romans as they were fortifying their camp and terrified them. They were suddenly called from their work and not set in battle array. The king’s chariots that were armed with scythes created chaos among the soldiers. However, the chariots were quickly overcome by a huge number of arrows. The main body of the enemy followed these chariots and fought hand to hand. They were overcome first in the right wing where the 6th old veteran legion was placed. Then the left wing and the main body were the whole forces of the king were routed. Many of the soldiers were either killed or trampled by their own men. Those who thought to escape by their swiftness, threw away their arms and crossed the valley. They were met by the Romans coming from the higher ground and perished. The Romans were encouraged by this victory and did not hesitate to climb up that steep place and attacked their works and quickly captured the enemy’s camp from those cohorts whom Pharnaces had left to defend it. {Idem}
5038. By this, Caesar ground into the dust Pharnaces in one (and as I may say) not a whole battle like lightning which in one moment, came, hit and departed. Neither was it a vain boast of Caesar’s that he had overcome the enemy before he set eyes on him. {Florus, l. 4. c. 2.} Caesar bragged also that the same day he came to the enemy that he saw him and overcame him. {Dio, l. 42.} He wrote in his letters sent to Rome to his friend Aminitius or Anitius, these three words: "VENI, VIDI, VICI," "I came, I saw, I conquered." {Plutarch, in Caesar} {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 485.} Within five days after his arrival and within four hours after he came in sight of him, he had vanquished Pharnaces in only one battle. {Suetonius, Julio, Caesar., c. 35.} He often recounted the good luck of Pompey, who happened to get his most honour in the Mithridatic war over so cowardly a kind of enemy. {Plutarch, in Caesar} {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 485.}
5039. Pharnaces fled with a few cavalry after the whole multitude of his army was either killed or captured. When the Romans invaded his camp, it gave him an opportunity to escape. Otherwise he would have been brought alive into Caesar’s hands. {Hirtius} He fled to Sinope with 1000 cavalry. {Appian, Mithridatic., p. 254.}
5040. Caesar was overjoyed that he had ended so major a war in so short a time. In recalling the sudden danger, he was the more joyous because the victory came so easily after many difficulties. {Hirtius} Caesar gave the soldiers, all the king’s baggage and the spoils even though they were considerable. {Appian, Mithridatic., p. 254.} {Dio, l. 42} In that place, Mithridates had set up a monument for the victory he had over Triarius. Since it was consecrated to the gods, it was not lawful for Caesar to pull it down. He set up one opposite it for his victory over Pharnaces and so obscured it and in a way threw down that monument which Mithridates had set up. After this, he recovered all the things that Pharnaces had taken from the Romans or their allies. He restored to everyone the things they had lost except a part of Armenia which he gave to Ariobarzanes and requited the calamity that the Amiseni endured by giving them their liberty. {Dio, l. 42} He ordered the sixth legion to go to Italy to receive the rewards and honours due to them. He sent home the supplies that Dejotarus had brought. He left the two other legions in Pontus with Coelius Vinicianus. He passed through Galatia and Bithynia into Asia. He took notice and settled all the controversies of all those provinces and gave laws to tetrarchs, kings and cities. {Hirtius}
5041. As he passed through Asia, he collected the money which raised great anger against the publicans who secretly exacted it among all the people. {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 485.} (P. Servilius Isauricus the colleague of Caesar and Cicero in the Augurship, was proconsul there. {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 13. epist. 68.})
5042. Brithagoras was a man of great authority among the Heracleenses in Pontus and had followed Caesar wherever he went. He even went to this place again for a matter that concerned his countrymen. When Caesar was preparing to return to Rome, Brithagoras died being worn out with old age and continual labours to the great sorrow of his countrymen. {Memnon, in excerptis Photii., c. 62.}
5043. Caesar made Mithridates Pergamenus, the king of Bosphorus, (who had carried on the war in Egypt to a good conclusion and very quickly.) He was of the family of the kings and had a royal education. Mithridates, the king of all Asia, had taken him away from Pergamos when he was only a child and carried him into his camp and kept him for many years. By Caesar’s action, he so strengthened the provinces of the people of Rome against the barbarians and enemy kings by putting in a king over them that was most friendly to them. {Hirtius} Concerning this man see {Strabo, l. 13. p. 625.} {Causabon’s notes} {Appian, in Mithridatic. p. 254.}
5044. He ordered Mithridates to make war upon Asander and become the master of Bosphorus so that he might revenge Asander’s treachery against his friend. {Dio, l. 42.} Caesar also granted him the tetrarchy of the Trochmans, in Galatia, who bordered on Pontus and Cappadocia. This belonged to him by his mother’s right but was seized and in the possession for some years previously by Dejotarus. {Cicero, in Philip, 2., de divinat. 2.} {Hirtius, de bell. Alexand.} {Strabo. l. 12. p. 567., l. 13. p. 625.} {Dio, l. 42.}
5045. After this, Caesar sailed into Greece and Italy. He raised large sums of money under any pretence whatever as he had done previously. He exacted some money that had previously been promised to Pompey. He feigned other excuses to raise money also. He also received from the princes and kings, many golden crowns, as it were in honour of the victories he had achieved. He declared that there were two things by which empires were obtained, retained and increased: soldiers and money. One helped the other and that if one of them failed the other must also fail. {Dio. l. 42.}
"It does not seem that he was at Athens on the first of September, (Julian June 17th) for many things were reported to detain him in Asia, especially Pharnaces. {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 11. epist. 24.} However, Pharnaces was so suddenly conquered, (as it is in the epitome of {Livy, l. 115.}) and all things so quickly settled, that he came to Italy sooner than anyone imagined.’’
5046. as Hirtius observes. {Hirtius, Alexandrian war, fin}
5047. Caesar came to Rome just at the end of the year when he was made dictator. (This office had never been an annual office.) He was declared consul for the next year. {Plutarch, in Caesar}
5048. Pharnaces turned over Synope to Domitius Calvinus who was left by Caesar to continue the war against him. He accepted the peace terms and dismissed him with his 1000 cavalry. Calvinus killed their horses which grieved their owners. From their Pharnaces sailed {Appian, in Mithridatic, p. 254.} and fled into Pontus. Appian {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 485.} stated that Pharnaces fled back into the kingdom of Bosphorus that was given to him by Pompey.
5049. Herod, the prefect of Galilee, captured Hezekiah, a Jew, with many accomplices of his thievery, who were accustomed to invade Syria with his bands. Herod put him to death and this gained him much favour with the Syrians. Then he governed the province of Syria. {Josephus, Wars, l. 1. c. 8., Antiq. l. 14. c. 17.}
5050. Phasaelus, was jealous of his brother’s glory, and got himself into the favour of the inhabitants of Jerusalem by doing all public business personally and not abusing his power to harm anyone. By this, it came to pass that Antipater, his father, was reverenced by the whole country as if he had been the king. However his fidelity and goodwill which he owed to Hyrcanus, was maintained. {Josephus, Wars, l. 1. c. 8., Antiq. l. 14. c. 17.} 3958a AM, 4667 JP, 47 BC
5051. Caesar undertook an expedition against P. Scipio, the father-in-law of Pompey the Great, M. Cato, and Juba, the king of Mauritania. On the 13th day before January, he came to Lilybaeum. From there, on the 5th day before January, he sailed and after four days came within sight of Africa. {Hirtius, de Bell. African., l. 1.} The 13th day before January was on the Julian September 30th. This was the year before the institution of the new calendar, as the counting backwards from the long following year of 445 days made in the month of January, the first Julian year. (as will be shown later) Plutarch and Dio did not note this fact. Plutarch stated that Caesar crossed into Sicilia about the winter solstice, {Plutarch, in Caesar} and Dio said that he went into Africa in the middle of winter. {Dio, l. 43.} However, that he went into Africa before winter was clearly affirmed by Cicero. {Cicero, de divination., l. 2.}
"When Caesar was advised that he should not go into Africa before winter, did he not go? No, if he had not gone, all the forces of his adversaries would have made their rendezvous in one place.’’
5052. On the first of January, (Julian October 13th) Caesar camped at a town called Ruspina. On January 4th, (Julian October 16th) the third day that he landed in Africa, there was a most fierce battle which lasted from five o’clock in the morning until sunset. Caesar defeated Labienus and Petreius. On the 5th day before February, (Julian November 6th) he again defeated the enemy’s army under the command of Labienus and Scipio. {Hirtius, de Bell. African., l. 1.}
5053. Dio {Dio, l. 42.} noted that Pharnaces tried by force to enter into Bosphorus and was cast into prison and put to death by Asander. Appian gives more details. {Appian, Mithridatics, p. 254.} Thus Pharnaces had gathered together a band of Scythians and Sarmatians and captured Theudocia and Panticapeum. When he made war on Asander, his cavalry men who had no horses and were not used to fighting on foot, were defeated. Pharnaces fought valiantly even though he was now 50 years old. He was wounded and killed. He had reigned fifteen years in Bosphorus, as Appian has it, or rather seventeen years. That time is the time from the murder of his father Mithridates.
5054. Caecilius Bassus was an equestrian who fled from the battle of Pharsalus after Pompey was defeated. He lived as a private citizen at Tyre, where some of his own side came to him. He won the favour of these men and the soldiers of Sextus, the governor of Syria. These came at various times to guard the city. Since there was much news brought of Caesar’s ill fortune in Africa, he became discontent and tried to instigate a revolt. Sextus arrested him for this before he was completely ready. Bassus excused himself by saying that he only raised forces to help Mithridates Pergamenus to capture Bosphorus. So Sextus believed him and let him go. {Dio, l. 47.}
5055. The noble men of the Jews began to detest Antipater and his sons because they were so highly honoured by the Jewish nation and became rich by the money from Hyrcanus and by the revenues from Judea. Antipater made friendship with the Roman generals and by persuaded Hyrcanus to send money to them. He got the credit for this gift as if he had sent it from his own treasury and had not received it from Hyrcanus. When Hyrcanus heard about this, he was not angry but rather contented. However the violence and bold nature of Herod, who was desirous of the government, terrified the princes of the Jews the most. For this reason, they went to Hyrcanus and publicly accused Antipater. They complained most of all of Herod because he had put to death Hezekiah along with many others without any order received from Hyrcanus. This was in contempt of the laws by which no man was punished no matter how wicked unless he was first condemned by the judges. Everyday the mothers also of those who were killed, did not stop complaining and crying in the temple and persuaded both the king and the people that Herod should give an account of his actions before the Sanhedrim. Therefore Hyrcanus yielded to their requests and ordered that Herod be summoned before the council and to plead his own case. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 14. c. 17.}
5056. When Herod had arranged the affairs of Galilee as he thought best for himself, he was warned by his father that he should not go into the counsel alone. He should take with him a moderate but sufficient guard, lest he should terrify Hyrcanus if he brought too many. Neither should he leave himself exposed to any danger from the judgment. When Herod presented himself before the Sanhedrim in his royal robes with his guard in arms, they were all astonished. Neither dared anyone who accused him when he was absent, speak a word against him when he was present. All kept silence not knowing what to do. Then Sameas spoke who was one of the council. He was a just man and for this reason not afraid for that old proverb of the Hebrews showed that he was no hot spirited man.
"Be thou humble as Hillel, and not !dpq angry as Sameas’’
5057. He accused Herod of presumption and violence but laid the blame on the judges and the king himself, who had granted him such great liberty. He said later that by the just judgment of God, they would be punished by Herod himself. This actually happened for the judges of that council and Hyrcanus were put to death by Herod when he was king. When Hyrcanus saw that the judges were inclined to condemn Herod, he deferred the business until the next day. He privately advised him to take care of himself. So Herod left for Damascus as though he fled from the king. He presented himself before Sextus Caesar. After he had secured his own affairs, Herod professed publicly that if he were again cited before the judges,he would not appear. The judges took this with great disdain and tried to persuade Hyrcanus that all these things would be his downfall. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 14. c. 17.} 3958b AM, 4668 JP, 46 BC
5058. When Caesar was in Africa, 11 days before April (Julian October 21st) he mustered his army. The next day he brought out all his forces and set them in battle array. After he had waited long enough for his enemies to come to battle, he knew they were not willing to fight, so he brought his forces into their camp again. {Hirtius, de bell. Afric.}
5059. Caecilius Bassus stated from the letters that he forged that he had received news from Scipio that Caesar was defeated and dead in Africa and that the government of Syria was committed to his charge. Therefore with those soldiers he had secured for that purpose, he seized Tyre and from there marched toward Sextus’ forces. He was wounded and defeated and after that did not try to take Sextus by force. {Dio, l. 47.}
5060. On the 4th of April, (Julian February 4th) in the third watch of the night, Caesar left the town Agar and marched 16 miles that night. He began to fortify Thapsus that day. Here he had a famous battle and defeated Juba and Scipio. After this battle, Cato committed suicide in Utica. {Hirtius, de bell. Afric.}
5061. When Sextus Caesar had been bribed by Herod, he made him the governor of Coelosyria. Herod was quite upset that he was called before the council and led an army against Hyrcanus. However, by the meeting and intreaties of his father Antipater and brother Phasaelus, he was prevented from invading Jerusalem. They tried to appease him and desired that he should be content with giving them a good fright and do them no harm. He should do no more and obey his father who had given him his power and government. Herod obeyed this advice and thought that he had done sufficient for his future plans and that he had shown the country he was a force to be reckoned with. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 14. c. 17.}
5062. In Africa, Caesar is reported to have seen in his sleep, a great army calling to him and weeping. He was so moved by this dream that he immediately recorded it into his books of remembrances concerning the building of Carthage and Corinth. {Appian, in Lybicus. p. 85.}
5063. Hyrcanus, through his ambassadors, desired that Julius Caesar would confirm the alliance and friendship that was between them. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 14. c. 17.}
5064. Caecilius Bassus sent some of his party to Sextus Caesar’s soldiers who should raise their hopes and so ally themselves to him. After they had killed Sextus, they had his own legion come over to his side. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 14. c. 17.} {Livy, l. 114.} {Libo. apud Appian, Civil Wars, l. 3. p. 576.} {Dio, l. 47.} However, this story is reported by others like this. Sextus was a young man and liked pleasure. He poorly treated the legion that Julius Caesar had left in Syria for him. Bassus, to whom the care of the legion was committed, reprehended him for this. Sometimes Sextus reproachfully rejected this advice. One time later when Sextus ordered Bassus to come, he slowly obeyed. Sextus ordered him to be brought by head and shoulders. In this tumult, the two started fighting. When the army could not endure this insolence any longer, they killed Sextus with their arrows. They were soon sorry for what they had done and were afraid of Caesar. They made a conspiracy that if they received no pardon and good assurance of it, they would fight it out to the last man. They also forced Bassus to join the conspiracy. After this, they raised a new company and trained them in the same discipline that they kept. {Appian, Civil War, l. 3. p. 575, 576., l. 4. p. 613.}
5065. Bassus took over all the army, except a few who had wintered at Apamea who had left for Cilicia before his arrival. He in vain followed them there. When he returned to Syria, he was nominated praetor and fortified Apamea that he might make that the seat of the war. He enlisted all for the war who were of full age both freemen and servants. He minted money and made arms. {Dio, l. 47.}
5066. When Caesar had finished the African war on June 13th (Julian April 14th), he sailed from Utica. After the third day he came to Carales into Sardinia. Two days before July, (Julian April 29th) he went by ship near the shore. On the 28th day after (Julian May 26th) because he was hindered by storms, he came to the city of Rome. {Hirtius, in bell. Africa, in fin.}
5067. Caesar triumphed at Rome four times in the same month with a few days between each triumph. Each one displayed different equipment and provisions. {Suetonius, in Julio, c. 37.} The chariot for Gaul, was made of the citron tree, for Pontus, of brazel, for Alexandria, of tortoise shell, and for Africa, ivory. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 56.} In the Pontic triumph among the pageants and shows, he carried before him the title of these three words, "VENI, VIDI, VICI." "I came, I saw, I conquered" This did not signify the acts achieved by him like other conquerors, but the quick execution of this war. {Suetonius, in Julio, c. 37.} In this, the flight of Pharnaces made the people laugh. The Alexandrian triumph for Egypt was held between the Gallic and the Pontic ones. In it the actions of Achillas and Photinus were very plausibly presented. (??) {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 491.} Arsinoe, the Egyptian woman and at that time considered a queen, was led among the captives. (This had never happened at Rome before.) This raised much pity in the people for her. After the triumph as a favour to her relatives, she was released. {Dio. l. 43.}
5068. Her family, that is her older sister Cleopatra and younger brother Ptolemy, the husband of Cleopatra, came to Rome this year when Caesar invited them. Caesar appointed Cleopatra her lodging in his own house, and sent her away with great honours and rewards and did not care at all for the gossip he created by this. {Dio, l. 43.} {Suetonius, in Julio. c. 52.} Also in the temple of Venus Genetrix, which he built for a vow he made as the battle of Pharsalus was being fought (Dio confirmed it was dedicated this year by him), Caesar set up an image of Cleopatra beside Venus. {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 492.}
5069. In Syria, C. Antistius (Vetus) and others from Caesar’s captains, came against Caecilius Bassus with cavalry and foot soldiers. He besieged him in Apamea. The neighbouring countries that favoured Caesar’s party sent forces to help. Antipater sent forces by his sons as well for the sake of Sextus Caesar who was killed and Julius Caesar who was alive because he was a friend to both of them. They fought for a long time to no ones’ advantage. A truce was made with no articles or covenants. They suspended the war to bring in more auxiliaries. {Josephus, Wars, l. 1 c. 8. fin., Antiq., l. 14. c. 17. fin.} {Dio, l. 47.}
5070. Mithridates Pergamenus again plundered the temple of Lencothea (in the country of the Moschi near the Phases River) which was previously plundered by Pharnaces. {Strabo, l. 11. p, 498.} Like Pharnaces before him, he tried to seize Bosphorus. Asander (referred to by Strabo as Calander and Lysander) defeated him and so when he had eliminated both of them, Asander quietly enjoyed the kingdom of Bosphorus. {Strabo, l. 11. p. 495., l. 13. p. 625.}
5071. When Julius Caesar was high priest in his third year and in the consulship of M. Aemihus Lepidus, he ordered the amendment of the Roman year. He had the help of Sosigenes in astronomical matters and of Flarius, a scribe, in arranging the calendar. There were 23 days intercalated in the month of February. He interposed between November and December, two other intercalary months of 67 days. So that this year had 15 months or 445 days. {Censorinus de dic. natali. c. 8.} {Suetonius, in Julio. c. 40.} {Pliny l. 18. c. 25.} {Dio, l. 43.} {Macrob., Saturnal. l. 1. c. 14.} 3959a AM, 4668 JP, 46 BC
5072. The day before the former intercalary months (Julian September 26th), Cicero made a speech before Caesar for Q. Ligarius. {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 6. epist. 14.} 3959b AM, 4669 JP, 45 BC
5073. From the month of January, when Caesar started his fourth consulship, the year is reckoned as the first of the new Julian year. From this time, he appointed the beginning of the year as decreed by him. {Censorin., de dic. natali. c. 8.}
5074. Caesar made war in Spain with Pompey’s sons, 10 days before March and captured the town of Aregna. He was called emperor when the Liberalia (as it is called by {Plutarch, in Caesar}) were celebrated fifteen days before the month of April (as is shown from the old calendar.) He achieved a memorable victory at the city Munda when in the battle 30,000 men on Pompey’s side along with the two generals, Labienus and Atius Varus and almost 3000 equestrians were killed. Caesar lost about 1000 men and had about 500 wounded. After his young Cn. Pompey was killed who assumed the ensigns of the consul and the government, his head was presented to Caesar as he was marching to Hispales. This was on April 12th and the head was publicly shown to the people. {Author, commentaries de bell. Hispaniensi.}
5075. The day before the Palilia, (11 days before May) about evening the news of this victory came to Rome. (Dio. l. 43.) The day before May, Caesar wrote a consolatory letter from Hispalis to M. Cicero {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 23. epist. 20.} for the death of his daughter, Tullia. After the divorce of her mother Terentia, she died at P. Lentulus’ house in childbirth {Ascon. Pedian. in orat. Pisonian} {Plutarch, in Cicero} when her husband, P. Cornilius Dolabella, was in Spain with Caesar. {Cicero, ad Attic., Philippic. 2. l. 13.}
5076. Caius Octavian, the grandchild of his sister, Julia, accompanied Caesar in this war. He was 18 years old and always stayed in the same house with Caesar and always rode in the same coach with him. Caesar honoured this lad with the high priesthood. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 59.}
5077. When King Dejotarus was in some trouble, he sent Blesanius, his ambassador, to Spain to Caesar. Caesar, by letters sent to him from Tarracon, bid him be of good hope and good courage. {Cicero, pro Dejotarus}
5078. While the war in Syria with Caecilius Bassus was going on, L. Statius (in Velleius he was called, Staius, and in Appian, Sextius) Murcus (incorrectly called by Josephus, Marcus) who was a former praetor was sent by Julius Caesar as the successor to Sextus. He left Italy with three companies and was valiantly defeated by Bassus. (Velleius Patercius, l. 2. c. 69.} {Josephus, Wars, l. 1. c. 8. fin., Antiq. l. 14. c. 17. fin.} {Appian, Civil War, l. 3. p. 576., l. 4. p. 623.} The country had well furnished the army of Bassus. He also had many Arabian princes who were allied with him in this war. These controlled many fortified places that were near by. Among these places, was Lysias which was located beyond the lake which is near to Apamea and Arethusa, the country of Sampseranus and of his Iamblycus. {of whom Cicero mentioned in {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 15. epist. 1.}) These princes governed the countries of the Emisseni, Heliopolis and Chalcis. Also there were near those who were under the command of Ptolemy, the son of Mennaeus, who also governed Marsya and the mountainous places of the Ituraeans. {Strabo, l. 26, p. 753.}
5079. Alchaudonius, the Arabian (called Alchaedamus by Strabo) was the king of the Rhambaean nomads who lived near the Euphrates River. They had formerly made a league with Lucullus but later had sent forces to the Parthians against Crassus. Both Bassus and his enemies appealed to them for help. Alchaudonius went into Mesopotamia. When he came to a place that was between Apamea and the camp of Caesar’s supporters, before he would answer either side, he proposed that he would help those who gave him the most. In the battle he greatly over powered the enemy by his archery. {Strabo, l. 26, p. 753.} {Dio, l. 47.}
5080. On the 13th of September, Caesar made his last will and testament in his own house at Laticum and committed it to the keeping of the head vestal virgin. In it he appointed three grandchildren of his sister’s, as his heirs. C. Octavian received 75% (not 50% as it is in {Livy, l. 116.}), Lucius Pinarius and Q. Pedius received 25%. He also adopted C. Octavian into his name and family. He named also many of his murderers as tutors to his sons if he should happen to have any. He appointed also Decimus Brutus to be one of his second heirs in remainder {Suetonius, in Julio. c. 83.} and M. Antony {Dio, l. 44.} {Florus, l. 4. c. 4.} if those formerly appointed could not take the inheritance. {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 518.} 3960a AM, 4669 JP, 45 BC
5081. In the month of October, Caesar who had now conquered all, entered Rome and pardoned all who fought against him. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 56.} After he had performed the triumph for Spain, in the beginning of this month, he retired from the consulship. He instituted a new order by substituting honourary consuls. He made Q. Fabius Maximus and C. Trebonius the consuls for three months. {Dio, l. 43.} {Gruteri, cum inscript. p. 298. init.} The former of whom had been consul and triumphed for Spain on October 13th. {Gruteri, p. 297.} Thereupon, when Chrysippus had seen in the triumph of Caesar, the ivory towns carried before him and a few days later the wooden ones of Fabius Maximus, he said they were but the cases for Caesar’s towns. {Quintilian, l. 6. c. 4.}
5082. Very many and great honours were decreed by the senate to Caesar. He was declared to be the perpetual dictator {Livy, l. 116.} and he was called emperor. {Suetonius, in Julius, c. 76.} This was not in the sense in which both before and after, it was given to generals for any victory they had obtained in the wars. This signified the highest power and authority in the state {Dio, l. 43.} for it was granted to him that he alone should have soldiers and the command of the militia. He alone should take charge of the public money and that it should be lawful for no other to make use of either of these. All the magistrates should be subject to him, including the magistrates of the common people. They should swear that they would never infringe on any of his decrees. {Dio, l. 43.} {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 194.} From this time to his last return to the city, Velleius declared: {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 56.} "His five months of his principal office.’’
5083. Caesar thought of repressing the Getae or Daci who had made a large invasion into Pontus and Thracia. {Suetonius, in Julius, c. 44.} {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 497.} To prepare for this expedition, he sent ahead Octavian, the son of Atiae by his sister Julia’s daughter, to Apollonia. He was to study there and learn martial discipline. He intended later to make him his fellow soldier in the Getic and Pontic war. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 59.} {Suetonius, in Octavian c. 8.} {Plutarch, in M. Brutus} {Appian, Civil War, l. 3. p. 531.} {Dio, l. 45.} Some squadrons from Pergamos came there. They were now very old, and he took them along from the city to there. {Suetonius, in Octavian c. 89.} {Strabone, l. 13. p. 625.} To that place came some squadrons of cavalry from Macedonia with whom he was exercised. By entertaining them courteously, he became very gracious with the army. {Appian, Civil War, l. 3. p. 531.}
5084. Castor, a young man, was incited by his father, Suocondarius, (as Strabo calls him) and his mother, the daughter of King Dejotarus. He went to Rome to accuse his grandfather. After he corrupted Philip, the king’s servant and a Phisitian, with hopes and promises that he should accuse his master falsely of treason. The king would have killed Caesar when he entertained him in his tetrarchy. The king’s ambassadors, Hieras, Blescenius, Antigonus and Dorylaus opposed this and offered to Caesar their own lives for the safety of the two kings. (The father and son then reigned together.) Cicero made a speech in Caesar’s house for him in memory of their old friendship and familiarity. He prefaced his remarks with the statement that it was so unusual for a king to be guilty of treason that it was never heard of before. However, for this accusation, Dejotarus had killed his daughter, together with her husband Castor or Suocondarius (that noble Chronographer) in Garbrius the palace of Castor himself. {Strabo, l. 13. p. 568.} Concerning all this business Vessius (alas! our dear friend for sometime) is to be consulted in the last chapter of his first book of Greek Historians.
5085. On December 13th (ides), Q. Pedius triumphed for Spain, (the third time within three months,) {Gruter, Inscript. p. 197) in which (as Fabius had done before him) he used wooden pageants instead of ivory ones which caused much laughter. {Dio, l. 43.}
5086. The Parthians came to help Caecilius Bassus but did not stay long because it was winter and did not do anything outstanding for him. Dio {Dio, l. 47.} stated that by their arrival, Bassus was freed from that close siege by Antistius Velus, as Velus himself confirms in his letters to Balbus. Concerning this, Cicero wrote, {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 14. epist. 9.}
"Balbus was here with me to whom letters were delivered on the day before the month of January from Balbus when as Caecilius was besieged by him and was almost taken. Pacorus, the Parthian came with numerous forces and so he escaped from him with the loss of many of his men. He blamed Volcatius for this. So it seems to me that war is near but let Nelcias and Dollabella take care of it.’’
5087. That is to whom the care of the province of Syria and of the Parthian war was committed after the death of Caesar when Cicero wrote this letter.
5088. At Rome, the day before the month of January, after Q. Fabius Maximus, the consul, was dead, C. Caninins Rebilus demanded the consulship of a few towns. {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 14. epist. 9.} {Pliny, l. 7. c. 53.} {Suetonius, in Claudius, c. 15.} {Trebell Pallion., in 30. Tyrannis.} Concerning whom, Cicero wrote to Curtius. {Cicero, Letter to his Friends, l. 7. epist. 30.}
"Know that all the time that Caninius was consul, there no one dined. However, there was no harm done all the time that he was consul for he was very vigilant as one who never slept in his consulship.’’ {Macrob., Saturnal, l. 2. c. 3., l. 7. c. 3.}
5089. The next day Caesar assumed his fifth and last consulship. He made an edict that thanks should be returned to Hyrcanus, the high priest and prince of the Jews and to the country of the Jews for their affection to him and the people of Rome. Caesar also decreed that Hyrcanus should have the city of Jerusalem and should rebuild its walls and govern it after his own will. He also granted to the Jews that every second year there should be a deduction in their rents and that they should be free from impositions and tributes. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 14. c. 17.} Josephus seems to be mistaken when in the previous chapter he said that Caesar was in Syria and sent letters to Rome to the consuls. The letters said that authority should be given to Hyrcanus to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem that Pompey had thrown down. Josephus said that shortly after this, Caesar left Syria, and Antipater started to rebuild the walls. That decree of the senate that Josephus recorded did not apply to Hyrcanus, nor to the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. We have seen this in 3877 AM <<>> concerningwhich also Salianus is to be consulted with at the year 4007 AM num. 36, 37.
5090. In the same fifth consulship, in the second Julian year, the month Quintilis was renamed to July in honour of Julius Caesar. M. Antony, his colleague in the consulship, proposed this law because Julius was born on the fourth of ides of Quintilis in this month. (July 12th) {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 494.} {Dio, l. 44.} {Censorin, de die natali, c. 9.} {Mucrabins, Saturnal, l. 2. c. 12.} Thereupon, in the following term of Serceilis, M. Brutus, who was the city’s praetor and was to hold the Apollinanian plays after Caesar was murdered by him, wrote "Nonis Julio" the "Nones of July." Cicero wrote to his friend Atticus, {Cicero, ad Atticus, l. 16. epist. 1.} "I could be angry an whole day. Could anything be more base, than for Brutus to write Julio?’’
5091. After Brutus was admonished for this by him, he said that he would write that the hunting that was to be the day after the Apollinanian Plays, should be on the 3rd ides of Quintilis. (July 13th) {Cicero, ad Atticus, l. 16. epist. 4.}
5092. Caesar rebuilt Carthage and Corinth which were both demolished at one time, (See note on 3858 AM) by bringing Roman colonies there. {Dio. l. 43.} {Strabo, l. 8. p. 381., l. 17. p. 833.} Concerning Corinth, the writers {Pausanias, in Corinthianis} {Solinus, de Carthage, c. 30.} {Appian, Lybicorum, fin.} agree that between the overthrow and rebuilding of Carthage, 102 years elapsed. This would brings us to this year when M. Antony and P. Dolabella were consuls whom Solinus named. Appian wrote that these cities were again rebuilt by Augustus Caesar.
5093. At this time, the people of Rome were in a mood to revenge the death of Crassus and the army that he lost and hoped to utterly conquer the Parthians. Thereupon this war, by general consent, was decreed to be headed by Caesar. They very earnestly made preparations for it. The following action was taken for the execution of that war so that both Caesar might have officers enough with him and that in his absence that the city should not be left without magistrates. So the city would not choose them and cause problems for Caesar when he was away, they intended to appoint magistrates before hand for the whole three years. (This was how long they thought that the war might last.) Half of these Caesar chose as indeed was by the law granted to him, (concerning this law consult Suetonius) In truth he chose all the rest too. {Dio, l. 43.}
5094. Caesar planned to attack the Cetae or Daci first. He sent ahead of him over the Adriatic Sea, sixteen legions and 10,000 cavalry. Then he planned to make war on the Parthians by going through Armenia the Less. He did not want to come to a pitched battle, until he had tried his troops. (Suetonius, in Julius, c. 44.} {Appian, l. 2. p. 497.}
5095. Caesar sent Cornisicius to make war in Syria against Caecilius Bassus, and gave him the province of Syria. {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 12., epist. 18. 19.} While the legions were to be brought to him, Caesar was murdered. After that the province was assigned to P. Cornelius Dolabella, the consul and (as we shall see) old Africa was given to Cornisicius. {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 12. epist. 19. 21.} {Appian, Civil War, l. 4. p. 620. 621.}
5096. Caesar committed the charge and command of three legions that he had left in Alexandria to Rufinus, the son of a freed man of his who was an old catamite (boy kept for homosexual purposes) of his own. {Suetonius, in Julius, c. 76.}
5097. Six days (7th of calends) before February, Caesar entered the city. In a speech from the Albana Mount, {Gruters, Inscript. p. 297.} it was decreed that in the performance of the Latin Feria, he should be thus brought into the city. {Dio, l. 44.}
5098. Some had greeted him as king, as he was returning from the sacrifice of the Latin Feria and going into the city from the mount Albanus. He was offended that the people took it poorly and told them that he was Caesar and not a king. When they all held their peace, he went along by them very sad and melancholy. One of the company put a laurel crown tied with a white ribbon, (which was what they used to do to their kings,) on his statue. Epidius Marcellus and Coesilius Flavus ordered that the crown to be untied and the man to be put into prison. Caesar was grieved that the mention of a kingdom was not well received or that the glory of denying it was taken from him. He severely chided the tribunes and deprived them of their office. {Suetonius, in Julius, c. 79.} {Plutarch. in codem} {Dio. l. 41.} {Livy. l. 116.} {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 495. 496.}
5099. On the Lupercalia (which the old calendar showed were celebrated on the 15th day of February) M. Antony, his colleague in the consulship, came running stark naked among those who celebrated the feast. He fell down before Caesar, who sat in the rostrum on his golden chair clothed in purple and crowned. He presented him with a diadem in the name of the people of Rome. This was twice put on his head by Antony, but Caesar took it off again and laid on his golden chair. He said that only Jupiter was the king of the Romans and sent the diadem into the Capitol to Jupiter. He ordered that it should be written in the records:
"That at the Lupercalia, Marcus Antony the consul, offered a kingdom to Caesar the dictator, but he would not take it.’’
5100. Thereupon Caesar was suspected that this was only a trick between them and that indeed he did desire the name of king but he would pretend to be forced to take it. {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 495. 496.} {Cicero, in Philip, 2. 3. 8. 13.} {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 56.} {Plutarch, in Antony} {Cassador., in Chronico.}
5101. After this a rumour circulated which was either true or false, (as fables used to be made) that the priest called Quindecimviri found in the Sybil’s book that the Parthians would be overcome by the Romans if a king were general. Otherwise they were unconquerable. Thereupon L. Cotta, one of the Quindecimviri, would in the next senate propose a law that
Caesar should be called king. Some thought that he ought to be called either dictator or emperor of the Romans or any other name that sounded more agreeable than the name of king. Since all other nations were under the command of the Romans, he should positively be called king. {Suetonius} {Plutarch} {Dio, l. 41} {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 497.} Cicero also refers to this: {Cicero, de divinat., l. 2.}
"We observe in the Sybil’s verses which she is reported in a fury to have spoken which were interpreted by L. Cotta. These were recently thought to be man’s fabrications as though it is that the one we have now already for a king, must be called a king, if we will be secure.’’
5102. Caesar prepared to leave the city as soon as he could and he had not thought of where to go. Four days before he intended to go, he was stabbed in the senate. {Appian, Civil War, p. 497.} Sixty senators and equestrians were in this conspiracy. {Suetonius, in Julius. c. 80.} {Eutropius, l. 6. fin.} {Orosius, l. 6. c. 17.} M. Brutus, C. Tribonius and C. Cassius and of
Caesar’s party, Decimus Brutus, where the leaders in the conspiracy. {Livy, l. 116.} Caesar came into the senate house with the intention of advocating the Parthian war. The senators stabbed him as he sat in the ivory chair and he received twenty three wounds. {Livy, l. 116} {Florus, History of Rome, l. 4. c. 2. fin.} on the ides of March (March 15th). He was 56 years old. {Suetonius, in Julius, c. 81, 88, 91.} {Plutarch, in codem.} {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 522.}
5103. Thus he who had fought in fifty battles, {Pliny, l. 7. c. 25.} was killed in that senate by a number of the senators he had chosen himself. He was killed in Pompey’s court before the image of Pompey. Many of his own centurions witnessed this. He so fell by the hands of the most noble citizens and those too, most of them he had promoted himself. None of his friends and none of his servants could come near his body. {Cicero, de divinatione, l. 2.}
5104. P. Cornelius Dolabella, was twenty five years old and was appointed by Caesar to be consul for the rest of Caesar’s term when Caesar left the city. He snatched up the fasces and the consular ensigns. Before them all, he vilely reproached the author of his honour. Some state that he purposed a law that that day might be reckoned as the birthday of the city. {Appian, Civil War, l. 2. p. 505, 506.} {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 58.}
5105. The third day after the murder of Caesar, {Cicero, Philippic} when the Liberalia were celebrated, {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 14. epist. 10.& 16.} that is fifteen days before April (16th of calends), the senate convened in the temple of Tellus. The consul Antonius, Plancos and Cicero spoke for an act of oblivion and a peace. It was decreed that the memory of all wrongs should be blotted out, a firm peace should be established among the citizens and Caesar’s acts should be ratified. {Cicero. Philippic. 1.} {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 58.} {Plutarch, in Cicero, Brutus, Antony} {Appian, Civil Wars, l. 2.} {Dio, l. 44.}
5106. On the very day first of all {Cicero, Philippic 1.} M. Antony set aside all hostility and was willing that Dolabella should be his colleague in the consulship. Although, as Caesar previously showed, that he planned before he left the city that Dolabella should be consul and Antony strongly opposed it. {Cicero, Philippic 2.} {Plutarch, in Antony} At the first he had determined not to allow him to be consul since he was still too young. However, from fear lest he should cause a riot, he allowed it to happen. {Dio, l. 44.}
5107. The next day the senate met again and assigned provinces to the murderers of Caesar. Crete went to M. Brutus, Africa to Cassius, Asia to Trebonius, Bithynia to Cimber and Gallia Circumpana to Decimus Brutus. {Plutarch, in M. Brutus}
5108. Of these, the last two were former praetors of the city. They did not think it wise to enter the provinces before their term of office as praetors had expired in Rome. When they also saw it was not safe for them to exercise any authority in the city, they planned to spend the rest of the year in Italy as private citizens. When the senate understood this, they appointed them to be overseers of the grain shipments to Rome. {Appian, Civil War, l. 3. p. 550.} Brutus was in charge of the grain shipments from Asia and Cassius from Sicily. Cassius scorned this office. {Cicero, ad Attic. l. 15. epist. 9, 11, 12.}
5109. Some had a plan that there should be a private bank established for those who killed Caesar from the Roman equestrians. They thought that this might be easily brought about if the leaders of them would bring in their money. Thereupon, Atticus was called upon by Flavius, a close friend of Brutus, that he would be the leader in this business. Atticus always thought of doing his friend a favour without causing any friction. He replied that if Brutus had any mind to make use of his estate, let him use as much as his estate would allow. He would not so much as speak with anyone about this matter nor join with them in it. So the whole plot of them was spoiled by one man’s dissent. {Cornel. Nipos, Life of Atticus}
5110. In the temple of Castor, some letters of the names of the consuls Antony and Dolabella were struck down with lightning. Julius {Julius Obsequens, de Prodigiis} stated that this portended their alienation from their country.
5111. The consul Antony persuaded his colleague Dolabella, since he was an ambitious young man, that he should request to be sent into Syria and to the army that was raised against the Parthians. He brought it to pass that the province of Syria was allocated to Dolabella by the votes of the people along with the Parthian war and the legions that were assigned by Caesar for that purpose. Also those that were sent ahead into Macedonia were given to him. Antony then obtained Macedonia from the senate which was not defended by an an army. {Appian, l. 3. p. 530, 531, & 550.}
5112. Cicero feared Antony’s power and determined at first to go with Dolabella into Syria as his lieutenant. {Plutarch, in Cicero} On the 4th of April (4th of nones), Cicero was given the lieutenancy so that he might enter the position when he wanted to. {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 15. epist. 12.} He was persuaded by Hirtius and Pausa who were designed consuls for the next year and he changed his mind. He left Dolabella and planned to spend the summer at Athens. {Plutarch, in Cicero} He would journey into Greece before the time that the Olympian games were celebrated. {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 15. epist. 24., l. 16. epist. 7.} The 184th Olympiad was celebrated in this year.
5113. In the sixth month after Octavian came to Apollonia, he received the news of his uncle’s death. He left Epirus for Italy and at Brundusium he was received by the army that went to meet him as Caesar’s son. Without any further delay, he immediately assumed the name of Caesar and took upon him to be his heir. (So much the rather, since he had brought with him a great amount of money and the large forces that were sent him by Caesar.) At Brundusium, he was adopted into the Julian family and after this called himself Caius Julius Caesar Octavian instead of Caius Octavian. {Livy, l. 117.} {Julius Obsequens, de Prodigiis} {Appian, Civil War, l. 3. p. 531, 532.} {Dio, l. 45.}
5114. For this very name, just as if he had been a true son, a large number of friends, both freed men and slaves, came to him. They brought soldiers also, who either carried provision and money into Macedonia or brought the tributes and other money that they had exacted from the provinces to Brundusium. He was strengthened and emboldened by the number of them that flocked to him. By the authority of the name of Caesar, he was held in high esteem with the common people. He journeyed toward Rome with a considerable following which daily increased like a flood. {Appian, Civil War, l. 3. p. 532, 535.}
5115. Thirteen days before May (14th of calends), Octavian came to Naples and the next day at Cumae he visited Cicero. {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 14. epist. 10.} Cicero wrote a letter to Atticus twelve days before May (13th of calends). {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 14. epist. 12.}
"Octavian was with us and was very noble and friendly. His own followers greeted him by the name of Caesar, but Philip would not.’’
5116. His mother Atia, and his father-in-law Philip did not approve that he should take the name of the envied fortune of Caesar. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 60.} {Suetonius, Octavia, c. 8.} {Appian., Civil War, l. 3. p. 532, 533.}
5117. A vast company of friends met Octavian as he was coming to Rome. When he entered the city, the globe of the sun seemed to be on his head and equally bent and rounded like a bow, (as it were putting a crown upon the head of him that later was to be so famous a man.) {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 59.} {Julius Obsequens, de Prodigiis.}
"When he entered the city with a large number around him, the sun was included in the circle of a pure and unclouded sky and surrounded him with the inmost part of the circle.’’
5118. (as the rainbows are usually bent in the clouds.) That is a circle of various colours as is usual in the rainbow, at that time surrounded the sun. {Seneca, Natural. Questions, l. 1. c. 2.} {Pliny, l. 2. c. 28.} {Suetonius, in Octavian. c. 95.} {Dio. l. 45.} {Orosius, l. 6. c. 20.}
5119. Octavian called his friends together and over night ordered them all to be ready the next morning with a good number of followers to meet him in the forum. Octavian went to Caius, the brother of Antony the city praetor. Caius told him he accepted his adoption. It was the Roman custom in an adoption, to interpose the authority of the praetor. His acceptance was registered by the scribes. Then Octavian immediately left the forum and went to Antony, the consul. {Appian, Civil War, l. 3. p. 534.} The consul entertained him haughtily (but this was not from contempt but fear) and scarcely admitted him into Pompey’s gardens and gave him time to speak with him. (Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 60.}
5120. The Circensian plays were neglected which were decreed to be solemnized for the honour of Caesar in the Palilia. (10 days before May (11th of calends)) This was the day the news of Caesar’s victory in Spain came to Rome. The day before that day, {Dio, l. 44, 45.} Quinctus and Lamia wore crowns there for Caesar’s honour’s sake. {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 14. epist. 16, 22.}
5121. When the murderers of Caesar were sent into the provinces which were allocated to them by lot, {Dio, l. 44.} Caius Trebonius went into his province {Cicero, ad Attic, l. 14. epist. 10.} to succeed Q. Philippus as the proconsul of Asia. {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 13. epist. 73, 74. cf. epist. 43, 45.} Patisen went with him as an ordinary proquaestor. However, P. Lentulus, the son of Publius Lentulus Spinther, was sent by the senate into Asia as an extraordinary quaestor to gather in the tribute and to raise money. {Cicero, Letters to my Friends, l. 12. epist. 14, 15.}
5122. Ten days before June (11th calends), Trebonius came to Athens and there found young Cicero earnestly at his study under Cratippus. He invited them both into his province of Asia. Cicero stated this in his letters to his father, dated 11 days before June (12th calends), {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 12. epist. 16.} His father replied by letter. {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 15. epist. fin.}
5123. On June 2nd (4th nones), a law was passed that the consuls should recognizance those things that Caesar had ordained, decreed and done. {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 16. epist. 18.}
5124. After Antony was appointed to oversee and execute those things which Caesar had ordered to be done, he altered the notes and changed them at his pleasure. He did everything as it pleased him as if it were by the appointment of Caesar. By this he gratified cities and governors and amassed a huge fortune. He sold fields and tributes as well as freedoms also even of the city of Rome. He sold these to individuals as well as to whole provinces and all people. A record of these things were recorded on tables and hung up in the capitol. {Cicero, in Philippica. 2., Letters to his Friends, l. 2. epist. 1.} {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 60.} {Plutarch, in Antony} {Appian, Civil War, l. 3, p. 529.} {Dio, l. 44.} In one of these tables, the richest cities of the Cretians were freed from tributes and it was decreed that after the proconsulate of Brutus, Crete would no longer be a province. {Cicero, in Philippica. 2., Letters to his Friends, l. 2. epist. 1.} Antony also received a great sum of money and amended a register also, as if the law had been made by Caesar that the Sicilians would be made citizens of Rome. {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 14. epist. 12.}
5125. As soon as King Dejotarus heard of Caesar’s death, he recovered all things that were taken from him of his own accord. However, his ambassadors were fearful and unskilful. Without the consent of the rest of the king’s friends, they gave Fulvis 100,000 sesterces as a bond and had a decree hung in the capitol. It ridiculously pretended that everthing was restored by Caesar himself. {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 14. epist. 12., in 2. Philippic.}
5126. When plays were to be performed to commemorate Caesar’s victory the 13th of August (as appears in the old calender {Gruterus, Inscriptions, p. 133.} they dared not do it publicly and Octavian held them privately. (??) {Suetonius, in Octavian, c. 10.} He committed the care for the preparations for them to C. Matius, a most learned man, who gave this reason to Cicero for his approving of this. {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 11., epist. 27., ad Attic. epist. 2.} .
"I have taken care for the plays that the young Caesar made for the victory of Caesar. However, it belonged to my private service to him and not to the state of the commonwealth. Yet this service I ought to perform to the memory and honour of my best friend, although now dead. Neither could I deny it at the request of that hopeful young man and most worthy Caesar.’’
5127. To this are to be referred those things from Dio. {Dio, l. 45.} "They sacrificed with certain processions on a particular day consecrated to him for his victories.’’
5128. Dion affirms that it was previously decreed {Appian, Civil Wars, l. 2., p. 494.} {Dio, l. 43} that those days should be celebrated with solemn sacrifices on which he obtained his victories. It seems that the commemoration of all the victories he had obtained, were remembered on this one day and consecrated for his victory sacrifices. Lucan, {Lucan, l. 7. init.} stated that the day of the victory of Pharsalus, the most famous of all the rest, was not included among the feast days. Rome hath oft celebrated times less dire, But this would in oblivion have retire.
5129. M. Brutus and Canus Cassius sent privately by letters to advise Trebonius in Asia and Tullius Cimber in Bithynia that they should secretly gather money and raise an army. {Appian, l. 8. p. 529, 530.} Cimber obeyed and also provided a navy. {Cossius to Cicero} {Cicero, Letters to his Friends, l. 12. epist. 13.} It was that drunken Cimber, whom Seneca stated {Seneca, epist. 83.} made this joke about himself.
"Am I able to deal with anyone, who cannot bear wine?’’
5130. At age nineteen, Caesar Octavian of his own accord and his own expense, gathered an army. He himself wrote this in the breviary of his affairs which was engraved in the Ancyran Marble, {Gruter, Inscriptions, p. 230.} eleven days before October (before the day of the 11th calends), when he was almost 20 years old. Before the departure of Antony from the city, (which happened in the following October) Octavian was commended to the senate through Cicero and others that hated Antony. Octavian tried to get the favour of the people and to gather an army. {Plutarch, in Antony} He prepared forces against Antony for his own safety and the state. He stirred up the old soldiers that were sent into the colonies. {Livy, l. 117.} Florus related the matter thus:
"Octavian Caesar was pitied for his youth and wrongs he endured. He was gracious for the majesty of that name that he had assumed. He called the old soldiers to arms and as a private citizen then (who would believe it?) takes on the consul.’’
5131. {Florus, l. 4. c. 4.} He is incorrect where he states:
"but eighteen years old’’
5132. Neither is Dio who wrote that he was 18 years old when he assumed the name and took on him, as Caesar’s heir. {Dio, l. 45. p. 271.} Neither is it accurately set forth by Seneca. {Seneca, de clementia, l. 1., c. 9.} "he was newly out of his eighteenth year’’
5133. Neither is Velleius Paterculus correct:
"he had entered on his nineteenth year’’
5134. Paterculus stated:
"O. Caesar had turned nineteen. He dared bold exploits and attained the highest position by his own advice. He had a greater mind for the safety of the state than the senate had.’’ {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 61.}
5135. When he began to prepare an army, he was almost twenty. From that time to his death was 57 years. Likewise Maximus the monk, in his calculations assigned the same time to his government.
5136. Antony was afraid and held a meeting with him in the capitol and they were reconciled. The same night in his sleep, Antony dreamed that his right hand was struck with lightning. A few days later, it was secretly whispered to him that Caesar sought to betray him. When he did not believe Caesar who tried to clear himself, their old enmity broke out again. {Plutarch, in Antony}
5137. Antony thought that he needed a larger force. He knew that the six legions in Macedonia were the best soldiers and outnumbered his legions. There was a large band of archers, light harnessed men and cavalry. All were excellently equipped. These were allocated to Dolabella, because the Parthian war was assigned to him when Caesar made preparation against the Parthians. He thought to draw these to his side because they were so close and could soon be in Italy by crossing the Adriatic Sea. A false rumour was spread that the Getae heard of the death of Caesar and wasted Macedonia with their invasion. Antony demanded an army from the senate that he might take vengeance on the enemy. He said that the Macedonian army was raised by Caesar against the Getae before he planned to attack the Parthians and that all things were now quiet on the border of Parthia. Finally, they agreed to send one legion over to Dolabella and Antony was chosen as general of the Macedonian army. {Appian, l. 3. p. 541, 542.} Through force, he had a law passed to change how the provinces were allocated. C. Antony, his brother, would take Macedonia which was assigned to Marcus Brutus. The consul Mark Antony would take Cisalpine Gaul that was assigned to Decimus Brutus. Antony would also command the Macedonian army which was sent ahead by Caesar to Apollonia. {Dio, l. 45.} {Livy, l. 117.} {Appian, l. 3. p. 543, 545, 546.}
5138. It was reported that the legions of Alexandria were in arms that Bassus was sent for from Syria and Cassius was expected. {Cicero, ad Attic., l. 15. epist. 13.}
5139. When time for the plays had arrived which Critonius, the aedile, was to hold, Caesar provided for his father, a golden chair and a crown. This thing was ordered by the decree of the senate to be done for ever in all plays. Critonius would not allow Caesar to be honoured in those plays that he held at his own private expense. (??) Caesar was brought before Antony as to the consul. The consul told him that he would propose to the senate:
"propose it and in the meantime I will provide the chair’’
5140. Antony was exasperated and forbid this in the following plays. These Caesar had solemnized and were instituted in honour of their mother, Venus, when a temple in the forum was dedicated to Caesar as well as the forum itself. Antony publicly hated this fact. {Appian, l. 3. p. 543, 544.}
5141. Five days (6th calends) before October in the marble inscriptions of the old calendar, (in {Gruter, Inscriptions, p. 135. fin.} compared with another whole one. {Grunter, Inscriptions, p. 133.}) it was engraved, "VENERI. GENETRICIIN. FORO. CAESAR." Therefore, on that day Octavian made those plays to gain the people’s favour. These were instituted for the completion of the temple of Venus. He personally paid for these since he came from the same family, some of whom, during Caesar’s lifetime, had promised to solemnize the temple but did not do it. {Dio, l. 45.} While Octavian was doing this, Seneca stated that a comet suddenly appeared. {Seneca, in Natural Questions, l. 7. c. 17.} {Suetonius, in Julio. c. 88.} {Pliny, l. 2. c. 25.} Seneca said Octavian himself stated the following:
"In the very days of my plays there was a comet seen for seven days altogether, in the northern part of the heaven. It arose about the eleventh hour of the day. It was clear and conspicuous in all lands. The people generally thought that by this star, it was signified that Caesar’s soul was received into the number of the gods. Under that notion was that word added to the image of his head that we recently consecrated in the forum.’’
5142. This was also seen on some coins that were minted after his death with the inscription, "DIVI JULII", and noted by Virgil:
"Thy father’s star appeared in the north.’’ {Aeneid, 8.}
