History of Julius Caesar Vol. 2 of 2

De Bello Gallico, VIII. 50, 51, 52.

855

De Bello Gallico, VIII. 52.

856

“Pompey appears to agree with the Senate in requiring absolutely the return of Cæsar on the Ides of Novembre. Curio is decided to do everything rather than suffer this: the rest he cares little about. Our party – you know them well – do not dare to undertake a deadly combat. This is how things stand now. Pompey, who, without attacking Cæsar, will accord nothing to him but what is just, accuses Curio of being an agent of discord. At the bottom, he will not allow that Cæsar be designated consul before he has given up his army and his province, and his great fear is that that may happen. He is by no means spared by Curio, who throws continually his second consulate in his teeth. I will tell you what will come to pass: if they do not use discretion with Curio, Cæsar will gain a defender in him. With the fear which they show of the opposition of a tribune, they will do so much that Cæsar will remain indefinitely master in Gaul.” Cicero, Epist. ad Familiar. VIII. 11.)

857

Dio Cassius, XL. 41. – Appian, Civil Wars, II. 27.

858

Appian, Civil Wars, II. 27.

859

Cœlius to Cicero, Epist. Familiar., VIII. 13.

860

“It is his custom to speak in one way and to think in another; but he has not head enough to prevent people from seeing through him.” (Cœlius to Cicero, Epist. ad Familiar., VIII. 1.)

861

Appian, Civil Wars, II. 28.

862

Plutarch, Cæsar, 34.

863

Plutarch, Pompey, 61.

864

Appian, Civil Wars, II. 29. – Plutarch, Cæsar, 32.

865

Appian, Civil Wars, II. 29. – This officer (Appius) affected to undervalue the exploits which had been accomplished in that country (Gaul), and to spread rumours injurious to Cæsar. “Pompey,” said he, “must have known very little his strength and reputation, otherwise would he, in order to measure himself with Cæsar, seek other troops than those which were at his disposal? He would conquer him with the very legions of his enemy, as soon as he appeared, so much did the soldiers hate Cæsar, and desire to see Pompey again.” (Plutarch, Pompey, 61.)

866

“I should like to come nearer to you; but, I regret to say, I dare not trust myself to the two legions… The two legions must not be exposed in the presence of Cæsar without the cohorts from Picenum.” (Letter from Pompey to Domitius, Proconsul.– Cicero, Epist. ad Atticum, VIII. 12.) – “All my resources are reduced to two legions, which Pompey has retained in an odious manner, and of which he is no more sure than of foreigners.” (Cicero, Epist. ad Atticum, VII. 13.)

867

Plutarch, Pompey, 61.

868

Plutarch, Cæsar, 33.

869

“Do you approve that Labienus and Mamurra should have amassed immense riches?” (Cicero, Epist. ad Atticum, VII. 7.)

870

Dio Cassius, XL. 63, 64.

871

Appian, Civil Wars, II. 30. – Cicero, Epist. ad Atticum, VIII. 4.

872

Appian, Civil Wars, II. 31. – Cicero, Epist. ad Atticum, VI. 9; VII. 1.

873

Dio Cassius, XL. 64.

874

Appian, Civil Wars, II. 31.

875

Cœlius to Cicero, Epist. Familiar., VIII. 14.

876

Cicero, Epist. ad Atticum, VII. 3.

877

Cicero landed at Brundusium on the 7th of the Calends of December, 704. (Cicero, Epist. ad Atticum, VII. 2.)

878

“I receive flattering letters from Cæsar; Balbus writes me as many in his name. I am firmly determined not to flinch a finger’s length from the road of honour; but you know how much I am under obligation to Cæsar. Do you think that I have not to fear that they will reproach me my debt, if I vote even quietly in his favour, and, if I speak strongly, that they will ask it loudly from me? What am I to do? Pay it, you will say. Well! I will borrow from Cœlius. But think of it, I beg of you, for I expect, if I happen to speak firmly in the Senate, your good friend from Tartessus will at once tell me: You, pay what you owe!” (Year 704, 9th December. Cicero, Epist. ad Atticum, VII. 3.)

879