No More Learning

_, 15. --Velleius Paterculus, II. 44. --Suetonius,
_Cæsar_, 20. --Appian, _Civil Wars_, II. 13. --Dio Cassius, XXXVIII. 8. )

[808] The 1st of March was the commencement of the ancient Roman year,
the period at which the generals entered into campaign.

[809] P. Servilius, who was consul in 675, took possession of his
province a short time after he entered upon his duties as consul; he
returned in 679. Cicero (_Orat. III. in Verrem_, 90) says that he held
the command during five years. This number can only be explained by
admitting that the years 675 and 679 were reckoned as complete. L. Piso,
who was consul in 696, quitted Rome at the end of his consulship, and
returned thither in the summer of 699. Now, he was considered as having
exercised the command during three years. (Cicero, _In Pisonem_, 35,
40. ) They must, therefore, have counted as one year of the proconsulship
the few months of 695. (See Mommsen, _The Question of Right between
Cæsar and the Senate_, p. 28. )

[810] At all times the assemblies have been seen striving to shorten the
duration of the powers given by the people to a man whose sympathies
were not with them. Here is an example. The Constitution of 1848 decided
that the President of the French Republic should be named for four
years. The Prince Louis Napoleon was elected on the 10th of December,
1848, and proclaimed on the 20th of the same month. His powers ought to
have ended on the 20th of December, 1852. Now, the Constituent Assembly,
which foresaw the election of Prince Louis Napoleon, fixed the
termination of the presidency to the second Sunday of the Month of May,
1852, thus robbing him of seven months.

[811] _De Bello Gallico_, VIII. 39.

[812] Dio Cassius, XL. 59.

[813] Appian, _Civil Wars_, II. 4.

[814] “Quid ergo? exercitum retinentis, quum legis dies transierit,
rationem haberi placet? Mihi vero ne absentis quidem. ” (_Epist. ad
Atticum_, VII. 7. )

[815] Cicero, _Epist. ad Atticum_, VII. 9.

[816] “Absenti sibi, _quandocumque imperii tempus expleri cœpisset_. ”
(Suetonius, _Cæsar_, 26. --Cicero, _Epist. Famil. _, XIII. 11. )

[817] Cæsar, _De Bello Civili_, I. 5.

[818] “I have contended that regard should be had to Cæsar for his
absence. It was not to favour him; it is for the honour of a decision of
the people, promoted by the consul himself. ” (Cicero, _Epist.
Familiar. _, VI. 6. )

[819] Titus Livius, _Epitome_, CVIII.

[820] “Sed quum id datum est, illud una datum est. ” (_Epist. ad
Atticum_, VII. 7. )

[821] “Doluisse se, quod populi Romani beneficium sibi per contumeliam
ab inimicus extorqueretur, erepto semestri imperio in urbem
retraheretur. ” (Cæsar, _De Bello Civili_, I. 9. )

[822] See, on the period of the comitia, Cicero, _Epist. ad Atticum_,
III. 13; _Epist. Familiar. _, VIII. 4.

[823] Although all the facts prove that the term of the power was to
cease in 707, Plutarch (_Pompey_, 55) reckons four years of
prolongation, and Dio Cassius (XL. 44, 46) five, which shows the
difference in the estimation of dates. (Zumpt, _Studia Romana_, 85. )

[824] “I believe certainly in Pompey’s intention of starting for Spain,
and it is what I by no means approve. I have easily demonstrated to
Theophanes that the best policy was not to go away. I am more uneasy for
the Republic since I see by your letters that our friend Pompey is going
to Spain. ” (Cicero, _Epist. ad Atticum_, V. 11. )

[825] Cicero, _Epist. Familiar. _, VIII. 4.

[826] “But at last, after several successive adjournments, and the
certainty well acquired that Pompey consented to consider the recall of
Cæsar on the Calends of March, the senatus-consultus was passed, which I
send you. ” (Cœlius to Cicero, _Epist. Familiar. _, VIII. 8. )

[827] Cœlius to Cicero, _Epist. Familiar. _, VIII. 8.

[828] Cœlius to Cicero, _Epist. Familiar. _, VIII. 8.

[829] Cœlius to Cicero, _Epist. Familiar. _, VIII. 8, §§ 3, 4.

[830] “But the consuls, who fear being obliged, by a decree of the
Senate, to leave for the war, and who feel at the same time how
disgraceful it will be to them if this commission fall on any other but
them, will absolutely not allow the Senate to assemble; they carry it so
far as to make people suspect them of want of zeal for the Republic:
there is no knowing if it be negligence, or cowardice, or the fear of
which I have just spoken; but what is concealed under this appearance of
reserve is, that they will not have that province. ” (Cœlius to Cicero,
_Epist. Familiar. _, VIII. 10. )

[831] “With the succour of Dejotarus, the enemies may be held at bay
till the arrival of Pompey, who sends me word that they intend him for
this war. ” (Cicero, _Epist. ad Atticum_, VI. 1. )--“At this news of the
passage of the Euphrates, every one offers to give his advice: this man
would have them send Pompey; the other Cæsar and his army. ” (Cœlius to
Cicero, _Epist. Familiar. _, VIII. 10. )

[832] Cicero, _Epist. ad Atticum_, V. 20

[833] He kept this title until the moment the civil war broke out.

[834] Cicero, _Epist. Familiar. _, VIII. 4.

[835] Cœlius to Cicero, _Epist. Familiar. _, VIII. 10.

[836] “Ingeniosissime nequam. ”

[837] Cicero to Curio, _Epist. Familiar. _, II. 7.

[838] Cicero, _Brutus_, lx. 218.

[839] Suetonius, _Cæsar_, 49.

[840] Plutarch, Antony, 2. --Cicero, _Philippica_, II. xix. 48.

[841] See his biography in _Appendix D_.

[842] Cicero, _Philippica_, II. xx. 49.

[843] Appian, _Civil Wars_, II. 26. --Yet Cicero, who never spared his
adversaries, makes no mention of this act of corruption; and Velleius
Paterculus (II. 48) expresses himself as follows: “Did Curio, as has
been said, sell himself? It is a question we cannot venture to decide. ”

[844] “Æmilius Paulus built, they say, with this money the famous
basilica which bears his name. ” (Appian, _Civil Wars_, II. 26. )

[845] “It was said of him that there was no man so low but he thought
him worth the trouble of gaining. ” (Cicero, _Ad Div. _, VIII. 22. )

[846] A villa near Aricia. (Cicero, _Epist. ad Atticum_, VI. 1. )

[847] “Curio, in his ill humour at not having obtained the
intercalation, has thrown himself, with unequalled levity, into the
party of the people, and began to speak on Cæsar’s side. ” (Cœlius to
Cicero, _Epist. Familiar. _, VIII. 6. )

[848] See _Appendix A_.

[849] Dio Cassius, XL. 62.

[850] Cœlius to Cicero, _Epist. Familiar. _, VIII. 6.

[851] Cicero, _Epist. ad Atticum_, VI. 1; _Ad Div. _, VIII. vi.
5. --Appian, _Civil Wars_, II. 27.

[852] The following letter explains the nature of this tax: “This man of
importance (P. Vedius) met me with two chariots, a chaise, a litter, and
so great a number of valets, that, _if Curio’s law passes_, Vedius will
surely be taxed at 100,000 sestertii. He had, moreover, a cynocephalus
in one of his chariots, and wild asses in his equipage. I never saw a
man so ridiculous. ” (Cicero, _Epist. ad Atticum_, VI. i. 22. )

[853] Dio Cassius, XL. 63.

[854] Cicero, _Epist. Familiar. _, VIII. 14.

[855] _De Bello Gallico_, VIII. 50, 51, 52.

[856] _De Bello Gallico_, VIII. 52.

[857] “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. )

[858] Dio Cassius, XL. 41. --Appian, _Civil Wars_, II. 27.

[859] Appian, _Civil Wars_, II. 27.

[860] Cœlius to Cicero, _Epist. Familiar. _, VIII. 13.

[861] “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. )

[862] Appian, _Civil Wars_, II. 28.

[863] Plutarch, _Cæsar_, 34.

[864] Plutarch, _Pompey_, 61.

[865] Appian, _Civil Wars_, II. 29. --Plutarch, _Cæsar_, 32.

[866] 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. )

[867] “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. )

[868] Plutarch, _Pompey_, 61.

[869] Plutarch, _Cæsar_, 33.

[870] “Do you approve that Labienus and Mamurra should have amassed
immense riches? ” (Cicero, _Epist. ad Atticum_, VII. 7. )

[871] Dio Cassius, XL. 63, 64.

[872] Appian, _Civil Wars_, II. 30. --Cicero, _Epist. ad Atticum_, VIII.
4.

[873] Appian, _Civil Wars_, II. 31. --Cicero, _Epist. ad Atticum_, VI. 9;
VII. 1.

[874] Dio Cassius, XL. 64.

[875] Appian, _Civil Wars_, II. 31.

[876] Cœlius to Cicero, _Epist. Familiar. _, VIII. 14.

[877] Cicero, _Epist. ad Atticum_, VII. 3.

[878] Cicero landed at Brundusium on the 7th of the Calends of December,
704. (Cicero, _Epist. ad Atticum_, VII. 2. )

[879] “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. )

[880] “What will become of us? I have a good mind to shut myself up in
the citadel of Athens, whence I write you this note. ” (Year 704. _Epist.
ad Atticum_, VI. 9. )--“Consequently, leaving to the fools the initiative
of speech, I think that I shall do well to endeavour to obtain this
triumph, were it only to have a reason not to be in Rome; but they are
sure to find a means to come to wrest my opinion from me. You will laugh
at me. How I wish I had remained in my province! ” (Cicero, _Epist. ad
Atticum_, VII. 1. )

[881] “He has borne witness, which I did not ask him, to my integrity,
my equity, and my kindness, and he has refused me what I expected from
him. You should see how Cæsar, in the letter in which he congratulates
me and promises me everything, knows how to make the most of this
abominable ingratitude of Cato! But this same Cato has caused twenty
days to be granted to Bibulus. You must excuse me being spiteful; but
this is a thing which I cannot bear, and which I will never forgive
him. ” (Year 704, November. Cicero, _Epist. ad Atticum_, VII. 2. )

[882] Year 704, December. Cicero, _Epist. ad Atticum_, VII. 7. --The
words _entire order of the knights_ are not in the text, but they result
from what Cæsar says in the same letter.

[883] Year 704, December. Cicero, _Epist. ad Atticum_, VII. 3.

[884] Year 704, December. Cicero, _Epist. ad Atticum_, VII. 7.

[885] Cicero, _Epist. ad Atticum_, VII. 4.

[886] “The situation of the Republic inspires me every day with more
uneasiness. Honest people do not agree so well as is thought. How many
Roman knights, how many senators, have I not heard inveighing against
Pompey, particularly on account of this unfortunate journey! What we
want is peace. All victory will be fatal, and cause a tyrant to rise up.
Yes, I am one of those who think that it is better to grant all he
(Cæsar) asks than to appeal to arms. It is now too late to resist him,
when for the last ten years we have done nothing else but to give him
strength against us. ” (Year 704, December. Cicero, _Epist. ad Atticum_,
VII. 5. )

[887] Year 704, December. Cicero, _Epist. ad Atticum_, VII. 8.

[888] “Senatus frequens in alia transiit. ” (_De Bello Gallico_, VIII.
43. )

[889] “Neque senatu interveniente. ” (_De Bello Gallico_, VIII. 4. )

[890] Suetonius, _Cæsar_, 30.

[891] Appian, _Civil Wars_, II. 22. --Plutarch, _Cæsar_, 41; _Pompey_,
85.

[892] _De Bello Gallico_, VIII. 54.

[893] It ended before the consular year.

[894] Drumann is of opinion that the “Commentaries” are in error in
mentioning Fabius.

[895] Plutarch, _Pompey_, 59. --Appian, _Civil Wars_, II. 32.

[896] Velleius Paterculus, II. 49.

[897] Cicero, _Epist. ad Atticum_, VII. 9.

[898] Plutarch, _Pompey_, 63.

[899] Plutarch (_Pompey_, 59) pretends even that they read it before the
people.

[900] Appian, _Civil Wars_, II. 32.

[901] Cæsar, _De Bello Civili_, I. 1.

[902] Cicero, _Epist. Familiar. _, VIII. 8.

[903] Cæsar, _De Bello Civili_, I. 3.

[904] The Sibylline books had predicted the empire of Rome to three
Cornelii: L. Cornelius Cinna had been consul; Sylla, dictator; Cornelius
Lentulus was in hopes of being the third.

[905] Cicero, _Epist. Familiar. _, XVI. 12.

[906] Appian, _Civil Wars_, II. 34.

[907] Cicero, _Epist. Familiar. _, XVI. 2. --_Philippica_, II. 21, 22.

[908] Plutarch, _Antony_, 7. --Dio Cassius, XLI. 2, 3.

[909] Plutarch, _Antony_, 7. --Appian, _Civil Wars_, II. 33.