141
Dion and Brutus compared .
Dion and Brutus compared .
Plutarch - Lives - v7
Plutarch : [The lives] / translated by John Langhorne, and W.
Langhorne.
Plutarch.
London : A. J. Valpy, 1831-1832.
http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256
Public Domain, Google-digitized
http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
We have determined this work to be in the public domain, meaning that it is not subject to copyright. Users are free to copy, use, and redistribute the work in part or in whole. It is possible that current copyright holders, heirs or the estate of the authors of individual portions of the work, such as illustrations or photographs, assert copyrights over these portions. Depending on the nature of subsequent use that is made, additional rights may need to be obtained independently of anything we can address. The digital images and OCR of this work were produced by Google, Inc. (indicated by a watermark on each page in the PageTurner). Google requests that the images and OCR not be re-hosted, redistributed or used commercially. The images are provided for educational, scholarly, non-commercial purposes.
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? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:37 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? Madison, Wi ^,00-1494
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:37 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? PLUTARCH.
-? ----
THANSLATED BY
JOHN LANGHORNE, D. D.
AND
WILLIAM LANGHORNE, M. A.
VOL. VII.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY A. J. VALPY, M. A.
AND SOLD BY ALL BOOKSELLERS.
1832.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:37 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 1853
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:37 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 111 ash. .
Ysi
CONTENTS
THE SEVENTH VOLUME.
THE LIVES.
PAGE
Antony . . . . . . . 1
Demetrius and Antony compared . . . . 84
Dion 89
Marcus Brutus . . . . . . 141
Dion and Brutus compared . . . . 19$
Artaxerxes . . . . . . . 198
Aratus . . . . . . . 283-
Oalba 289>
Otho 320
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:37 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ILLUSTRATIONS
TO
THE SEVENTH VOLUME.
PACE
Head of Antony . . . . . . 1
-- Dion . . . . . . 89
-- Marcus Brutus . . . . . 141
-- Artaxerxes . . . . . 198
-- Aratus . . . . .
141
Dion and Brutus compared . . . . 19$
Artaxerxes . . . . . . . 198
Aratus . . . . . . . 283-
Oalba 289>
Otho 320
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:37 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ILLUSTRATIONS
TO
THE SEVENTH VOLUME.
PACE
Head of Antony . . . . . . 1
-- Dion . . . . . . 89
-- Marcus Brutus . . . . . 141
-- Artaxerxes . . . . . 198
-- Aratus . . . . . . 233
-- Galba 289
-- Otho 320
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? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:37 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:37 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? PLUTARCH'S LIVES.
ANTONY.
THe grandfather of Marc Antony was Antony the ora-
tor, who followed the faction of Sylla, and was put to
death by Marius. His father was Antony, surnamed
the Cretan, a man of no figure or consequence in the
political world, but distinguished for his integrity, bene-
volence, and liberality; of which the following little
circumstance is a sufficient proof. His fortune was not
large; and his wife, therefore, very prudently laid some
restraint on his munificent disposition. An acquaint-
ance of his, who was under some pecuniary difficulties,
applied to him for assistance. Antony, having no mo-
ney at command, ordered his boy to bring him a silver
basin full of water, under a pretence of shaving. After
the boy was dismissed, he gave the basin to his friend,
and bade him make what use of it be thought proper.
The disappearance of the basin occasioned no small
commotion in the family; and Antony finding his wife
prepared to take a severe account of the servants,
begged her pardon, and told her the truth.
His wife's name was Julia. She was of the family
ef the Caesars, and a woman of distinguished merit and
modesty. Under her auspices Marc Antony received
PLUT. VoL. VII. A
fa
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:37 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 2
PLUTARCH.
his education, when, after the death of his father, she
married Cornelius Lentulus, whom Cicero put to death
for engaging in the conspiracy of Catiline. This was
the origin of that lasting enmity which subsisted be-
tween Cicero and Antony. The latter affirmed that
his mother J ulia was even obliged to beg the body of
Cicero's wife, for interment. But this is not true ; for
none of those who suffered on the same occasion, under
Cicero, were refused this privilege. Antony was en-
gaging in his person, and was unfortunate enough to
fall into the good graces and friendship of Curio, a
man who was devoted to every species of licentious-
ness, and who, to render Antony the more dependent
on him, led him into all the excesses of indulging in
wine and revelry, and all the expenses that such indul-
gences are attended with. Of course, he was soon
deeply involved in debt, and owed at least two hun-
dred and fifty talents, while he was a very young man.
Curio was bound for the payment of this money; and
his father being informed of it, banished Antony from
his house. Thus dismissed, he attached himself to
Clodius, that pestilent and audacious tribune, who
threw the state into such dreadful disorder; till, weary
of his mad measures, and fearful of his opponents, he
passed into Greece, where he employed himself in
military exercises, and the study of eloquence. The
Asiatic style was then much in vogue, and Antony fell
naturally into it; for it was correspondent with his
manners, which were vain, pompous, insolent, and as-
suming.
In Greece he received an invitation from Gabinius
the proconsul, to make a campaign with him in Syria.
This invitation he refused to accept as a private man;
but being appointed to the command of the cavalry, he
attended him. His first operation was against Aristo-
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:37 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ANToNY. 3
bulus, who had excited the Jews to revolt. He was the
first who scaled the wall; aDd this he did in the highest
part. He drove Aristobulus from all his forts; and,
afterwards, with a handful of men, defeated his nume-
rous army in a pitched battle. Most of the enemy
were slain, and Aristobulus and his son were taken
prisoners. On the conclusion of this war, Gabinius
was solicited by Ptolemy to carry his arms into Egypt,
and restore him to his kingdom. The reward of this
service was to be ten thousand talents. Most of the
officers disapproved of the expedition; and Gabinius
himself did not readily enter into it, though the money
pleaded strongly in its behalf. Antony, however, am-
bitious of great enterprises, and vain of gratifying a
suppliant king, used every means to draw Gabinius
into the service, and prevailed. It was the general
opinion that the march to Pelusium was more dange-
rous than the war that was to follow: for they were to
pass over a sandy and unwatered country, by the filthy
marsh of Serbonis, whose stagnant ooze the Egyptians
call the exhalations of Typhon; though it is probably
no more than the drainings of the Red Sea, which is
there separated from the Mediterranean only by a
small neck of land.
Antony being ordered thither with the cavalry, not
only seized the straits, but took the large city of Pelu-
sium, and made the garrison prisoners. By this ope-
ration he at once opened a secure passage for the army,
and a fair prospect of victory for their general. The
same love of glory which was so serviceable to his
own party, was, on this occasion, advantageous to the
enemy; for when Ptolemy entered Pelusium, in the
rage of revenge, he would have put the citizens to
death, but Antony resolutely opposed it, and prevented
him from executing his horrid purpose. In the several
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? 4
-
PLUTARCH.
actions where he was concerned, he gave distinguished
proofs of his conduct and valor; hut especially in that
manoeuvre where, by wheeling about and attacking the
enemy in the rear, he enabled those who charged in
front to gain a complete victory: for this action he re-
ceived suitable honors and rewards.
His humane care of the body of Archelaus, who fell
in the battle, was taken notice of even by the common
men. He had been his intimate friend, and connected
with him in the rights of hospitality; and though he
was obliged, by his duty, to oppose him in the field,
he no sooner heard that he had fallen than he ordered
search to be made for his body, and interred it with
regal magnificence. This conduct made him respected
in Alexandria, and admired by the Romans.
Antony had a noble dignity of countenance, a grace-
ful length of beard, a large forehead, an aquiline nose;
and, on the whole, the same manly aspect that we see
in the pictures and statues of Hercules. There was,
indeed, an ancient tradition that his family was de-
scended from Hercules, by a son of his called Anteon;
and it was no wonder if Antony sought to confirm this
opinion, by affecting to resemble him in his air and his
dress. Thus, when he appeared in public, he wore
his vest girt on the hips, a large sword, and over all a
coarse mantle. That kind of conduct, which would
seem disagreeable to others, rendered him the darling
of the army. He talked with the soldiers in their own
swaggering and ribald strain, ate and drank with them
in public, and would stand to take his victuals at their
common table. He was pleasant on the subject of his
amours, ready in assisting the intrigues of others, and
easy under the raillery to which he was subjected
by his own. His liberality to the soldiers, and to his
friends, was the first foundation of his advancement,
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? ANToNY.
and continued to support him in that power which he
was otherwise weakening by a thousand irregularities.
One instance of his liberality I must mention : he had
ordered two hundred and fifty thousand drachmas
(which the Romans call decies) to be given to one of
his friends. His steward, who was startled at the ex-
travagance of the sum, laid the silver in a heap, that
he might see it as he passed. He saw it, and inquired
what it was for. 'It is the sum,' answered the steward,
'that you ordered for a present. ' Antony perceived
his envious design, and, to mortify him still more, said
coolly, 'I really thought the sum would have made
a better figure. It is too little: let it be doubled. '1
This, however, was in the latter part of his life.
Rome was divided into two parties. Pompey was
with the senate. The people were for bringing Caesar
with his army out of Gaul. Curio, the friend of An-
tony, who had changed sides, and joined Caesar,
brought Antony likewise over to his interest. The
influence he had obtained by his eloquence, and by
that profusion of money in which he was supported by
Caesar, enabled him to make Antony tribune of the
people, and afterwards augur. Antony was no sooner
in power than Caesar found the advantage of his ser-
vices. In the first place, he opposed the consul Mar-
cellus, whose design was to give Pompey the command
of the old legions, and, at the same time, to empower
him to raise new ones. On this occasion he obtained a
decree, that the forces then on foot should be sent into
Syria, and join Bibulus in carrying on the war against
the Parthians; and that none should give in their
names to serve under Pompey. On another occasion,
1 The same story is told of Alexander.
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? 6
PLUTARCH.
when the senate would neither receive Cwsar's letters,
nor suffer them to be read, he read them by virtue of
Jiis tribunitial authority; and the requests of Caesar
appearing moderate and reasonable, by this means he
brought over many to his interest. Two questions
were at length put in the senate; one, 'Whether
Pompey should dismiss bis army? ' the other, ' Whe-
ther Caesar should give up his? ' There were but a few
votes for the former; a large majority for the latter.
Then Antony stood up, and put the question, 'Whe-
ther both Caesar and Pompey should not dismiss their
armies V This motion was received with great accla-
mations, and Antony was applauded, and desired to
put it to the vote. This being opposed by the consuls,
the friends of Caesar made other proposals, which
seemed by no means unreasonable : but they were over-
ruled by Cato; and Antony commanded, by Lentulus
the consul, to leave the house. He left them with
bitter execrations; and disguising himself like a ser-
vant, accompanied only by Quintus Cassius, he hired
a carriage, and went immediately to Caesar. As soon
as they arrived, they exclaimed that nothing was con-
ducted at Rome, according to order or law; that even
the tribunes were refused the privilege of speaking,
and whoever would rise in defence of the right must
be expelled, and exposed to personal danger.
Caesar on this marched his army into Italy, and
hence it was observed by Cicero in his Philippics, that
Antony was no less the cause of the civil war in Rome,
than Helen had been of the Trojan war. There is,
however, but little truth in this assertion. Caesar was
not so much a slave to the impulse of resentment, as to
enter on so desperate a measure, if it had not been
premeditated. Nor would he have carried war into
? ?
Plutarch.
London : A. J. Valpy, 1831-1832.
http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256
Public Domain, Google-digitized
http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
We have determined this work to be in the public domain, meaning that it is not subject to copyright. Users are free to copy, use, and redistribute the work in part or in whole. It is possible that current copyright holders, heirs or the estate of the authors of individual portions of the work, such as illustrations or photographs, assert copyrights over these portions. Depending on the nature of subsequent use that is made, additional rights may need to be obtained independently of anything we can address. The digital images and OCR of this work were produced by Google, Inc. (indicated by a watermark on each page in the PageTurner). Google requests that the images and OCR not be re-hosted, redistributed or used commercially. The images are provided for educational, scholarly, non-commercial purposes.
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? i. i;r-dlson, M 53? Ob-1494
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? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:37 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
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? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:37 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? Madison, Wi ^,00-1494
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:37 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? PLUTARCH.
-? ----
THANSLATED BY
JOHN LANGHORNE, D. D.
AND
WILLIAM LANGHORNE, M. A.
VOL. VII.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY A. J. VALPY, M. A.
AND SOLD BY ALL BOOKSELLERS.
1832.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:37 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 1853
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:37 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 111 ash. .
Ysi
CONTENTS
THE SEVENTH VOLUME.
THE LIVES.
PAGE
Antony . . . . . . . 1
Demetrius and Antony compared . . . . 84
Dion 89
Marcus Brutus . . . . . . 141
Dion and Brutus compared . . . . 19$
Artaxerxes . . . . . . . 198
Aratus . . . . . . . 283-
Oalba 289>
Otho 320
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:37 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ILLUSTRATIONS
TO
THE SEVENTH VOLUME.
PACE
Head of Antony . . . . . . 1
-- Dion . . . . . . 89
-- Marcus Brutus . . . . . 141
-- Artaxerxes . . . . . 198
-- Aratus . . . . .
141
Dion and Brutus compared . . . . 19$
Artaxerxes . . . . . . . 198
Aratus . . . . . . . 283-
Oalba 289>
Otho 320
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:37 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ILLUSTRATIONS
TO
THE SEVENTH VOLUME.
PACE
Head of Antony . . . . . . 1
-- Dion . . . . . . 89
-- Marcus Brutus . . . . . 141
-- Artaxerxes . . . . . 198
-- Aratus . . . . . . 233
-- Galba 289
-- Otho 320
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:37 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:37 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:37 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? PLUTARCH'S LIVES.
ANTONY.
THe grandfather of Marc Antony was Antony the ora-
tor, who followed the faction of Sylla, and was put to
death by Marius. His father was Antony, surnamed
the Cretan, a man of no figure or consequence in the
political world, but distinguished for his integrity, bene-
volence, and liberality; of which the following little
circumstance is a sufficient proof. His fortune was not
large; and his wife, therefore, very prudently laid some
restraint on his munificent disposition. An acquaint-
ance of his, who was under some pecuniary difficulties,
applied to him for assistance. Antony, having no mo-
ney at command, ordered his boy to bring him a silver
basin full of water, under a pretence of shaving. After
the boy was dismissed, he gave the basin to his friend,
and bade him make what use of it be thought proper.
The disappearance of the basin occasioned no small
commotion in the family; and Antony finding his wife
prepared to take a severe account of the servants,
begged her pardon, and told her the truth.
His wife's name was Julia. She was of the family
ef the Caesars, and a woman of distinguished merit and
modesty. Under her auspices Marc Antony received
PLUT. VoL. VII. A
fa
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:37 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 2
PLUTARCH.
his education, when, after the death of his father, she
married Cornelius Lentulus, whom Cicero put to death
for engaging in the conspiracy of Catiline. This was
the origin of that lasting enmity which subsisted be-
tween Cicero and Antony. The latter affirmed that
his mother J ulia was even obliged to beg the body of
Cicero's wife, for interment. But this is not true ; for
none of those who suffered on the same occasion, under
Cicero, were refused this privilege. Antony was en-
gaging in his person, and was unfortunate enough to
fall into the good graces and friendship of Curio, a
man who was devoted to every species of licentious-
ness, and who, to render Antony the more dependent
on him, led him into all the excesses of indulging in
wine and revelry, and all the expenses that such indul-
gences are attended with. Of course, he was soon
deeply involved in debt, and owed at least two hun-
dred and fifty talents, while he was a very young man.
Curio was bound for the payment of this money; and
his father being informed of it, banished Antony from
his house. Thus dismissed, he attached himself to
Clodius, that pestilent and audacious tribune, who
threw the state into such dreadful disorder; till, weary
of his mad measures, and fearful of his opponents, he
passed into Greece, where he employed himself in
military exercises, and the study of eloquence. The
Asiatic style was then much in vogue, and Antony fell
naturally into it; for it was correspondent with his
manners, which were vain, pompous, insolent, and as-
suming.
In Greece he received an invitation from Gabinius
the proconsul, to make a campaign with him in Syria.
This invitation he refused to accept as a private man;
but being appointed to the command of the cavalry, he
attended him. His first operation was against Aristo-
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:37 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ANToNY. 3
bulus, who had excited the Jews to revolt. He was the
first who scaled the wall; aDd this he did in the highest
part. He drove Aristobulus from all his forts; and,
afterwards, with a handful of men, defeated his nume-
rous army in a pitched battle. Most of the enemy
were slain, and Aristobulus and his son were taken
prisoners. On the conclusion of this war, Gabinius
was solicited by Ptolemy to carry his arms into Egypt,
and restore him to his kingdom. The reward of this
service was to be ten thousand talents. Most of the
officers disapproved of the expedition; and Gabinius
himself did not readily enter into it, though the money
pleaded strongly in its behalf. Antony, however, am-
bitious of great enterprises, and vain of gratifying a
suppliant king, used every means to draw Gabinius
into the service, and prevailed. It was the general
opinion that the march to Pelusium was more dange-
rous than the war that was to follow: for they were to
pass over a sandy and unwatered country, by the filthy
marsh of Serbonis, whose stagnant ooze the Egyptians
call the exhalations of Typhon; though it is probably
no more than the drainings of the Red Sea, which is
there separated from the Mediterranean only by a
small neck of land.
Antony being ordered thither with the cavalry, not
only seized the straits, but took the large city of Pelu-
sium, and made the garrison prisoners. By this ope-
ration he at once opened a secure passage for the army,
and a fair prospect of victory for their general. The
same love of glory which was so serviceable to his
own party, was, on this occasion, advantageous to the
enemy; for when Ptolemy entered Pelusium, in the
rage of revenge, he would have put the citizens to
death, but Antony resolutely opposed it, and prevented
him from executing his horrid purpose. In the several
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PLUTARCH.
actions where he was concerned, he gave distinguished
proofs of his conduct and valor; hut especially in that
manoeuvre where, by wheeling about and attacking the
enemy in the rear, he enabled those who charged in
front to gain a complete victory: for this action he re-
ceived suitable honors and rewards.
His humane care of the body of Archelaus, who fell
in the battle, was taken notice of even by the common
men. He had been his intimate friend, and connected
with him in the rights of hospitality; and though he
was obliged, by his duty, to oppose him in the field,
he no sooner heard that he had fallen than he ordered
search to be made for his body, and interred it with
regal magnificence. This conduct made him respected
in Alexandria, and admired by the Romans.
Antony had a noble dignity of countenance, a grace-
ful length of beard, a large forehead, an aquiline nose;
and, on the whole, the same manly aspect that we see
in the pictures and statues of Hercules. There was,
indeed, an ancient tradition that his family was de-
scended from Hercules, by a son of his called Anteon;
and it was no wonder if Antony sought to confirm this
opinion, by affecting to resemble him in his air and his
dress. Thus, when he appeared in public, he wore
his vest girt on the hips, a large sword, and over all a
coarse mantle. That kind of conduct, which would
seem disagreeable to others, rendered him the darling
of the army. He talked with the soldiers in their own
swaggering and ribald strain, ate and drank with them
in public, and would stand to take his victuals at their
common table. He was pleasant on the subject of his
amours, ready in assisting the intrigues of others, and
easy under the raillery to which he was subjected
by his own. His liberality to the soldiers, and to his
friends, was the first foundation of his advancement,
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-26 09:37 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89099228256 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ANToNY.
and continued to support him in that power which he
was otherwise weakening by a thousand irregularities.
One instance of his liberality I must mention : he had
ordered two hundred and fifty thousand drachmas
(which the Romans call decies) to be given to one of
his friends. His steward, who was startled at the ex-
travagance of the sum, laid the silver in a heap, that
he might see it as he passed. He saw it, and inquired
what it was for. 'It is the sum,' answered the steward,
'that you ordered for a present. ' Antony perceived
his envious design, and, to mortify him still more, said
coolly, 'I really thought the sum would have made
a better figure. It is too little: let it be doubled. '1
This, however, was in the latter part of his life.
Rome was divided into two parties. Pompey was
with the senate. The people were for bringing Caesar
with his army out of Gaul. Curio, the friend of An-
tony, who had changed sides, and joined Caesar,
brought Antony likewise over to his interest. The
influence he had obtained by his eloquence, and by
that profusion of money in which he was supported by
Caesar, enabled him to make Antony tribune of the
people, and afterwards augur. Antony was no sooner
in power than Caesar found the advantage of his ser-
vices. In the first place, he opposed the consul Mar-
cellus, whose design was to give Pompey the command
of the old legions, and, at the same time, to empower
him to raise new ones. On this occasion he obtained a
decree, that the forces then on foot should be sent into
Syria, and join Bibulus in carrying on the war against
the Parthians; and that none should give in their
names to serve under Pompey. On another occasion,
1 The same story is told of Alexander.
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PLUTARCH.
when the senate would neither receive Cwsar's letters,
nor suffer them to be read, he read them by virtue of
Jiis tribunitial authority; and the requests of Caesar
appearing moderate and reasonable, by this means he
brought over many to his interest. Two questions
were at length put in the senate; one, 'Whether
Pompey should dismiss bis army? ' the other, ' Whe-
ther Caesar should give up his? ' There were but a few
votes for the former; a large majority for the latter.
Then Antony stood up, and put the question, 'Whe-
ther both Caesar and Pompey should not dismiss their
armies V This motion was received with great accla-
mations, and Antony was applauded, and desired to
put it to the vote. This being opposed by the consuls,
the friends of Caesar made other proposals, which
seemed by no means unreasonable : but they were over-
ruled by Cato; and Antony commanded, by Lentulus
the consul, to leave the house. He left them with
bitter execrations; and disguising himself like a ser-
vant, accompanied only by Quintus Cassius, he hired
a carriage, and went immediately to Caesar. As soon
as they arrived, they exclaimed that nothing was con-
ducted at Rome, according to order or law; that even
the tribunes were refused the privilege of speaking,
and whoever would rise in defence of the right must
be expelled, and exposed to personal danger.
Caesar on this marched his army into Italy, and
hence it was observed by Cicero in his Philippics, that
Antony was no less the cause of the civil war in Rome,
than Helen had been of the Trojan war. There is,
however, but little truth in this assertion. Caesar was
not so much a slave to the impulse of resentment, as to
enter on so desperate a measure, if it had not been
premeditated. Nor would he have carried war into
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