A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

July.
Dictatorship of Cssar 447
Many temples were decreed to him as to a god, and
one was dedicated in common to him an'd the goddess
Clemency, who were represented as clasping hands.
Thus while they feared his power they besought his His
clcmciicv
mercy. Some proposed to give him the title of king, but
when he learned of their purpose he forbade it with threats, cmj^Wars,
for he said it was an inauspicious name by reason of the
"• ^°''-
curse of their ancestors. He dismissed the pretorian co- (Pretorian
1 1 • 1 1 1 1 I'll
cohorts,
1 1 • 1
comhorts
which had served as his bodyguard during the wars, panics of
and he showed himself with the ordinary public attendants
Onlv
•'
_
He received all the honors conferred upon him excepting
the ten-year consulship. As consuls for the ensuing year
he designated himself and Antony, his master of horse, and
he appointed Lepidus master of horse in place of Antony.
Lepidus at this time was governor of Spain, but was administering
his pro\dnce through friends.
Caesar recalled all
exiles excepting those who had been banished for some
grave offence. He pardoned his enemies, and many of
those who had fought against him he forthwith advanced
to the yearly magistracies or to the command of provinces
and of armies. The wearied people therefore especially
hoped he would restore the republic to them, as Sulla did
after he had grasped the same power. But in this respect
they were disappointed.
While the talk about the kingship was going on, and just
before a session of the senate, Cassius met Brutus, and seizing
him by the hand, said, " What shall we do in the senate-
house if Caesar's flatterers propose a decree to make him
king?" "I shall not be there," Brutus replied. Then
guarded The
prcBtorium,
or general s
tent.)
The
UvTwars,
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Cassius asked him further, "What if we are summoned i'J^forras^
there as praetors, what shall we do then, my good Brutus? " well as sena-
"I will defend my country to the death," he answered, their service