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back their rights as citizens to the children of those who had
suffered under Sylla； he relieved the debtors by an act remitting some
part of the interest on their debts； and passed some other measures of
the same sort； but not many。 For within eleven days he resigned his
dictatorship； and having declared himself consul； with Servilius
Isauricus； hastened again to the war。 He marched so fast that he
left all his army behind him； except six hundred chosen horse and five
legions； with which he put to sea in the very middle of winter；
about the beginning of the month of January （which corresponds
pretty nearly with the Athenian month Posideon）； and having passed the
Ionian Sea； took Oricum and Apollonia； and then sent back the ships to
Brundusium； to bring over the soldiers who were left behind in the
march。 They； while yet on the march； their bodies now no longer in the
full vigour； and they themselves weary with such a multitude of
wars； could not but exclaim against Caesar； 〃When at last； and
where； will this Caesar let us be quiet？ He carries us from place to
place； and uses us as if we were not to be worn out； and had no
sense of labour。 Even our iron itself is spent by blows； and we
ought to have some pity on our bucklers； and breastplates； which
have been used so long。 Our wounds； if nothing else； should make him
see that we are mortal men whom he commands； subject to the same pains
and sufferings as other human beings。 The very gods themselves
cannot force the winter season； or hinder the storms in their time；
yet he pushes forward； as if he were not pursuing； but flying from
an enemy。〃 So they talked as they marched leisurely towards
Brundusium。 But when they came thither； and found Caesar gone off
before them； their feelings changed； and they blamed themselves as
traitors to their general。 They now railed at their officers for
marching so slowly； and placing themselves on the heights
overlooking the sea towards Epirus； they kept watch to see if they
could espy the vessels which were to transport them to Caesar。
He in the meantime was posted in Apollonia； but had not an army with
him able to fight the enemy； the forces from Brundusium being so
long in coming； which put him to great suspense and embarrassment what
to do。 At last he resolved upon a most hazardous experiment； and
embarked； without any one's knowledge； in a boat of twelve oars； to
cross over to Brundusium； though the sea was at that time covered with
a vast fleet of the enemies。 He got on board in the night…time； in the
dress of a slave； and throwing himself down like a person of no
consequence lay along at the bottom of the vessel。 The river Anius was
to carry them down to sea； and there used to blow a gentle gale
every morning from the land； which made it calm at the mouth of the
river； by driving the waves forward； but this night there had blown
a strong wind from the sea； which overpowered that from the land； so
that where the river met the influx of the seawater and the opposition
of the waves it was extremely rough and angry； and the current was
beaten back with such a violent swell that the master of the boat
could not make good his passage； but ordered his sailors to tack about
and return。 Caesar； upon this； discovers himself； and taking the man
by the hand； who was surprised to see him there； said； 〃Go on； my
friend； and fear nothing； you carry Caesar and his fortune in your
boat。〃 The mariners； when they heard that； forgot the storm； and
laying all their strength to their oars； did what they could to
force their way down the river。 But when it was to no purpose； and the
vessel now took in much water； Caesar finding himself in such danger
in the very mouth of the river； much against his will permitted the
master to turn back。 When he was come to land； his soldiers ran to him
in a multitude； reproaching him for what he had done； and indignant
that he should think himself not strong enough to get a victory by
their sole assistance； but must disturb himself； and expose his life
for those who were absent； as if he could not trust those who were
with him。
After this； Antony came over with the forces from Brundusium；
which encouraged Caesar to give Pompey battle； though he was
encamped very advantageously； and furnished with plenty of
provisions both by sea and land； whilst he himself was at the
beginning but ill supplied； and before the end was extremely pinched
for want of necessaries； so that his soldiers were forced to dig up
a kind of root which grew there； and tempering it with milk； to feed
on it。 Sometimes they made a kind of bread of it； and advancing up
to the enemy's outposts； would throw in these loaves； telling them；
that as long as the earth produced such roots they would not give up
blockading Pompey。 But Pompey took what care he could that neither the
loaves nor the words should reach his men； who were out of heart and
despondent through terror at the fierceness and hardihood of their
enemies； whom they looked upon as a sort of wild beasts。 There were
continual skirmishes about Pompey's outworks； in all which Caesar
had the better； except one； when his men were forced to fly in such
a manner that he had like to have lost his camp。 For Pompey made
such a vigorous sally on them that not a man stood his ground； the
trenches were filled with the slaughter； many fell upon their own
ramparts and bulwarks； whither they were driven in flight by the
enemy。 Caesar met them and would have turned them back； but could not。
When he went to lay hold of the ensigns； those who carried them
threw them down； so that the enemy took thirty…two of them。 He himself
narrowly escaped； for taking hold of one of his soldiers； a big and
strong man； that was flying by him； he bade him stand and face
about； but the fellow； full of apprehensions from the danger he was
in； laid hold of his sword； as if he would strike Caesar； but Caesar's
armour…bearer cut off his arm。 Caesar's affairs were so desperate at
that time that when Pompey； either through over…cautiousness or his
ill fortune； did not give the finishing stroke to that great
success； but retreated after he had driven the routed enemy within
their camp； Caesar； upon seeing his withdrawal； said to his friends；
〃The victory to…day had been on the enemies' side if they had had a
general who knew how to gain it。〃 When he was retired into his tent；
he laid himself down to sleep； but spent that night as miserable as
ever he did any； in perplexity and consideration with himself；
coming to the conclusion that he had conducted the war amiss。 For when
he had a fertile country before him； and all the wealthy cities of
Macedonia and Thessaly； he had neglected to carry the war thither； and
had sat down by the seaside； where his