the call of ambition to that of love: and to leave Cleopa'tra (by whom he had a son, whose name was Cæsario,) in order to oppose Pharna'ces, the king of Bosphorus', who had made some inroads upon the dominions of Rome in the East. 29. This prince, who had cruelly deposed his father, the great Mithrida'tes, being ambitious of reconquering those dominions, seized upon Armenia2 and Col'chis3, and overcame Domit'ius, who had been sent against him. 30. Upon Cæsar's march to oppose him, Pharna'ces, who was as much terrified at the name of the general as at the strength of his army, laboured, by all the arts of negociation, to avert the impending danger. 31. Cæsar, exasperated at his crimes and ingratitude, at first dissembled with the ambassadors; and using all expedition, fell upon the enemy unexpectedly, and in a few hours obtained an easy and complete victory. Pharna'ces, attempting to take refuge in his capital, was slain by one of his own commanders-a just punishment for his former parricide. Cæsar achieved this conquest with so much ease, that in writing to a friend at Rome, he expressed the rapidity of his victory in three words, "VENI, VIDI, VICI. A man so accustomed to conquest might, perhaps, think a slight battle scarcely worth a long letter; though it is more probable that these memorable words were dictated rather by vanity than indifference. 499 1 The territories of Bos'phorus were partly in Europe, but chiefly in Asia. This kingdom was so called from two narrow straits, situate at the confines of Europe and Asia, now known by the names of Caffa and Constantinople. The kingdom of Bosphorus is the same as Pontus. 2 Armenia, an extensive country in Asia, divided into two parts: namely, Major and Minor, (Greater and Less.) 3 Colchis (pron. Kol'kis), a province of Asia, on the east side of the Euxine Sea; remarkable in history for the fable of the Golden Fleece, for the Argonautic expedition on that account, and for giving birth to the enchantress Medea. 4 I came, I saw, I conquered. Questions for Examination. 1. What were the abilities and character of Cæsar? 2. Did he rest satisfied with his present successes? 3. Whither did he steer his course? 4. What occurred on his arrival? 5. Was Cæsar pleased with this spectacle? 6. What was the conduct of the Egyptians towards Cæsar? 7. Did Cæsar resent this conduct? 8. Did he continue this appearance of confidence? 9. Who were at this time the sovereigns of Egypt? 10. What rendered Cæsar's interference necessary? 11. Was his interference agreeable to the Egyptians? 12. How did Cæsar conduct himself on this occasion? 13. Was the attack formidable ? 14. How did Cæsar prevent the designs of the enemy? 15. What was the conduct of Cleopatra? 16. What attractions did she possess? 17. What obstacles presented themselves, and how were they over come? 18. Was Cæsar captivated by her charms? 19. What measures did Arsinoe pursue 20. What attempts did the enemy make to annoy Cæsar, and how were they frustrated? 21. What unlucky accident occasioned the miscarriage of Cæsar's design? 22. How did Cæsar escape? 23. What did the Alexandrians next attempt? 24. Did Cæsar comply with their wishes? 25. How was Cæsar delivered from this dangerous situation? 26. What was the consequence of this victory? 27. Did Cæsar pursue his career of victory? 28. What was the consequence of this boldness? 29. What farther cause of offence had Pharnaces given? SECTION II. Whate'er the Roman virtue has subdued, The sun's whole course, the day and year are Cæsar's; The Fabii fell, and the great Scipios conquer'd; ADDISON'S CATO. 5. Rally, v. to re-assemble, to collect again. Ela'te, v. render proud, puff up. Malig'nity, s. degrees of poison. 9. Peremp'tory, a. positive, resolute. 12. Abridg'ed, part. shortened, curtailed. 15. Adula'tion, s. flattery. 16. Ju'dicature, s. of judging, dispensing the laws. Sump'tuary, a. regulating the ex- 18. Pro'tract, v. to lengthen. 23. Pi'racies, s. robberies at sea. Isth'mus, s. a narrow neck of land. 25. Pon'dered, v. revolved in his mind. 1. CÆSAR, having settled affairs in this part of the empire, embarked for Italy, where he arrived sooner than his enemies could expect, but not before his presence there was absolutely required. 2. During his absence, he had been created consul for five years, dictator for one year, and tribune of the people for life. 3. But Antony, who in the mean time governed for him in Rome, had filled the city with riot and debauchery, and many commotions ensued which nothing but the arrival of Cæsar could appease. 4. By his moderation and humanity he soon restored tranquillity to the city, scarcely making any distinction between those of his own and the opposite party. 5. Having, by gentle means, restored his authority at home, he prepared to march into Africa, where Pompey's party had found time to rally under Scipio and Cato, assisted by Juba, king of Maurita'nia; and, with his usual diligence, landed with a small party in Africa, while the rest of his army followed him. 6. Scipio coming to a battle soon after, received a complete and final overthrow, with little or no loss on the side of the victor. Juba, and Petrei'us his general, killed each other in despair. Scipio, attempting to escape by sea into Spain, fell in among the enemy, and was slain; so that of all the generals of that undone party, Cato was now the only one that remained. 7. This extraordinary man, whom prosperity could not elate, nor misfortunes depress, having retired into Africa, after the battle of Pharsa'lia, had led the wretched remains. of Pompey's army through burning deserts, and tracts infested with serpents of various malignity, and was now in the city of Utica', which he had been left to defend. 8. In love, however, with the show of Roman government, Cato had formed the principal citizens into a senate, and conceived a resolution for holding out the town. But the enthusiasm for liberty subsiding among his followers, hewas resolved no longer to force men to be free, who seemed naturally prone to slavery. 9. He now, therefore, desired some of his friends to save themselves by sea, and bade others submit to Cæsar's clemency; observing, that, as to himself, he was at last victorious. After this, supping cheerfully among his friends, he retired to his apartment, where he behaved with unusual tenderness to his son, and to all his friends. When he came into his bed-chamber, laying himself down, he took up Plato's Dialogue on the Immortality of the Soul, and read for some time. Casting his eyes to the head of his bed, he wondered much not to see his sword there; which had been conveyed away by his son's order while they were at supper. Calling to one of his domestics, to know what was become of it, and receiving no answer, 1 Utica, a town of Africa Proper, now the kingdom of Tunis. After the destruction of Carthage, it became the capital and centre of all the Roman transactions in Africa. (Strabo.) It was situated on the same bay with Carthage, near the present Berserta. he resumed his studies; and some time after asked again for the sword. When he had done reading, and perceived that nobody obeyed him, he called for his domestics one after the other, and with a peremptory air again demanded his sword. 10. His son, with tears, besought him to change his resolution; but, receiving a stern reprimand, desisted from his persuasions. His sword being at length brought to him, he seemed satisfied, and cried out, "Now again I am master of myself." He took up the book again, which having perused, he fell into a sound sleep. Upon awaking, he called to one of his freedmen to know if his friends were embarked, or if any thing yet remained that could be done to serve them. The freedman, assuring him that all was quiet, was ordered to leave the room. Cato no sooner found himself alone, than, seizing his sword, he stabbed himself below his chest. The blow not dispatching him, he fell from his bed, and overturned a table, on which he had been drawing some geometrical figures. At the noise of the fall, his servants shrieked, and his son and friends immediately flew to the room. They found him weltering in his blood, with his bowels appearing through the wound. 11. The surgeon, perceiving that his intestines were not wounded, was replacing them but Cato recovering himself, and understanding their intention was to preserve his life, forced the surgeon from him, and, with a fierce resolution, tore out his bowels, and expired'. 12. Upon the death of Cato, the war in Africa being completed, Cæsar returned in such triumph to Rome, as if he had abridged all his former triumphs only to increase 1 So great was the affection borne to this noble Roman by the inhabitants of Utica, that though Cæsar was on the point of entering the city, they could not be diverted from burying his body with the greatest pomp, and paying all the funeral honours due to a person of his rank and merit. |