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pompey-第14章

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another triumph。 In the first place; there were tables carried;
inscribed with the names and titles of the nations over whom he
triumphed; Pontus; Armenia; Cappadocia; Paphlagonia; Media; Colchis;
the Iberians; the Albanians; Syria; Cilicia; and Mesopotamia; together
with Phoenicia and Palestine; Judaea; Arabia; and all the power of the
pirates subdued by sea and land。 And in these different countries
there appeared the capture of no less than one thousand fortified
places; nor much less than nine hundred cities; together with eight
hundred ships of the pirates; and the foundation of thirty…nine towns。
Besides; there was set forth in these tables an account of all the
tributes throughout the empire; and how that before these conquests
the revenue amounted but to fifty millions; whereas from his
acquisitions they had a revenue of eighty…five millions; and that in
present payment he was bringing into the common treasury ready
money; and gold and silver plate; and ornaments; to the value of
twenty thousand talents; over and above what had been distributed
among the soldiers; of whom he that had least had fifteen hundred
drachmas for his share。 The prisoners of war that were led in triumph;
besides the chief pirates; were the son of Tigranes; King of Armenia
with his wife and daughter; as also Zosime; wife of King Tigranes
himself; and Aristobulus; King of Judaea; the sister of King
Mithridates; and her five sons; and some Scythian women。 There were
likewise the hostages of the Albanians and Iberians; and of the King
of Commagene; besides a vast number of trophies; one for every
battle in which he was conqueror; either himself in person or by his
lieutenants。 But that which seemed to be his greatest glory; being one
which no other Roman ever attained to; was this; that he made his
third triumph over the third division of the world。 For others among
the Romans had the honour of triumphing thrice; but his first
triumph was over Africa; his second over Europe; and this last over
Asia; so that he seemed in these three triumphs to have led the
whole world captive。
  As for his age; those who affect to make the parallel exact in all
things betwixt him and Alexander the Great; do not allow him to have
been quite thirty…four; whereas in truth at that time he was near
forty。 And well had it been for him had he terminated his life at this
date; while he still enjoyed Alexander's fortune; since all his
after…time served only either to bring him prosperity that made him
odious; or calamities too great to be retrieved。 For that great
authority which he had gained in the city by his merits he made use of
only in patronizing the iniquities of others; so that by advancing
their fortunes he detracted from his own glory; till at last he was
overthrown even by the force and greatness of his own power。 And as
the strongest citadel or fort in a town; when it is taken by an enemy;
does then afford the same strength to the foe as it had done to
friends before; so Caesar; after Pompey's aid had made him strong
enough to defy his country; ruined and overthrew at last the power
which had availed him against the rest。 The course of things was as
follows。 Lucullus; when he returned out of Asia; where he had been
treated with insult by Pompey; was received by the senate with great
honour; which was yet increased when Pompey came home; to check
whose ambition they encourage him to assume the administration of
the government; whereas he was now grown cold and disinclined to
business; having given himself over to the pleasures of ease and the
enjoyment of a splendid fortune。 However; he began for the time to
exert himself against Pompey; attacked him sharply; and succeeded in
having his own acts and decrees; which were repealed by Pompey;
re…established; and; with the assistance of Cato; gained the
superiority in the senate。
  Pompey having fallen from his hopes in such an unworthy repulse; was
forced to fly to the tribunes of the people for refuge; and to
attach himself to the young men; among whom was Clodius; the vilest
and most impudent wretch alive; who took him about; and exposed him as
a tool to the people; carrying him up and down among the throngs in
the market…place; to countenance those laws and speeches which he made
to cajole the people and ingratiate himself。 And at last; for his
reward; he demanded Pompey; as if he had not disgraced; but done him a
great kindness; that he should forsake (as in the end he did
forsake) Cicero; his friend; who on many public occasions had done him
the greatest service。 And so when Cicero was in danger; and implored
his aid; he would not admit him into his presence; but shutting up his
gates against those that came to mediate for him; slipt out at a
back door; whereupon Cicero; fearing the result of his trial; departed
privately from Rome。
  About that time Caesar; returning from military service; started a
course of policy which brought him great present favour; and much
increased his power for the future; and proved extremely destructive
both to Pompey and the commonwealth。 For now he stood candidate for
his first consulship; and well observing the enmity betwixt Pompey and
Crassus; and finding that by joining with one he should make the other
his enemy; he endeavoured by all means to reconcile them; an object in
itself honourable and tending to the public good; but; as he undertook
it; a mischievous and subtle intrigue。 For he well knew that
opposite parties or factions in a commonwealth; like passengers in a
boat; serve to trim and balance the unsteady motions of power there;
whereas if they combine and come all over to one side; they cause a
shock which will be sure to overset the vessel and carry down
everything。 And therefore Cato wisely told those who charged all the
calamities of Rome upon the disagreement betwixt Pompey and Caesar
that they were in error in charging all the crime upon the last cause;
for it was not their discord and enmity; but their unanimity and
friendship; that gave the first and greatest blow to the commonwealth。
  Caesar being thus elected consul; began at once to make an
interest with the poor and meaner sort; by preferring and establishing
laws for planting colonies and dividing lands; lowering the dignity of
his office; and turning his consulship into a sort of tribuneship
rather。 And when Bibulus; his colleague; opposed him; and Cato was
prepared to second Bibulus; and assist him vigorously; Caesar
brought Pompey upon the hustings; and addressing him in the sight of
the people; demanded his opinion upon the laws that were proposed。
Pompey gave his approbation。 〃Then;〃 said Caesar; 〃in case any man
should offer violence to these laws; will you be ready to give
assistance to the people?〃 〃Yes;〃 replied Pompey; 〃I shall be ready;
and against those that threaten the sword; I will appear with sword
and buckler。〃 Nothing ever was said or done by Pompey up to that day
that seemed more insolent or overbearing; so that his friends
endeavoured to apologize for it as a word spoken inadvertently; but by
his actions afterwards it appeared plainly that he was totally devoted
to Caesar's service。 For on a sudden; contrary to all expectation;
he married Julian; the daughter of Caesar; who had been affianced
before and was to be married within a few days to Caepio。 And to
appease Caepio's wrath; he gave him his own daughter in marriage;
who had been espoused before to Faustus; the son of Sylla。 Caesar
himself married Calpurnia; the daughter of Piso。
  Upon this Pompey; filling the city with soldiers; carried all things
by force as he pleased。 As Bibulus; the consul; was going to the
forum; accompanied by Lucullus and Cato; they fell upon him on a
sudden and broke his rods; and somebody threw a vessel of ordure
upon the head of Bibulus himself; and two tribunes of the people;
who escorted him; were desperately wounded in the fray。 And thus
having cleared the forum of all their adversaries; they got their bill
for the division of lands established and passed into an act; and
not only so; but the whole populace; being taken with this bait;
became totally at their devotion; inquiring into n
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