Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 1 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"Plutarch
Philosophy
Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 1 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"
Plutarch
Classical literature; Essays; Ethics; Philosophy
Pompey commanded his army to stand in array at Pharsalia in
their place, and to receive the charge from the enemy. In this Caesar
said he was out, thereby suffering the eagerness of his soldiers’
spirits, when they were up and inspired with rage and success, in the
midst of their career to languish and expire. After he routed Pharnaces
Ponticus at the first assault, he wrote thus to his friends, I came, I
saw, I conquered.[114] After Scipio was worsted in Africa and fled, and
Cato had killed himself, he said: I envy thee thy death, O Cato! since
thou didst envy me the honor of saving thee. Antonius and Dolabella
were suspected by his friends, who advised him to secure them; he
answered, I fear none of those fat and lazy fellows, but those pale
and lean ones,—meaning Brutus and Cassius. As he was at supper, the
discourse was of death, which sort was the best. That, said he, which
is unexpected.
CAESAR AUGUSTUS. Caesar, who was the first surnamed Augustus, being
yet young, demanded of Antony the twenty-five millions of money[115]
which he had taken out of the house of Julius Caesar when he was slain,
that he might pay the Romans the legacies he had left them, every man
seventy-five drachms. But when Antony detained the money, and bade him,
if he were wise, let fall his demand, he sent the crier to offer his
own paternal estate for sale, and therewith discharged the legacies;
by which means he procured a general respect to himself, and to Antony
the hatred of the Romans. Rymetalces, king of Thrace, forsook Antony
and went over to Caesar; but bragging immoderately in his drink, and
nauseously reproaching his new confederates, Caesar drank to one of the
other kings, and told him, I love treason but do not commend traitors.
The Alexandrians, when he had taken their city, expected great severity
from him; but when he came upon the judgment-seat, he placed Arius the
Alexandrian by him, and told them: I spare this city, first because
it is great and beautiful, secondly for the sake of its founder,
Alexander, and thirdly for the sake of Arius my friend. When it was
told him that Eros, his steward in Egypt, having bought a quail that
beat all he came near and was never worsted by any, had roasted and
eaten it, he sent for him; and when upon examination he confessed the
fact, he ordered him to be nailed on the mast of the ship. He removed
Theodorus, and in his stead made Arius his factor in Sicily, whereupon
a petition was presented to him, in which was written, Theodorus of
Tarsus is either a baldpate or a thief, what is your opinion? Caesar
read it, and subscribed, I think so. Mecaenas, his intimate companion,
presented him yearly on his birthday with a piece of plate. Athenodorus
the philosopher, by reason of his old age, begged leave that he might
retire from court, which Caesar granted; and as Athenodorus was taking
his leave of him, Remember, said he, Caesar, whenever you are angry, to
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