But the philosopher was not afraid of death, and he determined to die rather than to yield to the conqueror. So he withdrew quietly to his own room and threw himself upon his sword. His friends, hearing him fall, rushed to his aid; as the wound was not fatal, it was dressed and bandaged. No sooner was Cato again alone, than he dragged off the bandages and let himself bleed to death. Gnæus and Sextus Pompeius had gone to Spain, and Scipio escaped to a ship and sailed away, hoping to join the lads. But Cæsar sent a vessel in pursuit of the defeated general, and Scipio, seeing that he must be captured, threw himself overboard and was drowned. Numidia was now made a Roman province, and Cæsar’s work in Africa was ended. He returned to Rome in July 46 B.C. as ruler of the great Roman Empire. CHAPTER CXIV CÆSAR IS LOADED WITH HONOURS When Cæsar reached Rome in July 46 B.C., he found that he had already been appointed Dictator for ten years. In the Senate there was now not a member who was not eager to agree to his slightest wish. Yet it was but a year or two since many of them had been ready to brand him as a traitor. But Cæsar had crossed the Rubicon now, and was king in all but name. The conqueror had, however, no wish to remind those who had been his enemies of their unkindnesses. His return to Rome was made a joyous season, and was not spoiled by the punishment of those who had been opposed to him, much less by their murder. Indeed, Cæsar not only pardoned those who had been the friends of Pompey, but he gave them positions of trust in the State. If they were still half afraid of his true feelings, suspicion vanished when the Dictator ordered the statues of Pompey, which after his defeat had been thrown down, to be again erected. His faithful soldiers Cæsar rewarded with gold, and to the citizens he gave feasts and gifts of corn as well. Games and shows also celebrated his return. From this time his birthday was kept each year as a holiday, and to the month in which it fell was given his name, Julius, or as we say now, July. His triumphs were the wonder of the citizens for many long days to come, for he celebrated his victories over Gaul, Egypt, Pontus, and Numidia. Many were the strange and marvellous treasures that adorned the processions. Of his war with Pompey, as it was against a Roman, nothing was said, nor was it celebrated in a triumph. For six or seven months Cæsar now stayed in Rome, making many good laws. As of old he was loved by the people, for he proved himself still their friend, taking from the Optimates the power they often used harshly or carelessly and giving it to them. His friends often begged him to have a bodyguard, for although he was so beloved, he still had enemies. But Cæsar would take no precautions, saying in answer to the fears of his friends, ‘It is better to suffer death once, than always to live in fear of it.’