of three hundred and fifty-five
days, so that January was an autumn month. Caesar inserted the regular
intercalary month of twenty-three days, and two additional ones of
sixty-seven days. These were added to the three hundred and sixty-five
days, making a year of transition of four hundred and forty-five days, by
which January was brought back to the first month of the year, after the
winter solstice. And to prevent the repetition of the error, he directed
that in future the year should consist of three hundred and sixty-five
days and one quarter of a day, which he effected by adding one day to the
months of April, June, September, and November, and two days to the months
of January, Sextilis, and December, making an addition of ten days to the
old year of three hundred and fifty-five, and he provided for a uniform
intercalation of one day in every fourth year. Caesar was a student of
astronomy, and always found time for its contemplation. He even wrote an
essay on the motion of the stars, assisted in his observation by
Sosigenes, an Alexandrian astronomer. He took astronomy out of the hands
of priests, and made it a matter of civil legislation. He was drawn away
from legislation to draw the sword once more against the relics of the
Pompeian party, which had been collected in Spain. On the field of Munda
was fought his last great battle, contested with unusual fury, and
attended with savage cruelties. Thirty thousand of his opponents fell in
this battle, and Sextus Pompey alone, of all the marked men, escaped to
the mountains, and defied pursuit. On this victory he celebrated his last
triumph, and the supple Senate decreed to him the title of Imperator. He
was made consul for ten years, dictator for life, his person was decreed
inviolable, and he was surrounded by a guard of nobles and senators. He
also received the insignia of royalty, a golden chair and a diadem set
with gems, and was allowed to wear the triumphal robe of purple whenever
he appeared in public. The coins were stamped with his image, his statue
was placed in the temples, and his friends obtained all the offices of the
State. He adopted Octavius, his nephew, for his heir, and paved the way
for an absolute despotism under his successors. The measure of his glory
and ambition was full. He was the undisputed master of the world.

He then continued his reforms and improvements, as Napoleon did after his
coronation as emperor. He gave the Roman franchise to var