ate courage at the head of his motley force of
soldiers near Pistoria.

The name of "Father of his Country" was given to Cicero for the
vigilance shown in this affair.

The execution of Lentulus and Cethegus resulted as Caesar had expected.
It was a lawless act on the part of the Consul and the Senate, and it
was felt that by it the constitution was still more endangered. The
people demanded that Pompey return. In him they thought to have a
deliverer from internal strifes.

Cicero was wrapped up in his own conceit, imagining himself a second
Romulus. On the last day of the year (63), as was the custom of the
retiring Consuls, he arose in the Forum to deliver a speech, reviewing
the acts of his year of consulship. Metellus Nepos, a Tribune, forbade
his speaking, on the ground that one who had put to death Roman citizens
without a hearing did not deserve to be heard. Amid the uproar Cicero
could only shout that he had saved his country. Metellus threatened to
impeach him, and excitement in the city was at fever heat. The Tribune
moved before the Assembly that Pompey be recalled. The Senate feared his
coming. Caesar, who was now Praetor (judge), favored it, and earnestly
seconded the proposal of Metellus. Cato, who was also Tribune, ordered
Metellus to stop speaking, and snatched his manuscript from his
hand. The aristocrats drew their swords, and broke up the meeting.
Constitutional law was trampled under foot on all sides. The Senate was
riding rough-shod over all opponents. Metellus and Caesar were declared
deposed from their offices. The people, however, believed in Caesar. He
was followed to his home by crowds, who begged him to be their leader,
and make an example of the law-breakers in the Senate. But Caesar
refused. He would have nothing to do with lawlessness; he let his
opponents play that _role_, and awaited the results. The Senate soon saw
its mistake, and requested him to resume his official duties.

The next year (61) Caesar was sent to Farther Spain as Propraetor. He
had already left a favorable impression there as Quaestor. Portions of
the country were still unsubdued. Many of the mountain passes were held
by robbers, whose depredations caused much trouble. He completed the
subjugation of the peninsula, put down the brigands, reorganized the
government, and sent large sums of money to the treasury at Rome. His
administration was thorough and complete, and a just reward for it
would, he hoped, be the con