STRUGGLE WITH POMPEY.--BATTLE OF PHARSALIA.

Pompey was elected sole Consul in February, 52. He at once threw off
all pretence of an alliance with Caesar, and devoted himself to the
interests of the Senate and aristocracy.

The brilliant successes of Caesar in Gaul had made a profound impression
upon the minds of the citizens, to whom the name of the northern
barbarians was still fraught with terror. Caesar had won for himself
distinction as a soldier greater than the Scipios, or Sulla, or Pompey.
"He was coming back to lay at his country's feet a province larger than
Spain, not only subdued, but reconciled to subjugation; a nation of
warriors, as much devoted to him as his own legions." The nobility had
watched his successes with bitter envy; but they were forced to vote a
thanksgiving of twenty days, which "the people made sixty."

Caesar now declared through his followers at Rome that he desired a
second consulship. But he wished first to celebrate his triumph, and on
this account would not disband his army; for, according to the custom,
he could not triumph without it. According to another custom, however,
he must disband it before he could offer himself as a candidate for the
consulship. But he asked permission to set aside this custom, and to
become a candidate while he was in the province in command of the army.

The law requiring a candidate to give up his command had been suspended
several times before this; so that Caesar's request was reasonable. His
enemies in the city were numerous and powerful, and he felt that, if he
returned as a private citizen, his personal safety would be in danger;
whereas, if he were a magistrate, his person would be considered sacred.

The Senate, on the other hand, felt that, if he carried his point, the
days of their influence were numbered. Their first step, therefore, was
to weaken Caesar, and to provide their champion, Pompey, with a force in
Italy, They voted that Caesar should return to Pompey a legion which had
been loaned him, and also should send another legion back to Italy. The
vote was taken on the ostensible plea that the troops were needed in
Asia Minor against the Parthians; but when they reached Italy they were
placed under Pompey's command in Campania. The Consuls chosen for the
year 49 were both bitter enemies of Caesar. He had taken up his winter
quarters at Ravenna, the last town in his province bordering on Italy.
From here he sent a messenger with lette