rs to the Senate, stating
that he was ready to resign his command, if Pompey did the same. The
messenger arrived at Rome, January 1, 49, on the day in which the new
Consuls entered upon their duties.

The letters were read in the Senate, and there followed a spirited
discussion, resulting in a decree that Caesar should resign his command.
The Tribunes opposed; but, being threatened by the Consuls, they were
compelled to leave the city, and went directly to Ravenna.

When the action of the Senate was reported to Caesar, he called together
his soldiers, and addressed them thus: "For nine years I and my army
have served our country loyally and with some degree of success. We have
driven the Germans across the Rhine; we have made Gaul a province; and
the Senate, for answer, has broken the constitution in setting aside the
Tribunes who spoke in my defence. It has voted the state in danger, and
has called Italy to arms, when no single act of mine can justify it in
this course." The soldiers became enthusiastic, and were eager to follow
their leader without pay. Contributions were offered him by both men and
officers. LABIENUS, his trusted lieutenant, alone proved false. He stole
away, and joined Pompey. Caesar then sent for two legions from across
the Alps. With these legions he crossed the RUBICON into Italy, and
marched to Ariminum.

Meanwhile the report of his movements reached Rome. The aristocracy had
imagined that his courage would fail him, or that his army would desert.
Thoroughly frightened, Consuls, Praetors, Senators,-leaving wives,
children, and property to their fate,-fled from the city to seek safety
with Pompey in Capua. They did not stop even to take the money from the
treasury, but left it locked.

Caesar paused at Ariminum, and sent envoys to the Senate, stating that
he was still desirous of peace. If Pompey would depart to his province
in Spain, he would himself disband his own troops. He was even willing
to have a personal interview with Pompey. This message was received by
the Senate after its flight from Rome. The substance of its reply was,
that Pompey did not wish a personal interview, but would go to Spain,
and that Caesar must leave Ariminum, return to his province, and give
security that he would dismiss his army.

These terms seemed to Caesar unfair, and he would not accept them.
Accordingly he sent his lieutenant, Mark Antony, across the mountains
to Arretium, on the road to Rome. He himself