d thirteen legions
of troops of miscellaneous character. Raids were made upon Sicily,
Sardinia, and the coasts of Italy. Caesar's officers, if captured, were
put to death without mercy.

Cicero alone of the old Pompeian party protested against such cruelties.
He remained in Italy, was denounced by them as a traitor, and charged
with currying favor of the Dictator.

Caesar sailed from Lilybaeum (December 19), effected a landing near
Leptis, and maintained himself in a fortified position until he formed
useful alliances among the Mauretanians. Many Roman residents in the
province came to him, indignant at Metellus Scipio's promise to Juba to
give the province to him in case of success. Many deserters also came
in, enraged that precedence was given to Juba over Scipio in councils of
war. But the enemy's army was kept full of new recruits sent from Utica
by Cato.

For three months Caesar failed to bring on the desired engagement;
Scipio had learned caution from Pompey's experience at Pharsalia.
Finally, at THAPSUS, one hundred miles southeast of Carthage, April 4,
46, the armies met. Caesar's men were so enthusiastic that they rushed
to the charge with one impulse. There was no real battle, but rather a
slaughter. Officers and men fled for their lives. Scipio was intercepted
in his flight and slain. Juba and Petreius fled together, but, finding
their retreat cut off, engaged, it is said, in mortal combat; when
the first, Petreius, fell, the other threw himself on his own sword.
Labienus and the two sons of Pompey managed to escape to Spain. Afranius
was captured and executed.

Cato, when he heard of the defeat, retired to his chamber in Utica, and
committed suicide.

Thus ended the African campaign.

On his return from Africa, Caesar celebrated four triumphs, on four
successive days; one over the Gauls, one over Ptolemy of Egypt, one
over Pharnaces, and one over Juba. He gratified his armed followers with
liberal gifts, and pleased the people by his great munificence. They
were feasted at a splendid banquet, at which were twenty-two thousand
tables, each table having three couches, and each couch three persons.
Then followed shows in the circus and theatre, combats of wild beasts
and gladiators, in which the public especially delighted.

Honors were now heaped upon Caesar without stint. A thanksgiving of
forty days was decreed. His statue was placed in the Capitol. Another
was inscribed to Caesar the Demigod. A gol