nd there and put to death many of the people, and
by blocking up the river he completely cut off his enemies from all
supplies by sea. He now moved on with his army towards Rome and
occupied the Janiculus. Octavius damaged his own cause, not so much
from want of skill as through his scrupulous observance of the law, to
which he unwisely sacrificed the public interests; for though many
persons advised him to invite the slaves to join him by promising
their freedom, he refused to make them members of the State from which
he was endeavouring to exclude Marius in obedience to the law. On the
arrival at Rome of Metellus,[136] the son of Metellus who had
commanded in Libya, and had been banished from the city through the
intrigues of Marius, the soldiers deserted Octavius and came to
Metellus, entreating him to take the command and save the city; they
said, if they had an experienced and active commander, they would
fight well and get the victory. But Metellus expressed great
dissatisfaction at their conduct, and bade them go to the consul, upon
which they passed over to the enemy. Metellus also in despair left the
city. But Octavius was persuaded by Chaldaeans[137] and certain
diviners and interpreters of the Sibylline books to stay in Rome by
the assurance that all would turn out well. Octavius, who in all other
matters had as solid a judgment as any Roman, and most carefully
maintained the consular dignity free from all undue influence
according to the usage of his country and the laws, as if they were
unchangeable rules, nevertheless showed great weakness in keeping
company with impostors and diviners, rather than with men versed in
political and military matters. Now Octavius was dragged down from the
Rostra before Marius entered the city, by some persons who where sent
forward, and murdered; and it is said that a Chaldaean writing was
found in his bosom after he was killed. It seemed to be a very
inexplicable circumstance, that of two illustrious commanders, Marius
owed his success to not disregarding divination, and Octavius thereby
lost his life.

XLIII. Matters being in this state, the Senate met and sent a
deputation to Cinna and Marius to invite them into the city and to
entreat them to spare the citizens. Cinna, as consul, sitting on his
chair of office, gave audience to the commissioners and returned a
kind answer: Marius stood by the consul's chair without speaking a
word, but indicating by the unchanging heavi