Their hope was in Pompey. If Pompey could be won over from Caesar,
the army would be divided. Pompey, they well knew, unless he had a
stronger head than his own to guide him, could be used till the victory
was won, and then be thrust aside. It was but too easy to persuade him
that he was the greatest man in the Empire; and that as the chief of a
constitutional government, and with the Senate at his side, he would
inscribe his name in the annals of his country as the restorer of Roman
liberty.
The intrigue could not be matured immediately. The aristocracy had first
to overcome their own animosities against Pompey, and Pompey himself was
generous, and did not yield to the first efforts of seduction. The smaller
passions were still at work among the baser senatorial chiefs, and the
appetite for provinces and pillage. The Senate, even while Crassus was
alive, had carried the consulships for 53 by the most infamous corruption.
They meant now to attack Caesar in earnest, and their energies were
addressed to controlling the elections for the next year. Milo was one of
the candidates; and Cicero, who was watching the political current,
reverted to his old friendship for him, and became active in the canvass.
Milo was not a creditable ally. He already owed half a million of money,
and Cicero, who was anxious for his reputation, endeavored to keep him
within the bounds of decency.
Pages:
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423