But
the consuls were busy with home politics and did not wish to go, nor did
they wish that others should go and gather laurels instead of them.
Therefore nothing was done at all,[2] and Syria was left to fate and
Bibulus. The consuls and the aristocracy had, in fact, more serious
matters to attend to. Caesar's time was running out, and when it was over
he had been promised the consulship. That consulship the faction of the
conservatives had sworn that he should never hold. Cato was threatening
him with impeachment, blustering that he should be tried under a guard, as
Milo had been.[3] Marcellus was saying openly that he would call him
home in disgrace before his term was over. Como, one of the most thriving
towns in the north of Italy, had been enfranchised by Caesar. An eminent
citizen from Como happening to be at Rome, Marcellus publicly flogged him,
and bade him go back and tell his fellow-townsmen the value of Caesar's
gift to them, Cicero saw the folly of such actions;[4] but the
aristocracy were mad--mad with pride and conscious guilt and fear. The ten
years of Caesar's government would expire at the end of 49. The engagement
had been entered into that he was to see his term out with his army and to
return to Rome for 48--as consul. They remembered his first consulship and
what he had done with it, and the laws which he had passed--laws which
they could not repeal; yet how had they observed them? If he had been too
strong for them all when he was but one of themselves, scarcely known
beyond the Forum and senate-house, what would he do now, when he was
recognized as the greatest soldier which Rome had produced, the army, the
people, Italy, the provinces all adoring his name? Consul again he could
not, must not be.
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