The tribunes were outbidding one
another in extravagant proposals, while Caesar's legions, sent home from
Greece to rest after their long service, were enjoying their victory in
the license which is miscalled liberty. They demanded the lands, or
rewards in money, which had been promised them at the end of the war.
Discipline was relaxed or abandoned. Their officers wore unable, perhaps
unwilling, to control them. They, too, regarded the Commonwealth as a
spoil which their swords had won, and which they were entitled to
distribute among themselves.
In Spain, too, a bad feeling had revived. After Caesar's departure his
generals had oppressed the people, and had quarrelled with one another.
The country was disorganized and disaffected. In Spain, as in Egypt, there
was a national party still dreaming of independence. The smouldering
traditions of Sertorius were blown into flame by the continuance of the
civil war. The proud motley race of Spaniards, Italians, Gauls, indigenous
mountaineers, Moors from Africa, the remnants of the Carthaginian
colonies, however they might hate one another, yet united in resenting an
uncertain servitude under the alternate ascendency of Roman factions.
Spain was ripe for revolt. Gaul alone, Caesar's own province, rewarded him
for the use which he had made of his victory, by unswerving loyalty and
obedience.
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