He had not learnt the comparison
between means and ends, without which celerity is imprudence. He had but
one legion left; but he had a respectable number of Asiatic auxiliaries,
and with them he ventured to attack Pharnaces in an intricate position.
His Asiatics deserted. The legion behaved admirably; but in the face of
overwhelming numbers, it could do no more than cut its way to security.
Pharnaces at once reclaimed his father's kingdom, and overran Pontus,
killing, mutilating, or imprisoning every Roman that he encountered; and
in this condition Caesar found Asia Minor on his coming to Syria.
It was not in Caesar's character to leave a Roman Province behind him in
the hands of an invader, for his own political interests. He saw that he
must punish Pharnaces before he returned to Rome, and he immediately
addressed himself to the work. He made a hasty progress through the Syrian
towns, hearing complaints and distributing rewards and promotions. The
allied chiefs came to him from the borders of the Province to pay their
respects. He received them graciously, and dismissed them pleased and
satisfied. After a few days spent thus, he sailed for Cilicia, held a
council at Tarsus, and then crossed the Taurus, and went by forced marches
through Cappadocia to Pontus. He received a legion from Deiotarus which
had been organized in Roman fashion.
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