Heavy work had to
be done in Rome. Caesar was consul now--annual consul, with no ten years'
interval any longer possible. Consul, dictator, whatever name the people
gave him, he alone held the reins; he alone was able to hold them. Credit
had to be restored; debtors had to be brought to recognize their
liabilities. Property had fallen in value since the Civil Wars, and
securities had to be freshly estimated. The Senate required reformation;
men of fidelity and ability were wanted for the public offices. Pompey and
Pompey's friends would have drowned Italy in blood. Caesar disappointed
expectation by refusing to punish any one of his political opponents. He
killed no one. He deprived no one of his property. He even protected the
money-lenders, and made the Jews his constant friends. Debts he insisted
must be paid, bonds fulfilled, the rights of property respected, no matter
what wild hopes imagination might have indulged in. Something only he
remitted of the severity of interest, and the poor in the city were
allowed their lodgings rent free for a year.
He restored quiet, and gave as much satisfaction as circumstances
permitted. His real difficulty was with the legions, who had come back
from Greece. They had deserved admirably well, but they were unfortunately
over-conscious of their merits. Ill-intentioned officers had taught them
to look for extravagant rewards.
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