One of these was Trebonius, who had
misconducted himself in Spain, and was smarting under the recollection of
his own failures. Trebonius had long before sounded Antony on the
desirableness of removing their chief. Antony, though he remained himself
true, had unfortunately kept his friend's counsel. Trebonius had been
named by Caesar for a future consulship, but a distant reward was too
little for him. Another and a yet baser traitor was Decimus Brutus, whom
Caesar valued and trusted beyond all his officers, whom he had selected as
guardian for Augustus, and had noticed, as was seen afterward, with
special affection in his will. The services of these men were invaluable
to the conspirators on account of their influence with the army. Decimus
Brutus, like Labienus, had enriched himself in Caesar's campaigns, and had
amassed near half a million of English money.[20] It may have been easy
to persuade him and Trebonius that a grateful Republic would consider no
recompense too large to men who would sacrifice their commander to their
country. To Caesar they could be no more than satellites; the first prizes
of the Empire would be offered to the choice of the saviours of the
constitution.
So composed was this memorable band, to whom was to fall the bad
distinction of completing the ruin of the senatorial rule.
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