Caesar was elected consul, and forthwith he courted the needy
and poor by proposing measures for the establishment of cities, and
the division of lands, wherein he stepped beyond the proprieties of
his office and in a manner made his consulship into a tribunate. When
his colleague Bibulus opposed him and Cato was prepared to support
Bibulus most vigorously, Caesar brought forward Pompeius on the
Rostra, and put the question to him, "If he approved of the proposed
laws;" upon Pompeius saying that he did, "Will you not then," said
Caesar, "if any one makes resistance to the laws, come forward before
the people to maintain them?" "Certainly," said Pompeius, "I will come
against those who threaten swords, with sword and shield." It was the
general opinion that Pompeius up to that day had never said or done
anything more arrogant, so that even his friends in his defence said
that the words had escaped him at the moment. But yet it was clear
from what followed that he had completely given himself up to Caesar to
do what he pleased with him: for contrary to all expectation Pompeius
married Caesar's daughter Julia, who had been betrothed to Caepio and
was going to be married to him within a few days; and to pacify Caepio,
Pompeius gave him his own daughter who was already promised to Faustus
the son of Sulla. Caesar himself married Calpurnia the daughter of
Piso.
XLVIII. After this Pompeius filled the city with soldiers and managed
everything by force.
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