from searching for the document, seizing it, and then carrying it into the senate and subsequently the assembly, and reading it.  The clauses contained in it were of such a nature that his most lawless behavior brought upon him no reproach from the citizens.  The writer had asseverated the fact that Caesarion was truly sprung from Caesar, had given some enormous presents to his children by the Egyptian queen, who were being reared by him, and had ordered that his body be buried in Alexandria and by her side.

[-4-] This made the Romans in their indignation believe that the other reports circulated were also true,—­viz., that if Antony should prevail, he would bestow their city upon Cleopatra and transfer the seat of power to Egypt.  And thereat they became so angry that all, not only such as disliked him or were indifferent to the two men, censured him, but even his most intimate friends did so severely.  For in consternation at what was read and eager to relieve themselves of the suspicion felt toward them by Caesar, they said the same as the rest.  They deprived him of the consulship, to which he had been previously elected, and of all his remaining authority.  They did not declare him an enemy in so many words, because they feared its effect on his adherents, since it would be necessary that they also be held in the position of enemies in case they should not abandon him; but by action they showed their attitude as plainly as possible.  For they voted to the men arrayed on his side pardon and praise if they would abandon him, and declared war outright upon Cleopatra, put on their military cloaks as though he were close at hand, and went to the temple of Bellona where they performed through Caesar as fetialis all the rites preliminary to war in the customary fashion.  These were stated to refer to Cleopatra, but their real bearing was on Antony. [-5-] She had enslaved him so absolutely that she persuaded him to act as gymnasiarch[58] to the Alexandrians; and she was saluted by him as “queen” and “mistress,” had Roman soldiers in her body-guard, and all of these inscribed her name upon their shields.  She used to frequent the market-place with him, joined him in the management of festivals, in the hearing of lawsuits, and in riding; and in the cities she was actually carried in a chair, while Antony accompanied her on foot along with the eunuchs.  He also termed his head-quarters “the palace”, sometimes wore an Oriental dagger at his belt, dressed in a manner not in accordance with the customs of his native land, and let himself be seen even in public upon a gilded couch and a chair of similar appearance.  He joined her in sitting for paintings and statues, he representing Osiris and Dionysus, and she Selene and Isis.  This more than all made him seem to have become crazed by her through some enchantment.  She so charmed and enthralled not only him but all the rest who had any influence with him that she conceived the hope of ruling the Romans, and made her greatest vow, whenever she took any oath, that of dispensing justice on the Capitol.