These events took place abroad. [-17-] The population of Rome while the interests of Caesar and Pompey were in a doubtful and vacillating state all professedly espoused the cause of Caesar, influenced by his troops that were in their midst and by his colleague Servilius.  Whenever a victory of his was reported, they rejoiced, and whenever a reverse, they grieved,—­some really, some pretendedly in each case.  For there were many spies prowling about and eavesdroppers, observing what was being said and done on such occasions.  Privately the talk and actions of those who detested Caesar and preferred Pompey’s side were the very opposite of their public expressions.  Hence, whereas both parties made a show of receiving any and all news as favorable to their hopes, they in fact regarded it sometimes with fear and sometimes with boldness, and inasmuch as many diverse rumors would often be going the rounds on the same day and in the same hour their position was a most trying one.  In the briefest space of time they were pleased, were grieved, grew bold, grew fearful. [-18-] When the battle of Pharsalus was reported they were long incredulous.  Caesar sent no despatch to the government, hesitating to appear to be rejoicing publicly over such a victory, for which reason also he celebrated no triumph:  and again, there seemed little likelihood of its being true, in view of the relative equipment of the two forces and the hopes entertained.  When at last they gave the story credence, they took down the images of Pompey and of Sulla that stood upon the rostra, but did nothing further at that time.  A large number did not wish to do even that, and an equally large number fearing that Pompey might renew the strife regarded this as quite enough for Caesar and expected that it would be a fairly simple matter to placate Pompey on account of it.  Moreover, when he died, they would not believe this news till late, and until they saw his signet that had been sent. (On this were carved three trophies, as on that of Sulla.) [-19-] But when he appeared to be really dead, at last they openly praised the winner and abused the loser and proposed that everything in the world which they could devise be given to Caesar.  In the course of it all there was a great rivalry among practically all of the foremost men who were eager to outdo one another in fawning upon him and voting pleasing measures.  By their shouts and by their gestures all of them as if Caesar were present and looking on showed the very greatest zeal and deemed that in return for it they would get immediately,—­as if they were doing it to please him at all and not from necessity,—­the one an office, another a priesthood, and a third some pecuniary reward.  I shall omit those honors which had either been voted to some others previously,—­images, crowns, front seats, and things of that kind,—­or were novel and proposed now for the first time, which were not also confirmed by Caesar:  for I fear that I might become wearisome, were I to enumerate