[-36-] At first the senators had been at variance, and came near setting them free.  For while all before Caesar had voted that they should be put to death, he gave his decision that they should be imprisoned and deported to various cities after having their property confiscated, with the condition that there should be no further deliberation about immunity for them, and if any one of them should run away, he should be considered among the enemies of that city from which he fled.  Then all who subsequently made known their opinions, until it came to Cato, cast this vote, so that some of the first also changed their minds.  But the fact that Cato himself gave a sentence of death against them caused all the rest to vote similarly.  So the conspirators were punished by the decision of the majority and a sacrifice and period of festival over them was decreed,—­something that had never before happened from any such cause.  Others, also, against whom information was lodged, were sought out and some incurred suspicion and were held to account for merely intending to join that party.  The consuls managed most of the investigations, but Aulus Fulvius, a senator, was slain by his own father; and some think that the latter was not the only private individual who did this.  There were many others, that is, not only consuls but persons in private life, who killed their children.  This was the course of affairs at that time.

[-37-] The priestly elections, on motion of Labienus supported by Caesar, were again referred by the people to popular vote, contrary to the law of Sulla, but in renewal of the law of Domitius.  Caesar at the death of Metellus Pius was eager for his priesthood, although young and not having served as praetor.  Resting his hopes of it upon the multitude, therefore, especially because he had helped Labienus against Rabirius and had not voted for the death of Lentulus, he took the above course.  And he was appointed pontifex maximus, in spite of the fact that many others, Catulus most of all, were his rivals for the honor.  This because he showed himself perfectly ready to serve and flatter every one, even ordinary persons, and he spared no speech or action for getting possession of the objects for which he strove.  He paid no heed to temporary groveling when weighed against subsequent power, and he cringed as before superiors to those men whom he was planning to dominate.

[-38-] Toward Caesar, accordingly, for these reasons, the masses were well disposed, but their anger was directed against Cicero for the death of the citizens, and they displayed their enmity in many ways.  Finally, when on the last day of his office he desired to give a defence and account of all that had been done in his consulship,—­for he took great pleasure not only in being praised by others, but also in extolling himself,—­they made him keep silence and did not allow him to utter a word outside of his oath; in this they had Metellus Nepos, the tribune, to aid them.  Only Cicero, in violent protestation, did take an additional oath that he had saved the city.