XLVII.  At this time Caesar[309] returned from his government and undertook a political measure, which brought him the greatest popularity for the present and power for the future, but did the greatest damage to Pompeius and the State.  For he became a candidate for his first consulship; but seeing that while Crassus was at variance with Pompeius, if he attached himself to one of them he would have the other for his enemy, he applied himself to effect a reconciliation between them, a thing which in other respects was fair and useful to the State, but was managed by him for a bad reason and with a dexterity full of treacherous design.  For the strength which kept the State, just as in the case of a vessel, in a condition of equilibrium and prevented it falling over to this side or that, when brought together and united caused it to incline to one side with an irresistible force that overpowered and beat down everything.  Accordingly Cato said that they were mistaken who affirmed that the State was overturned by the quarrel which afterwards broke out between Caesar and Pompeius, for they laid the blame on the last events; for it was not their disunion nor yet their enmity, but their union and concord which was the first and greatest misfortune that befel the State.  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.