Chapter 5, Caesar Summary and Analysis

When Caesar, though still very young, learns that Sulla has considered whether he should be put to death, he goes on the run. He moves around, is captured by Sulla's troops but bribes his way out of the situation, and is then captured by pirates who demand a ransom of twenty talents. Caesar laughingly says they do not know who they have captured and that he will pay fifty, sends his men to gather the ransom which is soon paid. While he is waiting, Caesar partakes of the exercises and games of the pirates and orders them around as if he is their leader, going so far as to tell them that he will someday order their deaths. When Caesar is released, he puts together a small fleet and captures the pirates, taking all their property for his own...