(_BOOK 47, BOISSEVAIN._)


[B.C. 43 (_a. u._ 711)]

[-1-] After forming these compacts and taking mutual oaths they hastened
to Rome under the assumption that they were all going to rule on equal
terms, but each one had the intention of getting the entire power
himself. Yet they had learned in advance very clearly before this, but
most plainly at this time, what would be the future. In the case of
Lepidus a serpent coiled about a centurion's sword and a wolf that
entered his camp and his tent while he was eating dinner and knocked
down the table indicated at once power and disappointment as a result of
power: in that of Antony milk flowing about the ramparts and a kind of
chant echoing about at night signified gladness of heart and destruction
succeeding it. These portents befell them before they entered Italy. In
Caesar's case at the very time after the covenant had been made an eagle
settled upon his tent and killed two crows that attacked it and tried to
pluck out its feathers,--a sign which granted him victory over his two
rivals.

[-2-] So they came to Rome, first Caesar, then the others, each one
separately, with all their soldiers, and immediately through the tribunes
enacted such laws as pleased them. The orders they gave and force that
they used thus acquired the name of law and furthermore brought them
supplications; for they required to be besought earnestly when they were
to pass any measures. Consequently sacrifices were voted for them as
if for good fortune and the people changed their attire as if they had