finally persuaded to pardon him; but with reluctance, and with the
remark that in Caesar was the making of many a Marius. The youth then
left Italy, and joined the army in Asia.

Here Caesar served his apprenticeship as a soldier. He joined the
forces of the Praetor Thermus, who had been sent against the pirates
that were making their head-quarters in Lesbos. The Praetor, finding
his troops insufficient to accomplish his work, sent Caesar to
Nicomédes, a Roman ally and the King of Bithynia, to obtain additional
forces. He was successful in his mission, and, upon his return to
Lesbos, distinguished himself for his bravery in the attack upon
Mityléne, and was awarded the oak wreath, a coveted honor, for saving
the life of a fellow-soldier.

Caesar is next seen in Cilicia, serving under Servilius, in a campaign
against the pirates who were marauding along the coast of that
country. While here he was informed of Sulla's death, and at once left
the army and returned home (77). The next year he began his struggle
with the nobility by prosecuting for extortion Dolabella, a former
Governor of Macedonia. Dolabella was a favorite of the Senate, and his
cause was theirs. The best talent was engaged to defend him, and
Caesar lost the case.

Feeling his deficiency as an orator, Caesar went to Rhodes and studied
rhetoric under the famous Apollonius. He had recovered his property
and priesthood, and could well afford the time. While on his way he
was captured by pirates, and not released until a ransom of some
$50,000 was raised and paid. Upon arriving at Milétus he at once got
together some vessels, returned to the island where he had been in
captivity, seized the crew of pirates, took them to Pergamus, and had