threatened to impeach him, and excitement in the city was at fever
heat. The Tribune moved before the Assembly that Pompey be recalled.
The Senate feared his coming. Caesar, who was now Praetor (judge),
favored it, and earnestly seconded the proposal of Metellus. Cato, who
was also Tribune, ordered Metellus to stop speaking, and snatched his
manuscript from his hand. The aristocrats drew their swords, and broke
up the meeting. Constitutional law was trampled under foot on all
sides. The Senate was riding rough-shod over all opponents. Metellus
and Caesar were declared deposed from their offices. The people,
however, believed in Caesar. He was followed to his home by crowds,
who begged him to be their leader, and make an example of the law-
breakers in the Senate. But Caesar refused. He would have nothing to
do with lawlessness; he let his opponents play that _rôle_, and
awaited the results. The Senate soon saw its mistake, and requested
him to resume his official duties.

The next year (61) Caesar was sent to Farther Spain as Propraetor. He
had already left a favorable impression there as Quaestor. Portions of
the country were still unsubdued. Many of the mountain passes were
held by robbers, whose depredations caused much trouble. He completed
the subjugation of the peninsula, put down the brigands, reorganized
the government, and sent large sums of money to the treasury at Rome.
His administration was thorough and complete, and a just reward for it
would, he hoped, be the consulship.

Meanwhile Pompey had returned from the East. He landed at Brundisium
in December, 62, and proceeded with a large band of captured princes
and immense treasures to Rome, which he entered in triumph amidst the
greatest enthusiasm. By a special vote of the Senate he was permitted
to wear his triumphal robe in that body whenever he pleased.