fleet must first be obtained, and matters nearer home demanded his
attention.

In sixty days Caesar had made himself master of Italy. On his way to
Rome he met Cicero, and invited him to attend the Senate, but he
preferred to stay away. Caesar entered the city unattended, and
assembled the Senate through the Tribunes, Mark Antony and Cassius
Longínus. The attendance was small, as most of the members were with
Pompey. In his address to the Senate Caesar spoke of his own
forbearance and concessions, of their unjust demands, and their
violent suppression of the authority of the Tribunes. He was still
willing to send envoys to treat with Pompey, but no one was found
willing to go. After three days spent in useless discussion, Caesar
decided to act for himself. By his own edict, he restored the children
of the victims of Sulla's proscription to their rights and property.
The money in the treasury was voted him by the Assembly of the people.
He took as much of it as he needed, and started at once for Gaul to
join his troops on his way to Spain.

He had much to accomplish. Spain was in the hands of Pompey's
lieutenants, Afranius, Petreius, and Varro, who had six legions and
allied troops. From Sicily and Sardinia came most of the grain
supplies of Rome, and it was important to hold these islands. To
Sicily he sent Curio and to Sardinia Valerius. Cato, who was in charge
of Sicily, immediately abandoned it and fled to Africa. Sardinia
received Caesar's troops with open arms.

Upon his arrival in Gaul, Caesar found that the inhabitants of
Massilia had risen against his authority, led by the same Domitius
whom he had sent away unharmed from Corfinium. Caesar blockaded the