Satisfied with this vengeance, Caesar left Egypt, and went to Pontus,
where PHARNACES, son of Mithradátes, was inciting a revolt against
Rome. Caesar attacked and defeated him at ZELA (47), with a rapidity
rendered proverbial by his words, _Veni, vidi, vici_, I CAME, I
SAW, I CONQUERED.

He now passed quickly down the Hellespont, and had landed in Italy
before it was known that he had left Pontus. During his absence from
the capital there had been some minor disturbances; but the mass of
the citizens were firmly attached to him. Few could distrust the
genius and fortune of the irresistible conqueror. In October of 48 he
had been made Dictator a second time, and appointed Tribune for life.

Caesar's return in September, 47, was marked by no proscription. He
insisted that all debts should be paid, and the rights of property
respected. He restored quiet, and after a brief stay of three months
prepared to transport his army to Africa. The army was in Campania,
but discontented and mutinous because of not receiving the expected
privilege of pillage and plunder. They refused to move until certain
promised rewards were received. The Tenth Legion broke out into open
revolt, and marched from Campania to Rome to obtain their rights.
Caesar collected them in the Campus Martins, and asked them to state
their grievances. They demanded their discharge. "I grant it,
citizens" (_Quirites_), said the Imperator. Heretofore he had
always addressed them as "fellow soldiers," and the implied rebuke was
so keen, that a reaction at once began, and they all begged to be
received again into his service. He accepted them, telling them that
lands had been allotted to each soldier out of the _ager
publicus_, or out of his own estates.