a word, he was king in everything excepting name.

Caesar's most remarkable and durable reform at this period was the
REVISION OF THE CALENDAR. The Roman method of reckoning time had been
so inaccurate, that now their seasons were more than two months
behind. Caesar established a calendar, which, with slight changes, is
still in use. It went into operation January 1st, 45. He employed
Sosigenes, an Alexandrian astronomer, to superintend the reform.

While Sosigenes was at work on the calendar, Caesar purified the
Senate. Many who were guilty of extortion and corruption were
expelled, and the vacancies filled with persons of merit.

Meanwhile matters in Spain were not satisfactory. After the battle of
Pharsalia, Cassius Longinus, Trebonius, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus
had been sent to govern the province. They could not agree. The
soldiers became mutinous. To Spain flocked all who were dissatisfied
with Roman affairs. The remnant of Scipio's African army rested there
in its wanderings. Thus Labiénus and Pompey's two sons managed to
collect an army as numerous as that which had been defeated at
Thapsus. There were thirteen legions in all.

Caesar saw that he must make one more struggle. He set out for the
province accompanied by his nephew OCTAVIUS (afterwards the Emperor
AUGUSTUS), and by his trusted friend and officer, DECIMUS BRUTUS. The
struggle in Spain was protracted for several months, but the decisive
battle was fought at MUNDA, 17 March, 45, on the Guadalquivir, near
Cordova. The forces were well matched. The advantage in position was
on the side of the enemy. The battle was stubbornly fought, most of it
hand to hand, with short swords. So equal was the struggle, so