Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/338

 330 MARCUS BRUTUS. those of Apollonia were inclined to the same party, he quitted that city, and came to Buthrotum, having first lost three cohorts of his men, that in their march thither were cut to pieces by Brutus. After this, attempting to make himself master of some strong places about Byllis which the enemy had first seized, he was overcome in a set battle by young Cicero, to whom Brutus gave the command, and whose conduct he made use of often and with much success. Cains himself was surprised in a marshy place, at a distance from his supports; and Brutus, having him in his power, would not suffer his soldiers to attack, but manoeuvring about the enemy with his horse, gave command that none of them should be killed, for that in a little time they would all be of his side ; which accordingly came to pass, for they surrendered both themselves and their general. So that Brutus had by this time a very great and con- siderable army. He showed all marks of honor and esteem to Caius for a long time, and left him the use of the ensigns of his office, though, as some report, he had several letters from Eome, and particularly from Cicero, advising him to put him to death. But at last, per- ceiving that he began to corrupt his officers, and was trying to raise a mutiny amongst the soldiers, he put him aboard a ship and kept him close prisoner. In the mean time the soldiers that had been corrupted by Caius retired to Apollonia, and sent word to Brutus, desiring him to come to them thither. He answered that this was not the custom of the Romans, but that it became those who had offended to come themselves to their general and besc forgiveness of their offences ; which they did, and accord- ingly received their pardon. As he was preparing to pass into Asia, tidings reached hhn of the alteration that had happened at Rome; where the young Caasar, assisted by the senate, in opposition to