Page:Roman Constitutional History, 753-44 B.C..djvu/280

266 disposed of the provinces, and in the choice of governors did not confine himself to persons of praetorian rank.

The African War. — After a stay of about three months, Caesar, in December, 47, left Rome for Africa, where the ablest and most illustrious republican leaders had made a last stand and had regained no inconsiderable strength. In April he won a complete victory at Thapsus. Marcus Cato would not survive the republic, and killed himself. In July, Caesar arrived in Rome.

The Triumphs of Caesar. — After the battle at Thapsus, Caesar believed that his lieutenants would be able to finish the war against the Pompeians in Spain, and hence that he had definitively conquered. In place of being provisional, his government of Rome now became regular and apparently permanent. In August he accordingly celebrated magnificent triumphs over Gaul, Egypt, Pontus, and Africa, including the Pompeians. He rewarded his soldiers and gave presents to the other citizens. With lavish hand he seemed to vie with the liberality, or the servility, of the people in conferring honors and powers on him.

Caesar's Policy of Conciliation. — Caesar was now in a position to introduce reforms and to modify further the constitution, but first of all he considered it necessary to reconcile the two old parties and restore confidence. He made the most lenient use of his absolute power to deal with the Pompeians. He spoke in the most respectful manner of Pompeius, and in 44 replaced his statue and that of Sulla, which the people had thrown down early in the war. But he banished some Pompeians from Italy, and, while granting certain exemptions, he confiscated the property of Pompeius and other aristocrats who had fallen on the republican side. He also restricted the political rights of a certain class of Pompeians.