ABSTRACT
80 Julius Ctesar by the Mathematicians, and brought to perfection, was a great commoditie unto all men.! ... But the chief est cause that made him mortally hated, was the covetous desire he had to be called king2: which first gave the people just cause, and next his secret enemies, honest colour to beare him ill will. This notwithstanding, they that procured him this honor and dignity, gave it out among the people, that it was written in the Sybilline prophecies, how the Romanes might overcome the Parthians, if they made warre with them, and were led by a king, but otherwise that they were unconquerable. And furthermore they were so bold besides, that Cresar returning to Rome from the citie of Alba, when they came to salute him, they called him king. But the people being offended, and Cresar also angry, he said he was not called king, but Cresar. Then every man keeping silence, he went his way heavy and sorowfull. When they had decreed divers honors for him in the Senate, the Consulls and Prretors accompanied with the whole assembly of the Senate, went unto him in the market place, where he was set by the pulpit for orations, to tell him what honors they had decreed for him in his absence. But he sitting still in his majesty, disdaining to rise up unto them when they came in, as if they had bene private men, aunswered them: that his honors had more neede to be cut of, then enlarged. This did not onely offend the Senate, but the common people also, to see that he should so lightly esteeme of the Magistrates of the common wealth: insomuch as every man that might lawfully goe his way, departed thence very sorrowfully. Thereupon also Cresar rising, departed home to his house, and tearing open his doblet coller,3 making his necke bare, he cried out alowde to his frendes, that his throte was readie to offer to any man that would come and cut it. Notwithstanding, it is reported, that afterwardes to excuse this folly, he imputed it to his disease,4 saying, that their wittes are not perfit which have his disease of the falling evil, when standing of their feete they speake to the common people, but are soone troubled with a trembling of their body, and a sodaine dimnes and guidines. But that was not true. For he would have risen up to the Senate, but Cornelius Balbus one of his frendes (but rather a flatterer) would not let him, saying: What, doe you not remember that you are Cresar, and will you not let them reverence you, and doe their dueties ? Besides these occasions and offences, there followed also his shame and repro ache, abusing the Tribunes
