CAESAR, CAIUS JULIUS.
Our Alphabet would not be complete if we left out one of the most
remarkable men that ever lived. Perhaps we shall discover why he is
called a remarkable man.
Let your thoughts go back along the years to the first years you can
remember anything about, to the times of which your father and mother or
perhaps your grandfather and grandmother have told you. Farther than
that. Go back in the pages of history even farther than the history of
the years when our Saviour was on earth. That is a long time to think
back, is it not? But our record tells us that Caesar was born one hundred
years before Christ. He must have been a diligent student, for he became
learned in philosophy and science, and thoroughly understood all the
arts of war. Those of you who have progressed so far in your Latin
studies, are familiar with his history of the wars he waged with the
Helvetii, a nation which occupied what is now Switzerland, and with a
king called Ariovistus. This was a German king who had crossed over the
line into Gaul, and if you have read the story of these wars, you know
something of his peculiarity as a historian, as well as something of his
skill in carrying on war. For seven years he waged war in Gaul, in the
meantime invading Britain. After this the Senate at Rome commanded Caesar
to disband his army and return to Rome. This he refused to do except
under certain conditions which were refused; and the Senate further
declared that unless his army was disbanded by a certain day Caesar would
be considered a public enemy. When he heard of this decree he called his
soldiers together, and by his eloquence made them feel that both he and
they had been treated badly, and then he determined to go on. It was not
lawful for a general to lead an army into the province of Rome unless
upon occasions of coming in great triumph.
[Illustration: JULIUS CAESAR.]
Now I presume you have heard it said, when a person has gone too far in
some undertaking to retreat, that he "has crossed the Rubicon." The
Rubicon was a small stream which formed the boundary between Gaul,
where Caesar had been all this time with his army, and the Roman
province. After he had made up his mind what to do, he led his soldiers
across this little river. It was not much to do, but it was the
important step which decided his future course.
I cannot tell you all that followed; how the leaders at Rome were
terrified at the approach of the famous general, and fled pursued by
Caesar, who soon was made dictator of Rome. A little while after, hearing
of a chance for a conquest in Asia Minor, he set out for Tarsus and
presently sent back that famous message "_Veni, vidi, vici!_"--"I came,
I saw, I conquered!"
He came back to Rome after some further triumphs in Africa, and ruled
fifteen years. Though he gained his position of power unlawfully, he
ruled wisely and appears to have sought to promote the welfare of his
State. He made many good laws and carried forward many schemes for the
general good. Among his undertakings was the revision of the calendar,
in which he was assisted by some wise men who suggested the introduction
of leap-years to make up for the six hours which were running behind
every year.
But he had many enemies, and these conspired to take his life. When he
was fifty-six years old he was assassinated in the Senate chamber. Among
those who conspired against him was Marcus Brutus, who had been his
friend, and when Caesar saw the hand of Brutus uplifted against him he
exclaimed, "_Et tu Brute!_"--"Thou too Brutus!" and fell down dead.
It has always seemed to me that there is a whole world of sadness in
those three little words "Thou too Brutus!" There is love and reproach
and despair. When a chosen friend turns against us we feel that we are
undone.
Well, what have we found out about Caesar's greatness? He was great in
generalship, great in statesmanship, and great in oratory, and Macaulay
says, "He possessed learning, taste, wit, eloquence, the sentiments and
manners of an accomplished gentleman." What was lacking to make him
truly great?