Marcus Cælius Rufus, the prætor, [Y. R. 662. B. C. 48,] having excited a
sedition in the city, by holding out hopes to the people that their
debts should be annulled, his office being taken from him, was driven
from the city: he joined Milo, who, being in exile, was raising an army
of fugitives: they were both slain while preparing for war. Cleopatra,
queen of Egypt, was dethroned by her brother Ptolemy. The Cordubians in
Spain, harassed by the extortion and oppression of the prætor, Quintus
Cassius, desert Cæsar’s party, together with two legions. Cneius
Pompeius being besieged by Cæsar at Dyrracchium, beats him out of his
lines; the siege being raised, the seat of war was removed to Thessaly;
Cæsar conquered Pompeius in a battle at Pharsalia. Cicero remained in
the camp, as he was a man better calculated for any thing than war.
Cæsar granted a free pardon to all who submitted themselves to his
power.