[115] The codex reading is ἐκέλευσε, obviously incorrect. Müller emends to ἐθέλησε; Piccolos and Dindorf to ἐπένευσε. It has been thought advisable to render here as if ἐκέλευε were written, thus adhering more closely to the actual text. For the use of the imperfect to denote attempted action, compare Hdt. 1, 68, ‘ἐμισθοῦτο παρ’ οὐκ ἐκδιδόντος τὴν αὐλήν.’ (Godwin, G. M. T. 36).
[116] Literally, ‘he seemed to do something rather bold for one holding his hands inside.’ Didot renders as though Caesar were referred to as keeping his hands beneath his toga: ‘arrivé près de César, qui tenait ses mains sous sa toge.’ It is scarcely possible to derive such an interpretation from the Greek as it stands. The translation ‘for a suppliant’ was suggested by Plautus, Amph., 257, ‘velatis manibus orant, ignoscamus peccatum suom.’ There ‘veiled hands’ (bearing fillets) are a mark of supplication; ‘εἴσω τὰς χεῖρας ἔχοντος’ as applied to Cimber may have a similar meaning, particularly since he is described as feigning to intercede with Caesar for his brother; and Nicolaus may not have understood the Latin expression (compare App. 2, 117; Suet., Caes., 82; Plut., Caes. 66; Brut. 17).
[117] Appian 2, 117; Suet., Caes., 82; Livy, Epit., 116; Florus 2, 13, 95; Zonaras 10, 11 D; Eutropius 6, 25; Valerius Maximus 4, 5, 6; Plutarch, Caes., 66, mention 23 wounds; Dio 44, 19, speaks of ‘many’ wounds; Nicolaus alone gives the number as 35. O. E. Schmidt, Jahrb. für class. Philol., sup. 13, p. 674, suggests that there may have been two traditions at the time of Nicolaus, one involving 23 wounds, the other 35. This belief is scarcely justifiable, since there is but one example of the latter tradition, and Suetonius, whose account usually coincides with that of Nicolaus, is here at variance. Piccolos, Nicolas de Damas, Vie de César, p. 89 shows how the capitals Κ and Γ (23) may have become corrupted to Ε and Λ (35). The error is possibly due to the excerptor.
25.[118] A slight lacuna exists here.
[119] Brutus, as spokesman for the assassins, is here described as attempting to deliver a formal address to the multitude immediately after the murder and before the conspirators fled to the Capitoline. A similar implication is found in Dio 44, 20-21, though Brutus is not there mentioned by name. Appian 2, 119, suggests rather that the slayers simply ran, shouting random remarks in defense of their deed.
[120] So also Appian 2, 114; Plutarch, Brut., 18, 2; Ant. 13, 2; Velleius 2, 58. Dio, 44, 19, says that the decision not to kill Antony was duly reached, but here Brutus is not named as being the influential factor. Cicero (Att., 15, 12, 2) seems to refer with some petulance to the reputation for lenience which Brutus created for himself: ‘L. quidem Antonius liberaliter litteris sine cura me esse iubet. Habeo unum beneficium, alterum fortasse, si in Tusculanum venerit. O negotia non ferenda! quae feruntur tamen. τὰν δ’ αἰτίαν τῶν Βρούτων τις ἔχει.’ Again (Att. 15, 20, 2) ‘foedum ducens et quasi denuntiatum nobis ab Antonio ex hac nassa exire constitui ... haec omnis culpa Bruti.’ A year later Cicero again alludes to Brutus’ policy concerning Antony at the time of the murder of Caesar: ‘tu lenius’ (Cic., ad Brut., 2, 5, 1).
26.[121] It is not elsewhere mentioned that Caesar intended to make an expedition against the Indians.
[122] C. Calvisius Sabinus, consul in 39 B.C., was in the year 48 with Caesar (Caes., B. C., 3, 34). In 38 he held a command in Octavian’s fleet, at that time engaged with Sextus Pompeius (App. 5, 80-81), and in the year 36 he was [superseded] by Agrippa because of his failure to prevent the desertion of one of his subordinates (App. 5, 96). Marcius Censorinus, probably praetor in 43 B.C., is spoken of as a Caesarian and an Antonian in Att. 14, 10, 2; Phil. 11, 36; 13, 2, but their attempt to defend Caesar is mentioned only by Nicolaus.
[123] So also Appian 2, 118; Suetonius, Caes., 82.
26 b.[124] Compare Appian 2, 115; Dio 44, 16. The part played by Decimus Brutus in engaging the services of the gladiators is referred to by Appian 2, 122; Plutarch, Brut. 12.