seemed to him persons of activity and vigor： Minucianus entered
into this conspiracy； because of the injustice done to Lepidus
his particular friend； and one of the best character of all the
citizens； whom Caius had slain； as also because he was afraid of
himself； since Caius's wrath tended to the slaughter of all
alike： and for Cherea； he came in； because he thought it a deed
worthy of a free ingenuous man to kill Caius； and was ashamed of
the reproaches he lay under from Caius； as though he were a
coward； as also because he was himself in danger every day from
his friendship with him； and the observance he paid him。 These
men proposed this attempt to all the rest that were concerned；
who saw the injuries that were offered them； and were desirous
that Caius's slaughter might succeed by their mutual assistance
of one another； and they might themselves escape being killed by
the taking off Caius； that perhaps they should gain their point；
and that it would be a happy thing； if they should gain it； to
approve themselves to so many excellent persons； as earnestly
wished to be partakers with them in their design for the delivery
of the city and of the government； even at the hazard of their
own lives。 But still Cherea was the most zealous of them all；
both out of a desire of getting himself the greatest name； and
also by reason of his access to Caius's presence with less
danger； because he was tribune； and could therefore the more
easily kill him。
4。 Now at this time came on the horse…races ＇Circensian games＇；
the view of which games was eagerly desired by the people of
Rome； for they come with great alacrity into the hippodrome
＇circus＇ at such times； and petition their emperors； in great
multitudes； for what they stand in need of； who usually did not
think fit to deny them their requests； but readily and gratefully
granted them。 Accordingly； they most importunately desired that
Caius would now ease them in their tributes； and abate somewhat
of the rigor of their taxes imposed upon them； but he would not
hear their petition； and when their clamors increased； he sent
soldiers some one way and some another； and gave order that they
should lay hold on those that made the clamors； and without any
more ado bring them out； and put them to death。 These were
Caius's commands； and those who were commanded executed the same；
and the number of those who were slain on this occasion was very
great。 Now the people saw this； and bore it so far； that they
left off clamoring； because they saw with their own eyes that
this petition to be relieved； as to the payment of their money；
brought immediate death upon them。 These things made Cherea more
resolute to go on with his plot； in order to put an end to this
barbarity of Caius against men。 He then at several times thought
to fall upon Caius； even as he was feasting； yet did he restrain
himself by some considerations； not that he had any doubt on him
about killing him； but as watching for a proper season； that the
attempt might not be frustrated； but that he might give the blow
so as might certainly gain his purpose。
5。 Cherea had been in the army a long time； yet was he not
pleased with conversing so much with Caius。 But Caius had set him
to require the tributes； and other dues； which； when not paid in
due time； were forfeited to Caesar's treasury； and he had made
some delays in requiring them； because those burdens had been
doubled； and had rather indulged his own mild disposition than
performed Caius's command； nay； indeed； be provoked Caius to
anger by his sparing men； and pitying the hard fortunes of those
from whom he demanded the taxes； and Caius upbraided him with his
sloth and effeminacy in being so long about collecting the taxes。
And indeed he did not only affront him in other respects； but
when he gave him the watchword of the day； to whom it was to be
given by his place； he gave him feminine words； and those of a
nature very reproachful； and these watchwords he gave out； as
having been initiated in the secrets of certain mysteries； which
he had been himself the author of。 Now although he had sometimes
put on women's clothes； and had been wrapt in some embroidered
garments to them belonging； and done a great many other things；
in order to make the company mistake him for a woman； yet did he；
by way of reproach； object the like womanish behavior to Cherea。
But when Cherea received the watchword from him； he had
indignation at it； but had greater indignation at the delivery of
it to others； as being laughed at by those that received it；
insomuch that his fellow tribunes made him the subject of their
drollery； for they would foretell that he would bring them some
of his usual watchwords when he was about to take the watchword
from Caesar； and would thereby make him ridiculous； on which
accounts he took the courage of assuming certain partners to him；
as having just reasons for his indignation against Caius。 Now
there was one Pompedius； a senator； and one who had gone through
almost all posts in the government； but otherwise an Epicurean；
and for that reason loved to lead an inactive life。 Now Timidius；
an enemy of his； had informed Caius that he had used indecent
reproaches against him； and he made use of Quintilia for a
witness to them； a woman she was much beloved by many that
frequented the theater； and particularly by Pompedius； on account
of her great beauty。 Now this woman thought it a horrible thing
to attest to an accusation that touched the life of her lover；
which was also a lie。 Timidius； however； wanted to have her
brought to the torture。 Caius was irritated at this reproach upon
him； and commanded Cherea； without any delay； to torture
Quintilia； as he used to employ Cherea in such bloody matters；
and those that required the torture； because he thought he would
do it the more barbarously； in order to avoid that imputation of
effeminacy which he had laid upon him。 But Quintilia； when she
was brought to the rack； trod upon the foot of one of her
associates； and let him know that he might be of good courage；
and not be afraid of the consequence of her tortures； for that
she would bear them with magnanimity。 Cherea tortured this woman
after a cruel manner； unwillingly indeed； but because he could
not help it。 He then brought her； without being in the least
moved at what she had suffered； into the presence of Caius； and
that in such a state as was sad to behold； and Caius； being
somewhat affected with the sight of Quintilia； who had her body
miserably disordered by the pains she had undergone； freed both
her and Pompedius of the crime laid to their charge。 He also gave
her money to make her an honorable amends； and comfort her for
that maiming of her body which she had suffered； and for her
glorious patience under such insufferable torments。
6。 This matter sorely grieved Cherea； as having been the cause；
as far as he could； or the instrument； of those miseries to men；
which seemed worthy of consolation to Caius himself； on which
account he said to Clement and to Papinius； （of whom Clement was
general of the army； and Papinius was a tribune；） 〃To be sure； O
Clement； we have no way failed in our guarding the emperor； for
as to those that have made conspiracies against his government；
some have been slain by our care and pains； and some have been by
us tortured； and this to such a degree； that he hath himself
pitied them。 How great then is our virtue in submitting to
conduct his armies！〃 Clement held his peace； but showed the shame
he was under in obeying Caius's orders； both by his eyes and his
blushing countenance； while he thought it by no means right to
accuse the emperor in express words； lest their own safety should
be endangered thereby。 Upon which Cherea took courage； and spake
to him without fear of the dangers that were before him； and
discoursed largely of the sore calamities under which the city
and the government then labored； and said； 〃We may indeed pretend
in words that Caius is the person unto whom the cause of such
miseries ought to be imputed； but； in the opinion of such as are
able to judge uprightly； it is I； O Clement！ and this Papinius；
and before us thou thyself； who bring these tortures upon the
Romans； and upon all mankind。 It is not done by our being
subservient to the commands of Caius； but it is done by our own
consent； for whereas it is in our power to put an end to the life
of this man； who hath so terribly injured the citizens and his
subjects； we are his guard in mischief； and his executioners
instead of his soldiers； and are the instruments of his cruelty。
We bear these weapons； not for our liberty； not for the Roman
government； but only for his preservation； who hath enslaved both
their bodies and their minds； and we are every day polluted with
the blood that we shed； and the torments we inflict upon others；
and this we do； till somebody becomes Caius's instrument in
bringing the like miseries upon ourselves。 Nor does he thus
employ us because he hath a kindness for us； but rather because
he hath a suspicion of us； as also because when abundance more
have been killed； （for Caius will set no bounds to his wrath；
since he aims to do all； not out of regard to justice； but to his
own pleasure；） we shall also ourselves be exposed to his cruelty；
whereas we ought to be the means of confirming the security and
liberty of all； and at the same time to resolve to free ourselves
from dangers。
7。 Hereupon Clement openly commended Cherea's intentions； but bid
him hold his tongue； for that in case his words should get out
among many； and such things should be spread abroad as were fit
to be concealed； the plot would come to be discovered before it
was executed； and they should be brought to punishment； but that
they should leave all to futurity； and the hope which thence
arose； that some fortunate event would come to their assistance；
that； as for himself； his age would not permit him to make any
attempt in that case。 〃However； although perhaps I could suggest
what may be safer than what thou； Cherea； hast contrived and
said； yet trow is it possible for any one to suggest what is more
for thy reputation？〃 So Clemen