CAIVS IVLIVS CAESAR the sonne of Lucius Caesar , and Aurelia was borne at Rome , in the Consulshippe of Caius Marius , and Lucius Valerius Flaccus , in the Ides of the fifte moneth , the whiche moneth at those dayes was called Quintilis , Antonius . but after the death of Iulius Caesar , it was called Iuly , by the commaundement of Antonius , The education of Iulius Cesar . who was a reuenger of the death of Iulius Caesar . As concerning the education of Caesar , he was brought vp vnder the gouernement of his mother Aurelia , she being the daughter of Caius Cotta , he wanted not also to be well trained vp according to the councell of Iulia his Aunte by the father side , his great vertues manifestly shewed , that his education was singuler , his giftes of nature rare , worthy to be compared with any other , his excellencie in all respectes was such that in Rome the like was neuer . Lucius . In the .xvi. yeare of his age , Lucius his father died , Flamen Dialis . the yeare followynge he was chosen Flamen Dialis , which is an office of priesthode , of it the Chronicles of auncient tymes do shewe , that Numa Pompilius , was the firste that ordained that office of Flamines , Numa Pompilius . the cause that moued Numa Pompilius thereunto was this , that kinges not long before the dayes of Numa did take vppon them the office both of kynges and priestes , Priamus Agamemnon . as it is noted of Priamus kinge of Troie , of Agamemnon king of Micene , and of many Princes , as Homer , Euripides and Sophocles , do shew . The whiche two offices kingdome and priesthode , many princes after those dayes enioyed together . The Grekes , the Egiptians , Numa . and the Persians , vsed that manner . Numa ordained foure chiefe Flamines , who continually addicted them selues callinge , and kynges vnburthened them selues of that superstitious priesthode . An auncient religion . All this was to wante nothinge that shoulde apperteine to the moste holee veneration of their fonde ceremonies , and glorious superstition of their Goddes . This was their religion , Flamines . as they had diuers Goddes , so euery God had a diuers Flamine . Iupiter their chiefe God , had but one Flamine to serue him . Romulus , after his death being the first king of the Romaines , had also but one . These Flamines differed much in vesture one from an other : Cossulia . Thus much as concerning Caesar in that office of Flamines . At this time Iulius Caesar maried Cossulia , Cornelia . but Cossulia no long time remayned with him , Cinna . being deuorced from him , whether by deserte or otherwyse , no Chronicle sheweth . After her deuorce , Caesar maried Cornelia the daughter of Cinna , Iulia. this Cinna had ben in Rome foure times Consull : of Cornelia he begat Iulia his daughter : Silla Dictator , resisted that mariage , yet the ennemitie of Silla could not withdrawe Caesars loue from Cornelia : Caesar loued his Cornelia so well , that by marieng of her , Marius . he was depriued of his office of the Flamines . Also he loste her dowry and heritage , whiche of right by her fell to him . The ennemitie of Silla made Caesar to fauour Marius . Enuie of noble peres . This Marius was suche an ennemy to Silla , as Silla and Rome , in all calamities felt , suche is the enuie of noble Princes , that they ioyne them selues in amitie , kindred and alliaunce , rather where they may assure them selues of staye and strength then for anye good affection they beare one to an other . The trouble of Cesar . At this time Silla bore suche authoritie and swaye , that by the mariage of Cornelia , Caesar was compelled to flie from his sight , a quartain ague them maistring him , often times for feare he was enforced to chaunge his abiding places , & many tymes to brybe the priuie serchers . The heauy displeasure of Silla was mitigated by the humble intercession of the virgines of Vesta . Marcus Emilius , and Caius Aurelius Cotta his kinsfolke , did all so appease the wrath of Silla , long it was ere that cankered ennemitie ceased . It should seme that Silla feared Caesar muche , as his talke to those that made sute for him sheweth , where he saith . The cause why Silla resisted Cesar . He whose sauegarde ye seke so entierly , intime to come wil be an ouerthrowe and destruction to the nobilitie of Rome , the whiche estate of nobilitie was by Silla supported againste Marius . At in Caesare vno , multos videbat inesse marios , Caesar . but in Caesar alone he sawe many , Marians to be conteined . As yet fortune frowned vpon Caesar , The enuie of the mightie . great authoritie , & the loftie countenaunce of his better frendes kept his vertues couched , wisedome nothing preuayleth where the enemitie of mightie princes contrarily affecteth , and where will ruleth and fantasie onely leadeth . Authoritie kept vnder Caesar , who for sacke of liuing went into Asia , and there he serued Marcus Thermus Pretor , Cesar driuen to seke aduentures . with whome Caesar was of long time brought vp , this was the first time that Caesar inured him self to warlike enterprices . Marcus Thermus knowyng the wisdome of Caesar , and his subtile politique head , sent him into Bithinia , to prepare a nauie of shippes . After this he bare office vnder Seruilius Isauricus in Cicilia , but that continued a short season , for immediatly after the death of Silla was bruted through out all partes , and was certainly knowen vnto Caesar to bee true , The death of Silla . he returned spedely to Rome . This Silla whyle he liued , was a cruell enemie to Caesar . Nowe conceiued Caesar a certayne assuraunce of aspiring vnto some greate preferremente through a newe deuision begonne at Rome by Marcus Lepidus , Caesar . whiche deuision pacified , Dolobella . Caesar and Dolabella fell at variaunce , but Caesar not able to matche with the partakers & confederates of Dolabella , departed to Rhodes , where he became a dilligent hearer of that great learned man Apolonius Molo ▪ an Orator most famouse , Apolonius Molo . through whose instructions Caesar became excellently learned , and during his lyfe , fauoured the learned . But Caesar not contented to lyue a studious life , made warre against Mithridates , Mithridates . whose forces he vanquished , and setled the state of those countries in quiet , After this he was chosen at Rome a Tribune , in the whiche office Caesar bore him selfe very wysely , them he enioyed the Questorship , Cornelia . in his Questorship Cornelia died , & his Aunte Iulia , who in a funerall oration were greatly commended , and their progenie highly extolled , not long after the death of Cornelia he married Pompeia , Pompeia . this Pompeia was the daughter of Quintus Pompeius , and nece to Lucius Silla , . In that Caesar was Questor , the one part of Spayne called Bethica , was vnder his iurisdiction . Where Caesar making his abode came vpon a certaine tyme to Gades in the ende of this Prouince , called Bethica , where there was a temple of Hercules moste sumptuously buylded , in which temple Caesar espied the image of Alexander the great , The ambitious minde of Cesar . whiche he very welvewed , & mourned in harte , as though he had conceiued some inward griefe , for that his actes as yet were nothinge like to the doinges of Alexander , Alexander . or rather because no famous thinge had bene atchieued of him at those dayes in the whiche Alexander had subdued a whole worlde . After this Caesar inflamed with ambition purposed in his harte to attempte great thinges . In the same citie Caesar dreamed on a nighte as he slepte in his bedde , A straunge dreame of Cesar . that he enforced vnto incest lust his own mother , which dreame he opened to the interpretours , who interpreted , that Caesar by this dreame should be a conquerour ouer many countries , for by his mother ( they sayde ) was signified the earthe , whiche is the mother of all thinges . Artemidorus . Artemidorus writeth at large of the interpretation of dreames , both Galen & Hippocrates in their bookes do declare their grounded argumentes vpon the same , Galen . saying , Hyppocrates . when the bodie doth reste , the mynde moueth , and purifying the partes of the body gouerneth the whole house , and the mynde maketh perfecte all the actions of the body . For the bodie sleping hath no vnderstanding , fealeth not , careth not , perceiueth not : to be brief , al such things as the bodie sleping cannot do , the mynde waking executeth , and seeth visible thinges , or heareth thinges that are to bee hearde , she goeth , she toucheth , she is sad , she perceiueth , and vnderstandeth : finally , what thinge soeuer is lyke to happen vnto the body , that is vnderstode in sleape of the mynde , with many mo argumentes , shewing the secrete diuination of them . But as concerning Iulius Caesar daily more and more he was incensed to clyme to dignitie , Ambition . he made verie great sute and labour to haue the gouernement of the prouinces of Egipt , but that sute preuayled not , then he sent vnto the highe prieste no small giftes for the obteinement of his sute , of suche force is monie , to leade affection , for that whiche honor oftentimes cannot get , mony & gifts procure , & that which vertue meriteth , is decided by frendship . Although Caesar stoode in choyse against two mightie persones for this gouernement , yet money and large giftes made hym superiour . Thus Caesar by processe of tyme , ascended from honor to honor , from dignitie to dignitie , and was chosen Pretor , Pretor . but from that office he was vpon certayne causes remoued , and at the last restored thereto againe , not long after this , Consul . he was made Consull with Bibulus , but Caesar ruled all thinges . At that tyme Caesar maried Calphurnia , the daughter of Lucius Piso . This Piso succeded Caesar in the consulship . In this season Iulia , Caesars daughter , whome he begat of Cornelia , did marie Gneius Pompeius , for Seruilius Scipio her first husbande , was put from her , nowe Caesar made him selfe stronge by mariages , their frendship couered many frendes , their linked amitie caught at a becke great & mighty supporters , Strength in mariage . by vnited frendship rose the magnificent estate of Caesar , honor nowe chaunged Caesar , many noble actes were done of him in his consulship , muche contention & great debate , arose on euerye syde , fortune fauouring Caesar , Frendship plentifull in prosperitie . he lightely purchased many frendes , but yet ther were no smal nomber of those outward frendes , cloked enemies , as the end shewed . Honorable estate is a most happy thing to those magistrates that feare God , & in that feare know them selues , Honorable estate . for in that estate what noble vertues may thei exercise , what compassion , howe greate wisdome , what iustice , what clemencie may they minister ? as they maye be the vpholders of vertue , so many they be the destroyers of vice , the swaye of a whole Realme dependeth sometime on the head of one wise magistrate . A good magistrate . As Caesar grew in power & strength through frends , so outwardly he assaied by martiall attemptes to possesse the seignorie ouer many regions , he subdued the Germaines that inhabited beyonde the Ryuer Rhene , and made a brydge ouer it , he conquered the Frenche men , then he set on this our Ilande of Brytaine , a people very warrelike and fearce , who through discorde and diuision among them selues , fell at lengthe into the handes of Caesar , Deuision in Britayne brought seruitude . and for a certaine tyme payde tribute vnto the Empire of Rome , and gaue them hostages . The whole manner of Caesars entring was thus . When Iulius Caesar had ended his mightie and perillous battayles , The comming of Cesar into this Ilande . about the floudde Rhene , he marched into the Realme of Fraunce : at the same time repairing with a Frenche multitude , his legions , but the chiefe cause of his warre in Fraunce was , The time . that of long tyme , he was moued in mynde , to see this noble Islande of Brytane , whose fame for nobilitie was knowen and bruted , The persone . not onely in Rome , but also in the vttermoste partes of the worlde . Iulius Caesar was wroth with them , The cause . because in his warre whiche he kepte in Fraunce , The fame and glorie of Brytaine . the fearce Britaines ayded the Frenchmen , and did mightely encounter battayle with the Romaines : whose prowes and valiaunt fight , slaked the proude and loftie stomakes of the Romaines , and droue them to diuerse hasardes of battayle . But Caesar as a noble warrier , preferring nobilitie and worthines of fame , The prowes of Iulius Cesar . before money or cowardly quietnes : ceased not to enter on the fearce Britaines , and thereto prepared his shippes , the wynter tyme followyng , that assone as oportunitie of the yeare serued , he might passe with al power against them . The maner howe . In the meane tyme , Caesar inquired of the marchauntes , who with marchaundise had accesse to the Islande : as concerning the quantitie and bignes of it , the fashion and manner of the people , Cesars communication with the marchauntes , as concerning the land of Britaine . their lawes , their order , and kinde of gouernment . As these thinges were in all pointes vnknowen to Caesar , so also the marchauntes knewe no more then the places bordering on the sea side . For , the Brytaines fearinge the trayterous & dissembling hartes of aleauntes , politikely repelled them by this meanes : The warre & pollitike gouernement of the Britayns Aliauntes in tyme trayterous . For no straunger was suffered to enter from his shippe on the lande , but their marchaundise were solde at the seaside . All nations sought to this land , the felicitie of it was so greate , that the Grekes knowing and tasting the commoditie of this Islande , called it by a Greeke name Olbion . Britayn some tyme called of the Grekes Olbion . whiche signified a happie and fortunate countrie , though of some after it was called Albion , time so chaunged the firste letter , as at this daye Ebrancke nowe called Yorke London is called for the towne of king Lud. Caesar therupon before he would marche with his armie against the people of Brytaine , Caius Volusenus , Embassadour to Britayne . sent Caius Volusenus a noble man of Rome , a valiaunt and hardie Captaine , as Embassadour to the Britaines , who as he thought by his Embassage , shoulde knowe the fashion of the Islande , the manner of the people , and their gouernement . But as it semeth , the Embassadour was not welcome : for , he durst not enter from his shippe to do his maisters Embassage , so that Caesar could know nothing by him . Yet Caesar not so contented , sent an other Embassadour , a man of more power , stomacke , & more hardie , Comas Atrebas by name , Comas Atrebas , seconde Embassadous from Cesar . who would enter as an Embassadour , to accomplishe the will & expectation of Caesar , Comas Atrebas was so welcome , that the Britaines caste him in pryson : Embassages were not common among them , nor the curteous vsage of Embassadours knowen at those dayes . All these thinges , made Caesar more wroth , and desirous to assaie the vncourteous Britaines . Cassibelan king of London , at the arriue of Cesar Cassibelane a worthy prince In those dayes Cassibelan was king of London , this Cassibelon was a prince of high wisedome , of manly stomacke , and valiaunt in fight : and for power and valiauntnes , was chosen of the Brytaines , chiefe gouernour and king . Dissention and cruell warre was among them , through the disagreing of diuerse kinges in the lande . The Troynouauntes , enuied the state of Cassibelan . The sonne of Immandrubalus , hearing of the comming of Caesar , The Troinouantes by treason let in Cesar . did flie traiterously to Caesar : The Troynouauntes fauoured Immandrubalus parte , & thereupon promised , as most vile traytours to their countrie , an entering to Caesar , & to do him seruice and homage , who through a selfe wil , & priuate fauour of one , sought the ruine of their countrie , Domesticall treason . and in the ende , their owne destruction . But Cassibelan gaue many ouerthrowes to Caesar , & mightely encountred with hym , so inuincible was the part of Cassibelan : that by treason of the Troynouauntes , not by manhode of Caesars power , entring was geuen . What house can stand , wherin discorde doth broyle ? Treason a confusion to the mightiest dominions . What small power is not able to enter the mightiest dominions or regions : yea , to ouercome the strongest fortresse , treason opening the grate , treason geuinge passage . Although Caesar by treason entered , ( so Caesar wryteth ) : Treason . Yet the fame of Caesar was more commended , for his enterprise into Brytaine , & victorie there gotten : then for al his conqueste , either against Pompeie , or any other nation . For in a piller at Rome , A sentence grauen of Britayne , in the commendation of Cesar . this sentence was engrauen : Of all the dominions , citties , and regions , subdued by Caesar , his warre attempted against the fearce Brytaines , passeth all other . After this sorte as you haue hearde , Caesar entred our Island of Britayne by treason . But let all good English hartes beware of diuision and foresee the plague that falles euen vpon the diuisers consider the nobility of this our goodly Ilande , the noble princes in their gouernement , the great felicitie of this land and people aboue all other nations , and nowe presently the frutes of most godly gouernement which we reape of this present state of so noble a prince , of so great wysdome , of so singuler learning , of so manifolde and rare vertues , by whose blessed gouernement we haue liued in peace onely of all other nacions , from her maiesties first gouernement : if Marcia that noble queene sometime of this Islande gouerner , be cronacled for wysdome & noble actes . if queene Helena of this lande gouerner , sometime the mother of Constantine the great Emperour of Rome , be commended in histories yet in no part for learninge and nobilitie she can be equal with this our noble gouerner , who with all lenitie proceadeth in lawe and with iustice holdeth ouer her people the Scepture . Though of late certayne vipers , not contented with so blessed state , haue sediciously sought by marciall attempt in open armour to subuert so worthy gouernement : But as all rebelles haue the frutes of their enterprise to be their owne shame , destruction , and perpetual ignomini , so God who createth princes , and kepeth them in gouernement , hath heaped due plagues vpon their treaterous attemptes , & subuerted their purposes of whome this saying of Plato in his bookes of gouernement may be verified , Quipatriè hostis est sibi pessimus as who should saye , who so seketh a mischiefe to his owne countrey , on him selfe chiefly the ruine falleth , that state in no part declining , & therefore bothe Homere and Plato , considring the great maiestie of princes , intituleth them with these names Agos Andron Diotrepheas Poimenas that is gouernours of men , fostered vp by the tuition of God the shepeheards of his people , and as the wyse Philosophers write , Reges & sapientes fiunt à potentibus causis ideo talium vt potentes sunt , necessario valide sunt cause : kynges and wyse men are placed in gouernement to doe some great enterpryse and maruelous factes , and therefore the causes must be great & marueilous , why those should be mighty , as who should saye , God hath created princes and wyse men to some maruelous purpose , and the ende whereunto God hath appointed them shall neuer be frustrate : let traytours surmyse what they will , & geue what attempt they dare for the prince is Gods annointed . Immediatly after the same time that he warred in Brytaine his mother Aurelia died , Auraelia . then Iulia his daughter died , & not long after , his nece begotten of his daughter Iulia and Pompeia , Iulia. As Caesar gat honor vpon honor , so he spared no princely liberalitie , for of him were commonly geuen great offices , large fees , by which meanes he purchased more to his aduauncement , than by any other way . For his liberalitie and the continuall preferrement of those that deserued wel , wanne hym greatter nombers of moste valiant souldiers , with inuincible courages , that remayned loyall & faithfull vnto him , as long as they lyued , then did his legions . Cesars waye to honor . Caesar then by all meanes sought the fauour of all people , and moste of all his studie was to linke him selfe in mightie kindredes & honorable alliances , whose estates were most dreaded , and whose frendshippes harbored moste frendes , as with Marius & Pompeie . The strength of noble peres And therupon to kepe the kyndred whiche was betwene Pompeie and him , though his daughter Iulia was dead , Iulia. whome Pompeie had maried , he procured Octauia his sisters daughter to be married to Pompeie , and that he on the other side condicionally shoold marrie Pompeies daughter , and so it came to passe , that where as Pompeies daughter should haue married Faustus Silla , Condicionall mariages . now Caesar marieth her , so honor maketh mariages , & hope of strength and authoritie , by frendes lynketh in noble houses crosse marriages , and manye tymes that are vnlawefull , all this yet notwithstanding , warres fell at last betwene Pompeie and Caesar , marriage was made of frendship , nowe ambition of Pompeie and Caesar , regardeth neither frendship nor marriage . Ambition . Quia Pompeius parem , Caesar non patitur . For now Pompeie wyll haue no mate , Pompeie no mate . nor Caesar cannot suffer a superiour . Lucan the Poete writeth at large of the warres betwene Pompeie and Caesar , Cesar no superiour . whiche were to long to wryte of , but in the ende Pompeie had the ouerthrowe , and desire of glorie , or the possession of kyngdomes in ambitious persones , knoweth neither God , nor obeieth nature , it maketh enemies frendes , and frendes enemies , the father hunteth for the death of the sonne , the sonne likewyse for the fathers death , desier of kyngdome in ambitious persones , neither regardeth God , nor nature , the moste cruell factes of Atreus and Thyestes , for kingdomes sake are not vnchronicled , the cruell hatred of Eteocles and Polinises , & the slaughter committed by them , is wel knowen to those which reade Euripides , Honor dissolueth mariages . Seneca , & Sophocles , for in them they shall see the bloudy and mischieuous actes committed by noble peares : so you se in Pompeie & Caesar throughly on euery syde , that where as mariage was made to the great increase of honour and frendship betwene them , nowe they are become enemies and mortall foes , that hath honour caused . Where is the mariage become nowe that was betwene Pompeie and Caesar , Iulia is dead whome Pompeie maried , yea , the frendship died also , Caesar had then Pompeies daughter to wyfe , Honor knoweth no kindred in tyrants Pompeie driuen to flight . honour biddeth Caesar not care for that , nowe there is no kindred , for honor knoweth no kindred . Pompeie being dreuen to flight , set vnto Tolomie king of Egipt , requesting hym of ayde & succour in this his extremitie & nede ( in recompence of the great frendship and courtesie which his father had receiued before tyme of hym ) the kyng sent him word that willingly he woulde do for hym , as muche as he desired , ( but vnto the miserable that are fallen from highe dignities into aduersitie , rarely is faithe obserued , and littell helpeth olde frendship ) for as Pompeie was passing in a small boate towarde the shoare to fynde the kynge Tolomey , he was by his commaundement slayne before he came to lande , of Septemius and Achilla , who hoping by killing of him to purchase the frendship of Caesar . Who now being come vnto the shoare , and entring Alexandria , had sodainly presented vnto him the head of Pompeie the great , whiche he in no wyse woulde beholde : but loking vpon the ryng of Pompeie , he wepte for compassion of him , vnto whome the same once appertayned , considering the ende of the felicitie and greatnes of Pompeie , who with honour and fame had thrice triumphed , and had bene as often Consull in Rome , and had so many yeares had the gouernement of the common weale , and had bene the greatest cittezen that euer was , and had also obteyned so many victories and dignities , Caesar thereuppon as Euripides saith , had this sayinge in his mouth , lawe and right is to be broken for dominions sake , for Caesar being accustomed to commaunde , could not sustaine to be without an hoste .