Ancient World

[Caesar receives many warnings of his approaching fate.]

by Jacob Abbott

[Three great European nations of antiquity.]

There were three great European nations in ancient days, each of which furnished history with a hero: the Greeks, the Carthaginians, and the Romans.

[Alexander.]

[Caesar's resolution.]

Caesar does not seem to have been much disheartened and depressed by his misfortunes. He possessed in his early life more than the usual share of buoyancy and light-heartedness of youth, and he went away from Rome to enter, perhaps, upon years of exile and wandering, with a determination to face boldly and to brave the evils and dangers which surrounded him, and not to succumb to them.

[His person and character.]

[Caesar's rise to power.]

[Caesar aspires to be a soldier.] [His success and celebrity.]

[Pompey.]

[The Rubicon.]

There was a little stream in ancient times, in the north of Italy, which flowed westward into the Adriatic Sea, called the Rubicon. This stream has been immortalized by the transactions which we are now about to describe.

[Its insignificance as a stream.]

[The gathering armies.] [Pompey's preparations.] [Caesar at Brundusium.]

War between Megara and Corinth. - Megara and Pegae garrisoned by Athenians. - Review of Affairs at the Persian Court. - Accession of Artaxerxes. - Revolt of Egypt under Inarus. - Athenian Expedition to assist Inarus. - Aegina besieged. - The Corinthians defeated. - Spartan Conspiracy with the Athenian Oligarchy. - Battle of Tanagra. - Campaign and Successes of Myronides. - Plot of the Oligarchy against the Republic. - Recall of Cimon. - Long Walls completed. - Aegina reduced. - Expedition under Tolmides. - Ithome surrenders. - The Insurgents are settled at Naupactus.