tly from Pompey’s. “Whereas Pompey declared that all who were not actively with the government were against it and would be treated as public enemies, Caesar announced that all who were not actively against him were with him.” (Suetonius, pg. 45)Caesar was favored among his men, but this favor was soon lost entirely. There came a day, soon after his triumph at Pharsalus, where the Senate in total came with elected honors galore. Julius Caesar did not rise to greet them. Though some retellings state that it was Cornelius Balbus who prevented him from this traditional sign of respect, it most often considered (as it was by the Senate) to be an act of the utmost arrogance. The Senators began to feel the beginnings of a murderous hatred for Caesar.This feeling was magnified by another incident. Upon returning from the Alban Hill, a member of the crowd placed a wreath of laurels and white fillet upon the statue of Caesar. Epidius Marullus and Caesetius Flavius demanded that the wreath be removed. Caesar dispatched these tribunes, who we met quickly in Julius Caesar, instantly. It is not known for certain why this was done; though there are two popular theories. One is that Caesar was enraged that the thought of his becoming king was such an easily dismissable one. The second is one of Caesar’s own mind: he was enraged that he was not given the chance to demand the removal of the laurels himself. Either way, the prevailing thought was that he had tried to resurrect the crown.The tide was now almost fully against him, though the next event would certainly turn it completely. When addressing the populous at the Rostra during the Lupercalian Festival, Marc Antony tried several times to offer the crown to Caesar, and was several times denied; though Caesar then sent the crown to the Capitol to be dedicated.Shakespeare echoes this event, though in a different manner. He failed to include Caesar’s bought claque: those...
