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whether it were that he had no confidence in them； or that his
mind was otherwise disordered； but he groaned under the pain he
endured； and presently went forward and fled； when Cornelius
Sabinus； who was already prepared in his mind so to do； thrust
him down upon his knee； where many of them stood round about him；
and struck him with their swords； and they cried out； and
encouraged one another all at once to strike him again； but all
agree that Aquila gave him the finishing stroke； which directly
killed him。 But one may justly ascribe this act to Cherea； for
although many concurred in the act itself； yet was he the first
contriver of it； and began long before all the rest to prepare
for it； and was the first man that boldly spake of it to the
rest； and upon their admission of what he said about it； he got
the dispersed conspirators together； he prepared every thing
after a prudent manner； and by suggesting good advice； showed
himself far superior to the rest； and made obliging speeches to
them； insomuch that he even compelled them all to go on； who
otherwise had not courage enough for that purpose； and when
opportunity served to use his sword in hand； he appeared first of
all ready so to do； and gave the first blow in this virtuous
slaughter； he also brought Caius easily into the power of the
rest； and almost killed him himself； insomuch that it is but just
to ascribe all that the rest did to the advice； and bravery； and
labors of the hands of Cherea。
15。 Thus did Caius come to his end； and lay dead； by the many
wounds which had been given him。 Now Cherea and his associates；
upon Caius's slaughter； saw that it was impossible for them to
save themselves； if they should all go the same way； partly on
account of the astonishment they were under； for it was no small
danger they had incurred by killing an emperor； who was honored
and loved by the madness of the people； especially when the
soldiers were likely to make a bloody inquiry after his
murderers。 The passages also were narrow wherein the work was
done； which were also crowded with a great multitude of Caius's
attendants； and of such of the soldiers as were of the emperor's
guard that day； whence it was that they went by other ways； and
came to the house of Germanicus； the father of Caius； whom they
had now killed （which house adjoined to the palace； for while the
edifice was one； it was built in its several parts by those
particular persons who had been emperors； and those parts bare
the names of those that built them or the name of him who had
begun to build its parts）。 So they got away from the insults of
the multitude； and then were for the present out of danger； that
is； so long as the misfortune which had overtaken the emperor was
not known。 The Germans were the first who perceived that Caius
was slain。 These Germans were Caius's guard； and carried the name
of the country whence they were chosen； and composed the Celtic
legion。 The men of that country are naturally passionate； which
is commonly the temper of some other of the barbarous nations
also； as being not used to consider much about what they do； they
are of robust bodies and fall upon their enemies as soon as ever
they are attacked by them； and which way soever they go； they
perform great exploits。 When； therefore； these German guards
understood that Caius was slain； they were very sorry for it；
because they did not use their reason in judging about public
affairs； but measured all by the advantages themselves received；
Caius being beloved by them because of the money he gave them； by
which he had purchased their kindness to him； so they drew their
swords； and Sabinus led them on。 He was one of the tribunes； not
by the means of the virtuous actions of his pro genitors； for he
bad been a gladiator； but he had obtained that post in the army
by his having a robust body。 So these Germans marched along the
houses in quest of Caesar's murderers； and cut Asprenas to
pieces； because he was the first man they fell upon； and whose
garment it was that the blood of the sacrifices stained； as I
have said already； and which foretold that this his meeting the
soldiers would not be for his good。 Then did Norbanus meet them；
who was one of the principal nobility of and could show many
generals of armies among his ancestors； but they paid no regard
to his dignity； yet was he of such great strength； that he
wrested the sword of the first of those that assaulted him out of
his hands； and appeared plainly not to be willing to die without
a struggle for his life； until he was surrounded by a great
number of assailants； and died by the multitude of the wounds
which they gave him。 The third man was Anteius； a senator； and a
few others with him。 He did not meet with these Germans by
chance； as the rest did before； but came to show his hatred to
Caius； and because he loved to see Caius lie dead with his own
eyes； and took a pleasure in that sight； for Caius had banished
Anteius's father； who was of the same name with himself； and
being not satisfied with that； he sent out his soldiers； and slew
him； so he was come to rejoice at the sight of him； now he was
dead。 But as the house was now all in a tumult； when he was
aiming to hide himself； he could not escape that accurate search
which the Germans made； while they barbarously slew those that
were guilty； and those that were not guilty； and this equally
also。 And thus were these ＇three＇ persons slain。
16。 But when the rumor that Caius was slain reached the theater；
they were astonished at it； and could not believe it； even some
that entertained his destruction with great pleasure； and were
more desirous of its happening than almost any other faction that
could come to them； were under such a fear； that they could not
believe it。 There were also those who greatly distrusted it；
because they were unwilling that any such thing should come to
Caius； nor could believe it； though it were ever so true； because
they thought no man could possibly so much power as to kill
Caius。 These were the women； and the children； and the slaves；
and some of the soldiery。 This last sort had taken his pay； and
in a manner tyrannized with him； and had abused the best of the
citizens； in being subservient to his unjust commands； in order
to gain honors and advantages to themselves； but for the women
and the youth； they had been inveigled with shows； and the
fighting of the gladiators； and certain distributions of
flesh…meat among them； which things them pretense were designed
for the pleasing of multitude； but in reality to satiate the
barbarous cruelty and madness of Caius。 The slaves also were
sorry； because they were by Caius allowed to accuse and to
despise their masters； and they could have recourse to his
assistance when they had unjustly affronted them； for he was very
easy in believing them against their masters； even when they the
city； accused them falsely； and if they would discover what money
their masters had； they might soon obtain both riches and
liberty； as the rewards of their accusations； because the reward
of these informers was the eighth （6） part of the criminal's
substance。 As to the nobles； although the report appeared
credible to some of them； either because they knew of the plot
beforehand； or because they wished it might be true； however；
they concealed not only the joy they had at the relation of it；
but that they had heard any thing at all about it。 These last
acted so out of the fear they had； that if the report proved
false； they should be punished； for having so soon let men know
their minds。 But those that knew Caius was dead； because they
were partners with the conspirators； they concealed all still
more cautiously； as not knowing one another's minds； and fearing
lest they should speak of it to some of those to whom the
continuance of tyranny was advantageous； and if Caius should
prove to be alive； they might be informed against； and punished。
And another report went about； that although Caius had been
wounded indeed； yet was not he dead； but alive still； and under
the physician's hands。 Nor was any one looked upon by another as
faithful enough to be trusted； and to whom any one would open his
mind； for he was either a friend to Caius； and therefore
suspected to favor his tyranny； or he was one that hated him； who
therefore might be suspected to deserve the less credit； because
of his ill…will to him。 Nay； it was said by some （and this indeed
it was that deprived the nobility of their hopes； and made them
sad） that Caius was in a condition to despise the dangers he had
been in； and took no care of healing his wounds； but was gotten
away into the market…place； and； bloody as he was； was making an
harangue to the people。 And these were the conjectural reports of
those that were so unreasonable as to endeavor to raise tumults；
which they turned different ways； according to the opinions of
the bearers。 Yet did they not leave their seats； for fear of
being accused； if they should go out before the rest； for they
should not be sentenced according to the real intention with
which they went out； but according to the supposals of the
accusers and of the