In fact, he began to receive messages from his friends at home that they thought it would be safe for him to return.

Sylla had gradually withdrawn from power, and finally had died.

The aristocratical party were indeed still in the ascendency, but the party of Marius had begun to recover a little from the total overthrow with which Sylla's return, and his terrible military vengeance, had overwhelmed them.
Caesar himself, therefore, they thought, might, with prudent management, be safe in returning to Rome.
[Sidenote: He returns to Rome.] [Sidenote: Caesar impeaches Dolabella.] [Sidenote: Excitement in consequence.] He returned, but not to be prudent or cautious; there was no element of prudence or caution in his character.

As soon as he arrived, he openly espoused the popular party.

His first public act was to arraign the governor of the great province of Macedonia, through which he had passed on his way to Bithynia.