[Pinnock’s Improved Edition of Dr. Goldsmith’s History of Rome by Oliver Goldsmith]@TWC D-Link book
Pinnock’s Improved Edition of Dr. Goldsmith’s History of Rome

CHAPTER XXI
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The Calends always began on the first of every month, and were counted backwards to the Ides, which fell on the 15th of March, May, July, and October; and on the 13th of other months; so that the Nones began on the 5th of each month when four, and on the 7th when six in number.

The Nones, therefore, always ended on the 2d day of the month.
[4] Though Caesar's ambition led him to usurp a power to which the Romans were not willing to submit, it appears that he used it with unexampled moderation.

He was beloved and revered by the people, honoured and almost adored by his friends, and esteemed and admired even by his enemies.

Absolute power could not have been in better hands.
[5] It was the general opinion of the conspirators that Antony should be cut off with Caesar; but Brutus pleaded for and obtained his safety.
This kindness was ill repaid.
[6] The Forum was a public place at Rome, where lawyers and orators made their speeches in matters of property of the state, or in criminal cases.
[7] Now the Rheno, which runs through Bologna and falls into the Po.
[8] It is impossible to paint the horrors of this dreadful proscription.

Nothing was to be seen but blood and slaughter; the streets were covered with dead bodies; the heads of the most illustrious senators were exposed on the rostra, and their bodies left to be devoured by dogs and birds of prey; three hundred senators, and above two thousand knights, besides a vast number of others of considerable rank, fell victims on this occasion.


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