What made Caesar most openly and mortally hated was his passion to be made King. It was this which made the common people hate him for the first time, and it served as a most useful pretext for those others who had long hated him but had up to now disguised their feelings. Yet those who were trying to get this honor conferred on Caesar actually spread the story among the people that it was foretold in the Sibylline books (1) that Parthia could only be conquered by the Romans if the the Roman army was led by a king: and as Caesar was coming down from Alba to Rome, they ventured to salute him as “King,” which caused a disturbance among the people, Caesar, upset by this himself, said that his name was not King but Caesar. These words were received in total silence, and he went on his way looking far from pleased. Then there was an occasion when a number of extravagant honors had been voted for him in the senate, and Caesar happened to be sitting above the rostra. Here he was approached by the consuls and the praetors (2), with the whole senate following behind, but instead of rising to receive them he behaved to them as though they were merely private individuals and, after receiving their message, told them that his honors ought to be cut down rather than increased. This conduct offended not only the senate but the people as well, who felt that his treatment of the senators was an insult to the whole state. There was a general air of the deepest dejection, and everyone who was in a position to do so went away at once. Caesar himself realized what he had done and immediately turned to go home. He drew back his toga and, uncovering his throat, cried out in a loud voice to his friends that he was ready to receive the blow from anyone who liked to give it to him. Later however, he excused his behavior on account of his illness,(3) saying that those who suffer from it are apt to lose control of their senses if they address a large crowd while standing, in these circumstances they are very subject to fits of giddiness and may fall into convulsions and insensibility. This excuse however, was not true. Caesar himself was perfectly willing to rise to receive the senate; but, so they say, one of his friends, Cornelius Balbus, restrained him from doing so, “Remember” he said, “that you are Caesar. You are their superior and ought to let them treat you as such.” How does Caesar behave in the Senate that offends both the Senate and the people?

At first Caesar regretted this behavior in the Senate. How does he demonstrate his displeasure with the way he behaved?

Later, however, Caesar will blame his behavior on

Does Plutarch believe this excuse?

What evidence does Plutarch provide to support his contention that Caesar quite willingly behaved this way.

What elements of this account would fit right into our political life today.