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But Brutus bade him remember the Ides of March； the day when they
killed Caesar； who himself neither plundered nor pillaged mankind； but
was only the support and strength of those that did； and bade him
consider that if there was any colour for justice to be neglected；
it had been better to suffer the injustice of Caesar's friends than to
give impunity to their own； 〃for then；〃 said he； 〃we would have been
accused of cowardice only； whereas now we are liable to the accusation
of injustice； after all our pain and dangers which we endure。〃 By
which we may perceive what was Brutus's purpose； and the rule of his
actions。
About the time that they were going to pass out of Asia into Europe；
it is said that a wonderful sign was seen by Brutus。 He was
naturally given to much watching； and by practice and moderation in
his diet had reduced his allowance of sleep to a very small amount
of time。 He never slept in the daytime； and in the night then only
when all his business was finished； and when； every one else being
gone to rest； he had nobody to discourse with him。 But at this time；
the war being begun； having the whole state of it to consider； and
being solicitous of the event； after his first sleep； which he let
himself take after his supper； he spent all the rest of the night in
settling his most urgent affairs； which if he could despatch early and
so make a saving of any leisure； he employed himself in reading
until the third watch； at which time the centurions and tribunes
were used to come to him for orders。 Thus one night before he passed
out of Asia； he was very late all alone in his tent； with a dim
light burning by him； all the rest of the camp being bushed and
silent； and reasoning about something with himself and very
thoughtful； he fancied some one came in； and； looking up towards the
door； he saw a terrible and strange appearance of an unnatural and
frightful body standing by him without speaking。 Brutus boldly asked
it； 〃What are you； of men or gods； and upon what business come to me？〃
The figure answered 〃I am your evil genius； Brutus； you shall see me
at Philippi。〃 To which Brutus； not at all disturbed； replied； 〃Then
I shall see you。〃
As soon as the apparition vanished； he called his servants to him；
who all told him that they had neither heard any voice nor seen any
vision。 So then he continued watching till the morning； when he went
to Cassius； and told him of what he had seen。 He； who followed the
principles of Epicurus's philosophy； and often used to dispute with
Brutus concerning matters of this nature； spoke to him thus upon
this occasion： 〃It is the opinion of our sect； Brutus； that not all
that we feel or see is real and true； but that the sense is a most
slippery and deceitful thing； and the mind yet more quick and subtle
to put the sense in motion and affect it with every kind of change
upon no real occasion of fact； just as an impression is made upon wax；
and the soul of man； which has in itself both what imprints； and
what is imprinted on； may most easily； by its own operations；
produce and assume every variety of shape and figure。 This is
evident from the sudden changes of our dreams； in which the
imaginative principle； once started by any trifling matter； goes
through a whole series of most diverse emotions and appearances。 It is
its nature to be ever in motion； and its motion is fantasy or
conception。 But besides all this； in your case； the body； being
tired and distressed with continual toil； naturally works upon the
mind and keeps it in an excited and unusual condition。 But that
there should be any such thing as supernatural beings； or； if there
were； that they should have human shape or voice or power that can
reach to us； there is no reason for believing； though I confess I
could wish that there were such beings； that we might not rely upon
our arms only； and our horses and our navy； all which are so
numerous and powerful； but might be confident of the assistance of
gods also； in this our most sacred and honourable attempt。〃 With
such discourses as these Cassius soothed the mind of Brutus。 But
just as the troops were going on board； two eagles flew and lighted on
the first two ensigns； and crossed over the water with them； and never
ceased following the soldiers and being fed by them till they came
to Philippi； and there； but one day before the fight； they both flew
away。
Brutus had already reduced most of the places and people of these
parts； but they now marched on as far as to the coast opposite Thasos；
and； if there were any city or man of power that yet stood out；
brought them all to subjection。 At this point Norbanus was encamped；
in a place called the Straits； near Symbolum。 Him they surrounded in
such sort that they forced him to dislodge and quit the place； and
Norbanus narrowly escaped losing his whole army； Caesar by reason of
sickness being too far behind； only Antony came to his relief with
such wonderful swiftness that Brutus and those with him did not
believe when they heard he was come。 Caesar came up ten days after；
and encamped over against Brutus； and Antony over against Cassius。
The space between the two armies is called by the Romans the Campi
Philippi。 Never had two such large Roman armies come together to
engage each other。 That of Brutus was somewhat less in number than
that of Caesar； but in the splendidness of the men's arms and richness
of their equipage it wonderfully exceeded； for most of their arms were
of gold and silver； which Brutus had lavishly bestowed among them。 For
though in other things he had accustomed his commanders to use all
frugality and self…control； yet he thought that the riches which
soldiers carried about them in their hands and on their bodies would
add something of spirit to those that were desirous of glory； and
would make those that were covetous and lovers of gain fight the
more valiantly to preserve the arms which were their estate。
Caesar made a view and lustration of his army within his trenches；
and distributed only a little corn and but five drachmas to each
soldier for the sacrifice they were to make。 But Brutus； either
pitying this poverty； or disdaining this meanness of spirit in Caesar；
first； as the custom was； made a general muster and lustration of
the army in the open field； and then distributed a great number of
beasts for sacrifice to every regiment； and fifty drachmas to every
soldier； so that in the love of his soldiers and their readiness to
fight for him Brutus had much the advantage。 But at the time of
lustration it is reported that an unlucky omen happened to Cassius；
for his lictor； presenting him with a garland that he was to wear at
sacrifice； gave it him the wrong way up。 Further； it is said that some
time before； at a certain solemn procession； a golden image of
Victory； which was carried before Cassius； fell down by a slip of
him that carried it。 Besides this there appeared many birds of prey
daily about the camp； and swarms of bees were seen in a place within
the trenches； which place the soothsayers ordered shut out from the
camp； to remove the superstition which insensibly began to infect even
Cassius