"Bloodshed has occurred. 'Oh, gods!' he exclaimed in tears. 'You know it was them who desired this and forced me to be the victor!' For, after having won such battles, Caesar would have undoubtedly been criticised had he abandoned his army.<hr>
         Any other victor besides Caesar would have shed tears of joy after winning the battle, but for him, he couldn't take pleasure in his victory as it took the lives of some of his fellow citizens. Trust me, Lepidus, tyrants do not mourn their enemies; mercy and compassion are sentiments unknown to them. Yet, you know that Caesar forgave nearly all his own. He even went so far as to search for the traitor who would later rob him of his life, and when Brutus surrendered, he treated him like a son. Alas, I can envision my Caesar moving from group to group, asking after Brutus, searching amongst the dead for anyone he could still save, and doing everything in his power to save the one who would plunge a dagger into his chest. Could Caesar have made such a choice? That out of all the Romans, he loved his murderer most of all? Did not the gods, who showed particular interest in his life, warn him that the one he loved more than anything would be the cruelest towards him? But it's not yet time to speak of Brutus’ ingratitude. Caesar’s mercy and kindness provide much too rich material to abandon it quickly. To make the crime of his assassins as ghastly as it is, we must highlight his qualities in all their brilliance. Tyrants have sometimes put a price on their enemies' heads, promising to forgive all crimes of those who deliver them, and when they’ve been appeased, they welcomed that grim gift with joy. But Caesar didn't act this way. He didn't want to see Pompey's head; he bitterly mourned it, and he despised the one who had brought it to him, making him flee to save his life.<hr>
         As for me, I find this action of Caesar’s more glorious than defeating Pompey. He had accompanying armies to fight, but he mourned his enemy alone. What’s more, he made it clear that he didn't see Pompey as a personal enemy, but as an enemy of the Republic. Not only did he pardon all those from his team who wished to surrender, but he also cared particularly for Pompey's friends, showing he hated not the person, but their harmful and unjust plans against the Republic. Anyone else but Caesar, after victory, would have focused on his safety, exiling some, executing others, and turning away from the rest. Instead, he thought of saving those who were victims of Pompey’s scheme rather than his protection. It seemed as though it was his army that was scattered by defeat as he remained in place to gather forces. Such sweetness and kindness he displayed to those who changed sides and rallied under his banners. He even wrote to Rome that the sweetest fruit of victory was saving the lives of his fellow citizens each day. Lepidus, tyrants do not speak in this manner!<hr>
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