The aristocracy had imagined that his courage would fail him, or that his army would desert.
Thoroughly frightened, Consuls, Praetors, Senators,-leaving wives, children, and property to their fate,-fled from the city to seek safety with Pompey in Capua.

They did not stop even to take the money from the treasury, but left it locked.
Caesar paused at Ariminum, and sent envoys to the Senate, stating that he was still desirous of peace.

If Pompey would depart to his province in Spain, he would himself disband his own troops.

He was even willing to have a personal interview with Pompey.

This message was received by the Senate after its flight from Rome.