Caesar would have followed them, but a fleet must first be obtained, and matters nearer home demanded his attention.
In sixty days Caesar had made himself master of Italy.

On his way to Rome he met Cicero, and invited him to attend the Senate, but he preferred to stay away.

Caesar entered the city unattended, and assembled the Senate through the Tribunes, Mark Antony and Cassius Longinus.

The attendance was small, as most of the members were with Pompey.

In his address to the Senate Caesar spoke of his own forbearance and concessions, of their unjust demands, and their violent suppression of the authority of the Tribunes.