Julius Caesar and the foundation of the Roman imperial system . CHAPTER III. EARLY LIFE UNDER THE SULLAN GOVERNMENT. 81-70 iESAR did not stay long inRome to risk the Dictatorswrath a second time ; and hewas indeed now old enoughto serve his first campaign,a duty still obligatory on allyoung men of his age. Hesailed for Asia Minor in theyear 81 , and remained inthe East until Sullas war with Mithridates, the formidable enemywhom Sulla had driven to a doubtful peace, hadbroken out afresh the year before, and was stillsmouldering; and there was always plenty to do onthe Asiatic
Julius Caesar and the foundation of the Roman imperial system . CHAPTER III. EARLY LIFE UNDER THE SULLAN GOVERNMENT. 81-70 iESAR did not stay long inRome to risk the Dictatorswrath a second time ; and hewas indeed now old enoughto serve his first campaign,a duty still obligatory on allyoung men of his age. Hesailed for Asia Minor in theyear 81 , and remained inthe East until Sullas war with Mithridates, the formidable enemywhom Sulla had driven to a doubtful peace, hadbroken out afresh the year before, and was stillsmouldering; and there was always plenty to do onthe Asiatic coasts, for the pirates of Cilicia werehovering round every port, and as yet entirely un-bridled. It was an important part of the military educationof a young Roman of high birth, that he should3 33. 34 Julius Ccssar. [81 serve his first campaign under the immediate eye ofa commander-in-chief, living with him in his tent asa kind of page or youthful aide-de-camp, and learningfrom him the traditions of the arts of warfare andprovincial government. If the general were a manof character and ability, much might be learnt bythe youth thus pleasantly associated with him,besides the details of business and the military of the character of Caesars first military masterwe unfortunately know nothing. As Sullas legatusit is not likely that Minucius Thermus was a con-genial companion to the young Marian. I But weknow that at the siege of Mytilene, the fast townthat held out for Mithridates, he bestowed on hispupil the ^ civic crown for saving the life of afellow-soldier ; and thus Caesar began his militarycareer under no imputation of effeminacy, such aswas invented for him in later times. I This exploit was in 80 ; how he was employedin the following year we are not told. In
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