r the conduct of Cherea Cassius,
the tribune [of the Pretorian band]. Minucianus Annins was also one of
great consequence among those that were prepared to oppose his tyranny.
Now the several occasions of these men's several hatred and conspiracy
against Caius were these: Regulus had indignation and hatred against all
injustice, for he had a mind naturally angry, and bold, and free, which
made him not conceal his counsels; so he communicated them to many of
his friends, and to others who seemed to him persons of activity and
vigor: Minucianus entered into this conspiracy, because of the injustice
done to Lepidus his particular friend, and one of the best character of
all the citizens, whom Caius had slain, as also because he was afraid of
himself, since Caius's wrath tended to the slaughter of all alike: and
for Cherea, he came in, because he thought it a deed worthy of a free
ingenuous man to kill Caius, and was ashamed of the reproaches he lay
under from Caius, as though he were a coward; as also because he was
himself in danger every day from his friendship with him, and the
observance he paid him. These men proposed this attempt to all the rest
that were concerned, who saw the injuries that were offered them, and
were desirous that Caius's slaughter might succeed by their mutual
assistance of one another, and they might themselves escape being killed
by the taking off Caius; that perhaps they should gain their point;
and that it would be a happy thing, if they should gain it, to approve
themselves to so many excellent persons, as earnestly wished to be
partakers with them in their design for the delivery of the city and of
the government, even at the hazard of their own lives. But still Cherea
was the most zealous of them all, both out of a desire of getting
himself the greatest name, and also by reason of his access to Caius's
presence with less danger, because he was tribune, and could therefore
the more easily kill him.

4. Now at this time came on the horse-races [Circensian games]; the view
of which games was eagerly desired by the people of Rome, for they come
with great alacrity into the hippodrome [circus] at such times, and
petition their emperors, in great multitudes, for what they stand in
need of; who usually did not think fit to deny them their requests,
but readily and gratefully granted them. Accordingly, they most
importunately desired that Caius would now ease them in their tributes,
and abate somew