den chair was allotted to him
in the Senate-House. The name of the fifth month (_Quintilis_) of the
Roman calendar was changed to JULIUS (July). He was appointed Dictator
for two years, and later for life. He received for three years the
office of Censor, which enabled him to appoint Senators, and to be
guardian of manners and morals. He had already been made Tribune
(48) for life, and Pontifex Maximus (63). In a word, he was king in
everything excepting name.

Caesar's most remarkable and durable reform at this period was the
REVISION OF THE CALENDAR. The Roman method of reckoning time had been
so inaccurate, that now their seasons were more than two months behind.
Caesar established a calendar, which, with slight changes, is still in
use. It went into operation January 1st, 45. He employed Sosigenes, an
Alexandrian astronomer, to superintend the reform.

While Sosigenes was at work on the calendar, Caesar purified the Senate.
Many who were guilty of extortion and corruption were expelled, and the
vacancies filled with persons of merit.

Meanwhile matters in Spain were not satisfactory. After the battle of
Pharsalia, Cassius Longinus, Trebonius, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus had
been sent to govern the province. They could not agree. The soldiers
became mutinous. To Spain flocked all who were dissatisfied with Roman
affairs. The remnant of Scipio's African army rested there in its
wanderings. Thus Labienus and Pompey's two sons managed to collect an
army as numerous as that which had been defeated at Thapsus. There were
thirteen legions in all.

Caesar saw that he must make one more struggle. He set out for the
province accompanied by his nephew OCTAVIUS (afterwards the Emperor
AUGUSTUS), and by his trusted friend and officer, DECIMUS BRUTUS. The
struggle in Spain was protracted for several months, but the decisive
battle was fought at MUNDA, 17 March, 45, on the Guadalquivir, near
Cordova. The forces were well matched. The advantage in position was on
the side of the enemy. The battle was stubbornly fought, most of it hand
to hand, with short swords. So equal was the struggle, so doubtful at
one time the issue, that Caesar himself sprang from his horse, seized a
standard, and rallied a wavering legion. Finally, Labienus was seen to
gallop across the field. It was thought he was fleeing. Panic seized his
troops, they broke and ran. Thirty thousand were slain, including three
thousand Roman Knights, and Labienus himse