1Summoned by our Caesar to his council at Centum Cellae — that is the name of the place —, I received great pleasure. 2For what is more delightful than to observe the prince's justice, seriousness and affability, even in retirement, where they are most fully revealed? 2There were various inquiries, and such as would test the judge's virtues in a number of forms. 3Claudius Ariston, the leading man of Ephesus, pleaded his case; he is generous and popular without doing harm; 3hence envy, and an informer set on him by men most unlike him; and so he was acquitted and vindicated. 4The next day Gallitta was heard, accused of adultery.
4She was married to a military tribune who was about to stand for office, and had stained both her own and her husband's standing by an affair with a centurion. 4The husband had written to the consular legate, and he to Caesar. 5Caesar, having sifted the evidence, dismissed the centurion from the service and even banished him. 5There still remained the other part of the punishment, for a crime which could only be that of two people; 5but love for his wife held the husband back, not without some censure of his complaisance, since he had kept her at home even after the adultery had been reported, as if satisfied with having removed his rival.
6Reminded to carry the prosecution through, he carried it through unwillingly. 6But she had to be condemned even against her accuser's will: she was condemned and left to the penalties of the Julian law. 6Caesar added to his verdict both the name of the centurion and a reminder of military discipline, so that he should not seem to be calling all cases of this kind before himself. 7On the third day an inquiry was introduced that had been tossed about in much talk and varied rumour, concerning the codicils of Julius Tiro, which were admitted to be partly genuine, and were said to be partly forged. 8Those charged with the crime were Sempronius Senecio, a Roman knight, and Eurythmus, Caesar's freedman and procurator.
8The heirs, when Caesar was in Dacia, had jointly written a letter and asked him to take up the inquiry. 9He had taken it up; 9on his return he had fixed a day, and when some of the heirs, as if out of respect for Eurythmus, were dropping the accusation, he had said most finely: 'He is not Polyclitus, nor am I Nero.' 9He had, however, granted an adjournment at their request, and when that time had run out he had taken his seat to hear the case. 10On the side of the heirs only two came in; 10they demanded that all the heirs should be compelled to plead, since all had brought the charge, or that they too should be allowed to withdraw.
11Caesar spoke with the greatest dignity and the greatest moderation, and when the advocate of Senecio and Eurythmus had said that the defendants were being left under suspicion unless they were heard, he said: 'I do not care whether they are left under suspicion; I am being left so.' 12Then turning to us: 'Consider what we ought to do; 12for these men want to complain that they have been allowed not to be accused.' 12Then, on the advice of the council, he ordered notice to be given to all the heirs that they should either plead or each justify his reasons for not pleading; 12otherwise he would even pass sentence on them for false accusation.
13You see how honourable, how serious were the days; 13and they were followed by most delightful relaxations. 13We were invited to dinner every day; 13it was modest, if you thought of who the host was. 13Sometimes we listened to entertainers, sometimes the night was drawn out with most delightful conversation. 14On the last day, as we were leaving, presents were sent to us — so attentive is Caesar's kindness. 14But to me, as the seriousness of the inquiries, the honour of the council, the charm and simplicity of the company were delightful, so too was the place itself. 15A most beautiful villa is surrounded by the greenest fields, and overlooks the shore, in whose bay a harbour is at this very moment being made.
15Its left arm has been fortified with very solid work, the right is being worked on. 16At the mouth of the harbour an island is rising, to lie across the sea driven in by the wind and break it, and to provide a safe passage for ships on either side. 16And it rises by a technique worth seeing: a very broad ship carries huge rocks out to the spot opposite the harbour; 16these, thrown down one on top of another, stay in place by their own weight and are gradually built up into a kind of rampart. 17Already a rocky ridge stands out and is visible, and it dashes the waves that strike it and tosses them to an immense height; 17there is a mighty crash there, and the sea all round is white.
17Then piers will be added to the rocks, which in the course of time will make it look like a natural island. 17This harbour will have, and already has, the name of its maker, and it will be most beneficial; 17for a very long stretch of harbourless coast will make use of this refuge. 17Farewell.