2The favour of the electors appeared to be about equally divided, and therefore Catulus, who, as the worthier of Caesar’s competitors, dreaded more the uncertainty of the issue, sent and tried to induce Caesar to desist from his ambitious project, offering him large sums of money. But Caesar declared that he would carry the contest through even though he had to borrow still larger sums.
The day for the election came, and as Caesar’s mother accompanied him to the door in tears, he kissed her and said: “Mother, to-day thou shalt see thy son either pontifex maximus or an exile.”