70 Chaerea's companions caused daily postponements. Many of them were hesitant, unlike Chaerea himself, who would not willingly delay action but thought any moment appropriate for the deed.

71 Opportunities were frequent when Gaius went up to the Capitol for the sacrifices offered on behalf of his daughter. When he stood on top of the basilica, throwing gold and silver coins to the people, he could have been hurled down headlong from the high roof overlooking the forum. Or during the performance of the mystery-

72 cult he had established—for in his determination to conduct himself properly, he was oblivious to everything, and confidently refused to believe that anyone would attack him. Even if there came no sign

73 from heaven to give Chaerea the power of execution, he had enough bodily strength himself to despatch Gaius then, even without a sword.

So Chaerea was furious with his colleagues, fearing that the

74 opportunities would slip through their fingers. But though they could see he had legality on his side, and was urging them for their own good, they still thought he should postpone it, at least for a little while. They were afraid that if the attempt somehow went wrong, there would be chaos in the city as those who had knowledge of the plot were hunted down, and the next would-be assassins would find their valour useless because Gaius would be more on his guard against them.

75 So they decided that the best time to make the attempt was while the Palatine Games were on. These shows are held in honour of the Caesar who first transferred power from the Republic to himself. There is a wooden hut just in front of the imperial residence, and the audience, besides the emperor, consists of the Roman nobility with their wives and children.

76 It would be easy for them to make their attempt as he entered; with so many thousands of people crowded in a narrow space, his guards would not have the chance to help him even if any of them wanted to.