114 Such was the end of Gaius, lying lifeless from his many wounds.

115 Now that they had finished with him, Chaerea and his friends saw that there was no escape if they went back the same way. What caused them hesitation was the act itself; for great danger faced the assassins of an emperor whom the foolish people loved and honoured, and when the soldiers came to look for him there would

116 be bloodshed. Besides, the streets were narrow where they had done the deed, and blocked by a great crowd—not only the servants, but also the soldiers who were on duty that day to guard the emperor.

117 So they went by different streets, and reached the house of Germanicus, father of Gaius whom they had just killed, which was adjacent. (This was because the imperial residence, though a unity, was made up severally of the buildings belonging to each one of those who had been born in the ruling power, named after those who had built them or even begun building any of the parts.)

118 Having got away from the approach of the crowd, they were safe for the moment while no-one yet knew what disaster had befallen the emperor.

119 The first people to realise that Gaius was dead were his German bodyguard, who made up the unit named after the Celtic nation

120 from which they were recruited. Their national characteristic is hot temper of a kind rare even among other barbarians, since the Germans are less able to calculate their actions. Physically very powerful, they achieve great results by engaging at the first rush

121 any whom they decide are enemies. Their judgements are based on their own advantage, not the general merits of the case, and Gaius had secured their goodwill with gifts of money. So they loved him, and when they heard of his murder they felt it deeply.

122 Sabinus was in charge of them—an officer whose command over such men was due to physical strength rather than the excellence and nobility of his ancestors; he was, in fact, a gladiator. With drawn swords, the Germans went through the house in search of Caesar's murderers.