The plebs would not have given preference and votes against Caesar for one of themselves or for a mere municipal dignitary. […] More important than the kings were their rivals and heirs in power, the patricians, themselves for the most part of alien origin. […] In fear for their lives, the Liberators barricaded themselves in their houses. […] Yet even now, despite the deplorable fact that the Republicans did not dare to show themselves before the Roman People, all was not lost. […] Servilius: like other consulars averse from Antonius but unwilling to commit themselves too soon, he kept out of the way.