Ancient Rome : from the earliest times down to 476 A. D.Pennell, Robert F.
History
Ancient Rome : from the earliest times down to 476 A. D.
Pennell, Robert F.
Rome -- History
Octavius was cool and sagacious, without passion or affection, and
showed himself a match for all his opponents. His arrival at Rome
was disagreeable to Antony, who was unwilling to surrender Caesar's
property. He claimed that he had already expended it for public
purposes. Octavius at once paid the dead Dictator's legacies, mostly out
of his own fortune, thus making himself very popular among the people.
He then joined the party of the Senate, and during the autumn and winter
of 44 was its chief champion. He was helped by the eloquent Cicero, who
was delivering against Antony his famous fourteen PHILIPPICS,--so called
from their resemblance to the great orations of Demosthenes against
Philip.
During the spring of 43 Octavius advanced against Antony, who was at
Mutina (Modena), and defeated him in two battles. He was then appointed
Consul, and, finding it for his interest, he deserted the Senate, made
friends with Antony, and with him and Lepidus formed (27 November, 43)
the SECOND TRIUMVIRATE, assuming full authority to govern and reorganize
the state, and to hold office for five years.
The provinces were divided as follows: Lepidus was to have Spain and
Gallia Narbonensis; Antony, the rest of Gaul beyond the Alps and Gallia
Cisalpina; Octavius, Sicily, Sardinia, and Africa. A bloody prescription
followed. Among its victims were CICERO, who was surrendered to please
Antony, 300 Senators, and 2,000 Equites.
PHILIPPI AND ACTIUM.
The Triumvirs could now concentrate their energies upon the East,
whither BRUTUS and CASSIUS, the murderers of Caesar, had fled. These two
had organized in the provinces of the East an army amounting to 80,000
infantry and 20,000 cavalry. They were employed in plundering various
towns of Asia Minor, and finally, in the spring of 42, assembled their
forces at Sardis preparatory to an invasion of Europe. After marching
through Thrace they entered Macedonia, and found Antony and Octavius
opposed to them at PHILIPPI, with an army of 120,000 troops. There were
two battles at Philippi in November, 42. In the first, Brutus defeated
Octavius; but Cassius was defeated by Antony, and, unaware of his
colleague's victory, committed suicide. In the second battle, three
weeks later, Brutus was defeated by the united armies of the Triumvirs,
and, following the example of Cassius, put an end to his life. With
Brutus fell the Republic. The absolute ascendency of individuals, which
is monarchy, was then established.
The immediate result of Philippi was a fresh arrangement of the Roman
world among the Triumvirs. Antony preferred the East, Octavius took
Italy and Spain, and Africa fell to Lepidus.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account