“In the meantime, Brutus and Cassius, the principal conspirators against Cæsar, having retired into Greece, persuaded the Roman students at Athens to declare for the cause of freedom. In Syria and Macedonia they succeeded in raising large armies, and soon found themselves in a condition to support a contest on which the empire of the world depended. While at Sardis, Brutus and Cassius are said to have had a serious misunderstanding, the effect of a jealousy which had been industriously raised between them. But no bad consequences arose from it, for immediately joining their armies, they hastened to oppose Antony and Octavius, who were rapidly advancing to meet them. Once more the empire of the world was about to be decided by a single battle. It was a time of fearful suspense. Should the arms of Brutus be successful, the Roman people might again form a free republic. On the other hand, should Octavius triumph, they had to fear a worse tyranny than ever had been exercised by Julius Cæsar. Brutus and Cassius took their station each on a little hill near the city of Philippi. Behind them was the sea, by which they might obtain supplies, and between them and the plain on which the Triumviri had encamped their army, was an impassable morass. In this favorable position, it was their policy to delay a battle as long as possible. On the contrary, the Triumviri, not being able to obtain supplies by sea, and conscious that their army could not long be sustained by the resources of the surrounding country, were eager immediately to engage. A road was constructed by them through the morass which separated the armies. The tall reeds of the morass having concealed the soldiers while making the road, Brutus and Cassius were in some measure taken by surprise when the enemy advanced over it, and the impatience of their own soldiers prevented a longer delay.