The Roman Revolution

Death of the Conspirators

Once Rome was ordered to Octavian's liking, he moved against the conspirators. In the year 42, he and Antony went to Greece, where Brutus and Cassius had each been raising an army. In the face of Octavian's proscriptions, many senators with Republican sympathies fled to their camps, so Brutus and Cassius now represented the bulk of the old guard of the Republic.

The armies met at Philippi. In successive battles on successive days, first Cassius was defeated and then Brutus. These were Octavian's first pitched battles. He was not a military genius, but he had a talent for surrounding himself with brilliant men loyal to him. These commanders won the battle for him. And Antony, of course, played an important role.

Both Cassius and Brutus committed suicide rather than fall into the hands of their enemies. A great many senators died at Philippi, and with them died another portion of the Republic itself. Whatever would happen next was entirely in the hands of the triumvirs.

History of Western Civilization

E.L. Skip Knox
Boise State University

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