Page:Antony and Cleopatra (1921) Yale.djvu/145



triple pillar of the world. A reference to the triumvirate, Octavius Cæsar, Antony, and Lepidus, then governing the Roman world. 'After the murder of Cæsar (44 B. C.) Antony conceived the idea of making himself sole ruler  Brutus refused to surrender  and Antony set out to attack him in October, 44 B. C. But at this time Octavian, whom Cæsar had adopted as his son, arrived from Illyria, and claimed the inheritance of his "father." Octavian obtained the support of the Senate and Antony was defeated at Mutina (43 B. C.) where he was besieging Brutus. The consuls, Aulus Hirtius and C. Vibius Pansa, however, fell in the battle, and the Senate became suspicious of Octavian, who entered Rome at the head of his troops, and forced the Senate to bestow the consulship upon him. Meanwhile Antony escaped effected a junction with Lepidus, and marched towards Rome with a large force of infantry and cavalry. Octavian betrayed his party, and came to terms with Antony and Lepidus. The three leaders adopted the title of Triumviri reipublicæ constituendæ as joint rulers. Gaul was to belong to Antony, Spain to Lepidus, and Africa, Sardinia, and Sicily to Octavian. [The East was held for the Republic by Brutus and Cassius.] In the following year (42 B. C.) Antony and Octavian proceeded against the conspirators Cassius and Brutus, and by the two battles of Philippi annihilated the senatorial and republican parties. Antony proceeded to Greece, and thence to Asia Minor, to procure money for his veterans and complete the subjugation of the eastern provinces. On his passage through Cilicia in 41 B. C.