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44 B.C.] State. Three days later he proceeded to meet the four legions at Brundisium with the intention of bringing them down on Rome. But he had to reckon with an unexpected adversary.

Caius Octavius, destined afterwards to rule the world under the name of Augustus, was the grandson of Cæsar's sister Julia, and was adopted by the Dictator's Will as his son and heir. At the moment of his uncle's assassination he was residing at Apollonia in Epirus. He forthwith assumed the name of Cæsar Octavianus and came to Italy to claim his inheritance. He arrived at Naples on the 17th of April and was met by Balbus, Hirtius, and Pansa. Next day he had an interview with Cicero at Cumæ. He professed the greatest devotion, and treated Cicero with all possible respect and friendliness. "I maintain, however," writes Cicero, "that he cannot possibly be a loyal citizen; he has around him so many who threaten death to our friends." On arriving at Rome, Octavian found that his inheritance was usurped by Antony, who had no inclination to share his wealth and power with a lad of eighteen, and who treated his claims with contempt. The first object of the young Cæsar was to bring Antony to reason, and to this end he proceeded to ally himself with the Republicans. Already in the month of June he had almost persuaded Cicero of his sincerity"—Octavian has, I perceive,