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410 really to have intended to cast in his lot with the Republic, though his wavering faith failed him in the moment of danger.

Meantime the war before Mutina was approaching its crisis. Early in January (43 B.C.) Hirtius had joined Octavian in Cisalpine Gaul, and some weeks later the two advanced as far as Bononia. The other consul, Pansa, remained for a time in Rome, but about the end of March he led four newly levied legions northwards and joined his colleagues. On the 15th of April the first battle was fought at Forum Gallorum. Antony was worsted by the combined forces of the consuls and Octavian, and retired during the night to his camp before Mutina. In this encounter Pansa received a wound, from the effects of which he died about a fortnight later. While Pansa still lived, a second engagement took place before Mutina. This time Antony's forces were entirely defeated, his best troops were cut to pieces, and he was driven to a precipitate retreat. Hirtius was killed in the act of storming the enemy's camp.

With the relief of Decimus Brutus and the flight of Antony Rome believed that the war was at an end. The multitude thronged to Cicero's house, as soon as the news of the first battle arrived, and conducted him in triumph to the Capitol, where he returned solemn thanks to the gods for the salvation of the Republic. The Fourteenth Philippic Oration, the last which Cicero ever published, was delivered the same day in the Senate, and records the votes of honours to the commanders and rewards to the