Philippi I (42 BC)

Caesar’s assassination plunged the Roman world into chaos and civil war. On one side was the Second Triumvirate of Mark Anthony, Aemilius Lepidus, and Octavian, Caesar’s nephew, which aimed to avenge Caesar’s murder. Opposing them were the assassins Marcus Brutus …

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Caesar’s assassination plunged the Roman world into chaos and civil war. On one side was the Second Triumvirate of Mark Anthony, Aemilius Lepidus, and Octavian, Caesar’s nephew, which aimed to avenge Caesar’s murder. Opposing them were the assassins Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius, who sought to re-establish the Republic. The Republicans levied a large army in the east and set up camp near Philippi in Macedonia. With ample supplies, the fortified Republican position between two hills and a marsh seemed impregnable. When Mark Antony and Octavian arrived with their large veteran army, they camped a short distance from the Republicans’ fortified position. Beset with supply problems, Antony constructed a causeway through the marsh and only then attacked. Capturing the high ground forced Cassius to weaken his front. Brutus marched out to take Antony in the flank, and Octavian in turn marched forward to engage Brutus’ forces. Brutus’ Republican legions defeated Octavian’s forces and captured his camp. Meanwhile, Cassius lost his camp to Antony’s outflanking force. Falsely believing Brutus had also been defeated, Cassius committed suicide. The battle ended with both sides overextended and each returned to their original lines to wait for another day to decide who would win.

Filippoi, Greece

The Battle of Philippi was the final battle in the Wars of the Second Triumvirate between the forces of Mark Antony and Octavian and the leaders of Julius Caesar's assassination, Brutus and Cassius in 42 BC, at Philippi in Macedonia. The Second Triumvirate declared the civil war ostensibly to avenge Julius Caesar's assassination in 44 BC, but the underlying cause was a long-brewing conflict between the so-called Optimates and the so-called Populares.

Wikipedia: Battle of Philippi

Republican

Triumvirate

Liberators Civil War