The Second Triumvirate Flashcards
What did Antony do immediately after Caesar’s murder?
Gained support of Lepidus and his troops
Took all of Caesar’s money and papers from Calpurnia
arranged meeting of the senate
What happened in the senate meeting directly after Caesar’s death?
Caesar’s assassins granted amnesty
those eligible to take up provincial commands were allowed to
Caesar’s measures would remain unchanged
will would be read in public
body buried with all usual honours
Senate passed vote of thanks to Antony for averting outbreak of civil war and resolving difficult situation in a good fashion – Plutarch
What was in Caesar’s will?
Adopted Gaius Octavius, grandnephew, as son – heir to 3/4 of his estate
75 denarii to every member of Roman plebs (those who received corn dole) and general use of his gardens beyond the Tiber
This caused many people to like Caesar
What happened at Caesar’s funeral?
Antony read funeral oration (Plutarch) – Cassius had urged for against it, but Brutus agreed to it. According to Plutarch this was a fatal blunder on Brutus’ part – When Romans were shown the bloodstained toga and the gashes by daggers, they “almost lost control of their emotions” and there was rioting (attacked houses of assassin) and
conspirators fled from the city
Who was left in control of Rome after Caesar’s funeral? How did people react to this? What laws did he pass?
Antony
behaved, as Cicero said, in a way that showed he wanted Rome to be free.
Proposed many good measures to senate and gained their confidence.
Abolished dictatorship
allowed Decimus Brutus and Trebonius to go to their provinces and provided an exemption from duties for Brutus and Cassius as praetors (not allowed to be away from Rome for more than ten nights, but fled after funeral and never returned)
Did Antony intend to restore the republic?
No, he strengthened his position and showed signs that he intended keeping full control
How did Antony try to keep his control over Rome?
made Lepidus Caesar’s successor as pontifex maximus and persuaded him to leave for province in Spain
provided land for Caesar’s veterans in Campania – personally supervised settlements there
Accompanied by armed supporters when he returned to Rome
Acquired Caesar’s documents, and may have forged some of them
Passed law to transfer provinces Cisalpine and Transalpine Gaul to himself to keep control of Italy from Decimus Brutus. (still commanded Macedonian legions)
extended commands for proconsuls – violated Caesar’s laws
lengthened tenures of provincial governorships – annulled Caesar’s acts
Why was Caesar impressed with Octavius? What did he do because of this?
impressed with his abilities at speech giving at grandmother’s funeral
elected him to college of pontiffs
allowed him to take part in African triumph when only 16
had him enrolled into previously hereditary aristocracy – the patricians
What did Caesar do in preparation for campaign against Parthains?
Sent Octavius to Macedonia – Apollonia (Plutarch) – to complete education and receive military training (with Agrippa) – heard about death here
What did Octavius do when he heard about the death of Caesar?
Accepted inheritance, despite urging not of parents
Changed name to Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus
How did Rome react to Octavian when he came?
veterans and friend of Caesar welcomed him
Cicero didn’t trust him – letter to Atticus
Antony was rude to him – blocked him from being legally recognised as heir and refused to give the money (Plutarch)
oposed him for tribuneship and when attemped to dedicate golden chair in honour of father, Antony threatened to put in in prison unless he stopped trying to win favour with people. (Plutarch)
How did Octavian carry out Caesar’s will? How did this go down with people?
borrowed money and sold off his own property to pay the 75 denarii to each person.
great popularity, especially when following it up with the games (honouring Venus Genetrix) at his own expense
What happened at the games of Venus Genetrix?
comet seen for seven days – Caesar being received as a god – Res Gestae
Who was on what side at the battle at Mutina? Who supported who?
Antony attacking Decimus Brutus. Cicero supported Brutus, but republicans had no troops in Italy. Persuaded senate to make Antony a public enemy (Plutarch). Octavian raised army of Ceasar’s veterans and two of Antony’s Macedonian legions and went to attack Antony.
How did the senate and Cicero react to Octavian wanting to help at Mutina?
Cicero praised him and urged to give him imperium to assist consuls Hirtius and Pansa against Antony. (Plutarch)
Cicero believed that they could use Octavian then get rid of him later
