[117] Monum. Ancyr. § 1, respublica ne quid detrimenti caperet me pro prætore cum consulibus providere iussit. This was a general order, neither Antony nor any particular hostis being named.
[118] Octavian first assumed the fasces (symbol of imperium) on the 7th of January (C. I. L. x. 8375.)
[119] Cicero, 8 Phil. §§ 25-28.
[120] The letter is preserved in the 13th Philippic, with Cicero’s bitter comments. It dwells on the favours and honours voted to the chief assassins, as well as the abolition of many of Cæsar’s acta. Antony also asserts that Lepidus and Plancus are on his side and warns Octavian that Cicero is playing him false.
[121] The country is very flat, but was intersected by drains and watercourses, making military evolutions difficult, if not impossible, in the rainy season. (App., b. c. 3, 65.)
[122] Such as the cavalry engagement between Pontius Aquila and Tib. Munatius Plancus at Pollentia (Dio, 46, 38). Octavian also suffered some loss by the desertion of some Gallic cavalry (ib. 37).
[123] Cic., ad Brutum, ii. 2.
[124] In enrolling legions Bassus was probably justified by the SCtum ultimum, which included the prætors. He was known to be a supporter of Antony, and might be thought capable of occupying Rome in his interest. We shall see afterwards that he joined him in Cisalpine Gaul. Some rumour of his being likely to act in this way had been rife before January 1st, when he was only prætor-designate. (See Cic., ad Att. xvi. 1; ad Brut. i. 3.)
[125] Cicero says of Octavian that he secundum proelium fecit because he castra multarum legionum paucis cohortibus tutatus est (14 Phil. § 28). The attack on the camp is not mentioned elsewhere (ib. § 37). For his being greeted as Imperator see C. I. L. ix. 8375.
[126] Cic., ad Brut. 1, 3, 5.