[117] After being defeated in the second engagement, Brutus retired to a hill, and slew himself in the night.
[118] The triumvir. There were three distinguished brothers of the name of Antony; Mark, the consul; Caius, who was praetor; and Lucius, a tribune of the people.
[119] Virgil was one of the fugitives, having narrowly escaped being killed by the centurion Ario; and being ejected from his farm. Eclog. i.
[120] A.U.C. 714.
[121] The anniversary of Julius Caesar's death.
[122] A.U.C. 712-718-
[123] The Romans employed slaves in their wars only in cases of great emergency, and with much reluctance. After the great slaughter at the battle of Cannae, eight thousand were bought and armed by the republic. Augustus was the first who manumitted them, and employed them as rowers in his gallies.
[124] In the triumvirate, consisting of Augustus, Mark Antony, and Lepidus.
[125] A.U.C. 723.
[126] There is no other authority for Augustus having viewed Antony's corpse. Plutarch informs us, that on hearing his death, Augustus retired into the interior of his tent, and wept over the fate of his colleague and friend, his associate in so many former struggles, both in war and the administration of affairs.