The Consul Antonius

Abstract CAESAR lay dead, stricken by twenty-three wounds. The Senate broke up in fear and confusion, the assassins made their way to the Capitol to render thanks to the gods of the Roman State. They had no further plans-the tyrant was slain, therefore liberty was restored. A lull followed and bewilderment. Sympathizers came to the Capitol but did not stay long, among them the senior statesman Cicero and the young P. Cornelius Dolabella arrayed in the insignia of a consul; for Caesar had intended that Dolabella should have the vacant place when he resigned and departed to the Balkans. The other consul, the redoubtable M. Antonius, took cover. Repulsing the invitations of the Liberators, he secured from Calpumia the Dictator’s papers and then consulted in secret with the chief men of the Caesarian faction, such as Balbus, the Dictator’s secretary and confidant, Hirtius, designated consul for the next year, and Lepidus the Master of the Horse, now left in an anomalous and advantageous position. Lepidus had troops under his command, with results at once apparent. At dawn on March 16th he occupied the Forum with armed men. Lepidus and Balbus were eager for vengeance;1 Antonius, however, sided with the moderate and prudent Hirtius.