My brother’s keeper

Abstract This chapter focuses on Italian affairs during Antony’s reorganization of Rome’s eastern empire. Topics include: Lucius Antonius’ alliance with Fulvia and their opposition to the policies of Octavian; Italian miseries owing to the colonization of veterans; refugees in Rome and the municipalities; military opposition to the triumvirs by Sextus Pompey and Domitius Ahenobarbus, which causes scarcity and anxiety in Rome and Italy; Antonius’ advocacy of the Italian municipalities; his early political successes against Octavian; Octavian’s concessions in the agreement at Teanum; uncertainty in Italy over the position of Antony owing to slow communications between west and east; the unexpected outbreak of civil war, during which Marcus Agrippa becomes central to the operations of Octavian’s forces; the return of Antony’s quaestor, Marcus Barbatius Pollio, and its effect on the politics of the conflict; the siege at Perusia resulting in Antonius’ capitulation; Octavian’s propaganda attacking Antonius and Fulvia; Octavian’s pardon and promotion of Antonius; the aftermath for Perusia; Octavian’s attempts to restore order and avoid further conflict; the departure of Fulvia and Julia, Antony’s mother, for the east.