Augustus

In the first week or so of April My description seeks to reconcile differences among the sources—App 366–72, Cic Fam 378 10 30, and Dio 37–38.

“they put the survivors” App 370.

“He did not reappear” Suet Aug 10 4.

“Though bleeding and wounded” Ibid., 10 4.

“It is quite incredible” Cic Brut 12 2 (1 6 2).

“Nature forbids me” App 373.

“I have given plenty of hints” Ibid., 380.

“this abominable war” Cic Fam 384 10 14.

“spineless readiness to serve” App 392.

twelve vultures It can be argued that this story is a fiction put about by Octavian’s propagandists. It seems unlikely, though, that such a public event was invented when thousands of Romans could give it the lie.

VII. KILLING FIELDS

Appian provides a detailed narrative, and Dio also covers this period. Plutarch and Suetonius evoke the impact of Philippi on individuals. The discussion of Sextus Pompeius is indebted to Sextus Pompeius, Anton Powell and Kathryn Welch, eds.

“he carried it out more ruthlessly” Suet Aug 27 1.

he let his own uncle Plut Ant Comp 51.

“Many people were murdered” App 413.

One tragic tale Ibid., 430.

A funerary inscription Laudatio Turiae, ILS.

“You provided abundantly” Ibid., 2a.

A year later That is, after the battle of Philippi.

“That matter was soon” Laudatio Turiae 11, ILS.

“I did not take my father’s line” Suet Aug 70 2.

still a very young man App 5133. For Sextus’ age, see Powell/Welch, pp. 105–6.

“Whoever makes his journey” Quoted, from an unidentified play, by App 285.

“With his greater mobility” Ibid., 483.

“His small boats” Ibid., 436.

“for the sake of ensuring harmony” Vell Pat 2623.

According to Agrippa and Maecenas Pliny 745.

“[Octavian] heard of the situation” Dio 47 37.

“fog of war” The phrase originated in the Napoleonic Wars and referred to the clouds of smoke produced by black gunpowder. The Prussian military thinker Karl von Clausewitz used the term to refer to the difficulty of getting reliable information, even of the most basic sort, during a war.

“returned looking more like porters” App 4 112.

“Tell him I wish him” Ibid.

“gave orders” Val Max 171.

spent three days skulking Pliny 7 148.

“Some committed suicide” App 4 115–16. Perhaps a generic description.

“like women, inactive and afraid” Ibid., 4123.

“as though they were tipping over” Ibid., 4128.

“O wretched valour” Dio 47 49 2.

“Yes, that’s right, but with our hands” Plut Brut 52 3.

“a singularly gentle nature” Ibid., 29 3.

“That’s a matter for the carrion birds” Suet Aug 13 2.

Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus He is the Enobarbus of Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra.

“We two once beat a swift retreat” Hor Odes 27. Some have argued that leaving one’s shield on a battlefield was a familiar literary device. Maybe, but it must often have happened in real life. There is no reason to disbelieve the often autobiographical poet.

VIII. DIVIDED WORLD

Appian and Dio are the main sources. Plutarch’s life of Mark Antony is important, especially his famous account of Antony and Cleopatra’s meeting at Tarsus.

“People came in groups” App 512.

“From what other source” Dio 48 8.

“He learned from actual experience” Ibid.

“They came very near to killing” Ibid., 48 9.

“The civilian population” App 518.

“entirely clearing pirates” Plut Pomp 26 4.

“To most people” Plut Ant 24 4.

“circus-rider of the civil wars” Sen Suas 17.

“[She] was in a barge” Plut Ant 26 1–2.

“for the happiness of Asia” Ibid., 26 3.

“the soldier rather than the courtier” Ibid., 27 1.

“had earnestly devoted himself” Dio 48 27 2.

“And why should anyone” Ibid., 48 10 4.

surprised by a sudden sortie Suet Aug 14.