h he was devoted.

(M1029) Antonius, also aware of the struggle which was impending, sought
to obtain the government of Cisalpine Gaul, and of the six legions
destined for the Parthian war. But he was baffled by the Senate, and by
the intrigues of Octavius, who sheltered himself behind the august name of
the man by whom he had been adopted. He therefore made a hollow
reconciliation with Octavius, and by his means, obtained the Gaulish
provinces. Cicero, now only desirous to die honorably, returned to Rome to
accept whatever fate was in store for him, and defend to the last his
broken cause. It was then, in the Senate, that he launched forth those
indignant philippies against Antonius, as a public enemy, which are among
his greatest efforts, and which most triumphantly attest his moral
courage.

The hollow reconciliation between Antonius and Octavius was not of long
duration, and the former, as consul, repaired to Brundusium to assume
command of the legions stationed there, and Octavius collected his forces
in Campania. Both parties complained of each other, and both invoked the
name of Caesar. Cicero detested the one, and was blinded as to the other.

(M1030) The term of office as consul, which Antonius held, had now
expired, and Hirtius, one of the new consuls, marched into Cisalpine Gaul,
and Octavius placed himself under his command. The Senate declared a state
of public danger. The philippics of Cicero had taken effect, and the
Senate and the government were now opposed to Antonius, as the creator of
a new revolution. The consuls crossed swords with Antonius at Forum
Gallorum, and the consul Pansa fell, but success was with the government.
Another success at Mutina favored the government party, which Octavius had
joined. On the news of this victory, Cicero delivered his fourteenth and
last philippic against Antonius, who now withdrew from Cisalpine Gaul, and
formed a junction with Lepidus beyond the Alps. Octavius declined to
pursue him, and Plancus hesitated to attack him, although joined by
Decimus, one of the murderers of Caesar, with ten legions. Octavius now
held aloof from the government army, from which it was obvious that he had
ambitious views of his own to further, and was denounced by Plancus to
Cicero. The veteran statesman, at last, perceived that Octavius, having
deserted Decimus (who, of all the generals, was the only one on whose
fidelity the State could securely lean), was not to be further relied