as whether Rome should be governed by the
old forms, or by an imperator with absolute authority. The forces arrayed
on that fatal battle-field--the last conflict for liberty ever fought at
Rome--were three times as great as fought at Pharsalia. On that memorable
battle-field the republic perished. The battle was fairly and bravely
fought on both sides, but victory inclined to the Caesarians, in two
distinct actions, after an interval of twenty days, B.C. 42. Both Cassius
and Brutus fell on their own swords, and their self-destruction, in utter
despair of their cause, effectually broke up their party.

(M1032) The empire was now in the hands of the triumvirs. The last contest
was decisive. Future struggles were worse than useless. Destiny had
proclaimed the extinction of Roman liberties for ever. It was vice and
faction which had prepared the way for violence, and the last appeal to
the sword had settled the fate of the empire, henceforth to be governed by
a despot.

But there being now three despots among the partisans of Caesar, who sought
to grasp his sceptre, Which should prevail? Antonius was the greatest
general; Octavius was the greatest man; Lepidus was the tool of both. The
real rivalry was between Octavius and Antonius. But they did not at once
quarrel. Antonius undertook the subjugation of the eastern provinces, and
Octavius repaired to Rome. The former sought, before the great encounter
with his rival, to gain military _eclat_ from new victories; the latter to
control factions and parties in the capital. They first got rid of
Lepidus, now that their more powerful enemies were subdued, and compelled
him to surrender the command in Italy and content himself with the
government of Africa. Antonius, commanding no less than twenty-eight
legions, which, with auxiliaries, numbered one hundred and seventy
thousand, had perhaps the best chance. His exactions were awful; but he
squandered his treasures, and gave vent to his passions.

(M1033) The real cause of his overthrow was Cleopatra, for had he not been
led aside by his inordinate passion for this woman, and had he exercised
his vast power with the wisdom and ability which he had previously shown,
the most able of all of Caesar's generals, he probably would have triumphed
over every foe. On his passage through Cilicia, he was met by Cleopatra,
in all the pomp and luxury of an Oriental sovereign. She came to deprecate
his wrath, ostensibly, and ascended the Cydnus