rmer event he
felt that Brutus and Cassius would attain power, and in the latter that
Antony would have it all himself; therefore he made haste though still
unwell. At this action the followers of Antony also took courage. And
since it did not seem safe for them to refuse to encamp together, they
brought the three divisions together to one spot and into one stronghold.
While the opposing forces were facing each other sallies and excursions
took place on both sides, as chance dictated. For some time, however, no
ordered battle was joined, although Caesar and Antony were exceedingly
anxious to bring on a conflict. Their forces stronger than those of their
adversaries, but they were not so abundantly supplied with provisions,
because their fleet was away fighting Sextus and they were therefore not
masters of the sea.

[-38-] Hence these men for the reasons specified and because of Sextus,
who held Sicily and was making an attempt on Italy, were excited by
the fear that while they delayed he might capture Italy and come
into Macedonia. Cassius and Brutus had no particular aversion to a
battle,--they had the advantage in the number of soldiers, though the
latter were deficient in strength,--but some reflection on their own
condition and that of their opponents showed them that allies were being
added to their own numbers every day and that they had abundant food by
the help of the ships; consequently they put off action in the hope of
gaining their ends without danger and loss of men. Because they were
lovers of the people in no pretended sense and were contending with
citizens, they consulted the interests of the latter no less than those
of their own associates, and desired to afford preservation and liberty
to both alike. For some time, therefore, they waited, not wishing to
provoke a contest with them. The troops, however, being composed mostly
of subject nations, were oppressed by the delay and despised
their antagonists who, apparently out of fear, offered within the
fortifications the sacrifice of purification, which regularly precedes
struggles. Hence they urged a battle and spread a report that if there
should be more delay, they would abandon the camp and disperse; and at
this the leaders, though against their will, went to meet the foe.

[-39-] You might not unnaturally guess that this struggle proved
tremendous and surpassed all previous civil conflicts of the Romans.
This was not because these contestants excel