ng year, but from this time
on he took the name of Caesar.(13)

Antony underestimated the capacities of this rather sickly youth and
continued to refuse him recognition, but was soon made aware of his
mistake. He himself was anxious to occupy his province of Cisalpine Gaul,
and since Decimus Brutus refused to evacuate it, Antony determined to
drive him out and obtained permission to recall for that purpose the four
legions from Macedonia. Before their arrival Octavian raised a force among
Caesar's veterans in Campania, and on the march from Brundisium to Rome
two of the four Macedonian legions deserted to him. The Caesarians were
now divided into two parties, and Octavian began to cooeperate with the
republicans in the Senate. The latter were thus encouraged to oppose
Antony with whom reconciliation was impossible. Cicero, who had not been
among the conspirators but who had subsequently approved Caesar's murder,
was about to leave Italy to join Brutus when he heard of the changed
situation in Rome and returned to assume the leadership of the republican
party. Antony left Rome for the Cisalpine province early in December, 44
B. C., and Cicero induced the Senate to enter into a coalition with
Octavian against him. In his _Philippic Orations_ he gave full vent to his
bitter hatred of Antony and so aroused the latter's undying enmity.

*The war at Mutina, December 44-April 43 B. C.* In Cisalpine Gaul Decimus
Brutus, relying upon the support of the Senate, refused to yield to Antony
and was blockaded in Mutina. The Senate made preparations for his relief.
Antony was ordered to leave the province, and Hirtius and Pansa, who
became consuls in January, 43, took the field against him. The aid of
Octavian was indispensable and the Senate conferred upon him the
propraetorian _imperium_ with consular rank in the Senate. The combined
armies defeated Antony in two battles in the vicinity of Mutina, forcing
him to give up the siege and flee towards Transalpine Gaul. But Pansa died
of wounds received in the first engagement and Hirtius fell in the course
of the second. Ignoring Octavian, the Senate entrusted Brutus with the
command and the task of pursuing Antony. The power of the Senate seemed
reestablished, for Marcus Brutus and Cassius had succeeded in their design
of getting control of the eastern provinces, Dolabella having perished in
the conflict, and were at the head of a considerable military and naval
force. The Senate accord