e attack of the triumvirs. In the summer of 42 B. C.
the latter transported their troops across the Adriatic in spite of the
fleet of their enemies, and the two armies faced each other near Philippi
on the borders of Macedonia and Thrace. An indecisive battle was fought in
which Antony defeated Cassius, who committed suicide in despair, but
Brutus routed the troops commanded by Octavian. Shortly afterwards Brutus
was forced by his soldiers to risk another battle. This time he was
completely defeated, and took his own life.

*The division of the Empire.* The triumvirs now redistributed the
provinces among themselves, Cisalpine Gaul was incorporated in Italy,
whose political boundaries at length coincided with its geographical
frontier. The whole of Transalpine Gaul was given to Antony, Octavian
received the two Spains, while Lepidus was forced to content himself with
Africa. He was suspected by his colleagues of having intrigued with Sextus
Pompey, and they were now in a position to weaken him at the risk of his
open hostility. From the time of the meeting near Bononia Antony had been
the chief personage in the coalition and his prestige was enhanced by his
success at Philippi. It was now agreed that he should settle conditions in
the eastern provinces and raise funds there, while Octavian should return
to Italy and carry out the promised assignment of lands to their troops.
This decision was of momentous consequence for the future. In the summer
of 41 B. C. Antony received a visit from Cleopatra at Tarsus in Cilicia.
Her personal charms and keen intelligence, which had enthralled the great
Julius, exercised an even greater fascination over Antony, whose cardinal
weaknesses were indolence and sensual indulgence. He followed Cleopatra to
Egypt, where he remained until 40 B. C.

*Octavian in Italy, 42-40 B. C.* In Italy Octavian was confronted with the
task of providing lands for some 170,000 veterans. The eighteen
municipalities previously selected for this purpose proved insufficient,
and a general confiscation of small holdings took place, whereby many
persons were rendered homeless and destitute. Few, like the poet Virgil,
found compensation through the influence of a powerful patron. A heavy
blow was dealt to the prosperity of Italy. The task of Octavian was
greatly hampered by opposition from the friends of Antony, led by the
latter's wife Fulvia and his brother Lucius Antonius. Hostilities broke
out in which Lucius