Thus did Cassius in brief time become strong: and he sent a despatch to
Caesar about reconciliation and to the senate about the situation, couched
in similar language to that of Brutus. Therefore the senate confirmed his
governorship of Syria and voted for the war with Dolabella. [-29-] The
latter had been appointed to govern Syria and had started out while
consul, but he proceeded only slowly through Macedonia and Thrace into
the province of Asia and delayed there also. While he was still there
he received news of the decree, and did not go forward into Syria but
remained where he was, treating Trebonius in such a way as to make him
believe most strongly that Dolabella was his friend. Trebonius had his
free permission to take food for his soldiers and to live on intimate
terms with him. When his dupe became in this way imbued with confidence
and ceased to be on his guard, Dolabella by night suddenly seized Smyrna,
where the other was, slew him, and hurled his head at Caesar's image, and
thereafter occupied all of Asia. When the Romans at home heard of this
they declared war against him; for as yet Caesar had neither conquered
Antony nor obtained a hold upon affairs in the City. The citizens also
gave notice to Dolabella's followers of a definite day before which they
must leave off friendship with him, in order to avoid being regarded also
in the light of enemies. And they instructed the consuls to carry on
opposition to him and the entire war as soon as they should have brought
their temporary business to a successful conclusion (not knowing yet that
Cassius held Syria). But in order that he should not gain still greater
power in the interval they gave the governors of the neighboring
provinces charge of the matter. Later they learned the news about
Cassius, and before anything whatever had been done by his opponents at
home they passed the vote that I cited. [-30-] Dolabella, accordingly,
after becoming in this way master of Asia came into Cilicia while Cassius
was in Palestine, took over the people of Tarsus with their consent,