not even now recede from their position regarding the freedom of the
people, and as they were eager also to overthrow their opponents, three
in number and the authors of such deeds, they could plan and accomplish
everything in common with much greater zest. To be brief, they resolved
to enter Macedonia and to hinder the others from crossing over there, or
else to cross into Italy before the others started. Since the men were
said to be still settling affairs in Rome and it was thought likely that
they should have their hands full with Sextus, lying in wait near by,
they did not carry out their plans immediately. Instead, they went about
themselves and sent others in various directions, winning over such as
were not yet in accord with them, and gathering money and soldiers.
[-33-] In this way nearly all the rest, even those who had before paid no
attention to them, at once made agreements with them; but Ariobarzanes,
the Rhodians, and the Lycians, though they did not oppose them, were
still unwilling to form an alliance with them. These were therefore
suspected by Brutus and Cassius of favoring their antagonists, since they
had been well treated by the former Caesar, and fear was entertained by
the two leaders lest when they themselves departed this group should
cause some turmoil and lead the rest to revolt. Hence they determined to
turn first in the direction of these doubtful parties, hoping that since
they were far stronger in point of weapons and were willing to bestow
favors ungrudgingly they might soon either persuade or force them to
join. The Rhodians, who had so great an opinion of their seamanship that
they anticipated Cassius by sailing to the mainland and displayed to his
army the fetters they were bringing with the idea that they were going to
capture many alive, were yet conquered by him, first in a naval battle
near Myndus and later close to Rhodes itself. The commanding officer was
Staius, who overcame their skill by the number and size of his ships.
Thereupon Cassius himself crossed over to their island, where he met with
no resistance, possessing, as he did, their goodwill because of the stay