in numbers to their adversaries then present and by that means got
possession of Symbolon, having first ejected the inhabitants. In this way
they were able to bring provisions from the sea, over a shorter stretch
of country, and had only to make a descent from the plain to get them.
For Norbanus and Saxa did not venture to offer them battle with their
entire force, though they did send out horsemen to make sorties, wherever
opportunity offered. Accomplishing nothing, however, they were rather
careful to keep their camp well guarded than to expose it to danger,
and sent in haste for Caesar and Antony. These leaders on learning that
Cassius and Brutus were for some time busy with the Rhodians and the
Lycians had thought that their adversaries would have more fighting on
their hands there, and so instead of hastening had sent Saxa and Norbanus
forward into Macedonia. On finding out that their representatives were
caught they bestowed praise on the Lycians and Rhodians, promising to
make them a present of money, and they themselves at once set out from
the city. Both, however, encountered a delay of some time,--Antony near
Brundusium, because blocked by Staius, and Caesar near Rhegium, having
first turned aside to meet Sextus, held Sicily and was making an attempt
on Italy. [-37-] When it seemed to them to be impossible to dislodge him,
and the case of Cassius and Brutus appeared to be more urgent, they left
a small part of their army to garrison Italy and with the major portion
safely crossed the Ionian sea. Caesar fell sick and was left behind at
Dyrrachium, while Antony marched for Philippi. For a time he was a source
of some strength to his soldiers, but after laying an ambush for some of
the opposite party that were gathering grain and failing in his attempt
he was no longer of good courage himself. Caesar heard of it and feared
either possible outcome, that his colleague should be defeated in a
separate attack or again that he should conquer: in the former 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