it was still uncertain which of the two would prevail, done away with all
the privileges which formerly, granted to any person beyond the customs
of the forefathers, had paved the way to sovereignty: they voted that
this edict should apply to both parties, intending by it to anticipate
the victor, while laying the blame upon the other, who should be
defeated. First they forbade any one to hold office more than a year, and
second that any superintendent of grain supplies or commissioner of food
should be chosen. When they ascertained the outcome, they rejoiced at
Antony's defeat, changed their raiment once more, and celebrated a solemn
thanksgiving for sixty[21] days. All those arrayed on his side they held
in the light of enemies, and took possession of their property as they
did of the leader's. [-40-] Nor did they propose that Caesar any longer
should receive any great reward, but even undertook to overthrow him, by
allowing Decimus to secure all the prizes for which he was hoping. They
voted Decimus not only the right of sacrifice but a triumph and gave him
charge of the rest of the war and of the legions,--those of Vibius and
others. Upon the soldiers that had been besieged with him they resolved
that eulogies should be bestowed and all the other rewards which
had formerly been offered to Caesar's men, although these troops had
contributed nothing to the victory, but had merely beheld it from the
walls. Aquila, who had died in the battle, they honored with an image,
and restored to his heirs the money which he had expended from his own
purse for the equipment of Decimus's soldiers. In a word, practically
every advantage that had been given Caesar against Antony was voted to
others against the man himself. And to the end that no matter how much he
might wish it he should not be able to do any harm, they armed all his
enemies against him. To Sextus Pompey they entrusted the fleet, to Marcus
Brutus Macedonia, and to Cassius Syria together with the war against
Dolabella. They would certainly have further deprived him of the forces
that he had, but they were afraid to vote this openly, owing to their