THE SECOND TRIUMVIRATE.--PHILIPPI AND ACTIUM.


Caesar in his will had appointed GAIUS OCTAVIUS, the grandson of his
sister Julia, heir to three fourths of his property; and his other
relatives were to have the remaining fourth.

Young Octavius was in his nineteenth year when Caesar was murdered. He
went at once to Rome to claim his inheritance. Caesar's widow,
Calpurnia, had intrusted to Mark Antony all the money in the house,--a
large sum,--and had also delivered to his care all the Dictator's
writings and memoranda.

Octavius was cool and sagacious, without passion or affection, and
showed himself a match for all his opponents. His arrival at Rome was
disagreeable to Antony, who was unwilling to surrender Caesar's
property. He claimed that he had already expended it for public
purposes. Octavius at once paid the dead Dictator's legacies, mostly
out of his own fortune, thus making himself very popular among the
people. He then joined the party of the Senate, and during the autumn
and winter of 44 was its chief champion. He was helped by the eloquent
Cicero, who was delivering against Antony his famous fourteen
PHILIPPICS,--so called from their resemblance to the great orations of
Demosthenes against Philip.

During the spring of 43 Octavius advanced against Antony, who was at
Mutina (Modena), and defeated him in two battles. He was then
appointed Consul, and, finding it for his interest, he deserted the
Senate, made friends with Antony, and with him and Lepidus formed (27