The Era of the Second Triumvirate 44-31 BC

The Era of the Second Triumvirate 44-31 BC

Key figures:
Caesarians Republicans
M. Antony (cos. 44, 34, 31), Triumvir augur M. Junius Brutus (pr. 44) pontifex
M. Aemilius Lepidus (cos. 46, 42), Triumvir, Dec. Junius Brutus (cos. des. 42)
Pont. Max. C. Cassius Longinus (pr. 44) augur
C. Julius Caesar Octavian (cos. 43, 34, 32, 31-23)
Triumvir, augur and pontifex Sex. Pompey (cos. des. 35)
A. Hirtius, C. Vibius Pansa coss 43, died in office

Republicans who joined Antony after Philippi (both later defected to Caesar)
L. Domitius Ahenobarbus (cos. 32) pontifex
M. Valerius Messalla Corvinus (cos.31) supernumerary augur defended fighting for Brutus at Philippi: “Caesar, I have always taken the more just and more honorable side!”

Antony’s other men
P. Ventidius (suf. 43)
L. Munatius Plancus (cos. 42), augur? Later joined Caesar
L. Antonius (cos. 41) waged war on Caesar 41-40, pardoned
C. Asinius Pollio (cos. 40), augur? Later stayed neutral
M. Cocceius Nerva (cos. 36), brokered Pact of Brundisium
C. Sosius (cos. 32), pontifex

Caesar’s men
• M. Vipsanius Agrippa (cos. 37, 28, 27), VIIvir later entered top 3 colleges also,
commanded at Mylae, Naulochus, Spain, Actium, the East
• T. Statilius Taurus (cos. 37. 26), augur and a second priesthood
commanded in Africa, Sicily, Actium, Piedmont
• L. Arruntius (cos. 23), VIIvir, commanded at Actium
• Sex. Appuleius (cos. 29), Flamen Iulialis, augur, commanded in Asia (?)
• C. Cilnius Maecenas, equestrian, administered Italy
• C. Sallust Crispus Yngr, equestrian, administered Italy


TIMETABLE

44 Ides of March: Julius assassinated, in a deal Antony as surviving consul agrees not to punish assassins, but all of J’s reforms enacted. At J’s funeral, Antony denounces the assassins (Shakespeare), drives them from Rome, and seizes power.
late Spring: Octavius arrives in and demands his inheritance. Antony stonewalls. Under pressure from Senate, he reluctantly holds an election to fill empty consulship and then bribes the hostile winner, P. Cornelius Dollabella, to depart in pursuit of Cassius.
Fall: Antony’s misgovernance provokes Cicero’s Philippics, Senatorial opposition; adoption of Octavius ratified; Antony illegally appoints self governor of Cisalpine Gaul and departs to expel Dec. Brutus (Dec. 44).

43 Hirtius and Pansa consuls, set out to relieve Dec. Brutus in Mutina vs. Antony. With them is the adopted C. Julius Caesar Octavianus as a pro-praetor, they defeat Antony but fall. Caesar demands consulship, is refused, so he joins forces with Antony and his host Lepidus. Plancus and Pollio fail to intercept Lepidus and Antony who march on Rome.
August – Caesar and his cousin Pedius “elected” consuls, begin Proscription, formal start of Second Triumvirate,
Nov. Pedius dies, Caesar resigns. $$ rolls in. New consuls for 2 months

42 War of Philippi vs Brutus and Cassius ends in victory; Antony as the hero chooses to administer East and punish enemies of 2T incl. Egypt; Caesar returns to Italy to settle land for the veterans (unpopular). Confiscations.

41 L. Antony defends the deprived: Perusine War (Fulvia, Plancus, Pollio, L. Antony vs Caesar, Agrippa, Taurus).

40 M. Antony arrives too late, is barred entry at Tarrentum, but comes to terms in Pact of Brundisium. Octavia = Antony. Caesar turns on Sex. Pompey, but is defeated.

39 In Pact of Tarrentum, 2T and Sex. P come to terms, he is reinstated, given a future consulship, a priesthood, and his Republican allies are pardoned. Antony returns East.

38 Caesar seizes Sardinia, renews war with Sex. P, after a defeat he summons Agrippa

37 Antony in the East. Cleopatra

36 Agrippa’s navy defeats Sex. P at Mylae (draw), Naulochus. Sex. P flees east., Lepidus’ gamble for power fails, he is deposed.

35 M. Titius executes Sex. P. Antony plans Parthian invasian

34 Parthian debacle

33 Donations of Alexandria, 2T expires on 31 Dec. Caesar relinquishes titles.

32 Sosius and Domitius consuls, attack Caesar in Senate, S & D flee Rome to A, War declared on Cleopatra, S & D deposed, repl by MVM and CCC

31 Antony deposed and replaced by MVMC, war of Actium 2 Sept. the battle

30 Caesar takes Egypt, Antony commits suicide 1 Sept. Cleopatra later.

29 Caesar and Sex. Appuleius consuls

28-27 Caesar and Agrippa consuls for 2 years, in 27 new Constitution announced, LMP suggests title Augustus, his resignation rejected for a power share with the Senate

27-AD 14 reign of Augustus –
Pax Romana
Senatorial reform incl. reduction from 900 to 550 senators
Provinces divided into 2 camps – Senatorial and Imperial
Foreign expansion replaces Civil War
consular elections soon restored (22) until Tiberius (AD 15)
Numerous triumphs in 20s, after 18 no one outside Imperial Family wins one
Expansion of religious colleges by several seats
Uneasy handling of succession issue