CHAP. IV.

What happened upon the death of Julius Cæsar.... A triumvirate formed and broken.

Cleopatra summoned to appear before Antony.... This general enamoured of the Egyptian queen.... The evils which this occasioned.... The battle of Actium. ... Antony and Cleopatra's death.... Octavianus, under an appearance of moderation, governs at Rome.... He is called Augustus.... His death and character.

PON the death of Cæsar the whole

UPON

of Rome was in consternation: his murderers fled to the Capitol: and Antony, with the most distinguished friends of the dictator, durst not venture abroad. During the temporary calm which ensued, an act of oblivion was obtained; and the arrangements and decrees of Cæsar were confirmed. But M. Antony aimed at the command of the state; and for this purpose the re

publican party was to be destroyed. The conspirators fled from the city; and some of them hastened to those stations, to which they had been previously appointed. Cassius went into Syria, and Brutus into Macedonia; but Antony being jealous of their power had Dollabella nominated to the latter province, and himself to the former. In the meantime there appeared C. Octavius, the grand nephew and adopted son of the dictator. When he appeared at Brundusium there were many who espoused his interests, and he changed his name into C. Julius Cæsar Octavi anus. This youth, who was but eighteen years of age, manifested address and management above his years. Antony soon felt the power of his designs; and after a personal intercourse they parted in mutual enmity. Ere long, however, a coalition was formed among Antony, Lepidus, and Octavianus ; and it was sealed with the professed intention of avenging Cæsar's death; but it was

their own aggrandisement which the parties pursued ; and in their mad career they threw down the fences of friendship, virtue, and piety. Jealousy and fear stalked ghastly in the deserted streets of Rome; and lowring suspicion entered the sacred abodes of family peace. In short, the coalition was a covenant of blood: the lives of connections and kindred were paid for the agreement; and the virtuous Cicero fell by the resentment of Antony.*

The triumvirate was soon broken, and the discordant materials were shaken asunder. Lepidus was forsaken, as of little importance to their strength. Octavianus grasped the most important provinces in the west; but Antony was conspicuous in the battle of Philippi, where Cassius fell, and where the republic of Rome expired with Brutus. Syria and the provinces of the east were allotted to

* Appian. de bell. civ. lib. iii, vol. 2. p. 861; edit. Amstelodami, 8vo. A. D. 1670.

the care and protection of Antony. Travelling toward the objects of his destination, he exposed the people to heavy imposts; and having arrived at Tarsus, he commanded Cleopatra to leave Egypt, and appear before him. Upon the death of Cæsar, Cleopatra was in reality attached to those who professed to avenge his cause; and there were four Roman legions in Egypt, which she was sending to the aid of Dolabella governor of Syria. These legions were intercepted by Cassius, and therefore Antony thought, or pretended, that she was hostile to him, and his colleague Octavius. If Cleopatra had been his eneiny, he might have treated her as such; but upon what authority could he command an independent queen to leave her country, and in a foreign land wait on a Roman general. Upon whatever pretence he summoned Cleopatra to appear before him, it is to be presumed, that he was influenced by a softer passion than that of resentment.

The fame of Cleopatra's beauty and elegance, had probably awakened the tenderest feelings, and having seen her perhaps in all her bloom and attractions, while in Italy with Julius Cæsar, he might be deeply captivated with her charms. If Cleopatra had not been induced by other motives than those of obedience to Antony, much as she respected, and perhaps feared, Rome, she would have spurned at his commands, and shewn her indignation. But having conquered Julius Cæsar, and held him in her chains, she was disposed, we may presume, through vanity and wantonness to try her power also upon M. Antony."

Whatever were the objects which Cleopatra had in view, she went aboard a galley and sailed for Cilicia. The superb vessel which conveyed her to Antony appears to have been of that con

* Dio. Cass. p. 543; Plut. in Ant.; & Appian. lib. iv. vol. 2, p. 1002; et lib. v, p. 1077.