Livy, Periochae 121-125

A large part of Livy's History of Rome since the Foundation is now lost, but fortunately we have an excerpt, called the Periochae, which helps us reconstruct the general scope. This translation was made by Jona Lendering.

From Book 121

[121.0] Reportedly published after the death of Augustus

[121.1] [43 BCE] Gaius Cassius, who had been sent by the Senate to pursue Dolabella (who was declared an enemy of the state), used the authority of the republic to obtain the three armies that were stationed in the province of Syria, laid siege to the town of Laodicea and forced Dolabella to commit suicide.

[121.2] Gaius Antonius was captured and executed too, by command of Marcus Brutus.

From Book 122

[122.1] For some time, Marcus Brutus waged a successful war against the Thracians, and when all the provinces and armies across the sea were in his and Gaius Cassius' power, they came together in Smyrna to make plans for the future war.

[122.2] Together, they pardoned Marcus Messala, convinced by his brother Publicola.

From Book 123

[123.1] [42] Sextus Pompeius, son of Pompeius the Great, who had assembled exiles and runaways from Epirus, and had for a long time been active as pirate, without having a real base, first captured Messina (a town on Sicily) and then the whole province, and, having killed governor Pompeius Bithynicus, he defeated Quintus Salvidenus, who had been sent by Caesar, in a naval battle.

[123.2] Caesar and Mark Antony crossed over to Greece with their armies to wage war against Brutus and Cassius.

[123.3] In Africa, Quintus Cornificius fought against Titus Sextius, the leader of the faction of Cassius, and defeated him.

From Book 124

[124.1] At Philippi, Gaius Caesar and Mark Antony fought against Brutus and Cassius. The outcome was inconclusive because on both sides the right wing won and on both sides the camp was taken by those who had been victorious. 

[124.2] But the death of Cassius tipped the scales. He had been on the wing that had been defeated and, believing that the whole army had been beaten, chose death.

[124.3] On the next day, Marcus Brutus was defeated, and he put an end to his life, asking Strato (who was fleeing too), to drive his sword through him. He was about forty years old.

[124.4] ...^note[Lacuna.] among whom Quintus Hortensius was killed.

From Book 125

[125.1] [41] [Octavian] Caesar, leaving Mark Antony overseas (the provinces in that part of the empire had been placed under his command), returned to Italy and gave land to his veterans.

[125.2] At great danger he suppressed rebellions in his army, which certain soldiers, corrupted by Fulvia, the wife of Mark Antony, had stirred up against its general.

[125.3] Consul Lucius Antonius, brother of Mark Antony, launched a war against Caesar.

[125.4] The peoples whose country had been given to the veterans, had sided with him, and he defeated Marcus Lepidus, who was responsible for the defense of the city, and forced his way into Rome.