The history of the triumvirates, the first that of Julius Cæsar, Pompey and Crassus, the second that of Augustus, Anthony and Lepidus being a faithfull collection from the best historians and other authours, concerning that revolution of the Roman government which hapned [sic] under their authority / written originally in French, and made English by Tho. Otway ...

CHAP. XLIX. The Battel of Philippi. Brutus overthrows Caesar's Troops. Cassius being defeated by Antonius, in despair kills himself.

AT break of day there appeared the Coat Armour of Purple upon the two Generals Tents, which amongst the Ro∣mans was the signal of Battel, so whilst that the Troops were putting themselves in a rea∣diness, Cassius was desirous to know Brutus's opinion of what they ought to doe in case matters should miscarry. Brutus said, That he had heretofore in his Writings condemned the death of Cato, and maintained (what was in∣deed very true) that that manner of avoiding such disgraces as Providence sends upon us, was a horrible attempt against the power of Heaven, and

wicked in the eyes of men; but that he had now al∣tered his opinion, since being no longer Master of one life, which he had sacrificed to his Countrey upon the Ides of March, he was resolved to change it for a happier if Fortune proved his Ene∣my. Cassius imbraced him, and smiling, told him, Now we may go on upon the Enemy, for ei∣ther we will be Conquerours our selves, or we will have no cause to fear those that are so. This was doubtless a sure method for the preven∣ting any farther fear, but it is very apparent by this discourse, that for this resolution they were more beholding to their frailty, than to that greatness of Soul whereon they so much valued themselves, for it was nei∣ther this Opinion, nor Caesar's death that de∣serves those Heroick Titles which Cicero in his Epistles hath given them. They after∣wards appointed their order of Battel, Bru∣tus had the right Wing with Messala, and Cassius the left. The Triumviri's Army was already drawn up, Antonius onely Comman∣ded, because Caesar was sick, whose Troops had the left Wing, and Antonius's the right. At last about Noon he marched against Cas∣sius with the party that he headed. The ine∣quality of the ground forced his Legions up∣on such a motion, that Brutus's Troops belie∣ved they were coming against them, so that without expecting the Word or the Com∣mands of their General, they advanced to re∣ceive them. Antonius avoided the ingaging, by a motion which he made to the right to go ••••ainst Cassius. He lost some Souldiers

there, and must have been fallen upon in the flank, if Caesar's Army had not advanced. Brutus's Souldiers marched without order, but with so much heat, that at the first on∣set they overthrew all that opposed them. Messala followed by three Legions, pushed even into Caesar's Camp, who had just left it, and was retreated very sick to Antonius's. They found his Litter, which they pierced several times through and through, so that a report began to be spread about that he was slain. He has since written, That one of his Friends called Artorius, persuaded him to this retreat upon the occasion of a dream. The slaugh∣ter was great in Caesar's Camp, and there fell in it 2000 Lacedemonians who fought on his side. Three of his Legions were also cut to pieces upon the spot, and Brutus must have obtained an intire Victory, could he possibly have governed the fury of his Soul∣diers, who would needs engage themselves too far. Antonius knew well how to make his advantage of this Errour, and without changing, went directly upon Cassius, who expected him in Battalia upon the advanced ground, the Combat was very rough, and af∣ter several takings and re-takings of each o∣ther, they fell together Pell-mell with their Swords in their hands. In the mean time a Party of Antonius's Souldiers opened a pas∣sage through the Lines, at the bottom of the Marsh, and when they came up, charging Cassius's Troops upon the flank, overthrew them with great slaughter. Antonius Com∣manded

four Legions to pursue the Victory over the Marsh, hastening the others to Cas∣sius's Camp, which was very ill guarded, by reason that all the Souldiers were come forth to the Battel, he soon made himself Master of it, which raised so great a consternation in the rest of the Army, that they imme∣diately dispersed themselves. Cassius did up∣on this occasion all that could be expected from a man of Courage, he returned several times to the charge, and took himself the Eagle out of an Ensigns hand, who was run∣ning away, and held it a long time before him, but he forgot the duty of a General, when he so long tamely expected Antonius, whom he ought to have charged at the same time that Brutus went on. At last his Guards forsaking him, he was forced to retreat up to an advanced ground near the City of Philippi. He had lost eight thousand Men, reckoning the Sutlers that were killed in his Camp. But there were once as many slain on Caesar's side, from whom there were taken three Ea∣gles, and several other Colours, by which Brutus believing he had gotten an intire Vic∣tory, led back his Troops loaden with pil∣lage to his Camp, when observing that in Cassius's Camp the Tents were thrown down, and perceiving by the number, and the Arms of those Souldiers who were within, that they were Enemies, he immediately de∣tached a body of Cavalry to hasten to the relief of his Friend, though by misfortune that relief did but add speed to his ruine.

Cassius was short sighted, and besides, the dust which the fight had raised all over the Field, hindred him from distinguishing Brutus's Troops. Nevertheless he saw confusedly some Cavalry marching, and sent Titinius, one of his Friends to discover what they were. He was received with great cries of joy by Brutus's Cavalry, who embracing him, asked him, What news of his General. Cassius perceiving this from the place where he was, and believing that those men who ran to em∣brace Titinius, had taken him Prisoner, Alas, said he, to preserve the remainder of a miserable life, I have exposed my best friend to be taken. At these words he went into a Tent with the Gentle∣man of his Horse, whose name was Pinda∣rus; we have no very good account of what passed there; but Cassius was found dead of a wound in his Neck, and Pindarus never ap∣peared afterwards. Titinius arrived within a moment with the Cavalry, and all rejoycing, but their joy was soon turned into a sad af∣fliction, and Titinius after having accused himself of folly and laziness, slew himself upon the body of his Friend.

Notes

• This was a Physici∣an.