Battle of Philippi

For the American Civil War battle, see Battle of Philippi Races.

Related Topics:
American Civil War - Battle of Philippi Races

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Battle of Philippi was the final battle in the Wars of the Second Triumvirate between the forces of Mark Antony and Octavian (the Second Triumvirate) against the forces of Julius Caesar's assassins Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus in 42 BC, at Philippi in Macedonia. The Second Triumvirate declared this civil war to avenge Julius Caesar's murder.

Related Topics:
Wars of the Second Triumvirate - Mark Antony - Octavian - Second Triumvirate - Julius Caesar - Marcus Junius Brutus - Gaius Cassius Longinus - 42 BC - Philippi - Macedonia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This battle was also in the famous Shakespearean play Julius Caesar. It was the background of the story from Act 4 to Act 5.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The battle consisted of two engagements in the plain West of the ancient city of Philippi. The first occurred on the first week of October; Brutus faced Octavian, while Antony's forces were up against those of Cassius. At first, Brutus pushed back Octavian and entered his legions' camp. But to the south, Antony defeated Cassius, and Cassius, hearing a false report of Brutus' failure, committed suicide. Brutus rallied Cassius's remaining troops and both sides ordered their army to retreat to their camps with their spoils, and the battle was essentially a draw, but for Cassius' suicide.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A second encounter, on 23 October, finished off Brutus's forces, and he committed suicide in turn, leaving the triumvirate in control of the Roman Republic.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~