The Siege of Perusia and the War against Sextus Pompeius 41-40BCE

After Philippi After Caesar was assassinated, Brutus insisted that Antony should not be killed. Important men such as the senators either committed suicide or were captured and executed. Those who did survive joined with Sextus Pompeius. With the Republican opposition gone, their was no longer a true Republican leader. However, Antony and Octavian were the most favoured. Due to Antony winning Philippi he could dictate the terms of the Triumvirate and he took charge of the East. Soldiers were given land for their services and many Client-Patron relationships were formed between soldiers and their generals.

Siege of Perusia 41-40BCE The Revolt of Italy, 41BCE Land in Italy was confiscated for settlement of the veterans. Due to the frustration from this, a revolt led by Lucius Antonius took place. Antony’s wife Fulvia, helped Lucius with the revolt raising eight legions. She wanted Antony to become the sole ruler of Rome. However, before this revolt they did not talk to Antony who was still in the East. They could only hold Rome for a short while before they fled to the town of Perusia.

The Siege 41-40BCE Antonius was eventually starved into surrendering and no help was given from Antony. He was sent to Spain as a legate by Octavian and was never heard of again. Antony’s wife was exiled to Sicyon and died within that year. Property was being confiscated to reward the veterans. Perusia’s Senate was executed and many of Perusia’s civilians were killed After the siege, Antony’s governor in Gaul had died so Octavian sent his own legate to occupy Gaul. Giving Octavian control of the Western half of the Empire. When Antony attempted to return to Italy Octavian refused his entry. The Treaty of Brundisium was formed through an understanding that is was Antonius’ and Fulvia’s fault for going to war and Octavian simply acted in self- defense.

The Treaty of Brundisium October 40BCE Octavian and Mark Antony have won Philippi and decided for the best of the Roman Republic to be best buds again. Octavian said to Antony “Hey bro, you should marry my sister so it looks like we are all good again” They then decided that Antony should have the East of the Roman Empire, Octavian to have the West and Lepidus got Africa. The treaty was pretty much Octavian and Antony pretending to be friends for the public and Lepidus was sent to Africa to get out of the picture but made him feel important about the whole situation. Sextus Pompeius was also on the run and Octavian said “look mate, you’re going to agree with me, otherwise I’m going to start a war”

War against Sextus Pompieus 40-36BCE Sextus Pompeius was not in the good books with Octavian, because after Caesar was killed. Pompeius worked with the Senate to take over Caesar’s remaining navy. The Republic and the Second Triumvirate had fallen, Pompeius was the representative of the Republican opposition and so Octavian did not support him. Octavian wanted to avoid war for the people. So tried to avoid conflict with Pompeius by marrying a kinswoman (family member). Despite Octavian’s attempts to become friends with Pompeius. Pompeius was not feeling it and so decided to stop the grain supply going to Rome. Antony tried to help out, but Pompeius was like “lol no” and reduced Rome to near famine

Antony decided they needed a treaty –The Treaty of Misenum Octavian was like ”fine I’ll give you back your citizenship” and Pompeius was also made proconsul of Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica. For all of this, Pompeius had to ensure the grain supply would return to Rome. In 38BCE, Pompeius defeated Octavian, therefore, Octavian was pissed off and broke the treaty. Antony came back to help Octavian and gave him 120 warships and in return promised 20,000 Italian troops. Octavian received his ships, but never gave his troops to Antony (The Treaty of Tarentum). Fighting continued against Pompeius, eventually leading to a battle at Naulochus. Pompeius was defeated, captured and executed. Pompeius was remembered as a pirate and Octavian defeating him showed that he had defeated all pirates. The grain supply was restored and the last Republican had been removed as a threat.

The Treaty of Misenum March 39BCE Caesar and Antony met Pompeius at Misenum, to make peace for they feared each others forces. Terms: Runaway slaves should be free Exiles, excluding Caesar’s assassins should return Pompeius was to be elected consul and govern in Sicily, Sardinia and Achaea for five years. Pompeius should be responsible for making peace on the seas surrounding Italy, and grain to Rome’s population.

Lepidus loses his army September 36BCE Removal of Lepidus Lepidus was a major help to Octavian defeating Pompeius. Lepidus tried to take Sicily for himself with his and Pompey’s troops but was stripped of all his powers when his men went to Octavian’s side. Lepidus’ men admired Octavian for his Courage Stage is set for showdown against Antony Octavian’s position greatly improved after the defeat of Pompeius. Octavian now had over 500 warship and 45 legions

Settlement after the war with Sextus Pompeius 36BCE When Octavian returned to Rome he was voted by the Senate to gain unlimited honours where he received an ovation, festivals on his victories and achievements, and a gold statue inscribed with “Peace, long disturbed, he re- established on land and sea.” Octavian declared peace and goodwill as the civil war had come to its end Octavian refused the transfer of the post of Pontifex Maximus from Lepidus to him since it was custom for a man to hold this for his entire life Octavian also refused the people’s wish to kill Lepidus as an enemy Octavian returned the runaway slaves to their masters drawing the civil strife to an end The cities in which Octavian had returned slaves to put him among their protecting gods