The Battles of Forum Gallorum and Mutina, 43 BC

Although Julius Caesar was winning the ongoing civil war with the Pompeian faction, his murder on the Ides of March (44 BC) plunged the Republic into a further civil war and one closer to Rome itself.

Mark Antony attempted to seize command of the Caesarian faction and its control of the Roman Republic but faced challenges from two quarters: a renewed Senate determined to rid itself of Caesarian domination and Octavian, a young man who had claimed the mantle of Caesar’s son. Facing a common enemy, these parties combined to thwart Antony’s attempt to replace Caesar, and Italy was ripped apart by two battles fought in quick succession. The Senatorial forces were led by the consuls Aulus Hirtius and Vibius Pansa, allied with Octavian Caesar, with each side battling for control of the Republic.

The author sets the political context to the battles, showing how the Caesarian Republic collapsed without its late leader and how the Senate seized the opportunity to reassert its independence.

He then analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the various armies and their commanders before giving as detailed an account as possible of the battles themselves. He explains the strategies, manoeuvres and tactics that culminated in a series of bloody stalemates, a Pyrrhic victory for the Senatorial forces (both consuls subsequently dying) and an opportunity for Octavian.

Finally, he discusses the important aftermath of the battles, which saw Antony recover and first form an alliance with his rival Lepidus and then form the Second Triumvirate with his former opponent Octavian, finally restoring Caesarian control over the Republic.