April 14–21, 43 BC · Cisalpine Gaul (northern Italy) Theater
April 14–21, 43 BC
After Caesar's assassination on the Ides of March 44 BC, Mark Antony seized the initiative — acquiring Caesar's papers, his money, and the loyalty of his veterans. His political position became untenable when Octavian, Caesar's 18-year-old great-nephew and heir, arrived in Rome and began recruiting Caesar's veterans by paying them from his own inheritance. The Senate, manipulated by Cicero who hoped to use Octavian against Antony, declared Antony a public enemy and sent both consuls (Hirtius and Pansa) north with Octavian to relieve Decimus Brutus, whom Antony was besieging at Mutina. Two battles were fought on successive days: in the first Antony was defeated by Pansa's army, though Pansa himself was mortally wounded; in the second Antony defeated Hirtius but Hirtius was killed. Both consuls died within days — conveniently for Octavian, who was left in sole command of the Republican forces he had just been fighting alongside.
Commanders