The Battles of Philippi - 976 Words

The Battles of Philippi (42 BCE): The Death of the Roman Republic The battles of Philippi remain one of the best examples of how audacity on the battlefield can influence history. The battles are the climax of the civil war following the assassination of Gaius Julius Caesar in 44 BCE by a band of prominent political figures of Rome; (led by Marcus Junius Brutus (Brutus) and Gaius Cassius Longina (Cassius)) who will be referred to in this paper as ‘the Liberators’. The Battles that occurred on the Macedonian plains from the 1st-21st of October 42 BCE will clearly show that no matter the period of history the battlefield considerations of Political, Military, Economic, Social, and Physical Environment can be exploited to achieve victory.†¦show more content†¦Well situated on the high ground fortifications the ‘Liberator’ forces could have simply outlasted the forces of the Triumvirate. Pro-Caesarian forces occupied low swampy coastal plain not well situated to support a Roman army. In an attempt to overcome Triumvirate limitations, Mark Antony constructed a causeway to support a troop movement to the ‘Liberator’s’ rear. Upon receiving intelligence that Cassius had ordered a wall to be built cutting the causeway and isolating Mark Antony from the field, Mark Antony seized the opportunity and attacked the ‘Liberators’ (Appian, 2007). Using this technique Mark Antony forced Cassius’ hand and ultimately his suicide. The Battles of Philippi hold many lessons that apply to today’s battlefield. The clearest lesson is that boldness will carry the day. By seizing the initiative Mark Anthony overcame disadvantages of terrain and logistics. His unpredictable actions led to the deaths of the two men that posed the largest threat to the Triumvirate. By understanding the effect of shock, the value of initiative, and courage the Triumvirate commanders would carry the day. Mark Antony’s understanding of enemy force str ucture and doctrine, the effects of culture, and experience as a leader allowed him to outwit his foe. His effective use of scouts and effective intelligence about ‘Liberator’ intentions allowed him toShow MoreRelatedHonor : A Tragic Hero1399 Words   |  6 Pagescommitted suicide as result of the turn of events that have happened. After this Brutus insists on fighting a battle at Philippi, against Cassius’s will, they go forth with it. Little did Brutus know, it would be resulted in Octavius’s favor. Finally, in Philippi, Brutus cannot sleep because he sees an image of Caesar’s ghost representing Brutus’s evil spirit. As the play reached the battle at Philippi, Brutus’s forces are defeated and on man is captured leading to Brutus’s own death. The same sword in whichRead More Philippi: A City of Immeasurable Significance2218 Words   |  9 PagesPhilippi: A City of Immeasurable Significance Philippi is a city rich in ancient history, and is possibly the most important archeological site of the great plain of eastern Macedonia.? The ancient town has seen the fate of the West played out within its borders on several occasions and majestic ruins left from the town?s extraordinary history testify to the great civilizations that have inhabited the region.? Philippi is most famous for two reasons: it was the scene of one of the most decisiveRead MoreJulius Caesar as the Noblest Roman of Them All Essay686 Words   |  3 Pagesconspirators kill Julius Caesar one by one. After seeing Caesars body Mark Antony, Caesars associate, plans revenge for Caesars killing. Antony then plans an alliance with Octavious. The play ends with Mark Antony winning the battle against the devious Cassius and the vulnerable Brutus. The character I firstly intend to discuss is Caesar because this is the character who the play evolves around. Caesar first enters the play after his victory in the civil warRead MoreAliaa Research Paper1172 Words   |  5 PagesLydia had moved from her home in Thyatira, Asia to Philippi, Macedonia where she was operating a Roman Government owned business, which sold Purple. Royal Purple or Tyrian was an expensive liquid purple dye that was harvested, in very small amounts, from Mollusk; common in the Mediterranean Sea. Purple cloth was especially expensive. The Roman Emperor Claudius monopolized purple by making it a controlled substance and commonly the stores selling purple were operated by members of the Royal family;Read MoreEssay on The Rise and Reign of Emperor Augustus1389 Words   |  6 PagesBrutus and Cassius had been outlawed and the amnesty revoked (the assassins had gathered large forces in the east and had gathered forces in Asia minor with 19 legion and a powerful fleet), now in the year 42BC Octavian felt he was ready for The Battle of Philippi. Unfortunately he wasn’t as successful a s he had hoped, in the first encounter with Cassius he was defeated however, and Cassius committed suicide during this engagement. During the second encounter (this time with Brutus) they had victory andRead MoreJulius Caesar Character Analysis899 Words   |  4 PagesWhich so appearing to the common eyes, we shall be called purgers, not murderers† (Shakespeare 61). Brutus thinks that if they seemed justified in Caesar’s killing, the people won’t kill them and will praise them as heros. Before going into battle at Philippi, Brutus says he wouldn’t kill himself because, â€Å"I did blame Cato for the death which he did give himself (I know not how, but I do find it cowardly and vile, for fear of what might fall, so to prevent the time of life)† (Shakespeare 187). BrutusRead MoreExamples Of Tragic Hero In Julius Caesar905 Words   |  4 Pagesdeath, his ghost haunted Brutus, informing him that he will see him on the battlefield at Philippi, as seen in the following dialogue: Brutus: Speak to me what thou art. Ghost: Thy evil spirit, Brutus. Brutus: Why com’st thou? Ghost: To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi. (IV, iii, 280-283) Caesars ghost is a manifestation of Brutus guilty conscience, foreshadowing Brutus’ death at the battle at Philippi. It is evident that Brutus feels that his part in Caesars assassination needs to be revengedRead MoreThe Tragedy Of Julius Caesar1043 Words   |  5 PagesRome, Brutus indeed paid his good intentions. Assuredly, Brutus’s three fatal mistakes could be listed in order as he joined the conspiracy, rejected killing Antony, and insisted his army must march to Philippi led to the downfall of himself. After coming back to Rome from triumphing over a battle, Julius Caesar received a warning from the soothsayer to beware the ides of March, which foreshadowed his death. Yet Cassius, on the other side, convinced Brutus of Caesar’s dangerous nature and persuadedRead MoreThe Smyrna Church, Ad 100-300 Essay1456 Words   |  6 Pagesmuch is recorded about his younger life, but according to tradition, he was mentored by the Apostle John. Later, Polycarp became the bishop of Smyrna which is in modern-day Turkey. His only known surviving writing was an epistle to the church at Philippi which revealed that he had little formal education and evidenced his humility and straightforwardness. He is also famous for combating Gnostic philosophy that had crept into the church and for converting many Gnostics to Christianity. Polycarp isRead MoreThe Battle Of The Second Triumvirate2571 Words   |  11 Pages The Battle of Philippi was the last fought battle of the wars of the second Triumvir ate. These wars were a fight between the forces of Marc Antony and Octavian of the Second Triumvirate, and the forces of Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus. Brutus and Cassius were the assassinators of Julius Caesar, Marc Antony and Octavian were very close allies with Julius Caesar and Octavian would become the heir to his throne after the assassination. Because of this, Marc Antony and Octavian would