He next set out against Spanish Carthage, but since in his absence Pollio made an attack and did some damage, he returned with a large force, met his opponent, and routed him, after which the following accident enabled him to terrify and conquer the rest also, who were contending fiercely. Pollio had cast off his general's cloak, in order to suffer less chance of detection in his flight, and another man of the same name, a distinguished knight, had fallen. The soldiers, hearing the name of the latter, who was lying there, and seeing the garment, were deceived, thinking that their general had perished, and so surrendered. In this way Sextus conquered and gained possession of nearly the whole region.
When he had become powerful, Lepidus arrived to govern the adjoining portion of Spain, and persuaded him to enter into an agreement on the condition of recovering his father's estate.Antony, influenced by his hostility toward Caesar, caused such a decree to be passed.So Sextus departed from Spain.As for Caesar and Antony, in all their acts they were opposing each other, but had not yet fallen out openly, and while in reality they had become enemies, they tried to disguise the fact so far as appearances went.As a result all other interests in the city were in great confusion.The citizens were still at peace and yet already at war; the appearance of liberty was kept up, but the deeds done were those of monarchy.
To a casual observer Antony seemed to be getting the best of it, but the zeal of the masses was for Caesar.This was partly on his father's account, partly on account of their hopes for what he kept promising them, but above all because they were displeased at the power of Antony and were inclined to assist Caesar while he was as yet devoid of strength.Neither man had their affection; but they were always eager for a change of government, and it was their nature to overthrow every party that had the upper hand and to help the one that was being oppressed.They made use of the two to suit their own desires.Thus, after humbling Antony at this time through Caesar, they next undertook to destroy the latter also.
