So Octavian was the only one left to avenge his father, for Antonius let the whole matter pass, and was even in favor of an amnesty for the assassins. A number of men, indeed, joined Octavian, but many joined Antonius and Dolabella also. There were others who, from a middle ground, tried to foment enmity between them, and doing so. . [lacuna] The chief of these were the following men: Publius, Vibius, Lucius and especially Cicero. Octavian was not ignorant of the reason why the associated themselves with him, trying to provoke him against Antonius, but he did not repel them, for he wished to have their assistance and a more powerful guard thrown around him,
though he was aware that each of these men was very little concerned over public interests but that they were looking about for an opportunity to acquire public office and supreme power.To their mind, the man who had previously enjoyed that power was out of the way, and Octavian was not likely to hold out against so great a tumult, with one man looking out for one thing, another for another, and all of them aeizing what they could for their own gain.For with all attention to public welfare put away, and with the foremost citizens separated into many factions, and everyone trying to encompass all the power for himself, or at least as much of it as could be detached, the rule showed many strange aspects.
Lepidus, who had broken off a part of Caesar's army and who was trying to seize the command himself, was in Nearer Spain; he also held the part of Gaul which borders on the upper sea. Gallia Comata Lucius Munatius Plancus, the consul-elect, held with another army. Farther Spain was in charge of Gaius Asinius, with another army. Decimus Brutus held Cisalpine Gaul with two legions, against whom Antonius was just preparing to march. Gaius Brutus laid claim to Macedonia, and was just about to cross over to that place from Italy; Cassius Longinus laid claim to Syria, though he had been appointed Praetor for Illyria.
領事に選出されたGallia Comata Lucius Munatius Plancusはほかの部隊を引き連れていた。
スペインからはるか遠い場所にはGaius Asiniusがほかの部隊と共にいた。
Decimus Brutus は、進軍の準備をしているAntoniusと対峙するために、Cisalpine Gaul と共に二つの軍団を率いていた。
Gaius BrutusはMacedoniaの所有権を主張し、たった今イタリアの国境を越え領土へ入ろうとしていた。
Cassius Longinusはリリヤの法務官に任命されたにも関わらずシリアの所有権を主張していた。