Salvatoria: The Memoirs of Lucretia Aurelia

ᑕᕼᗩᑭTEᖇ ᙭᙭ᐯIII: GᕼOᔕTᔕ Oᖴ ᑭᕼIᒪIᑭᑭI

October 42 B.C

Carthage, Roman Africa

Cassius and Brutus had been active. The former led his army down into Egypt to quash Cleopatra. The Egyptians proved no match for his twelve legions, and brought Egypt to heel. He proclaimed one of her sisters, Arsinoe IV, as pharaoh, and she fled to my camp. With Cicero at side, she began negotiating. I agreed to support her cause for the throne, if, and only if she publicly decried the Caesarians, dropped all support for them, and laid her cards with the Optimates. I drew a line at proclaiming her illegitimate son with Caesar, Caesarion, as his true heir as I knew the slippery slope that would put the Liberators on. She agreed, and would hold out in Africa until the end of the war.

Cassius, while initially angry, was willing to handle my plan for the time being. We both knew Cleopatra was untrustworthy, and the moment she began considering jumping ship like the opportunistic whore she was.

Yes... I can sense the irony in that statement.

Cassius and Brutus argued for weeks about their next approach, eventually deciding to deal a hefty blow to the Rhodians and Lycians - Triumvirate allies - thus ensuring naval supremacy before moving back to Greece from Asia Minor to deal the killing blow. Cassius defeated the Rhodian navy and landed on the island, besieging it. The siege didn't last long as pro-republic factions took control of the city and opened the gates.

Brutus laid siege to Xanthos. It was far harsher, with traps and ambushes being used by both sides. Rome prevailed, and the city was burned and destroyed. With Asia Minor secured, both Liberators had assured their legions would be loyal in the coming fight with the triumvirs. They sent their fleet to blockade Brundisium, trapping the eight Caesarian legions in Greece without supply. Antony tried to break through, and called for Octavian - but he was busy dealing with me.

Knowing the importance of Sicily, Octavian led a punitive expedition to the island against my single legion. Moving swiftly I arrived on the island in June and levied a second legion on the island. Octavian had sent his best general to Sicily to "handle me" but he knew nothing of my tactics or the strength of my forces. I handed defeat to him, captured him, and utilized my selective brutality. Executing the general, I sent his head back to Octavian and absorbed his troops with my own.

I was sending a clear message: I was not fighting Rome, I was fighting the Triumvirs and their lackeys.

Octavian left for Brundisium, before he and Antony crossed the Adriatic into Greece with eleven further legions. This totaled their total force to nineteen, just barely more than Cassius and Brutus. The two allies arrived in Macedonia, gaining the support of the Thracians with a few thousand cavalry. The stage was set, and I sent advice to the two men on how to best address Octavian tactically. Our exchange of information was vital.

While this was happening I secured control of the Balearic Islands and began building my own fleet. Using my fortune I built a large fleet. Cicero and I began planning a blockade of Italy, as we had control of the grain supply - something Lepidus was aware of - and Lepidus made no hostilities against us for that reason. He knew we could make him squeal.

Cassius and Brutus began making moves in the East, outsmarting Antony's subordinates, and pushing carefully. They prepared in September, 42 B.C near Philippi. From what I knew it was an excellent defensive position. As Octavian fell ill, Antony moved ahead to confront his enemies and reap all the glory.

For days they engaged in cavalry skirmishes before a sickly Octavian arrived by litter. With him was his bitch, my former second husband. Antony made the first move on the 3rd of October, beginning a general assault against Cassius. The battle commenced with a ferocious exchange of infantry and cavalry maneuvers, with both sides striving to gain the upper hand. Octavian and Antony initially made progress, pushing back the Republican lines with their superior numbers and tactics. However, Brutus and Cassius, seasoned generals with a deep understanding of military strategy, rallied their forces and mounted a fierce resistance.