43: Republican forces (commanded by Julius Caesar's assassins) have control of the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire - Scroll Down for more details

"The Last Stand of the Liberators: Republican Forces in the East (43 BCE)"

The Republican Resistance in the East (43 BCE)

Following the assassination of Julius Caesar on the Ides of March (15 March) 44 BCE, Rome plunged into political chaos. The conspirators, led by Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus (known as the Liberators), initially hoped to restore the Roman Republic. However, they soon found themselves outmaneuvered by Caesar's supporters, particularly Mark Antony, Octavian (later Augustus), and Lepidus, who formed the Second Triumvirate in late 43 BCE.

By 43 BCE, Brutus and Cassius had fled Rome and consolidated their power in the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire. Their strategy was to raise armies, secure resources, and prepare for an inevitable confrontation with the Triumvirs.

Key Developments in 43 BCE:

1. Brutus in Macedonia and Greece:
   • Brutus took control of Macedonia and Greece, where he gained support from local elites and Roman governors.
     
   • He secured funds by demanding tribute from cities and confiscating wealth from pro-Caesarian officials.
     
   • Brutus also recruited legions from Caesar's former veterans, demonstrating his ability to sway military loyalty.
2. Cassius in Syria and the Levant:
   • Cassius moved into Syria, where he successfully rallied several legions, including those previously loyal to Caesar's ally Publius Cornelius Dolabella.
     
   • He defeated Dolabella at the Battle of Laodicea (43 BCE), forcing him to commit suicide, and solidified his control over the region.
     
   • Cassius also extracted heavy taxes from cities like Tarsus and Antioch, ensuring financial stability for his forces.
3. Diplomatic Maneuvering:
   • Both Brutus and Cassius sought alliances with client kings in the East, including Deiotarus of Galatia and Cleopatra of Egypt (though Cleopatra ultimately sided with the Triumvirs).
     
   • They positioned themselves as defenders of the Senate's authority, despite their extra-legal seizure of power.

The Road to War:

By late 43 BCE, the Liberators had assembled a formidable force, but their legitimacy was contested. The Triumvirate declared them enemies of the state, and in 42 BCE, the two sides would clash in the decisive Battles of Philippi, where Brutus and Cassius met their end.

Conclusion:

The year 43 BCE marked the height of Republican resistance in the East, as Brutus and Cassius built a military stronghold against the rising power of the Triumvirate. However, their reliance on forced taxation and shaky alliances foreshadowed their eventual downfall. Their struggle represented the last major attempt to preserve the old Republic before Rome's transformation into an autocratic empire.

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