Marcus Brutus, in Greece, under the pretext of supporting the
commonwealth, and the war against Antonius, managed to get the command
of Vatinius’ army and province. [Y. R. 709. B. C. 43.] To Cæsar, who had
first undertaken to defend the commonwealth by arms, was given the
authority of proprætor, with consular ornaments by the senate, and it
was added that he should be enrolled a senator. Marcus Antonius besieged
Brutus at Mutina; and the ambassadors sent to him by the senate, with a
treaty of peace, met with little success in effecting it. The people of
Rome assumed the military habit. Marcus Brutus reduced under his power
Caius Antonius, the prætor, together with the army which he commanded in
Epirus.