Battle of Philippi
42 BCE · Philippi (northeastern Greece) · World · Ancient
Over the two battles, Cassius misjudged the situation and killed himself, and Brutus was then defeated in the second battle and committed suicide.
Belligerents
Second Triumvirate
- Commanders
- Octavian, Mark Antony
- Strength
- Several legions of the Second Triumvirate
Republicans (Caesar's assassins)
- Commanders
- Brutus, Cassius
- Strength
- Several Republican legions
Background
After Caesar's assassination, his successor Octavian and Antony formed the Second Triumvirate and marched east to punish the chief conspirators, Brutus and Cassius.
Course of the battle
- The armies face offThe two sides form up facing each other on the plain of Philippi
- Cassius misjudges the situation and kills himselfCassius, mistakenly believing his side had been defeated, killed himself
- Brutus defeated, commits suicideBrutus was defeated in the second battle and committed suicide
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 42 BCE |
|---|---|
| Place | Philippi (northeastern Greece) |
| Result | Over the two battles, Cassius misjudged the situation and killed himself, and Brutus was then defeated in the second battle and committed suicide. |
| Winner | Second Triumvirate |
| Casualties | The Republican army suffered heavy losses, and both of its commanders died one after the other. |
| Territorial change | The Republican faction was completely destroyed, and Rome entered the final phase of rule by the Second Triumvirate before moving toward monarchy. |
Impact
The Republicans' last attempt to restore the Roman Republic failed, and Rome slid toward an imperial order with Octavian holding all power alone.
See the world in 42 BCE on the map →