LEGIO OCTAE AVGVSTA MUTINENSIS GALLICA VICTRIX – THE EIGHT AUGUSTAN LEGION - Page 3

At this time Octavian was in Macedon preparing for military service in Caesars Parthian campaign. Upon hearing the news of Caesars death Octavian immediately returned to Rome to claim Caesars throne.

On his return to Rome Octavian did not receive the quite the welcome he desired. Neither the senate nor Marc Anthony entertained his claims to Caesars personal affects nor indeed Octavian's legitimate claim to Caesars personal wealth - probably because Marc Anthony had already interfered with it. Octavian was publicly humiliated by the senate and Marc Anthony. In an effort to strengthen his position Octavian traveled to Campania, appealing to the veterans of Legio VII and VIII to reform and support his claims. The legionary veterans enthusiastically answered Octavian's request and once again the proud legionary standards were displayed.

Octavian's success in raising the two legions stunned the senate, the memory of the civil war no doubt being fresh in their minds. In addition to this, two of Marc Anthony's legions in Macedon declared for Octavian and promptly set march to join him. This caused considerable unrest within the senate, many senators now questioned their decision to support Marc Anthony and quickly revised their opinion of Octavian. Fearing for his own safety, Marc Anthony left Rome for Cisalpine Gaul. Perhaps in an act of appeasement to Octavian, Marc Anthony later besieged Mutina with his remaining two legions where Decimus Brutus was encamped.