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Illustration to Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar"
Illustration to Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar"

Illustration to Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar"

Artist (England, active 1763 - 1800)
Associated (Rome, Italy, 100 - 44 BC)
Associated (Stratford-upon-Avon, England, 1564 - 1616)
Mediumpen and wash on paper
ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings
DimensionsOverall: Height: 22.6 cm, Width: 19.3 cm
Frame: Height: 33 cm, Width: 50.9 cm
AcquisitionPresented in 1957 by Miss Lizzie Hogarth.
CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG003444
About MeThe army of Brutus caught in the pass at the battle of Philippi.

The Battle of Philippi was the final battle in the Wars of the Second Triumvirate between the forces of Mark Antony and Octavian (of the Second Triumvirate) and the forces of Julius Caesar's assassins Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus in 42 BC, at Philippi in Macedonia. The Second Triumvirate declared this civil war to avenge Julius Caesar's murder.

The battle consisted of two engagements in the plain west of the ancient city of Philippi. The first occurred on the first week of October; Brutus faced Octavian, while Antony's forces were up against those of Cassius. At first, Brutus pushed back Octavian and entered his legions' camp. But to the south, Cassius was defeated by Antony, and committed suicide after hearing a false report that Brutus had also failed. Brutus rallied Cassius' remaining troops and both sides ordered their army to retreat to their camps with their spoils, and the battle was essentially a draw, but for Cassius' suicide. A second encounter, on 23 October, finished off Brutus's forces, and he committed suicide in turn, leaving the triumvirate in control of the Roman Republic.