Battle of Philippoi

The most important event during the Roman years, which left a mark in the history of the city was the battle of Filippoi in 42 a. C., when the Roman republicans, headed by the generals Brutus and Cassius, faced the supporters of the monarchy, Marco Antonio, Octavio (later Caesar Augusto, first emperor of the Romans) and Marco Lépido. Those who took control of Rome and the western provinces of the empire, and then set out to defeat the assassins of Julius Caesar.

Brutus and Cassius, who assassinated Julius Caesar in Rome in July and with him the end to the monarchical and totalitarian government of the Roman Empire, were found by coincidence with a part of the army in Filippoi. For this army with the leaders of Cassio and Brutus, the History of the World called it "Democrats". There was also the opposition army, the army of Triandria, led by Marco Antonio and Octavius Augustus, directed to Filippoi with the purpose of taking revenge for the murder of Julius Caesar, as well as the struggle of the armed movement of the democrats. So the two rival armies became entangled in Filippoi in a civil and murderous battle. It ended with a defeat by the Democrats and had cosmological consequences. The democratic government was abolished and in Rome the Emperor Octavius ​​Augustus emerged.

Shortly after this world-class armed conflict, the Roman settlers settled in the city and, with their language, command, institutions and religion, gave it for two centuries the character of a Roman city.

Some designs of the battle and Filippoi would be:

The battle took place between 3 and 23 October 42 a.C. Brutus and Cassius returned from Asia with an army of 19 legions, 80,000 infantry and 20,000 horsemen, and with the considerable support of their allies, crossed Thrace and camped 3 kilometres west of Filippoi. Antonio and Octavius, who moved to Egnatia (an old road that linked Rome with Constantinople) in the direction of Filippoi, arrived and camped 1 kilometre away from the positions of the democrats. Their forces consisted of 19 legions, 80,000 infantry and 13,000 horsemen. Their position was more disadvantageous than that of the Democrats, although they had fewer riders and their camp was on a plain instead of hills as their opponents. On October 3, Antonio and Octavius launched a frontal attack. Octavian's troops were rejected in disarray, and Brutus captured his camp. Antonio broke Cassio's defences, but had to retire to help Octavius. Three weeks after the first meeting on October 23, 42 a.C, it became a fierce battle. The

armed soldiers fought with body. Cassius committed suicide thinking that his army had lost the battle. Brutus took control of Casio's forces and the fight ended unfinished. Then, Antonio began to build a fortified road along the swamp to overcome the defenses of Brutus. Brutus launched an assault on the causeway, which became a general action between the armies. The confined space between the swamp and the mountain did not allow the cavalry to play an important role, so the infantry had it nearby. Finally, the army of Brutus broke and ran, his soldiers demanded that they fled to the sea and the surrounding mountains. Brutus, followed by numerous soldiers and loyal friends, retired to the heights, planned to return to the battlefield at night or move towards the sea. But a little desperate for reality and considering it futile to continue the fight, he asked his friend Straton to kill him. Marco Antonio honored the dead and sent the ashes of his relic to their mother in Rome. After their deaths, their soldiers surrendered to the leaders of the Triandria.