The Consular provinciae of 44 BCE and the Collapse of the Restored Republic

Abstract

This paper examines the developments in the aftermath of Caesar’s assassination on the Ides of March 44 bce in the context of developments concerning the allocation of the consular provinciae of that year. It argues that the consuls, M. Antonius and P. Cornelius Dolabella, initially sought compromise with the conspirators, and the passage of the lex de permutatione provinciarum on the Kalends of June represents a genuine turning point. The historical implications of its provisions led to increasing hostility, and ultimately the Mutinian War. Last, but not least, this paper seeks to demonstrate the integral role of C. Octavius in prompting this consequential change in attitude.

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