- The Battle of Mutina (43 BCE) (Modena) was the first Battle of the Liberators’ civil war after the Assassination of Julius Caesar (44 BCE), between Brutus and Octavian.
The Reason for the Battle
- A year after the Assassination of Julius Caesar, Mark Anthony ended negotiations with the Romans Senate, marched north and laid siege to Brutus in Modena.
Battle of Mutina (Modena) (43 BCE)
- The Roman Senate sent Gaius Vibius Pansa with an army to join Aulius Hirtius and Octavian, in helping Brutus to resist Mark Anthony.
- Hirtius was killed and Mark Anthony was forced to retreat, giving Octavian a victory.
The Outcome
- The defeat forced Mark Anthony to take Octavian seriously.
- On the 26th November 43 BCE, the two men formed the Second Triumvirate with Lepidus.
Roman Carrier Pigeons
- Pliny the Elder specifically mentions the use of messenger Pigeons at the Battle of Mutina on 21 April, 43 BCE. Pliny describes how the besieged city used Messenger Pigeons to communicate with the relief army.
- Brutus himself, besieged inside Modena, attached the messages to the legs of the Pigeons to contact his allies Hirtius and Decimus.
Modena (Mutina), Italy