8.
After the battle of Philippi (42), Ahenobarbus conducted the war independently of Sex. Pompeius, and with a fleet of seventy ships and two legions plundered the coasts of the Ionian sea.
In 40 Ahenobarbus became reconciled to Antony, which gave great offence to Octavianus, and
was placed over Bithynia by Antony. In the peace concluded with Sex. Pompeius in 39, Antony
provided for the safety of Ahenobarbus, and obtained for him the promise of the consulship for
32. Ahenobarbus remained a considerable time in Asia, and accompanied Antony in his
unfortunate campaign against the Parthians in 36. He became consul, according to agreement, in
32, in which year the open rupture took place between Antony and Augustus. Ahenobarbus fled
from Rome to Antony at Ephesus, where he found Cleopatra with him, and endeavoured, in vain,
to obtain her removal from the army. Many of the soldiers, disgusted with the conduct of
Antony, offered the command to him; but he preferred deserting the party altogether, and
accordingly went over to Augustus shortly before the battle of Actium. He was not, however,
present at the battle, as he died a few days after joining Augustus. Suetonius says that he
was the best of his family. (Brut. 25, ad Fam. 6.22; Appian,