A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

8. Cn.DomitiusCn. N.Ahenobarbus, L. F., son of the preceding, was taken with his father at Corfinium (B. C. 49), and was present at the battle of Pharsalia (48), but did not take any further part in the war. He did not however return to Italy till 46, when he was pardoned by Caesar. He probably had no share in the murder of Caesar (44), though some writers expressly assert that he was one of the conspirators; but he followed Brutus into Macedonia after Caesar's death, and was condemned by the Lex Pedia in 43 as one of the murderers of Caesar. In 42 he

commanded a fleet of fifty ships in the Ionian sea, and completely defeated Domitius Calvinus on the day of the first battle of Philippi, as the latter attempted to sail out of Brundusium. He was saluted Imperator in consequence, and a record of this victory is preserved in the annexed coin, which represents a trophy placed upon the prow of a vessel The head on the other side of the coin has a beard, in reference to the reputed origin of the family.

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. (Cic. Phil. 2.11, 10.6, Brut. 25, ad Fam. 6.22; Appian, App. BC 5.55, 63, 65; Plut. Ant. 70, 71; Dio Cass. lib. xlvii.__1; Vell. 2.76, 84; Suet. Nero 3; Tac. Ann. 4.44.)