A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

7. T.Sextius, one of Caesar's legates in Gaul, took an active part in the campaign against Vercingetorix in B. C. 52, and was stationed for winterquarters, with one legion, among the Bituriges (Caes. Gal. 6.1, 7.49, 90). On the death of Julius Caesar in B. C. 44, Sextius was in possession of the province of Nunmidia, or New Africa, while Q. Cornificius held that of Old Africa. The two governors became involved in war with one another, the causes and details of which are related differently by Appian and Dio Cassius. The latter writer represents Sextius as governing New Africa for Antony, and Cornificius Old Africa for Octavian ; and Appian at one time speaks of Sextius as holding his province for one triumvir, and at another time for the other. But the real fact seems to have been that Sextius availed himself of the troubles in Italy to extend his own power in Africa, and, accordingly, in the name of the triumvirs, required Cornificius, who was a partizan of the senate, to evacuate his province. Upon the refusal of the latter, Sextius marched against him. He was at first unsuccessful, but eventually defeated and slew Cornificius, and thus obtained possession of both provinces (D. C. 48.21; Appian, App. BC 3.85, 4.53-56; Liv. Epit. 123). In the new division of the Roman provinces after the battle of Philippi. B. C. 42, Octavian obtained New Africa; and Sextius was therefore ordered by L. Antonius to hand over this province to C. Fango,

the legate of Octavian. He obeyed, but still remained it Old Africa, hoping that the present harmony between Octavian and Antony would not be of long continuance. He had not to wait long ; for on the breaking out of the Perusinian war, soon afterwards, Fulvia and L. Antonius urged him to take possession of New Africa. He accordingly marched against Fango, whom he defeated and drove into the hills, where he put an end to his life [FANGO]. Thus Sextius again obtained the command of both provinces, but he was unable to keep them long; since Lepidus, after the conclusion of the Perusinian war, received both Old and New Africa as his share of the Roman world, and landed in the country with an army of six legions. Sextius could not resist this force, and accordingly resigned the government to the triumvir. (D. C. 48.22-24; Appian, App. BC 5.12, 26, 75.)