It took Appius a while to let go of
the fear and anxiety that accompanied him during the fall out from Caesars
assassination. However it was not just him that felt this way. It seemed as if
the entire city of Rome was waiting for something to happen, or for somebody to
take over. Immediately after Caesar’s death it appeared that the republic would
regain the power that it once had. However, many of the major conspirators
involved in the assassination were relocated to govern outside legions for
their own protection. For instance Brutus (the symbolic leader of the
conspiracy) was appointed to Crete and Cassius (the driving force behind the
plot) was given Africa. This left a perfect position for somebody to step in
and take control.
It
was the day of Caesar’s funeral and Marcus Antonius was to give the eulogy.
Appius had heard that many citizens believed that Antony would step in and be
the new great ruler of Rome. As Appius made his way to the front of the crowd
he saw Roman citizens crying as Antony described the great power as well as
treasures that Caesar had brought to Rome. Antony described Caesar’s kindness
as well as forgiving nature. Antony mentioned how sad it was that Caesar
forbade any citizen from killing his personal enemy yet was ultimately destined
for that himself. As Appius looked up he saw the bloody robe that Caesar had
been wearing the day of his assassination. The blood along with the tears in
the garment showed the merciless way that the senators took the life of Caesar.
This evoked anger inside Appius that he had never felt before. He then heard
Antony’s call to action. Antony demanded that revenge be taken; he wanted to
see the contributing senator’s suffer for what they had done. As Caesar’s body
burned on the pyre, Appius grabbed one of the torches. He was accompanied by
what seemed like every citizen of Rome as the planned to burn down the houses
of the conspirators and force them out of Rome.
