In their political careers he may have encouraged or defended certain of his personal friends like M. […] The Liberators and their friends had lost, at once and for ever, the chance of gaining an ascendancy over the Senate. […] On any count, the outlook was black for the friends of settled government. […] Not less the need for faithful friends and a coherent party. […] Of the legal point, no question: Octavianus and his friends were guilty of high treason.