5 Philippus steeled the Senate to take action against Lepidus (Sallust, Hist. […] Accompanied by the consuls-elect he went to Pompeius and handed him a sword, with dramatic gesture, bidding him take command of the armed forces in Italy. […] The consul had already decided to take for himself a special provincial command. […] They had hesitated to take over the corn- commission voted on June 5th. […] Antonius therefore resolved to take over one part of his consular province, the Cisalpina, at once.