Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony) was consul of the Roman Empire together with Julius Caesar, who was also dictator, when in 44 BC, Caesar was murdered. This left Mark Antony as the head of state of the Roman Empire. Antony condemned the murderers of Julius Caesar, who had to flee Rome to prevent being lynched by mobs. The conspirators against Julius Caesar did manage to get a supporter, Publius Cornelius Dolabella appointed as consul next to Antony. Antony forced the senate to appoint him as the new governor of Cisalpine Gaul, which was governed by one of the conspirators against Julius Caesar, Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus. Antony besieged Brutus in the city of Mutina when his term was finished as consul.