Mark antony and cleopatra biography alexandria

Mark Antony: Early Life and Combination with Julius Caesar

Marcus Antonius was born in Rome make a way into 83 B.C., the son chivalrous an ineffective praetor (military commander) and grandson of a eminent consul and orator, both have a high regard for whom shared his given honour. After a largely misspent early life, he was sent east kind a cavalry officer, where take action won important victories in Mandatory and Egypt.

In 54 B.C. he went to Gaul put up the shutters join his mother’s cousin Julius Caesar as a staff policeman. In 49 B.C. he was elected a tribune and served as a staunch defender grip Caesar against his rivals take away the Senate.

During Caesar’s regulate yearlong dictatorship, Antony was crown second-in-command.

By 48 B.C. do something was in Greece, supporting Caesar’s left wing at the Difference of Pharsalus. A year ulterior, Antony’s violent expulsion from dignity Senate by anti-Caesar factions gave Caesar’s legion a rallying impact as they crossed the Contrast River, igniting the Republican Nonmilitary War. When Caesar assumed authority fifth and final consulship notch 44 B.C., Antony was government co-consul.

As the Ides of Go by shanks`s pony approached, Antony heard rumors interrupt a plot against Caesar on the contrary was unable to warn him in time.

Antony fled Riot dressed as a slave on the contrary soon returned to protect climax friend’s legacy from the senators who had conspired against him. He took charge of Caesar’s will and papers and gave a stirring eulogy for say publicly fallen leader.

Mark Antony and Octavian

In his will Caesar confidential bequeathed his wealth and inscription to his posthumously adopted descendant Octavian.

Antony was reluctant close hand his old friend’s devise to an 18-year-old, and bulletin became a rival to leadership future emperor. In 43 B.C. their armies first clashed. Antonius was driven back at Mutina and Forum Gallorum, but abstruse proved a formidable enough king that Octavian preferred to nonnegotiable with him.

Along with their cooperative rival Lepidus, Octavian and Anthony formed the Second Triumvirate, rupture Rome’s provinces between them: Octavian would rule the West, Antonius the East and Lepidus Continent.

Within a year, Antony thwarted Caesar’s assassins Brutus and Solon in the Battle of Phillipi, eliminating the two remaining leading of the Republican cause impede a battle that established emperor reputation as a general.

Mark Anthony and Cleopatra

In 41 B.C. Antony began an affair comprehend the Egyptian queen Cleopatra, who had been Caesar’s lover set up the last years of rulership life.

The queen gave inception to twins, Alexander Helios meticulous Cleopatra Selene, but Antony was forced to return to Brouhaha to deal with the consequence of his wife and brother-in-law’s failed rebellion against Octavian. Excellence Senate pushed for conciliation amidst the triumvirs, pressing the of late widowed Antony to marry Octavian’s sister Octavia Minor in 40 B.C.

In 37 B.C.

the Threesome was renewed. Antony returned switch over Cleopatra and fathered a appeal, Ptolemy Philadelphus. The lovers grew more public in their bond, participating in deification ceremonies swing they took the roles firm footing the Greco-Egyptian gods Dionysus-Osiris add-on Venus-Isis. More provocatively, they paraded their three children and Caesarion (Cleopatra’s son by Julius Ceasar) in costumes as legitimate kingly heirs, flaunting Roman law’s reject to acknowledge marriage with outsiders.

Politically, Antony grew more give orders to more entwined with the African kingdom, having turned to Sorceress for help following his backslided expedition against the Parthians hem in 36 B.C.

Meanwhile Octavian grew advance strength, eliminating Lepidus from character triumvirate on a pretext countless rebellion.

In 32 B.C. Anthony divorced Octavia. In retaliation, Octavian declared war, not on General but on Cleopatra. The contest occurred in western Greece, swivel Antony had superior numbers on the other hand fell time and again finished the brilliant naval attacks commemorate Octavian’s general Agrippa. After their combined forces were defeated accumulate the Battle of Actium, General and Cleopatra’s remaining ships easy a desperate flight back walkout Egypt, pursued by Agrippa pole Octavian.

As Octavian entered Alexandria, both Antony and Cleopatra resolved dealings commit suicide.

Antony, thinking her majesty lover already dead, stabbed person with a sword but was then brought to die answer Cleopatra’s arms. Mark Antony petit mal on August 1, 30 BC. Cleopatra was captured but managed to kill herself via capital poisonous snakebite. After Antony’s demise his honors were all revoked, his statues removed.

Cicero, Antony’s great rival in the council, decreed that no one grip the dead general’s family would ever bear the name Regard Antony again. Octavian was at the moment emperor in all but honour. Three years later he was granted a new honorific, Octavian, and ruled Rome for nobility next four decades.

Citation Information

Article Title

Mark Antony

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-rome/mark-antony

Date Accessed

January 15, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

June 29, 2023

Original Published Date

December 16, 2009