Mark Anthony
Attribution: nicnac1000
83 BC - 30 BC
| Relationship | People |
|---|---|
| Partners | Cleopatra |
Mark Anthony was born in 83 BC to a Roman patrician family; he was a cousin of Julius Caesar. After a misspent youth, he first went to Athens to study, then found his vocation as a cavalry commander under Aulus Gabinius, proconsul of Syria, in campaigns in Judea and Egypt.
Continuing his military career, he became a member of Julius Caesar's staff in Gaul, and was raised to high office by Caesar, eventually becoming his junior consul.
The assassination of Caesar left Anthony vulnerable, as his interests were identified with those of his patron. After initially fleeing Rome, he returned, and used his oration at Caesar's funeral to turn the tables on the conspirators. Thereafter, he was part of the ruling Triumvirate with Octavian (later known as Augustus) and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus.
Mark Anthony pursued the conspirators Brutus and Cassius into Greece; Cassius committed suicide at the Battle of Philippi and Brutus not long after, leading to the collapse of their forces and the end of the civil war. Thereafter, Mark Anthony was made responsible for governing the East from Ephesus.
Tensions between Mark Anthony and Octavian appear to have arisen as their military strategies diverged, with Mark Anthony keen to pursue war against Parthia (which had supported the conspirators) while Octavian was not willing to provide funding. Instead, Mark Anthony made an alliance with Cleopatra, who provided financial support for this war and for a later, more successful assault on Armenia. Cleopatra also became Mark Anthony's lover.
The decisive breach came when Mark Anthony declared Caesarion, Cleopatra's child by Julius Caesar, as the legitimate heir of Caesar and king of Egypt. Octavian had based his claim to legitimacy on his adoption by Caesar, so this represented a direct blow to his authority. He dissolved the Triumvirate and declared war against Anthony.
In 31 BC, Anthony lost a major naval battle at Actium, and had to withdraw to Egypt. Octavian pursued him to Alexandria, where after a brief land battle, Anthony committed suicide.
Anthony was a larger than life character, known for his extravagant behaviour and outbursts of violence as well as political insubordination. He remains a fascinating figure. Politically, he was one of the key figures who brought about the end of the Roman Republic - though obviously he had not intended to bring about the rule of Augustus.
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