Mark Antony
Roman general and triumvir (83-30 BCE): Caesar's lieutenant, Octavian's rival and ally, and Cleopatra's partner until Actium.
Category: Figures
- 44 BCECicero's Philippics against Antony
After Caesar's death Cicero delivers a series of speeches attacking Mark Antony in 44 and 43 BCE, modelled on Demosthenes's speeches against Philip II of Macedon. They are called the Philippics.
- April 21, 43 BCEBattle of Mutina
Mark Antony, besieging Decimus Brutus at Mutina, is beaten at Forum Gallorum and Mutina in April 43 BCE, though sources differ on how decisive the second was. Consul Hirtius is killed and Pansa dies of wounds. Octavian is left in sole command.
- November 27, 43 BCESecond Triumvirate
Octavian, Mark Antony and Lepidus form a triumvirate in October 43 BCE. Unlike the First, it is legal: the Lex Titia of 27 November gives them five years of near-absolute power.
- December 7, 43 BCECicero is killed
Named in the triumvirs' proscriptions, Cicero is killed on 7 December 43 BCE near Formiae while trying to flee, on Antony's orders. His head and hands are displayed on the Rostra in Rome.
- October 42 BCEBattles of Philippi
On 3 and 23 October 42 BCE Antony and Octavian fight Brutus and Cassius at Philippi in Macedonia. Cassius dies after the first battle and Brutus kills himself after the second, ending the conspirators' cause.
- 41 BCEPerusine War
Octavian fights Lucius Antonius, Mark Antony's brother, in 41 and 40 BCE. Lucius occupies Rome in the summer of 41.
- 40 BCEParthians install Antigonus; Herod named king
In 40 BCE the Parthians invade Syria and back Antigonus, last Hasmonean ruler, who takes Jerusalem and mutilates Hyrcanus II so he cannot be high priest. Herod flees to Rome, where the Senate names him king of Judea (40 or 39, by source).
- September 40 BCETreaty of Brundisium
In September 40 BCE Octavian and Antony divide the Roman world: Antony takes the east, Octavian keeps the west and gets Illyricum, and Lepidus keeps Africa. Antony marries Octavian's sister Octavia to seal it.
- 39 BCETreaty of Misenum
In 39 BCE the triumvirs make peace with Sextus Pompey, who keeps Sicily and Sardinia and gains Corsica and the Peloponnese in return for lifting his blockade of Italy. The pact collapses when Antony refuses to give up Achaea.
- 37 BCEHerod takes Jerusalem
In 37 BCE (36 by some arguments) Herod, with Roman help, takes Jerusalem after a siege and ends Hasmonean rule. Antigonus is executed, beheaded by Antony according to Josephus.
- 34 BCEDonations of Alexandria
In autumn 34 BCE Antony proclaims Cleopatra queen of kings and Caesarion Caesar's legitimate heir, and gives lands to his children with Cleopatra. The Senate rejects the grants and Octavian intensifies his attacks on Antony.
- September 2, 31 BCEBattle of Actium
On 2 September 31 BCE Agrippa's fleet routs Antony's and Cleopatra's off Actium on the Ionian Sea. Antony escapes with a few ships and his army later deserts.
- August 30 BCEAlexandria falls; Antony and Cleopatra die
Octavian takes Alexandria on 1 August 30 BCE. Antony stabs himself and Cleopatra kills herself on 12 August. Caesarion is put to death and Egypt ends as a kingdom, becoming Octavian's personal possession.