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Books about Mark Antony :
(83?-30 BC). Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony) was a brilliant Roman soldier, statesman, and orator. When he was
past 40, he fell in love with the Egyptian queen Cleopatra. Because of his devotion to her he eventually destroyed
his career and took his own life. He has always been more famous for this romance than for his part in ancient
history.
Mark Antony belonged to an old aristocratic family of Rome. At the age of 25 he entered the army and served honorably
in Palestine and Egypt. Soon after, he joined Julius Caesar in Gaul and became one of his lieutenants. Through
Caesar's influence, Antony was appointed to various public offices. At the battle of Pharsalus Caesar made him
head of a division. In 44 BC Caesar was assassinated. (See also Caesar.)
Following Caesar's murder, Antony persuaded the Romans to drive out the assassins. He then made himself dictator.
Octavian, Caesar's adopted son, had similar ambitions (see Augustus). While Antony was
away fighting the conspirator Brutus, Octavian won the Senate's support. The Senate sent an army against Antony,
and he was captured at Mutina.
Antony escaped and joined forces with Lepidus, one of Caesar's former soldiers. Together they marched on Rome.
Octavian met them and the three came to terms. They formed a triumvirate and divided the Roman world among themselves.
They continued to war against the conspirators and in 42 BC completely defeated the republican forces at Philippi.
Antony went on to Tarsus, where he summoned Cleopatra to answer charges that she aided Caesar's enemies. Upon meeting
her, however, he fell in love and followed her to Alexandria. (See also Cleopatra.)
News that his wife, Fulvia, and her brother, Antonius, were at war with Octavian brought Antony back to Rome. Fulvia's
army was defeated, and she died soon afterward. The two triumvirs were reconciled when Antony married Octavian's
sister. The Roman world was again divided. Antony took the eastern provinces. For several years he devoted himself
to the service of the empire, but in 34 BC he returned to Cleopatra.
Antony gave large portions of the eastern empire to Cleopatra and their two sons. For this act the Roman Senate
refused him support. In 32 BC, at the insistence of Octavian, the Senate deprived Antony of his power to rule.
The following year the Roman army defeated him at Actium. Deserted by his followers, he fled to Egypt. On hearing
a false report of Cleopatra's death, Antony committed suicide.
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