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The Roman Revolution

Antony and Cleopatra

The ruler of Egypt was the proud and ambitious Cleopatra. Antony fell in love with her after returning from a disastrous campaign in Parthia (36-35). He was openly her consort and she had a child by him. Remember, at this time, Antony was still officially married to Octavia.

Romans tolerated the sins of her great men, but Antony and Cleopatra went too far. Cleopatra, after all, was pharoah. Rumors began: Egypt hoped to annex Rome; Antony would make Cleopatra Queen of Rome. When Antony made her heirs the heirs to Rome as well, the fears deepened. Then, after years of neglect, Antony repudiated Octavia, clearing the war for him to marry Cleopatra.

Octavian was, in personal and family matters, quite a conservative man. Antony's treatment of his sister offended him terribly. He disliked Antony's profligacy and shared Roman suspicion of his intentions regarding Egypt. Always before, when Antony had grown too outrageous, Octavian had compromised for the sake of unity. These latest excesses were too much, however.

The Triumvirate lapsed in 32, and neither man bothered to try to renew it. Both sides positioned themselves for battle.