Antony & Octavian

1. When Caesar was killed, Mark Antony was consul and Marcus Lepiduswas his Master of the Horse (second in command to the dictator). This gave them both the important positions in dealing with the reaction to his death. Antony, with Lepidus’ help, took control of the troops, and Caesar’s will and money. He arranged a meeting of the Senate in the temple of Tellus, where the conspirators were guaranteed an amnesty and allowed to leave Rome for provinces. All of Caesar’s acts were to remain in force. Antony was praised for avoiding a civil war and in dealing with this situation in a very sensible way (Plutarch, Antony 14). However, he discovered that Caesar had made Octavianhis heir which probably surprised him, although Antony would not have considered the 18 year old teenager a problem. Still, he made the best of the situation with Caesar’s funeral. His announcement that Caesar had left 75 denarii to each citizen, and his speech, displaying Caesar’s bloodstained toga, created a riot which forced the conspirators to escape from Rome. Despite the fact that he was now in complete control of Rome, he continued to be careful in his treatment of the conspirators and respectful to the Senate, going so far as to abolish the office of dictator. Antony&Octavian

2. All the while, Antony was building his power and ensuring he kept control. He provided land for Caesar’s war veteransand sent Lepidus to Spain. He is said to have forged documents from Caesar. He arranged to have the two Gaul provinces in order to keep an eye on Italy when he left to be governor. He also kept control of the legions in Macedonia. It was becoming clear to Cicero, among others, that Brutus and Cassius had made a mistake in not killing of Antony when they killed Caesar (Cicero/Atticus 14.12). Octavian borrowed money to pay Caesar’s debts and arranged games when Antony refused to hand over Caesar’s property (which he’d probably spent). Antony did not allow Octavian’s adoption by Caesar to be legalised. In response Octavian raised an army from Caesar’s war veterans and legions from Macedonia deserted Antony and joined him. Octavian joined with the two consuls in their attack on Antony who was defeated twice. When both consuls died, Octavian demanded the consulship although he was only 19, and used his military strength to force the Senate to grant it. Instead of marching against Antony as the Senate wanted, he marched on Rome and took the consulship. He legalised his adoption and put the assassins of Caesar on trial. He made an agreement with Antony and Lepidus – the ‘Second Triumvirate’. TASK Give examples of the power struggle between Octavian and Mark Antony. Why did Octavian join forces with Lepidus and MA? A Divided Empire Next they moved to punish the assassins in the war which resulted in the battle of Philippi in 42 BC and the deaths of Brutus and Cassius. Now the three men divided up the world. Antony married Octavia, Octavian’s sister. He received the Eastern half of the Empire and he set off for Syria to collect tax and organise the kingdoms and provinces in preparation for an invasion of Parthia. At Tarsus he famously met with Cleopatra where she sailed up and down the river before dining with him. Octavian took the West and Lepidus, Africa. Octavian Antony Lepidus

3. Family Tree of Octavian Caesar, renamed Augustus, first Emperor of Rome.

4. What would you rather have? Greece Africa France

5. Antony and Octavian Give examples of the power struggle between Octavian and Mark Antony. Why did Octavian join forces with Lepidus and Mark Antony?

6. A Divided Empire Read Plutarch 30 Clip 0.17.37 – 0.20.38 Was the marriage an advantage or disadvantage for Mark Antony?

7. Why are the people of Asia unhappy with Antony’s behaviour? How is Antony portrayed in this passage? How does this event end? What does it tell us about Antony as a general? Syria Judea Egypt

8. Antony in the East 42 BC • Antony arrives in the East: • “At any rate, when Antony entered Ephesus, women dressed as the followers of Bacchus, with men and boys made to look like Satyrs and Pans, led him in. The city was full of ivy-wreaths and thyrsus-wands and harps and pipes and flutes while the citizens called him Dionysus bringer of Joy and Protector. And of course he was seen like that to some, but to many others he was Dionysus Eater of raw flesh and the Savage. For he stole from the well-born men their possessions and gave it as gifts to rogues and flatterers. Some indeed took the property of others who were still alive by claiming that they were dead. He gave as a gift the house of a man from Magnesia to a cook. It is said that he did this because the cook became famous on the basis of one dinner. Finally, when he was placing a second tax on the cities, Hybreas, speaking for Asia, dared to say this: "If you are able to take the tax twice in one year, you can surely provide us with two summers and two harvests.” • PlutarchLife of Antony 24 TASK Why are the people of Asia unhappy with Antony’s behaviour? How is Antony portrayed in this passage?

9. “Ventidiushowever, decided not to pursue the Parthians any further, because he feared the jealousy of Antony; but he moved against those who had revolted and defeated them. He besieged Antiochus of Commagené in the city of Samosata. When Antiochus asked permission to pay a thousand talents and do as Antony commanded, Ventidius told him to send his offer to Antony. Antony himself was now quite near, and would not allow Ventidius to make peace-terms with Antiochus. He wanted at least this one achievement to be in his name, and not everything credited to Ventidius.” PlutarchLife of Antony 34 Antony had come east to continue with Caesar’s plan to invade and conquer Parthia. It was an issue for the Romans that in 53 BC Crassus had been defeated and the standards of Roman legions had been captured by the Parthians. When he arrived, after the disruption of the previous 8 years, the Eastern provinces were in no state to support such a campaign. He spent some time strengthening the states on the borders. One such kingdom was Egypt. Another was Judaea and Antony took time to establish Hyrcanus and Herod in control. Antony’s women TASK How does this event end? What does it tell us about Antony as a general? Syria Antony now revises the kingdoms of the area. Galatia was given to Amyntas and Pontus was handed over to Polemo. This again shows Antony was keen to establish safe and stable client kings in charge. He had managed to make a successful organisation of the Eastern Empire. The next year (37 BC) he is again delayed by request for help from Octavian. He travels to Italy and eventually comes to an agreement at Tarentum. On his way back to the east he decides to send the pregnant Octavia back to Rome. His treatment of Octavia is one of the factors used by Octavian against Antony. He now met Cleopatra at Antioch with the two children Alexander Helios (sun)and Cleopatra Selene(moon). Judea Egypt He had hurried back to Italy where Octavian was having trouble with SextusPompeius(son of Pompey the Great), but when he reached Brundisium, Octavian was not there. This delayed his departure for Syria for the war with Parthia. He and Octavia had gone to Greece while Ventidius was sent to Asia against the Parthians. There Ventidius won the battle of Gindarus while Antony was on his way from Greece.(Plutarch Life of Antony 33)