Home > Facts > Ancient History Facts > Mark Antony Facts

Mark Antony Facts

Mark Antony Facts
Mark Antony was a Roman general and politician who played a key role during Rome's Civil Wars of the first century BC. He was a longtime friend and loyal officer under Julius Caesar, having fought alongside him in several successful military campaigns, most notably in Gaul. After Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, Antony briefly conflicted with Octavian - Caesar's adopted nephew, adopted son, and heir to his fortune - over the terms of Caesar's will. In 43 BC, though, Octavian and Antony put aside their differences and joined with the general Lepidus to form the Second Triumvirate. The trio were successful in punishing the ringleaders of Caesar's assassins, Brutus and Cassius, by defeating them and their army at the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC. The alliance became frayed when Mark Antony moved to Egypt and lived with Cleopatra VII of Egypt. The final rift between the two men came when Octavian obtained Antony's will, which gave most of his fortune to his illegitimate children with Cleopatra. Octavian declared war on Cleopatra and Egypt and his forces then defeated Cleopatra's and Antony's forces at the Battle of Actium in 30 BC.
Interesting Mark Antony Facts:
Mark Antony was born Marcus Antonius on January 14, 83 BC in Rome to Marcus Antonius Creticus and Julia Antonia.
Although related to Julius Caesar through his mother and therefore a matriarchal member of the Julia gens, Antony was a plebian.
His father died when he was young and his mother's second husband lost most of his fortune, which left Antony and his brothers to learn life on the streets of Rome.
Antony joined the military in 57 BC and would remain in the army for the remainder of his life.
Mark Antony was married under Roman law to four different women and other Egyptian law to Cleopatra. He married Octavian's sister Octavia in 40 BC to cement their alliance.
Because he was a plebian, Antony was able to attain the office "Tribune of the Plebs" on January 1, 49 BC, but was expelled from Rome a week later.
When Caesar was made Dictator for Life by the Senate in 48 BC, Mark Antony became the governor of Italy.
Brutus allowed Mark Antony to read a eulogy at Julius Caesar's funeral in the Forum. Antony used his oratory skills to whip the plebeians into a frenzy, which caused a riot and forced Brutus and Cassius to flee Rome.
Antony had five children with his Roman wives and three with Cleopatra.
The fate Mark Antony's two sons with Cleopatra is unclear, but his daughter, Cleopatra Selene, was married to King Juba II of Numidia at least five years after the death of her parents.
Perhaps owing to his plebian background, Mark Antony generally got along well with the rank and file of his troops and was generally respected by officers and enlisted men alike.
Antony personally ordered the death of Cicero in 43 BC.
Antony committed suicide in Alexandria, Egypt along with Cleopatra. He chose the typical Roman method of impaling himself with his gladius sword, while Cleopatra either drank a poison or died from a snake bite.


Related Links:
Facts
Ancient History Facts
Animals Facts