ANTONIUS, MARCUS

Antonius, Marcus: translation

(83–30 BC)

   Roman politician. Son of Marcus Antonius and Julia of the family of the Julii Caesares. He was an early supporter of his distant relation, Caius Iulius Caesar, and sought to inherit his political power after the latter’s assassination in 44 BC, but he was forced to ally himself with the futureAugustus to crush their political opponents. Antonius was given the eastern part of the empire in the division of the territory after the victory at Philippi in 42 BC and married Augustus’s sister as part of their political alliance. He soon formed a political and personal connection with Cleopatra VII of Egypt, which estranged him from Augustus, who used this oriental entanglement to vilify Antonius in Rome. War was eventually declared against Egypt, and Antonius was defeated at the battle of Actium in 31 BC and committed suicide in 30 BC as Augustus’s forces entered Alexandria.

   See also Alexander Helios; Cleopatra Selene; Ptolemy Philadelphus.