Marc Antony

Antony, Marc (Marcus Antonius; 82–30 B.C.), Roman politician and general. A member of Caesar's family, he became a tribune in 50 B.C.; after Caesar's murder in 44 B.C., Antony, then consul, joined the Triumvirate, including his brother-in-law Octavian and Lepidus, dividing the empire among them. Antony controlled the east from the Adriatic to the Euphrates, but soon alienated Octavian by falling in love with the Egyptian queen, Cleopatra, and combining forces with her. As a result, the senate stripped Antony of his powers (32 B.C.), certain the insult would invite civil war. Octavian attacked and defeated Antony in a naval battle at Actium; Antony returned to Egypt, pursued by Octavian, and committed suicide. Cleopatra, too, died by her own hand.

See also: Rome, Ancient.