WorksheetsThe Assassination of Julius Caesar and What Became Because of It
Total questions: 76
Worksheet time: 1hrs 2mins
Who did Caesar leave most of his vast estate to in his will?
Mark Antony
Gaius Octavius
Cicero Minor
Caesarion
What did Caesar plan to do before he was assassinated?
Caesar began preparing for two huge military campaigns. (Appian)
The first war was against Gatae to secure the north-east border of the Republic.
The second war was against the Parthian Empire - to get revenge for Carrhae and secure the eastern borders.
The third war was against Armenia, who were a threat to Rome as they frequently allied with and supplied Rome's enemies.
Who were the conspirators in the assassination of Julius Caesar?
Mark Antony
Marcus Brutus
Gaius Cassius
Decimus Brutus Albinus
Who was Marcus Brutus?
A general of Caesar's during the civil war and one of Caesar's closest friends and allies.
He fought with Pompey at Pharsalus but was forgiven by Caesar after surrendering.
Chosen as a praetor by Caesar for 44BCE and was set to be consul 3 years later.
A member of the conspiracy against Julius Caesar.
Who was Gaius Cassius?
Marcus Brutus' brother-in-law.
He fought against Caesar in the civil war, but was forgiven after surrendering.
Caesar chose him to be praetor of 44BCE, and was set to be governor of Syria the following year.
A member of the conspiracy against Julius Caesar.
Who was Decimus Brutus Albinus?
A general who fought under Pompey in the civil wars but was forgiven by Caesar after surrendering.
Was listed in Julius Caesar's will.
One of Caesar's most experienced and loyal generals of the Gaullic and civil wars.
A member of the conspiracy against Julius Caesar.
In reference to Caesar's assassination: "On reflection I am of the opinion that the plot did indeed originate over this additional title, although the difference it made was only of a word since in reality the dictator is exactly like a king." ( (a) )
How was Caesar assassinated?
He ignored many bad omens that bade him not to address the Senate.
Appian says that Caesar was assassinated within the Senate house.
Many Senators with hidden daggers attacked Caesar - he died by way of 23 stab wounds.
He also died, rather poetically, at the foot of a statue of Pompey.
When was Caesar assassinated?
Answer: The ____ of ____
(a)
(Reasons for Caesar's Assassination)
(a) says his opinion is that they feared Caesar would declare himself king - even though he already was dictator for life - but also floats the possibility that his enemies were resentful of his success and power.
(Reasons for Caesar's Assassination)
(a) also says the primary cause for resentment against Caesar was his supposed desire to be king.
(Reasons for Caesar's Assassination)
(a) also mentioned the king issue, but also highlights how staunchly opposed the conspirators were to Caesar's reforms - especially for increasing the number of Senators and allowing Gauls and Spaniards into the Senate.
(Reasons for Caesar's Assassination)
(a) argues they all wished to return to the traditional Republic.
Which of these statements is true for Mark Antony?
He was famously a Populares who was constantly looking out for and representing the lower classes of Rome.
By 44BCE, he was Caesar's co-consul and one of his closest allies, set to govern Italy whilst Caesar was away campaigning having refused to join the conspiracy against Caesar.
He served as an impressive cavalry commander in the Eastern Republic until his ties with Clodius got him transferred to Caesar's command in Gaul, where his success continued mixed with trips back to Rome to ascend the cursus honorum.
Famously attractive and charismatic, led a notoriously scandalous early life and was a member of Clodius' street gang.
Which of these statements is true for Marcus Lepidus?
He was the son of the Lepidus who was defeated by Pompey.
Successful general who fought is Spain during the Civil War for Caesar
Consul in 46BCE, governed Rome during part of Caesar's absence in the war and as of 44BCE was Caesar's Master of Horse - his second in command.
A man who Caesar cut corners for and made him a consul at the age of 20.
Immediately after the assassination of Caesar chaos ensued, the conspirators feared the reaction from the people - providing evidence on how popular Caesar was at the time - and from his Master of Horse, Lepidus, who had a legion near the city, and his co-consul Mark Antony. ( (a) )
(Aftermath of the Assassination)
The conspirators used gladiators as bodyguards and set out on a campaign to bribe and convince the people of their good deed - saving the Republic from a King. (Plutarch) ( (a) )
(Aftermath of the Assassination)
Mark Antony took control of Caesar's money and arranged a Senate meeting, avoiding immediate civil war again by granting full amnesty to the conspirators in return for Caesar's reforms to be unchanged and for Caesar to be given full funerary honours, the Senate thanking Mark Antony publicly for averting war here. ( (a) )
What was one important thing that Mark Antony did after the assassination of Julius Caesar to stop another civil war from breaking out?
He spoke to the people publicly and implored them to act rationally - even though there much-loved leader had just been assassinated.
He abolished the office of dictator and allowed the conspirators to remain in any political position they were given to keep them onside.
He addressed the Senate and gave a rousing speech about the instability of Rome, and the Senate agreed and made few changes after Caesar's death.
How is Cleopatra relevant to the assassination of Caesar?
She had been in Rome with her younger brother-husband in 44BCE.
Following Caesar's death she likely attempted to get Caesarion recognised as Caesar's true heir, but this fails and she leaves in mid-April.
Not long after returning to Egypt, she murders her younger brother-husband-co-ruler and elevates Caesarion - three-years-old - to position of co-ruler.
Cleopatra fled from Rome after hearing the news of Caesar's death, fearing for the life of her and Caesar's son.
Just after Caesar's death but before his funeral Caesar's will was revealed. What were some significant components of said will?
Caesar freed many of his slaves in his staff and also offered them a sum of money, and a continued paid job on his estate's staff.
Octavian was adopted as Caesar's son and was known as 'Caesar' from that point on. He also received three-quarters of all Caesar's wealth, however he was with the armies in the east at this time.
Mark Antony would likely have been severely disappointed at being largely ignored in favour of the 18-year-old Octavian.
Caesar gifted his riverside garden and a sum of money to each Roman citizen.
Why were the Senate / Optimates against Mark Antony giving a speech at Caesar's funeral?
Despite opposition from Cassius, Brutus had allowed Mark Antony's wish for a full public funeral - Plutarch argues that this was a terrible mistake on the part of the conspirators. Why was it a bad idea to allow Mark Antony to say a eulogy at Caesar's funeral?
Mark Antony was a close friend and ally of Caesar's.
Antony clearly began to rile up the crowd, citing Caesar's great achievements and praising him like a God.
Due to Mark Antony's speech the people turned against the conspirators and took to the streets to hunt them down.
Mark Antony was a bold populares - and had expressed this to the Optimates many times before citing his speech.
How did Mark Antony consolidate power after his eulogy at Caesar's funeral?
Caesar's friends allied with Mark Antony and he appointed magistrates as he pleased - like Caesar was empowered to do - pretending that this was Caesar's will. (Plutarch(
He convinced Lepidus to leave for his province in Spain and gave him Caesar's old position of pontifex maximus to keep him onside, and got Caesar's soldiers onside by personally ensuring the received land in Campania.
Mark Antony sent out legions and their legionnaires to search for the conspirators and captured and killed those that he found.
He attempted to take power using many forged documents supposedly signed by Caesar - enlisting bodyguards so that the same fate did not befall him.
What was Octavian up to when Caesar was assassinated?
After Brundisium, Octavian marched to Rome, keen to speak with Antony, who ignored him and let him wait outside the city gates as an act of power signalling.
He had been training and preparing for war in Greece - and popular with the soldiers there (Appian) - and left for Italy in May 44BCE, ready to receive his inheritance.
Despite fearing an ambush from enemies, he landed in Brundisium, where he was greeted with utmost respect and and favour by the soldiers and other citizens.
These citizens regarded Octavian as Caesar's true heir, and likely hoped he would bring vengeance to the conspirators that Mark Antony had not. (Appian)
What are some examples of the 'threats' or 'advice' that Octavian gave Mark Antony upon meeting him in Rome?
"As consul, it was your duty to have taken notice of the views of the majority. If you had wanted to act differently, your magistracy would have helped you to avenge such terrible pollution and show the misguided a better way." (Appian)
"But you actually sent hostages, who were your very own kin, to the Capitol to guarantee the safety of the murderers." (Appian)
"You acted very properly in stripping them of Syria and Macedonia, and taking these provinces for yourselves. I would have thanked you for that, if you had not immediately voted to give them Cyrene and Crete and thought it right that fugitives should for ever be protected against by me holding provincial governorship." (Appian)
"At least for now stand beside me and help me take revenge on the murderers, with the aid of the people and these still loyal friends of my father, and if you feel constrained by some respect for the conspirators or the Senate, do not act harshly against us." (Appian)
What are some examples of the 'threats' or 'advice' that Mark Antony gave Octavian upon meeting him in Rome?
'He was irritated by the lack of necessary politeness to himself in Octavian's words, and particularly by his demand for the money, and answered him rather severely; "My lad, if Caesar had bequeathed upon his position of leadership, as well as his inheritance and his name, it would be appropriate for you to ask me for a justification for my public acts and for me to supply it." (Appian)
"But Romans never have yet confirmed political leadership by succession anymore, not even the kings, at whose expulsion they swore never to endure any other." (Appian)
"On the subject of your needs, I would have thought that your wish to borrow money from the treasury was dissimulation, if it were not for the fact that you may quite plausibly still be unaware that the state treasury was left empty by your father." (Appian)
"And I believe it is so, that you have been without guidance all these years, and only now you seem to have found your manhood. All of a sudden you crave leadership, but as I'm sure even you know, has never been done by succession."
What led to the Battle of Mutina, April 43BCE?
Under Caesar's laws, Antony was to be sent to the province of Macedonia, but he contradicted this and before Octavian returned passed a law through the comitia tributa and took Decimus Brutus' provinces, but also keeping his Macedonian legions.
The conflict between Mark Antony and Octavian quickly spread to the public and Cicero joined sides with Octavian, delivering his famous Phillipics against Antony and accusing him of tyranny. Octavian enlisted a bodyguard of Caesar's veterans.
Octavian, allied with the Republican forces, began illegally raising his own private army from Caesar's legions, and even turned two of Antony's legions to his side, whilst Brutus and Cassius began to raise armies in their provinces.
What immediately led to the Battle of Mutina April 43BCE?
Antony attempted to ambush the Republican forces at the Battle of Forum Gallorum - April 45BCE - and while one consul was mortally wounded, Antony was surprised by the quality of the troops Octavian had provided and had to retreat.
The people's warm feelings towards Caesar's legal heir combined with Cicero's Phillipics began to turn the tide against Mark Antony (Cassius Dio) and as such in December of 44BCE, Mark Antony fled with his armies to the northern provinces, however Decimus Brutus would not give up his provinces without a fight, and so Mark Antony besieged him at the city of Mutina.
Cicero convinces the Senate to consider this statement as an act of war by Antony against the Republic, and also convinced the Senate to give an illegal propraetor imperium to Octavian (Cicero) over his legions to accompany the two consuls and their newly recruited armies to defeat Mark Antony.
Who won the Battle of Mutina, April 43BCE?
The pursuing Antonian forces caught up to Octavian and engaged his tired army just outside of Mutina, defeating him.
The pursuing Republican army caught up to Mark Antony and engaged his tired army just outside the city of Mutina, defeating him.
How did the Senate 'thank' Octavian after he defeated Mark Antony at the Battle of Mutina April 43BCE?
The Senate granted Octavian a triumph on the proviso that Octavian would follow after Antony, who had fleed to Transalpine Gaul to join with other Caesarean forces.
Octavian then demands the consulship, which Cicero and the Senate refuse - until Octavian marches into Rome in August 43BCE, he and his cousin are then 'elected' as consuls, Octavian is only 20 at this point.
No longer needing Octavian, they instead award Decimus Brutus with a triumph and give him the command against Antony, which angered Octavian (Appian) whilst giving supreme command over the Eastern Republic to Cassius and Brutus - as a result Octavian refuses to disband his armies or assist Decimus Brutus.
Mark Antony successfully flees to Transalpine Gaul where he joins forced with Lepidus and other Caesarean forces from Gaul and Spain, but us declared enemy of the state on Cicero's suggestion.
In what year was Octavian consul?
(a)
What was significant about Octavian's consulship in 43BCE?
Octavian revoked the law outlawing Mark Antony, legalised his own adoption and set up a court that found all of Caesar's assassins guilt of his murder - they were trialled in absentia.
There was no way the Republicans would allow this to stand, Brutus and Cassius began organising their armies to attack Octavian. The young Octavian needed allies, and fast.
Octavian re-established the political position of dictator, which held much opposition by the Senate and Republicans, but also the people. Cassius and Brutus found this grounds to go to war.
Meanwhile, Decimus Brutus became afraid of two possible threats at once - Antony and now Octavian - and so fled to Brutus in Greece.
What was the Second Triumvirate of 43BCE initially known as?
Three Men for the Restoration of the Republic
The Second Triumvirate
Restoration of Rome
Who were the three men in the Second Triumvirate of 43BCE?
Lepidus
Mark Antony
Cicero
Octavian
Why did Octavian wish to form the Second Triumvirate of 43BCE?
Octavian looked up to his adoptive father and how the Triumvirate had benefitted him, and so decided a Triumvirate would work well to have his desires met, with the right Triumvirs.
Octavian - not unlike Pompey - had done the Republicans a great service, but had been disregarded now that his use was seemingly over.
Octavian realised he was not powerful or influential enough to take on the Republicans on his own, and needed allies to complete his cause.
He did not initially wish to be a part of the Second Triumvirate, instead being practically begged by Mark Antony to help them in their attempts.
In the Second Triumvirate of 43BCE, the three men were given (a) powers as dictators - although not named as such - and divided the Republic between them to govern, Italy being shared, for a duration of 5 years, Antony and Lepidus having most of the land, but Lepidus gave most of his legions to Antony and Octavian.
What was the aim of the Second Triumvirate?
To defeat Brutus and Cassius and restore order to the Republic.
Unseat the Republicans
Defeat Brutus and Cassius
Turn Rome into a monarchy.
What was the difference between the first Triumvirate and the second?
The Second Triumvirate was a group of Republicans.
The powers of the Second Triumvirate were made legal through the comitia tributa.
Octavian married Antony's stepdaughter Claudia, daughter of Clodius, to cement the alliance.
The First Triumvirate had a goal of destroying the Senate.
What were some key actions the Second Triumvirate undertook?
They put up lists of proscriptions across Rome, and 300 senators and 2000 equites were put to death. Cicero was among these and his head and hands were displayed at the Forum.
They legally deified Julius Caesar - marking him as a God and giving him all the benefits of one. This made Octavian the adopted son of a nowGod.
They raised taxes all throughout Rome for all equites and nobiles and gave out free corn doles to all lower class citizens.
They prepared for war against Brutus and Cassius and go East into Greece. They had 13,000 allied cavalry at their disposal - Gauls and Spaniards.
The Caesarean army had little problems moving into Greece with 19 legions and allied cavalry, despite Octavian's poor health delaying him at Dyrrachium. What caused a fair few legions from being able to cross to Greece?
Several legions did attempt to cross and ended up sinking their ships. Losing at least 100 horses and 1000 soldiers.
A bout of particularly poor weather made it impossible to cross.
Ahenobarbus - the son of the Ahenobarbus that Crassus and Pompey defeated in their election and who had been killed by Antony at Pharsalus.
Ahenobarbus had a fleet from Sicily preventing the remaining legions from crossing over.
In the Battles of Philippi 42BCE, the Caesareans had (a) legions plus their allied cavalry.
In the Battles of Philippi 42BCE, the Liberators/Republicans had (a) legions but had a large number of Eastern auxilaries, so numbers were roughly evenly matched.
How did both sides positions look at the beginning of the First Battle of Philippi 42BCE?
Brutus and Cassius knew that the Caesareans were now out of supplies due to Ahenobarbus' fleet - they were happy to wait for the Caesareans to run out of supplies or attempt a massively risky attack on their fortified position.
The Caesarean forces approached from the west, Antony trying numerous times to lure the Liberators out of their defensive position.
The Liberators found a strongly defensible position outside the city of Philippi, with impassable hills to their north and an impassable swamp to the south.
What were the main point of the First Battle of Philippi 42BCE?
1. Antony dug a path through the impassable marsh in secret to block them off from their supplies from Thasos.
2. After ten days of digging he sent a column of troops by night, seizing many string points and fortifying a number of posts. Cassius built counter-fortification walls at right angles across the whole width of the marsh.
3. Antony's troops charged up the hill, and Brutus' troops took their unassaulted run as an insult and broke their lines, chasing them up the hill.
4. Cassius' camp was poorly defended as it was considered strong and Antony easily took it, but Brutus also managed to take Antony's camp. Cassius believed his army to be defeated and ordered his armour bearer to kill him.
What was the aftermath of the First Battle of Philippi?
The battle ended in confusion and a stalemate.
Caesarean moral was low, supplies were running out and reinforcement were destroyed on the Adriatic by Ahenobarbus, however the soldiers were kept motivated by gathering supplies from the Southern Greece and increased pay.
Brutus was left in sole command of the entire Liberator army, however he was far less experienced than Cassius, and it was unusual and difficult for one general to command such a large army.
Both sides were too heavily affected by losses to continue, at least for the time being.
What were the main points of the Second Battle of Philippi 42BCE?
1. The Caesarean forces were rapidly running out of supplies, which Brutus knew and so refused to engage in combat. Octavian also captured Cassius' old camp that Brutus had left vulnerable and continued pushing through the marshes to attempt to outflank the Liberator army.
2. Brutus stretched his lines thin in response instead of counterattacking. Both sides were suffering from low morale, supplies, desertions, as the stalemate dragged out - by Brutus refusing to leave his defensive position. However Brutus surrendered much of his power to his subordinates and they attacked.
3. No strategy or tactics were involved, just both sides fighting until a victor emerged. Brutus was on the right flank and was well on his way to defeating Antony and was attacking his camp directly.
4. However Brutus stretched his lines far too thin and the Caesareans were able to break through the centre of his army and attack Brutus' right flank from behind - the Liberator army quickly crumbled and fled.
What was the aftermath of the Second Battle of Philippi 42BCE?
Octavian and Antony, somewhat strained in their relationship, split the Republic in half.
Brutus escaped the initial battle but committed suicide to avoid the wrath of the Triumvirs.
Over 20,000 Roman legionnaires were killed, but much of the liberator army surrendered and joined with the Caesareans - small amounts fled and made it to Sicily.
The Liberators were decisively defeated, and apart from Sicily and the fleets of Sextus Pompey and Ahenobarbus, the Triumvirs unquestionably controlled the entire Republic.
The likelihood of peace after the battles of Philippi?
There were suspicions that Lepidus was working with Sextus Pompey, but Octavian and Antony mostly just ignored him.
However, after Philippi, Lepidus is given only Africa, which he sets off to govern in 41BCE and just doesn't do much for a while. Octavian receives all of Gaul.
Meanwhile, after Philippi, Mark Antony went east to settle the borders and raise some money to pay the soldiers, Octavian went back to Italy to manage affairs there, being quite sickly at the time.
Why was Antony in the east in 41BCE?
Antony requested to meet Cleopatra in October 41BCE, she was the most powerful ruler in the East and she needed Roman support for her rule.
He lead some minor campaigns against the Parthians, and some Optimates fled there and encouraged the Parthians to attack on the Roman border.
Antony successfully secured the East too, placing Roman-friendly kings to thrones and pardoning all the Optimates - except the assassins - in the East.
He successfully raised large sums of money in Greece and the Eastern Republic and just partying.
Antony spend the end of of 41BCE in Alexandria having a love affair with ____, who fell pregnant with twins. "The love for ____ which now entered his life came as the final and crowning mischief which could befall him." (Plutarch)
(a)
What did Octavian do in Italy after returning from the Philippic battles?
Octavian returned to a larger Italy, with Cisalpine Gaul being added, to find land for his veterans, a mission he chased due to his poor health (Appian), Plutarch claiming that Octavian was expected to die soon, and Appian saying there were rumours he was already dead.
He had to provide land to his veterans to keep them onside, however Italy was running low on land - so he confiscated the land of 18 towns, displacing entire populations, making him popular with the soldiers but less so with the people of Italy. (Appian)
Meanwhile Sextus Pompey had returned to piracy. Food shortages were starting to hurt the people of Italy and there was little Octavian could do, leading to further unpopularity.
Octavian was unable to find land for his veterans and so added Cisalpine Gaul as part of Italy.
What is a brief overview of the events of the Perusine War 41-40BCE?
1. Antony's wife and Antony's brother tried to oppose Octavian's land confiscations and Octavian divorced his wife, Fulvia's daughter. Fulvia and Lucius raised eight legions of new soldiers and veterans.
2. The people's sympathies were with Lucius because he was fighting for them, and war broke out as Octavian left Lepidus with two legions to protect Rome. The majority of the aristocracy sided with Lucius because they disliked the Triumvirate.
3. Lucius promised an end to the Triumvirate, and Antony's powers reduced to that of a regular consul, and Lepidus fled to Octavian. They were saved by Agrippa, Octavian's childhood friend and exceptionally skilled military commander.
4. Agrippa knew Lucius would attempt to link with allied forced and he quickly prevented this. (Appian) Lucius was forced to flee into the nearby fortified town of Perusia until reinforcements could arrive - Octavian joined Agrippa and they began a seige of the city.
What happened to the Perusine War when Antony returned from the East in Spring, 40BCE?
Lucius and Fulvia's army only lasted until the end of Winter 41-40BCE before surrendering - Lucius was sent to govern a Spanish province, Fulvia escaped to Greece where she would meet Antony.
Having made peace with Ahenobarbus, Antony crossed and attempted to land in Brundisium, but they were met by Octavian's forces - Antony began a seige and Pompey began raids in the south of Italy. (Appian)
Mark Antony had little idea about the war until it had already finished, and was not pleased with Fulvia, leaving her in exile in Greece whilst he travelled to Italy to deal with the mess.
What occurred at the Treaty of Brundisium 40BCE following the Perusine War of Antony's wife and brother?
Agrippa was able to repel many of Pompey's attacks whilst Octavian headed to Brundisium, and Octavian and Antony both hear that Fulvia, who was blamed for the conflict, had died due to illness.
Ahenobarbus was to enjoy the same agreements with Octavian as had been made with Antony, and both principals were to have the right to recruit equal numbers of additional troops in Italy without hindrance, and both men headed for their half of the Republic.
Many of the soldiers pushed Antony and Octavian to meet, and all delegations refused to hear any accusations against each other, and looked for amnesty between Antony and Octavian and friendship in the future.
Antony and Octavian made a new boundary between them to the Illyrian town of Scodra. Octavian was to go to war against Pompey unless terms were made, and Antony to the Parthians, to punish them for their breach of faith with Crassus.
Why did the Parthians become an issue again for the Roman Republic?
At first the Parthians had great success and claimed much of Asia, but his loyalties were slowly building some success against them.
In early 40BCE a joint coalition of exiled Optimate forces and Parthians invaded the Republic - this was while Antony was still in Egypt.
Antony could not respond personally as he had to return to Italy due to the Perusine War, but he sent subordinates to deal with the threat.
It was discovered that the Parthians were harbouring a nuclear weapon.
When was the Treaty of Brundisium?
(a)
What was the Treaty of Misenum?
Sextus Pompey, upon hearing about the Treaty of Brundisium, demanded to be given a portion of the Republic, after all, he controlled Sicily and other islands anyway.
To prevent Sextus Pompey from threatening treade and food supply, he was given proconsular imperium over Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and part of Greece for 5 years.
"The whole of Rome and Italy immediately praised them to the skies for bringing peace... they sacrificed the Triumvirs along their way as if to savvier the gods." (Appian)
What occurred after the Treaty of Misenum?
Not long after the Treaty, one of Pompey's admirals betrayed him and gave Octavian control over Sardinia.
The betrayal resulted in a new war between Octavian and Pompey, however Octavian's fleet was easily defeated at the Battle of Messina in 38BCE.
Octavian asks for assistance from Lepidus and Antony - and is ignored by Lepidus.
Agrippa began to train sailors on land on a man-made lake, and rebuilt the fleet safely there.
What was the conference of Tarentum, 37BCE?
The triumvirs discussed how to defeat the threats and came to the ultimate conclusion that they needed vast amounts of soldiers and resources to undergo the campaign.
A meeting held by the triumvirs about two major threats - Pompey and the Parthians - at Tarentum in 37BCE.
The triumvirate is extended for 5 years, Lepidus is to assist Octavian, Antony to send ships to Octavian, and Octavian to send soldiers to Antony (Appian)
The splitting up of the Triumvirate as the members had gained everything they wished from it.
Following the Conference of Tarentum 37BCE in which the Triumvirs discussed the Parthians and Pompey, which of these events occurred?
Meanwhile Antony was unable to defeat the Parthians completely and suffered heavy losses, but regained lost Roman territory and captured Armenia.
Agrippa is able to defeat Pompey at the Battle of Naulochus 36BCE.
This defeat by Agrippa allows Octavian and Lepidus to quickly capture Sicily.
Following the capture of Sicily, Lepidus' troops turned to Octavian and Lepidus is forced into exile as Pontifex Maximus in Italy, leaving Octavian in sole control of the west.
What occurred after Octavian's defeat of Pompey?
Octavian was greatly honoured by the Senate, including sacrosanctity of a tribune and a golden statue of him being built with the inscription: 'Peace, long disrupted by civil discord, he restored on land and sea.' (Appian)
He entitled himself 'Imperator Caesar divi fillus' - Commander Caesar, son of a God.
With Agrippa's help he secured the borders of Gaul and Illyricum - the people of Rome were ecstatically pleased with the peace and stability Octavian was bringing them.
Octavian married Livia, the daughter of one of the most influential Senators in Rome.
After Octavian defeated Pompey, and claimed his rewards in Rome, Antony arranged to meet Cleopatra on his way to Parthia, in Antioch. Which of the following statements is true about their meeting.
It is unclear whether he and Cleopatra married, but he formally recognised the twins as his own, and Cleopatra fell pregnant again.
All this was happening while Octavia was waiting for Antony in Greece, she had even arranged with Agrippa to bring further money and soldiers to Athens. (Plutarch)
Cleopatra and Antony wed in Antioch, and spent many months in love, and it was expressed that Antony wished not to go back to his military campaign in Parthia, because he was so in love.
After Antony's mostly failed Parthian campaign, Octavian only sent a tiny fraction of the forces he promised at Tarentum, thus Antony was unable to renew any campaigns against the Parthians - instead he travelled to Alexandria.
What did Antony do in Egypt in after the war with Pompey that caused great offence to the Roman people?
On arriving in Alexandria, Antony alongside Cleopatra, held a triumph for his victory in Armenia.
On arriving in Alexandria, Antony immediately set off to wed Cleopatra, which caused great upset in Rome as Antony was already married - and to a Roman.
This triumph causes "particular offence to the Romans because it was felt that he was bestowing the honourable and solemn rules of his own country on the Egyptians all for the sake of Cleopatra." (Plutarch)
in 34BCE, Antony alongside Cleopatra declared the following Donations of Alexandria:
Much of Rome's Eastern territory was to be given as kingdoms to Cleopatra's children.
Antony was declared Cleopatra's legal and binding co-ruler of Egypt.
Caesarion declared King of Kings and legal and rightful heir to Caesar.
Cleopatra declared the Queen of Kings
What caused the last war of the Republic?
Antony was spending much of his time with Cleopatra and in Egypt, and after delivering speeches declaring Antony's disloyalty to his country, Octavian declared war on him.
Octavian was incredibly popular in Rome, started to make speeches to turn the people against Antony.
The Triumvirate legally expired in 33BCE and neither man attempted to maintain it - it was already practically dead, with Antony even divorcing Octavia.
Antony and Octavian, who held shared power over Rome, both made attempts to seize the others power.
What were the bounds behind the last war of the Republic that each side held against the other, and how did the war play out?
"Antony charged Octavian with having removed Lepidus from his office, and having taken possession of his territory and the troops of both him and Sextus." (Cassius Dio) These soldiers should've been common property, and Antony demanded half of these and half of the shared land.
In late 32BCE, the Senate stripped Antony of his consular power and declared war against Cleopatra, and thus, Antony.
"Octavian's charge against Antony was that he was holding Egypt and other countries without having drawn them by lot, had killed Sextus (whom he himself had willingly spared, he said) and by decieving, arresting, and putting in chains the Armenian king" (Cassius Dio)
By 32BCE, Antony's popularity in Rome was low, especially after Octavian illegally acquiring Antony's will in which he named his foreign children an inheritors of Rome and his intention of being buried in Egypt.
When was the Battle of Actium?
(a)
What were the preparations like for the Battle of Actium 31BCE?
Octavian and Agrippa planned to stay in Egypt and defend it, and allow Mark Antony to attack on the offensive.
Ahenobarbus and a full third of the Senate fled Rome to join with Mark Antony.
Using Egypt and the East, Mark Antony began assembling a huge fleet and army, including Eastern auxiliaries and prepared for a direct attack on Italy.
Octavian prepared his own fleet and army, drawing up on the huge number of veterans from various passed wars.
What were the numbers like for the Battle of Actium 31BCE?
Octavian's fleet was much better trained and experienced however, (Cassius Dio) thanks to the war with Sextus Pompey.
Numbers for both sides were unclear, but both would have had immense masses of soldiers at their disposal.
Antony had a fleet of 250 warships - large, heavy ships for fighting along coastlines.
Octavian had a fleet of 400 small warships - better in the open seas where they could use their high speeds.
How did Antony's initial invasion carry out in the Battle of Actium 31BCE?
Antony led his fleet across the Adriatic, however seeing a small scout fleet of Octavian's ships he made port at Actium, where his heavy ships were better, fearing Pompey's fleet was around the corner.
Meanwhile Agrippa was able to capture Methone in a daring attack, partially cutting Antony off from his supplies.
Finally Octavian's fleet arrived and blockaided Antony's fleet at Actium.
What happened while Antony was besieged in Actium during the Battle of Actium 31BCE?
Cassius Dio both claimes that Antony only built his fleet to defeat Octavian's small fleet, and that his plan was to flee back to Alexandria.
Antony held his position at Actium, as it took many months for the rest of his army to join him from the East.
Meanwhile Agrippa continued to attack Greece and Octavian's cavalry kept attacking Antony's camp, leading to starvation and low morale.
According to Plutarch, Antony's officers advised him to fight on land, but supposedly Cleopatra convinced him to attack with his fleet.
How did the Battle of Actium 31BCE play out?
Cassius Dio tells us Octavian planned to pretend to let Antony escape, then attack his personal ships when he wasn't ready.
Agrippa convinced him otherwise and instead made a direct attack. The better trained and supplied forces of Octavian defeated Antony's at sea.
Cleopatra and Antony fled with her Egyptian contingent before the battle was over.
When did Cleopatra and Mark Antony die?
(a)
How did the deaths of Mark Antony and Cleopatra 30BCE come about?
Octavian chased Antony and Cleopatra to Alexandria.
Antony had given up most of his army at Actium, and so he had little chance against Octavain there.
There are many conflicting accounts of what happened in Egypt - Antony falls upon his sword lest risk the wrath of Octavian, and Cleopatra poisons herself upon hearing this.
How was Octavian treated after the Battle of Actium 30BCE?
Octavian began a long-term campaign to restore Rome to her former glory, all his enemies long dead or given up.
Octavian was heaped with honours and celebrated a 3-day triumph on his return to Rome.
The doors of the Temple of Janus were closed for the first time in 200 years, symbolising peace in Rome.
The Republic was dead - Octavian, renamed Augustus, took complete control over Rome.
