Antonius
MARCUS (MARK AN- TONY), Roman triumvir, born 83 в. C., was connected with the family of Cæsar by his mother. Debauchery and prodigality marked his youth. To escape his creditors he went to Greece in 58, and from hence followed the Consul Gabinius on a campaign in Syria as commander of the cavalry. He served in Gaul under Cæsar in 52 and 51. In 50 he returned to Rome to support the interests of Cæsar against the aristocratical party headed by Pompey, and was appointed tribune. When war broke out between Cæsar and Pompey, Antony led reinforcements to Cæsar in Greece, and, in the battle of Pharsalia, he commanded the left wing. Heafterward returned to Rome with the appointment of master of the horse and governor of Italy (47). In ANTONIUS B. C. 44 he became Cæsar's colleague in the consulship. Soon after Cæsar was assassinated, and Antony would have shared the same fate had not Brutus stood up in his behalf. Antony, by the reading of Cæsar's will, and by the oration which he delivered over his body, excited the people to anger and revenge, and the murderers were obliged to flee.
After several quarrels and reconciliations with Octavianus, Cæsar's heir (see Au- GUSTUS, Antony departed to Cisalpine Gaul, which province had been conferred upon him against the will of the senate.
But Cicero thundered against him in his famous Philippics; the senate declared him a public enemy, and intrusted the conduct of the war against him to Octavianus and the consuls Hirtius and Pansa.
After a campaign of varied fortunes Antony fled with his troops over the Alps. Here he was joined by Lepidus, who commanded in Gaul, and through whose mediation Antony and Octavianus were again reconciled. It was agreed that the Roman world should be divided among the three conspirators, who were called triumvirs. Antony was to take Gaul; Lepidus, Spain; and Octavianus, Africa and Sicily. Antony and Octavianus departed in 42 for Macedonia, where the united forces of their enemies, Brutus and Cassius, formed a powerful army, which was, however, speedily defeated at Philippi. Antony next visited Athens, and thence proceeded to Asia.
In Cilicia he ordered Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, to apologize for her insolent behavior to the triumviri. She appeared in person, and her charms fettered him forever. He followed her to Alexandria, where he forgot worldly affairs, till he was aroused by a report that hostilities had commenced in Italy between his own relatives and Octavianus. A short war followed, which was decided in favor of Octavianus before the arrival of Antony in Italy. A reconciliation was effected, which was sealed by the marriage of Antony with Octavia, the sister of Octavianus. A new division of the Roman dominions was now made (in 40), by which Antony obtained the East, Octavianus the West. After his return to Asia Antony gave himself up entirely to Cleopatra, assuming the style of an Eastern despot, and so alienating many of his adherents. At length war was declared against the Queen of Egypt, and Antony was deprived of his consulship and government. Antony lost, in the naval battle at Actium (B. C. 31), the dominion of the world. He followed Cleopatra to Alexandria, and, on the arrival of Octavianus his fleet and cavalry deserted, and his infantry was de- ANTONY OF PADUA feated. Deceived by a false report which Cleopatra had disseminated of her death, he fell upon his own sword (B. C. 30).
On being told that Cleopatra was still alive, he caused himself to be carried into her presence, that he might die in her arms.