Quick questions on Second Triumvirate and the Battle of Actium: HSC Ancient History

Antony based himself in the East, first in Athens with Octavia and then increasingly in Alexandria with Cleopatra VII.

In a public ceremony at the Gymnasium of Alexandria, Antony conferred royal titles on Cleopatra and her children.

Antony was the servant of an Eastern queen, betraying Roman virtue. Antony had abandoned the lawful wife Octavia for the foreign sorceress Cleopatra. The Donations were the giveaway of Roman territory.

Octavian was a usurper, an enemy of his fellow triumvir, and the violator of triumviral agreements. Octavian's adoption was suspect; his power rested on military force alone.

Octavian claimed to have seized Antony's will from the Vestal Virgins and published its contents. The will allegedly confirmed Antony's identification with Cleopatra: he asked to be buried in Alexandria. The publication, though probably partly fabricated, completed Antony's political destruction in Rome.

Octavian's fleet under Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa consisted of around 250 lighter Liburnian ships. Antony commanded around 230 heavier quinqueremes. Cleopatra's Egyptian squadron of around 60 ships, including the treasure transports, was behind Antony's line.

Agrippa had blockaded Antony's fleet and army on land for months. Antony's troops were suffering from disease and desertion. Antony's strategy was either to defeat Octavian in a decisive battle or to break out to Egypt with the fleet.

On 2 September 31 BC, Antony's fleet sailed out to engage. After several hours of indecisive fighting, Cleopatra's Egyptian squadron raised sail and broke through the centre carrying the treasure. Antony followed in a smaller vessel.