The War That Made the Roman Empire: Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavian at Actium

Description

The gripping story of one of history’s most important and yet little-known wars, the campaign culminating in the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, whose outcome determined the future of the Roman Empire. Following Caesar’s assassination and Mark Antony’s defeat of the conspirators who killed Caesar, two powerful men remained in Rome—Antony and Caesar’s chosen heir, young Octavian, the future Augustus. When Antony fell in love with the most powerful woman in the world, Egypt’s ruler Cleopatra, and thwarted Octavian’s ambition to rule the empire, another civil war broke out. In 31 BC one of the largest naval battles in the ancient world took place—more than 600 ships, almost 200,000 men, and one woman—the Battle of Actium. Octavian prevailed and subsequently defeated Antony and Cleopatra, who eventually committed suicide. The Battle of Actium had great consequences for the empire. Had Antony and Cleopatra won, the empire’s capital might have moved from Rome to Alexandria, Cleopatra’s capital, and Latin might have become the empire’s second language after Greek, which was spoken throughout the eastern Mediterranean, including Egypt. In this riveting and exciting history, Barry Strauss, ancient history authority, describes this consequential battle with the drama and expertise that it deserves. The War That Made the Roman Empire is essential history that features three of the greatest figures of the ancient world. Contents Cover Title Page Dedication Maps Author’s Note Chronology Prologue: A Forgotten Monument—Nicopolis, Greece Part 1: The Seeds of War: 44 to 32 BC Chapter 1: The Road to Philippi Chapter 2: The Commander and the Queen Chapter 3: Three Treaties and a Marriage Chapter 4: Octavian’s Victory, Antony’s Defeat and Recovery Chapter 5: The Coming of War Part 2: A Plan and an Attack: Autumn 32 to April 31 BC Chapter 6: The Invaders Chapter 7: The Naval Crown Chapter 8: The African King Chapter 9: Sitting on a Ladle Part 3: The Battle: August to September 2, 31 BC Chapter 10: Apollo’s Revenge Chapter 11: The Clash Chapter 12: The Golden Ship with Purple Sails Chapter 13: “I Preferred to Save Rather Than to Destroy” Part 4: The End Game: September 31 to January 27 BC Chapter 14: Passage to India Chapter 15. The Bite of the Asp Chapter 16: “I Wanted to See a King” Chapter 17. The Triumph of Augustus A Note on Sources Photographs Acknowledgments About the Author Notes Index Illustration Credits Copyright