Antony, Mark, also known as Marcus Antonius c.83-30BC
Roman politician and soldier

Mark Antony was related on his mother's side to Julius Caesar, and after assisting Caesar in Gaul (53-50BC), Antony went to Rome to become tribune of the plebs (49) and defend Caesar's cause. He was expelled from the senate and fled to Caesar, who made this a pretext for his war against Pompey. Caesar left him in charge in Italy, and at Pharsalia (48) Antony led the left wing of Caesar's army. In 47 he was made master of the horse, and was left to govern Italy during Caesar's absence in Africa. He held no further post until 44, when he was consul with Caesar.

After Caesar's assassination, the conspirators fled, leaving Antony with almost absolute power. In the young Octavianus Augustus (named as heir in Caesar's will), he encountered a more ruthless and astute politician than himself. He was besieged and defeated at Mutina (43), and fled to Gaul. There he found support in the army of Lepidus, and returned to Rome at the head of 17 legions and 10,000 cavalry. Augustus held a consultation with Antony and Lepidus near Bononia, where it was decided that the three should share control of the Roman world as triumvirs. In Rome, a reign of terror began; among their first victims was Cicero, who had attacked Antony in the series of speeches called the Philippics.

After securing Italy and raising money, Antony and Augustus led their troops into Macedonia, and defeated Brutus and Cassius at Philippi (42). Antony went on to Athens, and then passed over to Asia, where he met and was captivated by Cleopatra. He followed her to Egypt (winter 41-40), until called back by news of a dispute with Augustus. A new division of the Roman world was now arranged, Antony taking the east, and Augustus the west, while Lepidus had to be content with Africa; Antony also married Augustus's sister Octavia (40). Differences grew up between Antony and Augustus, and in 37 Antony separated from Octavia and rejoined Cleopatra. His position in the east, his relations with Cleopatra, and his unsuccessful campaigns against the Parthians (36 and 34), were seized upon by Augustus and misrepresented for propaganda purposes. Eventually Augustus declared war on Cleopatra (32) and in the naval engagement of Actium (31), Antony and Cleopatra were defeated. Antony returned to Egypt where, deserted by the navy and army and deceived by a false report of Cleopatra's death, he committed suicide.

Bibliography: Shakespeare used Lord North's translation of Plutarch as his source for the plays Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra.