James Baquet

By sheer coincidence, the battle I’m writing about took place exactly 2,050 years ago, on Sept. 2, 31 B.C.

The battle of Actium was a naval encounter between the forces of Octavian against those of Mark Antony and the Greco-Egyptian Queen Cleopatra.

The story starts when Octavian’s great-uncle Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C. Octavian was Caesar’s adopted son and, therefore, his heir. He formed the “Second Triumvirate” with two of Caesar’s other allies, Mark Antony and Lepidus.

They disposed of Caesar’s assassins and split the Roman Republic into three parts, with each as dictator. But ambition cannot be quelled, and — as did the First Triumvirate — they began to fight. Lepidus went into exile. Antony left his wife — Octavian’s sister — and went to Egypt to consort with Cleopatra. This was seen as an attempt to become ruler of the East, and perhaps as a prelude to taking over Octavian’s share of the republic.

Matters came to a head when Antony and Cleopatra promoted her 13-year-old son Caesarion — Antony’s stepson — as ruler of Egypt and (alarmingly) “King of Kings.” Caesarion was Caesar’s illegitimate son, giving him a claim to the rulership of Rome.

Octavian was quick to react, having Antony deposed and war declared on Cleopatra (and thus, Antony — without naming him).

Meanwhile, Cleopatra — who had supplied much of Antony’s fleet — advised that he withdraw from Greek waters back to Egypt for the winter. This incited Octavian to attack. He had more vessels than Antony did, but smaller and of poorer quality. Nevertheless, his better-trained, professional crews were able to outmaneuver Antony’s ships. It didn’t hurt that a defector had brought Antony’s battle plans to Octavian!

Cleopatra’s fleet retreated and were last seen sailing toward Egypt. Many of Antony’s land forces had also fled. The day was lost.

After further defeat in vainly fought battles, Antony committed suicide on July 31 the next year. Cleopatra and her son were both dead by mid-August, and Octavian was now Caesar’s only surviving “son” (though an adopted one). The way was clear for him to become Caesar Augustus, the first Roman Emperor.

Vocabulary:

Which word above means:

1. associate, keep company

2. stirred, encouraged

3. without hope of success

4. removed from office

5. involving boats

6. move more effectively than

7. something that precedes another thing

8. quieted, calmed

9. something that happens by chance

10. one who changes sides