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Marc Antony

Who was Marc Antony?

Antony was a general in the army of Julius Caesar who became one of Caesar's closest colleagues. After Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C., Antony got into the struggle for control of Rome

What were his accomplishments?

He was a famed general who join Julius Caesar and then Cleopatra. He supported Caesar during the Civil War, made a famous speech at Caesar's funeral, and then joined forces with Cleopatra to fight Octavian in another Roman civil war. Antony was part of the Second Triumvirate, along with Octavian and Lepidus.

What was his relationship with Caesar?

He first joined the army of Julius Caesar and then became one of Caesar's closest colleagues.

Describe his political career.

Antony was Caesar's second in command. In all battles against the Pompeians, Antony led the left wing of the army, a proof of Caesar's confidence in him. When Caesar became dictator, Antony was made of the Horse&gwp=8&curtab=2222_1|master of the horse, the dictator's right hand man, and in this capacity remained in Italy as the peninsula's administrator in 47 BC, while Caesar was fighting the last Pompeians, who had taken refuge in the African provinces. But Antony's skills as administrator were a poor match to those as general. Conflict soon arose, and, as on other occasions, Antony resorted to violence. Hundreds of citizens were killed and Rome herself descended into a state of anarchy. Caesar was most displeased with the whole affair and removed Antony from all political responsibilities. The two men did not see each other for two years. Reconciliation arrived in 44 BC, when Antony was chosen as partner for Caesar's fifth consulship. Whatever conflicts existed between the two men, Antony remained faithful to Caesar at all times. In February of 44 BC, during the Lupercalia festival, Antony publicly offered Caesar a diadem. This was an event fraught with meaning: a diadem was a symbol of a king, and in refusing it, Caesar demonstrated that he did not intend to assume the throne.

What did he do upon Caesar's death?

At the funeral of Caesar he spoke out strongly against the assassins