The New Student's Reference Work/Antony, Mark

An′tony, Mark, a great Roman general, was born at Rome in 83 B. C. He fought bravely as a soldier in Syria, Egypt and Gaul under Cæsar, whose firm friend he became. He took part in Cæsar's great victory of Pharsalia, and with him was made consul in 44 B. C. After Cæsar was killed, Antony, with Augustus and Lepidus, formed a government called the Triumvirate, which defeated the republican army of Brutus and Cassius at Philippi. Some time after, Antony visited Greece and Asia, and met the beautiful Cleopatra, queen of Egypt. His love for her made him forget the provinces he was to govern. When at last he turned his attention to them, he ruled so much like a despot that Augustus sent an army against him, which defeated him in the naval battle of Actium, Cleopatra cowardly sailing away with her ships, and Antony too much in love to stay behind her even to fight for his honor. Soon afterward Mark Antony killed himself (30 B. C.).