MARK ANTONY

Mark Antony

Mark Antony

Introduction and Background

Antony educated for some time in Greece. In 58, BC, he became chief of cavalry under Aulus Gabinius, administering Roman crusades in Egypt and Judaea. In 54, BC, he operated under Julius Caesar in Gaul. His strong services to Caesar recognized and in 52 BC, he named Tribune of the People. Later he gave the title of Quaestor. At this time in Antony's life, he married his first wife, Fulvia. Together they despised Cicero. She was a widow whose husband killed by a friend of Cicero's. Later he defended the killer, resulting in her hatred.

Antony continued to campaign under Caesar and was a strong advocate for him. In 49, BC, he attained the position as Augur. The following year, Antony joined Caesar in Rome and named commander in chief. A feud between Caesar and the Roman statesman, Pompey, had been building. The two men went to war in 48 BC at the Battle of Pharsalus. Caesar was confident in Antony's military skills and put him in charge of his left wing during the battle. Caesar was successful in defeating Pompey and ended disputes. In 44, BC, Antony moved up to co-consul with Caesar.

Caesar was a prominent leader and was growing increasingly popular. A small group of Romans were fearful that Caesar was gaining too much power. They made assumptions that he was trying to become a dictator and began plotting his assassination. On March 15, 44 BC (the Ides of March), they followed through with their plan. Caesar called to the senate, and the conspirators proceeded to stab Caesar to death. Knowing Antony's loyalty to Caesar, they made sure he was away at the time.

Antony devastated and infuriated by his Caesar's death and he vowed to gain revenge against the murderers. On the day of Caesar's funeral, Antony prepared to speak on his friend's behalf. Brutus took the stage first, however, and convinced the crowd that the conspirators had saved Rome from a tyrant. The audience swayed by his speech and supported their reasons for killing him.

Then Antony took the stage and reversed the tone of the crowd. "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears..." he began as he proceeded to remind them of how renowned Caesar had been. Then he read Caesar's will, informing the Roman's all that Caesar had left his people and how much he had loved them. Soon the crowd began protesting the unjust death of their hero and avenged the death of the assassins. Antony had been successful in gathering the Roman's support for his revenge. However, the news got out to the conspirators, and Brutus and Cassius managed to escape.

Mark Antony in Cicero's 4th Philippic vs. Mark Antony in Plutarch

In the play Plutarch, the role of Marcus Antonius, known as Marc Antony, is a member of the Second Triumvirate who defeated with Cleopatra at Actium. At the very beginning of the Life of Alexander the Great (in a passage not included by Robinson in Ten Famous Lives), Plutarch summarizes ...