Antony, Mark

(c.83-30 BC) Roman statesman and general. After the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC, Antony formed the Second Triumvirate with Lepidus and Octavian (Augustus) against the republican conspirators. Following Antony's defeat of Cassius and Brutus at Philippi in 42 BC, the triumvirs divided the empire, Antony taking the rich eastern Mediterranean. In Egypt Antony met Cleopatra (41 BC). They became lovers as well as political allies challenging Octavian's dominance. However, their relationship all owed Octavian to cast Antony as a traitor. In 31 BC Antony and Cleopatra were defeated by Octavian at Actium; Antony committed suicide as Octavian entered Alexandria.