The War between Antony and Octavian

Although the assassins of Julius Caesar may have thought they were preserving the Roman Republic, their acts unintentionally led to its total dissolution. Following a period of unrest and civil conflict brought on by the murder, Caesar's son Octavian and his general Marc Antony emerged as the leading candidates to rule Rome. In the Second Triumvirate, the two had formerly been allies, but by 32 B.C., their shared ambitions and Antony's scandalous relationship with Cleopatra had caused them to split. The stage was prepared for Rome to engage in a winner-takes-all conflict when Octavian convinced the Senate to declare war on Cleopatra.

After months of scheming, the forces of Octavian, Antony, and Cleopatra ultimately clashed at the Actium naval battle in 31 B.C. Despite having a few more ships available, Antony was outmatched by Octavian's talented general, Agrippa. He abandoned a portion of his fleet as the war turned against him and escaped to Alexandria with Cleopatra. A year later, the two lovers killed themselves, allowing Octavian to take control of the faltering Roman Republic. Under the honorary name "Augustus", he would go on to rule as Rome's first emperor.