Antony made the headquarters of his half of the Roman dominion at
Alexandria. Here he came under the fascinations of Cleopatra, and he
lost all regard to his character or his interests in her company. He
even went so far as to divorce his wife Octavia, the sister of Octavius,
and, having married the voluptuous Egyptian queen, he bestowed Roman
provinces on her.
This conduct was treasonable, and furnished Octavius with a decent
pretext for declaring war. The young Cæsar had been gaining great
popularity in Italy; he had consolidated his power and had his legions
in fine training. The fleets and armies of the rivals assembled at the
opposite sides of the Gulf of Ambracia. After considerable delay,
Antony, instigated by Cleopatra, who was present with her Egyptian
fleet, determined to decide the contest by a naval battle. The contest
took place off the promontory of Actium (on the west coast of Greece),
while the hostile armies, drawn up on the shore, were simple spectators.
In the midst of the conflict Cleopatra tacked about, and with the
Egyptian squadron of sixty sail drew out of the fight. Antony,
regardless of his honor, followed after her, and the pair fled to
Alexandria. Both the fleet and the force of Antony surrendered to
Octavius, 31 B. C.
Some months afterwards Octavius advanced to besiege Alexandria. Antony
attempted to defend it; but he was abandoned by his troops. Cleopatra
retired to a monument she had erected, and caused a report to be spread
of her death. Upon this news Antony attempted to commit suicide, and
inflicted on himself a mortal wound: hearing, however, in the midst of
his agonies, that Cleopatra still lived, he caused himself to be carried
to her monument, and expired in her presence (30 B. C.).