history of the ancient world - one of the most interesting pages in the annals of mankind.It was the final stage of ancient Rome - the state, which existed nearly a thousand years.
interest in the history of this ancient country due to the fact that she, extending from the city in the vast area of the structure, has gone through many phases of development.With this ancient state involves a lot of names, and one of them - Mark Antony.
Ancient Rome
As a result, the gains of III-I centuries BC it became a world power.Ambition, murder, conquest, unsurpassed power in the matter of development of technology of the time - all this has become a cornerstone in the foundation of the empire.Important role in this played Gaius Julius Caesar - the most powerful ruler of Rome.This ambitious politician and general, realizing that the way to glory on the battlefield is far beyond the borders of the empire, was able to almost double the size of the state.
As a man, prone to power, he was able to establish the reign of the emperor in Rome.His thirst for conquest demanded implementation of the most daring projects.And in so doing, it could help only the closest associates, one of whom was Mark Antony.Rome in the era of Caesar's anarchic state into a powerful empire.And a significant role in this was played by his faithful companion - Mark Antony, a photo of the bust which can be seen in any school history textbook.
closest ally
Praetor's son Antony of Crete and cousin of Julia Caesar, the future commander and politician, was born in the 82 th BC.His youth can not be called a calm and measured.Mark Antony led a very chaotic and wasteful life.At one point he even had to flee from their lenders to Greece, where for some time he studied the philosophy of science.But after a while the young man realized that all this is alien to him.Military - that is what decided to devote himself to Mark Antony.
Biography He was born fourteenth day of January 82 th BC in one of the well-known families in Rome, which belonged to the ruling elite.His father - Mark Antony of Crete, or cretica, came from a very old family, who, according to legend, ascended to the son of Hercules Antonio.
Ancestors Anthony always occupied high posts in Rome.His grandfather even achieved the rank of consul, and later a censor.
Childhood
The family of the future commander, in addition to himself, growing two more sons.He, like many of the offspring of noble families, has received excellent education at home.He had always predicted a bright future.In addition, Mark Antony, whose biography is the most detail by Cicero, has always been in good shape and doing well in the military preparatory and gymnastic training.This was considered the most important component in the education of young noble Romans.
Youth
Mark Antony, adolescence which occurred in a relatively quiet time for the empire, sought, like other young nobles to free expression.Since that time, all the military campaign were far from the capital, notably young people spend all their time in Rome in place of military service.Mark Anthony tried to imitate his distant ancestor Hercules: he grew a beard, began to encircle the tunic at the hip to wear seat belt sword and wrap in heavy cloak.
While it is greatly influenced by Gaius Curio - the son of the consul.According to biographers, he is keen on the future of the great commander women, booze and luxury.
Despite its noble origin, Antony in his youth had been completely shattered reputation.Therefore, his family could not manage to agree on the marriage of a girl from a noble family.As a result, he took his first marriage to the daughter of a wealthy freedmen Quinta Galla slave.However, the family was not destined to have a long history: in the 44th BC.e.his wife died.
away from home
father ally of Julius Caesar and Mark Antony future commander Sr. left after the death of the huge debts that fell on the shoulders of his son.But since he led a very wild life, there was nothing to pay him.Wanted creditors, he fled to Greece.Here, Anthony for a while he studied under the famous philosophers and rhetoricians.But soon he realized that the military science closer to him, he threw the humanities.Soon the Syrian proconsul Gabinius Mark Antony was appointed head of the cavalry.The warrior by nature, he distinguished himself in the campaigns against Aristobulus in Judea, and in Egypt, where he assisted in every way Ptolemy XII Avleta and helped him to accede to the throne.
Under the leadership of Caesar
names of these two politicians and generals are inextricably linked to each other.In the 54th BC.e.Antony, Caesar arrived in Gaul, acquired with the help of police headquarters.But five years later, when he was a tribune, with Cassius Longinus he was able to support the latter in the Senate.But it did not have the desired result, so Anthony, as well as other tsezariantsam, had to flee the city.
war began.Julius gave Anthony troops, concentrated in Italy.In the battle of Pharsalus Anthony fought on the left wing.Upon returning to Rome, he was appointed Caesar's magister equitum - chief of cavalry.And in the fiftieth year with the support of his patron he became a tribune of the people.He proved himself an active supporter of the latter and taking advantage of its undivided trust at the beginning of the Civil War, he got the position propraetor and began to lead the Roman administration in the absence of the emperor.
Death patron
However, the fact that Caesar, in fact, proclaimed himself dictator for life, and the king of Rome, led to his isolation and rejection of his others.The Senate was literally saturated with dissatisfaction tyranny.Even protégé Caesar - Brutus Mark - managed to persuade him to change.
Finally in March, forty-four years BC.e.Forty-conspirators, driven by the ideas of liberty, brought his plan into execution.Gaius Julius Caesar was stabbed with daggers.But his death did not lead to the triumph of justice and the restoration of the republic, as would the conspirators.
famous speech
Caesar's funeral was scheduled for March 20.Since late in Rome had no close relatives, and Gaius Octavius - his adopted son - was at that time in Greece, the Marcus Brutus as the urban praetor, it was decided that a eulogy must say Anthony.While the conspirators and tsezariantsam apparently managed to maintain the appearance of reconciliation, though the crowd was getting heated, and this took a disciple and colleague of Caesar.A fiery speech of Mark Antony, calls to punish the killers, was completed demonstration togas bloody dictator.
Then, as she sought, the ceremony was broken: the Romans, gathered from the surrounding shops all wooden things right at the Forum organized a funeral pyre, and then rushed to search for the conspirators.
After Caesar
Knowing what to expect the same fate as his patron, Mark Antony had to flee from Rome.Later he came back and took over the treasury and archives of the dictator.Broke out with the direct assistance of the riots led to the fact that the conspirators were forced to leave the capital of the empire.In a very short period, but Mark Antony became a sole ruler.He even managed to hold a series of reforms and adopt new laws.
power struggle
short time later, however, the Senate decided to oppose Anthony Gaius Octavian, whom Caesar shortly before the murder named his successor.Gradually ally of the dictator began to lose its influence.And when Mutinskoy war in the 43rd BC.e.his troops were defeated, he had to flee to the south.There commander Mark Anthony bowed to union Marcus Lepidus - proconsul of Gaul and Nearer Spain.Typing on a significant number of troops, he moved to Italy.As a result, the warring parties had agreed, formed a triumvirate - "Union of the three."Guy Antony, Lepidus and Mark Antony became the supreme ruler of Rome, eliminating the battle of Philippi, his main political opponents - Cassius and Brutus killed Caesar.
three power was short-lived: in the 42 th they Octavian, concluded an agreement suspended Lepidus.Then, Mark Antony, who was in the section of the eastern part of the Roman Empire, began to reorganize his province.He traveled to Greece, Bithynia, Syria.
Last Love
Him everywhere greeted with honors.Only the Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra did not deign general attention.Stung by Mark Antony ordered her to come to Tarsus.But when the mistress dressed as Venus, surrounded by sea nymphs and cupids facies, on a huge ship under crimson sails and gilded stern sailed in the evening to the sounds of gentle music, beat-general and playboy, favorite of women and brave man was overwhelmed by her splendor.Instead of angry threats from him an invitation to dinner.
Cleopatra and Mark Antony retired to the ship, strewn with rose petals.Feast lasted for four days, and then they went to its capital residence.The Roman general was willing to give this seductress world.
history of Cleopatra and Mark Antony
whole winter in the Egyptian capital continued entertainment and orgies.Ruler fully retired state."Alexandrian courtesan," Do not leave her lover for a moment, turned into a voluptuous Bacchante.She indulged in any of his instincts saw him on an equal basis, expressed cynically replied abuse.Every day Cleopatra and Mark Antony conducted in entertainment: their life has become a real theater fun with constantly updated decorations.Sometimes lovers wearing clothes of commoners, walked through the streets, staging fights and jokes.
governor thought only of Cleopatra.He began to give away the land to her children, ordered to mint coins with the profile of his beloved, and on the boards of their foreign players to clear her name.
price of love
Romans, deeply disturbed by such actions, they murmured.The 32-year BC.e.the Senate gave Octavian.His diatribe was directed against Mark Antony.He is unveiling his will, in which the Roman commander ordered to bury him in the land of Egypt, called the last almost a traitor.But the last straw was the point at which Mark Antony called his successor son of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar, recognizing it not only Egypt, but also other land which he gave his mistress.
Testament was a bombshell.Octavian, on behalf of the Senate declared war on Egypt.
war against the Roman Empire
Army Cleopatra and Antony were numerous.That this was the cause of their defeat: they relied too much on it, lost.Queen of Egypt, who have no experience to command the fleet.In the decisive battle in the beginning of September, 31 years BC.e., not far from the Greek Actium, she did not understand the strategy of a lover, at the decisive moment left him, ordered a retreat.Romans managed to win a complete victory.
In desperation, Cleopatra and Mark Antony made a farewell feast.This orgy of orgies Egypt never seen.
Death
When Octavian went to Alexandria, the queen, wishing to soften, sent messengers to him with lavish gifts.And she locked herself in the chambers and waited.Servant just misunderstood this retreat, Antony said that his lover died, committed suicide.Hearing this, the soldier stabbed himself with a dagger.He died a few hours at the hands of Cleopatra.
Meanwhile, the Romans took possession of Alexandria.Attempts to negotiate with the Queen of Octavian did not lead to success.At last her spell does not have any effect, even though he was famous for his adventures.
Cleopatra had no illusions about her future: she had to go to Rome in chains by the chariot of Octavian.But the proud "Alexandrian courtesan" avoid shame: faithful servants managed to give her a basket of fruit, they hid under a very poisonous snake.Since 30 August the 30th BC ended the love story of Mark Antony and Cleopatra.
Descendants
chroniclers described this Roman commander, Caesar's colleague as a man with a representative of a beautiful appearance.The main features of his character are called intelligence and generosity, wit and emotional openness, ease in manner and politeness.All these qualities, according to Plutarch, and paved his way to the great heights of power.They always multiplies its power, despite the many blunders and errors.But his main weakness of all historians called Cleopatra, who stood in his way, and broken lives.
Marc Anthony had seven children.Two sons from his first wife Fulvia, daughter and Anthony Junior - from Octavia, sister of Octavian, and three offspring of the Egyptian queen.She bore him twins - Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene, and junior - Ptolemy Philadelphus.
History knows at least another two of his namesakes, who, according to some reports, are considered distant descendants.This is Mark Anthony Aurelius, the Roman emperor who was starting from 161 th to 180 th year.He was a philosopher, a representative of late stoicism and follower of Epictetus.He even left the descendants of the twelve volume work called "to yourself."
Another namesake - Antony Semproniano African novel - better known in Roman historiography named Gordian I. He was also the Emperor and rule the empire in 238, the year.
However Gordian known as the man who created the amphitheater of Mark Antony, which were organized merrymaking, cruelty is not inferior to those that took place in the Coliseum.
