SH+P6+JC+Mark+Antony+and+Octavian

=Mark Antony and Octavian - Point of Analysis=

Octavian (Augustus)

Aim (purpose) - Eryn Mark Antony was a friend of Caesar but Octavian was only associated with him through Caesars daughter, Julia. Both Mark Antony and Octavian are “triumvirs who rule rome following Caesar's assassination” (Julius Caesar Characters). They do this partly because of their love for Rome but mainly as a means of gaining power. this is evident in history as many Romans were selfish and often times killed their superiors to gain a higher place in their society. After the death of Caesar, Octavian, a man named Lepidus, and Mark all formed the second triumvirate in order to restore balance in the Roman Empire “ Disagreement between Octavian and Antony erupted into civil war” (Julius Caesar - Play). Octavian won the war and became the Emperor of Rome. Caesar was killed because some people were afraid he would become emperor. Many historical documents have been written about or even by Mark Antony and Octavian.

Works Cited “Julius Caesar Characters.” Absolute Shakespeare. Absoluteshakespeare, 2005. Web. 21 Oct. 2013. “Julius Ceasar - Play.” Wikipedia. n.p., 2013. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.

Mark Antony and the Second Triumvirate

Audience - Tianna Because the purpose of Mark Antony and Octavian was to rid of the assassins, Brutus and Cassius, and the people who were pleased with death of Julius Caesar, people who have done unethical acts and deserve to be punished are viewed as the author’s primary audience. Barbara McManus said Mark Antony and Octavian would, “...silence opposition and raise money, they carried out bloody proscriptions, executing significant numbers of senators and equestrians, including the great orator Cicero, against whom Antony was particularly vindictive” (McManus). After the death of Caesar, Mark Antony and Octavian created the second triumvirate. Feeling “vindictive,” the new government “silenced opposition” and sought out revenge. Although the unethical are the primary audience, the secondary audience are those who have supposedly done good. Mark Antony and Octavian’s actions were then used as a warning. This warning is directly towards the ethical to not carry out immoral actions, such as committing a crime similar to Brutus and Cassius, otherwise there will be consequences. The author assumes everyone, at some point in time, will have the choice to do either the good or wrong act. So when that moment comes, that individual should choose to carry out the good act, in order to avoid the negative consequences.

Work Cited "Antony and Octavia." Antony and Octavia. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2013. McManus, Barbara F. "Antony, Octavian, Cleopatra: The End of the Republic." Antony, Octavian, Cleopatra. N.p., Aug. 2009. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.

Mark Antony

Historical - Cat Mitchell After the death of Julius Caesar in 44 BC, competition arose for possession of Julius’s vacated position. As the adopted son of Julius Caesar, Octavian challenged Mark Antony’s appeal to govern Rome and tensions were taut. However, after successfully uniting against the guilty conspirators of Caesar (often by using violent and forceful means), they went on to form the Second Triumvirate with Marcus Aemilius Lepidus to command the Roman empire. Important in the relationship between the two leaders of Rome, “ the Second was based on ambition and mutual distrust, not friendship or respect” (Mazurek). Afterwards, Antony and Octavian engaged in a battle with the banished forces of Brutus and Cassius, two of the plotters against Julius Caesar, at the Battle of Philippi in Greece, which the former won. Doing so temporarily extinguished the Republican campaign promoted by Brutus and Cassius. In the following year of 42 BC, during periods in which Antony left Italy to meet with the famous queen of Egypt, Cleopatra, the state of Italy attracted growing concern, for Antony was continuously absent while Octavian accumulated increasing amounts of power and influence (McManus). In an attempt to rectify the condition of Italy, Antony and Octavian decided to divide the regions in which each would control: Antony would dictate in the East, and Octavian the West (Antony). To ensure the pact, Antony was married to Octavian’s widowed sister, Octavia (Antony). The combined actions of Antony and Octavian forever changed government leading up to Octavian/ Augustus’s infinite rule, and resulted in a new kind of government that still holds true today: a government based on virtue, but withheld by competition and ill feelings towards one’s fellow politician.

Works Cited: "Antony and Octavia." Antony and Octavia. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2013. Mazurek, Elizabeth. "The Last Days of the Republic: Octavian, Antony, and Cleopatra."Notre Dame OpenCourseWare. N.p., 18 Mar. 2008. Web. 22 Oct. 2013. McManus, Barbara F. "Antony, Octavian, Cleopatra: The End of the Republic." Antony, Octavian, Cleopatra. N.p., Aug. 2009. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.

Mark Antony and Cleopatra

Cultural - Diana Bantugan

Mark Antony is a famous figure in history and culture. He was a “Roman politician and general (Mark Antony). He is seen in many types of literature, often as symbols and allusions. Antony is often used as a symbol of forbidden love and sacrifice when read about in context with Cleopatra. In “Romances that Changed the World,” it states, “Still, her final political and romantic partnership - with the Roman general Mark Antony - brought about the deaths of both lovers and toppled the centuries-old Ptolemaic dynasty to which she belonged” (History). His love life and tragedy is mentioned and written about in many famous works. According to History.com, “His romantic and political alliance with the Egyptian queen Cleopatra was his ultimate undoing, and centuries later provided inspiration for artists from Shakespeare to Cecil B. DeMille” (Mark Antony). Many find love and tragedy when reading about his life, or can even relate to him. In popular culture, his figure has been used in movies, books, etc. He has become a well-known character in the modern world and in the past. Octavian, or Augustus, ascended the throne after Julius Caesar; his impact on society is very crucial to understand the way the world works today. During the period time when Octavian was in power, Augustus had accomplished many feats such as “ending a hundred years of civil war and maintaining peace throughout his empire” (Augustus). This is critical because of the turmoil caused by his predecessor Julius Ceasar. He was able to “fix” and expand the Roman Empire even more than Caesar. He is also known for changing his name to “Augustus” which means “sacred” or “revered” (Octavian - Augustus). This name is used to place Octavian on the same level as Julius Ceasar, and is also used as a month on the calendar. In culture, Octavian is often used as a symbol of peace and tranquility because of his role of emperor over the Roman Empire. Octavian changed history once he stepped into power and shaped the Roman Empire, creating a new era.

Works Cited “Augustus.” PBS. Devillier Donegan Enterprises, 2006. Web. 21 Oct. 2013. “Mark Antony.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2013. Web. 21 Oct. 2013. “Octavian - Augustus.” Roman-Empire. n.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2013 “Romances That Changed History.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2013. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.