Love Story of Anthony and Cleopatra

Mark Antony became one of the three rulers of the Roman Empire, together with Octavius Caesar and Lepidus, and was responsible for the eastern part of the empire. He fell in love with Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt.

As his wife had just died Antony married Octavius’ sister, Octavia, in an attempt to heal the rift between the two emperors. When Cleopatra heard about Antony’s marriage she flew into a jealous rage as she knew that Antony did not love Octavia. Antony went to Athens when war broke out between Caesar and Pompey, Antony sent Octavia back to Rome and he returned to Egypt.

Caesar was very angry with Antony’s behaviour and he declared war on both Antony and Cleopatra. When the Romans arrived, Antony was offered a choice of how to fight. He chose to fight on sea. The Egyptian navy was inadequate. When Cleopatra’s navy turned and fled, Antony followed them. Caesar defeated him.

Antony got news that Cleopatra was dead. Antony was devastated and decided to kill himself. He wounded himself without dying. His followers took him to Cleopatra’s tomb, where he died in her arms.