Why couldn't Antony Win Over Octavian? - The Last Civil War - History of Rome - Part 9
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You failed to establish that Octavian wasnt heir as in hereditary ruler, but merely heir to the larger part of Caesars coin.
However there were other minor heirs. For an example Anthony got his part as well and the wife of Caesar handed Anthony all of Caesars legal papers.
Octavian was not adopted when Caesar died. This happened posthumly after his death and according to his will - eventhough noone had ever been adopted after the death of their adopter before in Roman history.
Octavian held no significant offices and Anthony was the clear ruler both in office as the co-consule of Caesar but also as leader of the caesarian faction.
So it is not true that Anthony didnt have any support left in the Senate. In fact he had the backing of most of the caesarian faction in the Senate.
Also it was actually Anthony who held enough political influence to broker a peacedeal with the liberators/killers of Caesar and continue peace in Rome for almost a year after Caesars death.
Caesars enemies accepted Anthony in part of their -democratic- and peaceful ideology, in part out of respect for Anthony (they made a deal not to kill Anthony, only Caesar) and finally because he quickly established himself as the ultimate power factor in terms of military.
Thus Anthony had not lost the backing of the Senate - a large part Senate even fled to Anthony when the triumvirate fell apart and Anthony and Octavian were at war.
It is however true that the liberators banded together to give chase to Anthony and aid decimus Brutus.
And here is the major point listen closely: It was the liberators aka Cicero who put Octavian in power, because he thought he could manipulate and control him to get rid of Ciceros biggest enemy and in his eyes largest power factor, namely Anthony.
Alas Cicero didnt know that Octavian was a master manipulator and would end up turning against him.
The only reason why Octavian gained influence among the military veterans of Caesar was that he called for vengeance - thus he has to follow this quest and betray Cicero.
In fact it was the moderate and cooporating style of Anthony that made some veterans choose Octavian over Anthony.
In order to not loose support of the veterans Anthony had to follow the path of vengeance against Caesars murderers. Thus history happened.
Also all the propaganda about Anthony being immoral and disowning traditions were directly instigated by Octavian to gain support and turn the public and veterans of Rome against Anthony. While the veterans wouldnt fight Anthony maybe they would fight Cleopatra with Anthony as someone who had lost his wits because of this woman.
We must remember that Augustus was the Victor and he could therefore write history and everyone had to abide by the first emperor and so the sources are very biased towards Anthony replicating Augustan propaganda. Also Cicero wrote about Anthony as an enemy. Cassius Dio used Augustus as an ideal emperor to criticize later emperors and politicians. Thus we have to be aware as historians and not get lost in the bias of the sources. Appian and Caesar are perhaps better sources for Anthony as a person.\r\n
Date: 2023-12-16
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Comments and reviews: 20
-kaushalsorte9870
While I get that it is convenient historically to call Caesar's heir as Octavian, it is worth noting that after the adoption of Gaius Octavius into the Caesar's death, his official name was Gaius Julius Caesar. That is what the men around him called him. Antony has famously uttered the following with respect to the young Caesar - - The boy who owes everything to his name. - The boy used the name Julius Caesar very effectively to gather Caesarians to his cause.
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While I get that it is convenient historically to call Caesar's heir as Octavian, it is worth noting that after the adoption of Gaius Octavius into the Caesar's death, his official name was Gaius Julius Caesar. That is what the men around him called him. Antony has famously uttered the following with respect to the young Caesar - - The boy who owes everything to his name. - The boy used the name Julius Caesar very effectively to gather Caesarians to his cause.
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knowledgia
I remeber when I first leraned about this war as a kid. Before that I was aware of Julius Ceasar and his succeses, intrest in which was sparked by Asterix cartoons. I did not now what happened after his death. When I learned there was a war between son of his sister who he adopted against his general who got close with Cleopatra herself, and they had great battle at Actium this was such thrilling and exciting news for me fr as a kid.
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I remeber when I first leraned about this war as a kid. Before that I was aware of Julius Ceasar and his succeses, intrest in which was sparked by Asterix cartoons. I did not now what happened after his death. When I learned there was a war between son of his sister who he adopted against his general who got close with Cleopatra herself, and they had great battle at Actium this was such thrilling and exciting news for me fr as a kid.
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-Vacuum_Circle
Facio Latina Duo, et mei Latina est non bonus. Sed lingua Latina et Latinae historiae sunt non dura intelligare et sunt bona scire. Scientiae Latinae debet esse salvus et perpetua semper.
(I do Latin Two, and my Latin is not good. But the Latin language and Latin's history they are not hard to understand and they are good to know. The knowledge of Latin it must be safe and constant always)
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Facio Latina Duo, et mei Latina est non bonus. Sed lingua Latina et Latinae historiae sunt non dura intelligare et sunt bona scire. Scientiae Latinae debet esse salvus et perpetua semper.
(I do Latin Two, and my Latin is not good. But the Latin language and Latin's history they are not hard to understand and they are good to know. The knowledge of Latin it must be safe and constant always)
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-ArmenianBishop
In 35 BC, the Armenian King (Artavasdes II) concluded that Antony was walking into a trap, after Antony's siege equipment was destroyed, so he retreated to save his men. Modern scholars reject Plutarch's assertion that Antony failed because of Artavasdes; Artavasdes II was just a scapegoat, the real reason was poor logistical planning.
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In 35 BC, the Armenian King (Artavasdes II) concluded that Antony was walking into a trap, after Antony's siege equipment was destroyed, so he retreated to save his men. Modern scholars reject Plutarch's assertion that Antony failed because of Artavasdes; Artavasdes II was just a scapegoat, the real reason was poor logistical planning.
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-mikeh7917
-Having REJECTED his loving wife Octavia. Marc Anthony has coupled himself to. the SCORCERESS CLEOPATRA, promising her dominion over ALL of ROME! He worships dogs and reptiles. He blackens his eyes with soot like a prostitute! He dances and plays the cymbals in vile Nilotic rites! -
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-Having REJECTED his loving wife Octavia. Marc Anthony has coupled himself to. the SCORCERESS CLEOPATRA, promising her dominion over ALL of ROME! He worships dogs and reptiles. He blackens his eyes with soot like a prostitute! He dances and plays the cymbals in vile Nilotic rites! -
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-ArmenianBishop
In 20 BC, Augustus Caesar (also known as Octavius) reversed Antony's occupation of Armenia, and renewed that Kingdom's sovereignty and independence, despite its situation as a buffer state between the empires. From that, Augustus gets my respect.
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In 20 BC, Augustus Caesar (also known as Octavius) reversed Antony's occupation of Armenia, and renewed that Kingdom's sovereignty and independence, despite its situation as a buffer state between the empires. From that, Augustus gets my respect.
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-davidhughes8357
After many years of an intense interest in and the study of Roman military history I must say that your video documentaries are very good.
I am impressed. Thank you for the hard work!
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After many years of an intense interest in and the study of Roman military history I must say that your video documentaries are very good.
I am impressed. Thank you for the hard work!
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-lordsnow4029
Give us series about Greeks from Minoans, Mycenaeans to Sparta, Athens and Macedonia and Alex the Great, war of diadochi and Seleucids. you get the point.
PS. Love Rome series -
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Give us series about Greeks from Minoans, Mycenaeans to Sparta, Athens and Macedonia and Alex the Great, war of diadochi and Seleucids. you get the point.
PS. Love Rome series -
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-spider9254
I would love to know much about this section of history and others. Though I lack some fundamental points. Does anyone know a great introduction? I would be very glad to know!
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I would love to know much about this section of history and others. Though I lack some fundamental points. Does anyone know a great introduction? I would be very glad to know!
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-brokenbridge6316
I wonder what caused Marc Antony to lost what would've been his sound judgement in the last several years of his life. Surely it couldn't have been Cleopatra.
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I wonder what caused Marc Antony to lost what would've been his sound judgement in the last several years of his life. Surely it couldn't have been Cleopatra.
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-Idk-ys7rt
The Roman Empire, the fall of the Roman Republic and the war between Mark Anthony and Octavian and the establishment of the Roman Empire are very interesting imho.
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The Roman Empire, the fall of the Roman Republic and the war between Mark Anthony and Octavian and the establishment of the Roman Empire are very interesting imho.
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knowledgia
you should do your homework, yes Octavian promised legions for Anthony's campaign against Parthia however evidence suggests they never actually arrived!
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you should do your homework, yes Octavian promised legions for Anthony's campaign against Parthia however evidence suggests they never actually arrived!
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-dhedgpeth
Amazing work. I love the history telling and being paired with the animation it makes it even better. Look forward to the next video!
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Amazing work. I love the history telling and being paired with the animation it makes it even better. Look forward to the next video!
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-Sebastokrator
Octavian is a genius. Intelligent, rational a true mastermind. Cold and efficient. A true sigma - we would say nowadays.
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Octavian is a genius. Intelligent, rational a true mastermind. Cold and efficient. A true sigma - we would say nowadays.
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-alex_zetsu
You didn't answer the question of the video title, you just told us how he lost, but not why or if it was hopeless for him.
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You didn't answer the question of the video title, you just told us how he lost, but not why or if it was hopeless for him.
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knowledgia
The narrator of yours is almost painful to listen to, he clearly just rushes through the script without a scent of soul -
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The narrator of yours is almost painful to listen to, he clearly just rushes through the script without a scent of soul -
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-jeremiahkivi4256
I love how Pompey was governor of all the islands and Peloponnese. Treaty of Border Gore was clearly in effect.
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I love how Pompey was governor of all the islands and Peloponnese. Treaty of Border Gore was clearly in effect.
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-cjclark1208
Marc A was risking it all for the royal mummy coochie. should of been marching to war instead of up her Nile. RIP.
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Marc A was risking it all for the royal mummy coochie. should of been marching to war instead of up her Nile. RIP.
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-robevans8629
I thought Octavian was a street urchin that worked with a former general turned gladiator to overthrow antonius?
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I thought Octavian was a street urchin that worked with a former general turned gladiator to overthrow antonius?
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knowledgia
As you can see here woman have been destroying the legacy of good and honorable men since the time of antiquity
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As you can see here woman have been destroying the legacy of good and honorable men since the time of antiquity
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