brm_980507 - MARC ANTOINE Denier

MARK ANTONY

(83-30 BC)

The Triumvirate was renewed after the meeting of Taranto in 37 BC. Marc Antoine was to receive the consulship the following year. Octave, Antony and Lepidus had to combine their efforts to eliminate Sextus Pompey who reigned over Sicily. The emphasis is on the title of augur Antony took that year, Lepidus being Pontifex Maximus until his death. The eastern refocusing of Marc Antoine's policy perhaps explains Sol's choice for the right of the minted denarius to commemorate the event. Marc Antoine, after having definitively broken with Octavian, joined his forces with those of Cleopatra and met the forces of Octavian at Actium (31 before J. - C.). Octavian's fleet, commanded by Agrippa, won the sea battle as the Egyptian fleet fled, soon followed by Antony who retreated to Egypt before committing suicide the following year, before Octavian arrived in Alexandria.