Hunter Savage
7th HR
5/3/17
Mark Antony
Early Career
Born in Rome in 83 B.C., Mark Antony was born into a famous household. Mark Antony’s father and grandfather were well-known; his father for commanding the fight against the pirates in the Mediterranean, and his grandfather for being an astonishing public speaker. Julia, Antony’s mother was a cousin to Julius Caesar (“Antony Biography”). After his young ages, Antony was sent east as an officer in the cavalry. As officer, he won strategic victories in Palestine and Egypt. He joined Julius Caesar in Gaul as a staff officer (“Mark Antony” History.com). Mark Antony led a campaign as a Roman general during the Parthian period (“Mark Antony”). Antony’s wife, Queen Cleopatra of Egypt, gave birth …show more content…
Returning from Gaul, Antony was appointed a tribune. In the fight against Pompey, Antony joined Caesar. The two eventually defeated Pompey and Caesar became a dictator, bringing his closest ally, Mark Antony, second to his consul. As an administrator, Antony found himself pampering in extravagance, which was not unnoticed by Caesar. Antony resorted to violence, and Caesar removed him from office and the two grew apart for two years.
A conspiracy against Caesar was already in motion, during the break-up of their friendship. Antony was persuaded to join in, but he did not accept. In 44 B.C., Antony and Caesar reconciled and Antony was made a consul again (“Mark Antony Biography”). Due to misuse of power, the Senate planned to put Caesar to trial. Antony fled to Caesar in fear that the Senate set up a special power to preserve the state. Caesar elide on the tribunes and Mark Antony to defend him. Caesar claimed that he was defending the tribunes, the voice of the people, against the Senate. Antony hears rumors of a plot against Caesar, as the Ides of March approached. Sadly, Antony was too late, and failed to warn him in time. In fear of being next, Antony fled Rome dressed as a slave. He soon returned to protect Caesar’s legacy from the senate (“Antony” …show more content…
The army assembled in the Araxes valley near Artaxata. Of 6,000 fully equipped and armored cavalry and 7,000 infantry, the Armenian king brought the largest army (Plutarch Antony 37.4, 50.4). The Armenian king persuaded Antony to attack Atropatene, which was under Parthian suzerainty. Antony then set out for Atropatene by a course that Artavazdes had suggested to him (Dio Cassius 49.25). Oppius Statianus and the king Artavazdes took an easier, but longer route. When the convoy entered Atropatene, it was suddenly attacked by a large force of Parthian horsemen sent by Phraates IV, killing 10,000 legionnaires and destroying the siege engines. Artavazdes retreated and was therefore not involved in the fight (Plutarch Antony 38-39.1). In Antony’s camp, the Armenian king’s hasty retreat was considered treason. A pro-Antony bias, says that Antony’s mismanagement of the expedition led to Antony blaming Artavazdes (Geography 11.13.4, 4.15). Antony proceeded with his march to Phraata, the extremely fortified capitol of Atropatene. Laying siege to Phraata, Antony attempted to make up for the loss of his engines by having mounds of earth hurled up against the walls to the city, which were defended by a solid military base (Antony,