Download Marc Antony

Name
Class
Date
Biography
Rome and Christianity
Marc Antony
c. 82–30 BC
WHY HE MADE HISTORY Marc Antony
was a Roman general and supporter of Julius
Caesar. He was a part of the Second Triumvirate that ruled Rome after Caesar’s death.
As you read the biography below, think about
how Marc Antony’s loyalty to Caesar helped him
make decisions for Rome.
Marc Antony was born Marcus Antonius. His
father died while Antony was very young. He
and his brothers were raised by their mother.
Antony studied rhetoric, but proved his worth
to Rome with his courage and skills as a cavalry
commander.
Antony was a supporter of Caesar. When Caesar
became dictator of Rome, Antony served under
him as “master of the horse.” No matter what
conflicts occurred, Marc Antony remained loyal to
Caesar. When Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC,
Antony fled Rome dressed as a slave because he was
afraid that Caesar’s supporters would also be killed.
Antony returned to Rome to give Caesar’s eulogy.
The Romans were so moved by Antony’s speech
that they rose up against Caesar’s killers.
Marc Antony formed an alliance with two other
important Romans, Lepidus and Octavian. This
group divided the Roman Empire among themselves. Antony took the eastern provinces.
Marc Antony traveled to Egypt to see Cleopatra,
Queen of Egypt, in 41 BC. Antony and Cleopatra
became lovers. Antony borrowed money from Egypt
and built an army. His goal was to subdue tribes
in Armenia. Antony’s first attempt was disastrous.
Around 38 BC, Antony invaded Armenia again and
VOCABULARY
eulogy a speech or tribute
given for someone who
has died
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Name
Class
Date
Biography
Marc Antony, continued
was successful. Antony and his soldiers returned to
Egypt and celebrated the victory.
During the celebration, Antony announced that
he was ending his alliance with Octavian. He also
proclaimed that his and Cleopatra’s children would
rule over various kingdoms around Egypt. This
made Antony very unpopular in Rome. Antony
divorced his wife, who was Octavian’s sister, to be
with Cleopatra. Octavian saw this as an insult both
to his sister and to himself.
In 31 BC, Octavian sent the Roman navy to Egypt
to attack Antony. Antony’s fleet was defeated at the
Battle of Actium. Antony escaped back to Egypt,
where he and Cleopatra both committed suicide so
they wouldn’t become Octavian’s prisoners.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
1. What were two things that Marc Antony did?
2. Draw Conclusions Why do you think Marc Antony lost influence in Rome?
ACTIVITY
3. Create a timeline on a separate sheet of paper. Using what you have learned
about Marc Antony, make a list of events that took place in his life in the order
that they occurred.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
7
Rome and Christianity
Answer Key
Biography Marc Antony
9. “God’s chosen one” in Hebrew; prophets
used to this word to describe the leader
who was a descendant of King David
10. probably the most important figure in the
spread of Christianity after Jesus’s death;
traveled throughout the Roman world
spreading Christian teachings
11. punishing a group because of its beliefs; a
few Roman emperors banned Christianity
and caused this to happen to Christians
12. what Christians call Jesus’s rise from the
dead; believed by early Christians to be a
sign that Jesus was the Messiah and the
son of God
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
1. Marc Antony delivered Caesar’s eulogy,
and helped form the Second Triumvirate.
2. Antony lost influence and power in
Rome because he ended his alliance with
the Second Triumvirate, and also with
Octavianus. Antony also gave each of his
children a different country or kingdom,
which breached relations with Rome.
ACTIVITY
3. Students’ time lines will vary.
Biography Saint Peter
Vocabulary Builder
Section 3
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
1. Saint Peter was known for being Jesus’s
1. Diocletian ruled the Roman Empire in the
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
most trusted companion. He is
considered by some Christians to be the
first head of the church, and was the first
bishop of Rome.
2. Peter was a fisherman. He met Jesus,
and went on a journey with him and his
brother Andrew. He began preaching
Christianity. Peter then went on a
missionary journey, then died as a martyr.
late 200s.
The Huns, under the fearsome leader
Attila, raided Roman territory in the east.
By the 400s corruption, the decay of
people’s values, had become widespread in
Roman government.
Justinian, an emperor who ruled from 527
to 565, wanted to reunite the old Roman
Empire, as well as had passions for the law
and the church.
Justinian’s smart and powerful wife was
Theodora, who convinced Justinian to stay
in power for the rest of his reign.
Historians call the society that developed in the eastern Roman Empire the
Byzantine Empire.
ACTIVITY
3. Answers will vary.
Literature
CALL-OUT BOX
1. Students’ answers will vary.
Biography Cicero
ANALYZING LITERATURE
1. She knows she can outrun them so she
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
won’t ever have to marry.
1. Cicero studied law, rhetoric, Latin,
2. Answers may vary. Hippomenes will win
philosophy and literature.
because the oracle said that Atalanta will
marry. Atalanta will win because she is
faster and can outrun everyone.
2. In Cicero’s time, you had to agree with the
political leaders or they had the power to
have you silenced or killed. Today, people
are encouraged to voice their opinions
and share their differences.
ACTIVITY
3. Students’ letters will vary.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
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