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ANCIENT HISTORY NOTES Source Critique Antony and Cleopatra History Mark Antony/Marcus Antonius • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Steadfast supporter of Caesar, looked as if he would be the one to step in Caesars shoe Funeral oration, attempt to step into Caesar’s shoes After C murder, reads will to the crowds, established the gifts C left to the people Powerful speech, makes crowd angry against the murderers Forces the murderers to flee town Friend and ally of Caesar Tribune at the time of the senate’s decree against Caesar Antony added Cicero to the proscriptions list – they were a chance to remove political enemies Bold skilful general-ship was decisive in winning both the battles at Philippi in the East and he gained considerable military prestige as a result Contested with Octavian after Caesar’s death but afterwards part of second triumvirate with Octavian and Lepidus (first triumvirate was formed between Caesar, Pompey and Crassus) – had powers of dictators, were able to make laws without senatorial approval and nominate all magistrates, although some symbolic consultation did occur Antony had a wife – Fulvia, then married Octavians sister Octavia when Fluvia died Raised funds for troops following the battle at Philippi and for settled veterans Wished to establish a good relationship with Cleopatra, the ruler of Egypt, an independent state in the East In 34, he celebrated the conquest of Armenia by an extravagant ceremony – Donations of Alexandria, where he distributed to Cleopatra and her 3 children by him and her son by Caesar as each sat on a golden throne Gratified Egyptians and left the impression that he meant to establish a powerful Egyptian dynasty Although his reputation was hurt by Cleopatra, he still had many friends in high places in Rome Octavian illegally took Antony’s will and proclaimed that it included arrangements for burial in Alexandria and gifts to his children by Cleopatra Committed suicide after battle of Actium 31 BCE Cleopatra • Relationship between Antony and Cleopatra, had met before but she was mistress of Caesar, mythic status, doomed lovers etc, distracts, leads to deaths • • • • • • • Myth/ propaganda vs less romantic perspectives Symbol of why he had to loose, un roman, Cleopatra was the opposite of roman virtue for a women Love affaire as much to do as politics as passion, best chance of avoiding annexation of Egypt was to become a ally Although, he disgraced his wife, Octavia when he eloped with Cleopatra – although he had 3 children with Cleopatra, he was still married to Octavia Stuck together for so long, indicates love as well as a political relationship Antony’s miscalculation, it outrages public opinion in rome, he is portrayed as wanting to become an Egyptian leader, puts Rome at risk for a foreign women O plays this and plays the opposite part – instigates hostile propaganda against Antony and Cleopatra Assessment of Antony • • • • • • • Errors made by Antony He is over confident and underestimates Octavian Missed a number of opportunities against Octavian Blame with Cleopatra, his relationship with her hurt him, the reasons seemed like good ones but really bad Successes of Octavian Proves to be a much better politician, plays to his strengths Had the qualities for success, he is the one who makes it in terms of getting true power, first Emperor Sources: Cicero, Philippics 2.84-87 What is it about? • • • • • • • • Speech attacking Antony, describing his attempt to place a diadem on Caesar’s head during the Lupercalia festival in February 44 BCE The Lupercalia festival was partly in honor of Lupa, the she-wolf who suckled the infant orphans, Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome The festival was celebrated near the cave of Lupercal on the Palatine Hill (the central hill where Rome was traditionally founded), to expiate and purify new life in the Spring Cicero was a contemporary of Antony and Cleopatra, and his speeches were aimed to attack Antony, so Antony eventually ordered his death only a year after this s speech was given Describes Caesar his “colleague” as wearing a purple gown and stilling on a golden chair with a garland on his head – only emperors could wear full purple gowns and high officials wore gowns with purple embellishing, makes him look like a king/emperor especially wearing a crown and on a thrown Expresses public disapproval Pathos – appealing to the emotions of the crowd, as he threw himself at Caesars feet like a subordinate Repetition throughout the speech of how Antony wanted Caesar to be king – public records should offer the title of King to Caesar • • • • • • Says he has no place in the traditional law courts and system of Rome – only will survive under Caesar and his “monarchy” Compares him to others who wanted a king and were driven out of Rome or put to death – describes his thinking as blasphemous Cicero depicts Antony depicted as a power hungry warlord, who was only out to make money and wealth He illustrates this as he describes how Caesar and Antony are putting on a act to make Caesar look as if he is not a king, by trying to refuse the crown This gained favour with the people as they do not like kings He implies that he is against the ways of the Republic, and doesn’t respect the law of Rome and the political system and is trying to sway it for his advantage What is its value? • Reflected the Roman attitude towards kingship – Tarquianis the last king was a tyrant, overthrew him, left kings with bad reputation What are its limitations? • • • Nothing from Antony’s perspective As Cicero was no fond of Antony, it is assumed that is speech was basis towards his unfavourable traits, he was trying to paint him in a unflattering light and turn people against him (this is the whole idea of a speech – to evoke emotion and persuade people) Don’t know why Antony gave the crown – only from Cicero’s point of view, also supposedly, Caesar asked Antony to do it to find out what the people would think How does it depict Antony? • • • • • Makes him look like he is trying to revive the kings and destroy the republic Very negative image Shows him as not following Roman virtues Making Antony look bad, while make Caesar look good by refusing the crown – says Antony wanted a king/master not a colleague, claims that Antony only wanted to see the public opinion about what would happen Drink not only in the day time but all day and night What are Cicero’s motives, opinions and background? • • • • • • • • • • 106-43 BCE Marcus Tulllius Cicero Important politician during Republic – consul in 63 BCE as a novus homo, represented the traditional way of doing things Writing focused on morals Major role in exposing the conspiracy of Catiline, made speeches about opponents often and was very skilful at this similar as trying to rid an enemy Very skilled orator, electioneer, advocate, popular, self serving, eloquent ambitious, full of drive, good reputation Very important author and source for this period – contemporary and wrote his personal speeches at the time Wrote letters and speeches and many philosophical the rhetorical works Must have some truth to his speeches as Antony had important friends Invited by Caesar to become a member of the first triumvate, but declined After murder of Caesar, attacked Antony in a series of speeches Antony ordered his death in 43 as part of the proscriptions of the second triumvate Ally of Pompey Killed in proscriptions carried out by second triumvirate in 43 BCE Tried to use Octavian against Antony after Caesar’s murder Cicero wanted the senate to eliminate Antony, presenting him as a would be dictator Many thought (including Cicero) that Antony should have been removed from power along with Caesar Also urged that the senate cold strengthen its own forces under the command of two consuls for 43 – Aulus Hirtius and Gaius Vibius Pansa Caetronianus, and enlisting the help of Octavian and the large body of troops he raised for himself • • • • • • • Plutarch, Life of Antony 1.3-4 What is it about and how is Antony depicted? • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Plutarch depicts Antony differently, he portrays him as somebody who was promising as a young man, then though extravagance, excess and bad friendships he went off the rails a bit and ended up with a huge debt He then goes on to say that he was ambitious and managed to persuade Gabinius to allow him to be appointed commander he made a fortune He is portrayed as power hungry and always sides the strongest or most powerful party He is also shown as a ‘good’ man as he was always respectful and showed dignity Describes him as showing promise in his youth but was led astray by friends – Curio was a pest and was unrestrained and encouraged Antony with women, drinking bouts and immoderate and extravagant expenditures Curio banished Antony, blaming him Got worse – allied himself with Clodius – an audacious and low lived demagogue Then moved to Greece to study oratory and complete military exercises – describes him as picking up the popular Asiatic style of oratory, resembling his life, boastful and full of empty exultation and distorted ambition Showed ambition when he asked to be made commander of the horse when Gabinius, a man of consular dignity sailed for Syria Showed military skill when he led the battle against Aristobulus – Plutarch very honouring Also showed ambition when he persuaded Gabinius to join Ptolemy in an invasion of Egypt against his better judgement Describes how he was great and skilful in battle and showed leadership qualities along with his humane treatment of the dead, received honours and rewards – example of his humanity, gave Archelaus a royal adornment and burial and left him with his people Also states that he was a descendent from Hercules – sons of Anton, son of Hercules – stating that he not only has the same facial qualities as the great demigod but also a descendent of him Mans man – liked by the soldiers but thought of as being crass by others Ladies man What is its value? • Explains how the Romans thought he was an illustrious man