Download ANCIENT HISTORY NOTES

ANCIENT HISTORY NOTES
Source Critique
Antony and Cleopatra
History
Mark Antony/Marcus Antonius
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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
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Relationship between Antony and Cleopatra, had met before but she was mistress of
Caesar, mythic status, doomed lovers etc, distracts, leads to deaths
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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
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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?
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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
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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?
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Reflected the Roman attitude towards kingship – Tarquianis the last king was a tyrant,
overthrew him, left kings with bad reputation
What are its limitations?
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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?
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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?
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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
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Plutarch, Life of Antony 1.3-4
What is it about and how is Antony depicted?
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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?
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Explains how the Romans thought he was an illustrious man