He had served with Caesar at the end of the Gallic wars. As tribune in 49 he defended Caesar’s interest in the Senate as civil war loomed. He was present at Pharsalus, and represented Caesar in Italy. His offer of a crown to Caesar was refused. After Caesar’s murder he took the political initiative against the assassins, and delivered the funeral speech. Octavian, however, was Caesar’s designated heir and hostility arose between the two. During Antony’s struggle for ascendancy over the Senate led by Cicero, he was denounced in the ‘Phillippic’ orations and defeated at Mutina by the forces of the consuls and Octavian. He was then reconciled with Octavian, and together with Lepidus they formed the Second Triumvirate, disposed of enemies including Cicero and defeated the ‘Liberators’, Brutus and Cassius, at Philippi in 42.

Antony received the government of the eastern Mediterranean and began (42) his liaison with Cleopatra. Although a powerful ally she cost him much support at Rome. Their marriage, Antony’s fifth, was illegal in Roman law. In 34 he declared Caesarion (Cleopatra’s son allegedly by Caesar) as Caesar’s heir in Octavian’s place and divided the east among his family. War followed. After the Battle of Actium he committed suicide in Egypt.