Actium 31 BC: Downfall of Antony and Cleopatra

by Si Sheppard, Christa Hook (Illustrator)

Overview

Osprey's examination of the Battle of Actium, which was the decisive confrontation of the Final War of the Roman Republic (32-30 BC). In 32 BC, the Roman Republic declared war on Egypt and set in motion a chain of events that would tear the Republic apart. In Rome, the forces of the western republic were marshaled together under Octavian (the future Emperor Augustus) and Marcus Agrippa. In the east, armies were gathered under the leadership of the famous lovers, Marc Antony and Cleopatra.

On September 2, 31 BC, the forces of Octavian and Marcus Agrippa managed to trap their enemies in the Gulf of Actium. Although Anthony and Cleopatra managed to escape, their army and navy, along with their hopes for victory were crushed. A few months later, the lovers would commit suicide. Their death saw the end of the war and the end of the Roman Republic. Now wielding supreme power, Octavian declared himself Emperor.

Actium has remained one of the most famous battles of the Ancient World thanks to its colorful cast of characters that have been reinvented by the writings of Shakespeare and the stars of the silver screen. This new book tells the true story of the decisive and bloody battle that would once and for all seal the fate of the Roman Republic.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781846034053
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	06/23/2009
Series:	Campaign , #211
Pages:	96
Product dimensions:	6.94(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.32(d)

About the Author

Si Sheppard graduated this year with a Ph.D. in political science from Johns Hopkins University. He currently teaches American Government at Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York. This is his second Osprey title in a projected trilogy detailing the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Empire.

Table of Contents

Origins of the campaign

Chronology

Opposing commanders

Opposing armies

Orders of battle

Opposing Plans

The campaign

The battles

Aftermath

The battlefields today

Further reading

Index

Editorial Reviews

This book by Si Sheppard covers the campaigns of Octavian and the other two members of the Triumverate that led up to the final battle at Actium. We get a good look at the opposing commanders through the eyes of those who wrote about them during this time and how their armies performed. The rest of the book is on the preface battles on land in Greece that led to the final sea battle at Actium and the results of that battle. Throughout the book are the illustrations of Christa Hook as well as photographs of artifacts of the time and the actual location of the battle field, so to speak. This all melds together to make a superb book on the subject. One that I found both interesting and entertaining. I'm sure you will as well and I can easily recommend it to you.” —Scott Van Aken, www.modelingmadness.com (August 2009)

From the Publisher