The most well-known aspect of Marcus Antonius (Marc Antony) is that he was a Roman general and Cleopatra’s lover.
Following Octavian’s victory over them, the two killed themselves.

Those very things that procured him ill repute bear witness to his greatness… Antony was thought disgraced by his marriage with Cleopatra, a queen superior in power and glory … to all who were kings in her time. Antony was so great as to be thought by others worthy of higher things than his own desires.

—Plutarch

As a Roman politician and general Marc Antony served as Julius Caesar’s ally and Octavian’s chief foe (later Augustus).
Rome’s transformation from a republic to an empire was caused by the transfer of power among the three men.
His undoing was caused by Antony’s romantic and political relationship with Cleopatra, the Egyptian queen.

Early Years

Marc Anthony was born in Rome in 83 B.C. to a prominent Roman family.

He had been promised a good education, but his irresponsible actions wasted most of that chance.

In 58 B.C., Antony escaped to Greece because he was deeply in debt from gambling and was being sought by creditors. He then took part in Judean military expeditions and did well.

Time with Julius Caesar

Marc Antony served as Julius Caesar’s staff officer in Gaul between 52 and 50 B.C., where he played a crucial role in bringing the region under Roman rule.

After his trip to Gaul, Antony was chosen to serve as tribune and advocate the needs of the populace.
He was able to assist his patron, Caesar, who was being opposed by senators in Rome, thanks to his popularity and prosperity.

Mark Antony accompanied his tutor in Gaul as pressure mounted against Caesar, where he participated in a number of conflicts between Caesar and Pompey.

Once more assisting Caesar in defeating his foes, Antony then left for Rome as Caesar’s deputy.
Caesar was appointed dictator for a year in 45 B.C. after accumulating considerable power.

Many people thought Caesar was setting himself up to become king because of his acts.
He was assassinated in the Roman Senate on March 15, 44 B.C., after a conspiracy to have him killed surfaced.
Although Octavian, Caesar’s nephew and adoptive son, claimed to be the rightful heir to the throne, Antony was put to the test.

The Second Triumvirate

Following Caesar’s death, numerous factions engaged in a tumultuous power struggle.

Octavian’s soldiers defeated Mark Antony repeatedly while he hunted down Caesar’s assassins in Gaul, driving Antony to flee to southern Gaul.

When Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus established the Second Triumvirate and crushed the traitors at the battle of Philippi in October 42 B.C., Brutus and Cassis, two of Caesar’s assassins, were preparing to invade Rome.

Cleopatra and Antony

Marc Antony established himself in southern Turkey and sought Cleopatra while Octavian ruled the western part of Rome and Lepidus oversaw Africa.

They first fell in love before establishing an alliance to support Mark Antony’s defense of the eastern provinces.
When Fulvia, Mark Antony’s wife, and Lucius, his brother, rebelled against Octavian in 40 B.C., Antony was compelled to leave for Italy.

While traveling, Fulvia passed away, and after their reconciliation, Antony wed Octavian’s sister, Octavia, in 40 B.C.

Mark Antony rekindled his relationship and alliance with Cleopatra in 36 B.C. in an effort to raise money from her in order to finance his campaign in Judea.
Cleopatra concurred because she saw this as a chance to expand her influence.
(At the same time, there were rumors that Antony and Cleopatra had wed, although this is improbable because he was already wed to Octavia.)

Suicide and Octavian’s victory

The Second Triumvirate had concluded by the end of 33 B.C., as required by law, and tensions between Mark Antony and Octavian had peaked.

Rome was engulfed in a propaganda war, with Antony accusing Octavian of usurpation and fabricating proof of Caesar’s adoption of him, and Octavian accusing Antony of having low morals for leaving his wife for Cleopatra.

The two generals met at Actium, Greece, on September 2, 31 BC, and the situation descended into a military conflict.
Antony’s fleet was destroyed in a disorganized battle, and he escaped back to Egypt to rejoin Cleopatra.

The upset Antony killed himself with his own sword as Octavian’s soldiers approached Alexandria.
Once Octavian’s armies had taken control of Egypt, Cleopatra followed him in death.