Battle of Actium

The Battle of Actium ended the era of the civil wars and made Octavian (later Augustus) master of the Roman world.

Date: September 2, 31 b. c.e.

Category: Wars and battles

Locale: Actium, a promontory at the mouth of the Gulf of Ambracia, on the western coast of Greece

Summary After the death of Julius Caesar in 44 b. c.e., the rivals Marc Antony and Octavian were reconciled and formed (with Marcus Aemilius Lepidus) the Second Triumvirate. In 32 b. c.e., the Triumvirate ceased and the two were again enemies. Octavian returned to Rome, gained power, and had war declared on Marc Antony and Cleopatra VII.

The Battle of Actium. (F. R. Niglutsch)

Marc Antony was camped at Actium (AK-shee-uhm) with 70,000 infantry and 500 ships. Octavian, advancing from the north with 80,000 infantry and 400 ships, blockaded Antony. Antony drew up his fleet outside the gulf, facing Octavian’s fleet to the west, with Cleopatra’s more than sixty galleys behind him in reserve. Both fleets tried to outflank each other to the north. With the sea battle going against Antony, Cleopatra (perhaps on Antony’s orders) broke through the center and suddenly fled with her galleys; Antony fought through to the open sea with a few ships and followed her to Egypt. The battle continued until the rest of Antony’s fleet was set on fire. Antony’s land forces surrendered a week later.

Significance The battle was a decisive victory by Octavian over Antony and Cleopatra, who fled to Egypt, where they were pursued by Octavian.

Further Reading

Califf, David J. The Battle of Actium. Philadelphia: Chelsea House, 2004. Carter, J. M. The Battle of Actium: The Rise and Triumph of Augustus Caesar. London: Hamish Hamilton, 1970.

Southern, P. Augustus. New York: Routledge, 1998.

Thomas McGeary

See also: Cleopatra VII; Ptolemaic Egypt.