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Mark Antony Facts & Worksheets

Mark Antony or Marcus Antonius was a popular figure in the history of Roman Politics. He was a politician, a wise general, and a loyal supporter of Julius Caesar.

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Mark Antony or Marcus Antonius was a popular figure in the history of Roman Politics. He was a politician, a wise general, and a loyal supporter of Julius Caesar. Most often, the other half of the more famous historical figure, Mark Antony, was a great military leader on his own. He helped Caesar win his civil wars in the battleground and even in politics. He was a partner and an ally to Cleopatra and a rival to Octavian (later known as Augustus Caesar), to whom he lost the emperorship.

See the fact file below for more information on the Mark Antony or alternatively, you can download our 21-page Mark Antony worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

EARLY LIFE AND FAMILY

  • Mark Antony was born in Rome in 83 BC. His father and grandfather, who had the same name as him, was a military man and a famous orator, respectively. His mother, Julia Antonia, was a third cousin of Julius Caesar.
  • He came from a well-respected family, but his actions during his youth showed otherwise. He was addicted to drinking, gambling, and had some scandalous affairs.
  • It was his friend Curio who had been a significant influence on him in incurring high debt because of his extravagant spending for his vices.
  • To escape his debt, he left Rome and study Rhetoric and philosophy in Athens.
  • While in Greece, he joined Aulus Gabinius’ troop in his campaign to Syria and other eastern borders of Rome.
  • He showed aptitude in military command and leadership, which made him visible to Julius Caesar who summoned him to Gaul.

ALIANCE WITH JULIUS CAESAR

  • Mark Anthony was a distant relative of Julius Caesar through his mother.
  • Caesar was impressed by Mark Antony’s military ability when the latter conquered the eastern border of the empire and served as a governor of Syria.
  • He invited him to come to Gaul and tasked him to suppress the local rebellions against the Romans.
  • Despite the respect he gained from Caesar, it was not easy to get his trust. Mark Antony’s love for having a good time and a less than serious attitude toward his position alienated him from Caesar.
  • He continued to strive and fight in wars alongside his mentor until Caesar made him his right-hand man in 47 BC.
  • After several years of serving Caesar, he was elected as one of the two Tribunes. It is the highest administrative position in the Roman Government and an office that prioritizes the interests of the people.
  • The Senate had been trying to put Caesar in a trial because of his supposed “misuse of power.” As a Tribune, Mark Anthony had the power to veto legislation and was able to help Caesar.
  • Civil Wars ensued between the people loyal to Caesar and the forces of the Senate led by Pompey. Caesar won and became a dictator. Mark Antony was second in command.
  • Caesar had been rapidly increasing his chances to have king-like power, which the Senate was trying to reject. They assassinated Julius Caesar.
  • Mark Antony, an orator by education and by blood, delivered a powerful eulogy in favor of his superior, friend, and ally.
  • This speech caused a riot from the people. Some conspirator’s houses were burned, and Brutus (responsible for bringing Caesar to the place where he was assassinated) and Cassius fled to Greece.
  • Mark Antony was supposed to be the next in line in power after Caesar’s death, but Caesar’s niece, Octavian, challenged him.
  • With a will claiming to be from Caesar himself, he designated his grandniece to be his legitimate heir. Mark Antony had no choice but to settle it with the Second Triumvirate.

SECOND TRIUMVIRATE

  • The Triumvirate is an agreement between three people to share power and authority over a republic or a kingdom Mark Antony as Caesar’s right-hand man and a Tribune, was the obvious choice to replace him, but he was challenged by Caesar’s nephew, the designated heir. They formed the second Triumvirate to restore stability to the republic.
  • Lepidus completed the Triumvirate, another loyal supporter of Caesar and Mark Antony.
  • Lepidus seemed to be only included to complete the required number of the people involved in the agreement. He was ignored, and little by little was being stripped of power.
  • The Second Triumvirate, unlike the first, was recognized by the Senate and was also given function to exterminate the conspirators responsible for Caesar’s death.
  • However, it also did not last long as Octavian continuously sought sole power over the empire.

MARK ANTONY VERSUS OCTAVIAN

  • Mark Antony’s greatest opponent to the emperorship was Caesar’s heir and nephew, Octavian.
  • They settled by having a triumvirate where it stated that Mark Antony would rule the East and Octavian the West.
  • To prove Mark Antony’s sincerity to Octavian, he married Octavian’s sister, Octavia.
  • But ambitions continued to flourish as Octavian pursued being the sole Emperor. He has the advantage of being in Rome while Mark Antony was in Egypt with Cleopatra.
  • Octavian found a reason to declare war against Cleopatra. He fed the senate information on how Cleopatra was manipulating Mark Antony’s loyalty to the Roman Empire.
  • Mark Antony and Cleopatra engaged in a war with Octavian at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC.
  • They lost the battle and went to Alexandria, where they committed suicide. Alexandria became a part of the Roman Empire. Octavian was able to bring long-awaited peace to the Roman nation.

MARK ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA

  • Cleopatra ruled Egypt from 52 BC until 31 B.C. She met Mark Antony for the second time when he invited her to Tarsus to inquire about her role in the aftermath of Caesar’s murder.
  • He was captivated by Cleopatra’s beauty and wit and soon joined her in Alexandria despite having a wife back in Rome.
  • Some historians claimed that he only pursued the Queen to tap her Kingdom’s resources for his unsuccessful military campaigns in Parthia.
  • During his time in Alexandria, his second wife, Fulvia and his brother Lucius Antonius, launched a rebellion against Octavian. Mark Antony was implicated. He returned to Rome to prove his innocence and marry Octavian’s sister as a sign of his loyalty.
  • He then went back to Alexandria and continued his affair with Cleopatra in 37 B.C. Mark Antony treated Cleopatra as his wife although he is legally married to Octavia. They even produced three offspring from this affair: twins – a girl and a boy – and another son.
  • Octavian was gravely disappointed with Mark Antony. He, with the support of the Senate, declared war against Egypt, which the lovers fought together. Unfortunately, Octavian had a more formidable army and won. The lovers fled back to Alexandria.
  • Mark Antony committed suicide after hearing a false claim that Cleopatra was already dead, he had the sword in his chest when he realized his mistake and died in the arms of Cleopatra. Days after, Cleopatra had herself bitten by a snake.
  • Octavian dispatched all things related to Mark Antony. He ordered that all the statues and images of Mark Anthony be destroyed. He spared Mark Antony and Cleopatra’s children, though, but killed Caesar’s son with Cleopatra.
  • Some historian’s stated that Octavian let the lovers be buried together, but no archaeological evidence was found to confirm this.

Mark Antony Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about Mark Antony across 21 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Mark Antony worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about Mark Antony or Marcus Antonius who was a popular figure in the history of Roman Politics. He was a politician, a wise general, and a loyal supporter of Julius Caesar. Most often, the other half of the more famous historical figure, Mark Antony, was a great military leader on his own. He helped Caesar win his civil wars in the battleground and even in politics. He was a partner and an ally to Cleopatra and a rival to Octavian (later known as Augustus Caesar), to whom he lost the emperorship.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Facts File
  • Age of Rebellion
  • How to be Mark Antony?
  • Mark Antony in Four words
  • Caption This
  • A Half of a Whole
  • The Affair
  • Battles He Chose
  • Mark Antony and Friends
  • Quotes from the Past
  • Lend Me Your Ears

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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