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==Introduction==
In the first century B.C. the Roman Republic was torn by a series of civil wars that cost many lives and left Italy devastated. The last and the most important of these civil wars was between Mark Anthony (or Anthony) and his ally and lover Cleopatra and their rival Augustus. This civil war was known as Anthony’s Anthony's War or the war between Anthony and Octavianin Roman times. The victor in this civil war was Augustus, for the sale of convenience he will be called Augustus even though technically he was still known as Octavian. He After the defeat of Anthony at Actium Augustus was able to make himself ruler of the Roman world and to create the Imperial system, that was to continue in some form or other until the fall of Byzantium in 1453. The victory of Augustus changed the political system in the Roman Empire and it changed the relationship between the ruler and the ruled forever. His victory allowed Augustus, the first emperor, to dismantle the Roman Republic while keeping its outward forms. The victory of Caesar’s grand-nephew and principal heir allowed him to fully integrate Egypt and its territories into the Roman Empire. Perhaps most importantly, the defeat of Anthony and Cleopatra ushered in an era of peace and stability, which became known as the Pax Romana, that allowed many areas to enjoy an unprecedented period of peace and prosperity.
[[File: Augustus Statue.jpg|200px|thumb|left|A bust of the young Augusts-when he was still known as Octavian]]
==Background==
After the assassination of Caesar, it seemed likely that the Roman Republic would once more fall into anarchy<ref> Plutarch. Life of Cesar. 15</ref>.. In the aftermath of the death of Caesar, Mark Anthony tried to seize power but was defeated by the two Roman consuls but they were both killed in battle. This allowed Anthony to regroup his forces and he entered into an agreement with other Caesarians, to form the Second Triumvirate<ref> Goldsworthy, Adrian. Julius Cesar (London, Orion, 2007), p. 319 </ref>. This arrangement included Augustus (at this point know as Octavian) and Marcus Lepidus. The Triumvirate worked together to advance the interest of the Caesarians, such as securing land for veterans. The trio was also able to secure the Empire and provided a measure of stable government. They defeated the Republicans at the battle of Phillippi and put down many other revolts, such as Sextus Pompeius in Sicily<ref> Holland, Tom. Rubicon (London, Longman, 2005), p 167, 213</ref>. Lepidus was marginalized and Augustus and Mark Anthony became the two most powerful men in Rome. They agreed to work together in the best interests of Rome. Augustus was given control of the west, including Rome, while Mark Anthony was given the east<ref> Holland, p. 216</ref>. The control of Rome was to prove crucial for Augustus in his later war with Anthony. At this time Octavian’s sister married Anthony to secure the alliance between the two men. This alliance was to bring a measure of stability to Rome and its empire and both men reorganized the provinces and carried out much-needed reforms after years of conflict. Soon there were strains in the relationship between the two most powerful men in the Empire. This was because of Anthony’s brazen affair with Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt and what was seen as the public humiliation of Augustus sister, who was Mark Anthony’s lawful wife <ref>Plutarch. Life of Augustus, 16</ref>. Anthony also increasingly acted like an independent ruler in the east and did not consult the Roman Senate or his supposed ally and partner Augustus. He also outraged public opinion in Rome when he gave his children by Cleopatra, territories that were officially part of the Roman Empire<ref> Plutarch. Life of Anthony, 18</ref>. August began a propaganda campaign against Anthony and this led to a bitter war of words between the two men. When Anthony married Cleopatra, Augustus used the humiliation of his sister to turn Rome against his former ally. Augustus claimed that Anthony sought to make himself and Cleopatra rulers of the east and break from Rome. The Senate in Rome was outraged by the actions of Anthony and concerned that he may even be prepared to make himself and the hated Cleopatra rulers of Rome. It was widely believed that Anthony was under the influence of Cleopatra. In the words of Plutarch ‘he was not master of his own faculties, but, as if he were under the influence of certain drugs or of magic rites, was ever looking eagerly towards her’ <ref> Plutarch, 37.4 </ref>.At the request of Augustus, they stripped Mark Anthony of all his powers and honors and gave Augustus orders to raise an army and navy. Anthony gather his own and Cleopatra’s forces and civil war was inevitable<ref> Holland, p. 315</ref>.
