The Battle of Actium by 50Minutes.com

Author:50Minutes.com
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: 50Minutes.com
Published: 2016-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

In 32 B.C., Mark Antony received many goods from Cleopatra: 200 ships were added to the 300 they already possessed. She also gave him money and food for his army and decided to go with him to Greece. After gathering their forces, the two lovers directed the large fleet to Athens, where they stopped for several weeks. Latin historians claim that Mark Antony then lost himself in lavish parties, to the astonishment of his soldiers because no victory had been won so far.

Octavius’ preparations

Initially, Octavius was surprised by the speed with which Mark Antony was preparing for war. When his rival left Egypt, he had yet to control a revolt in Italy, born from the tax he raised to finance the war. Fearing that the fighting would take place on Italian soil, Octavius first appeared to be overwhelmed by the events. Fortunately for him, Mark Antony stopped for a long time in Athens, thus delaying his attack.

It was in 31 B.C. that Mark Antony resumed his march towards the west and had his fleet berthed at Actium, at the entrance of the Ambracian Gulf (northwest of Acarnania, Greece). This place was not chosen at random: it offered a harbor enabling the anchoring of vessels before the assault. Encouraged by the hesitation and slowness of his rival, who lost precious weeks in Greece, Octavius decided to attack as soon as possible. Thus, his fleet left the port of Brindisi (southeast of Italy) and crossed the Ionian Sea towards the headland. His objective was to speed to Actium where the fleet of his opponent was stationed in order to seize it. At that time, part of the land army of Mark Antony had not yet arrived in Actium, which worried the Roman general. Yet, Octavius hesitated and did not attack, instead deciding to set up a blockade around the harbor to enclose the fleet of Mark Antony in the harbor of Actium.

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