Characterization of Mark Anthony by Plutarch
Plutarch portrays Mark Anthony as a man controlled by Cleopatra, indulging in lavish amusements and pleasures while neglecting serious matters. Cleopatra is blamed for diverting Anthony's focus and leading him into frivolous activities, creating a breakdown in his relationships and responsibilities. The narrative unfolds with Anthony's engagement in dice games, hunting, and role-playing, showcasing his erratic behavior under Cleopatra's influence.
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Plutarch, Life of Mark Anthony, 28. In this way Cleopatra so completely took control of Antony, that while Fulvia, his wife, was waging war on his behalf with Octavian in Rome and a Parthian army commanded by Labienus was threatening Mesopotamia (the generals of the king had appointed Labienus Parthian commander-in-chief over this area), and was about to invade Syria, he let himself be carried off by her to Alexandria. There, like a young man with time on his hands for leisure, he wasted his time spending it upon amusements and pleasures, time which Antiphon calls the most expensive of all goods. They had a group around them called The Inimitable Livers , and every day for each other they gave feasts of an unbelievable and immeasurable expense. In fact, Philotas, the doctor from Amphissa, used to tell my grandfather, Lamprias, that he got to know one of the Queen s cooks. He was taken into the kitchen, where he saw all the other preparations and eight wild boars roasting; he said that he showed amazement at the number of diners. But the cook laughed and said: There are not many guests, only about twelve; but each thing placed before them must be perfect . Plutarch, Life of Mark Anthony, 29. Now Cleopatra displayed her flattery; while Antony was spending his time either in some amusement or some serious matter, she was always bringing some new pleasurable diversion or charming activity, and so keeping him well-trained and under control day and night. She played dice with him, drank with him, hunted with him, and when he exercised himself in full armour she watched him; when at night he liked to stand outside the doors or windows of the ordinary people to make fun of those inside, she used to put on the clothes of a servant-girl and join him in his games. Antony also would dress up like some slave. He often returned home driven by abuse and sometimes blows. In fact most people knew it was him. The Alexandrians enjoyed this sort of silly behaviour and played along with their usual good taste How is Mark Anthony characterised in these two sections? Think about your chosen adjectives. - Give 2 supporting quotes For what does Plutarch seem to place blame on Cleopatra for? Why? What kind of games and activities does Plutarch record Anthony and Cleopatra engaging in? - List 3 examples - - Give at least 1 supporting quote.
Cleopatra and the breakdown between Mark Anthony and Octavian L.O. To understand and explain Cleopatra s role in the breakdown of the relationship between Mark Anthony and Cleopatra L.O. To assess the significance of the donations of Alexandria.
Breakdown in relationship between Mark Anthony and Octavian - the role of Cleopatra? By 36BC, Anthony finally headed eastwards into Parthia and was initially successful in his military campaign, with his joint Roman and Egyptian army. However, the campaign soon turned to disaster, with Anthony losing nearly 30,000 men and leaving his army in Armenia, to return to Syria and await the arrival of Cleopatra with reinforcements. TASK: read textbook p.190-191 (stop when you get to The Donations of Alexandria) and Plutarch 51, 53 and Velleius Paterculus 2.82 (p.26-28 source booklet). Use this information to complete the table, charting the movements and actions of our main players 36- 35BC. Plutarch s now portrays Anthony as turning to drink and emotional outbursts to relieve the pain of defeat and his desperate longing for Cleopatra. Not every source will give you info for each figure, but each figure will have details/ actions that need recording! Meanwhile, Octavia continued to be the loyal wife, and travelled as far as Athens with resources for Anthony, only to be told by him to stay there but send on the supplies if she wanted. Push yourself! NEXT STEP: In what ways does Plutarch continue to negatively characterise Mark Anthony from 36-35BC? It became clear to her that his true love was Cleopatra, and she returned to Rome, devastated, and Octavian encouraged her to seek a divorce Octaiva remained loyal to Anthony, but Plutarch reports that Cleopatra became increasingly devoted to Anthony to ensure he remained committed to HER. we should be careful of this characterisation, however! Based on your prior knowledge of Cleopatra, and of Plutarch aims and methods, how accurate do you think his description of Cleopatra s behaviour during this time is?
Key figure in 36-35BC Plutarch, Life of MA, 51 Plutarch, Life of MA, 53 Velleius Paterculus 2.82 Mark Anthony actions/ mistakes Cleopatra VII actions/ SUPPOSED aims Octavia (Anthony s wife ) commitment and loyalty Octavian actions/ successes
The Donations of Alexandria 34BC By 34BC, Anthony had cut all contact with Octavia, and following a major military success in Armenia, he returned to Alexandria and put on spectacular, audacious celebrations with Cleopatra. Celebrations that seemed a lot like a Roman triumph, which was only allowed to take place in Rome, as a victory FOR Rome. This (kind of) triumph was followed a few days later by a staggering ceremony, where Anthony, joined by Cleopatra who was dressed as the goddess Isis, announced that the empire that he controlled would be split between his sons after his death, and that Caesarion was the formal co-ruler alongside Cleopatra. The formal recognition of Caesarion as Caesar s son threatened Octavian, and he now actively spoke out against Anthony, claiming he was more of a foreign king than a triumvir of Rome. There was no going back. TASK 2: go to p. 35 of the source booklet, and annotate the images of the Silver denarius of Anthony and Cleopatra, minted in 32BC with answers to the following questions. 1. Which parts of the coin may have insulted a Roman audience? Explain Why. 2. Which parts of the coins emphasise the importance/ power of Cleopatra s children. Explain how. 3. Which parts of the coin emphasise Anthony s importance/ power. Explain how. TASK 1: read p.191-192, and use what you learn to give (brief) answers to the following questions, and the complete the source analysis of the silver denarius from 32BC. List two ways in which Anthony s behaviour was insulting to Rome. What do you think Anthony was hoping to achieve with the Donations of Alexandria? What were the two main consequences of Anthony s Donations of Alexandria? 4. Which parts of the coin corroborate (agree/match) with Plutarch, Life of Mark Anthony, 54?
