Ancient Perspectives on the Battle of Actium, 31BC
Explore differing views on the Battle of Actium in 31 BC through ancient sources like Plutarch, Velleius Paterculus, and Virgil. Uncover biases, motivations, and accuracies in their accounts to understand the complexities of this historical event and the roles of key figures such as Mark Anthony and Octavian.
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Re-order these events of the Battle of Actium, 31BC. a. Mark Anthony s attack begins to fail b. After a tense stand off between Anthony and Agrippa/ Octavian s Correct Order forces, the later makes the first move and begins the Battle of Actium. F c. Upon realising that their leader has abandoned them, Anthony s B forces soon fail and the land troops surrender to Agrippa/ Octavian in a matter of days. E d. Cleopatra notices a space opening up in the centre of Agrippa/ Octavian s fleet and takes the opportunity to escape the battle. A e. Mark Anthony s ships have far less manoeuvrability than Agrippa/ D Octavian s, so Agrippa aims to draw them out to battle to the advantage of his quicker ships. G f. Agrippa/ Octavian s fleets close off Mark Anthony s communication route to the Egyptian forces. C g. Mark Anthony is notified of Cleopatra s abandonment, and follows her, fleeing the battlefield and deserting his own troops
Views of the battle of Actium in the ancient sources L.O. To understand the varying reports of the battle. L.O. To explain why Anthony and Cleopatra lost the battle
Ancient Source views on the Battle of Actium, 31BC The Roman narrative of the Battle of Actium is presented the same across the sources. We must decide for ourselves whether the amount of different evidence for the nature of the battle outweighs the pro-Roman/Octavian bias of the sources. The sources present the following picture: Antony and Cleopatra met Octavian and Agrippa, fighting was tightly contested in the open water before Cleopatra fled wit her forces and Anthony followed leaving the battle to be won by Octavian. Yet in a number of sources the glory of the battle and the role of certain characters and their actions have been exaggerated. We re left only to judge each source on its accuracy to determine its usefulness in helping is understand what actually happened that day at Actium. TASK: using p. 199-200 of the textbook, and the three ancient sources, complete the table summarising the different views on the Battle of Actium, 31BC. Plutarch, Life of Mark Anthony, 68. p .42 Velleius Paterculus, The Roman History, 2.82-86. p .34, 43-45. EXTENSION: To what extent are these three sources consistent (the same) in the way they present Cleopatra? 8.6675-731. p.47-48 Virgil, Aeneid, Use quotes from each of the ancient sources to support your answer.
Plutarch, Life of Mark Antony, 68. Velleius Paterculus, The Roman History, 2.82-86 Virgil, Aeneid, 8.6675- 731 Whose side is the source on? Mark Anthony or Octavian? How can we tell the side they re on, based on their account of the battle? include a quote for each point Does the writer have aims/ purposes in their writing that we need to be aware of, and that would be them a less unreliable source for the batttle? How accurate do you believe their account of the battle of Actium is?
Why did Antony lose the Battle of Actium? It s very easy for us to assume that Antony lost the Battle of Actium because he fled the scene after Cleopatra chose to abandon the fight. This is an easy explanation to remember. In fact, the key reasons that Antony lost were far more strategic than this, and relate much more to poor decision-making that Antony made BEFORE the battle even begun. Poor timing for the beginning of the battle/ war against Octavian. Underestimating Octavian and Agrippa Poor preparations in the lead up to the battle. TASK 1: on your pyramid summarise the 3 key reasons as to why Anthony lost the Battle of Actium. Order them in terms of significance! MOST significant CHALLENGE Explain what caused Mark Antony to lose the Battle of Actium. (10). - 3 points of discussion - Focus on the S.O.C of cause , make sure it is clearly explained how each point you write about CAUSED him to lose. - Conclusion; which cause was the most significant and why? MIDDLING significance LEAST significant
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