Battle of Actium - Definition and Overview

The Battle of Actium, 2 September 31 BC, by Lorenzo A. Castro, painted 1672.

The naval Battle of Actium took place on September 2, 31 BC, near Actium in Greece, during the Roman Civil War between Mark Antony and Octavian (later the Princeps Augustus, known later as the first Roman Emperor). The fleet of Octavian was commanded by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, and the fleet of Antony supported by the fleet of his wife, Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt. The battle was won by the forces of Octavian and the date is often used to mark the beginning of the Roman Empire.

The fleets met outside the gulf of Actium, each perhaps over 200 strong (the totals given by ancient authorities are very conflicting). Antony's heavy octeres endeavoured to close and crush the enemy with their artillery; Octavian's light and mobile craft, probably quinqueremes, made skillful use of skirmishing tactics. During the engagement Cleopatra suddenly withdrew her squadron and Antony slipped away behind her. His flight escaped notice, and the conflict remained undecided, until Antony's fleet was set on fire and thus annihilated.

A year after the battle, Antony and Cleopatra both committed suicide.

An account of the battle appears in Virgil's Aeneid.

References

• Battle of Actium by David Califf ISBN 0791074404