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In 34 BC, Antony had a campaign into Armenia, which was
successful and financially rewarding. He celebrated his triumph
with a parade through Alexandria with Cleopatra presiding over as
the New Isis. Antony presented himself as the New Dionysus as part
of his dream of the Graeco-Roman rule. Within a few days, a more
political ceremony took place in which the children were given
their royal titles with Antony sitting on the throne as well.
Ptolemy XV (Caesarion) was made the co-ruler with his mother and
was called the King of Kings. Cleopatra was called the Queen of
Kings, which was a higher position than that of Caesarion's.
Alexander Helios, which meant the sun, was named Great King of the
Seleucid empire when it was at its highest. Cleopatra Selene,
which meant the moon, was called Queen of Cyrenaica and Crete.
Cleopatra and Antony's son, Ptolemy Philadelphos was named King of
Syria and Asia Minor at the age of two. Cleopatra had dreams of
becoming the Empress of the world. She was very close to achieving
these dreams and her favorite oath was, "As surely as I shall
yet dispense justice on the Roman Capital."
In 32 to 31 BC, Antony finally divorced Octavia. This forced
the Western part of the world to recognize his relationship with
Cleopatra. He had already put her name and face on a Roman coin,
the silver denarii. The denarii was widely circulated throughout
the Mediterranean. By doing this, Antony's relationship with the
Roman allegiance was ended and Octavian decided to publish
Antony's will. Octavian then formally declared war against
Cleopatra. Antony's name was nowhere mentioned in the official
declaration. Many false accusations were made against Cleopatra
saying that she was a harlot and a drunken Oriental. These
accusations were most likely made out of fear of Cleopatra and
Antony. Many probably thought that the New Isis would prevail and
that Antony would start up a new wave of world conquest and rule
in a co-partnership from Alexandria. However, Octavian's navy
severely defeated Antony in Actium, which is in Greece, on
September 2, 31 BC. Octavian's admiral, Agrippa, planned and
carried out the defeat. In less than a year, Antony half-heartedly
defended Alexandria against the advancing army of Octavian. After
the defeat, Antony committed suicide by falling on his own sword
in 30 BC.
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