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Mark Antony (Marcus Antonius) was born on 14 January 83 BCE in Rome. He was an excellent Roman commander and at the same time a brilliant politician. He was an officer of Julius Caesar and his supporter. After his death, he took part in the civil war.
Family
He was the son of Marcus Antonius Creticus and Julia, Caesar’s close relative. His grandfather was Marcus Antonius Orator, who was one of the best Roman speakers of his time. Mark’s father died young and his mother decided to marry again, this time Publius Cornelius Lentulus Sara. However, he was executed by the order of Cicero. Cicero’s attitude caused great indignation in the young man. From then on, Mark hated Cicero.
Political career
As a young man, Antony was marked by bad character traits. Together with his brothers, Lucius and Gaius, and friends (Clodius and Curio), he led a reckless life, filled with gambling, fights, drinking and numerous romances. His trip to Greece in 63 BCE was a breakthrough since he began to study rhetoric. But instead of devoting himself to studies, Antony decided to join the legions of Aulus Gabinius, the Proconsul of Syria. It was the beginning of his long military career. During the campaign, he distinguished himself as the commander of the ride, showing courage many times. Antony gradually climbed the military ladder occupying the highest positions. He devoted himself entirely to the army.
Mark Antony, who had already participated in many campaigns, was one of the commanders in Caesar’s army in Gaul (54 BCE). Here he again proved his high competence as a military commander, and thus he commended Caesar. He became his devoted supporter and did not leave him until his death. However, it had repeatedly happened that Antony, with his rather specific behaviour, caused confusion in the army. Also, Caesar rather disliked his personality. However, the commander saw in him a real ally, which he proved by entrusting him with more and more serious tasks in Gaul. The political career of Antony quickly developed, mostly because it was still supported by Caesar. With his help, Antony became a quaestor in 52 BCE, and in 50 BCE he was appointed the College of Augurs, and in 49 BCE – People’s Tribue. This last office was clearly convenient for Caesar, as the country was lost in the Civil War. Caesar needed support from people, which Antony assured him as a tribune.
Civil war
The crisis in Rome meant that Antony had to devote himself entirely to politics. Representing Caesar in the Senate, he demanded that in addition to Caesar, who would complete the second 5-year period of consular power in Gaul, Pompey should also give power over the army. However, this demand met with total opposition, and Antony was thrown out of the chamber. Mark quickly left Rome joining the forces of Caesar in the north. As it turned out, he was Caesar’s faithful ally during the Civil War. When Caesar went in pursuit of Pompey to Greece, Antony was to be his representative in Rome. However, at the request of Caesar, he left the city and, as the head of the rest of the army, supported the leader in Greece. Caesar was really confident about his ally, entrusting him with the command of the left wing of his army at the battle of Pharsalus in 48 BCE.
After defeating Pompey, his death and taking over dictatorial power by Caesar, Antony was appointed the commander of the ride (magister equitum). During the absence of Caesar, who fought in Africa with Pompey’s supporters, Mark had power over Rome, where he, however, did not show administrative skills. His bad decisions led to numerous conflicts in the city. Dissatisfied with the rule of Antony, Caesar, pushed him aside for two years. It was not until 44 BCE that Mark Antony was elected a consul along with Caesar.
