Even to those who don’t study ancient history, the name of Marc Antony is well known. Thanks to the drama of his life and times, his love affair with Cleopatra, and his depiction by Shakespear (and HBO’s Rome), the name Marc Antony has been immortalized.
Some may call him a hero, others would call him a villian. Still, others might say he was a man with good qualities and more demons, who tried and failed to honor the legacy of his fallen friend and to fight back against tyranny. There is likely a touch of truth to it all, but the dichotomy creates a fascinating and alluring figure we can’t help but ignore.
This is my humble attempt to bring the Ancient Roman general, lover of Cleopatra, and friend of Caesar to life.
I love your work! I can’t wait for your new books and can’t help but share your Covid blogs. Keep up the good work!
Yes, Anthony is an interesting character. HBO did an amazing job regarding him.
Btw. since you’re interested in unique characters like Sertorius, you might be interested in another ‘Roman’.
He was technically a subordinate of Anthony, but truly a tactical genius. I really think at the tactical level, he even surpassed Alexander the Great.
He was about the only commander who had repeatedly defeated experienced/trained both horse archers, and heavy shock cavalry, led by competent, experienced commanders, using primarily infantry force, both heavy shock, and slingers/archers, with a complement of medium shock cavalry.
Originally, he had started as a prisoner of Rome paraded during a Roman triumph after the Social War, but got inducted into the legions, and promoted rapidly, and eventually fought against combination of both formidable foe of Rome, and a Roman defector/deserter leading other defecting/deserting Roman troops.
The irony was that the Roman defector/deserter was from a prominent Roman family, and the defecting/deserting Roman troops were for the traditional Roman Republican virtue.
Eventually, he ended up having a Roman Triumph of his own.
Publius Ventidius