Octavian's naval victory over Antony and Cleopatra ended the Final War of the Roman Republic and enabled the establishment of the Roman Empire.
Key Facts
- Date of battle
- 2 September 31 BC
- Antony's fleet size
- 500 ships
- Octavian's fleet size
- 400 ships
- Antony's infantry
- 70,000 soldiers
- Octavian's infantry
- 80,000 soldiers
- Augustus title awarded
- 27 BC by the Roman Senate
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Over a decade of rivalry between Octavian and Mark Antony for control of Rome culminated in open conflict. Antony and Cleopatra stationed themselves in Greece with a large combined force, while Octavian advanced from the north and, aided by Agrippa, severed Antony's supply and communication lines to Egypt through the Peloponnese, trapping his forces on both land and sea.
On 2 September 31 BC, Antony's fleet attempted to break through Octavian's naval blockade in the straits near Actium. Octavian's smaller, more maneuverable ships, commanded by Marcus Agrippa, routed the larger combined fleet of Antony and Cleopatra. Cleopatra's squadron intervened to allow Antony to escape, but the defeat was decisive and Antony's remaining land forces subsequently deserted to Octavian.
Octavian pursued Antony and Cleopatra to Alexandria, defeating them on 1 August 30 BC; both subsequently committed suicide. Octavian consolidated sole power over Rome, adopted the title Princeps, and in 27 BC received the title Augustus from the Senate. Historians broadly regard these events as marking the end of the Roman Republic and the foundation of the Roman Empire.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Octavian, Marcus Agrippa.
Side B
1 belligerent
Mark Antony, Cleopatra.