The Romans - Timelines

83	Marcus Antonius born 14 January.
71	Death of Marcus Antonius Creticus, father of Antony. His mother, Julia, a second cousin of Julius Caesar, subsequently married Cornelius Lentulus Sura, consul in 71, who is in 63 executed at the instigation of Cicero for participation in the conspiracy of Catiline.
c.63	Antony marries his cousin Antonia.
c.60	Among Antony’s intimate friends in riotous living are Scribonius Curio and Publius Clodius.
58	Antony studies in Rhodes and Athens, where he meets Aulus Gabinius, the new governor of Syria. He accompanies Gabinius as a cavalry commander.
57-4	Serves with Gabinius in Judaea and Egypt.
53	Joins Caesar in Gaul.
52	Elected quaestor for 51, in which capacity he acts as one of Caesar’s quartermaster generals, with command over legions in the field.
51	Left by Caesar in the northern sector in charge of 15 cohorts. Accepts surrender of Commius, leader of the Atrebates.
50	Curio, as tribune of the people, represents Caesar’s interests. Antony is elected augur, and also tribune of the people for 49.
49	Antony and a fellow tribune veto the senate’s proposal that Caesar should disband his army, and are ejected (January). Disguised as slaves, they escape to Caesar in his camp in Cisalpine Gaul, where he does not allow them to wash or change before exhibiting them to his troops as examples of how the republic treats honourable men who have stood up for the men’s rights. When Caesar advances down the east coast of Italy, Antony holds Arretium. While Caesar is in Spain (July/August), and when he subsequently embarks for Greece (November), he leaves Lepidus in charge of administrative matters in Rome and Antony to command the troops remaining in Italy.
48	Antony sails for Greece with four legions and the rest of the cavalry (April), and plays a role in the engagement at Dyrrachium, and in the naval battles which precede it. He commands the army’s left wing at Pharsalus. Afterwards, Caesar sends him back to Rome with the legions he does not immediately need, to look after his interests. When Caesar is appointed dictator, Antony is his magister equitum.
47	Antony’s tactics and manner offend the senate. He tries to disperse a protest in the forum by debtors, which ends in deaths. Divorces Antonia. Marries Fulvia, widow of Clodius and subsequently of Curio. Antony holds no posts in 46 or 45.
45	Meets Caesar on the latter’s return from Spain, and travels with him in his carriage.
44	Antony is consul, with Caesar. In the name of the people, he publicly offers Caesar a kingly crown, which is refused (15 February). Caesar assassinated (15 March). Antony, as surviving consul, convenes the senate for 17 March, and with Lepidus, magister equitum, establishes order. The senate confirms the acts of Caesar, but offers amnesties to his murderers, and agrees to the terms of his will being read out, and to a public funeral, which is spectacularly stage managed by Antony. Hostility by Antony towards Octavian, Caesar’s principal heir. Antony manages to get his appointment for 43 as governor of Macedonia switched to a five-year tenure in Cisalpine Gaul, and appropriates four legions stationed in Macedonia. Cicero begins his “Philippics”, attacking Antony, who leaves for his province and besieges Decimus Brutus, the legal governor, in Mutina.
43	Antony retreats to Transalpine Gaul in the face of an army led by Octavian and the two consuls, both of whom are killed. Octavian becomes consul, Lepidus joins Antony, and the three of them are appointed triumvirs for five years "to restore the state" (November). They institute proscriptions.
42	In two battles at Philippi, Antony, with minimal help from Octavian, defeats the forces of Brutus and Cassius, who commit suicide. Antony is awarded the governorships of Cisalpine and Transalpine Gaul, as well as responsibility for the eastern regions of the empire. He winters in Athens.
41	Cleopatra arrives in Tarsus to meet Antony, who returns with her to Egypt, where he spends the winter. Following her wishes, he orders the execution of her younger sister Arsinoe, who has sought sanctuary at Ephesus. Octavian defeats Antony’s brother at Perusia.
40	Death of Fulvia. Antony returns to Italy. War against Octavian is averted by diplomacy. “Treaty of Brundisium” officially divides east and west. Antony marries Octavia, sister of Octavian. Cleopatra has twins, Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene.
39	Agreement with Sextus Pompeius. Antony returns to Athens with Octavia. His legate Ventidius restores order in Syria and Asia Minor. Birth to Antony and Octavia of Antonia (major), grandmother of Nero.
38	Renewed trouble from Sextus Pompeius. Octavian calls Antony to meet him at Brundisium, but is not there when Antony arrives. Antony returns to east. Ventidius celebrates triumph in Rome, but dies soon afterwards.
37	Nominal renewal of triumvirate, ignoring Lepidus. Antony sends Octavia, pregnant with their second child, back to Italy. Cleopatra joins him in Antioch.
36	Birth to Antony and Octavia of Antonia (minor), mother of Claudius and grandmother of Caligula. Failure of Antony’s Parthian expedition. His third child with Cleopatra born, Ptolemy Philadelphus.
35	Octavia brings to Athens troops, money, and supplies for Antony, who sends her home without coming to meet her.
34	Successful campaign by Antony in Armenia, which is annexed to Rome. He parades through Alexandria in triumph, after which he formally bestows territories on Cleopatra and their children, and proclaims that Caesarion is the legitimate heir of Caesar.
33	Legal end of triumvirate, from which Lepidus has already been ousted. Octavian makes verbal attacks on Antony.
32	Octavian’s attitude causes senators to defect to Antony. Antony divorces Octavia. Octavian gets Antony’s powers annulled and war is declared against Cleopatra.
31	Engagements in western Greece. Antony and Cleopatra escape from Actium by sea.
30	Octavian reaches Alexandria, where the opposition troops and fleet desert to him. Antony (1 August) and Cleopatra commit suicide.