Mark Antony - Paolo de Ruggiero

Mark Antony was embroiled in the tumultuous events of the mid-1st century BC, which saw the violent transformation from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire. He has often been characterized as an able and loyal henchman of his cousin Julius Caesar but without the guile and vision to attain greatness in his own right (hence Shakespeare casts him as a plain, blunt man whom Caesars assassins dont think it worthwhile to kill). In his infamous alliance and love affair with Cleopatra of Egypt he is also often seen as duped and manipulated by a sharper mind. - - Despite this there is no doubt Antony was a capable soldier. He first saw action leading a cavalry unit in Judaea, before giving valuable service to Julius Caesar in Gaul and Germany. During the First Civil War he again served with distinction and led Caesars right wing at the climactic battle of Pharsalus. And during the Second Civil War he was instrumental in the defeat of the conspirators at Philippi. But Paolo Ruggiero re-assesses this pivotal figure and concludes that he was much more than a simple soldier, revealing a more complex and significant man. -