Episode Details

Barry Strauss narrates the naval Battle of Actium, which begins on September 2, 31 BC. Antony and Cleopatracommand approximately 230 ships against Octavian and Agrippa's fleet of nearly 400. Facing starvation due to Agrippa's blockade, Antony and Cleopatra decide on a breakout battle to escape by sea with their treasury. During the battle, Cleopatra's flagship, flying a purple sail, breaks through a gap in the Roman line. Antony follows her in a smaller ship, abandoning his fleet and army in a move that Strauss describes as a devastating blow to his Roman honor. Despite their leaders' flight, Antony's men continue to fight until Octavian uses fire arrows to destroy their remaining ships. The lovers escape south toward Alexandria, but Antony is left in a state of deep melancholy after deserting his troops. (6)