Page 20 - History of War - Issue 18-15

Frontline
THE BATTLE OF ACTIUM

OctavianandAgrippatakeontheinfamousAntonyandCleopatra
near Epirus, Greece, on 2 September 31 BCE

ollowing a struggle for power over 1 ANTONY PREPARES AT ACTIUM 2 OCTAVIAN AND AGRIPPA’S FLEET
Rome, former triumvirs Octavian Antony’s warships wait at the harbour. He has ordered Octavian’s 250 ships are small, but he has the advantage
F and Mark Antony (the latter based in full sail on his ships, which is strange, as sails are for of speed and manoeuvrability with his well-trained and
client-kingdom Egypt) faced each other in cruising, not fi ghting, where rowers are used. His 250-ton disciplined crews, especially in stronger tides nearer the
battle at sea near the city of Actium, off the quinqueremes are weighted with iron plating and bronze harbour. Antony’s superior ships are under-manned by
coast of Epirus. Antony had the advantage spikes for ramming, with eight and ten banks of oars. inexperienced ‘mule-drivers, farmers, and boys’.
ofexperience,biggerandheavierships,and

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