Page 72 - History of War - Issue 01-14

ROMAN GENERALS

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GAIUS JULIUS CAESAR MARCUS ANTONIUS
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TOR OF THE R
OMAN REPUBLIC
DICTATOR OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC CONSUL OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC
LIVED 83-30BC
LIVED 100-44BC Considered by many to be the greatest Roman General, Antony
Probably the most famous of started his career as an Offi cer in Egypt. Between 54-50BC, he
Probably the most famous of
all the Romans, as a politician served under Julius Caesar, becoming one of his most trusted
all the Romans, as a politician
Caesar was the fi rst Emperor
Caesar was the fi rst Emperor Offi cers. As a result, upon Caesar’s assassination, Antony became
in all but name. After his conquest of
in all but name. After his conquest of Rome’s leader, with Caesar’s posthumously adopted son, Octavian, as
Gaul, which extended Rome’s territory
Gaul, which extended Rome’s territory his main rival. The second triumvirate was formed by Antony, Octavian
to the English Channel and the Rhine,
to the English Channel and the Rhine, and Lepidus, with Antony taking possession of the eastern half of the
he became the fi rst Roman General Roman Empire, and Octavian most of the
to cross both when he built a bridge
to cross both when he built a bridge west. Tensions were apparent between the
across the Rhine and conducted two men almost immediately, however. DID YOU KNOW?
the fi rst invasion of Britain. Antony married Octavian’s sister, Octavia, Antony mistakenly believed
These achievements granted but later took Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, that Cleopatra had already
Caesar unmatched military as his lover and wife. This meant that he killed herself, so he threw
power, which threatened to lost his alliance with Rome. When war himself on his own sword.
He was then taken to her and
overshadow Pompey and his broke out between the two men as a result, died in her arms. The grieving
Senate. Pompey accused Caesar Antony was defeated, and he and Cleopatra Cleopatra later committed
of insubordination and treason, fl ed to Egypt, where they committed suicide. suicide, reputedly by allowing
and ordered him to disband his herself to be bitten by an asp.
army and return to Rome. Caesar
refused and, in 49BC, led his army
into civil war, in which they triumphed.
into civil war, in which they triumphed.
As dictator in Rome, Caesar
overhauled the
calendar, started
construction of DID YOU KNOW?
a basilica and Despite having a
issued a new living son with
coinage with his Cleopatra, Caesar ,
adopted a g
adopted a great nephew,
reat nephew
head on it. He Octa vian, to tak e over
Octavian, to take over
was murdered in his le g acy . Octa vian
his legacy. Octavian
44BC, his death went on to become
precipitating Emperor Augustus, the
the
Emperor Augustus,

uler of the Roman

the end of the first ruler of the Roman Getty Images Mary Evans
rst r
fi
Empire after the fall of
Roman Republic. Empire after the fall of
the Republic.
100BC 50BC 1AD
100BC 90BC 80BC 70BC 60BC 50BC 40BC 30BC 20BC 10BC 1AD 10AD 20AD
MARCUS VIPSANIUS AGRIPPA
GENERAL AND CONSUL OF THE EMPIRE
Mary Evans As well as being Octavian’s key military advisor, Marcus Vipsanius
LIVED 63-12BC
Agrippa was General of the Roman Empire’s fl eet of ships and
was responsible for the construction of Portus Julius harbour,
which joined Lucrinus Lacus and Lake Avernus so that Rome’s ships
could be effectively defended from Sextus Pompey’s fl eet. Agrippa and
Octavian fought together in many land and sea battles right across the
Empire, including Gaul, Germanicus and – probably – Africa, where the
former may well have fought against his brother in one of the civil wars
(though this has never been substantiated).
Agrippa was as well-known for his civic duties as for his military
exploits. He was responsible for co-ordinating
repairs and improvements to Rome’s water
works, renovating and extending the Aqua DID YOU KNOW?
Marcia aqueduct, and introducing water to Following his decisive
new parts of the city. When Augustus came victories against Sextus
into power, Agrippa worked closely with the Pompey in 36BC, Agrippa
Emperor, repairing streets and buildings, and was welcomed back to
Rome, where he was
organising festivals for Rome’s inhabitants given a naval crown
to enjoy. Augustus paid a back-handed decorated with the prows
compliment to Agrippa when he later said, of Roman ships. This was
“I found the city of brick but left it of marble.” a one-off honour never
before or since bestowed.

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