Augustus_ The Life of Rome's First Emperor - Anthony Everitt [195]
“He took a beating” Ibid., 70 2.
“to steal over” App 5 109.
believing he was about to be captured Pliny 7147–49.
“terribly distressed” Dio 49 5 4.
“On the eve of the battle” Suet Aug 16 2.
“bringing with him” Vell Pat 2803.
“was hit on the breastplate” App 5 125.
“You will when you’re dead” Ibid.
142…Antony’s approval Ibid., 5144.
XI. PARTHIAN SHOTS
Appian and Dio are complemented by Plutarch, who in his life of Mark Antony covers the Parthian expedition in detail.
tribunicia sacrosanctitas There is confusion in the sources. Appian wrongly says Octavian became tribune for life, whereas Dio asserts simply sacrosanctitas. Dio gives two separate dates when Octavian was given full tribunician power or potestas, 30 and 23; he may not have accepted the offer on the first occasion, or perhaps only certain powers. He first used potestas in 23.
“jealous of [Ventidius]” Dio 49 21 1.
nobody saw anything especially scandalous When Plut Ant 36 2 speaks of “deep resentment among the Romans,” this almost certainly reflects later propaganda about Cleopatra’s evil influence over Antony.
expelled a man from the Senate Plut Cat 17 7.
“When your organ is stiff” Hor Sat 1 2 116ff.
Horace had his bedroom: Suet De Vir Ill (Life of Horace).
“every woman’s man” Suet Caes 52 3.
he prepared for suicide Florus 22010.
“greeted him” Plut Ant 43 1.
“truly noble devotion” Ibid., 54 2.
XII. EAST IS EAST AND WEST IS WEST
Dio’s and Appian’s histories of the Illyrian wars cover Augustus’ campaigning. Dio’s and Plutarch’s lives of Mark Antony describe the Donations of Alexandria. Strabo provides topographical information.
“considered to be the bravest” Dio 49 36 3.
one leg and both arms Suet Aug 20.
“beauty of person” Florus 223; Florus (c. A.D. 70 to c. A.D. 140) wrote a history of Rome based on Livy.
Armenia was turned into a Roman province Within a couple of years the political situation went into reverse, and both Armenia and Media returned to the Parthian fold.
“He had no complaint” Dio 49 36 1.
Antony issued a coin See Grant, Cleo, p. 169.
“give judgement on the Capitol” Dio 5054.
“And the Alexandrians thronged” C. P. Cavafy, “Alexandrian Kings.” In Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard, trans., Collected Poems (London: The Hogarth Press, 1975).
XIII. THE PHONY WAR
For the city of Rome, see Stambaugh, Dupont, and Connolly & Dodge. Dio, and Plutarch’s life of Mark Antony, with support from Suetonius, are the main narrative sources.
Near it stood a hut The bases together with post holes of three huts were recorded during excavations of this part of the Palatine in 1907. They can be dated to the eighth century B.C., about the time of the legendary foundation of the city.
Agrippa took up the post of aedile For his activities, see Dio 49 42.
“failed to conduct himself” Suet Aug 17 1.
The Triumvirate’s second term There is some dispute about the timing of triumviral terms. Appian says that the Triumvirate was due to expire at the end of 32 B.C. However, some argue that that would imply an unevidenced break at the end of 37 B.C. for one year. Augustus claims in Res Gestae an unbroken ten years as triumvir. On balance, the end of 33 B.C. seems the most likely date.
“a madman” Suet Aug 86 3.
“What’s come over you?” Ibid., 69 2. I follow Michael Grant’s opinion that “uxor mea est” is the question “Is she my wife?,” not the statement “She is my wife.” See Grant Cleo, pp. 185–86. Some scholars believe that in 37 or perhaps 33 Antony agreed to become Cleopatra’s prince consort. As I write (pp. 156–57), this is unlikely.
“Your soldiers have no claim” Plut Ant 55 2.
“Domitius and Sosius” Dio 49 41 4.
“himself with a bodyguard” Ibid., 50 5–6.
“As they did not dare” Ibid., 50 2 5–6.
XIV. SHOWDOWN
Dio’s and Plutarch’s lives of Antony are the main sources. Carter gives the authoritative modern account of Actium.
the path to success Jos Ant 15 [6, 6] 191.
a kind of personal plebiscite The chronology is uncertain. I follow Syme RR, pp. 284ff.
“The whole of Italy” Res Gest 25.
lodged his will with the Vestal Virgins Some